The British journal of surgery
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Incisional hernia repair with prosthetic material is followed by fewer recurrences than primary repair. Polypropylene is the most commonly used prosthetic material but may cause entero- cutaneous fistulas. The aim of this study was to determine whether enterocutaneous fistulas developed after incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh and to evaluate clinical outcome after incisional hernia repair. ⋯ Enterocutaneous fistula formation appears to be very rare after incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh, regardless of intraperitoneal placement, omental coverage or closing of the peritoneum.
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Multicenter Study
Epidemiology of lower extremity amputation in centres in Europe, North America and East Asia.
This study was established to enable a comparison of lower extremity amputation incidence rates between different centres around the world. ⋯ Apart from the Navajo centre, differences in the known prevalence of diabetes could not account for the differences in overall incidence of amputation. Differences in the prevalence of peripheral vascular disease are likely to be important, but this and the role of other factors, including availability of health care, are worthy of further investigation.
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All trainees in general surgery holding a national training number in six regions (Mersey, North West, Trent, Yorkshire, Northern, West Midlands) were identified, and those accredited or within 3 years of their CCST (n = 136) were telephoned to ascertain their primary subspecialist interest, whether they had a higher degree and what their desired consultant job would be. The consultant vacancies advertised in the British Medical Journal between 3 January 1998 and 8 May 1999 were assessed according to the required subspecialist interest. ⋯ Upper gastrointestinal surgery appears to be the most competitive of the general surgical subspecialties at present, having by far the lowest ratio of jobs to trainees. In addition, 87 per cent of upper gastrointestinal trainees have or are completing a higher degree, and 43 per cent expressed a desire to work in a teaching hospital.