ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialProspective randomized trial of pre-emptive analgesics following ambulatory inguinal hernia repair: intravenous ketorolac versus diclofenac suppository.
A pre-emptive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is routinely given to patients undergoing ambulatory inguinal hernia repair. The present prospective randomized trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of intravenous ketorolac and rectal diclofenac for ambulatory inguinal hernia repairs. ⋯ Diclofenac suppository 50 mg and intravenous ketorolac 30 mg provided equivalent postoperative analgesia following ambulatory inguinal hernia repair under general anaesthesia. Diclofenac suppository is an economical alternative to intravenous ketorolac. In the interests of cost containment rectal diclofenac could be considered the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of choice for pre-emptive analgesia.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2002
Open access endoscopy in rural and remote Western Australia: does it work?
Access to diagnostic endoscopy is limited in rural and remote Western Australia. Published reports suggest open access referrals may result in over-servicing, this is reduced by adherence to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines. The aim was to assess whether an outreach surgical service offering open access endoscopy to rural areas was being over utilized. ⋯ The present study shows that an outreach rural surgical service programme in Western Australia offering open access endoscopy conforms to international guidelines and does not induce unnecessary procedures. Rural patients benefit from a personal cost savings and convenience. There is an associated reduction in government-assisted travel costs to larger centres as well as decreased waiting lists.