Zentralblatt für Chirurgie
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Generation, local tailoring, implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines is an integral part of quality management. Clinical guidelines are intimately related to the independency of physicians' decisions. By this the physicians should be responsible for guideline development and guarantee the use of adequate methods of total quality management and outcome assessment. ⋯ Clinical algorithms are highly formalized and they are well suited for generation and analysis by the software ALGO. Determination of complexity and comparison of the clinical contents of algorithms is done by the scores CASA (Clinical Algorithm Structural Analysis) and CAPA (Clinical Algorithm Patient Abstraction). In a study of 22 clinical departments on treatment management concepts in sepsis following anastomotic insufFiciency in colorectal carcinoma a considerable heterogeneity was shown using this program.
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The application of temporary vena cava filters for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity has become increasingly important in recent years. The filters are supposed to guarantee temporary protection from more extensive pulmonary embolism. ⋯ Because of possible complications such as the above, the indication for insertion of temporary vena cava filters requires thorough consideration. Their duration of stay should be as short as possible and should be limited to the high risk phase, not exceeding ten days.
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Patient-controlled analgesia has been proven to be an effective technique in postoperative pain management. The aim of our study was to evaluate PCA on general surgery wards. 311 patients and their nurses were questioned about their experiences in using PCA for postoperative pain management. Satisfaction with pain relief judged by both patients and nursing staff, incidence of negative side effects and technical problems were studied. ⋯ Most of the patients coped very well with operating their PCA-pumps. We conclude that PCA is a safe and effective method in postoperative pain management on surgical wards. Under the condition of regular monitoring of pain intensity, of analgesic consumption, level of sedation and of side effects by trained medical and nursing staff, monitoring of respiration and vigilance is not necessary for the PCA regimen we used.
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Postgraduate training in general surgery in Germany is regulated by state law and administrated by the Arztekammer. The formal conditions for the performance of the postgraduate training are published in the postgraduate regulations of the Arztekammer. ⋯ The above mentioned regulations will be presented in this article as well as the procedure that is applied by the Arztekammer Nordrhein to evaluate the accreditation of those people and organisations who are eligible to administer the postgraduate training. Further perspectives on the professional future of surgeons in Germany are addressing the background of a growing number of doctors who are facing the changing conditions of the legal framework within which they will have to work.
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Objective of this study was to show the different causes and the importance of pulmonary complications after esophageal surgery and their management by general and intensive care measures. In the University Hospital for General and Abdominal Surgery of Mainz 222 patients were treated for esophageal cancer from 9/1985 to 5/1997. Data of 214 patients were available for this investigation. ⋯ Postoperative psychosyndrome, recurrent nerve palsy and ASA-risk stratification were accompanied by elevated rates of pneumonia. Careful selection of patients for esophageal resection, atraumatic surgical technique and reduction of general and surgical complications and intensive care measures can help to avoid postoperative pulmonary complications. Reduction of mediators activated by surgical trauma is not feasible so in the moment prevention of aspiration seems to be the most effective therapy in the postoperative course.