Different results after shoulder arthroplasty have been found for different diagnostic groups. We evaluated function, pain, and quality of life after shoulder arthroplasty in 4 diagnostic groups. Patients with shoulder arthroplasties registered in the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register from 1994 through 2008 were posted a questionnaire in 2010. 1,107 patients with ...

Objectives: To evaluate whether the use of sheaths to access the ureter has increased after the introduction of new digital ureterorenoscopes in patients undergoing flexible ureteroscopy. Methods: 140 patients with kidney stones were randomised to be scoped with either an old-generation fibre-optic flexible ureteroscope (DUR-8, Elite, ACMI; distal tip diameter ...

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether endobronchial valves improve outcomes in patients with severe emphysema. Eighty-seven papers were found using the reported search, of which seven represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, ...

This study was intended to investigate the healing effect of five different products on split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites and full-thickness cutaneous wounds (FTCWs) using an occlusive dressing model. Six groups were planned, 1 control and 5 experimental groups, with a total of 24 rats, using an occlusive dressing ...

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hospitalized patients, pulmonary embolism continues to occur. Massive pulmonary embolism is associated with a high mortality. Surgical embolectomy has traditionally been reserved for cases with haemodynamic collapse or where thrombolysis is contraindicated or has failed. METHODS: Data on 10 ...

PURPOSES: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after hepatectomy affects the quality of life of patients, although the causes and related conditions have not been investigated. This study evaluated the relationship between hepatectomy and DGE by the objective assessment of gastric emptying (GE). METHODS: Nineteen patients who underwent major hepatectomy were prospectively ...

Even in the patients with neurologically good outcome after intracranial aneurysm surgery, their perception of health is an important outcome issue. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QOL) and its predictors of patients who had a good outcome following anterior circulation aneurysm surgery as using the World ...

With the changing age structure of the population, cardiothoracic surgeons must deal with an increasing number of patients suffering from degenerative valve disease. Septuagenarians with triple valve disease may be refused surgery due to a potentially high perioperative risk related to co-morbidities. The study aim was to elucidate the indications ...

The surgical treatment of spinal metastases remains controversial. Increasing life expectancy has resulted in greater interest in overall quality of life, pain and neurologic improvements. There are few prospective studies on functional and quality of life outcomes in patients with vertebral metastases. Therefore, the authors conducted the prospective study evaluating ...

To retrospectively assess the results of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous osteoplasty (PO) of osteolytic lung cancer bone metastases, focusing on pain reduction, improved quality of life, and patient mobility. Over a 43-month interval, 92 patients with lung cancer bone metastases underwent PO, including vertebroplasty and acetabuloplasty. A total of ...

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Efficacy of amoxicillin treatment in preventing postoperative complications in patients undergoing third molar surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study. Lopez-Cedrun JL, Pijoan JI, Fernández S, Santamaria J, Hernandez G. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011;69(6):e5-14. REVIEWER: Manal A. Awad, BDS, MSc, PhD PURPOSE/QUESTION: Does amoxicillin ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after ear surgery in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). DESIGN Prospective questionnaire-based outcome study. SETTING Tertiary care institution. PATIENTS The study population comprised 205 patients aged 21 to 67 years referred for ear surgery owing to COM with ...

BACKGROUND: Open abdominal management with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is increasingly used for critically ill trauma and surgery patients. We sought to determine the comparative efficacy and safety of NPWT versus alternate temporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques in critically ill adults with open abdominal wounds. METHODS: We conducted a systematic ...

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease of high prevalence in Western countries, with negative effects on quality of life. Surgery is indicated for patients with intolerance to continuous medication, prolonged treatment or control, or in complicated forms of the disease. AIM: To evaluate the quality of life of ...

Postoperative pain is a major obstacle in hernia repair surgery, and the choice of clinically efficacious surgical technique should also result in the least postoperative pain and patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare two surgical techniques for open inguinal hernia repair ...

BACKGROUND: Fast-track surgery has been shown to enhance postoperative recovery in several surgical fields. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fast-track surgery in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. METHODS: The present study was designed as a single-center, randomized, unblinded, parallel-group trial. Patients were eligible if they had gastric ...

