New generation cut-and-seal devices in oral and oropharyngeal cancer resection: clinical and cost-effectiveness study.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ultrasonic shears and the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system, in comparison to the traditional cold knife and bipolar forceps, in oral and oropharyngeal cancer surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent oral or oropharyngeal cancer resection and neck dissection with either ultrasonic shears (n = 36) or electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing (n = 32) were enrolled. Surgical time, intra-operative bleeding, blood drainage, post-operative pain, neck oedema, complications and hospitalisation duration were compared to those of an historical cohort of 36 patients treated using a cold knife and bipolar forceps.

A two-level EFQM self-assessment in an Italian hospital.

Purpose: An assessment of the EFQM excellence model was carried out in Italy's Udine Hospital, aimed at evaluating how first and second-level managers perceived their hospital and individual departments. The study objectives also included identifying strengths and areas requiring improvement and stimulating a quality culture.

Design/methodology/approach: Udine's S.