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This study establishes the relationship between surgical volume and cost and quality outcomes, using patient-level clinical data from a national quality registry for bariatric surgery in Sweden. Data include patient characteristics with comorbidities, surgical and follow-up data for patients that underwent gastric bypass or gastric sleeve operations between 2007 and 2016 (52,703 patients in 51 hospitals). The relationships between surgical volume (annual number of bariatric procedures) and several patient-level outcomes were assessed using multilevel, mixed-effect regression models, controlling for patient characteristics and comorbidities. We found that hospitals with higher volumes had lower risk of intraoperative complications as well as complications within 30 days post-surgery (odds ratios per 100 procedures are 0.78 and 0.87, respectively, p<0.01). In addition, higher-volume hospitals had substantially shorter procedure time (17 min per 100 procedures, p<0.01) and length of stay (0.88 incidence-rate ratio per 100 procedures p<0.01). Our results support the claim that increased surgical volume significantly improves quality. Further, the results strongly suggest that increased volume leads to lower cost per surgery, by reducing cost drivers such as procedure time and length of stay., QC 20221107

Background: Long-term safety and efficacy data on use of single-incision slings in stress urinary incontinence are limited. Objective(s): To determine whether the single-incision sling Solyx (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) is noninferior to the transobturator sling Obtryx II (Boston Scientific) in efficacy and safety for treatment of stress urinary incontinence. This 522 post-market surveillance study has been designed in response to a Food and Drug Administration request to evaluate improvement in stress urinary incontinence at 36 months following single-incision sling compared with baseline, as well as provide an assessment of mesh-related complications and subject-reported outcomes, relative to the transobturator sling control. Study Design: This prospective, nonrandomized, parallel cohort, multicenter postapproval study enrolled subjects to receive single-incision sling or transobturator sling. Study sites were assigned to a cohort group based on documented competency with the cohort device. Patient follow-up was 36 months to compare efficacy and adverse events for noninferiority. Inclusion criteria included stress predominant urinary incontinence, a positive cough stress test, and post-void residual <=150 cc. Participants were ineligible if they had undergone previous stress urinary incontinence surgery or had a previous mesh complication. Primary endpoint was treatment success defined by composite negative cough stress test and subjective improvement in stress urinary incontinence using Patient Global Impression of Improvement at 36 months. Secondary endpoints included adverse events and indications for retreatment. Noninferiority margins of 15% and 10% were prespecified for the primary efficacy and safety endpoints. Data analysis was performed using intent-to-treat and per-protocol methods. Due to the observational nature of the study, a propensity score methodology was applied to account for differences in patient and surgeon characteristics between tre

Objectives: This study aimed to assess which of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) offers the best stone-free rate (SFR) for 1-2 cm renal stones. Patients and Methods: A total of 31 patients with renal stones between 1 and 2 cm were randomised to SWL, URS or PCNL. Repeat treatments or alternatives were performed until the patient was stone free or clinically in no further need of treatment. All patients were assessed with computed tomography scanning independently reviewed by a radiologist blinded to the treatment. Result(s): Overall, 10 well-matched patients were randomised to SWL, 11 to URS and 10 to PCNL. SFRs were 60% for SWL, 55% for URS and 80% for PCNL (no significant difference). The mean number of procedures required were 2.6 (range 1-7) for SWL, 2.5 (range 1-4) for URS and 1.3 (range 1-3) for PCNL (p=0.072). There were no major complications, but 50% of SWL had minor complications compared with 9% for URS and 20% for PCNL. Conclusion(s): The results for SWL were disappointing for SFR, number of procedures and complications. In common with other recent studies, the SFR following URS was also poor. PCNL had the best results for SFR with the fewest procedures. We calculate that an adequately powered study will require 42 patients per arm. Level of Evidence: Level 2b.Copyright © British Association of Urological Surgeons 2020.

