Isolation of Mycobacterium thermoresistible from a mesh used in an incisional hernia repair.

We present a case of Mycobacterium thermoresistible infection from a hernia repair mesh, the first reported case of this infection in New Zealand. Mycobacterium thermoresistible infection is rare, with only seven recorded cases in the literature. The presence of this isolate has implications for antibiotic regime and treatment duration.

CT colonography in a rural New Zealand hospital.

Aim: Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) has been advocated for use after incomplete colonoscopy. Most of the literature is based on data from urban centres. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of CTC in a rural New Zealand hospital.

Randomized controlled trial of Gastrografin in adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Background: Several previous studies have shown that Gastrografin can be utilized to triage patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) to an operative or a non-operative course. Previous studies assessing the therapeutic effect of Gastrografin have been confounded by post-administration radiology alerting the physician to the treatment group of the patient. Therefore the aim of the present paper was to test the hypothesis that Gastrografin hastens the non-operative resolution of (ASBO).

Role of Gastrografin in assigning patients to a non-operative course in adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common surgical emergency. Water soluble contrast agents have been used to identify patients who might be treated non-operatively rather than operatively. The present study was designed to audit the introduction of such use of Gastrografin contrast into clinical practice.