Laparoscopic permanent sigmoid stoma creation through the extraperitoneal route versus transperitoneal route, [A meta-analysis of stoma-related complications]

To compare laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy with transperitoneal colostomy for construction of a permanent stoma by measuring the incidence of parastomal hernia, and other postoperative complications related to colostomy. The meta-analysis was carried out in the General Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China in 2014. A literature search of Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database [CBM] from the years 1990 to 2014 was performed. The literature searches were carried out using medical subject headings and free-text words: extraperitoneal colostomy, transperitoneal colostomy, laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy, rectal cancer, laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection, parastomal hernia, permanent stoma, and colostomy-related complications. Two different reviewers carried out the search and evaluated studies independently. One randomized controlled trial and 6 retrospective studies were included. A total of 378 patients [209 extraperitoneal colostomy and 169 transperitoneal colostomy] were identified. Our analysis showed that there was a significantly lower rate of parastomal hernia [odds ratio 0.10; 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.29, p<0.0001] in the extraperitoneal colostomy group. However, the other stoma-related complications were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Colostomy construction via the extraperitoneal route using a laparoscopic approach can largely reduce the incidence of parastomal hernia. Laparoscopic permanent sigmoid stoma creation through the extraperitoneal route should be the first choice after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection

Proximal gastrectomy versus total gastrectomy for proximal gastric carcinoma. A meta-analysis on postoperative complications, 5-year survival, and recurrence rate

To compare proximal gastrectomy [PG] with total gastrectomy [TG] for proximal gastric carcinoma, through the 5-year survival rate, recurrence rate, postoperative complications, and long-term life quality. The meta-analysis was carried out in the General Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. We searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from June to November 2012. The literature searches were carried out using medical subject headings and free-text word: 'proximal gastrectomy' 'total gastrectomy' 'partial gastrectomy' 'stomach neoplasms' and 'gastric cancer'. Two different reviewers carried out the search and evaluated studies independently. Two randomized controlled trials and 9 retrospective studies were included. A total of 1364 patients were included in our study. Our analysis showed that there is no statistically significant difference in 5-year survival rate between PG and TG [60.9% versus 64.4%]. But, the recurrence is higher in the PG group than the TG [38.7% versus 24.4%]. The anastomotic stenosis rate is also higher in the PG than the TG [27.4% versus 7.4%]. Proximal gastrectomy is an option for upper third gastric cancer in terms of safety. However, it is associated with high risk of reflux symptoms and anastomotic stenosis. Therefore, TG should be the first choice for proximal gastric cancer to prevent reflux symptoms

Fistula plug versus conventional surgical treatment for anal fistulas A system review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the recurrence and fecal incontinence of anal fistula plug versus conventional surgical treatment for anal fistulas. This meta-analysis was carried out in the General Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. We searched the Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from June 2011 to April 2012. The literature searches were carries out using medical subject headings and free-text word: anal fistula, fibrin adhesive, fibrin sealant, and fistula plug. Two randomized controlled trials and 3 retrospective controlled studies were included. A total of 428 patients were included in our study. The recurrence rate was higher in those patients who accept fistula plug treatment [62.1% versus 47%] [p=0.004]. Anal fistula plug has a moderate probability of success with little risk of incontinence, but the recurrence rate is significantly higher than the conventional surgical treatment. This treatment is minimally invasive, repeatable, and sphinctersparing. This meta-analysis failed to find a statistically significant difference in incontinence rate between conservative treatment and conventional surgical treatment