Workload and performance outcomes of colorectal cancer resection in provincial New Zealand have been defined in this study. A high proportion of patients presenting to Southland Hospital had advanced cancer in the rectum or distal colon. The main clinical indicators of colorectal cancer surgery outcome (mortality, anastomotic leak, wound infection and local recurrence) compare favourably with accepted standards of the time. Workload is adequate to maintain such outcomes. Future colorectal surgery in non-specialized units is important and can achieve good results.

We present a case of traumatic rupture of the spleen in a man with cleidocranial dysplasia. The computed tomography imaging showed multiple low-grade lacerations of the spleen which initially led to conservative patient management. However, with clinical deterioration, the patient underwent an emergent splenectomy. Post-operative histology revealed splenic peliosis with multiple lacerations. The radiological and surgical management of post-traumatic splenic peliosis may differ from those with an otherwise normal spleen.

The authors present a rare case where radiological findings provided an important diagnostic and prognostic role in a surgical patient with abdominal sepsis. The case in interest describes an extremely rare surgical complication of intestinal Crohn’s disease (CD), namely, pylephlebitis and hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG). Key radiological findings and their clinical significance are described to further add to the limited published data available on CD with pylephlebitis and HPVG.