[Extravasation of cytostatics. Example of a severe complication from the use of long-term central venous catheters].

Completely implantable ports have become increasingly popular for venous access in the treatment of cancer. An uncommon but very serious complication is reported here: extravasation of a cytostatic agent secondary to a damaged Port-a-Cath catheter. Guidelines to be observed in implantation are recommended.

Cytostatic extravasation. A serious complication of long-term venous access.

Totally implantable ports have gained popularity as venous access in the treatment of cancer. A case is reported with an uncommon but very serious complication, i.e.

Computer diagnosis in jaundice. Bayes' rule founded on 1002 consecutive cases.

Extensive clinical and clinical chemical information was collected from 1002 consecutive jaundiced patients. Initial selection of variables based on Chi 2-tests or Mann-Whitney U-test allowed the removal of 64 of the 107 variables originally collected. A further selection of variables was carried out using a modified version of Bayes' rule thus reducing the number of variables from 43 to 22.

Heparin with and without graded compression stockings in the prevention of thromboembolic complications of major abdominal surgery: a randomized trial.

One hundred and seventy-six patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery were randomized to two prophylactic regimens to prevent postoperative thromboembolism. All patients were screened with the 125I-labelled fibrinogen uptake test, and thromboembolism was verified by ascending phlebography and/or perfusion/ventilation lung scintigraphy. In the group of patients receiving low-dose heparin treatment (5000 units twice daily subcutaneously) 12 per cent developed thromboembolic complications.