ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Nov 2021
Assessing operating theatre efficiency: a prospective cohort study to identify intervention targets to improve efficiency.
Operating theatre efficiency is critical to providing optimum healthcare and maintaining the financial success of a hospital. This study aims to assess theatre efficiency, with a focus on staff activities, theatre utilisation and case changeover. ⋯ A large proportion of theatre time was being spent on non-operative tasks, making staff activities potential targets for operating theatre improvement interventions. Motivation and team familiarity were identified as the major factors behind efficiently run operating theatres, supporting the use of regular operating teams and maintenance of a highly motivated workforce.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2021
What lessons can surgeons learn from sport? The reflections of a retired athlete.
Surgery often looks to other domains of high performance such as the airline industry for ideas on how to improve surgical performance however little is written about what surgeons might learn from high performance sport. In this paper I offer some observations and ideas from my experience as an Olympic swimmer which I feel may be applicable to surgery and some thoughts on how these concepts might be introduced.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Sep 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyCosmetic outcomes following wide local excision of impalpable breast cancer: is radioguided occult lesion localization using iodine-125 seeds better than hookwire localization?
Hookwire localization (HWL) is the gold standard for localizing impalpable tumours for breast conserving surgery. An alternative technique, radioguided occult lesion localization using iodine-125 seeds (ROLLIS), has been associated with lower re-excision rates. This paper investigates if cosmetic outcomes differ in women undergoing breast conserving surgery with HWL or ROLLIS. ⋯ Pre-operative localization of impalpable breast lesions using either ROLLIS or HWL resulted in a good cosmetic outcome with no significant difference between localization techniques.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Sep 2021
Patient perceptions of surgical telehealth consultations during the COVID 19 pandemic in Australia: Lessons for future implementation.
Prior studies of telehealth report high levels of patient satisfaction, but within carefully selected clinical scenarios. The COVID-19 pandemic led to telehealth replacing face-to-face care for many surgical consultations across a variety of situations. More evidence is needed regarding patient perceptions of telehealth in surgery, in particular, exploring barriers and facilitators associated with its sustained implementation beyond the pandemic. ⋯ Patient satisfaction with surgical telehealth consultations is high. Barriers to more widespread implementation include financial, clinical appropriateness, technical and confidentiality concerns.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Sep 2021
Reconstruction of burn scar contracture deformity of the extremities using thin thoracodorsal artery perforator free flaps.
Severe burn scar contracture of the extremities, especially the joint areas, causes aesthetic problems and functional limitation. Release of burn scar contractures requires complete removal of the scars and resurfacing of the resulting defects. Here, we describe thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) free flaps for reconstructing burn scar contractures. ⋯ Ideal reconstruction of burn scar contracture yielding functional and aesthetic results involves complete removal of scar tissue and reconstruction. Depending on the extent of the defect, the TDAP flap, with its thin and pliable tissue and minimal donor site morbidity, may be the best option for reconstruction of burn scar contracture.