Our findings suggest that the relative fatness of children with morbid obesity, as measured by BMI z-score, has remained stable. The proportion of obese and morbidly obese children has also plateaued between 2007 and 2014. However, the prevalence of obesity remains high, and more dedicated resources are required to treat children with obesity to reduce the short- and long-term health impact.

Objective: Evidence-based management for patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the ED has a critical impact on longterm outcomes. Acute hypotension post-injury may compromise spinal cord perfusion and extend neurological damage. Published guidelines recommend mean arterial blood pressure (BP) maintenance between 85 and 90 mmHg for 7 days postinjury; the extent to which this is followed in Australia is unknown. Methods: Prospective observational study of patients ≥16 years with TSCI, treated at 48 hospitals across two Australian states. Mean arterial BPs were recorded in the Ambulance, and ED arrival and discharge. Patients' medical records documented treatment provided (intravenous fluids, vasopressors or both) for BP augmentation. Hypotension was defined as mean arterial BP <85 mmHg, per the American Association of Neurological Surgeons guidelines. Results: The 208 patients with TSCI in the present study were more likely to receive BP augmentation if they experienced direct transport to a Spinal Cord Service hospital (OR 5.57, 95% CI 2.32-10.11), had a cervical level injury (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.01-5.5) or were hypotensive on ED arrival (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.34-4.39). Of the 112 patients who were hypotensive, 71 (63.4%) received treatment for this; however, the majority (76%) remained hypotensive on discharge. Conclusion: Hypotensive patients' post-TSCI experienced heterogeneous ED care discordant with published guidelines; varying by hospital type. Specialist care and more severe injury increased likelihood of guideline adherence. Lack of adherence may influence patient outcomes. Level 1 evidence is needed along with consistent guideline implementation and clinician training to likely improve TSCI management and outcomes.

Purpose There has been a shift towards elective resection for recurrent or complicated diverticular disease to prevent recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. Our study aims to compare the outcomes in elective robotic and laparoscopic anterior resection for diverticular disease by a single surgeon experienced in both techniques. Method This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent elective anterior resections at the Nepean Public Hospital, Nepean Private Hospital, and Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAN) in the last 10 years. The single surgeon is an experienced surgeon who has performed laparoscopic anterior resections from January 2013 to December 2018; and mainly robotic anterior resections from January 2018 to July 2022. The primary outcome of this study was to determine if there were any differences in length of stay and post-operative complications in laparoscopic and robotic anterior resections. Secondary outcomes included operating time, rate of conversion to open surgery, and 30-day mortality and morbidity. Results 53 patients included in this study. There was no significant difference in conversion to open rates (p=0.528), mean operative time (p=0.095), stoma formation rates (p=0.528) and post-operative complication rates (0.609). Length of stay was significantly shorter in the robotic group (p=0.024), and a higher proportion of patients who had laparoscopic surgery stayed for ≥6 days (p=0.08). There were no anastomotic leakages, or 30-day mortality and morbidity. Conclusion Robotic anterior resection is a feasible approach in experienced hands and produces comparable results to laparoscopic anterior resection for diverticular disease in terms of length of stay, post-operative complications and operative timings.

Background: There has been a shift towards elective resection for recurrent or complicated diverticular disease to prevent recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. Our study aims to compare the outcomes in elective robotic and laparoscopic anterior resection for diverticular disease by a single surgeon experienced in both techniques. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent elective anterior resections at Nepean Public Hospital, Nepean Private Hospital, and Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAN) in the last 10 years. The single surgeon is an experienced surgeon who has performed laparoscopic anterior resections from January 2013 to December 2018; and mainly robotic anterior resections from January 2018 to July 2022. The primary outcome of this study was to determine if there were any differences in length of stay and post-operative complications in laparoscopic and robotic anterior resections. Secondary outcome measures included operating time, rate of conversion to open surgery, and 30-day mortality and morbidity. Results: There were 53 patients included in this study. There was no significant difference in conversion to open rates (p=0.528), mean operative time (p=0.095), stoma formation rates (p=0.528) and post-operative complication rates (0.609). Length of stay was significantly shorter in the robotic group (p=0.024), and a higher proportion of patients who had laparoscopic surgery stayed for ≥6 days (p=0.08). There were no anastomotic leakages, or 30-day mortality and morbidity. Conclusions: Robotic anterior resection is a feasible approach in experienced hands and produces comparable results to laparoscopic anterior resection for diverticular disease in terms of length of stay, post-operative complications, and operative timings.

BackgroundIn the most severe stage of endometriosis, Stage IV, intestinal involvement is common. The true prevalence of endometriotic disease of the appendix in this population is not well described. A macroscopically normal looking appendix may harbour endometriosis.AimsOur study aims to assess the role of routinely performing appendicectomy in Stage IV endometriosis surgery, and the histopathological prevalence of true appendiceal endometriosis in this population.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of women undergoing surgery for Stage IV endometriosis between 2018 to 2022 in a tertiary public hospital in New South Wales, Australia. Patient demographics, age and post‐operative complications were retrospectively retrieved from hospital medical records.Inclusion criteria were women with Stage IV endometriosis who underwent routine appendicectomy as part of their endometriosis surgery. Exclusion criteria were women who did not have Stage IV endometriosis, those who had cancer surgery or emergency surgery for endometriosis. The primary outcome of this study was to determine the incidence of appendiceal endometriosis. Secondary outcomes included post‐operative complications and length of stay.ResultsSixty‐seven patients were included. The mean age was 36 years. All patients also underwent bowel resection for colorectal endometriosis. There were 35.8% who had confirmed appendiceal endometriosis on histopathology. Post‐operative complications included port site infections, colitis, urinary tract infection and ureteric injury. There were no complications related to appendicectomy. Mean length of stay was 4.4 days.ConclusionLaparoscopic appendicectomy can be safely performed at time of laparoscopic surgical excision of Stage IV endometriosis and should be routinely considered in a subset of Stage IV endometriosis patients with colorectal involvement undergoing surgery.