Last Update: 10/05/2013 13:58
The most recent media releases released by the College are
listed below. View the 2010 media releases.
2013
Confronting the challenge of abdominal
tuberculosis
10 May 2013
Abdominal tuberculosis (ATB) continues to pose a significant
diagnostic, management and resource challenge, delegates to the
82nd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons have been told.
Improving surgical ward rounds by way of a
checklist
9 May 2013
The use of a checklist during surgical ward rounds makes a
significant improvement in the consideration of key aspects of
patient care, delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress
(ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been
told.
Safely performing thyroid procedures as day
surgery
9 May 2013
Well selected patients can safely undergo hemi-thyroid surgery
as day patients, delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress
(ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been
told.
What is the best strategy for Mitral Valve
Endocarditis
9 May 2013
Different treatments for mitral valve endocarditis have been
compared and their effectiveness measured during a presentation to
cardiothoracic surgeons attending the 82nd Annual Scientific
Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Separating elective and acute surgical streams in
a provincial hospital
8 May 2013
While the separation of elective and acute surgical streams is
increasingly common in large metropolitan hospitals, the
feasibility of such a model of surgical care in smaller provincial
hospitals has only recently been tested, delegates to the 82nd
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Improved patient outcomes at a Level 1 Trauma
Centre
8 May 2013
Further evidence has emerged that the introduction of dedicated,
consultant-led acute care surgical centres results in markedly
improved patient outcomes.
Significant delays in arrival of
critically injured children at Starship
8 May 2013
Auckland is in desperate need of a structured trauma system,
delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons, have been told.
Predicting breast cancer recurrence
8 May 2013
While several factors can help predict breast cancer recurrence,
less is known about the influence these factors have on the pattern
of recurrence, notably its timing and site, delegates to the 82nd
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Significant advances in breast cancer treatment
waiting times
8 May 2013
New Zealand surgeons are reporting significant advances in
efforts to ensure timely access to breast cancer treatment,
delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
Colorectal cancer in the young. Is it
increasing?
8 May 2013
The crude rate of colorectal cancer in young Australians is
increasing, but this is in line with an overall increase in
reported cases, delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress
(ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been
told.
Bariatric surgery and body
image
7 May 2013
A study of New Zealanders who have undergone bariatric surgery
suggests that most would like some form of body contouring surgery
after the initial weight loss procedure, delegates to the 82nd
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Children and the dangers of magnet
ingestion
7 May 2013
While the ingestion of foreign bodies by children and
adolescents is generally harmless, the ingestion of magnets can
cause serious gastrointestinal problems, delegates to the 82nd
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair
amended
7 May 2013
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair through 5mm port sites with
mesh, is a safe, technically feasible and effective procedure with
no associated infection and minimal perioperative morbidity,
delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
Paediatric appendicitis - where to manage
it?
7 May 2013
The mandatory transfer of paediatric patients with appendicitis
to dedicated paediatric surgical units does not appear to be
justified by analysis of patient outcomes in a regional centre,
delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
Is a paediatric surgical service in Vanuatu
sustainable
6 May 2013
Delegates to the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of the local
and external challenges that must be overcome if the Pacific island
nation of Vanuatu is to develop and sustain a paediatric surgical
service.
Measuring the long-term success of cardiac surgery
in Fiji
6 May 2013
The provision of cardiac surgery in Fiji by visiting health
professionals is safe and viable and has acceptable long-term
results, delegates at the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of
the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
Surgeons condemn tax move as a threat to education
and professional development
30 April 2013
Australian surgeons have condemned as short-sighted a federal
government proposal to place a $2000 cap on the tax deductible
costs of self-education, including the continuing professional
development which is required to maintain medical registration.
Call for quad bike education as injuries
rise
29 April 2013
Researchers are calling for better education of quad bike riders
after a recent study in the ANZ Journal of Surgery showed All
Terrain Vehicle (ATV) injuries are rising at an alarming rate in
New Zealand, with a 42 per cent increase in hospital admissions at
Waikato between 2009 and 2010.
