Hydroxyapatite ceramic-coated femoral components in young patients followed up for 17 to 25 years: an update of a previous report.

This study reports the results of 38 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in 33 patients aged < 50 years, using the JRI Furlong hydroxyapatite ceramic (HAC)-coated femoral component. This represents an update of previous reports of the same cohort at ten and 16 years, which were reported in 2004 and 2009, respectively. We describe the survival, radiological and functional outcomes at a mean follow-up of 21 years (17 to 25).

Effective communication between ENT and primary care - a survey of outpatient correspondence.

Objective: To improve the quality of outpatient clinic communication between Otolaryngology and primary care doctors.

Design: Three example outpatient letters with identical content were created using different structure styles - full prose, headline subheadings with full prose and full subheadings throughout. Electronic questionnaires were sent out to 30 randomly selected General Practitioners in the area served by Western Sussex NHS Trust.

Recently published papers: renal support in acute kidney injury - is low dose the new high dose?

Despite 21st century definitions, the management of acute kidney injury remains steadfastly rooted in the 20th century with treatment being principally supportive. Protection from potential causative agents is an essential part of management and to that end protection against contrast-induced nephropathy has received yet more attention. When optimization of volume status, haemodynamic parameters, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances have failed we turn to renal replacement therapy.

Acute renal infarction: an unusual cause of abdominal pain.

Acute renal infarction is an uncommon and under-diagnosed disease. Its clinical presentation is nonspecific and often mimics other more common disease entities. The diagnosis is usually missed or delayed, which frequently results in irreversible renal parenchyma damage.

Recently published papers: Heavyweight problems in the intensive care unit?

The management of the obese patient in intensive care is fraught with difficulty, or so conventional wisdom would have us believe. Two recent studies add to the growing evidence that the obese patient is not significantly disadvantaged in terms of outcome following intensive care admission. Another study highlights the increasing burden of end-stage renal disease on intensive care unit resources with some interesting results.

Recently published papers: Sepsis--guidelines, treatment and novel approaches.

The choice of inotropic agent, particularly in catecholamine-resistant septic shock, remains an area of debate. Here we discuss a recent trial examining the use of vasopressin in a carefully controlled trial setting. Yet more data on the use of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in septic shock are described, as are novel but as yet experimental approaches to the treatment of sepsis.

Recently published papers: predictors, pressors and poietins.

Simple, sensitive and specific predictors of mortality in the critically ill remain elusive goals, and brain natriuretic peptide and venous lactate are the subjects of recent studies. The role of vasopressin in sepsis continues to be the focus of much research interest. Dose ranging studies, potential adverse effects, and selective V1 agonists are discussed below in recent trials.

Recently published papers: putting fluids in and taking fluids out.

Further work on the use of albumin in the intensive care unit is discussed. The interesting pilot study by Dubois and colleagues examines the potential benefits for albumin supplementation in the hypoalbuminaemic critically ill patient. Maintaining the fluid theme, we discuss recent work on factors influencing post-intensive care unit blood transfusion as well as another study on erythropoietin.

Recently published papers: dying Swans and other stories.

The use of pulmonary artery catheters is under debate yet again. We look at two recent trials evaluating their impact on mortality. Our suspicions regarding obesity are proven and we also look at a simple, cost effective method of reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Sugar, soap and statins--an unlikely recipe for the critically ill.

The eagerly awaited SOAP (Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely ill Patients) study is published and its observational data provide much of interest, not least in generating further hypotheses on improving treatment in this challenging group. Glycaemic control in the critically ill is once more the focus of attention, and we discuss three studies in this area. Not least among these reports is that from the van den Bergh group, who provide further data on their intensive insulin protocol in a more heterogeneous group, namely medical intensive care unit patients.

Visual function following transpupillary thermotherapy with adjusted laser parameters for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration: a pilot study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) using adjusted laser parameters for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: TTT was performed on patients with CNV using a diode laser (810 nm) for 60 s in a subthreshold manner. Power settings were varied between 460 and 1200 mW, depending on lesion size, presence of pigment epithelial detachment and the amount of fundal pigmentation and subretinal fluid.

Recently published papers: treating sepsis, measuring troponin and managing the obese.

Sepsis and septic shock continue to contribute to our workload and stimulate our research activities although many fundamental questions remain. Studies reported on here focus on inotrope use and a novel way of predicting inotrope response. Continuing this theme more fundamental work is reported examining the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the effects of sepsis coupled with interesting work on lactic acidosis.

Recently published papers: out with the old and in with the new ... then something new for the old!

New therapies are challenging older, established practices. One recently published report shows us that we may be able to avoid endotracheal intubation in patients with a reduced level of consciousness. Recombinant activated factor VII is proving to be useful in many coagulation disorders, and intracerebral haemorrhage can be added to this list.

Recently published papers: from superbugs to superbowl.

Several papers are discussed including the CARP (Coronary Artery Revascularisation Prophylaxis) trial, examining the role, if any, of preoperative coronary revascularisation and a study examining the heart rate in the intensive care unit (ICU) population. We also take a look at infections in the ICU with particular regard to a recent study which examined isolating patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Recently published papers: clunk-click every trip, smile, but don't stop for a drink on the way.

Reviews of the risks associated with intrahospital transfer and prolonged spinal immobilization made uncomfortable reading in August. Studies on the timing of tracheotomy and a potential role for exogenous surfactant will have done little to allay controversy. We are reminded of the neutrality of the Swiss, and gain valuable insight into prognostic tools in mechanically ventilated patients with cirrhotic liver disease.

Transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Prospective, non-randomized, non-masked, case-selected series.

Methods: All patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD and initial visual acuity (VA) between 6/9 and 6/60 were offered the opportunity to undergo TTT.

Recently published papers: take your predictions with a drop of saline... and breathe deeply before turning on your phone.

Early recognition of sick patients with a poor prognosis, and the rapid institution of appropriate therapy are tenets of good medical management across all specialties. Here we highlight five recent papers that aid us in achieving such goals in and around the intensive care unit (ICU). Both score-generating clinical tools and clinical acumen are championed for identifying the sick, while appropriate, early intervention in acute deterioration is shown to be beneficial, before and after ICU admission.