Predictors of anastomotic leak and conduit necrosis after oesophagectomy: Results from the oesophago-gastric anastomosis audit (OGAA).

Background: Both anastomotic leak (AL) and conduit necrosis (CN) after oesophagectomy are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of preoperative, modifiable risk factors is desirable. The aim of this study was to generate a risk scoring model for AL and CN after oesophagectomy.

Mortality from esophagectomy for esophageal cancer across low, middle, and high-income countries: An international cohort study.

Background: No evidence currently exists characterising global outcomes following major cancer surgery, including esophageal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise impact of high income countries (HIC) versus low and middle income countries (LMIC) on the outcomes following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Method: This international multi-center prospective study across 137 hospitals in 41 countries included patients who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, with 90-day follow-up.

Establishment and activity of medical societies in Lower Styria - a review.

In the 1860s, the medical societies in Habsburg Monarchy, undertook a part of the medical postgraduate training. Doctors and wound surgeons from Ljubljana established medical association in October 1861 («Ärztlicher Leseverein in Laibach»). At a meeting in October 1862 they decided to include all the doctors and wound surgeons from the Carniola region.

Influencing segmental balance in isthmic spondylolisthesis using transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze segmental balance in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis undergoing single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: Sagittal malalignment of the fused segment was suggested to be associated with degeneration of the adjacent segment.

Effects of a platelet gel on early graft revascularization after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

Background: Slow graft healing in bone tunnels and a slow graft ligamentization process after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are some of the reasons for prolonged rehabilitation.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of platelet gel (PG) accelerates early graft revascularization after ACL reconstruction.

Methods: PG was produced from autologous platelet-rich plasma and applied locally.

The effect of platelet-derived growth factors on knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective randomized clinical study.

Background: Arthroscopic reconstruction is a standard surgical procedure in cases of symptomatic knee instability due to rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Bone-tendon-bone and hamstring tendon grafts are both in use for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. There are no significant differences between the two types of graft in relation to function scores, but there is a difference in anteroposterior stability when measured on the KT-2000 arthrometer: knee joints after reconstruction with bone-tendon-bone autografts are more stable than those reconstructed with hamstring tendon autografts.

ProDisc-C versus fusion with Cervios chronOS prosthesis in cervical degenerative disc disease: Is there a difference at 12 months?

Study Design:  Prospective cohort study.

Objective:  The aim of the study was to compare clinical results and to determine differences in outcomes between anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and disc arthroplasty in patients treated for symptomatic cervical degenerative disc disease.

Methods:  Forty patients with cervical degenerative disc disease were treated with ProDisc-C disc arthroplasty and 40 patients with fusion using an intervetebral spacer with integrated fixation (Cervios chronoOS) implants without additional anterior fixation.

Association between sub-clinical acetabular dysplasia and a younger age at hip arthroplasty in idiopathic osteoarthritis.

This retrospective study was designed to investigate whether sub-clinical acetabular dysplasia, defined by a reduced centre-edge angle of Wiberg, was associated with a younger age at hip arthroplasty in patients with idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA). Fifty-four patients with 69 performed arthroplasties and no previous referral for hip dysplasia were selected from a list of consecutive recipients of hip endoprostheses due to idiopathic OA. The centre-edge angle was measured from standard pelvic radiographs taken a mean of 5.

The role of obesity, biomechanical constitution of the pelvis and contact joint stress in progression of hip osteoarthritis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to explore whether earlier hip arthroplasty for idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) might be explained by enlarged contact stress in the hip joint, and to what amount can that be attributed to obesity and biomechanical constitution of the pelvis.

Method: Fifty subjects were selected from a list of consecutive recipients of hip endoprosthesis due to idiopathic OA; standard pelvic radiographs made years prior to surgery were the main selection criteria. For 65 hips resultant hip force and peak contact hip stress normalized to the body weight (R/Wb and p(max)/Wb) were determined from the radiographs with the HIPSTRESS method.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in pre-menopausal female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients was reported. Using B-mode ultrasonography we compared intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque occurrence (indicators of asymptomatic atherosclerosis) in the carotid arteries in 70 pre-menopausal, female RA patients and 40 controls. Correlations with different risk factors were evaluated.

Growth characteristics of circulating hematopoietic progenitors in terminal renal failure.

Background: In patients with terminal renal failure, the most frequently noted hematological change is normocytic normochromic anemia. As not all anemic patients respond in the same way to treatment with human erythropoietin, the aim of our investigation was to confirm the hypothesis that the origin of this anemia is multifactorial.

Material/methods: Therefore we cultivated peripheral blood CFU GEMM, CFU GM, and BFU E in 65 patients treated by hemodialysis, subdivided in two groups according to creatinine concentration (Group 1: <900 micromol/l, Group 2: >900 micromol/l).

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in hemodialysis patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic atherosclerosis.

Background: Cardiovascular mortality is higher in hemodialysis (HD) patients than in the general population. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is established as a sensitive marker of myocardial injury in the general population. Less is known about the association between cTnT and intima-media thickness (IMT) and presence of plaques in carotid arteries (asymptomatic atherosclerosis) and prognostic value of cTnT for cardiovascular mortality (symptomatic atherosclerosis) in HD patients.