Baseline characteristics and 2-year functional outcome data of patients undergoing an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in Switzerland, results of the ARCR_Pred study.

The ARCR_Pred study was initiated to document and predict the safety and effectiveness of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) in a representative Swiss patient cohort. In the present manuscript, we aimed to describe the overall and baseline characteristics of the study, report on functional outcome data and explore case-mix adjustment and differences between public and private hospitals. Between June 2020 and November 2021, primary ARCR patients were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter cohort across 18 Swiss and one German orthopedic center.

Towards Reliable Methodology: Microbiome Analysis of Fresh Frozen vs. Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Bladder Tissue Samples: A Feasibility Study.

Studies have shown that the human microbiome influences the response to systemic immunotherapy. However, only scarce data exist on the impact of the urinary microbiome on the response rates of bladder cancer (BC) to local instillation therapy. We launched the prospective SILENT-EMPIRE study in 2022 to address this question.

Sub-Tenon's Block in Patients with Previous Encircling Band Surgery-A Feasibility Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing aerosol-generating procedures became fundamental, particularly in ophthalmic surgeries traditionally performed under general anesthesia (GA). Regional anesthesia, such as sub-Tenon's block (STB), is widely used in vitreoretinal surgeries, offering a safer alternative by avoiding airway manipulation. However, the altered orbital anatomy in patients with previous scleral explant surgery creates unique challenges to STB application.

Swiss Consensus on Prenatal and Early Postnatal Urinary Tract Dilation: Practical Approach and When to Refer.

Urinary tract dilations (UTDs) are the most frequent prenatal renal anomaly. The spectrum of etiologies causing UTD ranges from mild spontaneously resolving obstruction to severe upper and lower urinary tract obstruction or reflux. The early recognition and management of these anomalies allows for improved renal endowment prenatally and ultimately better outcome for the child.

Evaluation of self-collected dried blood spots for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies shows low sensitivity.

Background And Aims: Dried blood spots (DBS) have been proposed as a cost-effective surveillance method for population-wide screening of SARS-CoV-2 immunity but sensitivity of DBS based on self-collected DBS samples is unknown. To evaluate the success of vaccination strategies, it is necessary to differentiate vaccination from natural infection. Therefore, a test for antibodies against the viral nucleocapsid protein (anti-N) is desirable.

Enhancing Radiographic Diagnosis: CycleGAN-Based Methods for Reducing Cast Shadow Artifacts in Wrist Radiographs.

We extend existing techniques by using generative adversarial network (GAN) models to reduce the appearance of cast shadows in radiographs across various age groups. We retrospectively collected 11,500 adult and paediatric wrist radiographs, evenly divided between those with and without casts. The test subset consisted of 750 radiographs with cast and 750 without cast.

Late re-engagement into HIV care among adults in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Introduction: Little is known about the clinical status of persons with HIV (PWH) who re-engage in care after an interruption. We evaluated the immunological and clinical characteristics of individuals re-engaging in care within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Methods: Participants who re-engaged in care after an interruption >14 months with a viral load ≥100 copies/mL were classified as having interrupted ART.

Addressing the role of surgery in brain tumour trials: A report from the neurosurgery committee of the EORTC brain tumour group.

The Brain Tumor Group (BTG) of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) conducts academic clinical trials and translational research to improve clinical management of patients with primary and secondary brain tumors. The EORTC BTG has traditionally played an important role in providing evidence and thus advancing the field, albeit with a main focus on radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy in gliomas. Although examples of well-designed neuro-oncological surgical trials can be found, evidence in surgical neuro-oncology predominantly includes data from uncontrolled prospective series or retrospective cohorts.

Remission induction therapies and long-term outcomes in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis: real-world data from a European cohort.

To explore disease characteristics, renal involvement and induction treatment strategies over the last decades and evaluate relapse rates and renal outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). We retrospectively analyzed remission, relapse rates and the occurrence of the composite endpoint (comprising death and renal failure) in newly diagnosed AAV cases in four tertial referral centers in Germany and Switzerland diagnosed between 1999 and 2022. Hazard ratios were computed by Cox proportional hazard and Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to compare therapeutic strategies after propensity-matching.

Indications, complications and outcomes of minimally-invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion with anterior column realignment vs. standard LLIF using expandable interbody spacers.

Background: Anterior column realignment (ACR), using a lateral lumbar or thoracic interbody fusion (LLIF) approach to release the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), is a powerful technique to increase segmental lordosis. We here report our experience with the use of expandible LLIF cages for ACR.

