The British journal of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis of silver-donating antimicrobial dressings for venous leg ulcers (VULCAN trial).
Antimicrobial silver dressings are used beneath graduated compression in the treatment of venous ulceration. There is little information on whether their use is effective. This was a prospective randomized trial and cost-effectiveness analysis of silver-donating versus non-silver low-adherence dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. ⋯ ISRCTN 72485131 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized clinical trial of preoperative intravenous iron sucrose to reduce blood transfusion in anaemic patients after colorectal cancer surgery.
The transfusion rate following colorectal cancer resection is between 10 and 30 per cent. Receipt of allogeneic blood is not without risk or cost. A preoperative adjunct that reduced the need for transfusion would mitigate these risks. This study was designed to determine whether iron sucrose reduces the likelihood of postoperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection. ⋯ 2005-003608-13UK (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).
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The effect of postoperative radiotherapy following autologous flap breast reconstruction is controversial. The aim of this study was to measure whether adjuvant radiotherapy following immediate deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap breast reconstruction affected flap volume. ⋯ In this study postoperative radiotherapy did not significantly affect breast volume after DIEP flap reconstruction. The potential need for postoperative radiotherapy should not deter women from undergoing immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
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Foot ulcer is a significant cause of morbidity in diabetics. Genetic make-up can determine inflammatory and healing responses. This study examined the hypothesis that specific polymorphisms of the heat-shock protein 70 gene could predispose to the severity of diabetic foot ulceration. ⋯ The HSPA1B genotype, was associated with the severity of diabetic foot ulceration, need for amputation and duration of hospitalization in these patients.