Oxidized zirconium versus cobalt-chrome femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty: a multicentre prospective randomized controlled trial with ten years' follow-up.

Aims: This study reports the ten-year wear rates, incidence of osteolysis, clinical outcomes, and complications of a multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing oxidized zirconium (OxZr) versus cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral heads with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) liners in total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Patients undergoing primary THA were recruited from four institutions and prospectively allocated to the following treatment groups: Group A, CoCr femoral head with XLPE liner; Group B, OxZr femoral head with XLPE liner; and Group C, OxZr femoral head with UHMWPE liner. All study patients and assessors recording outcomes were blinded to the treatment groups.

Use of a robotic camera holder (FreeHand) for laparoscopic appendicectomy.

Use of a mechanical arm to hold the laparoscopic camera has many advantages. FreeHand (FreeHand Ltd, Guildford, United Kingdom) is a robotic camera holder which uses head movement and infrared technology. This trial assessed the usefulness of FreeHand in laparoscopic appendicectomy.

Prospective observational cohort study of the association between antiplatelet therapy, bleeding and thrombosis in patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Background: The perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy in noncardiac surgery patients who have undergone previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a dilemma. Continuing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may carry a risk of bleeding, while stopping antiplatelet therapy may increase the risk of perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods: Occurrence of Bleeding and Thrombosis during Antiplatelet Therapy In Non-Cardiac Surgery (OBTAIN) was an international prospective multicentre cohort study of perioperative antiplatelet treatment, MACE, and serious bleeding in noncardiac surgery.

Ocular Compartment Syndrome and Lateral Canthotomy Procedure.

Background: Ocular compartment syndrome (OCS) is a serious ophthalmological emergency that should be diagnosed and treated immediately to prevent permanent loss of vision. It is usually caused by a retro-orbital bleed that will subsequently increase intra-orbital pressure and threaten the patient's vision. Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is a minor bedside procedure using simple equipment that is readily available in emergency departments, and the aim of such a procedure is to free the eye globe from its lateral attachment to the bony orbital wall and allow more eye protrusion and hence reduce intra-orbital pressure and save the patient's sight.

Invasive sarcomatoid mesothelioma resulting in spinal cord compression: case report.

Mesothelioma is more likely to metastasize by local invasion, and metastases to the nervous system are rare. There are currently 10 reported cases of spinal cord compression as a result of mesothelioma. We report a 74-year-old patient with sarcomatoid mesothelioma that spreads across the dura into the spinal cord at T4/T5 level.

Outcomes of endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT): a systematic review.

Background: Pilonidal sinus is a common disease of the natal cleft, which can lead to complications including infection and abscess formation. Various operative management options are available, but the ideal technique is still debatable. More recently minimally invasive approaches have been described.

Femorofemoral Crossover Bypass Graft Has Excellent Patency When Performed with EVAR for AAA with UIOD.

Objectives: To compare the durability of the crossover femorofemoral bypass graft (CFFBG) in combination with aorto-uni-iliac stent graft (AUIS) for abdominal aortic aneurysm with the durability of CFFBG used in the treatment of unilateral iliac occlusive disease (UIOD).

Methods: We analyzed the clinical records of 69 patients who underwent CFFBG from 1992 until 2010. Group I consisted of 34 patients who received CFFBGs in combination with AUIS.

Fetal size and growth velocity in chronic hypertension.

Objective: To investigate longitudinal fetal growth and growth velocity for commonly measured biometric parameters in women with chronic hypertension.

Methods: Two centre retrospective European study of women with chronic hypertension ascertained at pregnancy booking. Ultrasound measurements of head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were used to derive longitudinal fetal growth charts derived using functional linear discriminant analysis (FLDA).

Role of coagulation factors in urological malignancy: A prospective, controlled study on prostate, renal and bladder cancer.

Objectives: To study the behavior of specific coagulation factors in different types of non-metastatic urological cancers, and to identify their possible role as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Methods: This was a prospective controlled study, which included three cancer patient groups and a control group of healthy individuals. The cancer subgroups consisted of renal (n = 44), prostate (n = 56) and bladder cancer (n = 47).

