In all patients more than the age of 80 years admitted to General Surgery, Taranaki Base Hospital, morbidity and mortality results were acceptable when compared with published work. Risk-adjusted prediction of mortality compared favourably with observed outcomes, but more data are required to validate this tool in elective patients.

PurposeInguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed operations in general surgical practice. A variety of techniques have been used in the past with different results. The aim of the present study is to report our experience of inguinal hernia repair using the Kugel patch and to measure the frequency of postoperative recurrence and chronic groin pain. MethodologyData were recorded prospectively from a series of 333 inguinal hernia repairs performed between January 2004 to December 2006 using the Kugel patch technique. Wound infection, seroma, haematoma urinary retention, 6-month recurrence and chronic groin pain were the outcome measures. ResultsThe Kugel patch hernia repairs were performed in 284 patients during the 3-year period. There were no recurrences or chronic groin pain within 6 months of the 333 repairs. There was only one reported wound infection. The average operating time for bilateral hernia repair was 40.5 minutes (SD 8.8). Recurrent hernias took an average of 26 minutes (SD6.2) to repair whilst unilateral hernias took an average of 23 minutes (SD 6.8). 5 (1.8%) of the 284 patients had urinary retention. The average operating time for 136 direct procedures was 27 minutes compared with 25 minutes for the 148 indirect procedures (p = 0.096, t-test). ConclusionIn this prospective series the Kugel hernia repair is associated with no post hernia repair groin pain and no recurrence within 6 months of the procedure. It is inexpensive compared with laparoscopic repair, and allows the surgeon to cover all potential defects with one piece of mesh. PurposeTo review the experience with laparoscopic splenectomy, to determine it's efficacy for treating immune thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) and to highlight key technical issues with the operation. MethodologyAll splenectomies performed between 1992 and 2005 were identified from the Otago Surgical Audit and the clinical notes reviewed, including the laboratory records for follow-up data related to the haematologic cases. ResultsThere were 289 splenectomies performed over the 13 year period. The indications were trauma (111, 38%), haematologic disease (93, 32%), incidental (40, 14%) splenic malignancy (39, 13%), and other (8, 3%). Of the 68 patients with ITP, 49 (72%) had a lateral laparoscopic splenectomy (LLS) with no conversions, a 5% complication rate and one mortality. Based on platelet counts and the requirement for maintenance steroids there was a complete response in 44 (68%) patients at >6 months, a partial response in 16 (24%) and no response in 5 (8%) patients. A short video presentation will highlight the key steps for the safe and efficient performance of the LLS, including patient and port positioning, the use of ultrasonic dissection, splenic pedicle stapling, and morcellation. The indications for hand-port assisted laparoscopic and open splenectomy will be discussed. ConclusionsThe LLS is the preferred approach to splenectomy for all but massive splenomegaly and can be performed safely with careful attention to key technical issue...

PurposeInguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed operations in general surgical practice. A variety of techniques have been used in the past with different results. The aim of the present study is to report our experience of inguinal hernia repair using the Kugel patch and to measure the frequency of postoperative recurrence and chronic groin pain. MethodologyData were recorded prospectively from a series of 333 inguinal hernia repairs performed between January 2004 to December 2006 using the Kugel patch technique. Wound infection, seroma, haematoma urinary retention, 6-month recurrence and chronic groin pain were the outcome measures. ResultsThe Kugel patch hernia repairs were performed in 284 patients during the 3-year period. There were no recurrences or chronic groin pain within 6 months of the 333 repairs. There was only one reported wound infection. The average operating time for bilateral hernia repair was 40.5 minutes (SD 8.8). Recurrent hernias took an average of 26 minutes (SD6.2) to repair whilst unilateral hernias took an average of 23 minutes (SD 6.8). 5 (1.8%) of the 284 patients had urinary retention. The average operating time for 136 direct procedures was 27 minutes compared with 25 minutes for the 148 indirect procedures (p = 0.096, t-test). ConclusionIn this prospective series the Kugel hernia repair is associated with no post hernia repair groin pain and no recurrence within 6 months of the procedure. It is inexpensive compared with laparoscopic repair, and allows the surgeon to cover all potential defects with one piece of mesh. PurposeTo review the experience with laparoscopic splenectomy, to determine it's efficacy for treating immune thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) and to highlight key technical issues with the operation. MethodologyAll splenectomies performed between 1992 and 2005 were identified from the Otago Surgical Audit and the clinical notes reviewed, including the laboratory records for follow-up data related to the haematologic cases. ResultsThere were 289 splenectomies performed over the 13 year period. The indications were trauma (111, 38%), haematologic disease (93, 32%), incidental (40, 14%) splenic malignancy (39, 13%), and other (8, 3%). Of the 68 patients with ITP, 49 (72%) had a lateral laparoscopic splenectomy (LLS) with no conversions, a 5% complication rate and one mortality. Based on platelet counts and the requirement for maintenance steroids there was a complete response in 44 (68%) patients at >6 months, a partial response in 16 (24%) and no response in 5 (8%) patients. A short video presentation will highlight the key steps for the safe and efficient performance of the LLS, including patient and port positioning, the use of ultrasonic dissection, splenic pedicle stapling, and morcellation. The indications for hand-port assisted laparoscopic and open splenectomy will be discussed. ConclusionsThe LLS is the preferred approach to splenectomy for all but massive splenomegaly and can be performed safely with careful attention to key technical issue...