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Objective: Perioperative visual loss (POVL) is a rare but serious complication in surgical disciplines, especially in spine surgery. The exact pathophysiology of POVL still remains unclear but an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is known to be part of it. As POVL is rarely described in patients undergoing[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 69. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), Joint Meeting mit der Mexikanischen und Kolumbianischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie

Objective: Postoperative loss of vision (PLV) is a rare but serious complication in approximately 0.05% of all spinal surgeries performed in prone position. The intraocular pressure (IOP) increases in the prone position and it is supposed that this leads to a decrease of the perfusion pressure [for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 67. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), 1. Joint Meeting mit der Koreanischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (KNS)

In his contribution the author discusses the positive contributions that worker involvement makes to the company, and argues that stronger worker involvement could bring major improvements in company practice. Managers generally do not have the capacity and tools by themselves to follow ‘best practice’ in HRM. Thus we find many examples in practice where worker representatives play a crucial role in promoting best practice. However, most managers are not convinced of this positive role, which helps explain why worker involvement does not diffuse more on a voluntary basis. The European Union is not currently pursuing the right approach to worker involvement. By implication, worker involvement should play a strong role in helping to build and diffuse the Sustainable Company in Europe and beyond.

In March 2010, the EU Commission made available a ‘Ernst and Young study’ on the operation and the impacts of the Statute for a European Company. In July 2010, the Commission produced a summary report on the replies of a online consultation on the results of the study. This ETUI paper brings together a critical analysis of the consultation procedure and of the Commission consultation summary. In his Inventory Jan Cremers raises the question of the value of a web-based public consultation. How should the individual contributions be weighted? What is the relevance of the contribution of, let’s say, BUSINESSEUROPE compared to the contribution of an individual citizen from behind his desk? As demonstrated in the Inventory, the Commission is very selective in highlighting the contributions it received, although the suggestion is that every number counts. Surprisingly, Commission Services neither treats critical remarks seriously nor confirms or refutes them.

Pathophysiologically, the non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) results from reduced blood supply to the intestine, caused by "low cardiac output syndrome", or the use of certain drugs leading to intestinal vasoconstriction and stasis of the microcirculation. Regardless of the aetiopathogenesis, the patient's prognosis crucially depends on rapid diagnosis and initiation of adequate medical or surgical intervention. In a 10-year retrospective chart analysis (1989 to 1998) we identified a total of 62 patients that demonstrated classical features of NOMI. The investigation focused on patients' history, risk factors, clinical symptoms, diagnostic procedures and patient's clinical outcome. The most important associated risk factors and concomitant diseases were reduced cardiac output (caused by preexisting heart failure), renal diseases, diabetes and the use of some specific drugs (digitalis, furosemide, ergotamine). Except for leucocytosis, elevated serum lactate and an increased CK/CK-MB level, all laboratory findings were unspecific. Using abdominal ultrasound and plain abdominal x-ray, 80% of the cases showed positive signs of ileus, subileus and free intraabdominal fluid. The angiographic diagnostics (mesentericography) of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia showed the typical signs of peripheral vasoconstriction in 90% of the cases. Fifty three patients (86%) presenting with peritoneal signs underwent operative bowel exploration. Necrotic bowel had to be resected in 37 cases (60%). The overall letality was 58%. The progress made in better understanding the pathophysiology of NOMI has led to differential treatment of the disease. Close cooperation between surgeons and radiologists, coupled with early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to optimize the clinical outcome.