ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Jun 2013
Comparative StudyCorrelation of selection scores with subsequent assessment scores during surgical training.
Determining admission criteria to select candidates most likely to succeed in surgical training in Australia and New Zealand has been an imprecise art with little empirical evidence informing decisions. Selection to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' Surgical Education and Training programme is based entirely on applicants' performance in structured curriculum vitae (CV), referees' reports and interviews. This retrospective review compared General Surgery (GS) trainees' performance in selection with subsequent performance in assessments during training. ⋯ No selection tool demonstrated strong relationships with scores in all subsequent assessments; however referee reports, multi-station interviews and total selection scores are indicators for performance in particular assessments. This may engender confidence that candidates admitted into the GS training programme are likely to progress successfully through the programme.
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ANZ journal of surgery · May 2013
Usefulness of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in malignancy of pulmonary artery mimicking pulmonary embolism.
The role of (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18) F-FDG PET/CT) in evaluating pulmonary artery lesions has not yet been established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of (18) F-FDG PET/CT imaging in differentiating malignant from benign pulmonary artery (PA) lesions. ⋯ (18) F-FDG PET/CT is a useful imaging modality for differentiating malignant from benign PA lesions in patients with inconclusive low-attenuation filling defects on contrast-enhanced chest CT.
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ANZ journal of surgery · May 2013
Early diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing fasciitis can improve survival: an observational intensive care unit cohort study.
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, clinical management and outcomes of patients presenting to a tertiary adult Australian intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF). ⋯ This study reports physiological data, aetiology and therapeutic interventions in NF for an adult tertiary hospital. We demonstrate one of the lowest reported mortality rates, with early surgical debridement being achieved in the majority of patients. The main delay was found to be in the diagnosis of NF.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialDoes a bipolar hemiprosthesis offer advantages for elderly patients with neck of femur fracture? A clinical trial with 261 patients.
Previous studies comparing unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty for treatment of displaced intracapsular femoral neck fractures in elderly patients have often lacked methodological power and yielded conflicting clinical results. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes from each implant in a randomized cohort of elderly patients with intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck treated with a cemented hemiprosthesis. ⋯ These short-term results suggest that unipolar implants share many of the advantages of the bipolar prosthesis but can be manufactured at substantially lower cost. These implants may be appropriate for the less-active elderly patient, particularly when used with bone cement.