Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a commonly encountered palliative care problem. There have been very few comparative trials in this area, and consequently there is very little clinical evidence upon which therapy can be rationally based. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the discussion and decision-making process that was undertaken by the Clinical Protocol Subcommittee during the development of a proposed clinical trial of best medical care versus surgical or endoscopic treatment for MBO. The development of the proposed clinical trials followed an orderly process. The first step taken was a discussion of a specific definition for MBO. Once agreed upon, this definition helped identify inclusion and exclusion criteria for the proposed trial. This was followed by an extensive literature review, which helped define both surgical and endoscopic approaches to MBO as well as what constituted best medical care. An extensive discussion was then undertaken concerning the best outcome measure of success for medical, surgical, and endoscopic interventions. All of the above steps culminated in two proposed protocols, one for MBO of the small intestine distal to the ligament of Treitz and a second for colonic obstructions. The small intestinal trial is designed to compare surgical intervention versus best medical care, whereas the colonic trial seeks to compare surgery with endoscopically-placed intraluminal stents coupled with best medical care.

The maintenance of the range of hindfoot motion decreases the risk of osteoarthritis as well as chronic pain or problems for the patient to walk on uneven surface. Therefore, we believe that standard therapy for chronic instability of the ankle should include direct surgical reconstruction of the ligaments. If this direct procedure cannot be performed because of poor quality of the ligaments an alternative anatomical reconstruction procedure should be considered.

In a prospective study, 19 patients with chronic ankle instability underwent clinical and radiographic reexaminations 36 months after anatomical reconstruction. In addition, dynamic pedography was conducted and peroneal reaction time measured on a tilting platform for an evaluation of functional aspects. Prior to this examination, 32 patients had been asked to fill in a questionnaire and make a detailed subjective evaluation of current discomfort, stability, flexibility and sporting abilities. Eighty-eight percent of the patients reported satisfactory results; only 3% complained of persistent instability. In 71% the ability to take part in sports had improved after surgery, and 85% of the patients reported unrestricted walking abilities. Supination ability was impaired in 5% of the patients at the follow-up. The radiographic examination showed restored ankle stability with a significant reduction of talar tilt and talar translation; a postoperative increase in signs and symptoms of arthrosis was not observed. Dynamic pedography showed a large degree of symmetry of plantar pressure distribution after surgery. There were no significant differences in peroneal reaction time in the repaired and intact ankles. The results of the study show that it is possible to restore ankle stability with anatomical reconstruction without impairing the range of movement in the ankle joint complex. Progressive osteoarthrosis can be prevented.

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