Treatment patterns of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients presenting at non-PCI centres in the Netherlands and possible logistical consequences of adopting same-day transfer to PCI centres: a registry-based evaluation.

Background: European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend same-day transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centre for angiography in high-risk (ESC-HR) patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). We describe the treatment patterns of NSTE-ACS patients presenting at non-PCI centres and evaluate the logistical consequences of adopting same-day transfer.

Methods: From August 2016 until January 2017, all consecutive NSTE-ACS patients presenting at 23 non-PCI centres in the Netherlands were recorded.

[Defecation disorders in children: treatment with colonic irrigation through an appendicostomy].

In 3 patients with serious constipation or faecal incontinence the appendix was sewn open-ended into the abdominal wall (Malone-stoma) allowing antegrade bowel washouts. The patients were a 4-year-old boy with Hirschsprung's disease, a 15-year-old boy with chronic functional constipation and encopresis, and a 5.5-year-old boy with incontinence associated with a meningomyelocele.

Long-term follow-up of dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence.

Purpose: Graciloplasty has been used as a treatment for end-stage fecal incontinence since 1946. Electric stimulation with an implantable pulse generator has existed for 15 years. The gracilis muscle is wrapped around the anal canal and stimulated by intramuscular electrodes connected with an implantable pulse generator.

Systematic review of dynamic graciloplasty in the treatment of faecal incontinence.

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to compare the safety and efficacy of dynamic graciloplasty with colostomy for the treatment of faecal incontinence.

Methods: Two search strategies were devised to retrieve literature from the Medline, Current Contents, Embase and Cochrane Library databases up until November 1999. Inclusion of papers depended on a predetermined protocol, independent assessments by two reviewers and a final consensus decision.

Laparoscopic spinal fusion of L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Background: Patients with degenerative disc disease were treated by laparoscopic spondylodesis. Clinical outcome and quality of life were then analyzed in a retrospective study.

Methods: Thirty patients with a mean age of 43 years (range, 26-63) who suffered from instability of levels L4-L5 (n = 23), L5-S1 (n = 3), or both (n = 2) underwent surgery.