[Complications in hip arthroscopy and follow-up therapy. Analysis over a 5-year time period with a total of 13,000 cases].

Background: In recent years arthroscopic interventions of the hip joint have become increasingly more frequent. An advantage of the procedure is that open surgery can be avoided in many cases by using minimally invasive procedures. The spectrum of indications is becoming increasingly broader and more differentiated.

Effect of aspirin versus clopidogrel on walking exercise performance in intermittent claudication-a double-blind randomized multicenter trial.

Background: This study sought to determine possible effects of different antiplatelet therapies on walking exercise performance in intermittent claudication. Aspirin, in contrast to clopidogrel, interferes with processes that increase collateral conductance in an ischemic animal model.

Methods And Results: Patients with stable intermittent claudication were recruited from 21 centers in Switzerland and Germany and randomized to either aspirin or clopidogrel treatment.

The effect of stimulating versus nonstimulating catheters for continuous interscalene plexus blocks in short-term pain management.

Study Objective: To investigate whether placement, and use of stimulating catheters for interscalene brachial plexus blocks improves short-term postoperative analgesia.

Design: Controlled, prospective, randomized, pilot study.

Setting: University hospital.

Effect of silver-threads-containing compression stockings on the cutaneous microcirculation: a double-blind, randomized cross-over study.

Recently silver fiber-containing compression stockings for the use in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) were introduced to the market. In order to gain some first insight into the effects of these new fabrics on the cutaneous microcirculation, a double-blind, randomized cross-over trial was performed in 10 healthy volunteers. A 3 days run-in phase preceded the (2 x10 days) treatment phases and was used to assess the reproducibility of the primary endpoint, which was the transcutaneous partial oxygen pressure (tcpO(2)) measured at a probe temperature of 44 degrees C in the perimalleolar region of the reference leg in supine and dependent leg positions.

Quality of life improvement after hospital- based rehabilitation or home-based physical training in intermittent claudication.

Background: The magnitude of potential changes in Quality-of-Life (QoL) after structured institution-based or home-based peripheral arterial disease (PAD) rehabilitation programs are largely unknown at present. This pilot study provides first QoL data after PAD rehabilitation or a home-based PAD training.

Patients And Methods: In a non-randomized, open-label pilot study three groups of out-patients were compared: group 1 (n = 18) PAD rehabilitation; group 2 (n = 17) PAD rehabilitation + clopidogrel 75 mg once daily; group 3 (n = 20) home-based training.