Acta Chir Belg
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Chewing gum reduces postoperative ileus after open appendectomy.
It is suggested that chewing gum may accelerate postoperative intestinal transit recovery. Chewing gum may therefore produce the same result after open appendectomy. ⋯ Chewing gum ameliorates recovery after open appendectomy by reducing postoperative ileus. It is a cheap and helpful treatment to be recommended in developing countries in Africa.
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Imaging plays a key role in the selection of patients for carotid artery surgery. Indication for carotid endarterectomy or stenting is based on symptomatology and degree of stenosis as determined by angiography, duplex ultrasonography or computed tomographic angiography. Degree of stenosis has long time been assumed the most reliable predictor of stroke-risk in patients with carotid artery stenosis and accordingly, traditional imaging methods were focused on luminal stenosis. ⋯ In traditional imaging modalities, new insights of imaging beyond degree of stenosis have been explored and may be able to detect morphological characteristics of plaque vulnerability. In addition, advanced molecular imaging methods have been developed and are able to identify molecular and cellular processes in the vulnerable carotid artery plaque. It is clear that recent developments in carotid imaging are of great potential in the identification of the vulnerable carotid plaque.
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Bicycle handlebar hernias are uncommon form of traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWH) resulting from a direct blunt trauma to the anterior abdominal wall. ⋯ Bicycle handlebar Hernia (BHH) is a type of traumatic abdominal wall hernia caused by a low impact energy direct blunt injury. We describe a case of BHH associated with small bowel injury which was treated with exploratory laparotomy through skin crease traverse incision. This surgical approach allowed an appropriate exploration of all the intrabdominal structures and primary repair of the hernial defect.
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Historical Article
Calcaneus, calcaneal tendon and retrocalcaneal bursa. Historical overview and plea for an accurate terminology.
Diseases and injuries of several specific structures in the heel region have been an enduring focus of medicine: The anatomical terminology of many of these structures has not been established until recently. The aim of the study was a historical analysis of the advances of anatomical terminology of three selected morphological units in the heel region--the Achilles tendon, calcaneus and retrocalcaneal bursa. It starts with a critical evaluation of the mythological eposes, the Illiad and Odyssey, describing the exploits of heroes in the Trojan war, followed by a review of relevant terms used for the designation of selected heel structures in the Middle Ages as well as in the 18" and 19" centuries. ⋯ Recently applicable Latin terms and their recommended English synonyms, according to the latest version of Terminologia Anatomica (1998) are summed up. It surveys examples of "not very appropriate" terms, which are frequently used in clinical literature. The authors consider the use of official anatomical terms (both Latin and English) as an important step for the improvement of the clinical expressions and formulations.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of surgical errors in malpractice claims in Belgium.
The relative importance of the different factors that cause surgical error is unknown. Malpractice claim file analysis may help to identify leading causes of surgical errors and identify opportunities for prevention. We retrospectively reviewed 427 surgical malpractice claims from 3202 malpractice liability cases in which patients alleged error between 1996 and 2006. ⋯ On the other hand, they were less likely to have been caused by failure of vigilance/memory (16% vs. 58% Fisher's Exact Test < 0.001), breakdown (19% vs. 50%, Fisher's Exact Test < 0.001), lack of supervision (2% vs. 34%, Fisher's Exact Test < 0.001) and lack of clear lines (1% vs. 22%, Fisher's Exact Test < 0.001) in university hospitals than in non-university hospitals. System factors play an important role in most surgical errors, including technical errors and some non technical errors. Malpractice claims analysis could encrypt the leading areas for intervening to reduce errors.