ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2021
Effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on emergency plastic and reconstructive surgery presentations.
In Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe social disruptions, including restrictions to the movement of people. Healthcare centres around the world have seen changes in the nature of injuries acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic; we therefore hypothesize that social isolation measures have changed the pattern of plastic and reconstructive surgery presentations. ⋯ Despite changes in the pattern of presentations requiring plastic and reconstructive emergency surgery, traumatic injuries continued to occur during the pandemic. Thus, planning will be essential to ensure resource allocation for emergency procedures is sustained as second and third waves of COVID-19 cases emerge worldwide.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2021
Intraoperative fluoroscopy alone versus routine post-operative X-rays in identifying return to theatre after fracture fixation.
Post-operative imaging aims to assess fracture reduction and fixation with better resolution than intraoperative fluoroscopy (IF). However, this routine practice may increase costs and delay the discharge of patients. The aim of this study is to assess the role of post-operative imaging in identifying patients that require a return to theatre following the use of IF. ⋯ The use of post-operative radiographs can identify significant complications despite the use of IF in trauma patients. However, further consideration needs to be made regarding the benefits and costs of this practice in evaluating its clinical effectiveness.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2021
Periprosthetic fractures of the femur in primary total hip arthroplasty: a New Zealand Joint Registry analysis.
Periprosthetic femoral fractures around total hip arthroplasty (THA) are increasing annually, and are a major cause for revision surgery in the New Zealand Joint Registry (NZJR). The aim of this study was to determine the timing and risk factors for periprosthetic femoral fractures in THA requiring revision surgery in the NZJR. ⋯ The rate of revision THA for periprosthetic femoral fracture is higher in uncemented femoral stems in the first 90 days, and is significantly associated with ASA score and morbid obesity. After 90 days, the rate is lower for uncemented femoral stems, but did not reach statistical significance.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Mar 2021
Multicenter Study Observational StudyEffect of the COVID-19 pandemic first wave and public policy on elective and emergency surgery provision in Southern Queensland.
Several public health initiatives in Australia were implemented in March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19. The effect of these initiatives on surgical provision is unknown. The primary objective was to determine the effect of public health policies and surgical society guidelines implemented during the pandemic on elective and emergency caseload of surgical specialities operating within South East Queensland. ⋯ The public health initiatives and guidance implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced surgical specialties' elective caseload. However, emergency caseload was not affected to the same extent. This insight helps to guide resource allocation in future waves of the pandemic.