The British journal of surgery
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Acute leg ischaemia is both life threatening and limb threatening. This audit was designed to determine the incidence and outcome of acute leg ischaemia in a single county. ⋯ In Gloucestershire almost all cases of acute leg ischaemia are managed by, or discussed with vascular surgeons. A flexible integrated policy of surgery and peripheral thrombolysis has resulted in a limb salvage rate of 78 per cent in patients suitable for active treatment.
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The use of computed tomography (CT) in acute left colonic diverticulitis remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to define the value of CT both during the acute phase of inflammation and, later, to indicate secondary complications after successful medical treatment. ⋯ Abscess formation and extracolonic contrast or gas are findings that may be used to predict failure of medical treatment during the first admission and a high risk of secondary complications after initially successful medical management of acute diverticulitis.
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The deleterious effect of rewarming in orthotopic liver transplantation is recognized. This study examined the significance of rewarming the hepatic allograft, and the possibility of using a heat insulator to reduce rewarming injury. ⋯ Rewarming diminishes the viability of a liver graft with degradation of ATP, and a heat insulator reduces rewarming injury.