OBJECTIVE To summarize evidence about the recurrence of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Pascal, Biosis, CisMef, BDSP, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for the period January 1, 1995, to August 31, 2011. Search terms were Mohs micrographic surgery, ...

Treatment of pelvic prolapse with uterine conservation using the sacral hysteropexy may be associated with less patient morbidity but has uncertain subjective and objective outcomes. We sought to compare abdominal sacral hysteropexy (ASH) with sacral colpopexy/total abdominal hysterectomy (ASC/TAH). This is an ambispective (retrospective/prospective) cohort pilot study comparing ASH to ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate chronological change of quality of life after surgery in patients with gastric cancer during one year postoperatively. Quality of life data were obtained from 272 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between September 2008 and February 2011 at the Kyungpook National ...

Background: Transfer of the flexor digitorum longus tendon is one of the surgical techniques described to treat lesser toe deformities. A global analysis of the benefits of this procedure has not been presented in the literature to date. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical benefit of ...

BACKGROUND: Sensory loss or paresthesia due to division of the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) is a complication of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Preservation of the ICBN may be of value, but few prospective studies have shown an impact of preservation on sensory changes or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after ...

BACKGROUND: It is technically difficult to obtain high-quality, postoperative shoulder radiographs immediately after surgery. Further, poor-quality radiographs may be unlikely to change clinical practice or improve patient outcomes. We therefore questioned the value of routine postoperative radiographs after shoulder arthroplasty. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether (1) postanesthesia care unit (PACU) radiographs ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although different techniques for sperm immobilization have been described, their value has not been assessed in an adequately powered randomized study. The aim of this study was to compare two types of sperm immobilization methods prior to ICSI and to test the hypothesis that triple touch immobilization (TTIm) ...

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to validate previously reported safety and symptomatic outcomes of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), evaluate the relative benefit of TIF within different gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) subgroups, and to determine predictors of success in community settings. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2010 and February 2011, 100 consecutive ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of prolonged prophylaxis with enoxaparin in high-risk surgical patients with ovarian cancer. In addition, we sought to quantify the impact of prolonged prophylaxis (PP) on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), its related complications, and overall patient survival. METHODS: ...

BACKGROUND: Severe Ménière's disease (MD) may be debilitating and compromising, despite intensive medical treatment. Vestibular neurectomy (VN) is considered an effective surgical treatment for disabling MD. Our aim was to analyse the medium- to long-term outcome after retrosigmoid VN with special regard to vertigo, quality of life (American Academy of ...

Background and study aims: The frequency of stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with a mucosal defect involving more than three-quarters of the circumference is 70 % - 90 %. Stricture decreases quality of life and requires multiple endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) sessions. We investigated ...

Objectives:  To compare the clinical effectiveness of different regimens of intravesical hyaluronic acid instillation for patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Methods:  A total of 60 patients (age 16-77 years) diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. A total of 30 patients were assigned to ...

BACKGROUND: Nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFMA) is a benign neoplasm that causes visual function disturbances and headaches and can be treated by transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). It is unclear how quality of life (QOL) changes with surgery and which QOL factors are affected by treatment. METHODS: The aim is to assess the ...

OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery surgery in octogenarians is carried out with an increasing frequency. We tried to determine short- and long-term outcomes and quality of life after coronary artery surgery in this patient group. METHODS: From 3312 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in two centres in the ...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led warfarin patient self-management program on quality of life and anticoagulation control compared with management in a physician-led specialized anticoagulation clinic. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label trial. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS: A total of 114 patients aged 18-75 years ...

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition that typically affects a patient's quality of life (QoL). Little is known about long-term QoL monitoring in HF. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal changes and prognostic value of QoL assessment in a real-life cohort of HF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: ...

Adequate adjuncts help to reduce the volume of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution (PEG-ELS) needed, to ameliorate patient discomfort, and to improve colonic visibility during colonoscopy. This study aimed to assess the effect of Citrus reticulata peel (CRP) as an adjunct to low-volume PEG for colonic preparation. A total of 1092 ...

Background/Aims: To investigate the effect of octreotide treatment on patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with pancreatic duct stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction. Methodology: Patients (n=99) hospitalized from Jan 2006 to Dec 2011 were included in this study. All the patients were diagnosed with pancreatic ...

