Guide wire-assisted urethral dilation in pediatric urology: experience of a single surgeon.

Introduction: A simple technique to dilate urethral stricture using guide wire and sheath dilator has been described in pediatric urology. The aim of this study was to report the long-term outcome of the children who underwent dilation of the urethral stricture using guide wire and sheath dilator.

Materials And Methods: From 1999 to 2004, a total of 52 children with documented urethral stricture were managed by urethral dilation using guide wire.

'To have...or not to have'. Should computed tomography and ultrasonography be implemented as a routine work-up for patients with suspected acute appendicitis in a regional hospital?

Introduction: Appendicitis is a common diagnosis, but is by no means a simple one to establish. This retrospective study investigated the value of medical imaging (ultrasonography and/or computed tomography [CT]) for patients with suspected appendicitis. Negative appendicectomy rate and appendiceal perforation with or without medical imaging were used as end points for this investigation.

Management of acute gallstone pancreatitis: so the story continues.

Background: Surgical audit on management of mild acute gallstone pancreatitis at Western Health showed that non-compliance of carrying out laparoscopic cholecystectomy or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterectomy within 4 weeks had resulted in a high readmission rate. Modification of management was then instituted and audit cycle repeated to assess the outcome.

Methods: Medical records of patients with mild acute gallstone pancreatitis between January 2000 and February 2002 were audited.

Cutaneous endometriosis--Surgical presentations of a gynaecological condition.

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition; cutaneous endometriosis is a subtype of endometriosis. Although cutaneous endometriosis involving the abdominal wall is not common, preoperative diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis can be easily mistaken for a suture granuloma, lipoma, abscess, cyst or hernia. We report two common surgical presentations of this gynaecological condition.

Comparative study on acute pancreatitis management.

Background: Guidelines have been published regarding the management of acute pancreatitis by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG). The aim of the present paper is to compare the management of patients with acute pancreatitis in a tertiary referral medical centre and a regional health centre in Australia during 2001, evaluate compliance with the published BSG guidelines, and compare our data with those of a similar UK study.

Methods: Patients with a primary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were identified retrospectively.