ANZ journal of surgery
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Surgical checklists are designed to improve patient outcomes following surgery. While such checklists have been widely implemented worldwide, few studies examine surgical checklists within an Australian context. For this purpose, we have performed a literature review using data from OECD member nations to determine the effectiveness of surgical checklists in improving patient outcomes and factors that contribute to their successful implementation. ⋯ Although evidence from OECD member countries is non-conclusive, it does suggest that surgical checklists, when effectively implemented, have the potential to be effective at reducing complication and mortality rates following surgery. Within an Australian context, more studies are needed to fully establish the potential effectiveness of surgical checklists and to monitor checklist use compliance in order to ensure greater patient safety.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2014
Case ReportsTraumatic abdominal wall herniation: case series review and discussion.
Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare type of hernia occurring secondary to blunt trauma to the abdomen. Its management remains controversial within the surgical community, mainly due to complexities in diagnosis, appropriate surgical approach and timing of closure. ⋯ TAWH is a complex injury to manage and no one approach is all encompassing. Correct diagnosis is essential as this allows proper planning for the method and timing of repair. This series highlighted that incorrect seatbelt placement, especially in the obese population, may be a risk factor for increased incidence of TAWH.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2014
ReviewLumbar artificial intervertebral disc replacement: a systematic review.
Low back pain represents a significant disease burden in Australia. Lumbar artificial intervertebral disc replacement (AIDR) has emerged as an alternative surgical option to lumbar fusion for patients suffering from axial low back pain as a result of degenerative disc disease. ⋯ In the short to medium term, the safety and effectiveness of lumbar AIDR appears to be comparable to that of lumbar fusion.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2014
Intra-abdominal hypertension in the current era of modern trauma resuscitation.
This study aimed to determine the incidence and outcome of post-traumatic (PT) intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) after the advances in haemostatic resuscitation. ⋯ With current practice of minimal fluid resuscitation and liberal use of damage control strategies among trauma patients, the IAH was common transient phenomena but the incidence of ACS is remarkably low.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2014
Computed tomography in acute abdominal pain: an overused investigation?
The use of computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute abdominal pain has increased. We set out to investigate its effectiveness. ⋯ Abdominal CT scans frequently changed the clinical diagnosis and patient disposition. Twenty-three per cent of patients had no identifiable cause on CT scan for their acute abdominal pain.