BACKGROUND/AIM: A nation-wide survey of colonoscopy practice carried out in 2004 showed disappointing data on colonoscopy quality in Italy. Present study was aimed prospectively at re-evaluating quality indicators of colonoscopy and their changes over a five-year-period. METHODS: The main features of each Endoscopy Unit and performance indicators on consecutive colonoscopies ...

Impact of COPD on Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COPD on outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with AF in terms of recurrence and quality of life (QoL). ...

The objective of the study was to compare recurrence and complication rates for sacrospinous fixation (SSF) and prolene mesh techniques for the primary treatment of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Patients undergoing surgery for vault prolapse were included in a multicenter, randomized, controlled study comparing SSF or total mesh (Prolift; Gynecare/Ethicon, ...

OBJECTIVE: As angiogenic growth factors can stimulate the development of collateral arteries, a concept called therapeutic angiogenesis, we performed a phase I/Iia open-label clinical trial using intramuscular injection of naked plasmid DNA encoding hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We reported long-term evaluation of 2 years after HGF gene therapy in 22 ...

BACKGROUND: Conventional reconstruction after an esophagectomy uses a gastric tube, which commonly causes several postoperative complaints such as gastric acid reflux in long-term survival cases. Intestinal interposition between the remnant esophagus and the stomach is an option to reduce complaints, and in this study, the advantages of jejunal interposition reconstruction ...

The aim of this study was to compare health related quality of life (QoL) of patients with prostate cancer, who had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP), with patients who were carefully monitored. This prospective study included 56 patients who had undergone the radical prostatectomy (RP) and 48 non-operated patients (watchful waiting, ...

To estimate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with carcinoma of larynx/hypopharynx using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H and N35 questionnaires in relation to the reference values (RV), total (TL) / partial (PL) laryngectomy/ pharyngectomy, combined treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) (CT) and the time elapsed since surgery. The questionnaires ...

We are developing a Conjoint Level set Analysis and Segmentation System (CLASS) for bladder segmentation on CTU, which is a critical component for computer aided diagnosis of bladder cancer. A challenge for bladder segmentation is the presence of regions without contrast (NC) and filled with IV contrast (C). According to ...

The aim of our study is to determine the changes in quality of life and patient's perception of esthetic improvement after anterior maxillary osteotomy. Our prospective study consisted of 14 patients who had been diagnosed of skeletal orthodontic deformity and underwent anterior maxillary osteotomy, along with orthodontic correction. The quality ...

Addition of clonidine to ropivacaine (0.2%) can potentially enhance analgesia without producing prolonged motor blockade. The aim of the present study was to compare the post-operative pain relieving quality of ropivacaine 0.2% and clonidine mixture to that of plain ropivacaine 0.2% following caudal administration in children. In a prospective, double-blinded, ...

Different adjuvants have been used to improve the quality and increase the duration of local anesthetics during various nerve block techniques. The current study was aimed to evaluate the effect of adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine on the quality and duration of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. Sixty adult patients undergoing ...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization using the six-minute walk test. METHODS: Prospective observational study with patients who undergoing CABG. The clinical variables, the sixminute walk test, and the SF-36 test were recorded. The patients were assessed at the preoperative time and at 2 ...

Alpha-2 agonists are mixed with local anaesthetic agents to extend the duration of spinal, extradural and peripheral nerve blocks. We compared clonidine and dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anaesthetic agent in supraclavicular brachial plexus block with respect to onset and duration of sensory and motor block and duration of ...

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with placement of a biliary stent may improve bile duct patency in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We aimed to determine the effectiveness of biliary stenting with PDT compared to biliary stenting alone in the palliative treatment of CCA. Several databases were searched from inception to December 2011 ...

Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser soldering is an alternative technique for tissue bonding. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor β(1) (TGFβ(1)) are two key factors for wound healing. This study was performed to demonstrate the efficacy of CO2 laser soldering for dural reconstruction and the effect of bFGF ...

There is ongoing debate about whether fusion or arthroplasty is superior in the treatment of single level cervical degenerative disc disease. Mainly because the intended advantage of arthroplasty over fusion, that is, the prevention of symptoms due to adjacent segment degeneration in the long term, is not confirmed yet. Until ...