Endoscopic variceal ligation vs. propranolol for prevention of first variceal bleeding: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Data in the literature regarding the role of endoscopic variceal ligation for the prevention of first variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients are controversial. To further explore this issue we have compared ligation and propranolol treatment in a prospective randomized study.

Methods: Sixty patients with cirrhosis and oesophageal varices with no history but at high risk of bleeding were randomized to ligation treatment (30 patients) or propranolol (30 patients).

Post-operative wound infections.

Aims: To examine the factors influencing post-operative wound infections, such as the patient's age, sex, type and duration of surgical procedure, length of hospital stay, and the type of antibiotic prophylaxis used. In addition, to examine the level of nurses' and physicians' knowledge and application of aseptic technique procedures pre-operatively, peri-operatively and post-operatively.

Method: The study was conducted between 1997 and 1999 at two major hospitals in Greece.