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Abdominal aortic aneurysm can be treated by open surgical repair or by endovascular repair (EVAR) - a less invasive procedure, with lower 30-day mortality and morbidity rates. Twelve studies have been evaluated. The results indicate that for large aneurysms > 5.5 cm, EVAR can be recommended for patients with intermediate to high operative risk. For younger patients, with low operative risk, OR is the preferred method, in light of the continued small risk of rupture after EVAR and the need for lifelong surveillance.

A 57-year-old male, previously treated surgically with insertion of grafts for type A and B aortic dissection, presented with a pulsatile mass in the jugular fossa. Further examination verified a pseudoaneurysm the inlet of which was located at the proximal anastomotic site of the descending aortic graft and a newly developed aneurysm of the aortic arch. Using a left lateral thoracotomy to avoid manipulation of the pseudoaneurysm, we adopted a hybrid approach by first debranching the subclavian and carotid arteries from the descending aorta followed by endoluminal grafting of the aortic arch. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully excluded.

Rapid classification is essential in the management of aortic dissections, as Type A dissections require surgery, while the optimal treatment of Type B dissections is controversial. Medical treatment with antihypertensive medication and analgesics has so far been the main treatment of uncomplicated Type B dissections, while surgery has been reserved for complications and persistent pain in spite of medical treatment. Endovascular techniques are less invasive than open repair and show promising early results.

In this case report the treatment of a young man with bilateral iliaco-femoral DVT and vena cava aplasia is presented. The patient was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis; the catheters were introduced in the thrombus of both legs via v. popliteae. The treatment led to almost complete thrombus resolution and no valvular incompetence at three months follow-up. In our opinion this treatment should be offered even in complex cases of acute proximal deep venous thrombosis.

Introduction: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) prevents transient ischemic attack and stroke in patients with symptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis. In 2004 Rothwell et al showed that maximal benefit is gained if CEA is performed less than three weeks after the onset of the symptom. With the aim of observing this recommendation, in 2005 the Department of Vascular Surgery, Gentofte Hospital, introduced an accelerated course of examinations, a fast track, prior to CEA., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of the course of all patients operated with CEA during the period from June 2003 through September 2006., Results: A total of 147 CEAs were performed on 145 patients, 51 before and 96 after the introduction of fast track. The period between the first symptom and CEA was reduced after the introduction of fast track to 31 days. It was easiest to reduce the time up to CEA in our own department and in the neurological departments. The stroke and death rate was unchanged, 4% and 3% before and after fast track respectively., Conclusion: The time between symptom and CEA can be shortened by means of a fast track after thorough information and reorganization of the work involving these patients. In order to bring the length of the period below the recommended three weeks, initiatives must be taken especially among specialist outside hospitals and among departments of general internal medicine.

Introduction: International studies indicate that decentralised vascular surgical activity could have a positive influence on the organisation of vascular services in Denmark., Materials and Methods: Numbers of vascular operations in 1994-2004 in the various Danish counties were collected from the Danish National Vascular Registry (www.karbase.dk). Incidences were compared by z-test. P-values were corrected by the Bonferroni method., Results: The incidence of operations for carotid stenosis, critical lower limb ischaemia, and acute lower limb ischaemia 68% (P<0.01), 26% (P < 0.01), and 16% (p < 0.01) higher in counties with own vascular surgical services compared to counties without own vascular service. The incidence of operations for carotid stenosis was 22% higher in counties offering such operations compared to counties offering most other vascular surgical except carotid thrombendarterectomies (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Own vascular surgical services in Denmark are associated with a higher incidence of operations, thus preventing stroke and amputation.

The relation between higher hospital and surgeon volume for better results after vascular surgery has been documented in some areas. In the case of surgery for stenosis of the carotid artery surgeon volume has been found to be inversely related to the postoperative frequency of stroke and death (low volume <6-12 yearly), whereas the relation to hospital volume is more uncertain. For surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysms the same relationship has been documented for hospital volume (low volume

Introduction: The outcome of some surgical procedures is related to the surgeon's experience. We examined how much experience surgeons in 12 hospitals in the region of Copenhagen gained in colon surgery in 1999., Material and Methods: The Ministry of Health identified the number of colon patients operated on in the region of Copenhagen in 1999. The departments were asked to validate the lists of patients and to fill in a questionnaire describing the surgeon's experience in that year., Results: Eleven of 12 departments answered the questionnaire (92%). One hundred and two senior surgeons operated on 674 patients. Forty of the surgeons operated on one to four patients in 1999, and only five performed 15 or more operations. More than 50% of the surgical procedures were carried out by surgeons who performed fewer than 10 colon operations in 1999. Most of the low-volume surgeons' operations were performed during calls., Discussion: Colon surgery in the region of Copenhagen was performed by a large number of surgeons in many hospitals in 1999. Hospital volume was not associated with surgeon volume.

