Prognostic models to predict survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has poor survival. Current treatments offer little likelihood of cure or long-term survival. This systematic review evaluates prognostic models predicting overall survival in patients diagnosed with PDAC.

The Role of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Severe and/or Necrotic Pancreatitis in the Setting of Modern Minimally Invasive Management of Pancreatic Necrosis.

Objectives: The trend toward minimally invasive procedures (MIP) in necrotizing pancreatitis is increasing. The optimal timing and technique of cholecystectomy in severe/necrotizing pancreatitis is unclear. This study aims to determine the role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after severe/necrotizing pancreatitis in the context of MIP.

The AGITG GAP Study: A Phase II Study of Perioperative Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Resectable Pancreas Cancer.

Background: While combination therapy with nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (nab-gem) is effective in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), its efficacy as perioperative chemotherapy is unknown. The primary objective of this multicenter, prospective, single-arm, phase II study was to determine whether neoadjuvant therapy with nab-gem was associated with higher complete resection rates (R0) in resectable PDAC, while the secondary objectives were to determine the utility of radiological assessment of response to preoperative chemotherapy and the safety and efficacy of nab-gem as perioperative therapy.

Methods: Patients were recruited from eight Australian sites, and 42 patients with radiologically defined resectable PDAC and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were enrolled.

The Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry (UGICR): a clinical quality registry to monitor and improve care in upper gastrointestinal cancers.

Purpose: The Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry (UGICR) was developed to monitor and improve the quality of care provided to patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers in Australia.

Participants: It supports four cancer modules: pancreatic, oesophagogastric, biliary and primary liver cancer. The pancreatic cancer (PC) module was the first module to be implemented, with others being established in a staged approach.

Impact of Jaundice on Outcomes Following Emergency Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients with Choledocholithiasis.

Introduction: Traditional teaching dictates that it may not be prudent to take the jaundiced patient to theatre for emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy as they may experience worse outcomes following surgery.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 104 patients undergoing emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy was stratified into two groups using a serum total bilirubin of above 50 μmol/L (2.9 mg/dL) to define the jaundiced group.

Usefulness of early post-operative liver function test monitoring after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

Background: This study examines the usefulness of early post-operative liver function test (LFT) monitoring in predicting retained choledocholithiasis after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE).

Methods: Data on patients who had LCBDE over a 3-year period were collected retrospectively. Patients who had ongoing choledocholithiasis after unsuccessful LCBDE were considered for the test group and patients who had successful LCBDE were considered for the control group.

Impact of an acute care surgery model on appendicectomy outcomes.

Background: Monash Medical Centre introduced the acute surgical unit (ASU) in July 2011. The ASU is modelled on the concept of acute care surgery (ACS). This study reviews the impact of the ASU on the outcomes in an appendicectomy population.

Management of CBD stones in patients having laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a private setting in Australia.

Introduction: Laparoscopic bile duct exploration at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been promoted as being equally successful as endoscopic bile duct clearance. Further, if successful it offers the possibility of reducing the number of interventions required and therefore reducing overall costs. However, there is little in the literature that describe current treatment patterns in the Australian environment.

A rare cause of acute abdomen after proctocolectomy.

Although proctocolectomy and ileal pouch surgery is a routine part of modern-day management for complicated ulcerative colitis, these patients are often debilitated and require close and attentive management in the early postoperative period. Here we present a rare but clinically important postoperative complication.