Surglcel ® Reinforced Resection Lines in Left-sided Hepatectomy with Linear Stapling Device. An Experimental Study on Pigs

Fourteen pigs underwent left-sided hepatectomy. The resection was performed with a linear stapling device and the pigs were randomised to either Surgicel ® reinforced resection lines or not. The median time required for resection was 25 min (range 17-30) in the Surgicel® reinforced group compared to 30 min (range 21-41) in the stapled group. This difference was, however, not statistically significant (p=0.053)

Left-Sided Hepatectomy With a Linear Stapling Device: An Experimental Study on Pigs

Thirteen pigs underwent resection of the left liver lobe. By random selection, the animals were resected either with the aid of an RLG 90R linear stapling device or by the conventional finger-fracture technique. There was one postoperative death due to anaesthetic complications. The median operative time using the stapler was 27 min (range 19–40 min) which was significantly shorter (p = 0.0065) than that required for resection by the finger-fracture technique (42.5 min; range 37–55 min)

Analys och förslag till automatisering av förpackningsprocess

In the food industry, increasing market competition has seen intensified efforts in finding new solutions for safer, more efficient and higher quality production systems. If the established conditions of the production allows for the automation of processes, there is a substantial potential to achieve those various improvements throughout the production. Since each production system is unique and the automation of, for example, a packaging machine is a significant investment, a thorough set of specifications and an evaluation of future demands is a necessity. This thesis is specifically relating to the production of Zoégas in Helsingborg, and is performed through Lund's Institute of Technology within Electrical Engineering and Automation. Zoégas produces grounded coffee and whole beans in a variety of packages. The coffee is produced in the factory in different production lines, and the aim of the thesis is to investigate which requirements an additional packaging machine must meet, how to integrate the system for production line four and conclusively suggest a potential packaging machine for future implementation. The current production scenario was assessed as well as future demands. This resulted in a range of specifications that a plausible packaging machine has to fulfill. (This includes temperature ranges, humidity levels and dimension of machine etc). Three machines from local and international companies were evaluated, and the most favorable packaging machine was identified

Systematic review of factors influencing patient and practitioner delay in diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal cancer

As knowledge on the causation of cancers advances and new treatments are developed, early recognition and accurate diagnosis becomes increasingly important. This review focused on identifying factors influencing patient and primary care practitioner delay for upper gastrointestinal cancer. A systematic methodology was applied, including extensive searches of the literature published from 1970 to 2003, systematic data extraction, quality assessment and narrative data synthesis. Included studies were those evaluating factors associated with the time interval between a patient first noticing a cancer symptom and presenting to primary care, between a patient first presenting to primary care and being referred to secondary care, or describing an intervention designed to reduce those intervals. Twenty-five studies were included in the review. Studies reporting delay intervals demonstrated that the patient phase of delay was greater than the practitioner phase, whilst patient-related research suggests that recognition of symptom seriousness is more important than recognition of the presence of the symptom. The main factors related to practitioner delay were misdiagnosis, application and interpretation of tests, and the confounding effect of existing disease. Greater understanding of patient factors is required, along with evaluation of interventions to ensure appropriate diagnosis, examination and investigation

Esophageal perforation in South of Sweden: Results of surgical treatment in 125 consecutive patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>For many years there has been a debate as to which is the method of choice in treating patients with esophageal perforation. The literature consists mainly of small case series. Strategies for aiding patients struck with this disease is changing as new and less traumatic treatment options are developing. We studied a relatively large consecutive material of esophageal perforations in an effort to evaluate prognostic factors, diagnostic efforts and treatment strategy in these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>125 consecutive patients treated at the University Hospital of Lund from 1970 to 2006 were studied retrospectively. Prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pre-operative ASA score was the only factor that significantly influenced outcome. Neck incision for cervical perforation (n = 8) and treatment with a covered stent with or without open drainage for a thoracic perforation (n = 6) had the lowest mortality. Esophageal resection (n = 8) had the highest mortality. A CAT scan or an oesophageal X-ray with oral contrast were the most efficient diagnostic tools. The preferred treatment strategy changed over the course of the study period, from a more aggressive surgical approach towards using covered stents to seal the perforation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pre-operative ASA score was the only factor that significantly influenced outcome in this study. Treatment strategies are changing as less traumatic options have become available. Sealing an esophageal perforation with a covered stent, in combination with open or closed drainage when necessary, is a promising treatment strategy.</p

Decreasing incidence of peptic ulcer complications after the introduction of the proton pump inhibitors, a study of the Swedish population from 1974–2002

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite a decreasing incidence of peptic ulcer disease, most previous studies report a stabile incidence of ulcer complications. We wanted to investigate the incidence of peptic ulcer complications in Sweden before and after the introduction of the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in 1988 and compare these data to the sales of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All cases of gastric and duodenal ulcer complications diagnosed in Sweden from 1974 to 2002 were identified using the National hospital discharge register. Information on sales of ASA/NSAID was obtained from the National prescription survey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When comparing the time-periods before and after 1988 we found a significantly lower incidence of peptic ulcer complications during the later period for both sexes (p < 0.001). Incidence rates varied from 1.5 to 7.8/100000 inhabitants/year regarding perforated peptic ulcers and from 5.2 to 40.2 regarding peptic ulcer bleeding. The number of sold daily dosages of prescribed NSAID/ASA tripled from 1975 to 2002. The number of prescribed sales to women was higher than to males. Sales of low-dose ASA also increased. The total volume of NSAID and ASA, i.e. over the counter sale and sold on prescription, increased by 28% during the same period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>When comparing the periods before and after the introduction of the proton pump inhibitors we found a significant decrease in the incidence of peptic ulcer complications in the Swedish population after 1988 when PPI were introduced on the market. The cause of this decrease is most likely multifactorial, including smoking habits, NSAID consumption, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the introduction of PPI. Sales of prescribed NSAID/ASA increased, especially in middle-aged and elderly women. This fact seems to have had little effect on the incidence of peptic ulcer complications.</p

