Original Research

Exploring the assessment, diagnosis and conservative management of patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS): an online survey of UK medical and allied health professionals

November 19, 2023

Introduction Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a highly controversial medical diagnosis, as highlighted in a Cochrane review by Povlsen et al in 2014.1 Diagnosis is challenging due to the existence of four reported subgroups of TOS – namely, neurogenic, arterial, vascular and disputed – each presenting with diverse and wide-ranging symptoms.1-3 Authors describe three pertinent…

A quality improvement project on operative records

November 16, 2023

Background Accurate and legible operative notes are critical for providing high-quality postoperative care and they also serve a crucial role for medicolegal disputes.1,2 The General Medical Council (GMC) has emphasised the importance of good documentation as part of good medical practice.3 Additionally, the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng) has developed a guideline that…

Thromboprophylaxis strategies in patients undergoing endovenous thermal ablation: a UK survey

November 14, 2023

Introduction Background Superficial venous incompetence (SVI) is a prevalent medical condition that often leads to the development of symptomatic varicose veins, significantly impacting one’s quality of life.1 Moreover, SVI carries the potential for major complications including bleeding, ulceration and phlebitis.2 Endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) is now the recommended first-choice management for the treatment of symptomatic…

Effect of health literacy and socioeconomic deprivation on outcomes after lower limb surgical revascularisation for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia: the HeaLTHI study

November 8, 2023

Introduction Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and access services needed to make appropriate health decisions.1 Health literacy is a complex concept that is influenced by an individual’s educational attainment, race, age, deprivation and available healthcare services.2,3 There are a number of…

Spatio-temporal analysis of non-attendance for the National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and West Suffolk region between 2018 and 2022 and its link to socioeconomic deprivation

September 19, 2023

Introduction The National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program (NAAASP) offers a screening ultrasound scan to all men aged 65 in the UK by the National Health Service (NHS), with the aim of screening and surveillance of aortic aneurysms. The NAAASP was established after multiple randomised clinical trials showed a significant reduction in the mortality rate…

Perception and acceptability of open versus endovascular treatment of common femoral artery disease: barriers and facilitators for randomised controlled trials

July 21, 2023

Introduction The standard of care for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease of the common femoral artery (CFA) remains open surgical CFA endarterectomy (CFAE). Endovascular interventions, however, have become first-line therapies for atherosclerotic disease of other arterial segments. This is due to their minimally invasive nature, low rates of perioperative complications and patient preference.1–4 High rates…