Perioperative complications after pacemaker implantation: higher complication rates with subclavian vein puncture than with cephalic vein cutdown.

Purpose: The cephalic vein cutdown (CVC) and the subclavian puncture (SP) is the most common access for pacemaker implantation. The purpose of this study was to compare the peri-/postoperative complications of these approaches.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the quality assurance data of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia was performed to evaluate the peri-/postoperative complications of first pacemaker implantation according to the venous access.

[Considerations for quality assurance of discussions with relatives in direct association with organ donation].

Background: Discussions with relatives are relevant and crucial aspects of the organ donation process and contribute to a consolidated and sustainable decision by the families of the deceased. Despite the great importance of family care, there is no systematic analysis of the quality of this communication, in contrast to the diagnosis of irreversible loss of brain function, organ retrieval and organ transplantation. For this reason, organ donation experts were interviewed about recurring characteristics of communication with relatives of the deceased.

[Perioprocedural mortality after ICD implantation].

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) represent an established treatment in preventing sudden cardiac death in patients with indications for primary or secondary prophylaxis. As for all complex surgical procedures there remains a risk for the occurrence of complications including death also for ICD implantation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the procedure-related mortality in patients after ICD implantation using the data from the obligatory quality assurance program in North-Rhine/Westphalia.

Outcome of acute perforated cholecystitis: a register study of over 5000 cases from a quality control database in Germany.

Background: Acute perforated cholecystitis (APC) is probably the most severe complication of acute cholecystitis. However, data on the outcome of cholecystectomy for APC are limited to small series. This study investigated the outcomes of cholecystectomy for APC.

Surgical management of empyematous cholecystitis: a register study of over 12,000 cases from a regional quality control database in Germany.

Background: Acute cholecystitis is a common indication for surgery. Surgical outcomes depend among other factors on the extent of gallbladder inflammation. Data on the outcomes of patients undergoing cholecystectomy due to acute empyematous cholecystitis are rare.

Interinstitutional variations in mode of birth after a previous caesarean section: a cross-sectional study in six German hospitals.

Aims: Regional and interinstitutional variations have been recognized in the increasing incidence of caesarean section. Modes of birth after previous caesarean section vary widely, ranging from elective repeat caesarean section (ERCS) and unplanned repeat caesarean section (URCS) after trial of labour to vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC). This study describes interinstitutional variations in mode of birth after previous caesarean section in relation to regional indicators in Germany.