The British journal of surgery
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Postoperative complications may have an adverse effect not only on short-term but also long-term outcome among patients having surgery for cancer. A retrospective series of patients who had surgery for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) was used to assess this association. ⋯ Postoperative complications were independently associated with decreased long-term survival after surgery for CLM with curative intent. The prevention and management of postoperative adverse events may be important oncologically.
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Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has changed over time, with endovascular repair (EVAR) being the main technical revolution. This study assessed the effect of this change on outcome on a national basis over a 17-year interval. ⋯ The introduction of EVAR has been associated with an increased number of intact AAA repairs, which has accelerated recently, whereas the rate of rAAA repair has started to decline. Simultaneously, outcomes have improved.
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Patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are likely to have various medical co-morbidities, yet their global features regarding adverse postoperative outcomes and use of medical resources when undergoing major surgery are unknown. The objective of this study was to validate whether ITP is an independent risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes, and to explore the potential clinical predictors of outcomes after major surgery among patients with ITP. ⋯ Patients with ITP undergoing surgery are at increased risk of adverse perioperative events, particularly if blood or blood product transfusion are required preoperatively, or the procedure is done as an emergency.
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Laparoscopic lavage has recently emerged as a promising alternative to sigmoid resection in the treatment of perforated diverticulitis. This study examined an early experience with this technique. ⋯ Laparoscopic lavage for perforated diverticulitis was feasible in the majority of patients, but identification of an overt sigmoid perforation and patient selection are of critical importance.
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Comparing and ranking hospitals based on health outcomes is becoming increasingly popular, although case-mix differences between hospitals and random variation are known to distort interpretation. The aim of this study was to explore whether surgical-site infection (SSI) rates are suitable for comparing hospitals, taking into account case-mix differences and random variation. ⋯ When comparing SSI rates in all operations, differences between hospitals were explained by case mix. For individual types of surgery, case mix varied less between hospitals, and differences were explained largely by random variation. Although SSI rates may be used for monitoring quality improvement within hospitals, they should not be used for ranking hospitals.