Short-term results of a randomized clinical trial comparing Lichtenstein open repair with totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has emerged as a recognized operative method for inguinal hernia repair. This study compared the short-term results of two tension-free methods of repair: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic patch repair and the open Lichtenstein mesh technique.

Methods: A total of 1513 men from 11 hospitals who presented with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized to one of the two methods.

Postoperative convalescence after inguinal hernia surgery: prospective randomized multicenter study of laparoscopic versus shouldice inguinal hernia repair in 1042 patients.

Interest in inguinal hernia surgery has increased significantly with the introduction of new operating techniques during the past decade. This multicenter study compared short-term results in patients treated by the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal patch technique (TAPP; n = 518) and the Shouldice technique (n = 524). We evaluated demographics, operative data, complications, hospital stay, postoperative pain, use of cs, functional status, sick leave, and complaints up to 3 months postoperatively.

[Guidelines for management of patients with pancreatic cancer].

The incidence of pancreatic cancer has fallen during the last ten years in Sweden. Early signs and symptoms of the disease are still undiscovered and when diagnosis is made the disease is incurable in most patients. Transabdominal ultrasonography is the first-line imaging test followed by spiral computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if required for definite diagnosis.

Randomized comparison between chemotherapy plus best supportive care with best supportive care in advanced gastric cancer.

Background: The extent to which chemotherapy may relieve tumour-related symptoms, improve quality of life and prolong survival in patients with gastric cancer is not known in spite of the extensive use of this treatment modality. The aim of this study was to estimate any gain in the quantity and quality of life produced by chemotherapy in these patients.

Patients And Methods: Between January 1991 and February 1995, 61 patients with gastric cancer were randomized to either chemotherapy in addition to best supportive care or to best supportive care.

Chemotherapy improves survival and quality of life in advanced pancreatic and biliary cancer.

Background: In certain patients with pancreatic and biliary cancer, chemotherapy may relieve tumour-related symptoms, improve quality of life and possibly prolong survival. The extent of these improvements is not completely known in spite of the extensive use of this treatment modality. The aim of this study was to estimate any gain in the quantity and quality of life produced by chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic and biliary cancer.