The application of optimisation modelling and geospatial analysis to propose a coronary care network model for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: The incidence of myocardial infarction is increasing in South Africa. Prompt treatment is indicated to reduce mortality. One way of expediting treatment is to set up regional referral recommendations that can guide prehospital providers on the best reperfusion strategy for a particular patient.

Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy with a Remote Controlled Robot.

Purpose: Robotics in surgery is a recent innovation. This technology offers a number of attractive features in laparoscopy. It overcomes the difficulties with fixed port sites by restoring all 6 degrees of freedom at the instrument tips, provides new possibilities for miniaturization of surgical tasks and allows remote controlled surgery.

Max Hirsch (1875-1941): His forgotten fate and his contributions to the founding of modern rheumatology.

Objective: To elucidate the connections between balneology and rheumatology in the founding period of the discipline of rheumatology, and describe the contributions of Max Hirsch, MD in the formation of professional rheumatology societies.

Material And Methods: Historical documents from the medical history collection of Vogelsang-Gommern, Germany, and original personal documents of the Hirsch family and information from the medical and historical period literature were used in developing this report.

Results: The first efforts at organizing rheumatology as a recognized clinical and academic discipline took place in the 1920s.

A simplified 5-step model for training laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis.

Purpose: We developed a training model and program aimed at improving the skills of urologists with no previous experience in laparoscopy to perform a running suture urethrovesical anastomosis as is done during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: Our program is performed on a pelvic trainer with a videolaparoscopic unit and consists of passage of a ligature, intracorporal knotting, intracorporal suturing, linear anastomosis and circular running suture anastomosis. The trainees performed the first 3 tasks during the initial lessons and then advanced to the 2 final tasks.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: published series.

Next to the retropubic and perineal approaches, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has become the third most common technique in the surgical treatment of localized prostate cancer. Although long-term oncologic data are still lacking, based on several contemporary series, it seems likely that oncologic results will fulfill expectations. Over the past decade, quality-of-life issues have come into the spotlight in oncologic surgery in particular.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Laparoscopy has become an integral part of urologic surgery. Its indications have been progressively extended to the most advanced oncologic and reconstructive procedures. Within this frame, radical prostatectomy is of major interest, especially considering the incidence and clinical significance of prostate cancer.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal nephrectomy for Aspergillus-infected polycystic kidney.

Background And Purpose: The management of polycystic kidney disease is mostly restricted to conservative measures. However, nephrectomy may be indicated in particular cases, especially when there are infective complications. To decrease the morbidity of the procedure, the laparoscopic approach has become appealing.