Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Aug 2015
Comparative StudyAcute Achilles tendon rupture: Mini-incision repair with double-Tsuge loop suture vs. open repair with modified Kessler suture.
Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury of the foot and ankle. However, the optimal treatment strategy for Achilles tendon rupture is still not established. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and complications of mini-incision repair with double-Tsuge loop sutures and open repair with modified Kessler sutures. ⋯ The mini-incision with double-Tsuge suture method in our study was shown to provide earlier strength recovery, as well as shorter operation time, less complications and improved cosmetic appearance.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Aug 2015
Review Meta AnalysisDecompressive hemicraniectomy in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions (mMCAI) are one of the most devastating ischemic strokes, with up to 80% mortality in non-surgically treated patients. With the publication of three European randomized controlled trials (RCTs), decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) was recommended in patients with mMCAI who are aged ≤ 60 years. Recently, three other RCTs enrolling patients aged > 60 years were published; thus, it is necessary to update the previous meta-analysis to re-evaluate the effects of DHC in mMCAI. ⋯ Compared to conservative treatment, DHC significantly decreased mortality and improved functional outcome, with a non-significant increase in the proportion of survivors with major disability. Further studies are required for multidimensional evaluation of DHC for mMCAI.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Jun 2015
ReviewThe methodological quality of health economic evaluations for the management of hip fractures: A systematic review of the literature.
Approximately 76,000 people a year sustain a hip fracture in the UK and the estimated cost to the NHS is £1.4 billion a year. Health economic evaluations (HEEs) are one of the methods employed by decision makers to deliver healthcare policy supported by clinical and economic evidence. The objective of this study was to (1) identify and characterize HEEs for the management of patients with hip fractures, and (2) examine their methodological quality. ⋯ HEEs for patients with hip fractures are increasing in publication in recent years. Most of these studies fail to adopt a societal perspective and key aspects of their methodology are poor. The development of future HEEs in this field must adhere to established principles of methodology, so that better quality research can be used to inform health policy on the management of patients with a hip fracture.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Jun 2015
Factors affecting cosmesis after breast conserving surgery without oncoplastic techniques in an experienced comprehensive breast center.
We aimed to study the factors affecting cosmetic outcome (CO) in breast conserving surgery (BCS) without oncoplastic techniques in our center with a BCS rate higher than 60% in more than 1000 breast cancer surgeries a year. In this study 284 patients who underwent BCS without oncoplastic techniques were included. Surgeries were performed by two experienced breast surgeons with more than 25 years of experience. ⋯ We were able to attain a successful CO in approximately 90% of our patients. Adding oncoplastic techniques to the surgical management of larger tumors and retroareolar tumors, may increase the percentage of good CO. In selected patients choosing balloon brachytherapy instead of WBRT, may also have positive effects on CO.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Feb 2015
The use and efficacy of intra-operative stress tests in supination-external rotation IV ankle fracture fixation.
This study examines stress radiograph use in SER IV ankle fracture fixation; the efficacy of external rotation (ERST) and lateral hook (LHST) stress tests with incidence of subsequent fixation failure secondary to syndesmotic diastasis. 154 skeletally mature patients were admitted to our unit with ankle fractures in 12 months. 42 non-SER fractures and 32 SER fractures treated without ORIF were excluded, as were 14 which featured a syndesmotic screw in the primary ORIF. The remaining 66 SER IV fixations were included in the final sample (17 men, 49 women; median age 49 years). No stress test was performed in 51.5% of cases without a single subsequent failure in these fixations. ⋯ This study suggests that syndesmotic injuries are not missed due to an absence of a stress test but that stress tests are not sufficiently sensitive or correctly interpreted. Clinical judgement in cases where syndesmotic injury is not present appears accurate. If syndesmotic injury is clinically suspected, apply caution and insert a syndesmotic screw rather than relying on stress test results.