A UK wide survey of general surgeons' experience of the primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries.

Aim: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) are associated with devastating consequences, mainly faecal incontinence. A timely and correct repair is necessary to reduce the risk of maternal morbidity. The aim was to explore the experience and practice of on-call general surgeons in the acute repair of OASIs.

What are the experiences of pregnancy for women living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a long-term condition affecting the digestive tract and is an umbrella term for two main conditions: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD), which can cause diarrhoea, anaemia, weight loss, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Approximately 500,000 people live with IBD in the UK, with half being diagnosed before the age of 35 years (Ferguson, Mahsud-Dornan, and Patterson 2008). IBD increases the risk of pregnancy complications, with symptoms being unpredictable during pregnancy.

Environmental impact of single-use versus reusable gastroscopes.

Introduction: The environmental impact of endoscopy is a topic of growing interest. This study aimed to compare the carbon footprint of performing an esogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with a reusable (RU) or with a single-use (SU) disposable gastroscope.

Methods: SU (Ambu aScope Gastro) and RU gastroscopes (Olympus, H190) were evaluated using life cycle assessment methodology (ISO 14040) including the manufacture, distribution, usage, reprocessing and disposal of the endoscope.

Developing a curriculum for advanced fellowship training in complex cancer for the UK.

Aim: Surgery for complex colorectal cancer is elaborate: preoperative assessment, patient selection, radiological interpretation, operative strategy, operative technical skills, operative standardization, postoperative care and management of complications are all critical components. Given this complexity, training that encompasses all these crucial aspects to generate suitably edified surgeons is essential. To date, no curriculum exists to guide training in advanced and recurrent pelvic malignancy, particularly for complex colorectal cancer.

Sarcopenia is independently associated with poor preoperative physical fitness in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Background: Accurate preoperative risk assessment for major colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery remains challenging. Body composition (BC) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can be used to evaluate risk. The relationship between BC and CPET in patients undergoing curative CRC surgery is unclear.

Significance and structure of clinical research in the UK: an introduction for gastroenterology and hepatology nurses.

This is the first of two articles from the joint British Society of Gastroenterology Nurses association and Research Committee working group. The group is dedicated to signposting and improving access to research for specialist nurses working in gastroenterology and hepatology. This article is an introduction to the significance and structure of the National Institute for Health Research clinical research landscape in the UK and the importance of encouraging nurse engagement in research.

Gastroenterology trainee experience, confidence and satisfaction in nutrition training: a cross-sectional survey in the UK.

Introduction: Nutrition is an essential part of gastroenterology specialist training. There is limited evidence of trainee experience in this area. The shorter training programme introduced in 2022 may lead to reduced exposure to this subspecialty.

Creation of an institutional preoperative checklist to support clinical risk assessment in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) considering ileoanal pouch surgery.

Background: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the most established restorative operative approach for patients with ulcerative colitis. It has associated morbidity and the potential for major repercussions on quality of life. As such, patient selection is crucial to its success.

Stoma care: the role of community nurses.

There are many benefits of standardised care but often this is not possible due to variations in the availability of healthcare resources in the UK. Within stoma care, there is evidence to guide care but with limited standardisation, particularly for community nurses. Stoma care is provided inconsistently, possibly due to variations in training and experience of the nurse.

Pathological determinants of outcome following resection of locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Introduction: Pathological factors that influence and predict survival following pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced (LARC) or locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC), especially LRRC, remain poorly understood. A clear resection margin has previously been demonstrated to be of most significance.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for all patients undergoing a curative PE for LARC or LRRC between 2008 and 2021 at a tertiary referral UK specialist colorectal hospital.

Clinical management of high-output stoma: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: High output is a common complication after stoma formation. Although the management of high output is described in the literature, there is a lack of consensus on definitions and treatment. Our aim was to review and summarise the current best evidence.

'He's a surgeon, like I'm not going to waste his time': interviews to determine healthcare needs of people with low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the views of people on their healthcare needs when managing their bowel symptoms following an anterior resection.

Method: One-to-one, semi-structured interviews were undertaken, after consent and completion of three questionnaires. Results were analysed using a modified framework analysis and presented narratively.