Laparoscopic fundoplication performed in community hospital settings: A protocol for systematic review.

Background: Laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) is well-established as the surgical intervention of choice for management of refactory gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Much of its success lies in the reported benefits in symptom control outlined by the postoperative patient. It is unclear whether patient-reported outcomes differ according to the institution type providing care.

Loop and drain technique for prevention of surgical site infection in upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Introduction: Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery is frequently complicated by surgical site infections (SSI) with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality rates contributing to the economic burden on healthcare. Advancements in operative techniques to prevent SSI are gaining traction in clinical practice. This study compares the effectiveness of the 'loop and drain technique (LDT)', a combination method utilizing a continuous subcutaneous vessel loop and subcuticular suture for surgical wound closure in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery at a Metropolitan Hospital in Sydney.

How to perform transcystic stenting in the COVID-19 pandemic: an approach to biliary stenting without specialized endobiliary stenting equipment.

Management options for common bile duct stones found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) includes concurrent transcystic biliary stenting, effectively providing a conduit for common bile duct drainage and improving the success of subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic however, potential disruptions to the medical supply chain have been far reaching, including the distribution of specialised biliary stent sets. To overcome this, we devised an innovative method at our centre to substitute traditional procedural stent sets by employing standard, universally accessible open-ended ureteral catheters, jagwires and pancreatic or biliary stents with similar procedural success.

Fast-track ambulatory abscess pathway: an Australian streamlined emergency surgery pathway.

Background: Superficial skin abscesses account for a significant burden of emergency surgical admissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an ambulatory care pathway for emergently treating abscesses of the body requiring operative drainage.

Method: A retrospective study of a prospective patient database was performed, using randomized patient selection.

Surgical ultrasonography at the bedside: a comparison of surgical trainees with trained sonographers for symptomatic cholelithiasis - a first Australian experience.

Background: Symptomatic cholelithiasis accounts for a significant burden of emergency general surgical presentations in Australia and the Western population. Access to hepatobiliary ultrasonography to facilitate diagnosis can lead to delays in timely treatment. Surgical ultrasonography at the bedside (SUB) can mitigate this barrier to patient care.

Loop and drain technique for subcutaneous abscess: a safe minimally invasive procedure in an adult population.

Background: This study evaluated the safety, efficacy and compliance of an emerging technique for managing complex subcutaneous abscesses in an adult population (≥16 years).

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data between April and October 2015 at a rural hospital comparing conventional incision drainage (CID) and repetitive packing to the minimal incision, irrigation, loop and drain technique (LDT). LDT method was consistent with previous publications, being ≤5 mm incisions at abscess edges, irrigation and passage of a VessiLoop through the cavity and then secured above the skin.