Postoperative continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is an integral aspect of pain management after major abdominal and thoracic surgery. Under TEA, postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is frequently noted, prompting a common practice of maintaining the transurethral catheter (UC) until the cessation of TEA to avoid the necessity for reinsertion of the UC. This study analyzes the effect of an early bladder catheter removal during TEA on POUR incidence.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the most common esophageal disorder worldwide, is a progressive condition that may lead to Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma. Upfront therapy with proton pump inhibitors is ineffective in up to 40% of patients. The scope of surgical therapy is to reconstruct the natural antireflux barrier provided by the diaphragmatic crura, the lower esophageal sphincter, and the gastroesophageal flap valve.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting up to 28% of the western population. Therapeutic management ranges from conservative measures to endoscopic or surgical interventions. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) still is considered as gold standard, but alternative procedures have been developed and evaluated within the past years.

As natural calcium (Ca) antagonist, magnesium (Mg) seems to counteract Ca-signaling pathways involved in the intracellular protease activation leading to acute pancreatitis. We systematically reviewed the current literature to investigate the role of Mg in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and its possible use in detecting, predicting, and preventing acute pancreatitis.

This review addresses the intricate spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition affecting 10-30% of the Western population. GERD is characterized by the backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus, causing typical and atypical symptoms. Its pathophysiology involves various factors such as hiatal hernia, esophageal motor disorders, and dietary triggers. The review explores the complexities of GERD spectrum, including nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), reflux hypersensitivity (RH), and functional heartburn (FH).

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to alleviate portal hypertension in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. While prior research highlighted racial disparities in TIPS, Asian Americans were not included in the investigation. This study aimed to investigate disparities in the immediate postprocedural outcomes among Asian American patients who underwent TIPS.

Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) infiltrating the hilar bifurcation is rarely described. We investigated the outcome of partial hepatectomy combined with resection of the hilar bifurcation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by abnormal protein aggregates in the brain that lead to cognitive decline. While current therapies only treat symptoms, disease-modifying treatments are urgently needed. Studies suggest that the composition of the microbiota is altered in people with AD, suggesting a link between gut bacteria and AD-related brain changes.

Colorectal cancer is a highly prevalent malignancy and a significant driver of cancer mortality and health-related expenditure worldwide. Polyp removal reduces the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. In 2024, endoscopists have an array of resection modalities at their disposal. Each technique requires a unique skillset and has individual advantages and limitations. Consequently, resection in the colorectum requires an evidence-based algorithm approach that considers these factors.

Resection for pancreatic malignancy remains the gold standard for cure. Postoperative morbidity continues to be high even after technical innovations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a standard perioperative pancreatic oncological surgery step-by-step protocol in reducing organ-specific complications.

Malignancies in the upper gastrointestinal tract are amenable to endoscopic resection at an early stage. Achieving a curative resection is the most stringent quality criterion, but post-resection risk assessment and aftercare are also part of a comprehensive quality program.

The endoscopic assessment of colorectal malignancies primarily aims at deciding on the local resectability. Local resectability is defined by the risk of lymphonodal metastasis.

Endoscopic resection for early neoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract is nowadays the accepted and feasible method also in non-tertiary reference centers. The main clinical advantage is the preserved quality of life compared to larger surgical procedures.

The expanding indications of local - endoscopic and transanal surgical - resection of early rectal cancer has led to their increased popularity and inclusion in the treatment guidelines. The accuracy of the current diagnostic tools in identifying the low-risk T1 tumors that can be curatively treated with a local resection is low, and thus several patients require additional oncologic surgery with total mesorectal excision (TME). An efficient clinical strategy which avoids overtreatment and obstacle surgical procedures is under debate between different disciplines.

The management of bulky neoplastic lesions in the digestive tract has historically been a surgical pursuit. With advancements in endoscopic techniques, particularly endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a paradigm shift toward organ preservation has been initiated. These endoscopic methods, developed incrementally since the 1980s, have progressively enabled curative management of lesions with minimal morbidity, challenging the previously unchallenged domain of surgery.

Admission to the intensive care unit severely affects inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. This study aimed to determine factors associated with mortality in IBD patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

In both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the immune reaction is - at least partially - directed against components of the luminal microbiota of the gut. These immune responses as well as other factors contribute to a phenomenon frequently described as "dysbiosis" meaning an alteration of the composition of the colonic microbiota. To improve the dysbiosis and to restore the normal composition of the colonic microbiota, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been tested as a therapeutic option to induce and maintain remission in IBD patients.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a major and sometimes lethal complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT). In the last 10 years, a massive loss of microbiota diversity with suppression of commensal bacteria and their protective metabolites has been identified as a major risk factor of GvHD.