The clinical utility of multidisciplinary team meetings for patients with complex benign upper gastrointestinal conditions.

Patients with benign upper gastrointestinal (UGI) conditions such as achalasia, gastroparesis and refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease often suffer from debilitating symptoms. These conditions can be complex and challenging to diagnose and treat, making them well suited for discussion within a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM). There is, however, a paucity of data describing the value of a benign UGI MDM.

Catastrophic complications of a robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with a barbed suture: ischaemic bowel.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with barbed sutures has become increasingly utilized due to known benefits of minimally invasive surgery. It is equally as important to recognize the unusual life-threatening complications which may arise in patients presenting with an acute abdomen up to several weeks post-robotic surgery. A 54-year-old woman presented with acute, sudden onset abdominal pain and underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected small bowel ischemia.

Impact of COVID-19 on surgical exposure and training for general surgery trainees in Australia: a national audit.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major disruption in operative volumes over the last few years, which has directly impacted on surgical training. This study aims to quantify the impact of COVID-19 and the relevant restrictions on General Surgery trainees in Australia.

Methods: Logbook data of General Surgery trainees from 2019 to 2021 was analysed and compared to assess the impact of COVID-19 on operative numbers and supervision levels during major operations.

Innovations and Implementation of Telemedicine in Surgical Clinics Beyond COVID-19: A Narrative Review.

Telemedicine has emerged as a powerful tool in the delivery of health care to surgical patients and innovations are developing to address challenges in the technology, enhancing consumer-provider encounters while located remotely. Our study aims at collating and commenting on the published evidence for how current challenges in telemedicine for surgical clinics are met by innovations currently in development. We also comment on the implementation and monitoring strategies for telemedicine.

Bariatric surgery in a public hospital: a 10-year experience.

Introduction: Obesity is common and adversely impacts quality-of-life and healthcare cost. In Australia, less than 10% of bariatric surgeries are performed in the public sector. This study reports our 10-year experience from a high volume public bariatric service which delivers multi-disciplinary care for primary and revisional procedures with mid- to long-term follow-up.

Early Versus Postoperative Chemical Thromboprophylaxis Is Associated with Increased Bleeding Risk Following Abdominal Visceral Resections: a Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Abdominal visceral resections incur relatively higher rates of postoperative bleeding and venous thromboembolism (VTE). While guidelines recommend the use of perioperative chemical thromboprophylaxis, the most appropriate time for its initiation is unknown. Here, we investigated whether early (before skin closure) versus postoperative commencement of chemoprophylaxis affected VTE and bleeding rates following abdominal visceral resection.

Preventing calcium and vitamin D deficiencies following weight loss and metabolic surgery.

Introduction: Uncertain nutritional outcomes following common metabolic surgical techniques are concerning given the long-term potential for postoperative metabolic bone disease. This study aims to investigate the variations in serum calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels following Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass (RYBP) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 370 patients who underwent metabolic surgery at a single-centre group practice in Melbourne, Australia, over 2 years.

Cyanoacrylate Glue Versus Absorbable Tacks in Mesh Fixation for Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cyanoacrylate glue (Glubran 2) is a synthetic adhesive mesh fixation material. Its utility is being evaluated in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair (IHR). A multicentre randomized controlled trial was performed comparing Glubran 2 to standard of care absorbable tacks, particularly assessing chronic postoperative inguinal pain and its effects.

Current and future use of telemedicine in surgical clinics during and beyond COVID-19: A narrative review.

Introduction: Telemedicine has emerged as a powerful tool in the delivery of healthcare to surgical patients and enhances clinician-patient encounters during all phases of patient care. Our study aims were: to review the current use and applicability of telemedicine; evaluate its suitability, safety and effectiveness in a surgical outpatient setting, particularly in the era of social distancing restrictions and provide insight into future applications.

Methods: Databases searched included: PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and review of reference lists.

Atraumatic splenic rupture in patient with acute pancreatitis.

Atraumatic splenic rupture (ASR) is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis with high mortality and morbidity rates. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, presenting with acute pancreatitis who subsequently developed a splenic rupture requiring a laparotomy and splenectomy. ASR is a rare but life-threatening complication requiring prompt recognition and management and should be considered in patient with pancreatitis who develops sudden haemodynamic compromise and worsening anaemia.

Variations in practice of thromboprophylaxis across general surgical subspecialties: a multicentre (PROTECTinG) study of elective major surgeries.

Background: Despite guidelines recommending perioperative thromboprophylaxis for patients undergoing general surgery, we have observed significant variations in its practice. This may compromise patient safety. Here, we quantify the heterogeneity of perioperative thromboprophylaxis across all major general surgical operations, and place them in relation to their risk of bleeding and venous thromboembolism.

Midgut Volvulus: A Rare but Fatal Cause of Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy-How Can We Diagnose and Prevent Mortality?

Midgut volvulus in pregnancy is rare but life-threatening, resulting in high maternal and fetal mortality. This surgical emergency commonly masquerades as symptoms of pregnancy, which together with its low incidence often leads to delay in diagnosis and definitive treatment. Here, we review the last three decades of the literature, discuss the challenges in managing this rare condition, and raise awareness among clinicians to minimise loss of life.

Pre-operative and intra-operative chemical thromboprophylaxis increases bleeding risk following elective cholecystectomy: a multicentre (PROTECTinG) study.

Background: Cholecystectomy is commonly performed in general surgery. Despite guidelines recommending chemical thromboprophylaxis in the perioperative period, the most appropriate time for its initiation is unknown. Here, we investigated whether timing of chemoprophylaxis affected venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding rates post-cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass in the super obese.

Bariatric surgery in super obese patients presents technical, metabolic and risk related challenges. Moreover, there is concern that weight loss and health outcomes of surgery, including gastric bypass, may be lesser than in non super obese (morbidly obese) patients. This may drive clinicians toward more aggressive forms of surgery at the risk of greater morbidity.

Over-ordering of ultrasound and pre-operative investigations for inguinal hernia repair at Northern Health: a Choosing Wisely audit.

Background: Choosing Wisely Australia is an initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of unnecessary investigations. This study is an audit of Northern Health's adherence to two Choosing Wisely recommendations in the context of inguinal hernia repair. Recommendation 1: Avoid routinely performing pre-operative investigations in patients, but instead order in response to patient factors, signs and symptoms, disease or planned surgery.