Management & surveillance of rectal neuroendocrine tumours: a single-centre retrospective analysis.

Background: Rectal neuroendocrine tumours (rNETs) are rare but are increasing in incidence. Current management and surveillance recommendations are based on low-grade evidence. Follow-up practices are often inconsistent and costly.

Antiseptic Skin Preparation Agents to Prevent Surgical Site Infection in Colorectal Surgery: A 3-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: There is much debate surrounding the ideal antiseptic skin preparation agent to reduce postoperative surgical site infection. International guidelines suggest that chlorhexidine- and alcohol-containing compounds have superior efficacy. However, there are minimal clinical trials specifically looking at skin preparation agents for colorectal surgery.

Geographical Variation in the Use of Diverting Loop Ileostomy in Australia and New Zealand Colorectal Surgeons.

Purpose: Anastomotic leak (AL) after a low pelvic anastomosis is a devastating complication, with short- and long-term morbidity and increased mortality. Surgeons may employ various adjuncts in an attempt to reduce AL rates or mitigate their impact. These include the use of temporary diverting ileostomy (TDI), transanal or rectal tubes and pelvic drains.

C-reactive protein trajectory to predict colorectal anastomotic leak: PREDICT Study.

Background: Anastomotic leak is a common complication after colorectal surgery, associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and poorer long-term survival after oncological resections. Early diagnosis improves short-term outcomes, and may translate into reduced cancer recurrence. Multiple studies have attempted to identify biomarkers to enable earlier diagnosis of anastomotic leak.

The LAPLAP study: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial assessing postoperative functional recovery using intraperitoneal local anaesthetic in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Aim: Postoperative pain remains a major factor in recovery from colorectal resection. There is increasing interest in opioid-sparing analgesia, and intraperitoneal local anaesthetic (IPLA) has recently been shown to be useful in minor laparoscopic and open colorectal procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of IPLA on functional recovery following major laparoscopic surgery.

Yield of adenomas and colorectal cancers within 5 years of a negative colonoscopy: are the guidelines guiding?

Background: Screening for colorectal cancers outside the recommended guidelines presents a considerable burden to resource management in many public hospitals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency, indications and outcomes for repeat colonoscopy performed within 5 years of a negative colonoscopy.

Methods: A retrospective review of all colonoscopies at Nambour Hospital in 2008 was performed to identify those with a negative colonoscopy.

A novel method for managing enterocutaneous fistulae in the open abdomen using a pedicle flap.

A significant proportion of patients with severe intra-abdominal sepsis are managed by leaving the peritoneal cavity open in an attempt to control the infective process, regardless of aetiology. However, a considerable number of these patients develop enterocutaneous fistulae, which compound the clinical situation and delay closure of the peritoneal cavity. We propose a new method of dealing with such fistulae, by simply fashioning a direct pedicle flap to patch the fistulous opening.