Objectives The trend toward minimally invasive procedures (MIP) in necrotizing pancreatitis is increasing. The optimal timing and technique of cholecystectomy in severe/necrotizing pancreatitis is unclear. This study aims to determine the role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after severe/necrotizing pancreatitis in the context of MIP. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospective database was performed for consecutive patients after cholecystectomy for gallstone pancreatitis between January 2011 and January 2018 at Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia. Results Three hundred fifty-five patients with gallstone pancreatitis underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 2 conversions. Patients with severe pancreatitis were older (P = 0.002), with a more even sex distribution when compared with mild pancreatitis. Females predominated in the mild pancreatitis group. Patients with moderate/severe pancreatitis (P = 0.002) and necrosis (P > 0.001) were more likely to have delayed cholecystectomy compared with mild pancreatitis. There was no increase in biliary presentations while awaiting cholecystectomy. Length of stay for patients with severe/necrotizing pancreatitis (P = 0.001) was increased, surgical complications appeared similar. Conclusions Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely and effectively for pancreatitis, irrespective of severity. The paradigm shift in the management of severe necrotizing pancreatitis away from open necrosectomy toward MIP can be extended to encompass laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Copyright © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Purpose: The Jaw in a Day (JIAD) procedure allows for complete primary reconstruction of bone and teeth during the same operation as tumor resection. We reviewed 12 cases, the largest published case series of the JIAD procedure, and discussed both the prosthodontic and surgical considerations. Material(s) and Method(s): A multi-institutional retrospective chart review was completed to identify patients undergoing the JIAD procedure. Patients with a minimum of 6 months' follow-up were included. Variables included skeletal relationship, dental Angle classification changes, postoperative diet, prosthesis complications, flap failure, osseointegration of dental implants, hardware complications, infection, intelligible speech, and patients' subjective satisfaction with facial and dental esthetics. Result(s): The sample included 12 patients (8 male and 4 female patients) with a mean age of 38 years (range, 15 to 75 years) and an average follow-up period of 19 months (range, 7 to 42 months). Patients underwent the JIAD procedure at the same time as resection of an ameloblastoma (mandibular in 9 and maxillary in 1) or odontogenic myxoma (mandibular in 1 and maxillary in 1). Nine patients' Angle classification remained unchanged after the procedure, with 3 patients showing correction from dental Class III to Class I. On average, 4 implants (range, 2 to 6 implants) were placed. Hybrid or splinted crown prostheses replaced, on average, 8 teeth (range, 3 to 12 teeth) with no prosthetic fractures. All patients had viable fibular flaps, absence of infection, and completely intelligible speech. All but 1 patient had subjective satisfaction with facial and dental esthetics. Complications included plate fracture with fibrous union (1), premature contacts requiring occlusal equilibration (2), implant loss (1), delayed wound healing (1), heterotopic bone formation along the pedicle (1), and dissatisfaction with chin symmetry (1). Conclusion(s): The JIAD technique predictably reconstruc

Background and Aim: The role of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) before a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) for resectable pancreatic or periampullary malignancy remains unclear. When PBD is clinically warranted, there is limited evidence to guide the choice of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) or plastic stents in terms of PBD-related complication rates, post-PPPD surgical outcomes, and health care resource utilization. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic PBD before PPPD with FCSEMS compared with plastic stents in terms of the rate of preoperative, operative, and postoperative adverse events. Our secondary outcome measures included duration of surgery, length of hospitalization, intensive care unit stay, and overall health care resource utilization up to 120 days after PBD. Method(s): We conducted a Victorian multicenter retrospective cohort study that included adult patients who underwent endoscopic PBD before PPPD for one or more of the following indications: cholangitis defined by revised Tokyo guidelines, level of total bilirubin >= 40 mumol/L, expected time to PPPD >= 7 days, or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were deemed resectable by pancreatic protocol computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging reviewed at a multidisciplinary discussion. Result(s): A total of 106 patients underwent PBD before PPPD at five Victorian tertiary hospitals from 2010 to 2019. Of these, 32 patients (30.19%) received FCSEMS versus 74 (69.81%) with plastic stents. The mean age was 66.75 +/- 9.79 years, 47.17% of patients were male, and the baseline bilirubin level was 184.91 +/- 113.59 mumol/L. Both FCSEMS and plastic stents effectively reduced bilirubin levels (DELTA140.04 +/- 113.04 mumol/L from baseline), with no difference between the FCSEMS arm and the plastic stents arm (DELTA134.56 +/- 108.35 mumol/L vs DELTA152.19 +/- 123.74 mumol/L; P = 0.47). There was no difference in PBD complication rat

Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is recommended for the treatment of men with clinically localised prostate cancer. However, RP is associated with a high incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED), which can impact the quality of life (QoL) significantly. Objective(s): To evaluate the effectiveness of end-to-side nerve grafting surgery to restore erectile function and improve sexual QoL in men with ED after RP. Design, setting, and participants: A retrospective review of a single-centre experience of nerve grafting in men with ED following RP was performed. Seventeen men had surgery between March 2015 and October 2017 in Melbourne, Australia, which fulfilled study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Intervention(s): Microsurgical bilateral end-to-side nerve grafts from a selective fascicular neurotomy of the femoral nerve to the penile corpora cavernosa. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Results were serially measured utilising the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the sexual domain of Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26). The proportion and 95% confidence interval (CI) of men recovering sexual function following nerve grafting were determined. Results and limitations: All patients had ED following their RP. Median age at nerve grafting was 64 yr (interquartile range [IQR] 60-66 yr). Median time between nerve- and non-nerve-sparing RP, and nerve grafting was 2.4 (IQR 2.1-3.1) and 2.2 (IQR 1.7-5.1) yr, respectively. Median follow-up was 18 (IQR 15-24) mo. At 12 mo after nerve grafting, 71% (95% CI 44-90%) of patients had erectile function recovery sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse, and 94% (95% CI 71-99%) and 82% (95% CI 57-96%) had clinically significant improvements in sexual function and reduced bother, respectively. There were two minor wound infections. Limitations include the retrospective study design. Conclusion(s): End-to-side nerve grafting restored erectile function in 71% of men with ED following

INTRODUCTION: Perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPU) is a condition subject to wide geographical variations in incidence. It remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, even in the era of Helicobacter pylori eradication and proton-pump inhibitor therapy. There is no clear consensus on whether laparoscopic or open approaches are superior, and with most studies in this area originating from Europe and Asia, Australian data addressing this issue are lacking. METHOD(S): This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent surgery for PPU within a hospital network in Australia. Baseline variables and primary outcomes, including length of hospital stay, chest and abdominal complications, and mortality, were recorded. Secondary outcomes, including reasons for conversion, were also considered. RESULT(S): In total, 109 patients underwent operations for PPU between January 2011 and December 2015. There were no significant differences with regard to baseline comorbidities. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of median length of hospital stay or rates of chest and abdominal complications, but the operative time was 28.5min longer (P=<0.001) in the laparoscopic group than in the open group. CONCLUSION(S): Open operations were faster to perform than laparoscopic operations for repair of PPU. Despite increased experience treating many surgical diseases laparoscopically, this study did not find it to be superior in terms of length of hospital stay or complication rates.Copyright © 2018 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Background: Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR)offers an alternative to traditional aortic valve replacement (AVR)and is becoming widely performed in many hospitals. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the early experience in SU-AVR with the Perceval S bioprosthesis at Monash Medical Centre. Method(s): Fifty-two (52)patients who underwent SU-AVR were retrospectively analysed (mean age: 74.8 +/- 6.5 years). Data regarding preoperative and operative details, hospital stay, postoperative outcomes within 30 days after surgery, re-admissions and longer term echocardiographic data were collected from the relevant hospital databases. Result(s): In isolated SU-AVR, the mean aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 48.8 and 67.8 minutes, respectively. There were no deaths within 30 days after surgery. Rhythm disturbances developed in 46.2% of patients, with atrial fibrillation (32.7%)and heart block (9.6%)being most common. Mean and peak transaortic gradients reduced from 46.2 and 77.9 mmHg preoperatively, to 10.7 and 19.7 mmHg at 12 months postoperatively, respectively. Conclusion(s): The absence of early mortality and the satisfactory clinical and haemodynamic results demonstrated the overall safety and efficacy of the Perceval S valve. Although sutureless valves seem to be a promising alternative to traditional sutured valves, the high rate of new postoperative rhythm disturbances, particularly heart block, is potentially a concern with SU-AVR.Copyright © 2018 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS)and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ)

