Impelling Factors for Contracting COVID-19 Among Surgical Professionals During the Pandemic: A Multinational Cohort Study.

Background: Medical workers, including surgical professionals working in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treating hospitals, were under enormous stress during the pandemic. This global study investigated factors endowing COVID-19 amongst surgical professionals and students.

Methods: This global cross-sectional survey was made live on February 18, 2021 and closed for analysis on March 13, 2021.

The global level of harm among surgical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: Health care workers, including surgical professionals, experienced psychological burnout and physical harm during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. This global survey investigated the coronavirus 2019 pandemic impact on psychological and physical health.

Methods: We conducted a global cross-sectional survey between February 18, 2021 and March 13, 2021.

A quantitative study to explore functional outcomes following laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for rectal prolapse.

Introduction: Rectal prolapse is a life-altering problem and laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) is emerging as the surgical intervention of choice. However, the literature is ambiguous on its effect on bowel function and sparse as regards bladder and sexual function. This study assesses short-term functional outcomes following LVMR.

A Systematic Review of Online Patient Resources to Support Shared Decision Making for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background: RCS Eng, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, has published much information with regard to the consenting process. A majority of patients seek health information through online resources as well as discussing with the care givers. Therefore, it is necessary that online material is both of high quality and reliable for patients.

The Outcome of Endoscopic Radiofrequency Anti-Reflux Therapy (STRETTA) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Previous Gastric Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background/aims: STRETTA improves the quality of life and reduces the need for anti-reflux medication in select patients, especially those with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to review the outcomes of STRETTA in patients with medically refractory GERD, who had undergone previous gastric surgery.

Methods: This was a review of a prospective database in a British center.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Elderly Bariatric Patients: Safety and Efficacy-a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease due to excess fat storage, a genetic predisposition, and environmental contribution where surgery offers a viable treatment option. The surgical treatment of obesity in the elderly population (> 55 years) remains controversial.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in elderly bariatric patients.

Systematic review of online patient resources to support shared decision making for bariatric surgery.

Background: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity and the associated comorbidities but carries a number of important risks. The Royal College of Surgeons advises patients to utilise online resources as part of the shared decision-making process. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of online materials on bariatric surgery.

Variation in esophageal anastomosis technique-the role of collaborative learning.

Centralization of care has improved outcomes in esophagogastric (EG) cancer surgery. However, specialist surgical centers often work within clinical silos, with little transfer of knowledge and experience. Although variation exists in multiple dimensions of perioperative care, the differences in operative technique are rarely studied.

Endoscopic day case antireflux radiofrequency (Stretta) therapy improves quality of life and reduce proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dependency in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a prospective study from a UK tertiary centre.

Background: Endoscopic antireflux radiofrequency treatment (Stretta) offers a therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Current evidence suggests that the treatment may improve symptoms of GORD and decrease requirement for proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.

Methods: Prospective assessment of patients undergoing Stretta, between October 2014 and February 2016, in a UK tertiary referral centre was carried.

Post-oesophagectomy gastric conduit outlet obstruction following caustic ingestion, endoscopic management using a SX-ELLA biodegradable stent: A case report.

Background: Benign oesophageal strictures secondary to caustic ingestion are rare and difficult to manage. They often present with symptoms such as chest pain, dysphagia and vomiting. Surgical resection is often not justified in majority of these cases who later presents with recurrent benign stricture.

Single-incision laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's operation through the stoma site: comparative outcomes with conventional laparoscopic and open surgery.

Aim: Restoration of bowel continuity after Hartmann's procedure (RoH) can be challenging and associated with considerable morbidity. A technique using single-incision laparoscopic surgery through the stoma site (SIL RoH) has been shown to be feasible and safe. In this study, we compared clinical outcomes of SIL RoH with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CL) and open surgery (OS).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): an insight into clinical practice with review of literature.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical management of all patients with GIST presenting to a regional multidisciplinary upper gastrointestinal cancer group in the north of England.

Methods: Clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical treatment strategies, follow-up and outcome data on all patients with GIST between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed.

Are contrast swallows necessary immediately postlaparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy?

Laparoscopic cardiomyotomy is an effective treatment for achalasia. Intraoperative leak tests are carried out to exclude mucosal perforations, additionally some surgeon perform postoperative contrast swallows. The aim of the study was to identify whether postoperative contrast swallows were necessary in all patients who undergo laparoscopic cardiomyotomy.

Novel technique for retraction of the gastroesophageal junction in laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a recognized procedure for patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease whose symptoms are refractory to medical treatment. We describe a novel and cost-effective technique that aids in mobilization and retraction of the gastroesophageal junction before repair of the diaphragmatic crural defect. After hiatal dissection and creation of a posterior gastric wrap, an index suture (2-0 ethibond) is placed across the wrap.

Use of fibrin glue for fixation of mesh and approximation of Peritoneum in Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair: technical feasibility and early surgical outcomes.

Background: It is a common practice to secure both mesh and peritoneum using tacks when performing a transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair. The use of tacks to secure the mesh is well documented and has been associated with postoperative chronic pain. Recently, fibrin glue has been used to secure the mesh in these repairs but not used to reapproximate the incised peritoneum.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach: a rare entity.

A 73-year-old man presented acutely with upper gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage. Upper GI endoscopy was suggestive of a pancreatic or submucosal duodenal neoplasm invading the stomach. He underwent laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy.

Expression of the endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase Ero1α in gastro-intestinal cancer reveals a link between homocysteine and oxidative protein folding.

Aim: Ero proteins are central to oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but their expression varies in a tissue-specific manner. The aim of this work was to establish the expression of Ero1α in the digestive system and to examine the behavior of Ero1α in premalignant Barrett's esophagus, esophageal (OE) and gastric cancers and esophageal cancer cell lines.

Results: Ero1α is expressed in the columnar epithelium of Barrett's tissue, and in OE tumors and gastric tumors.

Randomized clinical trial of omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented enteral nutrition versus standard enteral nutrition in patients undergoing oesophagogastric cancer surgery.

Background: Oesophagogastric cancer surgery is immunosuppressive. This may be modulated by omega-3 fatty acids (O-3FAs). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of perioperative O-3FAs on clinical outcome and immune function after oesophagogastric cancer surgery.

Prognostic value of hypoxia inducible factor 1α in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF 1α) plays a major role in the pleitropic response observed secondary to hypoxic conditions in tumors. Its expression in the tumor cells has been correlated to tumor aggressiveness and prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus in Far Eastern population, but limited information is available on the prognostic role of HIF 1α in SCC of esophagus in European population. This information may help in choosing appropriate therapeutic strategies and possibly developing a monoclonal antibody with therapeutic potential targeting the HIF 1α.

Peer review practices in biomedical literature: a time for change?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to collect the opinions of a cross section of published authors on current practices concerning peer review in biomedical publishing.

Methods: A questionnaire on various aspects of peer review was emailed to authors, whose manuscripts were published in Gut or the British Journal of Surgery between 2001 and 2006. Authors were asked to base their responses on their overall experience with peer review in biomedical literature and not with that one particular journal.