A systematic review on the clinical benefit and role of radiofrequency ablation as treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Aim: To evaluate the role of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLMs).

Method: A PubMed literature search for original articles published until August 2008 was performed. Studies with 40 patients, 18 month median follow-up and reported 3 year overall survival (OS) rates after RFA of CLM were selected for analysis.

Intraoperative consultation as an instrument of quality management.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of intraoperative consultation (IOC) with regard to its feasibility for improving quality management. IOC comprises an assessment of major steps in the operative procedure by another surgeon requested by the operating surgeon to be present in the operating room in a consultative capacity during the operation.

Methods: Between January and June 2008, IOC was implemented in 1217 operations.