VASM A Continuing commitment to improved
care
5 April 2013
The 2012 annual report of the Victorian Audit of Surgical
Mortality (VASM), a quality assurance program aimed at the ongoing
improvement of surgical care, was released today.
Surgeons welcome latest perioperative mortality
report
27 March 2013
New Zealand surgeons have welcomed the release of the second
Report of the Perioperative Mortality Review Committee (POMRC),
saying it will stimulate further discussion about perioperative
deaths and provide another opportunity to review and improve
current surgical practice.
Improving colorectal cancer
outcomes in rural Australia
26 March 2013
The survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer in rural
Australian centres can and should be comparable to those in
metropolitan centres a study published in the latest issue of the
ANZ Journal of Surgery has found.
Surgeons slam ongoing uncertainty over public
hospitals
18 March 2013
South Australian surgeons have expressed dismay over the ongoing
uncertainty around the future of the state's public hospital
services.
Surgeons to Gather in Auckland
14 March 2013
Eminent surgeons from around the world will join their New
Zealand and Australian counterparts in Auckland for the 82nd Annual
Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons.
WA surgeons secure undertakings from major
parties
6 March 2013
Western Australian surgeons have welcomed undertakings from both
major political parties that they will be consulted on key
challenges confronting the state's public health system.
Spotlight on Indigenous Health Research
26 February 2013
A series of articles addressing Indigenous health issues in both
Australia and New Zealand, and suggesting ways of addressing these
challenges more effectively, are a feature of the latest issue of
the ANZ Journal of Surgery.
Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality releases
annual report
29 January 2013
The third annual report of the Australian and New Zealand Audit
of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM), a national quality assurance
programme aimed at the ongoing improvement of surgical care, was
released today.
College of Surgeons fears for patients
25 January 2013
Surgeons have voiced their dismay at the sudden and dramatic
funding cuts being inflicted on Victorian public hospitals, noting
that it will affect elective surgery more than any other hospital
activity.
2012
Road use experts gather to consider the way
ahead (PDF 25 KB)
21 November 2012
Experts from a wide range of fields will gather at the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons tomorrow to consider ways to make
our roads safer.
Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons welcomes call for tighter
regulation of cosmetic (PDF 25 KB)
2 November 2012
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has welcomed a call
by the South Australian Deputy State Coroner for national reforms
to the cosmetic surgery industry, including mandatory
post-operative consultations within two days of surgery.
Patient
care at risk for defence force personnel - surgeons (PDF
25 KB)
29 October 2012
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has expressed
concerns over a federal government decision to allow a private
health insurance company to become involved in the actual delivery
of patient care, particularly in circumstances where individual
patient choice is eliminated.
The declining incidence of facial fractures in the
AFL (PDF 29 KB)
24 October 2012
An article published in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal
of Surgery has charted the incidence of facial fractures among
Australian Football League (AFL) players and identified possible
reasons for a relative decline in their frequency.
Surgeons
assess one party's response to their concerns (PDF 29 KB)
17 October 2012
In the lead up to the ACT election
this Saturday, Canberra surgeons have endeavoured to raise issues
of concern with the Government and Opposition. As at 10:00am today,
only the Gallagher Labor Government had responded.
Western Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality
releases 2012 Annual Report (PDF 33 KB)
27 September 2012
The 2012 report of the Western
Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality (WAASM), a quality assurance
program aimed at the ongoing improvement of surgical care, was
released today.
Addressing the global
burden of surgical disease (PDF 26 KB)
25 September 2012
Surgeons, anaesthetists and public
health specialists from around the world will gather in Melbourne
this week to explore and evaluate the role of surgery in efforts to
improve global health, respond to disasters and alleviate
disease.
Rise in appendicectomies at
Westmead (PDF 56 KB)
21 September 2012
Emergency appendicectomies at the The
Children's Hospital at Westmead more than doubled between 1999 and
2009 despite a population increase of only 1.6%, an article in the
latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery states.
