Socio-economic disparity in risk of undergoing emergency laparotomy and postoperative mortality.

Socio-economic disparities in health and access to care are well documented, but socio-economic disparities in surgical care and outcomes have received less attention. The aim of the study was to determine if there are socio-economic disparities in the risk of undergoing emergency laparotomy and postoperative mortality in a universal health-care system with free and equal access to care. : This was a nationwide case-control study including patients undergoing non-malignant emergency laparotomy involving resection, ostomy or open drainage between 2003 and 2014 and population references matched 1:1 on age and sex.

A nationwide cohort study of short- and long-term outcomes following emergency laparotomy.

Introduction: Emergency laparotomy is a high-risk procedure associated with severe post-operative morbidity and high mortality. The aim was to conduct a nationwide cohort consisting of all patients undergoing emergency laparotomy during an 11-year period and to examine both short- and long-term outcomes.

Methods: Adult patients treated with emergency laparotomy due to gastrointestinal conditions from 2003 through 2013 were identified in the Danish National Patient Register.

Delay of surgery after stent placement for resectable malignant colorectal obstruction is associated with higher risk of recurrence.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents can be used as bridge to elective surgery for acute malignant colonic obstruction. However, the impact on long-term oncological outcome and the optimal timing of surgery are still unknown.

Method: This was a retrospective multicenter study performed at four colorectal centers.

Chronic Pain, Quality of Life, and Functional Impairment After Surgery Due to Small Bowel Obstruction.

Background: Emergency laparotomy is a high-risk procedure regarding short-term outcomes; however, long-term outcomes are not well described. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of chronic postoperative pain, pain-related functional impairment, and incisional hernias and to evaluate the gastrointestinal quality of life after emergency laparotomy due to small bowel obstruction.

Methods: This study was a questionnaire study, conducted at a major gastrointestinal-surgery department in a single tertiary university hospital in Denmark.

Risk factors affecting morbidity and mortality following emergency laparotomy for small bowel obstruction: A retrospective cohort study.

Introductions: To identify risk factors for increased 30-day morbidity and mortality, using standardized measuring tools for the characterization of complications after emergency surgery for small bowel obstruction.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study including patients treated with emergency laparotomy for small bowel obstruction at a Copenhagen University Hospital (2009-2013). Complications were evaluated according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Telephone reminders reduced the non-attendance rate in a gastroenterology outpatient clinic.

Introduction: Non-attendance is a global health-care problem. The aim of the present study was 1) to investigate if a telephone reminder could reduce the non-attendance rate, 2) to study reasons for non-attendance and 3) to evaluate if a permanent implementation would be economically advantageous in a gastroenterology outpatient clinic like ours.

Methods: This was a comparative intervention study with a historical control group in a gastroenterology outpatient clinic.

[How to make a budget for fund applications].

There has been an enhanced focus on the use of foundation grants in the past year. This article gives an example on how to make a budget for fund applications.

[Genetic variation may influence the development of persistent postsurgical pain].

Persistent postsurgical pain is a major clinical problem. It is not fully understood why some patients develop persistent postsurgical pain while others do not. The genetic profile might play an important role in this development.