http://www.anzjsurg.com Opinions feed http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1336309/Professors_John_Hall_and_John_Harris_talk_about_the_future_of_ANZ_J_Surg.html In this podcast, current Editor in Chief Prof. John Hall talks to incoming Editor in Chief Prof. John Harris about his plans for the Journal in 2012 and beyond. Click here to listen. 2011-09-05T05:42:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327223/Discussion_Regarding_carotid_endarterectomy_in_asymptomaticpatients.html Re: Mohan IV, Thomas SD. Do patients with asymptomatic carotid stenoses still benefit from surgical intervention? (ANZ J. Surg. 2011; 81: 211-213) I write in reference to Mohan and Thomas’s article “Do patients with asymptomatic carotid disease still benefit from surgical intervention?”. The word “still” in the title implies that patients once did benefit. They argue that medical treatment has improved and the modest benefit from surgery may no longer hold. The article... 2011-08-29T03:02:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327221/Discussion_Epistaxis_as_a_challenge_faced_by_otolaryngologist.html Re: Ha JF, Hodge JC, Lewis R. Comparison of nasendoscopic‐assisted cautery versus packing for the treatment of epistaxis. (ANZ J. Surg. 2011; 81: 336-339) We read with great interest the article of Ha et al. published recently in ANZ Journal of Surgery1 and would like to make comments on this study. First, the authors report successful nasal examination with a rigid nasal endoscope and identification of the initial bleeding site in 100% of cases, even after nasal packing removal. In this study 97% of... 2011-08-29T02:46:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327213/Discussion_Unusual_metastasis_from_a_rectal_adenocarcinoma_penile_metastasis.html Re: Lee JI, Kang WK, Kim HJ, Kim SH, Oh, ST. Unusual metastasis from a rectal adenocarcinoma: penile metastasis. (ANZ J. Surg. 2011; 81: 102) I read this article with great interest. It is really an unusual and interesting case. Metastatic lesion to the penis is uncommon with approximately 372 cases reported in the literature till 20061. I would like to add few interesting points. The most frequent sign is priapism. Priapism is due to metastatic involvement of corpora cavernosa. Penile metastasis... 2011-08-29T02:27:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327209/Author_response_The_ASU__Surgeons_become_more_accountable.html Re: Wysocki AP. The ASU – Are surgeons now unaccountable? (ANZ J. Surg. 2010; 80: 944) The surgeons at Nepean Hospital appreciate the concerns expressed by Dr Wysocki (ANZ J Surg, 2010, 944). There is no need to “ensure compliance”. Compliance occurs because of appropriate and correct professional behaviour. The ASU functions the same way every day of the year. Limited space does not permit me to correct misconceptions and address other minor concerns. Dr Wysocki’s chief concern... 2011-08-29T02:08:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327207/Discussion_Post_laryngectomy_speech_and_voice_rehabilitation_past_present_and_fu.html Re: Kazi R, Sayed SI, Dwivedi RC. Post laryngectomy speech and voice rehabilitation: past, present and future. (ANZ J. Surg. 2010; 80: 770–1) The article by Kazi et al.1 states that surgical voice restoration using voice prostheses has made this modality the ‘gold standard’ in post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. The prosthesis converts the phonatory source of speech from the vocal cords to the pharyngo-oesophageal (PE) segment. The ability of the PE segment to freely... 2011-04-11T01:59:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327205/Author_response_Results_of_LBDEx_via_choledochotomy.html Re: Discussion: Laparoscopic bile duct exploration I would like to thank Dr Ahmed for his complimentary letter and I am also very grateful to you for allowing me the ‘right of reply’. A failure rate of 25% for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) would indeed be high but that figure refers to the number of patients in the series who had had ERCP before coming to laparoscopic bile duct exploration (LBDEx). This group is usually reported to have a higher ... 2011-03-25T01:36:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1327203/Discussion_What_makes_a_competent_surgeon_Critical_comments_on_a_critical_analys.html Re: Hamdorf JM. Critical evaluation. What makes a competent surgeon? (ANZ J. Surg. 2010; 80: 656) We read with interest the paper by Hamdorf1 commenting on our study of UK surgeons' perceptions of the CanMEDS-specified competencies.2 We found two distinct ‘families’ of competencies: the first relates to clinical practice (roles of Collaborator, Professional, Manager, Health advocate, Communicator). The second reflects academic expertise (roles of Scholar, Medical expert). Hamdorf finds... 2011-03-07T01:20:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1066647/Discussion_Laparoscopic_bile_duct_exploration.html Re: Kelly, MD. Results of laparoscopic bile duct exploration via choledochotomy (ANZ J. Surg. 2010; 80: 694–8) I wish to congratulate Michael Kelly for an excellent article on the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, I wish to draw the author to some comments. First, what is the author's practice on patients who are not unwell but jaundiced (due to CBD stones)? A preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not without risks; and at our institution, we... 2011-02-15T05:38:00Z http://www.anzjsurg.com/details/feature/1066547/Discussion_Oesophageal_bolus_impaction.html Oesophageal bolus impaction: role of glucagon, glyceryl trinitrate and carbonated drink Glucagon, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and carbonated drinks are all considered measures, which can be implemented in the emergency department to relieve oesophageal food bolus impaction negating the need for urgent endoscopy. Glucagon and GTN are smooth muscle relaxants. Carbonated drinks increase intra-oesophageal pressure by releasing carbon dioxide and thereby forcing the food bolus into the stomach. The outcome of 45... 2011-02-07T04:11:00Z