Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Oct 2009
Case ReportsPenetrating missile injuries during the Iraqi insurgency.
Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the conflict has evolved from asymmetric warfare to a counter-insurgency operation. This study investigates the pattern of wounding and types of injuries seen in casualties of hostile action presenting to a British military field hospital during the present conflict. ⋯ The current insurgency in Iraq illustrates the likely evolution of modern, low-intensity, urban conflict. Improvised explosive devices employed against both military and civilian targets have become a major cause of injury. With the current global threat from terrorist bombings, both military and civilian surgeons should be aware of the spectrum and emergent management of the injuries caused by these weapons.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Oct 2009
Introduction of a day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy service in the UK: a critical analysis of factors influencing same-day discharge and contact with primary care providers.
The objective of this study was to determine the safety and acceptability of the implementation of a day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) service in a large UK teaching hospital, and analyse factors influencing contact with primary care providers. Wide-spread introduction of day-case LC in the UK is a major target of healthcare providers. However, few centres have reported their experience. In the US, out-patient surgery for LC has been reported, though many groups have utilised 24-h observation units to facilitate discharge. Concerns remain amongst surgeons regarding the feasibility and acceptability of the introduction of day-case LC in the UK. ⋯ Introduction of day-case LC in the UK is feasible and acceptable to patients. The potential burden to primary care providers needs further study.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Sep 2009
Supervised exercise for intermittent claudication - an under-utilised tool.
The use of supervised exercise in the management of intermittent claudication is well supported by level I evidence upon which are based grade A recommendations by the TASC II Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). These include that supervised exercise should be made available as part of the initial treatment for all peripheral arteriopaths. ⋯ These results are contrary to the recommendations offered by the TASC II Inter-Society Consensus and SIGN, in particular in terms of availability and referral to supervised exercise, as well as frequency of the classes where programmes were in place. The offer of information either verbally or via leaflet is commended; however, this has been shown as inferior to supervised exercise. Quoting resource as the reason for non-implementation goes against the published quality-of-life and pharmaco-economic data, which promote supervised exercise as both functionally and financially effective. This work highlights the importance of translating the results of research into evidence-based clinical practice.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Jul 2009
Military general surgical training opportunities on operations in Afghanistan.
In the UK, general surgical specialist trainees have limited exposure to general surgical trauma. Previous work has shown that trainees are involved in only two blunt and one penetrating trauma laparotomies per annum. During their training, nearly half of trainees will not be involved in the surgical management of liver injury, 20% will not undertake a trauma splenectomy and only a quarter will see a trauma thoracotomy. Military general surgical trainees require training in, and exposure to, the surgical management of trauma and specifically military wounding patterns that is not available in the UK. The objective of this study was to determine whether operative workload in the sole British surgical unit in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK) would provide a training opportunity for military general surgical trainees. ⋯ A training opportunity currently exists on Operation HERRICK for military general surgical specialist trainees. If the tempo of the last 12 months is maintained, a 2-month deployment would essentially provide trainees with the equivalent trauma surgery experience to the whole of their surgical training in the UK NHS. Trainees would gain experience in military trauma as well as specific organ injury management.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · May 2009
Multicenter StudyDoes the number of trauma lists provided affect care and outcome of patients with fractured neck of femur?
Delay in surgery for fractured neck of femur is associated with increased mortality; it is recommended that patients with fractured neck of femur are operated within 48 h. North West hospitals provide dedicated trauma lists, as recommended by the British Orthopaedic Association, to allow rapid access to surgery. We investigated trauma list provision by each trust and its effects on the time taken to get neck of femur patients to surgery and patient survival. ⋯ Most trusts provided at least one dedicated daily list. This study shows that extra lists may enable trusts to cope better with fractured neck of femur but do not change mortality.