This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Quality‐of‐life implications of risk‐reducing cancer surgery. BJS 2018; 105: e121-e130.

Published: 17th January 2018

Authors: A. M. Altman, J. Y. C. Hui, T. M. Tuttle

Background

Modern advances in genetic sequencing techniques have allowed for increased availability of genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. Consequently, more people are being identified as mutation carriers and becoming aware of their increased risk of malignancy. Testing is commonplace for many inheritable cancer syndromes, and with that comes the knowledge of being a gene carrier for some patients. With increased risk of malignancy, many guidelines recommend that gene carriers partake in risk reduction strategies, including risk‐reducing surgery for some syndromes. This review explores the quality‐of‐life consequences of genetic testing and risk‐reducing surgery.

Method

A narrative review of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed, focusing on the health‐related quality‐of‐life implications of surgery for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.

Results

Risk‐reducing surgery almost uniformly decreases cancer anxiety and affects patients' quality of life.

Conclusion

Although the overwhelming quality‐of‐life implications of surgery are neutral to positive, risk‐reducing surgery is irreversible and can be associated with short‐ and long‐term side‐effects.

Full text

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Leading article

Network meta‐analysis of urinary retention and mortality after Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia under local, regional or general anaesthesia.

Authors: J. H. H. Olsen, S. Öberg, K. Andresen, T. W. Klausen, J. Rosenberg

Original article

Outcomes of surgery for benign and malignant adrenal disease from the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons’ national registry. BJS 2019; 106: 1495-1503.

Authors: N. Patel, R. J. Egan, B. R. Carter, D. M. Scott‐Coombes, M. J. Stechman, A. Afzaal et al.

Quality‐of‐life implications of risk‐reducing cancer surgery. BJS 2018; 105: e121-e130.

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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Network meta‐analysis of urinary retention and mortality after Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia under local, regional or general anaesthesia.

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Outcomes of surgery for benign and malignant adrenal disease from the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons’ national registry. BJS 2019; 106: 1495-1503.