World journal of surgery
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
Effect of preoperative hyperfibrinogenemia on recurrence of colorectal cancer without a systemic inflammatory response.
Disorders in the blood coagulation system are often associated with malignancy. Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have been shown to have abnormal data for various coagulation tests. ⋯ Hyperfibrinogenemia is clinically relevant in tumor recurrence before a systemic inflammatory response and thus can be a useful predictor of recurrence in the preinflammatory stage of CRC.
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
Biography Historical ArticleAn early observation on the anatomy of the inguinal canal and the etiology of inguinal hernias by Petrus Camper in the 18th century.
The famous Dutch medical doctor Petrus Camper (1722-1789) was appointed professor of anatomy and surgery at the University of Franeker, Amsterdam, and Groningen. As Praelector Anatomiae of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons, he gave public anatomy lessons in the Anatomy theatre in Amsterdam. During the mid 18th century he performed dissections on corpses of children and adults to investigate the anatomy and etiology of inguinal hernias. ⋯ His anatomical studies and perfect, self-drawn illustrations contributed to a better understanding of the anatomy of the inguinal canal, on the national as well as international level. Camper's "Icones Herniarum" is his most widely known work on inguinal hernias and included a series of outstanding anatomical illustrations. Petrus Camper should be considered one of the pioneers in the field of inguinal hernias.
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World journal of surgery · Jun 2009
Nonoperative management of intraabdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome.
Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have detrimental effects on all organ systems and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In recent years, the diagnosis and management of these syndromes has evolved tremendously, and the importance of comprehensive strategies to reduce intraabdominal pressure (IAP) has been recognized. ⋯ Surgical intervention through open abdominal decompression should immediately be pursued for patients with progressive IAH, end-organ dysfunction, and failure that is refractory to these nonoperative therapies. This comprehensive management strategy has been demonstrated to improve patient survival and long-term outcome.
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World journal of surgery · May 2009
ReviewEstablishing the evidence base for trauma quality improvement: a collaborative WHO-IATSIC review.
Quality improvement (QI) programs are an integral part of well-developed trauma systems. However, they have not been extensively implemented globally. To promote greater use of effective QI programs, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC) have been collaboratively developing the upcoming Guidelines for Trauma Quality Improvement Programmes. As part of the development of this publication and to satisfy global demands for WHO guidelines to be evidence based, we conducted a thorough literature search on the effectiveness of trauma QI programs. ⋯ Trauma QI programs are consistently shown to improve the process of care, decrease mortality, and decrease costs. Further efforts to promote trauma QI globally are warranted. These findings support the further development and promulgation of the WHO-IATSIC Guidelines for Trauma QI Programmes.
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World journal of surgery · May 2009
Comparative StudyValue of laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly patient.
Acute appendicitis (AA) in elderly patients (60 years of age and older) is a challenging problem associated with significant morbidity and mortality when perforation is present. We hypothesized that laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) would enable an earlier correct diagnosis and have advantages in elderly patients. ⋯ Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe in the elderly population and is not associated with any increase in morbidity. The high incidence of complicated appendicitis in elderly patients affects operative time and length of hospital stay following laparoscopic appendectomy, and it can also lead to an increased rate of conversion to an open procedure. Use of preoperative abdominal computerized tomography scan is mandatory in elderly patients to provide an early diagnosis and to decrease unnecessary surgical exploration when acute appendicitis is suspected.