Generally, the use of clinical databases for quality development in the hospital sector has not been satisfactory. A substantial problem attaches to the IT systems used hitherto. This article describes a number of requirements which the National Indicator Project has specified for a forthcoming second generation of clinical database system. Besides, the second generation system Clinical Performance Measurements which is used in the Copenhagen Hospital Corporation for several disease areas and for The Danish Vascular Registry is described. This experience emphasizes the need for central management of development initiatives within clinical quality databases. The management must allow for coordination, rational management and experience-based further development of IT systems for the clinical databases and integration with present and forthcoming systems including electronic patient record systems. The management should also allow for the decisive interaction between clinical quality development and medical informatics.

This review states the work which has been done in Denmark on clinical indicators and large databases containing clinical data with nationwide coverage. The aim of the work was to obtain valid and reliable information on clinical quality to be used by clinicians, leaders, and the public. Nationally we have: 1) The needed experience related to identification and development of clinical indicators and construction of databases. 2) The necessary partners (scientific societies, hospital owners, primary care sector, and health authorities) are motivated and involved in a collaborative organisation. Nationally we lack: 1) Experience with implementation and use of clinical indicators. 2) An overview of the needed investments to ensure coverage of all important diseases, continuity in patient care, and improvement of the existing databases. 3) Fully integrated information systems.

Introduction: This paper describes the late results after surgical reconstruction for deep venous occlusion in the lower extremities., Material and Methods: Twelve patients were treated, two women and 10 men (median age 46, range 17-66 years) over a 6-year period. Seven patients had chronic venous occlusion with venous claudication or ulcer, two had DVT with severely affected limbs, and three were reconstructed, because of tumour involvement. Externally supported ePTFE grafts were used in 11 patients and vein material in the last patient. The median follow-up period was 18 months (range 1-96 months). Evaluation of patency included clinical examination and duplex ultrasound or phlebography., Results: One patient died three weeks postoperatively of multiorgan failure. Another died one year postoperatively of pulmonary metastases from a leiomyosarcoma of the common femoral vein. At follow-up, 50% of the reconstructions had remained open for a median period of five years., Discussion: The results are comparable with those of the literature. The selection of patients requires, in addition to anatomic visualisation of the occluded segment, a haemodynamic demonstration of venous obstruction, i.e. by a pressure gradient across the occluded segment. Surgical reconstruction is possible in the case of a strong indication.

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) often leads to chronic venous insufficiency and the present study was conducted in order to investigate the effectiveness of catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with proximal DVT of the lower extremity (iliac vein involved), with respect to recanalisation and maintenance of venous valve function., Material and Methods: A prospective clinical investigation was carried out with puncture of the popliteal vein for continuous infusion of r-alteplase. Twelve patients suffering from recent proximal DVT were treated: In 10 patients the left extremity was affected, in two the right. Three of the 12 patients had factor V Leiden mutation in the heterozygote form, one of whom also had prothrombin mutation in heterozygote form., Results: Ten of the 12 had their venous thrombosis successfully lysed and were discharged with an open venous system in the affected limb. The lysed venous segments remained patent in all ten, with normal venous valve function, as evaluated by Doppler reflux testing. The median follow-up time was five months (range 0-9 months). In one patient, the proximal thrombus (iliac) was lysed successfully, but the femoral vein could not be opened, probably because of an old thrombus remaining from a previous DVT episode. In the other patient, the venous thrombus was lysed successfully, but the vein rethrombosed after one day., Discussion: Catheter-directed thrombolysis appears feasible in patients with recent proximal DVT and the short-term results are good in terms of venous patency and valve function. A randomised trial is necessary to test whether this treatment modality is superior to conventional anticoagulation therapy.

