International Surgery Volume 107: Issue 2

As Editor-in-Chief of International Surgery, I take this opportunity to address the convening of the 43^rd World Scientific Congress of the International College of Surgeons at the Patalya Thermal Resort Hotel, Ankara, Turkey, on November 7 - 9, 2023.

As the 43^rd World Congress convenes in Ankara, Turkey, the four missions of the College will be fulfilled, in that scientific research data will be presented for discussion, communicated, and used as a basis for later teaching, all of which provides the basis for leadership.

Being a working Section in the College provides the opportunity

Introduction

Particulate matter (PM)_2.5 exposure affects prenatal health and birth outcomes, including low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery (PTD).

Objective

To identify and explore PM_2.5 exposure on adverse obstetrical effects, including preterm birth and LBW.

Methods

Four hundred and nine studies from 1982 to 2020 were identified in a search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Of the 409 articles, 24 were identified as “qualitatively considered” and 7 were identified as “quantitively eligible” to be included in this meta-analysis. The pooled effect of PM_2.5 exposure on LBW and PTD was calculated using a random effect model with significant heterogeneity. Seven studies were conducted in the meta-analysis, and the pooled effect of PM_2.5 exposure on LBW and entire pregnancy was 1.033 (95% CI, 1.025–1.041) with significant high heterogeneity (I² = 96.110, P = 0.000). The pooled effect of PM_2.5 exposure on PTD and entire pregnancy was 1.024 (95% CI, 1.015–1.033) with significantly different low heterogeneity (I² = 60.036, P = 0.082).

Discussion

Exposure to PM_2.5 during pregnancy is significantly associated with the risk of LBW, and the risk of PTD is significantly different but consistently associated with PM_2.5.

Conclusion

Globally, PM_2.5 exposure is significantly associated with serious pregnancy and birth outcomes worldwide. The emerging risks to prenatal health suggest a need for the government to influence health policies to protect maternal and pediatric health.

Background

Accurate staging of lymph node (LN) status is essential for predicting prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Recent proposals suggest that lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of metastatic lymph nodes (LODDS) may have superior accuracy in predicting survival by minimizing stage migration. The aim of the present study was to compare the prognostic performances of the UICC (pN), LNR and LODDS staging systems and incorporate the optimal system into a nomogram for predicting individual survival in patients with resectable gastric cancer.

Methods

The study cohort comprised of 423 patients who had undergone D2 lymphadenectomy. The discriminatory powers of the different LN staging systems were compared using the concordance index (C-index). The optimal system was incorporated into a prognostic nomogram with other independent prognosticators, and bootstrap validation was performed.

Results

When LN status was assessed as a continuous variable, the LNR system (C-index: 0.712) was superior to pN (C-index: 0.695) and LODDS (C-index: 0.704). Age, LNR, and preoperative serum CA 19-9 and CA 125 were incorporated into a nomogram for predicting 2-year overall survival. Internal validation of the nomogram revealed good predictive abilities, with a bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.704.

Conclusion

Overall, LNR was the optimum predicator of survival in patients with resectable gastric cancer on the basis of LN status. LNR was incorporated into a nomogram along with age and preoperative serum CA 19-9 and CA 125. Internal validation confirmed the predictive ability of this nomogram.

Objective

The necessity of radical debridement in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis is increasingly challenged. We introduce the 1-stage surgical treatment with 270° retention of the spinal structure via a posterior-only approach and investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of this method in treating thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Summary of Background Data

In former research articles, many potential disadvantages are found in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis after radical debridement, such as prolonged operative time, increased the surgical trauma, unsatisfactory bony fusion, instability of the spine, and too much blood loss.

Methods

Twenty-one patients who had thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis were admitted to our hospital between January 2013 and September 2014. All of them were treated with 1-stage surgical treatment by internal fixation, focal debridement, and fusion via the posterior-only approach. Then, the clinical efficacy was evaluated, with the Cobb angle reflecting spinal kyphotic angles, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Frankel Grade scores, and imaging examination preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

Patients were followed up for 24 to 40 months (mean, 29.95 months), Fusion occurred at 4 to 9 months (mean, 5.86 months). There were significant differences between groups regarding the Cobb angle, ESR, and Frankel Grade scores. Delayed wound healing affected 1 patient because of diabetes. No complications regarding the internal fixation and no tuberculosis recurrence were observed during follow-up.

Conclusions

Combined with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, the method, characterized by 270° retention of the spinal structure, can be an effective and feasible method in treating thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Inadequacy of anterior-only fixation for reducible three-column injury of the subaxial cervical spine: case report

Yu-ying WuM.D.,

Po-Yuan ChenM.D.,

Kang LuPhD., and

I-Fan LinM.D.

The 43^rd International College of Surgeons World Scientific Congress

Air pollutants–particulate matter (PM)_2.5 with antenatal exposure leading to adverse obstetrical outcomes of low birth weight and preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Objective

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion

Prognostic Performance of Three Lymph Node Staging Systems in Patients After D2 Lymphadenectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

A 270° Retention of Spinal Structure in the Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Tuberculosis via Posterior-Only Approach

Objective

Summary of Background Data

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Gratophyllum pictum (L.) Griff Extract as Anti-Inflammatory on Wistar Rats With Experimental Hemorrhoids

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Outcomes of Pancreatic Resection for Elderly Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Onlay Repair Using Self-Gripping Mesh for Lateral Trocar Site Hernia After Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair: A Case Report With Short- and Mid-Term Outcomes

Introduction

Case presentation

Conclusion

Inadequacy of anterior-only fixation for reducible three-column injury of the subaxial cervical spine: case report

Lasers for Pulmonary Resections

miR-135a promotes tumor invasion by targeting BACH1 and GATA3 in gastric cancer

Treatment of Intertrochanteric Fractures in the Elderly with Minimally Invasive DAA for Hip Arthroplasty

Comparison of clinical outcomes between percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with local lithotripsy and ERCP alone for treating intrahepatic bile duct stones