ANZ Journal of Surgery

Repair of a paraconduit hernia post oesophagectomy can be challenging. We present a safe and effective method of left hiatoplasty which is feasible in the majority of cases, achieving primary no-mesh repair while protecting the gastric conduit. Operative photos and videos describe the technique and key considerations.

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Sessile serrated lesions (SSL) account for up to 30% of colorectal carcinoma pathogenesis. With multiple classification changes and improvements in colonoscopy equipment and technique, historical reporting may have underestimated the true incidence of SSLs. This study aimed to determine the incidence of SSLs in patients undergoing colonoscopic investigation in Canterbury, New Zealand over a 1-year period and describe their clinical and pathological characteristics. METHODS: Electronic records were searched to identify all lower endoscopy procedures with polypectomy performed from 1 January 2022 to 1 December 2022 (inclusive)...

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BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed cancer in the world, with an estimated 1.93 million cases diagnosed in 2020. While the overall CRC incidence in many countries is falling there has been a dramatic increase in CRC in those aged under 50 (early onset colorectal cancer, EOCRC). The reason for this increase in EOCRC is unknown. As the best predictor of survival is stage at diagnosis, early diagnosis is likely to be beneficial and population screening may facilitate this...

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INTRODUCTION: In this study, we investigated the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent surgery with proven lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Patients who were operated for lung cancer with pN1 or pN2 were examined in the study. The clinicopathological features and survival of the subjects were evaluated according to pN1-pN2 status, presence of neoadjuvant treatment, Positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) avidity on mediastinal lymph nodes and specific lymph node stations...

BACKGROUND: The demographics and geography of Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), with few metropolitan centres and vast, sparsely populated rural areas, represent a challenge to providing equal care to all patients. This study aimed to compare rectal cancer care at rural and urban hospitals in ANZ. METHODS: From the Bowel Cancer Outcomes Registry (BCOR, formerly known as the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit; BCCA), rectal cancer patients treated between 2007 and 2020 were compared based on hospital location (urban versus rural)...

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends simulation-based education (SBE) to acquire skills and accelerate learning. Literature focusing on SBE in the Pacific Islands is limited. The aim of this study was to determine Pacific Island healthcare workers' experiences, perspectives, and access to SBE. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of Pacific Island healthcare workers. We designed an online questionnaire based on existing literature and expert consultation...

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of battery powered devices is driving a steady increase in lithium-ion battery-related burns. We present a case series of patients with lithium-ion battery-related burns and describe the clinical characteristics of this cohort. To further understand emerging trends, we compare our specialty inpatient case series with emergency department (ED) data collated by the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit (QISU). METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of all patients admitted to the Professor Stuart Pegg Adult Burns Centre for burns relating to lithium-ion batteries between January 2014 and October 2023...

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Advocacy in breast cancer has a history going back eight decades, influencing funding for research, giving women a voice in their treatment, and helping destigmatise the disease and its management. We aim to outline this trajectory. This is a retrospective historical narrative. We have identified a number of prominent women diagnosed with breast cancer who have had significant political influence and describe the grassroots movement of patient advocacy groups who now have a seat at the policy table and are integral to the research agenda...

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second highest cause of cancer mortality in Australia. Despite advances in colorectal surgery, anastomotic leak still occurs in low-risk patients and is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. Many operative strategies are used to assess anastomotic integrity such as an air leak test or intraoperative flexible sigmoidoscopy, however an objective anastomotic checklist is yet to be developed and studied. This study aims to develop a photodocumentary anastomotic specific checklist and determine its feasibility for implementation...

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We present a simple, yet effective, approach for surgically managing chronic gastrocutaneous fistulas. This procedure can be easily performed under local anaesthesia if needed. Our derived experience is largely based on gastrocutaneous fistulas, but we have also used this approach on small bowel fistulas.

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BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the demographic differences between Māori and NZ Europeans with neck of femur fracture (NOF), identify any differences in management, surgical and post-op care and outcomes. METHODS: All cases in New Zealand between 2018 and 2020 were collected from the Australia & New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR). Basic demographics, management factors, and surgical factors were collected. Key outcomes at 120 days post-fracture included walking status, residential status and survival...

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INTRODUCTION: Rarely, appendiceal neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are an incidental finding when an appendicectomy is undertaken for suspected appendicitis. The role of further imaging in this setting is poorly defined. Positron emission tomography (PET) using 68 Ga-DOTATATE is requested to evaluate post-surgical status, however, there is little evidence to guide how it should be employed. The aims of this project are to: (i) characterize 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET findings in patients with incidental appendiceal NETs and (ii) discuss how these data might inform post-surgical imaging with PET...