BIB as a means of weight reduction in the obese patient led to a 50.8% loss of excess weight after 6 months. Although severe morbidity can occur, the BIB provides a means for short-term weight reduction in conjunction with dietary measures.

Pregnancy should be avoided for 12 to 18 months after BPD. Fertility increases after BPD. As oral contraception is most popular and less reliable, we strongly believe that large multi-centre, prospective, randomized studies are necessary to come to a consensus about the use of contraceptive therapy after BPD.

Seventeen patients with 28 flexor tendon injuries were examined after tendon repair. The current most frequently used evaluation systems, including grip and pinch strength, were compared with functional outcome as assessed by a questionnaire, evaluating Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Good correlation was found between Total Active Motion (TAM) and the Original Strickland test (kappa = 0.85), however with reduced categories. Only limited correlation was found between the DASH-score and TAM (r = -0.33) as well as between the DASH-score and pinch strength (r = -0.35). We suggest reporting the average Range of Motion (ROM) of the complete finger as a percentage of the contralateral finger, instead of reporting the classified result, and to include assessment of pinch strength. It would be very useful to have an accurate functional outcome assessment, but DASH proves to be insufficiently sensitive.

Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer proves to be technically feasable and carries an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate, compared with conventional surgery.