Expectations and needs of patients with esophageal cancer during curative treatment regarding self-management, self-management support and eHealth: a qualitative study.

Purpose: Self-management is an essential component of the curative treatment trajectory of esophageal cancer patients. The aims of this study were to explore expectations and needs of esophageal cancer patients during curative treatment regarding self-management, relevant aspects of self-management in which they need additional support, and to explore their willingness to use eHealth.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with esophageal cancer patients, who had been treated with neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy followed by surgery, maximally 1 year after surgery.

Trans-axillary thoracic outlet decompression.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of conditions thought to be caused by the compression of neurovascular structures going to the upper extremity. TOS is a difficult disease to diagnose, and surgical treatment remains challenging. Many different surgical techniques for the treatment of TOS have been described in the literature and many reasonable to good outcomes have been reported, which makes it hard for surgeons to determine which techniques should be used.

Evaluating the implementation of personalised outcomes forecasts to optimise supervised exercise therapy in patients with intermittent claudication in the Netherlands: a multimethods study.

Background: To support the optimisation of supervised exercise therapy (SET) in patients with intermittent claudication, we developed personalised outcomes forecasts (POFs), which visualise estimated walking distance and quality of life for individual patients. The POFs may enable healthcare professionals, such as physical and exercise therapists, to improve shared decision-making and patient outcomes.

Objectives: To assess differences in patient outcomes (functional walking distance, maximal walking distance and health-related quality of life) and the level of shared decision-making before and after the implementation of POFs in the conservative treatment of patients with intermittent claudication.

Surgical approaches for thoracic outlet decompression in the treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a controversial and uncommon syndrome. Three different diagnoses can be made based on the compressed structure: arterial TOS, venous TOS, and neurogenic TOS. Diagnosing TOS, especially neurogenic TOS, remains difficult since a single diagnostic tool does not exist.

Lower Leg Lateral Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: Prospective Surgical Treatment Outcomes for Isolated or Combined Lateral Fasciotomy.

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome involving the lower leg lateral compartment (lat-CECS) seldom occurs isolated but is usually combined with CECS of the anterior (ant-CECS) or deep posterior compartment (dp-CECS). Patient characteristics in lat-CECS and outcome after surgery are largely unknown. The aim of this prospective case series was to describe patient characteristics and symptoms and to report on outcome following a fasciotomy.

Nationwide implementation of personalized outcomes forecasts to support physical therapists in treating patients with intermittent claudication: Protocol for an interrupted time series study.

Introduction: Shared decision-making is the cornerstone of patient-centered care. However, evidence suggests that the application of shared decision-making in physical therapy practice is limited. To elicit shared decision-making and thereby potentially improve patient outcomes for patients with intermittent claudication, we developed a decision support system.

General Overview and Diagnostic (Imaging) Techniques for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is an uncommon and controversial syndrome. Three different diagnoses can be made based on the compressed structure, arterial TOS, venous TOS, and neurogenic TOS, though combinations do exist as well. Diagnosing NTOS is difficult since no specific objective diagnostic modalities exist.

Editor's Choice - Two Year Results of the Randomised DISCOVER Trial Comparing Covered Versus Bare Metal Stents in the Common Iliac Artery.

Objective: It has been suggested that covered stents (CS) may lower restenosis rates compared with bare metal stents (BMS) after endovascular treatment of the common iliac artery. This trial aimed to provide additional evidence on the efficacy of CS vs. BMS in the common iliac artery.

Editor's Choice - Endurant Stent Graft in Patients with Challenging Neck Anatomy "One Step Outside Instructions for Use": Early and Midterm Results from the EAGLE Registry.

Objective: The aim of the Endurant for Challenging Anatomy: Global Experience (EAGLE) registry is to evaluate prospectively the technical and clinical success rate of a stentgraft used in patients with challenging neck anatomy outside the instructions for use (IFU) but within objective anatomical limits.

Methods: This was a prospective, international, multicentre, observational study. From 1 February 2012 to 1 September 2017, patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a challenging infrarenal neck that were deemed suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair were included prospectively at 23 European centres.

Interpectoral-pectoserratus plane (PECS II) block in patients undergoing trans-axillary thoracic outlet decompression surgery; A prospective double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Study Objective: To investigate if an interpectoral-pectoserratus plane (PECS II) block decreases postoperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting and improves quality of recovery in patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) undergoing trans-axillary thoracic outlet decompression surgery.

Design: A prospective single center double blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Perioperative period; operating room, post anesthesia care unit (PACU) and hospital ward.

Impact of Personalized Outcomes Forecasts on Clinical Reasoning of Physical Therapists in Intermittent Claudication: A Vignette Study.

Objective: Guidelines recommend supervised exercise therapy and lifestyle counseling by a physical therapist as initial treatment for patients with intermittent claudication. However, guidelines provide only a crude estimate of the outcomes that therapists and patients might expect from treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of personalized outcomes forecasts (POFs) on the decision-making process of physical therapists and to learn lessons on facilitating the use of forecasts in daily practice.

Reliability and validity of the standardized elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Objective: We developed a standardized elevated arm stress test (sEAST) meter to standardize patients' posture and measure additional grip and fatigue parameters. In the present prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the sEAST in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS).