The results of 101 in situ by-pass operations to the ankle and foot are given. Seventy-five percent of the patients had other arteriosclerotic manifestations and 55% were diabetics. Ninety-nine percent of the operations were limb salvage surgery. The accumulative secondary patency rate was 87% after one month and 65% after three years. The results did not differ from by-pass surgery to the crural arteries. The wound complication rate was 16% with an infection rate of 7% and the major amputation rate was 8% after one month and 10% after three years. The survival of this selected group of patients was lower than a group of sex- and age-matched controls. The long term results of this type of advanced by-pass surgery in limb threatening ischaemia are very satisfactory and should be a must in every vascular surgeon's armamentarium.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was introduced in Denmark in 1991, and a prospective case register was established. All departments performing LC agreed to participate. In 1991-1992, 2,415 patients underwent LC in 44 departments. The median number of procedures was 32 (interquartile range 18-58, range 1-370), performed by a median of four surgeons per department (3-5, 1-23). Two hundred and forty-two patients (10%) had acute cholecystitis. Eighteen point five percent had had an ERCP performed prior to LC. The rate of conversion to open operation was 10.5%, occurring significantly more often in acute cholecystitis (25.6%) than in patients with other indications (8.8%) (p < 0.001). Intraoperative cholangiography was used in 22.4%. The median duration of LC was 90 minutes (70-120, 25-415). The postoperative course was without complications in 90.4%. Laparotomy for complications was necessary in 43 patients (2.0%), mainly because of bile leaks. Twelve patients (0.6%) were treated endoscopically for complications. Bile duct injury occurred in 16 patients (0.66%, 95% CI 0.34-0.99%), including three transsections, one stricture, and 12 minor injuries. Six patients (0.25%, 95% CI 0-0.45%), three of whom had procedure-related complications, died postoperatively. All were > or = 72 years of age. Median time to discharge was two days, while median time to resumed work/normal activity was eight days. A comparison with the number of LC registered in the National Patient Register indicates that reporting is complete.

At the Department of General Surgery, Hillerød Hospital, the quality of data from a continuous registration of post-operative wound infection was evaluated. Data registered over a six-month period were compared with data available in caserecords and data from a questionnaire sent to the patients. During the period 1.2-31.7.1990 924 operations were registered in 864 patients. Eight hundred and ninety-five patient records could be traced and 770 questionnaires were sent. The remaining 125 were dead or had unknown addresses. Six hundred eighty-seven questionnaires were returned. The data-registered overall infection rate was 3.0%. The actual infection rate was 8.9%. Fifty-eight percent of the infections noted in the records were registered. Approximately 40% of the infections were diagnosed and treated in general practice only. It is concluded that in order to compare infection rates between departments, it is necessary to ensure that equal definitions and equal quality of the data are used. Strict routines in the department and a close contact to the general practitioners are essential to achieve a satisfactory quality of data.

Karbase, a Danish register for vascular surgery is presented with data from four years experience. The register consists of 65 variables centered on risk factors, the perioperative course as well as follow-up information. During the four-year period 1989-1992 a total of 4902 admissions were registered in 3810 patients. Surgery was performed during 4005 admissions. Output data from Karbase is presented with results on survival and postoperative complications, related to preoperative risk factors. The incidence of surgical wound infections was 3.9%, with a significant reduction during the years (p = 0.004). Karbase is now used by all vascular surgical units in Denmark. We conclude that the establishment of a continuous registration has been beneficial to the department. We have achieved valid data on treatment, outcome and complications in relation to individual risk factors. In the future the use of Karbase will be extended with the aim of further quality development, locally as well as nation wide.

From 1986 through to 1990 a total of 483 in situ bypass procedures were performed in 444 patients. Preoperative risk-factors were equally distributed among diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic (NDM) patients, except for smoking habits (DM:48%, NDM:64%, p = 0.002) and cardiac disease (DM:45%, NDM:29%, p = 0.005). Critical limb-ischaemia was more often present in diabetic than non-diabetic patients (DM:57%, NDM:36%, p = 0.0002). Diabetic patients had a significantly lower distal anastomosis than non-diabetic patients (p = 0.00001). There were no differences among diabetic and non-diabetic patients regarding three years primary and secondary patency (58% and 64% respectively), and regarding major amputations. However, the rate of minor amputations was higher in insulin-dependent compared with non-insulin-dependent diabetics, who in turn had a higher rate than non-diabetics (p < 0.00001). A markedly decreased survival rate was found in diabetics (p < 0.00005). We found the in situ bypass technique very useful in the treatment of critical ischaemia of the lower limb in diabetic patients. The overall results in diabetic patients, whether insulin-dependent or not, were equal to those in non-diabetic patients.

