Postoperative Complications.

Surgery under anesthesia poses a significant stress to the body, and postoperative complications occur in up to 20% of cases. An understanding of postoperative complications, including assessment of patients at risk, risk mitigation, early recognition, and evidence-based treatment, is essential to provide high-value health care. Common postoperative complications reviewed in this article include fever, cerebrovascular accident, nausea and vomiting, ileus, and urinary retention, including discussion of pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment.

Current Treatment Options for Severe Clostridium difficile-associated Disease.

A notable trend toward severe Clostridium difficile colitis and poor outcomes has emerged since recognition of the hyper-virulent C. difficile NAP1/027 strain. This trend has increased the emphasis on appropriate treatment regimens in refractory cases of C.

The changing face of Clostridium difficile: what treatment options remain?

In this issue of the Journal, an article by Pepin et al. documents the shifting sands of the modern-day Clostridium difficile epidemic as seen in Quebec. Pepin and coauthors' observation that the superior activity of vancomycin over metronidazole has been lost since the emergence there of the hypervirulent strain NAP1/027 in 2003 has implications for the future treatment of C.