Examining the learning curve of laparoscopic fundoplications at an urban community hospital.

Background: Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease is a procedure associated with specific complications, especially in a surgeon's early experience. The learning curve of this procedure was examined at a tertiary community institution.

Methods: A retrospective review of the first 100 cases performed at Royal Columbian Hospital was conducted.

Outcomes of sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer in British Columbia, 1996 to 2001.

Background: This study evaluated the outcomes of the first 5 years of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in British Columbia (BC), Canada, 1996 to 2001.

Methods: There were 547 SNB procedures for breast cancer performed by 29 surgeons at 12 hospitals in BC between October 1996 and July 2001. Identification, accuracy, and false-negative rates were determined and correlated to patient, tumor, and surgical factors with the chi-square test.