A two-centre experience of transanal total mesorectal excision.

Aim: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) offers a promising alternative to the standard surgical abdominopelvic approach for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to report a two-centre experience of this technique, focusing on the short-term and oncological outcome.

Method: From May 2013 to May 2015, 40 selected patients with histologically proven rectal adenocarcinoma underwent TaTME in two institutions and were prospectively entered on an online international registry.

Managing Small Ureteral Stones: A Retrospective Study on Follow-Up, Clinical Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Conservative Management vs. Early Surgery.

Introduction: The management of ureteral calculi has evolved over the past decades with the advent of new surgical and medical treatments. The current guidelines support conservative management as a possible approach for ureteral stones sized = 10 mm.

Objectives: We purport to follow the natural history of ureteral stones managed conservatively in this retrospective study, and attempt to ascribe an estimated health-care and cost-effectiveness, from presentation to time of being stone-free.

Laparoscopic splenectomy is emerging 'gold standard' treatment even for massive spleens.

Introduction: Since its first description by Delaitre and Maignien in 1991, laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has evolved as treatment of choice for mild-to-moderately-enlarged spleens and for benign haematological disorders. LS is a challenge if massive spleens or malignant conditions necessitate treatment, but we report our method and its feasibility in this study.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of all elective splenectomies carried out in our firm of upper gastrointestinal surgeons from June 2003 to June 2012.

Five-year comparison of wear using oxidised zirconium and cobalt-chrome femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Oxidised zirconium (OxZi) has been developed as an alternative bearing surface for femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study has investigated polyethylene wear, functional outcomes and complications, comparing OxZi and cobalt-chrome (CoCr) as part of a three-arm, multicentre randomised controlled trial. Patients undergoing THA from four institutions were prospectively randomised into three groups.

The impact of changing people with sleep apnea using CPAP less than 4 h per night to a Bi-level device.

Pressure intolerance is a reason for poor acceptance and subsequent compliance in some patients starting treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In unselected populations initiating CPAP; different types of pressure generating device have not been found to improve compliance. We hypothesized that using Bi-level PAP for patients who reported pressure related discomfort as a cause for poor compliance with CPAP might increase their hours of treatment use.

Novel anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents; a guide for the urologist.

Novel oral anti-coagulants (NOACs) are increasingly being used in clinical practice and are set to almost entirely replace the vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, in the near future. Similarly, new antiplatelet agents are now regularly used in place of older agents, such as aspirin and clopidogrel. In an ageing population, with an increasing burden of complex comorbidities, urologists will frequently encounter patients who will be using such agents.

Successful laparoscopic repair of refractory type Ia endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Type I endoleaks associated with sac enlargement after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair mandate urgent intervention. Endoluminal treatments are generally considered first, but when these fail, open surgery has been advocated as a last resort. Open surgery is associated with significant mortality and morbidity, and thus, approaches that reduce this risk would be of interest.

Comparing the Energy Expenditure of Wii Fit(™)-Based Therapy Versus Traditional Physiotherapy.

Objective: Activity-promoting computer gaming systems, which encourage the use of the body to control game play, are commonly used in rehabilitation. However, the mechanisms by which improvements in clinical outcomes occur after using activity-promoting gaming systems are unknown. Therefore the aims of this study were to compare the physiological cost and enjoyment of Nintendo(®) (Kyoto, Japan) Wii Fit™-based therapy compared with traditional-based physiotherapy training.

Diffusion weighted MRI: overview and implications for rectal cancer management.

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is an MRI technique that quantifies the movement of water molecules at a cellular level. As the diffusion properties of water vary in areas of necrosis, high cellularity, inflammation and fibrosis, this technique is inherently sensitive to different pathologies. Having become a well-established adjunct to standard sequences during neurological MRI, technological advances have enabled extrapolation to abdominopelvic imaging, including staging of rectal cancer.