ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2005
Comparative StudySurgeon and hospital volume and the management of colorectal cancer patients in Australia.
The evidence for a relationship between patient outcomes and clinician and hospital volume is increasing. The National Colorectal Cancer Care Survey was undertaken to determine the management patterns in Australia for individuals newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer in a 3 month period in the year 2000. ⋯ This nationwide population-based survey of the treatment of colorectal cancer patients suggests that the delivery of care by surgeons (the majority) who treat patients with rectal cancer infrequently should be evaluated.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyEvolution of methodological standards in surgical trials.
The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement outlines acceptable ways of performing and reporting clinical trials. The objective of the present study was to identify evolving patterns in the methodological standards of surgical trials. ⋯ The results of surgical trials need to be interpreted with care.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyNational Breast Cancer Audit: establishing a web-based data system.
An audit of surgical treatment of early breast cancer was introduced nationally in 1999. In August 2002, the Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures - Surgical, under the auspices of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, assumed responsibility for managing this audit. This article provides an update of audit activities, now known formally as the National Breast Cancer Audit (NBCA), including a description of the new governance structure and the development of a secure online surgical audit system. ⋯ There has been a significant increase in the volume of data received since the launch of the secure online system. The governing committees are working towards creating a clinical audit which will provide an improved data entry system and better reporting for all participating surgeons. The NBCA can also serve as a template on which to base other surgical audits.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyPopliteal artery injury: Royal Perth experience and literature review.
Popliteal artery injury is uncommon but poses a significant challenge in Australian trauma care. Blunt trauma and knee dislocations appear to be associated with higher amputation rates. The aim of the present study was to review the authors' experience with this condition and discuss the best approach to investigation and management. ⋯ Despite technical improvements in management of popliteal artery injury, a high amputation rate is still seen, especially in patients with one or more of the following factors: extensive soft-issue injury, associated skeletal trauma, knee dislocation, and prolonged ischaemia time. Measures to reduce the amputation rate, ranging from more prompt diagnosis to modified surgical treatment techniques, are discussed.