The New England journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A Randomized Trial of Low-Cost Mesh in Groin Hernia Repair.
The most effective method for repair of a groin hernia involves the use of a synthetic mesh, but this type of mesh is unaffordable for many patients in low- and middle-income countries. Sterilized mosquito meshes have been used as a lower-cost alternative but have not been rigorously studied. ⋯ Rates of hernia recurrence and postoperative complications did not differ significantly between men undergoing hernia repair with low-cost mesh and those undergoing hernia repair with commercial mesh. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN20596933.).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Pragmatic Clinical Trial
Intensified Antituberculosis Therapy in Adults with Tuberculous Meningitis.
Tuberculous meningitis is often lethal. Early antituberculosis treatment and adjunctive treatment with glucocorticoids improve survival, but nearly one third of patients with the condition still die. We hypothesized that intensified antituberculosis treatment would enhance the killing of intracerebral Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms and decrease the rate of death among patients. ⋯ Intensified antituberculosis treatment was not associated with a higher rate of survival among patients with tuberculous meningitis than standard treatment. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Li Ka Shing Foundation; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN61649292.).