Strategi för framgång : Hur svenska storföretag arbetar för att hävda sig mot konkurrens och skapa nya marknader

Syfte: Med ”Blue Ocean Strategy” avses skapandet av nya marknader utan konkurrens. Denna studie vill belysa hur fem svenska storföretag aktivt arbetar med att skapa nya marknader, stå emot konkurrens på befintlig marknad och slutligen om miljöarbete ses som en konkurrensfördel, vilket leder till en stärkt marknadsposition.   Metod: Studien angriper undersökningsproblemet med att anta en induktiv ansats med kvalitativa intervjuer. Arbetet baseras på djupintervjuer med företagsledare från fem svenska storföretag; Alfa Laval, Assa Abloy, Inwido, Lindab och Tetra Pak. Vidare antar studien ett hermeneutiskt förhållningssätt där tolkningen blir central. Resultat och konklusion: Resultatet av studien visar att få företag verkar för att inta en ny oetablerad marknad, så kallad ”blå ocean”. Fokus hos företagen i studien ligger på att bibehålla samt vinna nya marknadsandelar på befintliga marknader samt utöka till fler geografiska områden. Studien visar hur företagen arbetar både med kostnadsöverlägsenhet samtidigt som de arbetar med differentiering av sina produkter där samtliga företag idag arbetar med innovationsarbete vilket skapar möjligheter för att särskilja produkter från konkurrenters utbud. Detta till trots är företagen inte ”stuck in the middle” enligt Porters (1980) teori, utan stöder tesen om en hybridstrategi som visar på god konkurrenskraft om företaget är innovativt. Utöver det belyser studien digitaliseringens intåg på marknaden där både marknadsföring och handel i allt större utsträckning sker digitalt. Företagen i studien visar också på betydelsen av lokal närvaro, inträde på rätt geografiska marknader och värdet av goda kundrelationer. Slutligen belyses nödvändigheten att vara ledande avseende miljöfrågor och hållbara produkter. Purpose: The “Blue Ocean Strategy” refers to the creation of new markets identified by no competition. This study highlights how five big Swedish corporations actively work to create new markets, resist competition on the existent market and if environmental work is seen as a competitive advantage, and thereby create a strengthened market position. Method: The study uses an inductive approach with qualitative interviews. The work is based on thorough interviews with corporate leaders from five big Swedish corporations; Alfa Laval, Assa Abloy, Inwido, Lindab and Tetra Pak. The study takes a hermeneutic approach in which interpretation becomes central. Result and conclusion: The result of the study shows that only few corporations work to create a new market or “Blue Ocean”. The focus of the studied corporations is to maintain their current market shares and to win new market shares on already existing markets. Their focus is also to expand into more geographical areas. The study describes how the corporations work with both overall cost leadership and at the same time with differentiation of their products. All corporations work with innovation, which creates possibilities to distinguish their products from competitors. Despite this, corporations are not “stuck in the middle” in accordance with Porter’s (1980) theories; instead they support the modification of a hybrid strategy, which shows strong competitiveness if the corporation is innovative. Further the study has identified the entry of digitalisation in which both marketing and trade more frequent occur digitally. The study also identifies the importance of local presence, the right geographical market entry and the value of good customer relationships. Finally the study illustrates the necessity to be in a leading position regarding environmental and sustainable products.

Living countryside? : A comparison between the Swedish and Norwegian countryside

I många tidningsartiklar går det att läsa om att Norge har en mer levande landsbygd än Sverige, men vad är det egentligen som skiljer sig åt mellan länderna? I den här uppsatsen har Sverige och Norges landsbygdspolitik studerats och därefter har en fallstudie på en kommun i respektive land har utförts. De kommuner som har undersökts är Ragunda kommun i Sverige och Röros kommun i Norge. Dessa har valts utifrån vissa likheter som lokalisering, befolkningsmängd och att båda kommunerna har vattenkraft. Kommunerna har studerats utifrån faktorerna finansiering, service och näringsliv. Det finns vissa skillnader gällande landsbygdspolitiken i länderna, hur naturresurser beskattas, skillnader i arbetsgivaravgifter och den allmänna synen på landsbygden skiljer sig åt mellan länderna. Trots det är det inte särskilt stor skillnad gällande finansiering, service och näringsliv för just dessa kommuner.Many newspaper articles discuss how Norway has a more vibrant rural area than Sweden, but what are the actual differences between the two countries? This essay examines the rural policies of Sweden and Norway, followed by a case study of one municipality in each country. The municipalities under investigation are Ragunda Municipality in Sweden and Røros Municipality in Norway. These municipalities were chosen based on certain similarities such as location, population size, and both having hydropower resources. The study focuses on the factors of funding, services, and business environment within the municipalities.There are some differences in rural policies between the countries, including how natural resources are taxed, variations in employer contributions, and disparities in the general perception of rural areas. However, there is not a significant difference in terms of funding, services, and business environment for the municipalities