- New
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000271
- Feb 18, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Raphael Lataster
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000275
- Feb 18, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Yi-Chen Lee + 4 more
Background: Fever is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Nevertheless, the efficacy of targeted temperature management (TTM) in maintaining normothermia requires empirical validation. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences using distinct temperature control strategies. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study. Patients (n=136) diagnosed with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included. Participants were categorized into two groups: those receiving TTM for normothermia (maintaining a temperature range of 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C; n=72) during the period from 2018 to 2020, and those subjected to conventional fever control (CFC, maintaining temperatures below 38.3 °C; n=64) during the period from 2013 to 2014. The fever burden was quantified as the product of the duration of fever and the temperature deviation exceeding 38 °C (expressed in hours x °C), calculated from the first to the fourteenth day. The Modified Rankin Scale scores were evaluated at one and six months. Results: The fever burden of the TTM-N group was lower than that of the CFC group. The change in the mRS scores was higher in the TTM-N group than in the CFC group (p=0.039), particularly among participants classified with a modified Fisher grade of 4. The TTM-N group was associated with a lower rate of early infarction (10% vs. 23%, p=0.003) compared to the CFC group. Conclusion: TTM-N is likely associated with improved functional outcomes and a lower rate of early infarction. Aggressive fever control should be considered in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000272
- Feb 18, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Andrea González De Godos + 4 more
Since its first report in 2003, interest in robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) has grown by pancreatic surgeons because of three-dimensional (3D) vision, wristed instruments, and improved ergonomics. In the video, we show vascular control techniques to facilitate dissection of the uncinate process, especially useful when venous vascular infiltration is suspected. This maneuver provides crucial exposure, enabling safe, high-quality oncologic dissection. A 72-year-old man presented with obstructive jaundice of one month´s evolution. Imaging and histological studies demonstrated it to be likely a neoplastic process in the head of the pancreas. RPD was performed with intraoperative vascular control. The final histopathology report showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (pT2, pN1), with all resection margins free. The external retraction and vascular control techniques described in this video are helpful to mitigate limitations of the current robotic surgery platform and can improve the safety and quality of RPD.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000274
- Feb 18, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Senthil Kumar Thiagarajan + 3 more
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000273
- Feb 18, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Hsiu-Ming Lee + 3 more
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000270
- Feb 18, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Sarang Pandurang Bombatkar + 6 more
Background and Objective: Appendicitis is a well-documented medical condition, with appendectomy being the definitive treatment. However, a subset of patients experiences persistent or recurrent right iliac fossa pain postoperatively. This study aims to identify the potential causes of post-appendectomy pain and propose diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital between September 2022 and August 2024. Seventy-two patients who experienced persistent right iliac fossa pain two months post-appendectomy were included. Patients underwent detailed clinical, laboratory (CBC, KFT, LFT, ESR, CRP, urine analysis), and radiological investigations (USG abdomen and pelvis, X-ray abdomen, CT abdomen and pelvis). Exclusion criteria included age <18 years, female patients, prior history of urolithiasis, and lack of consent. Data were analysed for demographic distribution, surgical history, pain characteristics, imaging findings, and further interventions. Results: The highest incidence was among young adults aged 21-30 years (32%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.18. The most common type of appendectomy performed was open appendectomy (48.61%), followed by laparoscopic appendectomy (36.11%).54.16% of patients experienced continuous pain, while 22.22% had colicky pain. Ultrasonography revealed multiple aetiologies, including free fluid in the pouch of Douglas (14 patients), multiple sub-centimetric lymph nodes (12 patients), right ovarian cysts (8 patients), and ureteric calculi (11 patients).CT scans and additional laboratory testing confirmed tuberculosis (4 patients) and adhesions (3 patients).Surgical interventions included laparoscopic adhesiolysis (3 patients), mesenteric lymph node biopsy (2 patients), and laparoscopic completion appendectomy for stump appendicitis (2 patients). The majority (65 patients) were managed conservatively. Conclusion: Post-appendectomy persistent pain is a multifactorial condition requiring a systematic approach to diagnosis and management. Common aetiologies include adhesions, stump appendicitis, urinary calculi, gynaecological disorders, and infective causes such as tuberculosis. A combination of clinical evaluation, imaging modalities, and targeted interventions helps in optimizing patient outcomes. Future research should focus on refining surgical techniques and developing preventive strategies to minimize post-appendectomy complications.
