Delayed ileostomy closure increases the odds of Clostridium difficile infection.

Aim: A diverting ileostomy is typically performed to divert intestinal contents in high-risk colorectal anastomoses. Ileostomy closure is associated with high rates of postoperative Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Risk factors for the development of CDI are unclear; however, a correlation has been observed with delayed closure.

Total caseload of a colorectal surgical unit: baseline measurement and identification of areas for efficiency gains.

Purpose: Resource limitations are a concern in most modern public hospital systems. The aim of this study is to prospectively quantify the total caseload of a tertiary colorectal surgery unit to identify areas of redundancy.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively at all points of clinical care (outpatient clinic, inpatient referrals, operating theatre and endoscopy) between March 2014 and March 2015 using specifically designed templates.

Triradiate caecal fold: Is it a useful landmark for caecal intubation in colonoscopy?

Aim: To determine the frequency of identification of the triradiate fold during colonoscopy and evaluate its reliability as a marker of caecal intubation.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy in a tertiary hospital colorectal unit from May to September 2013 were studied. Video documentation of the caecum was recorded and shown to consultant colorectal surgeons on the unit.

Comparing oncological outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for colon cancer: Analysis of a large prospective clinical database.

Background: Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic colon cancer surgery have been shown to be equivalent to those of open surgery, but only in the setting of randomized controlled trials on highly selected patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether this finding is generalizable to real world practice.

Methods: Analysis of prospectively collected data from the BioGrid Australia database was undertaken.

Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence: long-term outcomes.

Background: Numerous studies advocate the short-term benefits of sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence, but there has been a paucity of studies on longer-term outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report the long-term outcome of sacral nerve stimulation performed for fecal incontinence at a single institution.

Patients And Design: Between January 2004 and May 2007, 53 patients underwent definitive sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence at our institution.

Initial impact of Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Objective: To examine the initial impact of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), which was launched in May 2006 and offers faecal occult blood testing to Australians aged 55 or 65 years.

Design And Setting: Review of data on colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed between May 2006 and June 2008 from a prospective database used at 19 Australian hospitals, linked and analysed by BioGrid Australia.

Main Outcome Measures: Number of CRC cases detected through the NBCSP or symptomatic presentation, and differences by sex, stage at diagnosis, tumour location and level of socioeconomic disadvantage.