Laparoscopic colectomy for curable colon cancer is not inferior to open surgery based on long-term oncologic endpoints from a prospective randomized trial.

In this multi-institutional study, the rates of recurrent cancer were similar after laparoscopically assisted colectomy and open colectomy, suggesting that the laparoscopic approach is an acceptable alternative to open surgery for colon cancer.

Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4-1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 5-6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3-4.8), 3.9 (2.6-5.1) and 3.6 (2.0-5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9-2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2-8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4-3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6-2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.

This article has an accompanying continuing medical education activity, also eligible for MOC credit, on page e61. Learning Objective-Upon completion of this activity, successful learners will be able to demonstrate an increase in, or affirmation of, their clinical knowledge of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and identify the role of bariatric surgery in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment. BACKGROUND & AIMS: Bariatric surgery has been reported to lead to complete resolution of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) following the sustained weight loss induced in obese patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of bariatric surgery on NAFLD in obese patients. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases through May 2018 for studies that compared liver biopsy results before and after bariatric surgery in obese patients. Primary outcomes were biopsy-confirmed resolution of NAFLD and NAFLD activity score. Secondary outcomes were worsening of NAFLD after surgery and liver volume. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evidence approach was conducted to assess overall quality of evidence. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 32 cohort studies comprising 3093 biopsy specimens. Bariatric surgery resulted in a biopsy-confirmed resolution of steatosis in 66% of patients (95% CI, 56%-75%), inflammation in 50% (95% CI, 35%-64%), ballooning degeneration in 76% (95% CI, 64%-86%), and fibrosis in 40% (95% CI, 29%-51%). Patients' mean NAFLD activity score was reduced significantly after bariatric surgery (mean difference, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.58-3.20; P < .001). However, bariatric surgery resulted in new or worsening features of NAFLD, such as fibrosis, in 12% of patients (95% CI, 5%-20%). The overall Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evidence quality of evidence was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Through this systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that bariatric surgery leads to complete resolution of NAFLD in obese patients. However, some patients develop new or worsened features of NAFLD. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further examine the therapeutic benefits of bariatric surgery for patients with NAFLD.

Many barriers and issues of surgical trials affecting internal validity can be overcome with proper methodology, and in most cases these issues do not restrict their conduct. Researchers should consider their research question carefully and design a surgical trial that contains features appropriate for the question. In doing so, they must ensure that the trial is valid, feasible, and affordable--a difficult feat, but one well worth the challenge.