Objective: To evaluate quality of patient knowledge and rates of adherence to guidelines amongst splenectomised patients registered to the Spleen Australia registry. Method(s): Registrants recruited for assessment of residual splenic function post-splenectomy also underwent an assessment of quality of knowledge and a review of their long-term management. Eligible patients were >= 18 years of age, registered to the Spleen Australia clinical registry and had been splenectomised at least 1 year prior to their visit. Quality of knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire used in similar studies. Receipt of immunisations was validated by record review. Chemoprophylaxis use was self-reported by patients. Adherence was evaluated using Australian guidelines. Result(s): 77 patients were evaluated for education and adherence. 58% were female, mean age was 58 years, and median duration since splenectomy was 14 years. Most common indications for splenectomy were trauma and haematological conditions. 77% had good knowledge of key educational points to reduce chances of infection. Adherence to immunisations varied with poor adherence to vaccines introduced after 2010. Only 6 patients were adherent to all recommended immunisations. Increasing duration since registration was associated with poorer 13vPCV (p = 0.008) and 4vMenCV adherence (p = 0.001). Over 70% either currently or had previously used daily chemoprophylaxis and 66% had a supply of emergency antibiotics. Conclusion(s): Although registrants are receiving initial and booster vaccinations, they do not receive newly recommended vaccines. In order to maintain long-term adherence, we recommend streamlining health information systems, improving awareness strategies and improving financial access to vaccinations in the community with additional awareness of the activities of the registry.Copyright © 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

The aim of this study was to determine if natural killer cell number (CD3-/CD16+/-/CD56+/-) and cytotoxic killing function predicts severity and frequency of infection in kidney transplant recipients. A cohort of 168 kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function underwent assessment of natural killer cell number and functional killing capacity immediately prior to entry into this prospective study. Participants were followed for 2 years for development of severe infection, defined as hospitalization for infection. Area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of natural killer cell number and function for predicting severe infection. Adjusted odds ratios were determined by logistic regression. Fifty-nine kidney transplant recipients (35%) developed severe infection and 7 (4%) died. Natural killer cell function was a better predictor of severe infection than natural killer cell number: AUROC 0.84 and 0.75, respectively (P =.018). Logistic regression demonstrated that after adjustment for age, transplant function, transplant duration, mycophenolate use, and increasing natural killer function (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.90; P <.0001) but not natural killer number (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-1.00; P =.051) remained significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of severe infection. Natural killer cell function predicts severe infection in kidney transplant recipients.Copyright © 2018 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons

Glaucoma drainage devices are used in surgical glaucoma therapy. Success of controlling the intraocular pressure is limited due to fibrous implant encapsulation and fibrin coating on the implant which lead to drainage obstructions. An innovative implant with a magnetically adjustable valve was developed. The valve opening of the implant should eliminate inflammatory products from the outflow area and affect fibrous tissue formation to achieve a sufficient long-term aqueous humour outflow. Lifting of this valve should disturb cell adhesion by exerting mechanical forces. Before testing this hypothesis, the flow characteristics of glaucoma drainage devices, especially the outflow resistance by regular IOP, should be considered in a pilot study, as they are important in preventing too low postoperative intraocular pressure known as ocular hypotony. Therefore, two prototypes of the innovative implant differing in their valve area design were examined regarding their flow characteristics in a limited animal experiment lasting two weeks. Ten healthy New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two groups (A & B) with different implanted prototypes. Daily, tonometry and direct ophthalmoscopy were performed to assess the intraocular pressure and the inflammatory reaction of the eye. After two weeks, the rabbits were euthanised to evaluate the initially histological inflammatory reaction to the implant. In group A, one case of hypotony emerged. When considering the entire observation period, a highly statistically significant difference between the intraocular pressure in the operated eye and that in the control eye was detected in group A (p < 0.0001) in contrast to group B (p = 0.0063). The postoperative inflammatory signs decreased within two weeks. Histologically, a typical but low level foreign body reaction with macrophages and lymphocytes as well as mild to moderate fibrosis was seen after the short experimental period. Based on our tonometric results, prototype B seems

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: It seems that lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are displacing plastic stents in the therapy of pancreatic-fluid collection in walled-off necrosis (WON). To date, there is no quality of evidence to recommend LAMS as the standard treatment in the management of WON. The theoretical benefit of LAMS over plastic stents needs to be proven. Methods/design: This is a randomized controlled, multicenter, prospective clinical trial with two parallel groups, without masking. One-hundred and fourteen patients with WON will undergo endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural draining in nine tertiary hospitals in Spain and will be randomized to the LAMS or plastic-stent group. The primary endpoint is the short-term (4 weeks) clinical success determined by the reduction of the collection (to < 50% or < 5 cm in size), along with clinical improvement. Secondary endpoints: long-term (4 months) clinical success (total resolution or 5 cm), procedure duration, level of difficulty, safety, and recurrences. Discussion: The PROMETHEUS trial has been designed to determine whether LAMS are superior to plastic stents in EUS-guided transmural drainage of WON. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03100578. Registered on 4 April 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home.

