Pseudoendoleak: A post-endovascular aortic repair ultrasound surveillance pitfall - Single institution case series.

Introduction: In the context of increasingly common endovascular treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, endoleak is a relatively common complication of (abdominal) EVAR, and ongoing multimodality surveillance programs are recommended by expert bodies including the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). We describe the colour doppler ultrasound (CDUS) finding defined as pseudoendoleak that may be misinterpreted as significant endoleak and may be resolved through the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods: Retrospective review of cases at our institution identified five cases where apparent endoleak on CDUS was not evident on CEUS, performed immediately following CDUS.

A retrospective cost analysis of angioplasty compared to bypass surgery for lower limb arterial disease in an Australian tertiary health service.

Introduction: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and surgical bypass (BYP) are treatment options for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PTA and BYP have different clinical outcomes and cost implications. This paper aims to compare hospital-related costs of PTA and BYP for PAD of the lower limbs in an Australian health service.

Review of knee arthroscopic practice and coding at a major metropolitan centre.

Background: Arthroscopic knee surgery has been a topic of significant controversy in recent orthopaedic literature. Multiple studies have used administrative (Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset and Centre for Health Record Linkage) data to identify trends in practice. This study explored the usage and reporting of arthroscopic knee surgery by conducting a detailed audit at a major Victorian public hospital.

Prospective analysis of rural-urban differences in demographic patterns and outcomes following total joint replacement.

Objective: Little is known about whether rural-urban differences exist in patients after hip and knee joint replacement surgery. We compared patient characteristics, pain and functional outcomes of rural and urban patients undergoing joint replacement surgery in a single high-volume metropolitan centre.

Design: Prospective cohort study conducted in patients who underwent primary elective hip (THJR) or knee replacement (TKJR) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2009.