Histological findings of tracheal samples from COVID-19 positive critically ill mechanically ventilated patients.

Objectives: This study examines the histological findings of tracheal tissue samples obtained from COVID-19 positive mechanically ventilated patients, to assess the degree of tracheal inflammation/ulceration present.

Design And Participants: Retrospective single-centre observational cohort study. All patients admitted to Adult Intensive Care Unit (AICU) with COVID-19 infection, requiring mechanical ventilation and surgical tracheostomy between 1 April and 1 May 2020, were included (Group 1).

Management of Slipped Gastric Bands via Creation of a De Novo Tunnel and Band Replacement: a Single-Centre Experience.

Background: A lack of clarity remains over the optimal strategy for the management of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) slippage, which, although rare (around 3% in our experience), can when acute result in obstruction, gastric erosion or ischaemia. Typically, slipped bands are removed acutely. The aim of this study was to explore outcomes following immediate or delayed resiting of slipped LAGBs in a single centre, comparing simple repositioning with retunnelling and replacement.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Slippage Rates Following Laparoscopic Gastric Band Insertion: a Single Centre Experience.

Introduction: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands (LAGB) are placed around the superior aspect of the stomach to aid weight loss and co-morbidity resolution in morbidly obese patients. Slippage of the LAGB from its original position to lower in the fundus of the stomach leads to gastric obstruction, and sometimes ischaemia or perforation, necessitating LAGB repositioning or removal. This study aimed to identify the incidence of LAGB slippage, as well as predisposing factors that may influence its development.

Managing demand for laboratory tests: a laboratory toolkit.

Healthcare budgets worldwide are facing increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve efficiency, while maintaining quality. Laboratory testing has not escaped this pressure, particularly since pathology investigations cost the National Health Service £2.5 billion per year.

Demand management and test request rationalization.

Demand for laboratory testing is increasing disproportionately to medical activity, and the tests involved are becoming increasingly complex. When this phenomenon is seen in parallel with declining teaching of laboratory medicine in the medical curriculum, a need emerges to manage demand to avoid unnecessary expenditure and improve the use of laboratory services: 'the right test in the right patient at the right time.' Various methods have been tried to manage demand, with success depending on the medical context, type of health service and preintervention situation.