Influenza A H5N1 Detection

We developed a sensitive and rapid real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect influenza A H5N1 virus in clinical samples. This assay was evaluated with samples from H5N1-infected patients and demonstrated greater sensitivity and faster turnaround time than nested RT-PCR

Accuracy of hiatal hernia diagnosis in bariatric patients : preoperative endoscopy versus intraoperative reference

Background and Aim: Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in Asia. Bariatric surgery in the region is growing in popularity to reflect increasing demand. Hiatal hernia (HH) is common among the obese population. There is a lack of evidence comparing preoperative endoscopy against intraoperative findings as a standard of reference for HH diagnosis. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a bariatric procedure database from a single tertiary teaching hospital and high-volume endoscopy center. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Endoscopy results were compared to intraoperative findings, and subgroup analysis of >2 cm hernias was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and global diagnostic test accuracy were calculated. Results: A total of 434 patients were eligible for this study, of which HH was detected in 37 patients (prevalence rate 8.55%). Mean age was 41.51 ± 11.07 years, and body mass index was 39.37 ± 5.67 kg/m2 . Endoscopy sensitivity was 75.68% (95% confidence interval, 58.80–88.23%) and specificity 91.44% (88.24–94.00%). Positive likelihood ratio was 8.53 (6.11–12.79) and negative likelihood ratio 0.27 (0.15–0.47). Positive predictive value was 45.16% (36.27–54.38%) and negative predictive value 97.58% (95.80–98.62%). Accuracy of endoscopy for preoperative HH diagnosis was 90.09% (86.89–92.74%). Conclusion: Endoscopy can have a high diagnostic accuracy of preoperative HH diagnosis in obese Asian patients using intraoperative diagnosis as the reference standard

Robotic versus Open Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: An Evidence-Based Review

While open thyroidectomy (OT) is advocated as the gold standard treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer, the contemporary use of robotic thyroidectomy (RT) is often controversial. Although RT combines the unique benefits of the surgical robot and remote access thyroidectomy, its applicability on cancer patients is challenged by the questionable oncological benefits and safety. This review aims to analyze the current literature evidence in comparing RT to OT on thyroid cancers for their perioperative and oncological outcomes. To date, no randomized controlled trial is available in comparing RT to OT. All published studies are nonrandomized or retrospective comparisons. Current data suggests that RT compares less favorably than OT for longer operative time, higher cost, and possibly inferior oncological control with lower number of central lymph nodes retrieved. In terms of morbidity, quality of life outcomes, and short-term recurrence rates, RT and OT are comparable. While conventional OT continues to be appropriate for most thyroid cancers, RT should better be continued by expert surgeons on selected patients who have low-risk thyroid cancers and have high expectations on cosmetic outcomes. Future research should embark on prospective randomized studies for unbiased comparisons. Long-term follow-up studies are also needed to evaluate outcomes on recurrence and survival

Current developments in natural orifices transluminal endoscopic surgery: An evidence-based review

Tremendous advances have been made in recent years addressing the key obstacles to safe performance and introduction of human natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Animal studies have focused on identifying optimal solutions to these obstacles, in particular methods of creating transluminal access, safe closure of the point of access, and development of a multitasking platform with dedicated instruments. Whether the performance data generated from these animal studies can be reproduced in humans has yet to be determined. Reports of human NOTES procedures are emerging, and the possibility of accomplishing human NOTES based on existing technology has been demonstrated. However, dedicated platforms and devices are still lacking to allow for pure NOTES procedures, and whether NOTES can deliver the postulated benefits of earlier recovery and improved cosmesis remains uncertain

Bariatric surgery in vegetarians : Asia-Pacific Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Society (APMBSS) survey of Asian surgeon experience

Purpose: Bariatric and metabolic surgery is increasing in Asia to address the growing obesity epidemic. Literature is scarce regarding this surgery in vegetarian patients. We aim to survey surgeons regarding their practices and experiences with the vegetarian population. Materials and methods: The regional bariatric and metabolic surgery society distributed a multi-national electronic questionnaire to surgeon members. The questionnaire was in the English and Chinese languages. Results: Fifty-six bariatric and metabolic surgeons responded to the questionnaire (response rate 40.6%). Twenty-two respondents (48.9%) have vegetarian patients in their case volume. Patients mostly consume a vegetarian diet for religious (66.7%) and health (66.7%) reasons. More than 60% of surgeons are unsure of micronutrient deficiency status amongst these patients. Over half of the respondents (58.8%) reported that their vegetarian patients do not take multivitamins or vitamin supplements. Significant proportions of respondents (44.4–61.1%) were unsure of the iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, and folic acid deficiency status of these patients. Only 38.9% of respondents routinely prescribe multivitamin supplementation. Conclusions: Vegetarian bariatric patients in East and South-East Asia are an under-recognized patient cohort at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. There is a knowledge gap among regional surgeons in long-term nutritional assessment and management

