The British journal of surgery
-
There is controversy over whether perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusions are associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence, postoperative infection or death in patients with cancer undergoing surgery. ⋯ Although more studies are required before a definitive statement can be made, at this time there is no evidence that allogeneic blood transfusion increases the risk of clinically important adverse sequelae in patients with cancer undergoing surgery.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Prospective randomized double-blind trial of neurolytic coeliac plexus block in patients with pancreatic cancer.
In a randomized double-blind study the efficacy of neurolytic coeliac plexus block (NCPB) was compared with pharmacological therapy in the treatment of pain from pancreatic cancer. ⋯ NCPB was associated with a reduction in analgesic drug administration and drug-related adverse effects, representing an effective tool in the treatment of pancreatic cancer pain.
-
With increasing antibiotic usage Clostridium difficile colitis is becoming more common. Surgery for fulminating C. difficile colitis, however, is rare because of the effectiveness of specific anticlostridial chemotherapy. Surgical outcome in five patients with fulminating C. difficile colitis involved in a recent outbreak of this disease is reported. ⋯ These results indicate that this increasingly common disease frequently leads to a fatal outcome in patients requiring surgery and implies that earlier surgical consultation may be necessary to improve survival in patients with fulminating C. difficile colitis unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.