Palliative surgical bypass versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage on unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the survival probability of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients who have been managed by palliative surgical bypass versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A historical (retrospective) cohort study was performed by retrospective and prospective data collection. From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002, all unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients who received only one type of palliative surgical bypass or PTBD in Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University were included in the present study. The patients were followed until December 31, 2004. Survival analysis was completed for all of the patients. STATISTIC ANALYSIS: Survival analysis was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression analysis, and Log-rank test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: During the study period, 83 patients were included. Palliative surgical bypass was performed in 42 patients and PTBD was performed in 41 patients. Demographic data, peri-operative complication rate, and late complication rate were comparable. The median survival time of the palliative surgical bypass group was 160 days,(95% CI: 85.33, 234.67) and 82 days (95% CI: 29.76, 134.24)for PTBD group. Comparing survival experience by Log-rank test gave statistical significant diference (p = 0.0276). Hazard ratio was 0.599 (p = 0.03) CONCLUSION: Survival rate of the palliative surgical bypass group was higher than the PTBD group. The survival rate of both groups was comparable to previous reports.

Outcome of in-patient trauma cases: Accident and Emergency Unit, Khon Kaen University.

OBJECTIVES: To study and report the outcome of in-patient trauma cases based on the Trauma and Injury Severity Scoring (TRISS) method and compare the outcome with the registry data from the Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive study was performed by retrospective data collection. From 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002, all admitted trauma patients in the Accident and Emergency Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University were included in the present study. Survival analysis was completed for all of the patients. Statistical analysis: TRISS method and W, M and Z-statistics (Z-score) on the basis of definitive outcome-based evaluation (DEF) method for comparing with MTOS data. RESULTS: The majorities of patients were men (76.85%) and mean age was 30.81 years. One hundred and ninety five patients (96.06%) sustained blunt trauma, the vast majority resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The observed survivors were 182, whereas the expected survivors were 183.582. The W, M and Z-statistics were -0.779, 0.843 and -0.493 respectively. CONCLUSION: Z-score -0.493 indicated no statistical difference between observed and expected survivors.