Abdominal and perineal hernia rates following vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap reconstruction - a supraregional experience.

Background: Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap has proven to be a robust reconstruction method following radical pelvic surgery. Radical pelvic surgery is associated with high morbidity due to pelvic complications and non-healing perineal wounds, as a result of non-collapsible pelvic dead space and pre-operative adjuvant radiotherapy insult. VRAM flap reconstruction addresses both issues by obliterating the dead space and introducing healthy non-radiated tissue.

Colorectal multidisciplinary meeting audit to determine patient benefit.

Background: New Zealand tumour standards require discussion of all cases of colorectal cancer in a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM), but supporting evidence is lacking. The aim was to determine which patients benefit from MDM discussion.

Methods: A retrospective and prospective audit was undertaken of all patients discussed in the Christchurch Hospital colorectal MDM over 12 months to November 2014, who were compared with contemporaneous patients not discussed and identified through Hospital discharge codes.