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Introduction Long-term study evidence about the BioBall® adapter system is limited, especially in highly morbid elderly patients. Thus, we analysed the long-term outcome of revision hip arthroplasty using this system in highly morbid elderly patients. Materials and methods We included 19 patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty after primary or secondary total hip arthroplasty dislocations between July 2002 and August 2004 and followed up their long-term outcome until 2015. Results The patients achieved a median of 17 points in the Merle d'Aubigne hip score in 2004 and a median of 18 points in 2011, and the 4 surviving patients in 2015 achieved 18 points. For the four 12-year survivors, the Merle d'Aubigne score was virtually stable over the complete observation period. The Harris Hip Score showed comparable results. The patients had a median Barthel index of 90 in 2004 and 100 in 2011, and the 4 survivors in 2015 had Barthel indices of 65, 95, 100, and 100, respectively, in 2015. Conclusions In multimorbid patients, using the BioBall® adapter system for total hip arthroplasty, revision due to dislocation results in good long-term outcome without impairment of quality of life. Translational potential Our study provides long-term evidence in a vulnerable patient population. It shows how the therapeutic concept of revision hip replacement with an adapter device translates into long-term outcome and quality of life in these patients. Thus, it adds important information for evaluation of therapeutic options in this field.

Introduction Perforation represents a severe complication of gastric cancer. Because it is rare, only few data are available regarding treatment and prognosis. Methods Patients with perforated gastric cancer were identified from two prospective registers of gastric cancer and of gastroduodenal ulcer. Results Between February 1982 and June 1999 23 patients with perforated gastric cancer were treated surgically. This corresponds to only 1.8% of 1273 patients presenting with gastric cancer, but to 14% of 161 patients presenting with gastric perforation during this time period. Overall, post-operative mortality was 13% (3/23). Initially, 21 patients had palliative operations. Two patients had a potentially curative procedure at the emergency operation and one of the two died post-operatively. Another six patients had potentially curative gastrectomy at a second stage and no patient died post-operatively. The 5-year overall survival was estimated at 50% for all eight curatively-treated patients. Median survival of palliatively treated patients was 6 months. Conclusions Perforation of the stomach should raise suspicion of malignancy, particularly in elderly patients. At the time of perforation radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy is mostly not advised, either because a diagnosis of gastric cancer is not confirmed or because the patient's condition does not allow extended surgery. In this situation it is suggested to consider a two-stage procedure and direct the primary operation at the treatment of perforation and peritonitis. Tumour staging can be completed when the patient has recovered and a radical operation with curative intent can be planned without compromising long-term prognosis. Our observations and a review of the literature confirm that perforation of gastric cancer does not preclude long-term survival per se in a substantial number of patients.

Despite the progress made in tumor and reconstructive surgery of the maxillofacial region, postoperative problems, such as malnutrition and dysfunction of the oral-oesophageal tract are still encountered. Nutrition via a nasogastric tube often complicates the rehabilitation process of these patients. Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (PEG), as opposed to nasogastral feeding, is presented. The technique, possible long-term complications, and the easy usage of the mechanical pump system, are presented. In our study of 40 patients, PEG, objectively, proved useful for functional, esthetic, practical, economical, and psychological reasons.