Methods: Retrospective, single-center observational cohort study including consecutive patients treated by LLIF using an expandible interbody implant.

Surgical management of testicular cancer with limited retroperitoneal disease.

Purpose Of Review: Chemotherapy offers excellent long-term survival rates for men with clinical stage II germ cell tumours. However, in this predominantly younger population, chemotherapy is associated with long-term adverse effects. Primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) may serve as an alternative treatment option, preserving oncological safety while potentially reducing adverse effects in men with limited retroperitoneal disease.

BRCA2 germline mutation carrier with five malignancies: a case report.

Background: BRCA2 germline mutations are known to predispose carriers to various cancer types, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer. An association with melanoma has also been reported. However, the full tumour spectrum associated with BRCA2 mutations, particularly in patients with other concurrent pathogenetic mutations, is unexplored.

Three rare cases of two-level skier's thumb injuries-review of the literature, anatomical variants and surgical treatment.

We report three rare cases of two-level skier's thumb injuries and explain the diagnostic challenges, surgical treatments, and anatomical explanations to emphasize the importance of a systematic diagnostic approach in every skier's thumb injury, including clinical examination, radiography, and ultrasonography. A surgical method to treat these rare cases is presented.

Predicting Urinary Function Outcomes Following Low-dose-rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.

Background And Objective: Our aim was to develop a tool using readily available clinical parameters to predict the probability of poor urinary function following low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for localized prostate cancer.

Methods: Data from the multicentre, prospective Swiss LDR-BT cohort were analyzed for men treated with LDR-BT. Inclusion criteria were minimum follow-up of 3 yr or postoperative treatment with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Vaccination in adult patients with chronic lung diseases.

In Switzerland, additional vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, Streptococcus pneumoniae and varicella zoster virus (VZV), are recommended for patients with chronic lung diseases such as COPD, asthma or interstitial lung disease, since infectious diseases often lead to exacerbation of lung diseases resulting in increased disease burden and mortality. In this review we give an overview on recommended vaccinations for patients with chronic lung diseases, also including vaccinations against pertussis and RSV, which are recommended in international guidelines. While continuous development of vaccines against S.

Coffee consumption and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: There is some evidence of reduced major cardiovascular event (MACE) rates associated with moderate coffee consumption in the general population. However, there is concern about the potential risks of coffee consumption in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between coffee consumption and MACE in AF patients.

Giant Duodenal Brunneroma: Report of a Rare Case and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Brunneromas are among the rarest benign tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract. They arise from the Brunner's glands and patients have a good prognosis if treated timely and radically. Because symptoms are rare, their diagnosis can be challenging, especially regarding the smaller ones.

Suspected and surgically managed cauda equina syndrome nationwide: epidemiological trends and socioeconomic factors influencing access to care.

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a critical condition requiring timely intervention to prevent severe morbidity. This study investigates the epidemiology and socioeconomic factors influencing access to CES care in USA Emergency Departments.

Methods: Data was used from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2016-2020.

Management of severe pyogenic spinal infections: the 2SICK study by the EANS spine section.

Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

Effects of a scoring aid on glasgow coma score assessment and physicians' comprehension: a simulator-based randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Examining the impact of scoring aids on the accuracy of assessing the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) in a standardized trauma scenario (primary outcome). Evaluating physicians' understanding of the GCS assessment and clinical application (secondary outcome).

Materials And Methods: This randomized trial was performed at the simulator center of a Swiss tertiary academic medical hospital.

Cataract surgical training: Analysis of the results of the European Board of Ophthalmology survey in the Swiss cohort.

Introduction: This study, part of a series, analyses the Swiss cohort from an EBO survey on cataract surgery training in Europe, focusing on Switzerland's unique program. The survey identifies two models: training all residents in surgery, and a "high-volume surgeon" model where only some learn CS post-residency.

Methods: This study analyses the survey results of Swiss participants in the EBO examinations (2018-2022) and compared them with the most important cohorts (Germany, France and Spain).

Neutralizing GDF-15 can overcome anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 resistance in solid tumours.

Cancer immunotherapies with antibodies blocking immune checkpoint molecules are clinically active across multiple cancer entities and have markedly improved cancer treatment. Yet, response rates are still limited, and tumour progression commonly occurs. Soluble and cell-bound factors in the tumour microenvironment negatively affect cancer immunity.