Surgeons respond to appointment of new CALHN
CEO (PDF 56 KB)
4 September 2012
The Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons has noted with interest the appointment of Doctor David
Panter to the position of CEO of the Central Adelaide Local
Health Network (CALHN).
CEO's resignation a
symptom of a health system under severe pressure - SA
surgeons (PDF 56 KB)
28 August 2012
The resignation of Central Adelaide
Local Health Network (CALHN) Chief Executive Officer, Brian
Rousseau, was further evidence of a health system struggling to
cope during a period of significant but poorly planned change, the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has said.
Motorcycle
accidents: causes and outcomes (PDF 56
KB)
24 August 2012
A study in the most recent issue of
the ANZ Journal of Surgery aims to assess the true cost of
motorcycle accidents and identify how rider, crash and speed
influence patient outcomes.
Surgeons welcome assurances from both sides of
Territory politics (PDF 30 KB)
22 August 2012
Surgeons have secured assurances
relating to important issues of public health from both major
political parties in the lead-up to Saturday's Territory
election.
Surgeons to gather at Dunsborough
(PDF 24 KB)
13 August 2012
Surgeons from around Western
Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory will converge
on Dunsborough this weekend for a joint Annual Scientific Meeting
(ASM).
Health
Minister to open surgeons' new Sydney
headquarters (PDF 25 KB)
31 July 2012
The federal Health Minister, Tanya
Plibersek, will tomorrow formally open the new Sydney base of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. She will be joined in the
ribbon cutting ceremony by the College's President, Associate
Professor Michael Hollands, a Sydney based general surgeon.
Anatomy success for medical
students (PDF 50 KB)
26 June 2012
Medical students' anatomy scores have
more than doubled as a result of Team Based Learning (TBL) at the
Sydney Medical School, an article in the latest issue of the
ANZ Journal of Surgery has reported.
Outlook
bright for surgery in the Pacific Islands
(PDF 48 KB)
28 May 2012
An ongoing specialist aid project
aimed at capacity building in the Pacific Islands has achieved
remarkable results, an article in the latest issue of the ANZ
Journal of Surgery has concluded.
The Victorian Audit of
Surgical Mortality: Improving surgical care
(PDF 58 KB)
22 May 2012
The 2011 report of the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality
(VASM), a quality assurance programme aimed at the ongoing
improvement of surgical care, was released today.
Military teamwork a model for surgeons (PDF 19
KB)
10 May 2012
Surgeons can improve their work practices by adopting some of
the tenets and values of military personnel, delegates to the 81st
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Australia and Malaysia working together to improve
craniofacial surgical outcomes (PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of the
longstanding partnership of Australian and Malaysian craniofacial
surgeons.
Surgical training in the private sector - the
patients' perception (PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012
While debate over the viability of widespread surgical training
in the private sector continues, delegates to the 81st Annual
Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons have been given a glimpse of patients' views on the
subject.
Safely introducing a new surgical technique
(PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of a safe and
effective approach to adrenalectomy, the surgical removal of one or
both adrenal glands.
The outreach work of General Surgeons in rural
practice (PDF 29 KB)
9 May 2012
General Surgeons working in larger rural centres should be
encouraged to include outreach services to surrounding smaller
towns in their practice, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific
Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have
been told.
Preventing children's campfire related burns
(PDF 29 KB)
9 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that despite
being the focus of prevention campaigns, significant numbers of
children continue to suffer campfire related burns (CRB).
Perth Convention Bureau teams with College of
Surgeons to advance the cause of academic surgery (PDF 24
KB)
9 May 2012
The recipients of travel grants made possible by the Perth
Convention Bureau were announced today at the 81st Annual
Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons.
Geelong
Hospital's Emergency Surgery Project - Measuring its
effectiveness (PDF 15 KB)
9 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that the
introduction of a dedicated emergency surgical list can improve the
timeliness of care and patient outcomes.
