A total of 28% of patients with symptomatic or ruptured AAA was treated with EVAR. A potential 42% of patients could have been suitable for EVAR, if the correct devices had been in stock and all patients had been properly assessed.

A venous cuff at the venous anastomosis of PTFE arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis reduced the incidence of thrombotic occlusions; stenosis at the venous anastomosis was reduced. However, this did not result in a better patency rate. Therefore, the venous cuff should not be used routinely. Initial vein diameter and local problems (edema, obesity, or skin atrophy) appear to be the most important risk factors for graft failure.

A 4-mm to 7-mm tapered prosthetic brachial-antecubital forearm loop access did not reduce the incidence rates of stenoses and thrombotic occlusions compared with a 6-mm prosthetic conduit. Moreover, no differences in patency rates were observed. Therefore, we believe that the 4-mm to 7-mm graft should not be used routinely for hemodialysis vascular access.

BACKGROUND:We wanted to evaluate whether partial matrix excision and orthonyxia are equally effective in the treatment of ingrown toenails of the hallux. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial with 12-month observer-blinded followup, in the surgical outpatient department of a teaching hospital. We randomized 105 consecutive patients with a total of 109 ingrown toenails to either partial matrix excision (n ϭ 58) or an orthonyxia procedure (n ϭ 51). The main outcomes measurements were rate of recurrence after 12 months, postoperative morbidity, and time to complete recovery. RESULTS:The 12-month followup was completed in 55 of 58 patients undergoing partial matrix excision and 47of 51 patients having orthonyxia. There were four ingrown toenails, four recurrences in the partial matrix excision group, and eight in the orthonyxia group (NS, p ϭ 0.14). Postoperative morbidity parameters (redness, pus, postoperative bleeding); time to complete recovery, wearing shoes (p Ͻ 0.01), and performing activities of daily living and hobbies; postoperative symptoms; and patient satisfaction all favored orthonyxia. CONCLUSIONS: Partial matrix excision and orthonyxia are equally effective treatments for ingrown toenails. But the orthonyxia procedure showed better results, with less postoperative morbidity, shorter time to complete recovery, fewer postoperative symptoms, and greater patient satisfaction.

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