Objective: To determine the effect of aorto-ventricular angulation (AA) on procedural success with the Lotus Valve system. Background(s): AA, the angulation of the aortic valve basal plane, may affect the deployment of transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs). The Lotus Valve system is fully repositionable and delivered on a pre-shaped catheter which may alter the impact of AA on its deployment. The effect of AA on procedural and clinical outcomes with the Lotus valve is unreported. Method(s): Consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR with the Lotus Valve system were analyzed. AA was determined on pre-procedural multi-detector computed tomography imaging. Device success, procedural characteristics, and clinical events were assessed according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC2) definitions. Result(s): One hundred sixty-five patients were analyzed (48% male, mean age 84 years). The mean AA was 47.8 degrees. Patients were, therefore, divided into low AA (AA < 48degree) or high AA (AA >= 48degree). Baseline characteristics were similar in both cohorts. Device success and procedural outcomes were also similar including procedure time, contrast dose, and need to reposition. There was no difference in degree of moderate or greater para-valvular regurgitation (PVR) (0% vs. 3%, P = 0.09). Clinical outcomes of death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and other major VARC2 endpoints were similar. Conclusion(s): AA did not affect device success or clinical outcome with the Lotus Valve system. The Lotus' unique design features may have mitigated the impact of AA by improving the accuracy, ease of valve positioning, and reducing PVR.Copyright © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of tissue glue in pediatric circumcision. Material(s) and Method(s): A systematic review and meta-analysis of the English literature (1997-2017) was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement on children who underwent circumcision with tissue glue. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3, Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2, and MedCalc 18. P values <.05 were considered significant. Result(s): The search returned 15 studies for a total of 4567 circumcisions, of which 3045 (66%) were performed with tissue glue. The systematic review indicated that overall complication rates were 4.3% (tissue glue) and 5.9% (sutures). The use of tissue glue was associated with reduced postoperative pain, better cosmetic results, and reduced cost. Meta-analysis showed that there was no difference between the incidence of total postoperative complications (relative risk [RR] 0.86 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.62-1.19], P =.36) and wound infection and dehiscence between the 2 groups (RR 0.95 [95% CI: 0.59-1.56], P =.85). Postoperative bleeding and hematoma formation were reduced with the use of tissue glue (RR 0.55 [95% CI: 0.32-0.95], P =.03). Tissue glue also significantly shorten the operative time (mean difference -0.22 [95% CI: -0.39 to -0.05], P =.01). Conclusion(s): The incidence of postoperative bleeding and hematoma formation in pediatric circumcision is reduced with the use of tissue glue. Tissue glue has reduced operative time; furthermore, it might be associated with reduced postoperative pain, less overall cost, and superior cosmetic results.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Background: The THUNDERBEAT (TB) is a relatively novel energy device that is used in laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR), which integrates both ultrasonic and bipolar energy. There are limited data on its use in LCR, compared with bipolar diathermy (LigaSureTM [LS]) or ultrasonically generated heat (Harmonic ACE [HA]). The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients undergoing LCR with TB versus LS or HA, for both benign and malignant colorectal diseases. Method(s): This study is a prospective trial using retrospective controls in patients undergoing LCR. The study period was over 6 months from June 2015, during which all elective laparoscopic colonic resections were performed using TB only. The retrospective control population included all consecutive patients who underwent LCR during the preceding 6 months, using either LS or HA. The primary outcome measure was the total operative time. Secondary outcome measures evaluated were rates of postoperative surgical complications, mortality, and length of stay. Result(s): A total of 114 patients were included in the study. Median operative time was not significantly different between LS/HA and TB arms (246 versus 240 minutes, P = .779). Both arms showed no device failure. There was equivalent rate of intraoperative complications (P = .755) and conversion to open surgery (P = .075). There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative morbidity (P = .938) and mortality (P = .392) observed between the two arms. There was also no difference in the length of stay between LS/HA and TB arms (6 versus 7 days, P = .085). Conclusion(s): Our dataset has the largest number of cases comparing TB and other energy devices in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. They all appear to be equally safe and effective. Operating the TB device does not require a steep learning curve and utilizes similar techniques transferable from the use of other conventional energy devices.© Copyright 2018, Mary Ann Liebert