Tackling
flesh eating bacteria in the Outback (PDF 25 KB)
9 May 2012
Central Australia has a higher incidence of necrotising
fasciitis, or flesh eating bacteria, than elsewhere in Australia,
delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
The future of New Zealand's plastic surgery (PDF 20
KB)
8 May 2012
A substantial proportion of New Zealand is at risk of
increasingly inadequate access to specialist plastic surgery
services, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of
the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
The progress of bariatric surgery in Malaysia (PDF 30
KB)
8 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that while
bariatric surgery is a proven treatment for obesity, it is yet to
achieve popular acceptance in Malaysia.
Preventing and treating lawnmower injuries in
children (PDF 20 KB)
8 May 2012
Efforts to prevent lawnmower related injuries (LRI) in children
should be redoubled, delegates to
the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have
been told.
The intra-gastric balloon effective in promoting weight loss
(PDF 30 KB)
8 May 2012
The insertion of the Orbera intra-gastric balloon is an
effective temporary weight loss measure, delegates to the 81st
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Towards higher breast reconstruction rates for mastectomy
patients (PDF 50 KB)
7 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that while
breast reconstruction has been shown to be safe with a high patient
satisfaction rate, fewer than 10 per cent of Australian women opt
for reconstruction after a mastectomy.
Surgical
volunteerism in New Zealand (PDF 65 KB)
7 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that the
Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust (CCHT) is helping address unmet
need for surgery and other secondary healthcare in the Canterbury
region of New Zealand.
New surgical procedure can relieve arthritic pain in the
wrist joints (PDF 50 KB)
7 May 2012
Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of a new
surgical procedure which can relieve arthritic pain in the
carpometacarpal (CMC) joints, five joints in the wrist that
articulate the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of
the five metacarpal bones.
How behaviour
influences surgical outcomes (PDF 20 KB)
7 May 2012
The personal behaviour of surgeons can affect the quality of
clinical performance, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific
Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have
been told.
Life
Insurance and Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer (PDF 35
KB)
3 May 2012
Genetic testing for prostate cancer may affect a person's
ability to obtain life insurance, an article in the latest issue of
the ANZ Journal of Surgery has warned.
ANZASM
Annual Report released (PDF 20
KB)
16 April 2012
The second annual report of the Australian and New Zealand Audit
of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM), a national quality assurance
program aimed at the ongoing improvement of surgical care, was
released today.
First vascular audit
released (PDF 67 KB)
26 March 2012
The Australasian Vascular Surgical Audit, which is designed to
improve surgical performance and enhance patient outcomes, has
captured 65 per cent of estimated procedures in its first year, an
article in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery
states.
Queensland surgeons secure undertakings on elective and emergency
surgery (PDF 85 KB)
19 March 2012
Queensland surgeons have welcomed undertakings from both major
political parties that the measurement of patient load and the
smoother flow of surgical patients will be a priority if they are
elected to government.
Australasian surgeons to meet in Kuala
Lumpur (PDF 71 KB)
Australasian surgeons to meet in Kuala
Lumpur in Bahasa Malaysia (PDF 71
KB)
13 March 2012
Up to 2,500 delegates from around Australia and New Zealand are
expected to gather in Kuala Lumpur in early May for the
81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons.
Better organisation can improve surgical
services (PDF 95 KB)
27 February 2012
A major reorganisation of surgical services is needed to improve
the delivery of these services, an article in the latest issue of
the ANZ Journal of Surgery asserts. This should include the
development of high volume short-stay surgical services (HVSS), the
establishment of specialty centres and the streaming of emergency
and planned surgery.
Associate Professor Michael Hollands elected next
President of the College of Surgeons (PDF 69
KB)
23 February 2012
Associate Professor Michael Hollands, a General Surgeon with
major interests in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgery and
trauma, has been elected the next President of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons.
Surgeons welcome inaugural Perioperative Mortality
Report (PDF 85 KB)
15 February 2012
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has welcomed the
release of the inaugural Report of the Perioperative Mortality
Review Committee (POMRC).
