Transfer of patients from a regional centre to a tertiary paediatric hospital for acute otolaryngology management: When is it necessary?

Aim: Transfer of patients from a regional to a tertiary paediatric facility is sometimes required for management of otolaryngological conditions when the expertise available locally is insufficient to deal with the complexity of the case.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out over a 3-year period of all patients under 18 years of age who were transferred to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, primarily for otolaryngology management, from a regional hospital with an inpatient paediatric service and located 100 km or far from the Royal Children's Hospital.

Results: Thirty-nine patients (30 male, 9 female) were identified.

Management of Parotid Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Regional Recurrence Rates and Survival.

Objectives Extent of parotidectomy and neck dissection for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) to the parotid is debated. We describe our experience, analyzing outcomes (overall survival and regional recurrence) associated with surgical extent and adjuvant treatment. Study Design A retrospective cohort study of parotidectomy with or without neck dissection for metastatic cSCC.

Pressure dressings in mastoid and middle ear surgery: are they necessary? A retrospective review of patient outcomes.

Background: The application of mastoid pressure dressings following mastoid and middle ear surgery is widely practised to reduce the risk of haematoma and seroma. There are a number of minor morbidities associated with use of the dressings, as well as a financial cost associated with an overnight stay in hospital or a return appointment for removal of the dressings. The benefit of having these dressings in situ overnight is questionable.

Transoral robotic surgery: implementation as a tool in head and neck surgery - a single-centre Australian experience.

Background: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is now a well-validated technique for resection of head and neck cancers. Benefits include reduced patient morbidity, swallowing preservation and rationalization of adjuvant therapies.

Methods: This was a single-centre, retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent TORS of oro-, retro- and parapharyngeal tumours between March 2014 and August 2015.

Excision margins and sentinel lymph node status as prognostic factors in thick melanoma of the head and neck: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Recommended margins for thick cutaneous melanoma (Breslow thickness >4 mm; T4) have decreased over recent decades. Optimal margins and the role of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in thick head and neck melanoma remain controversial.

Methods: A single-center review was conducted of patients treated between 2002 and 2012 assessing the impact of excision margins and sentinel lymph node status on locoregional recurrence and melanoma-specific survival (MSS).

Are overweight and obese patients who receive autologous free-flap breast reconstruction satisfied with their postoperative outcome? A single-centre study.

Introduction: Obese and overweight patients represent a challenging surgical group for autologous free-flap breast reconstruction. There is a paucity of information regarding post-operative patient-reported satisfaction in this increasingly prevalent cohort. This retrospective study aimed to determine using BREAST-Q patient-reported satisfaction amongst normal, overweight and obese patients receiving autologous free-flap breast reconstruction.

Funding analysis of bilateral autologous free-flap breast reconstructions in Australia.

Introduction: Bilateral breast reconstructions are being increasingly performed. Autologous free-flap reconstructions represent the gold standard for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction but are resource intensive. This study aims to investigate the difference between hospital reimbursement and true cost of bilateral autologous free-flap reconstructions.