Patients' awareness of the potential benefit of smoking cessation. A study evaluating self-reported and clinical data from patients referred to an oral medicine unit

The present study analyzed history of smoking and willingness to quit smoking in patients referred for diagnosis and treatment of different oral mucosal lesions. Prior to the initial clinical examination, patients filled in a standardized questionnaire regarding their current and former smoking habits and willingness to quit. Definitive diagnoses were classified into three groups (benign/reactive lesions, premalignant lesions and conditions, and malignant diseases) and correlated with the self-reported data in the questionnaires. Of the 980 patients included, 514 (52%) described themselves as never smokers, 202 (21%) as former smokers, and 264 (27%) as current smokers. In the group of current smokers, 23% thought their premalignant lesions/conditions were related to their smoking habit, but only 15% of the patients with malignant mucosal diseases saw that correlation. Only 14% of the smokers wanted to commence smoking cessation within the next 30 days. Patients with malignant diseases (31%) showed greater willingness to quit than patients diagnosed with benign/reactive lesions (11%). Future clinical studies should attempt (1) to enhance patients' awareness of the negative impact of smoking on the oral mucosa and (2) to increase willingness to quit in smokers referred to a dental/oral medicine setting.

No benefit from perioperative intravenous lidocaine in laparoscopic renal surgery: a randomised, placebo-controlled study

There is evidence that perioperative intravenous lidocaine administration can reduce analgesic requirement, improve recovery of bowel function and shorten the length of hospital stay. Its effect in laparoscopic renal surgery has not been investigated.

More accurate component alignment in navigated total knee arthroplasty has no clinical benefit at 5-year follow-up

Computer navigation in total knee arthroplasty is somewhat controversial. We have previously shown that femoral component positioning is more accurate with computed navigation than with conventional implantation techniques, but the clinical impact of this is unknown. We now report the 5-year outcome of our previously reported 2-year outcome study.

Trauma registry record linkage: methodological approach to benefit from complementary data using the example of the German Pelvic Injury Register and the TraumaRegister DGU(®)

In Germany, hospitals can deliver data from patients with pelvic fractures selectively or twofold to two different trauma registries, i.e. the German Pelvic Injury Register (PIR) and the TraumaRegister DGU(®) (TR). Both registers are anonymous and differ in composition and content. We describe the methodological approach of linking these registries and reidentifying twofold documented patients. The aim of the approach is to create an intersection set that benefit from complementary data of each registry, respectively. Furthermore, the concordance of data entry of some clinical variables entered in both registries was evaluated.

Endoscopic sinus surgery training courses: benefit and problems - a multicentre evaluation to systematically improve surgical training

The aim of this multicentre study was to systematically analyse the strengths and weaknesses in the surgical training for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and identify measures that may improve training.

Maintenance of skills, competencies, and performance in allergy and clinical immunology: time to lay the foundation for a universal approach

Allergist/clinical immunologist maintenance of certification and training program reaccreditation are mandatory in some countries. The World Allergy Organization conducted surveys in 2009 and 2011 to assess where such programs were available and to promote the establishment of such programs on a global level. This was done with the presumption that after such an "inventory," World Allergy Organization could offer guidance to its Member Societies on the promotion of such programs to assure the highest standards of practice in the field of allergy and clinical immunology. This review draws on the experience of countries where successful programs are in place and makes recommendations for those wishing to implement such programs for the specialty.

Impact of surgical technique on operative morbidity and its socioeconomic benefit in thyroid surgery

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the rate of complications in relation to the extent of surgery and some of its consequences.