Animal Models Within Surgical Simulation: A Novel Approach to the 3 Rs.

Introduction: Development of technical skills is a vital component of surgical residency. The use of animal tissues for operative simulation leads to both the loss of animal life and financial costs for the institution. We hypothesized that maximizing tissue use from investigational large animal models after euthanasia could reduce loss of animal life and institutional costs by replacing commercially purchased tissues.

Long-Term Outcomes in Indeterminate Colitis Patients Undergoing Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: Function, Quality of Life, and Complications.

Introduction: It is uncertain whether the outcomes of patients with indeterminate colitis (IC) undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) deteriorate over time. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term pouch function, quality of life, complications, and incidence of Crohn's disease after IPAA for patients with IC compared to ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: A case matched analysis was performed on patients undergoing IPAA for pathologically confirmed IC or UC, between 1985 and 2014.

Does travel distance influence length of stay in elective pancreatic surgery?

Background: Length of stay (LoS) following elective surgery is being reported as an outcomes quality measure. Regional referral centres may care for patients travelling significant distances. The effect of travel distance on LoS in pancreatic surgery patients was examined.

Does travel distance influence length of stay in elective colorectal surgery?

Background: Length of stay following elective colorectal surgery is being reported as a quality measure in surgical outcome registries, such as the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Regional referral centers with large geographic catchment areas attract patients from significant distances.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of patient distance traveled, from primary residence to a tertiary care hospital, on length of stay in elective colorectal surgery patients.

An unusual presentation of a rectal duplication cyst.

Introduction: Intestinal duplications are rare developmental anomalies that can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. Rectal duplication cysts account for approximately 4% of all duplication cysts. They usually present in childhood with symptoms of mass effect, local infection or more rarely with rectal bleeding from ectopic gastric mucosa.