The findings of a prospective evaluation of the use of a newly-designed bipolar diathermy probe in the outpatient management of adult acute epistaxis are presented. Forty-four adult patients with acute epistaxis were treated with bipolar diathermy after identification of the bleeding point using a rod lens endoscope. The use of the nasal endoscope allowed diagnosis of the source of the bleeding point in all patients. In all 44 patients immediate control of the bleeding was achieved. The use of the bipolar probe obviated the need for hospital admission in 31 patients (70%). Three patients had recurrence of their epistaxis after treatment (7%). The number of patients requiring admission to hospital with epistaxis was significantly reduced using the new bipolar strategy. (4.4/month versus 1.2/month, P < 0.002)

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Objective To examine morbidity and survival among women treated by pelvic exenteration for gynaecological malignancy. Design Retrospective review by analysis of case records. Setting Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK. Subjects Eighty‐three consecutive patients referred from within the UK from 1974 to 1992 for initial treatment of advanced gynaecological malignancy or management of recurrent disease following unsuccessful initial therapy. Results Overall five year actuarial survival was 41%, falling to 36 % at 10 years. Serious morbidity was low, and there were only three perioperative deaths. Conclusions For patients with limited options for treatment of advanced primary or recurrent cancer, exenteration offers a reasonable prospect of survival with good quality of life.

Transcatheter application of a suture for closure of PFO is technically feasible and safe. However, despite successful suturing of the septum primum to the septum secundum, the PFO did not close in most of the patients.

The results of our study demonstrate very low long-term cerebral event rates after CS supporting the long-term safety of CS. Importantly, there was no significant difference in long-term ipsilateral versus contralateral cerebral events lending support to the hypothesis of plaque stabilization.