The British journal of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized clinical trial of different bandage regimens after foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins.
This trial compared outcomes after foam sclerotherapy in patients wearing compression bandaging for 24 h or 5 days after treatment. ⋯ NCT00991497 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Value of a modified clinical signs and symptoms of infection checklist for leg ulcer management.
The aim of this study was to analyse the validity of a modified Clinical Signs and Symptoms Checklist used to measure infection in a sample of patients with a leg ulcer. ⋯ The modified Clinical Signs and Symptoms Checklist does not currently represent a valid tool to measure infection in leg ulcers. Some checklist items may predict bacterial load and may be better than subjective judgement alone.
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Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are often criticized for being difficult to implement outside clinical trials. This audit evaluated compliance with an ERAS protocol and compared it with that during a trial. ⋯ Observance to some aspects of the ERAS protocol was lower outside the clinical trial. However, this made little difference to patient outcome.
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Comparative Study
Value of combined 6-[18F]fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine PET/CT for imaging of neuroendocrine tumours.
Accurate knowledge of tumour presence and location is essential to treat neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Standard imaging has been hampered by low sensitivity and lack of spatial resolution. This study assessed prospectively the diagnostic value and impact of combined 6-[18F]fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-DOPA-PET/CT) in the management of NET. ⋯ 18F-DOPA-PET/CT yields a high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of NET. The clinical impact was highly relevant as changes in therapy were observed in more than a quarter of the patients.
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This study evaluated the role of axillary ultrasonography (AUS) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in preoperative staging of the axilla in patients with invasive breast cancer. ⋯ Preoperative AUS-FNAC avoided unnecessary SNB in 28.5 per cent of node-positive patients and in 7.8 per cent of patients overall.