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Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) has been widely adopted in wound healing strategies due to its multimodal mechanism of action. While NPWT’s positive impression on wound healing is well-established, its effect on bacterial load reduction remains equivocal. This study investigates NPWT’s efficacy in reducing bioburden using an in vitro porcine skin model, focusing on the impact of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Custom-made negative pressure chambers were employed to apply varying negative pressures. Porcine skin was cut into 5 × 5 cm squares and three standardized wounds of 6 mm each were created using a biopsy punch. Then, wounds were infected with S. aureus and S. epidermidis bacterial suspensions diluted 1:10,000 to obtain a final concentration of 1.5 × 104 CFU/ml and were placed in negative pressure chambers. After incubation, bacterial counts were expressed as colony-forming units (CFU) per ml. For S. aureus at 120 hours, the median CFU, mean area per colony, and total growth area were notably lower at −80 mmHg when compared to −250 mmHg and −50 mmHg, suggesting an optimal negative pressure for the pressure-dependent inhibition of the bacterial proliferation. While analyzing S. epidermidis at 120 hours, the response to the negative pressure was similar but less clear, with the minor CFU at −100 mmHg. The influence of intermittent negative pressure on the S. epidermidis growth showed notably lower median CFU with the interval therapy every hour compared to the S. aureus control group. This study contributes valuable insights into NPWT’s influence on the bacterial load, emphasizing the need for further research to reformulate its role in managing contaminated wounds.

This scoping review highlights the role of microbiota modifications in prehabilitation for surgical patients. It emphasises the importance of optimising gut microbiota through probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics to reduce surgical complications, such as surgical site infections (SSIs). The review highlights that gut dysbiosis, worsened by surgery, stress, antibiotics, and poor diet, can lead to increased infection risk and slower recovery. Evidence from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomised controlled trials suggests that microbiota-targeted interventions can reduce SSIs, enhance immune responses, and promote quicker recovery. The review advocates for an individualised approach to prehabilitation, incorporating microbiota modifications based on patient-specific factors and surgery type. However, it also notes the need for further research to standardise therapeutic regimens and confirm the safety and efficacy of these interventions in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients undergoing surgery are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which can significantly impact surgical outcomes. Prehabilitation interventions encompassing nutritional, physical, and psychosocial support have gained attention for their potential to mitigate these risks. However, the efficacy of multidisciplinary prehabilitation programs in this context remains underexplored. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature to evaluate the effectiveness of prehabilitation interventions in improving outcomes for GI cancer patients undergoing surgery. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of available evidence, the review examines the integration of nutritional, physical, and psychosocial interventions and explores the implications for clinical practice and future research. The review highlights the importance of standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing prehabilitation programs for GI cancer patients. It identifies gaps in current research, particularly regarding the synergistic effects of integrating various intervention modalities and the role of innovative strategies such as immunonutrition. Moreover, the review underscores the need for larger studies to assess the effectiveness of multimodal prehabilitation approaches and establish standardized outcome measures. In conclusion, despite advancements in understanding the importance of prehabilitation, significant gaps persist in the literature, warranting further research to refine prehabilitation protocols and improve perioperative outcomes for GI cancer patients. By addressing these research gaps and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, future studies have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of prehabilitation interventions and optimize perioperative care in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary condition characterized by the development of numerous adenomas in the large intestine, often necessitating colectomy due to an elevated risk of colorectal cancer. Despite surgical intervention, adenomas frequently recur, underscoring the importance of ongoing surveillance. This study evaluates the outcomes of a 12-year endoscopic follow-up after colectomy and gastrointestinal reconstruction for FAP. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 41 FAP patients who underwent at least one postoperative endoscopic examination. Assessments of the pouch or rectum were performed every 12–18 months following ileorectal anastomosis and every 18–24 months after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. Follow-up biopsies were assessed using the adopted Spigelman classification. (3) Results: Postoperative pathology revealed invasive colorectal cancer in three patients. Abdominoperineal resection was performed in two cases due to secondary invasive carcinoma, and one T1 tumor was radically removed with ESD. One patient underwent radical pouch excision following a nodal pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer. Over a 12-year observation period, the mean Spigelman score increased by 2 points, and the proportion of patients with low-grade polypoid lesions decreased. The quantity or size of polyps increased in 24 patients, decreased in 8 patients, and remained stable in 9 patients. In four patients, granular, laterally spreading tumors were discovered in the rectal stump. (4) Conclusions: Regular endoscopic surveillance in FAP patients facilitates early identification of neoplastic and inflammatory changes. The downstaging potential highlights the effectiveness of early interventions. While the Spigelman classification assessed polyps well, it did not predict cancer occurrence. A notable number of patients had invasive cancer at the time of surgery, underscoring the importance of early surgical