Safety of Anticoagulation When Undergoing Endoscopic Variceal Ligation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The safety of continuing anticoagulation therapy during endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety of anticoagulation therapy in EVL.

Methods: We systematically searched four electronic databases from their inception until 1 June 2024, for studies that evaluated anticoagulation use and risk of rebleeding among patients undergoing EVL.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocol improves postoperative pain and shortens length of stay among patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a "fast-track", perioperative, multi-disciplinary concept aimed at improving recovery time and reducing length of hospital stay.

Objective: This study aims to compare the postoperative outcomes of ERAS versus non-ERAS Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), with the primary outcomes being day 0 pain score, days 1-2 range of motion (ROM), days 1-2 distance walked and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 111 consecutive patients who had undergone primary unilateral TKA from November 2019 to October 2020 at a single tertiary hospital by fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons.

Combination of Fibrosis-4, liver-stiffness measurement, and Fibroscan-AST score to predict liver-related outcomes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Noninvasive tests, such as Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), liver-stiffness measurement (LSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography, and Fibroscan-AST (FAST), are frequently used for risk stratification in NAFLD. The comparative performance of FIB-4 and LSM and FAST to predict clinical outcomes of patients with NAFLD remained unclear. We aim to evaluate the performance of FIB-4, LSM, and FAST scores to predict clinical outcomes in patients with NAFLD.

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) + liver resection versus upfront liver resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma (≥5 cm): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for majority of primary liver cancer. Use of preoperative neoadjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PN-TACE) may result in tumor shrinkage and improve resectability. This study aims to summarize the outcomes of PN-TACE versus upfront liver resection (Up-LR) in large HCC (≥5 cm).

Weber Ankle Fracture Classification System Yields Greatest Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability Over AO/OTA and Lauge-Hansen Classification Systems Under Time Constraints in an Asian Population.

No previous studies have evaluated the intra- and interobserver reliability between the Weber, Lauge-Hansen and AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification systems under time constraints. This study compares the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the aforementioned classification systems under simulated time constraints. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of ankle malleolar fractures from 80 consecutive patients from 2015 to 2016 were classified by 2 independent observers according to Weber, Lauge-Hansen and AO/OTA.

Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with or without ribavirin in hepatitis C genotype 3 compensated cirrhosis: A meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) is an effective pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral combination for treatment of chronic HCV infection. While the addition of ribavirin (RBV) to SOF/VEL improved sustained virological response (SVR12) in genotype 3 (GT3) decompensated cirrhosis patients, the benefits of RBV in GT3 compensated cirrhosis patients receiving SOF/VEL remains unclear.

Alcohol Consumption, Loneliness, Quality of Life, Social Media Usage and General Anxiety before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore.

This cross-sectional study aims to identify factors associated with anxiety levels of adults living in Singapore before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted from July to November 2020, accruing 264 eligible participants. Ordered logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), ranked as minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), and severe (15-21) before and during the pandemic.

Forecasting the rate of hand injuries in Singapore.

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the correlation between the incidence rate of hand injuries and various major economic indicators in Singapore. We hypothesise that the number of hand injuries is correlated to activity in the construction and manufacturing industries in Singapore.

Methods: Twenty thousand seven hundred sixty-four patients who underwent hand surgeries in a tertiary institution between 2012 to 2018 were reviewed.

Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Obstructing Colorectal Cancer Treated by Endoscopic Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery.

Purpose: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to predict adverse survival outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This study evaluates the prognostic value of NLR among patients with obstructing CRC who successfully underwent stenting before curative surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent stenting before surgery.