The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2003
Vacuum-assisted closure as a treatment modality for infections after cardiac surgery.
Wound infections after cardiac surgery carry high morbidity and mortality. A plethora of management strategies have been used to treat such infections. We assessed the impact of vacuum-assisted closure on the management of sternal wound infections in terms of wound healing, duration of vacuum-assisted closure, and cost of treatment. ⋯ Vacuum-assisted closure, used alone or before other surgical treatment strategies, is an acceptable treatment modality for infections in cardiac surgery with reasonable morbidity, mortality, and cost.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA randomized trial comparing induction chemotherapy followed by surgery with surgery alone for patients with stage IIIA N2 non-small cell lung cancer (JCOG 9209).
We performed a prospective randomized trial in patients with potentially resectable stage IIIA N2 non-small cell lung cancer to confirm the efficacy of induction chemotherapy before surgical resection. ⋯ This randomized trial to compare induction chemotherapy (cisplatin and vindesine) followed by surgery with surgery alone for patients with stage IIIA N2 non-small cell lung cancer did not demonstrate a survival difference between the groups, although this may have been because the statistical power was limited.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialHeparin versus danaparoid in off-pump coronary bypass grafting: results of a prospective randomized clinical trial.
The incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is increasing, and the thrombin inhibitor danaparoid could be a useful alternative. The objective of the present study was to compare danaparoid and heparin in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ Although off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with danaparoid versus heparin increases the number of patients exposed to homologous blood transfusion (relative risk, 2; 95% confidence limits, 1-4), off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with danaparoid is a valuable alternative to heparin in patients with thrombocytopenia requiring surgical intervention.