ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2014
A holistic perspective of patients' lives post-Ilizarov external fixation.
The Ilizarov external fixator (IEF) is used in the treatment of complicated fractures with severe soft tissue damage. Despite advantages of being minimally invasive and allowing early weight-bearing, the IEF has limitations, including size, treatment duration and crucial pin-site care. Many patients showed enormous resilience despite the devastating effects of their injuries. Our aim was to assess the value of IEF treatment for trauma patients with a focus on their quality of life. ⋯ Patient's quality of life scores correlated directly with their injury severity and pre-existing conditions. They were not negatively affected by IEF treatment itself. High quality of life scores (non-physical) were achieved with IEF treatment.
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ANZ journal of surgery · Oct 2014
Long-term clinical outcomes of selective segmental transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterior spinal fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of this technique for degenerative scoliosis (DS). ⋯ Selective segmental transforaminal interbody fusion combined with posterior-instrumented spinal fusion appears to have reasonable long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes for the treatment of DS.
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Anastomotic leaks are a serious complication of bowel surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the rate and severity, and identify risk factors for leaks in patients undergoing bowel anastomoses. ⋯ Majority of predictors for anastomotic leak were fairly intuitive. Nonetheless, it was relevant to note the importance of the individual surgeon as an independent predictor for leaks.
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Deficiencies in daily ward rounds are increasingly identified. A ward safety checklist has recently been devised to improve the fast-paced surgical ward round. ⋯ Implementing this simple checklist has provided our unit with a starting point in how to overcome some of the deficiencies of the post-take surgical ward round.