Methods: Patients evaluated for NTOS between October 2018 and February 2020 were included and performed the sEAST.

Reliability and validity of the elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was to assess the test-retest reliability and validity of the elevated arm stress test (EAST) as measured by the duration in a cohort of patients with suspected neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS).

Methods: Patients evaluated for NTOS between January 2017 and September 2018 were identified. Test-retest reliability by the intraclass correlation coefficient was determined for duration of the EAST.

Surgery Versus Continued Conservative Treatment for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: the First Randomised Clinical Trial (STOPNTOS Trial).

Objective: Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is one of the most controversial clinical entities in medicine. Several major case series have shown promising results of surgery; however, solid scientific evidence is lacking. The aim of this trial was to objectify the effect of thoracic outlet decompression (TOD).

Redo surgery for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome is useful.

Objectives: Surgery for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) has shown good outcome in numerous case series. However, 5% to 30% of patients will have persistent or recurrent symptoms, caused by incomplete first rib resection, reattachment of residual scalene muscle, fibrous scarring around the brachial plexus, or a wrong NTOS diagnosis. In patients with a sound diagnosis of recurrent or persisting NTOS, not responding to conservative measures, a secondary procedure can be considered.

Multicenter Case Series and Literature Review on Durability of Stents in the Thoracic Outlet.

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to report our experience with arterial and venous endovascular stent placement in the thoracic outlet (TO) and review available literature.

Methods: All patients that underwent arterial or venous stent placement in the TO between 2013 and 2020 in 5 Dutch vascular teaching-hospitals were retrospectively identified. Primary endpoint was symptomatic stent failure due to stenosis, chronic or posture dependent compression, fracture, or occlusion of the stent.

Personalised Outcomes Forecasts of Supervised Exercise Therapy in Intermittent Claudication: An Application of Neighbours Based Prediction Methods with Routinely Collected Clinical Data.

Objective: Insights regarding individual patient prognosis may improve exercise therapy by informing patient expectations, promoting exercise adherence, and facilitating tailored care. Therefore, the aim was to develop and evaluate personalised outcomes forecasts for functional claudication distance over six months of supervised exercise therapy for patients with intermittent claudication.

Methods: Data of 5 940 patients were eligible for analysis.

Thoracic outlet decompression surgery for Gilliatt-Sumner hand as a presentation of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Background: Chronic compression of the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus can result in severe pain and progressive atrophy and weakness of the musculature of the forearm and hand, known as Gilliatt-Sumner hand (GSH). The objective of treatment for these patients is to stop further atrophy and pain. Restoration of motor function has been thought to be seldom achieved.

Comparison of 2 Fasciotomes for Treatment of Patients With Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Anterior Leg.

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the anterior leg compartment (ant-CECS) is frequently treated with a minimally invasive fasciotomy. Several operative techniques and operative devices exist, but none have been compared in a systematic and randomized manner.

Purpose: To compare efficacy, safety, and postoperative pain of a novel operative device (FascioMax fasciotome) with a widely accepted device created by Due and Nordstrand (Due fasciotome) during a minimally invasive fasciotomy for ant-CECS.

Supervised Exercise Therapy is Effective for Patients With Intermittent Claudication Regardless of Psychological Constructs.

Objective: According to current guidelines, supervised exercise therapy (SET) is the treatment of choice for intermittent claudication (IC). Little is known about the potential consequences of psychological factors on the effectiveness of treatment. The aim of this study was to determine possible associations between a set of psychological constructs and treatment outcomes, and to investigate whether self efficacy increased after SET.

Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 Before and After Supervised Exercise Therapy in Patients with Intermittent Claudication.

Objective: The Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 (VascuQoL-6) is a short, disease specific instrument used to determine health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with peripheral arterial disease. This study aimed to assess the minimally important difference (MID) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) of the VascuQoL-6 in Dutch patients with intermittent claudication (IC) receiving supervised exercise therapy (SET).

Methods: Consecutive patients with IC who were recruited from a single centre between January 2016 and December 2016 completed the VascuQoL-6 before initiation and after three months of SET.

[Meaningful interventions for peripheral arterial disease: Stopping primary referral to the vascular surgeon and angioplasty].

Supervised exercise therapy with lifestyle counseling by a specialized physical therapist has replaced endovascular or open revascularization as primary treatment for intermittent claudication for most patients in the Netherlands. Succesful implementation of this guideline-recommended treatment strategy was achieved by warranting availability and quality of care by organizing care around a national network. Further reductions in unnecessary interventions in this population may be achieved when general practitioners and medical specialists collaborate, for instance by making in-hospital vascular diagnostic laboratories accessible for primary care.

Duplex Ultrasound Studies Are Neither Necessary or Sufficient for the Diagnosis of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Background: Duplex ultrasound (DU) is used in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) to measure compression of the subclavian artery (SCA) which is thought to strengthen the NTOS diagnosis. However, the value of DU in NTOS remains unclear.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively acquired database from the TOS center of the Catharina Hospital Eindhoven was performed of patients referred between January 2017 and December 2019.