Cluster-randomized crossover trial of chlorhexidine-alcohol iodine-alcohol for prevention of surgical-site infection (SKINFECT trial).

Background: Surgical-site infection (SSI) is a serious surgical complication that can be prevented by preoperative skin disinfection. In Western European countries, preoperative disinfection is commonly performed with either chlorhexidine or iodine in an alcohol-based solution. This study aimed to investigate whether there is superiority of chlorhexidine-alcohol over iodine-alcohol for preventing SSI.

Nomograms to predict survival and the risk for developing local or distant recurrence in patients with rectal cancer treated with optional short-term radiotherapy.

Background: In many European countries, short-term 5 × 5 Gy radiotherapy has become the standard preoperative treatment of patients with resectable rectal cancer. Individualized risk assessment might allow a better selection of patients who will benefit from postoperative treatment and intensified follow-up.

Patients And Methods: From patient's data from three European rectal cancer trials (N = 2881), we developed multivariate cox nomograms reflecting the risk for local recurrence (LR), distant metastases (DM) and overall survival (OS).

Adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision: a Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) randomized phase III trial.

Background: The discussion on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer patients treated according to current guidelines is still ongoing. A multicentre, randomized phase III trial, PROCTOR-SCRIPT, was conducted to compare adjuvant chemotherapy with observation for rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision (TME).

Patients And Methods: The PROCTOR-SCRIPT trial recruited patients from 52 hospitals.

Differences in pre-operative treatment for rectal cancer between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Several studies have shown remarkable differences in colorectal cancer survival across Europe. Most of these studies lacked information about stage and treatment. In this study we compared short-term survival as well as differences in tumour stage and treatment strategies between five European countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The surgeon's eye: a prospective analysis of the anteversion in the placement of hemiarthroplasties after a femoral neck fracture.

Introduction: Hip dislocation after hemiarthroplasty performed in elderly patients with a femoral neck fracture is associated with severe morbidity and costs. Optimal anteversion during the placement of the hemiarthroplasty might reduce the dislocation rate. We assessed the surgeons' intraoperative visual estimations of the femoral anteversion.