WSES guidelines for management of Clostridium difficile infection in surgical patients

In the last two decades there have been dramatic changes in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), with increases in incidence and severity of disease in many countries worldwide. The incidence of CDI has also increased in surgical patients. Optimization of management of C difficile, has therefore become increasingly urgent. An international multidisciplinary panel of experts prepared evidenced-based World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines for management of CDI in surgical patients.Peer reviewe

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: An Essential Component of Angiogenesis and Fracture Healing

Fractures require adequate stability and blood supply to heal. The vascular supply to long bones is compromised in a fracture, and the ability to heal hinges on the ability of new blood vessels to proliferate from surrounding vessels in a process known as angiogenesis. This process is largely driven by the growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), whose levels are increased locally and systemically during fracture healing. VEGF is involved in many steps throughout the fracture healing cascade, from initially being concentrated in fracture hematoma, to the promotion of bone turnover during the final remodeling phase. This article reviews the current literature surrounding the role of VEGF and other growth factors in reestablishing vascular supply to fractured bone, as well as medications and surgical techniques that may inhibit this process