Utilization of Public System for Gastric Bands Placed by Private Providers: a 4-Year Population-Based Analysis in Ontario, Canada.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) placement remains a common bariatric procedure. While LAGB procedure is performed within private clinics in most Canadian provinces, public health care is often utilized for LAGB-related reoperations. We identified 642 gastric band removal procedures performed in Ontario from 2011 to 2014 using population-level administrative data.

Is quality important to our patients? The relationship between surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Background: With greater transparency in health system reporting and increased reliance on patient-centred outcomes, patient satisfaction has become a priority in delivering quality care. We sought to explore the relationship between patient satisfaction and short-term outcomes in patients undergoing general surgical procedures.

Methods: Satisfaction surveys were distributed to patients following discharge from the general surgery service at an academic hospital between June 2012 and March 2015.

Using three-dimensional laparoscopy as a novel training tool for novice trainees compared with two-dimensional laparoscopy.

Background: Laparoscopic skills training is an essential component of general surgery training. This study proposes the use of three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopy as the initial training tool for beginners to shorten the learning curve.

Methods: This study evaluates the surgical performance and subjective experience of junior and senior trainees with 3D versus two-dimensional laparoscopy.

Predictive utility of cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression by colon and rectal cancer.

Background: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible enzyme expressed in areas of inflammation, is a target of interest for colorectal cancer therapy. Currently, the predictive significance of COX-2 in colorectal cancer remains unclear.

Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed using 118 colon cancer and 85 rectal cancer specimens; 44 synchronous metastatic colon cancer and 22 rectal cancer lymph nodes were also evaluated.

Outcomes of laparoscopic colon cancer surgery in a population-based cohort in British Columbia: are they as good as the clinical trials?

Background: Randomized controlled trials have shown equivalent outcomes for laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) and open colectomy (OC) when performed by well-trained surgeons experienced in both techniques. Our goal was to evaluate the outcomes of LAC at a population level.

Methods: Using the prospectively collected Gastrointestinal Cancer Outcomes Unit database from the British Columbia Cancer Agency, short- and long-term outcomes in patients with colon cancer treated with LAC and OC were compared from 2003 to 2008 inclusive.

Intermittent obstruction resulting from multiple intestinal webs.

Intestinal webs are a rare cause of bowel obstruction. A case of a 32-year-old man with multiple intestinal webs causing intermittent, partial bowel obstruction is described. The webs were initially detected with capsule endoscopy.