Objective: Leg ischemia is a serious complication of femoral artery cannulation. The primary aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel bidirectional femoral arterial cannula (Sorin Group USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of LivaNova PLC, Arvada, CO USA) that provides both antegrade and retrograde flow, in patients undergoing peripheral cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery. Method(s): Patients undergoing routine cardiac surgery requiring femoral artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass were identified preoperatively. Informed written consent was obtained in all cases. Bidirectional cannula insertion used either a surgical cut-down and wire through needle approach or a percutaneous technique. Flow in the superficial femoral artery was assessed using Doppler ultrasound after commencement of cardiopulmonary bypass. Lower limb perfusion was assessed using reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy to measure regional oxygen saturations in the cannulated limb during cardiopulmonary bypass. Result(s): Fifteen patients (median age = 61.3 years, range = 26-79 years, 10 males, 5 females) underwent femoral arterial cannulation using the novel bidirectional femoral cannula between August 2016 and May 2017. Fourteen cannulae were inserted directly into the femoral artery via a surgical cut-down and wire through needle technique. One bidirectional cannula was inserted using a percutaneous insertion technique. Indications included minimally invasive mitral and aortic valve surgery, thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, and redo cardiac surgery. The median duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 129 minutes (range = 53-228 minutes). The cannula was inserted and positioned without difficulty in 14 of 15 patients. Incorrect sizing and arterial spasm prevented correct cannula positioning in one patient. Antegrade flow in the superficial femoral artery was observed on Doppler ultrasound in 12 of 12 patients in which this was performed. Continuo

BACKGROUND: This study examines the usefulness of early post-operative liver function test (LFT) monitoring in predicting retained choledocholithiasis after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). METHODS: Data on patients who had LCBDE over a 3-year period were collected retrospectively. Patients who had ongoing choledocholithiasis after unsuccessful LCBDE were considered for the test group and patients who had successful LCBDE were considered for the control group. Preoperative, day 1 post-operative and day 2 post-operative alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin levels were recorded. Proportions of patients who had worsening LFTs were analysed in each group. RESULTS: Proportions of patient who had worsening LFTs on day 1 were not statistically different between two groups and they were statistically equal on equivalence testing (two one-sided tests). On day 2, proportions of patient were again not statistically different. Bilirubin and ALT were statistically equivalent (P = 0.022 and P = 0.025 respectively) but GGT and ALP failed to achieve statistical equivalence (P = 0.062 and P = 0.138 respectively) on day 2. Twelve patients with normal appearing final intraoperative cholangiogram needed reintervention due to retained choledocholithiasis diagnosed subsequently. LFTs progressively improved despite presence of choledocholithiasis in eight of these 12 patients (75%) and only four were diagnosed by worsening post-operative LFTs during index admission. CONCLUSION: LFTs in the early post-operative period are not useful in determining which patients require biliary imaging or intervention after an apparently successful LCBDE.Copyright © 2015 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Background: Uterine fibroids occur in up to 40% of women aged over 35 years. Some are asymptomatic, but up to 50% cause symptoms that warrant therapy. Symptoms include anaemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, infertility and low quality of life. Surgery is the first choice of treatment. In recent years, medical therapies have been used before surgery to improve intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. However, such therapies tend to be expensive. Fibroid growth is stimulated by oestrogen. Gonadotropin-hormone releasing analogues (GnRHa) induce a state of hypo-oestrogenism that shrinks fibroids , but has unacceptable side effects if used long-term. Other potential hormonal treatments, include progestins and selective progesterone-receptor modulators (SPRMs). This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2000 and 2001; the scope has been broadened to include all preoperative medical treatments. Objective(s): To assess the effectiveness and safety of medical treatments prior to surgery for uterine fibroids. Search Method(s): We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group specialised register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL in June 2017. We also searched trials registers (ClinicalTrials.com; WHO ICTRP), theses and dissertations and the grey literature, handsearched reference lists of retrieved articles and contacted pharmaceutical companies for additional trials. Selection Criteria: We included randomised comparisons of medical therapy versus placebo, no treatment, or other medical therapy before surgery, myomectomy, hysterectomy or endometrial resection, for uterine fibroids. Data Collection and Analysis: We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. Main Result(s): We included a total of 38 RCTs (3623 women); 19 studies compared GnRHa to no pretreatment (n = 19), placebo (n = 8), other medical pretreatments (progestin, SPRMs, selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SE