[Inguinal herniotomy in outpatient clinics and in hospital departments]. / Ingvinal herniotomi i speciallaegepraksis og i hospitalsregi.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the investigation was to examine the use of ambulatory surgery, anesthetic technique, reoperation rates, and reembursement fees after inguinal herniotomy in private outpatients clinics compared to herniotomy in hospital departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information on number of operations performed, choice of anesthetic and surgical technique in private outpatients clinics and hospital departments was extracted from the Danish Hernia Data Base. Information on reembursement fees was obtained from the relevant health authorities and the Danish Medical Association. RESULTS: 7.4% of the inguinal herniotomies in Denmark were performed in private outpatients clinics. There was an extended use of local infiltration anesthesia (99%) and ambulatory procedures (99%) compared with 12% and 57% in the hospital departments. The reembursement fee for a herniotomy is approximately 3700 DKK in private outpatients clinics vs. 11,000 DKK in hospital departments. DISCUSSION: The results of the study showed that the quality of inguinal herniotomy in private outpatients clinics is comparable to herniotomy in hospital departments, but the reembursement fees are lower in private outpatients clinics.

[Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of malignant liver tumors]. / UL-vejledt radiofrekvensbehandling af maligne levertumorer.

INTRODUCTION: Radio frequency ablation (RFA) of malignant tumours is a new and promising treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the method in patients with non-resectable liver tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RFA was performed under the guidance of ultrasonography and general anaesthesia in 37 patients from December 1998 to November 2001. Six patients had primary liver cancers, and 31 metastases from other cancer, often colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Eight patients could not be evaluated because of the short follow-up time. Twenty-four of 29 patients (83%) achieved a complete tumour response. Twelve patients (41%) are alive after 3-28 (median 16) months, without recurrence. Twelve patients (41%) are alive after 1-34 (median 14) months, with recurrence. Five patients (14%) died after 4-26 (median 11) months, because of recurrence in the liver and/or other organs. Four patients had minor complications and one a major complication. There was no postoperative mortality. DISCUSSION: RFA can be offered to patients with non-resectable liver tumours when it is technically possible. The treatment can be performed with few complications, requires only a short hospital stay, and is cheaper than other treatments. Prolonged survival is attained in 40-50% cent of the patients.