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) compared to submucosal tunnel endoscopic resection (STER) for treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background and study aims Submucosal tunnel endoscopic resection (STER) is being increasingly performed for treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), while STER has been limited by close dissection within tunnel and risking breach of tumor capsule. Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) allows resection of GIST with margins to prevent recurrence. This study aimed to compare EFTR against STER for treatment of gastric GIST. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical outcomes of patients with gastric GIST who received either STER or EFTR. Patients with gastric GISTs < than 4 cm were included. Clinical outcomes including baseline demographics, perioperative and oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results From 2013 to 2019, 46 patients with gastric GISTs were treated with endoscopic resection, 26 received EFTR and 20 received STER. Most of the GISTs were in the proximal stomach. There was no difference in operative time (94.9 vs 84.9 mins; P = 0.401), while endoscopic suturing was applied more for closure after EFTR (P < 0.0001). Patients after STER had earlier resumption of diet and shorter hospital stay while there was no difference in adverse event rate between two groups. The en-bloc resection rate for EFTR was significantly higher than for STER (100 % vs 80 %; P = 0.029), while there was no difference in the local recurrence. Conclusions This study demonstrated that although patients who received EFTR had longer hospital stays and slower resumption of diet compared to those who underwent STER, EFTR achieved a significantly higher rate of en-bloc resection compared to STER for treatment of gastric GIST

Outcomes with intra-gastric balloon therapy in BMI < 35 non-morbid obesity : 10-year follow-up study of an RCT

Purpose: Intra-gastric balloon (IGB) therapy is the most established endoscopic treatment of obesity, but there is a paucity of literature on long-term efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term weight loss efficacy of IGB. Materials and Methods: Double-blinded RCT with 6-month IGB vs with sham endoscopy, in body mass index (BMI) 27–35 patients. Anthropometric, fasting glucose, and lipid profile measurement as early outcomes (up to 2 years) and 10-year follow-up. Primary outcomes were total body weight loss (kg) and BMI. Secondary outcomes were new-onset diabetes mellitus, other new comorbidities, and willingness for further intervention. Results: Initial RCT recruited 99 patients (50 IGB vs 49 sibutramine group). Forty-nine patients (26 IGB vs 23 control group) participated in a 10-year review (follow-up rate of 51.6%). Total body weight loss at 6 (9.75 vs 7.48 kg, p = 0.03), 12 (6.52 vs 4.42 kg, p = 0.05), 18 (5.42 vs 3.57, p = 0.32), and 24 months (4.07 vs 2.93 kg, p = 0.56) favored the IGB group. Total weight loss (TWL) at 10 years (0.03 vs − 2.32 kg, p = 0.05) and %TWL (− 0.16 ± 12.8% vs − 2.84 ± 5.6%, p = 0.39) were not significantly different between groups. Follow-up BMI (30.97 ± 1.6 vs 30.38 ± 1.8 kg/m2, p = 1.00) was similar. At 10 years, new-onset diabetes mellitus, sleep apnoea, metabolic syndrome, and arthralgia were not significant (p > 0.05). Twenty-three (81%) IGB group vs 13 (56%) control expressed a willingness for further intervention (p < 0.01). Conclusion: IGB delivers weight loss to 2 years and is superior to control. However, new comorbidity development is not significantly different at 10 years. Patient that received IGB therapy were subsequently more willing for further bariatric metabolic intervention

Accuracy of high-resolution manometry in hiatal hernia diagnosis in primary and revision bariatric surgery

Purpose: There is a complex association between obesity, hiatal hernia (HH), and reflux. There is a deficiency of literature on the accuracy of preoperative high-resolution manometry (HRM) in detecting HH before both primary and revision bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database of all HRM performed before bariatric surgery from 2014 to 2019. An electronic medical records review was conducted. Sensitivity, specificity, and global diagnostic test accuracy were calculated. Results: Sixty-seven patients with HRM (mean age of 44.0 ± 11.3 years, body mass index 40.8 ± 6.9 kg/m2) were eligible. Intraoperative diagnosis of HH was made in 37 patients (55.2% prevalence). The HRM sensitivity was 48.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 31.9–65.6%), specificity 90.0% (95% CI 73.5–97.9%), and accuracy was 67.2% (95% CI 54.6–78.2%). Comparing primary (28) and revision (39) surgery, the sensitivity (37.5% vs 57.1%), specificity (75.0% vs 100%), and diagnostic accuracy (54.3% vs 76.3%) were comparable, with overlapping 95% CI. Endoscopy performed in 30 patients had a sensitivity of 25.5% (95% CI 6.8–49.9%), specificity of 100% (95% CI 75.3–100%), and accuracy of 57.8% (95% CI 38.5–75.5%) and was comparable to HRM. Conclusion: High-resolution manometry for the detection of HH before bariatric surgery has a high specificity and maintains a high accuracy in both primary and revision bariatric surgery