World journal of surgery
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World journal of surgery · Aug 2004
Comparative StudyLocal anesthesia use for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
This study aimed to investigate the effects and timing of local anesthesia during laparoscopic surgery in terms of postoperative pain, nausea, and the need for opioids and antiemetics. This prospective study was carried out on 142 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Peroperative local anesthesia was not administered to 53 patients (group A). ⋯ The time delay to the first antiemetics was significantly shorter in group A than in group C. Applying local anesthesia to the skin, subcutis, fascia, and parietal peritoneum through trocar sites reduces the postoperative analgesic requirement and pain intensity. This approach is more effective when applied at the end of an operation than at the start.
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World journal of surgery · Aug 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusions: talc slurry or bleomycin? Results of a prospective randomized trial.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost of bedside pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions using talc slurry (TS) or bleomycin (BL) in a prospective randomized trial, and to determine prognosticators for procedure failure. From June 1997 to June 1999 a series of 71 patients entered this trial. They underwent 37 procedures with TS (4 g) and 34 with BL (60 units) via tube thoracostomy. ⋯ Because of its significantly lower cost, TS should be considered the agent of choice. The use of steroids and the volume drained during the first thoracentesis (if more than 900 ml) were independent prognosticators of pleurodesis failure. The role of this latter finding as a marker of pleurodesis failure awaits more data.
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World journal of surgery · Aug 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialVenous thromboembolism prophylaxis after head and spinal trauma: intermittent pneumatic compression devices versus low molecular weight heparin.
Although there are alternative methods and drugs for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE), it is not clear which modality is most suitable and efficacious for patients with severe (stable or unstable) head/spinal injures. The aim of this study was to compare intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPC) with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for preventing VTE. We prospectively randomized 120 head/spinal traumatized patients for comparison of IPC with LMWH as a prophylaxis modality against VTE. ⋯ DVT developed in 4 patients (6.66%) in the IPC group and in 3 patients (5%) in the LMWH group. There was no statistically significant difference regarding a reduction in DVT, PE, or mortality between groups ( p = 0.04, p > 0.05, p > 0.05, respectively). IPC can be used safely for prophylaxis of VTE in head/spinal trauma patients.
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World journal of surgery · Aug 2004
Comparative StudyLaparoscopic cholecystectomy as a day surgery procedure: implementation and audit of 136 consecutive cases in a university hospital.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been routinely performed since 1989 at our institution, and patients were traditionally admitted for 2 days. In 1996 we implemented a protocol for LC as a day surgery procedure at our center. Although initially reported by others, it has not yet been introduced as routine in Switzerland. ⋯ The main postoperative savings were in the postoperative costs. Our results confirm that LC as a day surgery procedure is safe, effective, and acceptable to patients and their relatives. These results were achieved by using selection criteria that considered not only the surgical pathology but also the individual and by using appropriate techniques and planned postoperative analgesia.
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World journal of surgery · Aug 2004
Comparative StudyRecurrent laryngeal nerve identification and assessment during thyroid surgery: laryngeal palpation.
Electrical identification and monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) has been proposed as an adjunct to standard visual identification of the nerve during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. This study was undertaken to assess laryngeal palpation as an intraoperative technique for identifying and assessing the RLN during surgery and to investigate the relation between laryngeal palpation and associated laryngeal electromyographic (EMG) activity. The postcricoid region of the larynx during surgery was palpated through the posterior hypopharyngeal wall to sense posterior cricoarytenoid muscle contraction in response to ipsilateral RLN stimulation (i.e., the "laryngeal twitch response.") Laryngeal palpation was performed in a series of 449 consecutive thyroid and parathyroid surgeries with 586 RLNs at risk. ⋯ Most importantly, it provides important prognostic information regarding ipsilateral vocal cord function at the completion of the initial side of the thyroid or parathyroid surgery. Intraoperative laryngeal palpation allows the surgeon to stage contralateral surgery if RLN damage is diagnosed, thereby avoiding the potential for bilateral vocal cord paralysis. We believe that laryngeal palpation is useful as an adjunct to formal EMG monitoring during thyroid and parathyroid surgery.