Seminal vesicle sparing robotic radical prostatectomy – no different interpretation of postoperative PSA follow-up required?

The rationale of seminal vesicle sparing robotic radical prostatectomy is to spare nerves that are responsible for erectile function and close to the tips of the seminal vesicles. However, these remaining tips are known to produce prostate-specific antigen, which is measured for postoperative monitoring.

Position statement on the use of biosimilars in inflammatory bowel disease

A biosimilar is a biological medicine highly similar to another, already approved medicine. Physicians should be aware of definition, approval process, and biochemical and clinical features that distinguish biosimilars from the reference product.

Improving the quality and workflow of bacterial genome sequencing and analysis: paving the way for a Switzerland-wide molecular epidemiological surveillance platform

The introduction of a country-wide molecular surveillance database aims to  increase the overall whole genome sequencing data quality and establish a molecular surveillance platform for selected pathogens.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism: recurrence after total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation

If drug therapy for secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPTH) fails, total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue into the forearm (PTX-AT) is the most widely used procedure, but high recurrence rates are reported.

Immunosuppressant therapeutic drug monitoring and trough level stabilisation after paediatric liver or kidney transplantation

Immunosuppressive therapy must be guided by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in paediatric liver (LT) and kidney transplantation (KT) patients to prevent under- and overdosing, which have clinical consequences.

Incidental findings during computed tomographic angiography diagnostic work-up in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has recently been identified as a predictor of generalised vascular disease and, besides the functional sexual impairment, symptoms of ED may be indicative of underlying risk factors or cardiovascular comorbidities.

Impact of treatment decision algorithms on treatment costs in recurrent glioblastoma: a health economic study

Recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) is a disease with poor prognosis for which there is no established standard therapy. A recent survey among Swiss neuro-oncology centres has shown considerable differences in treatment recommendations.

Association of allostatic load with health-related quality of life in patients with arterial hypertension: a cross-sectional analysis

Allostatic load, a marker of cumulative stress, is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, and reduced health-related quality of life in healthy adults. In patients with hypertension this association has not been investigated.

What makes internal medicine attractive for the millennial generation? A survey of residents in internal medicine in Switzerland

A new generation of physicians, millennials (also known as Generation Y), are entering residency programmes in internal medicine, and these young men and women learn and work in ways that are different from those of past generations.

Changes in injury incidences and causes in Swiss amateur soccer between the years 2004 and 2015

Injury prevention in amateur soccer has been promoted in recent years, but few studies have addressed long-term changes in injury rates. Better knowledge of changes in injury incidences and causes could help improve prevention strategies.

Spirometry and provocation tests for vocal fold dysfunction diagnosis: a retrospective case series

Vocal cord dysfunction is characterised by paradoxical inspiratory laryngeal motion and is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Diagnosis is difficult, because laryngo­scopy is positive only during symptomatic episodes or provocation tests.

Diagnostic diversity – an indicator of institutional and regional healthcare quality

The diagnostic diversity index can be seen as an indicator of diagnostic precision - the higher the degree of diversity, the better the diagnostic precision.