Welcome To International Seminars In Surgical Oncology

This editorial marks the launch of a new online journal for surgical and medical oncology. The internet has produced a profound shift in the way in which clinicians, researchers and patients seek, interpret and utilise medical information and research. The launch of our journal comes at a time when these changes are in a rapid phase of development and consolidation

Unilateral Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia after Minor Head Injury

Internuclear ophthalmoplegia is a rare condition caused by injury to the medial longitudinal fasciculus in the brainstem. It usually occurs in conditions such as stroke or multiple sclerosis and is extremely rare after head injury. We report a case of unilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia, which occurred after a minor head injury in a young male. His only symptoms were headache and diplopia. He was treated conservatively, and his symptoms settled after 3 months

Capsular contraction following immediate reconstructive surgery for breast cancer – An association with methylene blue dye

Capsular contraction following implantation of breast prostheses occurs in 2–33% of patients undergoing breast augmentation. This condition can be debilitating for patients, and often requires revisional surgery. The aetiology of capsular contraction is unclear, but may be due to infection, haematoma or foreign body-type reactions. Methylene blue dye is a substance known to cause localised tissue inflammation, and is often used during breast cancer surgery to allow identification of the sentinel lymph node. We report a case of Baker Grade 4 capsular contraction necessitating revisional surgery, occurring in a patient who underwent immediate breast reconstruction during surgery for breast cancer. Methylene blue dye was used to locate the sentinel nodes during the original surgery, and was found to have heavily discoloured the prosthesis at subsequent revisional surgery. Capsular contraction may have been caused in part by a localised tissue reaction initiated by, or involving the dye

Rouviere's sulcus—Aspects of incorporating this valuable sign for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

SummaryLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common procedures performed worldwide. Despite advances in technique, injury to the common bile duct and blood vessels still occurs. Rouviere's sulcus, a naturally occurring cleft in the right lobe, anterior to Segment 1, occurs in over 80% of normal livers. It is a useful, but often ignored, anatomical landmark for beginning dissection of Calot's triangle, and also for confirming its location. Despite this, its usefulness is not widely known or appreciated by general surgeons. This article discusses the critical aspects of incorporating this useful landmark in safe laparoscopic surgery, including pitfalls, where the landmark may not be present or misleading. The useful mnemonic of “RANGERS”– Rouviere’s At Neck of Gallbladder Eases Recognition of Structures, helps draw attention to the sulcus to facilitate safer laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Splenic peliosis – a potentially fatal condition which can mimick malignancy

Isolated splenic peliosis is an extremely rare occurrence, and this disease often manifests itself with spontaneous haemoperitoneum

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Aspirin and colorectal cancer chemoprevention

The role of aspirin in colorectal cancer prevention is currently under intense scrutiny. Low dose Aspirin effectively suppresses the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme system, which is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. A number of observational studies and randomized controlled trials have supported a chemoprevention effect. In some instances, regular use of low dose aspirin has provided a nearly 20% reduction in incidence. Compliance and underutilization remain important issues however, as does the incidence of side effects - aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and regular use of these medications carries a small but significant risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which on occasion, can be life-threatening. These are important problems, which need wider recognition and detailed exploration before we can suggest widespread use of aspirin in primary or secondary prevention