Communique RACS/RACP Regarding
Specialist Practice Incentive Payments (PDF 80
KB)
13 February 2012
E-health continues to be a significant element
in the government's health agenda. For e-health to be successful,
all medical practitioners throughout Australia will need to adopt
e-health technologies.
Surgeons fear unsustainable pressure on public
health system (PDF 70 KB)
10 February 2012
Surgeons fear that means testing the Private Health Insurance
Rebate will add further pressure to an Australian public health
system that has already reached breaking point.
SA surgeons slam hospital downgrade
(PDF 70 KB)
30 January 2012
South Australian surgeons have slammed a decision by the state
government to downgrade intensive care services at the Queen
Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) by 2016, warning it will seriously
compromise patient care and have a detrimental impact on surgical
training in South Australia.
2011
New recommendations for adolescent bariatric
surgery (PDF 92 KB)
15 December 2011
Adolescents should be at least 15 years of age and have a Body
Mass Index greater than 40 if they are to be eligible for bariatric
surgery, a perspective in the latest ANZ Journal of Surgery states.
They should also have associated complications such as Type 2
diabetes and have persistent problems despite undertaking lifestyle
programs.
Surgeons call
for common sense on our streets (PDF 80 KB)
1 December 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has again endorsed
the trans-Tasman policing initiative, Operation Unite, calling on
young people to exercise common sense while out enjoying themselves
this weekend.
Injury risk
from aerosol cans (PDF 94 KB)
15 November 2011
Young men are most at risk of injury when using pressurised
aerosol cans, a report in the latest ANZ Journal of
Surgery reveals.
Trauma
experts converge on Melbourne for Trauma Week (PDF 73
KB)
14 November 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons today welcomes trauma
surgeons and trauma specialists from overseas and around Australia
to Melbourne for its annual Trauma Week.
College of Surgeons to insist on proven record of hand hygiene
(PDF 85 KB)
10 November 2011
Medical graduates wishing to pursue a career in surgery will
have to demonstrate a commitment to hand hygiene if they are to be
accepted into the training program of the Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons.
Plastic Surgery
- a misunderstood specialty (PDF 73 KB)
20 October 2011
Several factors explain widespread misconceptions about the work
of plastic surgeons, an article in the latest issue of the ANZ
Journal of Surgery reveals.
Surgeons to
gather in Wangaratta (PDF 66 KB)
Wednesday 20 October 2011
Surgeons from around Victoria will gather in Wangaratta this
weekend for the Annual General Scientific and Fellowship Meeting
(AGSFM) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Western Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality releases 2011 Annual
Report (PDF 63 KB)
Thursday 13 October 2011
The 2011 report of the Western Australian Audit of Surgical
Mortality (WAASM), a quality assurance program aimed at the ongoing
improvement of surgical care, was released today. This is the tenth
year since WAASM was established.
Surgeons warn of
looming workforce crisis (PDF 73 KB)
Friday 7 October 2011
Access to world class surgical care in Australia is threatened
by a looming workforce shortage, the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons has warned. Unless there is a substantial increase in the
number of graduating surgeons, Australia faces a surgical workforce
crisis within the next fifteen years.
College of Surgeons announces $1.3 million in Research Scholarship
Awards (PDF 67 KB)
22 September 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has reaffirmed its
ongoing commitment to surgical research, through its annual
Research Scholarships program.
Tackling
non-melanoma skin cancer in New Zealand (PDF 83
KB)
15 September 2011
The high and increasing incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers
poses an immediate and ongoing challenge to the New Zealand health
sector, a study in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery
has found.
Surgeons
call for tighter regulation of quad bikes (PDF 57
KB)
14 September 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has called for the
tighter regulation of quad bikes, citing the seriousness and
frequency of injuries sustained by riders.
Ear, Nose and
Throat clinical visit to Tuvalu (PDF 91
KB)
2 September 2011
An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) team will visit Tuvalu for a week
in September as part of the Pacific Islands Program. The Program,
co-ordinated by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and
funded by AusAID, provides a range of volunteer services in the
region.
