OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence-based guidelines for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention after total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), many patients may not receive effective prophylaxis. Our objective was to analyze data from the multinational Global Orthopaedic Registry (GLORY) to evaluate the compliance of surgeons with the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines for VTE prevention. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from 8160 patients who had undergone a primary, unilateral, elective THA (n = 3950) or TKA (n = 4210), and had at least 3 months of follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Almost all patients received a form of recommended prophylaxis. Compliance with guidelines in terms of type, duration, start time, and dose was achieved for 47% of THA and 61% of TKA patients in the USA, and 62% of THA and 69% of TKA patients outside the USA. Warfarin use, mostly in the USA, was fully compliant in 33% of THA and 48% of TKA patients. Low-molecular-weight heparin use was fully compliant in 63% of THA and 72% of TKA patients in the USA, and 67% of THA and 73% of TKA patients outside the USA. CONCLUSION: Although almost all THA and TKA patients both inside and outside the USA received prophylaxis, a large proportion did not receive treatment in accordance with the ACCP guidelines. Our study may have overestimated the use of recommended prophylaxis as some participating investigators may have had a specific interest in VTE prophylaxis. Furthermore, although analyses were restricted to approximately three-quarters of patients who had outpatient follow-up data, their characteristics were similar to those in the entire population.

OBJECTIVE: To define the natural history and optimal management of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is the most common benign pancreatic neoplasm. Diagnostic criteria, potential for growth or malignancy, and outcomes are not well defined. As a result, management for patients with serous cystadenomas varies widely in current practice. METHODS: A total of 106 patients presenting with serous cystadenoma of the pancreas from 1976-2004 were identified. Hospital records were evaluated for patient and tumor characteristics, diagnostic workup, treatment, and outcome. Twenty-four patients with serial radiographic imaging were identified, and tumor growth curves calculated. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 61.5 years and 75% of patients were female. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (25%), fullness/mass (10%), and jaundice (7%); 47% were asymptomatic. Mean tumor diameter was 4.9 +/- 3.1 cm, which did not vary by location. Tumors <4 cm were less likely to be symptomatic than were tumors> or =4 cm (22% vs. 72%, P < 0.001). The median growth rate in the patients who had serial radiography was 0.60 cm/y. For tumors <4 cm at presentation (n = 15), the rate was 0.12 cm/y, whereas for tumors > or =4 cm (n = 9), the rate was 1.98 cm/y (P = 0.0002). Overall, 86 patients underwent surgery, with one perioperative death. CONCLUSIONS: Large (>4 cm) serous cystadenomas are more likely to be symptomatic. Although the median growth rate for this neoplasm is only 0.6 cm/y, it is significantly greater in large tumors. Whereas expectant management is reasonable in small asymptomatic tumors, we recommend resection for large serous cystadenomas regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.