qualification, which is particularly crucial for identifying upstaging or secondary cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Computer-based interactive techniques are becoming an important tool in medical education. One of the important benefits of the use of telemedicine in surgical training is the reduction of the number of people in the operating room. As shown in the studies, this can lead i.a. to the reduction in the risk of surgical site infections. Aim: The aim of this survey as held among fifth-year medical students at three academic centers was to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of telemedicine as a surgery-teaching tool. Material and methods: A transmission of a surgical procedure was carried out by each of the three participating centers according to a previously prepared schedule. Each transmission was preceded by the diagnostics, indications, and the course of the surgical procedure being discussed by the facilitator physician who also coordinated the transmission throughout the procedure. After the class, students received anonymous surveys consisting of fourteen questions as per the attached protocol so as to evaluate the class using the rating scale of 1 (the lowest rating) through 5 (the highest rating). The survey assessed the educational value (the knowledge acquired from the class), the form (interactivity, facilitator complicity), and the usefulness of the class for overall surgical education. Results: The survey was completed by 232 students, with 95% of respondents rating the usefulness of telemedicine classes in surgical education as very good or good. As many as 97% of students declared that the transmission had been a good or a very good tool in terms of delivery or adding to their knowledge of topographical anatomy and basic aspects of surgical technique. Higher ratings were given to the usefulness of comments and remarks by the facilitating physician (96% of very good or good ratings) who had been watching the procedure along with the students as compared to those provided by the operating physician (81%). Discussion: The use of telemedicine-based teaching models in surgical education facilitates a better view of the operating field for the students, greater accessibility of educational content delivered simultaneously to multiple groups of students, increased safety of the surgical procedure by reducing the number of people in the operating room as well as reduced burden on the operating physician (thanks to the introduction of class facilitator). Conclusions: In our opinion, the advantages of the presented teaching model are: better view (particularly in case of open procedures), ability to pinpoint surgical field structures (on the participants' and operator's monitors), absence of additional people (students) in the operating room (increasing the safety of the procedure and reducing the risk of surgical site infections) and the ability to go back to recorded operations and perform various types of educational analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Loop ileostomy reversal (LIR) procedure is still associated with a relatively high risk of complications. Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication in this group of patients. SSI leads to prolonged hospital stays, delays the adjuvant therapy, and increases hospital costs. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors for SSI in patients following loop ileostomy reversal procedure. Material and methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary reference center. Finally, 65 patients following loop ileostomy reversal procedure performed between 2018 and 2022 were enrolled in the study. Data were collected retrospectively based on the available medical charts. The study group comprised 23 women (35%) and 42 men (65%) with a mean age of 48.9 ±14.5 years and a mean body mass index of 24.3 ±4.9 kg/m². The most common indication for index surgery was ulcerative colitis (33%) and colorectal cancer (29%). Preferably, handsewn anastomosis was performed (n = 42; 64.6%). Results: The most important parameter evaluated in the above study was the diagnosis of surgical site infection, which influenced e.g. hospitalization after surgery, the need for antibiotic therapy, or C-reactive protein (CRP) values. Nine patients (13.8%) were diagnosed with SSI during their hospital stay (more than 86% without SSI). In the group with SSI, hospital stay exceeded 13 days compared to almost 6 days in the group without SSI (P = 0.00009). The time of the procedure had a statistically significant correlation with antibiotic therapy introduction (P = 0.01). The type of intestinal anastomosis had a significant impact on the operative time (P = 0.0011) and the time of hospital stay after surgery (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Most of the analyzed clinical factors were directly related to the impact on the duration of postoperative hospitalization. The duration of hospitalization is an independent and undeniable factor increasing the risk of other postoperative complications and significantly increasing the cost of hospitalization. Another factor that has a large clinical impact on postoperative treatment is the presence of comorbidities which make patients more likely to develop SSI, CRP increase, or the need for antibiotic therapy. An important factor was the level of CRP, the elevated value of which may be a predictor of many negative aspects in postoperative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a contemporary and dynamically evolving intervention used in the management of complex wounds. The head and neck region is a common site for infected wounds, which can be challenging to manage. Furthermore, due to the complex anatomy of this area, clinicians may face difficulties in securing standard wound dressings. NPWT appears to be a promising treatment option for patients when conventional methods have failed. However, its use remains limited and requires specific approaches to optimize its application in the head and neck region. This paper aims to present several modifications to NPWT techniques designed to enhance its efficacy in the specialized anatomical region of the head and neck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hemorrhoidal disease is the most common disease treated in proctology ambulatories. Conservative treatment is the basic form of treatment for this disease. One of the elements of treatment may be preparations with myoand phlebotropic effects. Aim: To assess the effect of a multi-ingredient myophlebotropic dietary supplement used as an adjunct on the rate and effectiveness of symptom relief in patients with stage II and III hemorrhoidal disease. Material and method: Patients with stage II and III hemorrhoidal disease with clinical symptoms such as pain, burning, itching and bleeding were qualified for the study. The patients were divided into two groups. The control group (Group I) of 29 patients receiving standard local treatment plus placebo and the study group (Group II) of 32 patients receiving the same local treatment and a six-component myophlebotropic product. Symptoms were analyzed at the time of inclusion in the study (day 0), after 4 and 10 days of therapy. The severity of hemorrhoidal disease and the feeling of relief were assessed on the day of inclusion (W0) and after 30 days of therapy. Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of disease advancement, age, gender, and duration of symptoms. Compared to the moment of inclusion in the study (W0), after 4 days (W1), after 10 days (W2) of taking the multi- -component product, there was a statistically significant improvement in the VAS scale: spontaneous pain and pain during defecation. In the qualitative assessment (yes/no), there were statistically significantly fewer cases of burning in the anus and itching. The treatment did not affect the rate of spontaneous bleeding, which was low at the beginning of the study, but significantly reduced the rate of bleeding during defecation. After 30 days of observation, it was found that the improvement in the severity of hemorrhoidal disease symptoms was significantly higher in the group using the tested preparation. Relief after a month of the study (one-question method) was noted in the group of patients receiving the tested product. Conclusions: The tested six-component myophlebotropic product proved to be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms such as spontaneous pain, pain during defecation, burning/burning in the anus and bleeding during defecation. Statistical significance was demonstrated in the symptom’s relief and reduction in the severity of hemorrhoidal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, much has been written about the possibilities of using exogenous sodium butyrate in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in prehabilitation, in peri- and postoperative treatment, as well as its local application. It became possible thanks to the development of a special formulation (microencapsulation technique) enabling the delivery of unstable butyrate compounds to the large intestine, where it is used primarily as a source of energy. It also plays a key role in maintaining body homeostasis by maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and stimulating the intestinal immune system. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of sodium butyrate in various areas of health. The following article discusses the possibilities of using microencapsulated sodium butyrate in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases from the perspective of a gastroenterologist and gastrointestinal surgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Most anastomotic leaks in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be treated with minimally invasive techniques dominated by endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) or stent implantation. Chronic leaks often require additional solutions, such as tissue adhesives or cellular growth stimulants. Aim: To present a treatment strategy for postoperative leakage of upper GI anastomoses with noninvasive procedures. Material and methods: A group of 19 patients treated in the period 2015--2023 with postoperative upper GI tract leakage was enrolled for endoscopic treatment. The indication for the therapy was anastomotic dehiscence not exceeding half of the circumference and the absence of severe septic complications. All patients were managed using endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) or a self-expanding stent while persistent fistulas were additionally treated with alternative methods. Results: The EVT was successfully implemented in 13 cases, but 7 patients required alternative methods to achieve definitive healing. Self-expanding stent placement was performed in 6 patients; however, in 3 cases a periprosthetic leakage occurred. In this group, 2 patients had the stent removed and the third one died due to septic complications. Post-treatment stenosis was identified in 5 patients after EVT that required balloon dilation with acceptable resolution in all cases. Conclusions: Early detected anastomotic dehiscence limited to half of the circumference most effectively responded to the noninvasive treatment. Nutritional support as well as complementary endoscopic solutions such as tissue adhesives, growth stimulants and hemostatic clips increase the percentage of complete healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The restoration of bowel continuity is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Aim: The aim of the study was to report the outcomes of restoring intestinal continuity in a large patient cohort. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 91 patients with terminal stoma who were qualified for restoration of GI tract continuity between January 2015 and March 2020. The following demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed: age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, indication for stoma creation, operative time, the need for blood replacement, the site and type of the anastomosis, and complication and mortality rates. Results: The study group was comprised of 40 women (44%) and 51 men (56%). The mean BMI was 26.8 ±4.9 kg/m². Only 29.7% of the patients (n = 27) were at normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9) and only 11% (n = 10) did not suffer from any comorbidities. The most common indications for index surgery were complicated diverticulitis (37.4%) and colorectal cancer (21.9%). The stapled technique was used in the majority of patients (n = 79, 87%). The mean operative time was 191.7 ±71.4 min. Nine patients (9.9%) required blood replacement peri- or postoperatively, whereas 3 patients (3.3%) required intensive care unit admission. The overall surgical complication rate was 36.2% (n = 33) and the mortality rate was 1.1% (n = 1). Discussion: Restoration of bowel continuity is quite a demanding and complex procedure and thus should be performed by an experienced surgical team. In the majority of patients, the complication rate represents only minor complications. The morbidity and mortality rates are acceptable and comparable to other publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]