Risk factors for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction after caesarean section: A retrospective case-control study.

Background: Pregnancy and caesarean section are known to predispose to the development of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), a rare form of functional ileus of the distal large bowel. Pathogenesis of ACPO is likely influenced by pregnancy and childbirth and subsequent changes to hormonal, autonomic and metabolic physiology. Identifying pregnancy risk factors will assist with early identification, as the insidious onset postpartum often leads to delayed diagnosis and bowel ischaemia, perforation and sepsis.

Total caseload of a colorectal surgical unit: baseline measurement and identification of areas for efficiency gains.

Purpose: Resource limitations are a concern in most modern public hospital systems. The aim of this study is to prospectively quantify the total caseload of a tertiary colorectal surgery unit to identify areas of redundancy.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively at all points of clinical care (outpatient clinic, inpatient referrals, operating theatre and endoscopy) between March 2014 and March 2015 using specifically designed templates.

Triradiate caecal fold: Is it a useful landmark for caecal intubation in colonoscopy?

Aim: To determine the frequency of identification of the triradiate fold during colonoscopy and evaluate its reliability as a marker of caecal intubation.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy in a tertiary hospital colorectal unit from May to September 2013 were studied. Video documentation of the caecum was recorded and shown to consultant colorectal surgeons on the unit.

Comparing oncological outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for colon cancer: Analysis of a large prospective clinical database.

Background: Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic colon cancer surgery have been shown to be equivalent to those of open surgery, but only in the setting of randomized controlled trials on highly selected patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether this finding is generalizable to real world practice.

Methods: Analysis of prospectively collected data from the BioGrid Australia database was undertaken.

Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence: long-term outcomes.

Background: Numerous studies advocate the short-term benefits of sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence, but there has been a paucity of studies on longer-term outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report the long-term outcome of sacral nerve stimulation performed for fecal incontinence at a single institution.

Patients And Design: Between January 2004 and May 2007, 53 patients underwent definitive sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence at our institution.

"Gunsight" skin incision and closure technique for stoma reversal.

Background: Several techniques have been described in the literature for skin closure following stoma reversal. We describe the "gunsight skin closure" technique and highlight its potential advantages.

Method: Four triangles of skin are excised to enlarge the skin incision.

Initial impact of Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Objective: To examine the initial impact of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), which was launched in May 2006 and offers faecal occult blood testing to Australians aged 55 or 65 years.

Design And Setting: Review of data on colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed between May 2006 and June 2008 from a prospective database used at 19 Australian hospitals, linked and analysed by BioGrid Australia.

Main Outcome Measures: Number of CRC cases detected through the NBCSP or symptomatic presentation, and differences by sex, stage at diagnosis, tumour location and level of socioeconomic disadvantage.

The place of elective surgery following acute diverticulitis in young patients: when is surgery indicated? An analysis of the literature.

Diverticulitis in the young is often regarded as a specific entity. Resection after a single attack because of a more "virulent" course of the disease has been accepted as conventional wisdom. The evidence for such a recommendation and the place of elective surgery was reviewed by a search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library for articles published between January 1965 and March 2008 using the terms diverticular disease and diverticulitis.

Caroli's syndrome and adult polycystic kidney disease.

Caroli's disease is a cystic disease of the liver, which has been rarely associated with adult onset polycystic kidney disease. Three cases have been reported in the English Medline search. The presentation of this fourth case discusses the issues surrounding the treatment of Caroli's disease in the setting of a renal transplant.

The New Zealand mobile surgical bus service: what is it achieving?

Aim: Equitable access and provision of healthcare is a cornerstone of New Zealand Government health planning. Recent closures of rural hospitals have lead to difficulties with access to surgical services. The mobile surgical service has been developed to help; partly to address this issue as well as to address several other stated goals in the provision of rural heath.