Comparison of direct site endovascular repair utilizing expandable polytetrafluoroethylene stent grafts versus standard vascular shunts in a porcine (Sus scrofa) model.

Introduction: The small diameter of temporary vascular shunts for vascular trauma management may restrict flow and result in ischemia or early thrombosis. We have previously reported a clinical experience with direct, open surgical reconstruction using expandable polytetrafluoroethylene stent grafts to create a "sutureless" anastomosis as an alternative to standard temporary vascular shunts. We sought to characterize patency and flow characteristics of these grafts compared with standard shunts in a survival model of porcine vascular injury.

Postoperative Pain Control Following Craniotomy: A Systematic Review of Recent Clinical Literature.

Background: Pain intensity after craniotomy is considered to be moderate to severe during the first 2 postoperative days. The ideal pain treatment to facilitate a rapid postoperative recovery and optimize outcome is unknown.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to report current clinical evidence related to pharmacological and adjuvant analgesic modalities for postcraniotomy pain control.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis: time for visionary political leadership.

Two decades ago, WHO declared tuberculosis a global emergency, and invested in the highly cost-effective directly observed treatment short-course programme to control the epidemic. At that time, most strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were susceptible to first-line tuberculosis drugs, and drug resistance was not a major issue. However, in 2013, tuberculosis remains a major public health concern worldwide, with prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis rising.