Goh BK Re: Distal pancreatectomy: risk factors for surgical failure in 302 consecutive cases. Ann Surg. 2008 Feb;247(2):392-3; author reply 393. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e318164022d.
Kazanjian KK, Hines OJ, Duffy JP, Yoon DY, Cortina G, Reber HA Improved survival following pancreaticoduodenectomy to treat adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: the influence of operative blood loss. Arch Surg. 2008 Dec;143(12):1166-71. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.143.12.1166.
Shrikhande SV, D'Souza MA Pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy: evolving definitions, preventive strategies and modern management. World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Oct 14;14(38):5789-96. Review.
Phase I Feasibility Trial To Study The Safety Of Sealing Resected Pancreatic Surfaces After Partial Distal Pancreatectomy Using Laser Tissue Welding
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.
