External foam and the post-mortem period in freshwater drowning; results from a retrospective study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Introduction: Determining the time of death of bodies recovered from water can be difficult. A feature of drowning is the presence of external foam. This study describes the presence of external foam in relation to the post-mortem period.

Impact of comorbidity and ageing on health-related quality of life in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.

Background: HIV-infected individuals may be at risk for the premature onset of age-associated noncommunicable comorbidities. Being HIV-positive, having comorbidities and being of higher age may adversely impact health-related quality of life (HRQL). We investigated the possible contribution of HIV infection, comorbidities and age on HRQL and depression.

Comparison of the long-term clinical performance of a biodegradable and a titanium fixation system in maxillofacial surgery: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Biodegradable fixation systems could reduce or eliminate problems associated with titanium removal of implants in a second operation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term (i.e.

Home visits as part of a new care pathway (iAID) to improve quality of care and quality of life in ostomy patients: a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial.

Aim: Morbidity in patients with an ostomy is high. A new care pathway, including perioperative home visits by enterostomal therapists, was studied to assess whether more elaborate education and closer guidance could reduce stoma-related complications and improve quality of life (QoL), at acceptable cost.

Method: Patients requiring an ileostomy or colostomy, for any inflammatory or malignant bowel disease, were included in a 15-centre cluster-randomized 'stepped-wedge' study.

Iron refractory iron deficiency anemia: a heterogeneous disease that is not always iron refractory.

TMPRSS6 variants that affect protein function result in impaired matriptase-2 function and consequently uninhibited hepcidin production, leading to iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA). This disease is characterized by microcytic, hypochromic anemia and serum hepcidin values that are inappropriately high for body iron levels. Much is still unknown about its pathophysiology, genotype-phenotype correlation, and optimal clinical management.

A clinical observational study on patient-reported outcomes, hip functional performance and return to sports activities in hip arthroscopy patients.

Objectives: To describe data of short- and midterm results of hip arthroscopy patients based on patient-reported hip function, hip functional performance and return to sports activities.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Sports medical center.

Clinical impact of five large-scale screening projects for chronic hepatitis B in Chinese migrants in the Netherlands.

Background & Aims: In low-endemic countries it is debated whether first-generation migrants should be screened for chronic hepatitis B infection. We describe the clinical impact of five large-scale Dutch screening projects for hepatitis B in first-generation Chinese migrants.

Methods: Between 2009 and 2013 five independent outreach screening projects for hepatitis B targeting first-generation Chinese migrants were conducted in five main Dutch regions.

Postoperative socket irrigation with drinking tap water reduces the risk of inflammatory complications following surgical removal of third molars: a multicenter randomized trial.

Objectives: The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative irrigation of the socket with drinking tap water on inflammatory complications following lower third molar removal.

Material And Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was carried out from June 2013 to June 2014. In one arm of the study, patients were instructed to irrigate the tooth socket and surgical site with a Monoject® Curved 412 Tip Syringe (Tyco/healthcare-Kendall, Mansfield, MA, USA) with tap water.

Physical therapy aimed at self-management versus usual care physical therapy after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement has been recognized as a common cause of hip pain and dysfunction, especially in athletes. Femoroacetabular impingement can now be better treated by hip arthroscopy but it is unclear what postoperative rehabilitation of hip arthroscopy should look like. Several rehabilitation protocols have been described, but none presented clinical outcome data.

Hip joint pathology: relationship between patient history, physical tests, and arthroscopy findings in clinical practice.

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to (a) describe the clinical presentation of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip labral pathology; (b) describe the accuracy of patient history and physical tests for FAI and labral pathology as confirmed by hip arthroscopy. Patients (18-65 years) were included if they were referred to a physical therapist to gather pre-operative data and were then diagnosed during arthroscopy. Results of pre-operative patient history and physical tests were collected and compared to arthroscopy.

Unexpected Complication of a Multinodular Goitre.

Unlabelled: Multinodular goitre is the most common thyroid gland disorder. It can cause hyperthyroidism and mechanical complaints such as tracheal compression or dysphagia. We report a unique case of a patient with a toxic multinodular goitre presenting with a deep venous thrombosis of the left arm due to direct local compression of blood flow.

Clinical relevance of cone beam computed tomography in mandibular third molar removal: A multicentre, randomised, controlled trial.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to panoramic radiography (PR), prior to mandibular third molar removal, in reducing patient morbidity, and to identify risk factors associated with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury.

