The safety and efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in neonatal cardiac surgery.

Background: Neonates undergoing open-heart surgery are particularly at risk of postoperative bleeding requiring blood transfusion. Aprotinin has attained high efficacy in reducing the requirement for a blood transfusion following a cardiopulmonary bypass, but is seldom studied in the neonatal age group. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of aprotinin and tranexamic acid in neonates undergoing open-heart surgery at a single centre.

Quality measurement of outcome in general surgery revisited: commentary and proposal.

Surgery has been trying to catch up to evidence-based medicine. Assessment of outcome in surgery is the child for quality assurance of patient care. We surgeons have our own set of mental variables that can predict good and poor outcomes.