Using an under-utilised rural hospital to reduce surgical waiting lists.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate patient outcomes from a 12-month pilot program establishing specialist surgical services in a small rural (Modified Monash Model, MM4) hospital on the south coast of NSW. Methods Suitable patients for ambulatory surgery were selected based on strict anaesthetic, surgical and social criteria. Skills shortfalls among nursing staff, usually with emergency or inpatient experience, were addressed by appropriate re-training and in-service training in scrub, scout and anaesthetic duties.

The case of the missing spacer!

The SpaceOAR Vue hydrogel system was developed to reduce the toxicity to the rectum following radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Initial trial data reported the product as overall effective and safe. However, a few additional observed complications have likely been brought on by its increased utilization.

Unexpected post-operative haemorrhage: Could it be splenosis?

Ectopic splenic tissue can be classified as accessory spleen, polysplenia or a phenomenon termed as splenosis. Once believed a rare occurrence, the incidence of splenosis is now thought to be significantly higher. Generally, splenosis is asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during operation, imaging or at autopsy.