Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · May 2006
Comparative Study[Accelerated versus conventional hospital stay in total hip and knee arthroplasty II: organizational and clinical differences].
The goal of this study was to evaluate hospital stays for patients operated on with primary total hip- and knee-arthroplasty (THA and TKA) in order to identify important logistical and clinical areas for the duration of the hospital stay. ⋯ Implementation of logistical and clinical features, as shown in this study in all departments, are expected to increase rehabilitation and reduce the length of hospital stay.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · May 2006
Comparative Study[Accelerated versus conventional hospital stay in total hip and knee arthroplasty III: patient satisfaction].
The goal of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with the hospital stay in relation to the length of stay for patients operated on with primary total hip- and knee-arthroplasty (THA and TKA). ⋯ Patients in accelerated stays are not less satisfied with their hospital stay (or any part of it) compared to patients with longer and more conventional hospital stays. These results support the implementation of fast-track total hip- and knee arthroplasty.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · May 2006
Comparative Study[Length of stay in total hip and knee arthroplasty in Danmark I: volume, morbidity, mortality and resource utilization. A national survey in orthopaedic departments in Denmark].
The goal of this study was to evaluate hospital stays for patients operated on with primary total hip- and knee-arthroplasty (THA and TKA) in Denmark in order to focus on the relationship between duration of hospital stay, surgical volume, morbidity and mortality and resources. ⋯ Nation-wide implementation of fast-track THA and TKA would result in a significant decrease in the needed number of hospital beds and generate economic savings with similar or better outcome.
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Pain is not the most frequent symptom in cancer patients, but it is considered the most serious and threatening symptom. Opioid analgesics are the mainstay for analgesic treatment of cancer patients. Methadone is increasingly being considered as an alternative to morphine and seems to become relatively more potent with increasing exposure to other opioids. "Newer" side effects of opioids have been demonstrated, including cognitive impairment, generalized allodynia/hyperalgesia, myoclonus and hallucinations. When the pain relief effects of oral opioids have been exhausted, other pain management approaches, including spinal delivery of analgesics, may be effective alternatives.
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Neuropathic pain (NP) occurs secondary to lesions in the nervous system. The definition includes conditions with nervous system dysfunction, which creates problems with diagnostic classification. ⋯ However, it is not yet possible to identify mechanisms in individual patients, and present knowledge of drug effects builds on diagnosis. An algorithm for treatment of NP is presented.