Zentralblatt für Chirurgie
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We examined the outcome of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and analysed factors that were responsible for the mortality. ⋯ The present study demonstrates that the severe situation of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is not without a chance, many patients can be successfully managed. The success of treatment depends partly on factors which cannot be influenced by the surgeon, but other factors (for example hemoperitoneum und decreasing hemoglobin level) can be managed by quick diagnostics and expensive postoperative intensive care.
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After stabilization an optimal therapeutic strategy influences outcome in polytraumatized patients. A trauma team leader in early clinical course is necessary to optimize diagnostics and planning of further treatment. Special training systems like ATLS can help to standardize management of trauma patients. ⋯ Especially in patients with abdominal bleeding and severe brain injury time is the most critical factor. If he is not able to treat these injuries alone, physicians from other specialties must be involved. The trauma team leader must be aware of different treatment concepts like early total care and damage control orthopaedics.
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Esophageal resection is still today associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive procedures show a significantly lower rate of such complications and therefore might also be associated with a lower surgical risk. However, publications till date contain little or no data on the extent of lymph node dissection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the morbidity and mortality rate of minimally invasive esophageal resection. ⋯ Our experience with 25 successful minimally invasive esophageal resections shows that with increasing experience and better surgical equipment, the extent of lymph node dissection does not differ from open procedure.
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The introduction of minimum surgical volumes aimed at improving the quality of care is currently the subject of controversial debate. One relevant issue is whether the data from external quality assurance can be used to predict outcomes that justify the introduction of minimum surgical volumes. ⋯ In line with reports in the literature, it can be presumed that a connection exists between outcome quality and surgical volume for TKA. However, no threshold value can be deduced on the basis of current outcome data. Debate continues as to whether the introduction of minimum surgical volumes might be economically motivated and how minimum surgical volumes might impact healthcare structures. Lastly, it is discussed whether or not diagnostic related groups (DRG) inherently lead to a concentration of services that would make the introduction of minimum surgical volumes superfluous.