Longterm patency of infrainguinal bypass procedures may be established on the basis of clinical evaluation and ankle pressure measurements. With the aim of assessing whether these parameters could predict grafts at risk for occlusion, we identified 24 patients in whom the bypass had occluded between 3 and 12 months postoperatively, but following at least one follow-up. These patients were compared with a control group consisting of further 24 patients operated on during the same period, but in whom the bypass was patent. Prior to graft occlusion only nine (39%) patients had complained of claudication, and a significant drop in ankle pressure was demonstrated in seven (29%) patients. These figures were significantly higher than the one (4%) patient in the control group who complained of claudication and the other (4%) patient who developed a drop in ankle pressure (p < 0.02 and 0.05, respectively). Graft surveillance based on patients' history and ankle pressure measurements are insufficient parameters for identification of grafts at risk for occlusion. However, the occurrence of claudication and/or a significant drop in ankle pressures are associated with a high incidence of graft thrombosis.

Among 68 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treatment of symptomatic gallstones, serious complications occurred in three cases. One patient developed a stricture of the hepatic duct which probably was caused by electrocautery. In one case uncontrollable bleeding from the hepatic artery resulted in enforced conversion to open operation and one patient had a subphrenic accumulation of bile which could be drained percutaneously. In order to reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury to the bile ducts operative choleangiography should be attempted routinely.

A personal computer program to monitor surgical wound infections and other complications in orthopedics was developed. Internationally accepted definitions were used. The program was tested in four Danish orthopedic wards. The test period was from 1 January 1988 to 30 June 1989. Results from four wards consisting of 4,346 wounds in 3,570 patients are presented. The overall superficial wound infection rate was 2.4%, deep wound infection rate was 0.9%, other infection rate was 3.1%, and other complications were developed in 4.3% of the cases. In contrast to previous computer systems presented, this system also registers other nosocomial infections, and other complications. We found the system easy to use, and during the period, the overall registration rate was over ninety percent. If a registration system is introduced in the ward, a combined system which registers all infections and complications is preferable, instead of a simple wound infection system.

During the period 1 March 1987 to 31 December 1988, current registration of all vascular surgical operations in the Department of Vascular Surgery RK, Rigshospitalet, was undertaken employing a PC-based programme (DANOP-DATA). A total of 1,898 primary vascular surgical operations were performed on 1,335 patients. During the entire period, 48 (2.5%) patients with wound infection were registered. In half of these, the infection was superficial and in the remainder the infection was deep. Comparison between 1987 and 1988 revealed a non-significant tendency towards a lower incidence of infection in 1988. Significantly more wound infections were found after non-sterile operations (p = 0.005). Significantly more deep infections were found on employing synthetic vascular prostheses (p less than 0.00001) and with inguinal incisions (less than 0.05). No significant connection could be found with age, duration of preoperative hospitalization, duration of operation and the degree of planning of the operation. The authors find that computer-based monitoring of the surgical activity is a good which renders current assessment and analysis of the pattern of complications possible. The authors did not find that DANOP-DATA was sufficient for registration in a special department for vascular surgery and a programmel (KARBASE) has been developed which is more suitable for this purpose.

A case of elephantiasis nostras in a lower limb is presented. A thorough programme of investigation could only reveal a single episode of erysipelas as the possible etiological origin. The therapeutic possibilities are briefly reviewed. The most important are early institution of adequate antibiotic treatment and antibiotic treatment of every recurrence of disease.

Registration of 883 operations, performed on the Orthopedic Department, Roskilde County Hospital, from 06.20.1988 to 12.31.1988, is presented. 95.9% of all operations were registrated primarily. 2.6% superficial wound infections and 1.2% deep were registered. Other infections constituted 2.3%, other complications 4.5%. A significant increase in the incidence of deep wound infections in contaminated wounds was observed. We also found an increase in incidence in prolonged operations (NS). Where types of infections and complications were concerned pronounced extension of the hospitalization occurred. The 4.1% of operations not registered primarily, were more often performed in the evening and night time, were more often contaminated operations and were more often patients with more than one operation during the registration period. No significant loss of information could be found. It is concluded, that establishing a continuous surveillance of wound infections has benefited to the department's control of its infection rate. We were satisfied with the program MIKRO-ORT, which we have used for the registration.