Fatigue
and surgical performance (PDF 83 KB)
15 August 2011
While the issue of safe working hours for surgeons has attracted
considerable attention in recent years, a study in the latest issue
of the ANZ Journal of Surgery finds there is insufficient evidence
to gauge the effect of fatigue on surgical performance.
Concern over potential loss of
training (PDF 67 KB)
11 August 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has expressed concern
over reports that the proposed elective surgery unit at the North
Shore Hospital in Takapuna will operate with specialist medical
staff only.
Oncologist joins PIP team
in Fiji (PDF 76 KB)
26 July 2011
Oncologist Professor Michael Sullivan will join the Pacific
Islands Program team in Fiji in late July. The Program,
co-ordinated by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and
funded by AusAID, provides a range of paediatric services in the
region that includes surgery, endocrinology, nephrology and
oncology.
Teaching the teachers - sustaining the surgical educator
workforce (PDF 59 KB)
28 June 2011
The viability of surgical education in Australia and New Zealand
depends on ensuring surgeons wanting to teach have designated time
and are properly recognised and equipped for the task, a study in
the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery reveals.
The Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality - an ongoing commitment
to improved care (PDF 82 KB)
28 June 2011
The 2010 report of the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality
(VASM), a quality assurance programme aimed at the ongoing
improvement of surgical care, was released today.
Treating the victims of shark attack - learning from
experience (PDF 101 KB)
30 May 2011
Recent advances in the management of major trauma have cast new
light on the treatment of shark attack victims, according to a
study in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal
of Surgery.
The
future of craniofacial plastic surgery in Sri
Lanka (PDF 67 KB)
6 May 2011
With the ongoing assistance of Interplast Australia & New
Zealand and its teams of volunteer surgeons, an advanced
craniofacial surgery service in Sri Lanka could soon be a reality,
delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.
Surgical anatomy course proves popular with junior
surgeons (PDF 87 KB)
6 May 2011
As controversy reigns over the quality of anatomy teaching in
undergraduate medical courses, a postgraduate diploma course in
surgical anatomy offered by the University of Otago is proving a
great success.
Soldier, Rhodes Scholar, pioneering neurosurgeon - the remarkable
life of Hugh Cairns (PDF 90 KB)
6 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of the
extraordinary life of Hugh Cairns, an Australian pioneer in the
field of neurosurgery.
Greater support for smaller metropolitan and regional hospitals
needed (PDF 63 KB)
6 May 2011
Delegates to the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that smaller
metropolitan and regional hospitals must be adequately funded to
allow surgeons to provide up-to-date procedures for common surgical
conditions, including newer laparoscopic and other
minimally-invasive techniques.
Preparing for the tsunami of medical
graduates (PDF 49 KB)
6 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of a variety
of strategies to cope with the coming tsunami of young doctors
graduating from Australian and New Zealand medical schools.
Burns
bacteriology in a tropical ICU setting (PDF 75
KB)
5 May 2011
The burns centres of hospitals in hot and humid climates fight a
constant battle against wound infection, delegates to the 80th
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Infra-Red Thermographic Imaging in the Serial Assessment of
Burns (PDF 57 KB)
5 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that
infra-red thermographic imaging is a promising tool in the serial
assessment of burn wounds.
Developing the
National Trauma Registry (PDF 83 KB)
4 May 2011
After a long battle, efforts to establish a National Trauma
Registry seem likely to prove successful, delegates to the 80th
Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons have been told.
Removing the gallbladder of patients over eighty: predictors of
morbidity and mortality (PDF 39 KB)
4 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that the
laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder can be performed with
acceptable risk in appropriately selected patients over the age of
80.
Road safety: The
Australian contribution (PDF 71 KB)
4 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that while
Australia has led the way in the fight against road trauma, more
still needs to be done.
