The influence of comorbidities and etiologies on the success of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic soft tissue wounds: midterm results.

Possible effects of comorbidities and of different wound etiologies on the success of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) of chronic soft tissue wounds were investigated. From September 2003 until February 2007, 282 patients, being previously treated unsuccessfully were enrolled. Treatment consisted of ESWT occurring at defined intervals.

Terminal bifurcation of the biceps brachii muscle and tendon: anatomic considerations and clinical implications.

Objective: The objective of our study was to describe the anatomic variation of a bifurcated distal biceps tendon with MRI, histology, and dissection in cadavers and to report the MR appearance of superimposed lesions in a patient population with this anatomic variant.

Materials And Methods: Visual and histologic examinations of the distal biceps brachii tendon in eight sectioned fresh-frozen elbow specimens were performed. Dissection of 17 elbow specimens was performed to describe the distal biceps brachii tendon.

Improved survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture by offering both open and endovascular repair.

Background: In the treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA), the results of open graft replacement (OGR) have remained constant but discouraging for the last 4 decades. Provided suitable anatomy, elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is less invasive and leads to improved perioperative mortality. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that endovascular treatment should improve the results of rAAA therapy.

Effect of body armor on simulated landmine blasts to cadaveric legs.

Background: Antipersonnel landmine protective footwear relies on blast deflection or on exaggerated standoff between the foot and the explosive. Neither design has been tested for clinical effectiveness.

Methods: 4 cadaveric lower extremities--3 fitted with a Koflach boot incorporating TABRE (Technology for Attenuating Blast Related Energy) were subjected to controlled blast with charges of up to 100 g trinitrotoluene (TNT).

Abdominal aortic aneurysms and concomitant diseases requiring surgical intervention: simultaneous operation vs staged treatment using endoluminal stent grafting.

Hypothesis: To investigate whether staged or synchronous treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and concomitant diseases (CDs) requiring surgical repair plays a clinical role. We considered endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in particular.

Design: Review of a prospectively gathered database.

Endografting increases total volume of AAA repairs but not at the expense of open surgery: experience in more than 1000 patients.

Purpose: To compare the volume of open graft replacements (OGR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) versus endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVAR) over time and after modifying selection criteria.

Methods: A review was conducted of 1021 consecutive patients who underwent AAA repair from 1989 through 2002: 496 elective OGRs for infrarenal AAAs (STANDARD), 289 elective EVARs for infrarenal AAAs, 59 complex OGRs for suprarenal AAAs, and 177 emergent OGRs for ruptured AAAs. Patients from 1995 to 2002 were divided into 2 groups based on shifting treatment strategies; 454 patients were treated by STANDARD or EVAR at the surgeon's discretion between 1995 and 2000 (post EVAR).