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000267
- Jan 27, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Cen-Hung Lin + 2 more
Double-J ureteral stents are widely used to maintain urinary drainage from the kidney to the bladder, but stent migration remains a significant complication. This review examines all aspects of double-J stent migration—from causes and incidence to clinical presentation, management, and prevention—based on clinical studies from the past five years. Overall incidence is low, but certain scenarios (orthotopic neobladders, transplant ureters, and metallic stents) carry substantially higher risk. Key risk factors include improper stent length, severe hydronephrosis, and suboptimal placement. Migration can be asymptomatic or cause a range of symptoms depending on its direction and extent. Imaging is the primary diagnostic tool, and management options range from observation to endoscopic retrieval. Preventive measures center on appropriate stent selection, correct placement technique, and timely removal. Emerging innovations such as biodegradable and sensor-equipped “smart” stents aim to further reduce migration. Although uncommon, double-J stent migration can lead to serious complications; therefore, clinicians should remain vigilant in high-risk cases and prioritize prevention to improve patient outcomes.
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000269
- Jan 27, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Cheng-Shin Tsai + 2 more
Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) has a low incidence but high mortality due to its late-stage diagnosis. Early-stage surgical resection is effective but limited. Semaphorin 4B ( SEMA4B ), a member of the semaphorin family, has an unclear role in PAAD pathogenesis. This study investigated SEMA4B 's expression, methylation, and its relationship to prognosis and therapy. Methods: We analyzed SEMA4B using bioinformatics tools including DriverDB v4, UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, GSCA, TISIDB, GENI, and DepMap. We examined correlations with copy number variation (CNV), promoter methylation, survival, immune cell infiltration, gene pathways, and drug sensitivity. Results: The results show that SEMA4B overexpression positively correlates with CNV and is caused by promoter hypomethylation, particularly in early-stage PAAD. Elevated SEMA4B is associated with higher histological grades and poor overall survival. It promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment by correlating positively with pro-tumor immune cells and negatively with anti-tumor immune cells. SEMA4B is also associated with abnormal cell cycle pathways and shows sensitivity to several FDA-approved drugs, including Lapatinib and Trametinib. It correlates positively with oncogenes ( KRAS , ERBB2 ) and negatively with tumor suppressors ( SMAD4 ). Conclusion: SEMA4B promoter hypomethylation contributes to its overexpression, with significant diagnostic and prognostic implications. Its role in immunosuppression and as a potential therapeutic target warrants further investigation in preclinical and clinical studies.
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000268
- Jan 27, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Korhan Tuncer + 3 more
Background: Sigmoid volvulus represents one of the three leading etiologies of acute colonic obstruction. The present study aimed to evaluate whether NLR, PLR, and LMR values serve as reliable prognostic indicators in the postoperative period. Methods: Patients that underwent emergency surgery for sigmoid volvulus between 2023-2025 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of twenty patients were detected.Postoperative morbidity rate was 30%, mortality rate was 15%. High preoperative PLR levels were significantly associated with postoperative mortality; high preoperative NLR and PLR, low preoperative LMR levels were significantly associated with postoperative morbidity. Additionally, high NLR and PLR values measured on postoperative days 1 and 3 were found to correlate with both mortality and morbidity. To predict postoperative morbidity, the cut-off value for NLR was identified as 10.9 [sensitivity,100%; specificity,71.4%, AUC(95%CI): 0.810(0.619-1.000)(p=0.032)]. Although this threshold was statistically significant for morbidity in subgroup analyses, no significant association with mortality was observed. The PLR cut-off value was determined as 298.7 [sensitivity,100%; specificity,85.7%, AUC(95%CI): 0.952(0.864-1.000)(p=0.002)]. Subgroup analyses confirmed that the PLR cut-off retained statistical significance for both morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: This study suggests that inflammatory markers such as NLR, PLR, and LMR may provide valuable prognostic insight regarding morbidity and mortality following surgery for sigmoid volvulus. The cut-off values established for these biomarkers may aid in the early identification of high-risk patients in both the preoperative and postoperative settings and contribute meaningfully to clinical decision-making.
- Research Article
- 10.1097/fs9.0000000000000223
- Jan 1, 2026
- Formosan Journal of Surgery
- Agata Grochowska + 5 more