Material And Methods: This multicentre, randomised, controlled trial was performed at three centres in the Netherlands. Adults with an increased risk for IAN injury, as diagnosed from PR, were included in the study.

Cost-Effectiveness of a Biodegradable Compared to a Titanium Fixation System in Maxillofacial Surgery: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Biodegradable fixation systems could reduce/delete the problems associated with titanium plate removal. This means less surgical discomfort, and a reduction in costs.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the cost-effectiveness between a biodegradable and a titanium system in Maxillofacial surgery.

Efficacy of treatment of edge stenosis of endografts inserted for superficial femoral artery stenotic disease.

Objective: The role of endografts in the treatment of extensive superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease is enlarging. Results are limited by the occurrence of edge stenosis. The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of treatment of edge stenosis of endografts inserted for SFA occlusive disease.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Using Nellix™ EndoVascular Aneurysm Sealing.

Since the dawn of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), starting from its initial report in 1991, there has been a significant evolution in stent graft design and delivery systems. Complications, mostly endoleaks, and re-intervention rates after EVAR remain amongst the most challenging aspects in comparison with traditional open repair. The use of a sac-anchoring endograft changes the approach of aneurysm exclusion.

Ca(2+) cycling properties are conserved despite bradycardic effects of heart failure in sinoatrial node cells.

Background: In animal models of heart failure (HF), heart rate decreases due to an increase in intrinsic cycle length (CL) of the sinoatrial node (SAN). Pacemaker activity of SAN cells is complex and modulated by the membrane clock, i.e.

Covariates of intravenous paracetamol pharmacokinetics in adults.

Background: Pharmacokinetic estimates for intravenous paracetamol in individual adult cohorts are different to a certain extent, and understanding the covariates of these differences may guide dose individualization. In order to assess covariate effects of intravenous paracetamol disposition in adults, pharmacokinetic data on discrete studies were pooled.

Methods: This pooled analysis was based on 7 studies, resulting in 2755 time-concentration observations in 189 adults (mean age 46 SD 23 years; weight 73 SD 13 kg) given intravenous paracetamol.

Interstitial brachytherapy for bladder cancer with the aid of laparoscopy.

Since 2009, 40 patients with a T1/T2 bladder cancer have been treated at ARTI with interstitial brachytherapy via laparoscopy. Under general anaesthesia, the tumour area is implanted under cystoscopic control with the aid of a laparoscope, and instruments are attached to the Da Vinci robot. Mapping is then done via a simulator photo and a CT scan.

Better clinical results after closed- compared to open-wedge high tibial osteotomy in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis and varus leg alignment.

Purpose: Studies comparing mid- or long-term outcomes of open- and closed-wedge high tibial osteotomy are limited. Here, the midterm survival rate and clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared for these two techniques. The study hypothesis, based on short-term follow-up, was that after midterm follow-up, the two techniques would not differ.

Comparison of the long-term skeletal stability between a biodegradable and a titanium fixation system following BSSO advancement - a cohort study based on a multicenter randomised controlled trial.

Biodegradable fixation systems could reduce or eliminate the problems associated with removal of titanium plates. A multicenter randomised controlled trial (RCT) was performed in the Netherlands from December 2006-July 2009, and originally 230 injured and orthognathic patients were included. The patients were randomly assigned to either a titanium control group (KLS Martin) or to a biodegradable test group (Inion CPS).

CT scan-evaluated outcome of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of acute scaphoid fractures: a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

We hypothesised that the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) bone growth stimulation in acute scaphoid fractures would significantly shorten the time to union and reduce the number of nonunions in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial. A total of 102 patients (78 male, 24 female; mean age 35 years (18 to 77)) from five different medical centres with a unilateral undisplaced acute scaphoid fracture were randomly allocated to PEMF (n = 51) or placebo (n = 51) and assessed with regard to functional and radiological outcomes (multiplanar reconstructed CT scans) at 6, 9, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. The overall time to clinical and radiological healing did not differ significantly between the active PEMF group and the placebo group.

Fast-track bariatric surgery improves perioperative care and logistics compared to conventional care.

Background: Due to the increased incidence of morbid obesity, the demand for bariatric surgery is increasing. Therefore, the methods for optimising perioperative care for the improvement of surgical outcome and to increase efficacy are necessary. The aim of this prospective matched cohort study is to objectify the effect of the fast-track surgery (FTS) programme in patients undergoing primary Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB) surgery compared to conventional perioperative care (CPC).