Chronic pancreatitis: A surgical disease? Role of the Frey procedure.

Although medical treatment and endoscopic interventions are primarily offered to patients with chronic pancreatitis, approximately 40% to 75% will ultimately require surgery during the course of their disease. Although pancreaticoduodenectomy has been considered the standard surgical procedure because of its favorable results on pain control, its high postoperative complication and pancreatic exocrine or/and endocrine dysfunction rates have led to a growing enthusiasm for duodenal preserving pancreatic head resection. The aim of this review is to better understand the rationale underlying of the Frey procedure in chronic pancreatitis and to analyze its outcome.

Genetics of Dupuytren's disease.

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a progressive fibrosis of the palmar fascia characterized by the formation of a nodule, which evolves into a cord. DD is the most common hereditary disease of the connective tissue preferentially affecting Caucasoids originating from Northern Europe. Some environmental factors are associated with DD, namely alcohol consumption, tobacco exposure and, possibly, manual activities.

Multi-needle aponeurotomy for advanced Dupuytren's disease: preliminary results of safety and efficacy (MNA 1 study).

Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of multi-needle aponeurotomy (MNA) for advanced Duputren's disease.

Methods: This prospective study included patients with age more than 17 years, Dupuytren's contracture with palmo-digital or poly-digital involvement, presumed NA number needed to treat>4, and availability for at least 1-month follow-up after MNA. Outcome measures were Tubiana score and passive extension deficit, after MNA and at 1 and 6 months; self-assessed disability and satisfaction at 1 and 6 months; and adverse events (AEs).

[Dupuytren's contracture: percutaneous needle aponeurotomy is an alternative to surgery].

Dupuytren's contracture is a retractile fibrosis of the superficial palmar aponeurosis of the hand, resulting in a progressive and fixed flexion of the fingers that may result in severe limitation of hand function. It affects several millions of people in Europe and North America. Risk factors are genetic and sometimes related to mellitus diabetes.

A double-blind study of the analgesic action of benorylate suspension in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

This study compared benorylate suspension and placebo in a double-blind randomised cross-over design to investigate their analgesic effect in osteoarthritis of the hip and the knee. Benorylate and placebo were each given for 7 days. Assessment of efficacy and tolerance was carried out on the 7th day of each period.