Perioperative Pembrolizumab + Trastuzumab with FLOT Achieves High pCR and Feasible Safety in HER2‑Positive Localized Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma: Interim PHERFLOT Results

Perioperative Pembrolizumab + Trastuzumab with FLOT Achieves High pCR and Feasible Safety in HER2‑Positive Localized Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma: Interim PHERFLOT Results

Interim results from the phase 2 PHERFLOT trial show a 48.4% pathological complete response and a 67.7% major pathologic response after four cycles of pembrolizumab, trastuzumab and FLOT in localized HER2‑positive esophagogastric adenocarcinoma; safety was consistent with known profiles.
Liberal vs Restrictive Postoperative Transfusion in High-Cardiac-Risk Surgery: TOP Trial Shows No Mortality or Major Ischemic Benefit

Liberal vs Restrictive Postoperative Transfusion in High-Cardiac-Risk Surgery: TOP Trial Shows No Mortality or Major Ischemic Benefit

In high–cardiac-risk veterans after major vascular or general surgery, a liberal postoperative transfusion threshold (Hb <10 g/dL) did not reduce 90‑day death or major ischemic events compared with a restrictive threshold (Hb <7 g/dL); some non‑MI cardiac complications were less frequent with liberal transfusion.
Electroacupuncture Shortens Postoperative Ileus After Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: Translating a Multicenter RCT into Clinical Practice

Electroacupuncture Shortens Postoperative Ileus After Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: Translating a Multicenter RCT into Clinical Practice

A multicenter randomized trial shows electroacupuncture (EA) reduces time to first flatus and defecation and lowers prolonged POI after laparoscopic gastrectomy. Mechanistic plausibility, ERAS integration, and implementation challenges are discussed with priorities for future trials.
Endoscopic Ultrasound–Guided Gastroenterostomy Outperforms Surgical Gastrojejunostomy for Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: randomized trial shows faster recovery, shorter stay and lower costs

Endoscopic Ultrasound–Guided Gastroenterostomy Outperforms Surgical Gastrojejunostomy for Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: randomized trial shows faster recovery, shorter stay and lower costs

A multicentre randomized trial found EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) superior to surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ) for malignant gastric outlet obstruction—improving oral intake, shortening hospital stay, enhancing quality of life and reducing costs.
EUS-Guided Gastroenterostomy Beats Surgical Gastrojejunostomy for Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: Randomised Trial Shows Faster Diet, Shorter Stay and Lower Costs

EUS-Guided Gastroenterostomy Beats Surgical Gastrojejunostomy for Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: Randomised Trial Shows Faster Diet, Shorter Stay and Lower Costs

A multicentre randomized trial (NCT05548114) found endoscopic ultrasound‑guided gastroenterostomy (EUS‑GE) superior to surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ) for malignant gastric outlet obstruction, with faster return to solid diet, shorter hospitalisation, better quality-of-life and lower costs.
Pathogen-Reduced Red Blood Cells Are Safe in Cardiac Surgery: ReCePI Phase 3 Shows Noninferior AKI Rates

Pathogen-Reduced Red Blood Cells Are Safe in Cardiac Surgery: ReCePI Phase 3 Shows Noninferior AKI Rates

The ReCePI randomized phase 3 trial found that amustaline/glutathione pathogen-reduced red blood cells produced similar rates of acute kidney injury compared with conventional transfusion after cardiac or thoracic-aorta surgery, with few treatment-emergent antibodies and no clinically significant hemolysis.
Simultaneous Liver Transplant and Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Dual Approach to Combat Obesity and MASLD with Durable Outcomes

Simultaneous Liver Transplant and Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Dual Approach to Combat Obesity and MASLD with Durable Outcomes

Combining liver transplant with sleeve gastrectomy yields sustained weight loss, improved metabolic syndrome, and reduced liver allograft steatosis, without increasing mortality or graft loss, offering an effective treatment for obese patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
Medicare Advantage and Cancer Surgery Outcomes: Are Patients Being Routed Away from High-Quality Hospitals?

Medicare Advantage and Cancer Surgery Outcomes: Are Patients Being Routed Away from High-Quality Hospitals?

This retrospective national cohort study reveals that Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees undergoing major cancer surgery are less likely to receive care at high-quality hospitals compared to traditional Medicare beneficiaries, raising concerns about MA networks' impact on access to optimal surgical care.