Aarberg

This research aims to compare different types of rods used in the surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spine diseases. The study focuses on patients with degenerative symptoms in one or two segments of the lumbar spine from L1 to S1. It seeks to determine whether the use of high-flex elastic or mid-flex medium rods provides clinical and safety outcomes that are not inferior to those achieved with low-flex stiff rods, with a special focus on reducing back pain and improving functionality after surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of three types of SpineShape System IV rods elastic high-flex, medium mid-flex, or stiff low-flex. Each group will undergo dynamic stabilization surgery using the assigned rod type. The study will follow patients over five years, with evaluations occurring before surgery and at 3, 12, 24, and 60 months after implantation to assess pain levels, mobility, medication use, and other health indicators. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires and undergo clinical assessments to measure back and leg pain using the Visual Analogue Scale VAS, walking duration, medication consumption, and segmental mobility. Researchers will also monitor adverse events and participants ability to work or perform activities. The total participation spans at least five years, with regular follow-up visits to collect data on safety and treatment outcomes.

Gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours GEP-NETs are rare cancers arising from the neuroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. These tumours share common clinical features but their cell biology and mechanisms are not well understood, limiting targeted treatments. The SwissNET registry is designed to collect detailed information to better understand GEP-NETs and improve management strategies in Switzerland. This study collects data prospectively from patients diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours confirmed by tissue analysis, regardless of the tumours original location. Data entry is anonymized and gathered from hospitals and general practitioners across Switzerland. A study nurse visits contributing centers to review patient files, and a review board addresses conflicting information. The registry monitors treatment approaches including surgery, medical therapy, and peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy. Participants provide informed consent for their data to be included. Researchers regularly evaluate patient outcomes such as tumour-related mortality and hospitalisation rates every five years. The registry also tracks the incidence of GEP-NETs in Switzerland and the effects of different treatments over time. This ongoing data collection aims to improve understanding and guide future care for patients with neuroendocrine tumours.