International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2010
ReviewEndobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal staging tool for lung cancer but also a diagnostic tool for mediastinal lesions near the airway. After a brief historic rationale, this article reviews the indications for EBUS-TBNA, provides an overview of practical, training and financial issues; reviews the evidence comparing the mediastinal staging tools and briefly discusses potential future applications. ⋯ EBUS-TBNA may be used in the future for staging when the mediastinal nodes are normal according to radiological staging and also in re-staging. EBUS-TBNA can be learned with appropriate training and mentorship; it offers numerous advantages over mediastinoscopy; and it is less invasive and can reduce costs by avoiding unnecessary mediastinoscopies in many cases.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2010
Prevalence and outcome of litigation claims in England after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Approximately, 50,000 cholecystectomies are performed annually in the United Kingdom resulting in a number of negligence claims referred to the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and outcomes of claims reported to the NHSLA after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in England between 1995 and 2008. ⋯ Common bile duct injury is the most common claim to the NHSLA after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and results in the highest proportion of successful claims and the largest sums paid to the claimant.