Safely converting an adjustable gastric band to sleeve
gastrectomy (PDF 79 KB)
4 May 2011
A bariatric surgeon has told delegates to the 80th Annual
Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons that there is a proven technique for the conversion of a
laparoscopic gastric band to sleeve gastrectomy.
The Acute Surgical Unit - an effective model of care for patients
with acute
cholecystitis (PDF 99 KB)
4 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that an Acute
Surgical Unit (ASU) is proving a very effective model of care for
patients presenting with acute cholecystitis, or acute inflammation
of the gallbladder.
Ensuring surgeons can respond to major
disasters (PDF 68 KB)
3 May 2011
The readiness of Australian and New Zealand surgeons to respond
to major disasters in our region has been the focus of a forum
conducted by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Adelaide
today.
Assessing the safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in a
low-volume setting (PDF 81 KB)
3 May 2011
While laparoscopic treatment of colorectal pathologies is
becoming the preferred approach amongst experienced surgeons with
high-volume caseloads, delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific
Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have
been told there is little data available on advanced laparoscopic
surgeons who perform a low-volume (<10 cases per year) of
colorectal procedures.
Ultrasound
usage embraced by breast surgeons (PDF 98
KB)
3 May 2011
Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that surgeon
performed ultrasound is being increasingly embraced by breast
surgeons worldwide as an integral part of patient
assessment.
Laparoscopic
surgery and the treatment of rectal
cancer (PDF 77 KB)
19 April 2011
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been widely embraced by
Australasian surgeons and may lead to less pain, faster recovery
and better cosmesis for patients, but several concerns need to be
addressed before its use is routinely adopted for all procedures,
according to an article in the latest issue of the Australian and
New Zealand Journal of Surgery.
Adelaide
to host surgeons' Annual Scientific
Congress (PDF 56 KB)
8 April 2011
The 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons will be convened in Adelaide this
year, attracting up to 2,000 delegates from across Australia and
New Zealand and featuring distinguished visiting lecturers from
around the world.
Parties
endorse surgeons' stand on health
issues (PDF 89 KB)
23 March 2011
The New South Wales Regional Committee of the Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons has welcomed commitments by both major
political parties to several key initiatives proposed by surgeons
in that state.
Child motorcycle
injuries on the
increase (PDF 45 KB)
16 March 2011
The average age of children injured in New Zealand motorbike and
all-terrain vehicle accidents over the past decade was 10.5 years,
with the youngest patient being just two years old. This is despite
the minimum age for obtaining a license in New Zealand being 15
years.
Deputy
Premier opens new base for WA surgeons (PDF 56
KB)
14 March 2011
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, the Hon. Dr Kim Hames,
has formally opened the new home of the Royal Australasian College
of Surgeons in Western Australia. The building, in Hampden Road,
Nedlands, will also serve as the base for the Australian
Orthopaedic Association and the Royal Australasian College of
Physicians.
Surgeons condemn Federal Government's decision to ignore pedestrian
safety (PDF 78 KB)
28 February 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has joined motoring
groups in condemning the Federal Government's decision to close
down a consultation process aimed at enhancing the safety of
Australian pedestrians.
Reviewing
treatments for age-related lines and
wrinkles (PDF 90 KB)
23 February 2011
A team of Australian surgeons and scientists has reviewed the
efficacy of dermal fillers in rapid aesthetic improvement,
concluding that injectable fillers are more effective and safer
than other facial augmentation techniques for the management of
age-related lines and wrinkles.
College of Surgeons to quiz major political parties on public
health policy (PDF 68 KB)
16 February 2011
In the lead up to the 26 March state election, New South Wales
surgeons have written to the major political parties asking key
questions relating to a number of public health issues, including
improvements to elective and emergency surgery, the training of
junior doctors, access to bariatric surgery, and the enhanced
resourcing of trauma care.
Latest health
reforms a mixed
blessing (PDF 53 KB)
11 February 2011
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has described the
Australian Government's latest package of health reforms as a mixed
blessing, welcoming some of the proposed changes but criticising
others.
View the 2010 media releases.