The British journal of surgery
-
Observational Study
Baseline prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and hypertension in men aged 65-74 years from a population screening study (VIVA trial).
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening has been introduced into some health systems and could easily be supplemented with broader vascular screening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the screening set-up and investigate combined screening for AAA, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and possible hypertension (HT), and detection rates. ⋯ Preventive actions were started in one-third of the attenders. The long-term effect of this on morbidity and mortality is an important part of future analysis. The trial confirms that the prevalence of AAA in Denmark has decreased only slightly in the past decade, from 4·0 to 3·3 per cent, in contrast to other nations.
-
The combination of fat grafting and negative pressure (VAC) therapy represents a synergistic interaction of all essential components for wound healing. The aim of this experimental study was to determine whether it could promote healing of wounds with exposed bone. ⋯ The combination of fat grafting and vacuum therapy represents a synergistic interaction of regenerative cells, hospitable wound matrix and stimulating micromechanical forces. It could accelerate complex wound healing through cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis and maturation of functional blood vessels. The efficacy of a multimodal wound healing approach is established in this experimental model; it could easily be translated into clinical trials of treatment for difficult wounds.
-
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has reduced the rate of AAA rupture. However, cardiovascular disease is still a major cause of death in men with an AAA. The aim of this study was to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with a small AAA. ⋯ The risk of cardiovascular death in patients with a small AAA is high and increases by approximately 3 per cent each year after diagnosis. Patients with a small AAA have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Patients a small AAA should be considered for lifestyle modifications and secondary cardiovascular protection.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Tumour regression in the randomized Stockholm III Trial of radiotherapy regimens for rectal cancer.
The Stockholm III Trial randomized patients with primary operable rectal cancers to either short-course radiotherapy (RT) with immediate surgery (SRT), short-course RT with surgery delayed 4-8 weeks (SRT-delay) or long-course RT with surgery delayed 4-8 weeks. This preplanned interim analysis examined the pathological outcome of delaying surgery. ⋯ Short-course RT induces tumour downstaging if surgery is performed after an interval of 4-8 weeks.