Outcome after acetabular fracture. Prognostic factors and their inter-relationships.

The aim of this study was to examine how commonly implicated prognostic factors are associated with late clinical outcome after reconstruction of acetabular fractures. The clinical outcomes of 180 fractures, treated by a single surgeon over a 10-year period, were assessed using the scoring system of Merle d'Aubigné and Postel. A statistical model was constructed comprising the clinical outcome and nine postulated prognostic factors.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori: an intricate relation.

Heartburn is a common symptom affecting 21-44% of the adult population on a monthly basis. Oesophagitis is less common, affecting 2% of individuals. Epidemiological studies have shown that patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) have similar incidence rates of Helicobacter pylori infection as do controls.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in the day-care setting.

Background: Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is gaining popularity, and our preference is to perform this procedure as a day case. This study evaluates the suitability of TEP repair in the day-care setting.

Methods: A policy of day-care TEP repair, unless contraindicated, was adopted for inguinal hernia repair, and the outcome was prospectively evaluated.

HpSA: assessment of a new non-invasive diagnostic assay for Helicobacter pylori infection in an Irish population.

Background: The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori is an essential element in the management of many common gastrointestinal pathologies. Previously diagnosis was dependent on the availability of endoscopic biopsy samples. The advent of non invasive assays such as the C13Urea breath test and Elisa serology have enabled diagnosis and treatment to be undertaken in the primary care setting.

Impaired gut barrier function in malnourished patients.

The gastrointestinal tract is essential to host defence, acting as a barrier to absorption and translocation of gut antigens, including bacteria. In experimental models, protein malnutrition is permissive to gut barrier failure and endogenous infection. A clinical correlate has not been described.

Gastric epithelial cell kinetics in the progression from normal mucosa to gastric carcinoma.

Increased epithelial cell proliferation is associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma and is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this study was to assess both gastric epithelial cell proliferation and the influence of H pylori infection on cell kinetics in the progression from normal mucosa to gastric carcinoma. One hundred and forty four subjects were assigned to study groups based on diagnosis and H pylori status: microscopically normal mucosa and H pylori negative (n = 28); chronic active gastritis and H pylori positive (n = 83); atrophic gastritis (n = 9); intestinal metaplasia (n = 19); gastric carcinoma (n = 12).

The pros and cons of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of gallstone disease.

The recent introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LAPC) has revolutionised the surgical treatment of gallstone disease. However, it has also raised doubts about the future role of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of gallstones. In this study, we compared patients treated successfully with ESWL and dissolution therapy with patients treated by LAPC.