Bmc Surg
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A multicenter randomized clinical trial investigating the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies with or without antibiotics for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (DIABOLO trial).
Conservative treatment of uncomplicated or mild diverticulitis usually includes antibiotic therapy. It is, however, uncertain whether patients with acute diverticulitis indeed benefit from antibiotics. In most guidelines issued by professional organizations antibiotics are considered mandatory in the treatment of mild diverticulitis. This advice lacks evidence and is merely based on experts' opinion. Adverse effects of the use of antibiotics are well known, including allergic reactions, development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and other side-effects. ⋯ A clinically relevant difference of more than 5 days in time-to-full recovery between the two treatment strategies is not expected. The liberal strategy without antibiotics and without the strict requirement for hospital admission is anticipated to be more a more cost-effective approach.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Aesculap Activ-L artificial disc in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.
The objective of this clinical study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Activ-L Artificial Disc for treatment of single-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine in patients who have been unresponsive to at least six months of prior conservative care. The hypothesis of the study is that the Activ-L Disc is non-inferior to the control (the Charité Artificial Disc [DePuy Spine] or ProDisc-L Total Disc Replacement [Synthes Spine]) with respect to the rate of individual subject success at 24 months. Individual subject success is a composite of effectiveness and safety. ⋯ The safety and effectiveness of the Activ-L Artificial Disc for treatment of single-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine will be equivalent to Charité Artificial Disc [DePuy Spine] or ProDisc-L Total Disc Replacement [Synthes Spine] at 24 months.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A prospective cohort study to investigate cost-minimisation, of Traditional open, open fAst track recovery and laParoscopic fASt track multimodal management, for surgical patients with colon carcinomas (TAPAS study).
The present developments in colon surgery are characterized by two innovations: the introduction of the laparoscopic operation technique and fast recovery programs such as the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) recovery program. The Tapas-study was conceived to determine which of the three treatment programs: open conventional surgery, open 'ERAS' surgery or laparoscopic 'ERAS' surgery for patients with colon carcinomas is most cost minimizing? ⋯ The Tapas-study is three-arm multicenter cohort study that will provide a cost evaluation of three treatment programs for patients with colon carcinoma, which may serve as a guideline for choice of treatment and investment strategies in hospitals.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective, randomized, double-blinded single-site control study comparing blood loss prevention of tranexamic acid (TXA) to epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) for corrective spinal surgery.
Multilevel spinal fusion surgery has typically been associated with significant blood loss. To limit both the need for transfusions and co-morbidities associated with blood loss, the use of anti-fibrinolytic agents has been proposed. While there is some literature comparing the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) to epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) in cardiac procedures, there is currently no literature directly comparing TXA to EACA in orthopedic surgery. ⋯ The primary goal of the study is to determine perioperative blood loss as a measure of the efficacy of TXA, EACA, and placebo. Based on current literature and the mechanism by which the medications act, we hypothesize that TXA will be more effective at reducing blood loss than EACA or placebo and result in improved patient outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Sepsis induced changes of adipokines and cytokines - septic patients compared to morbidly obese patients.
Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance frequently occur in critically ill and in morbidly obese (MO) patients. Both conditions are associated with altered serum levels of cytokines and adipokines. In addition, obesity related alterations in adipokine expression contribute to insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome. In this study we examined the serum adipocytokine profile in critically ill patients, MO patients, and healthy blood donors. ⋯ A comparable adipocytokine profile was determined in critically ill and MO patients. As in MO, SP showed reduced adiponectin levels and elevated MCP-1, active PAI-1, IL-1 alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 levels. Leptin is only elevated in MO, while resistin, IL-8, and TNF-alpha is only elevated in SP. As in MO patients, increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and altered levels of adipokines may contribute to the development of insulin resistance in critically ill patients.