Endoscopy of the Colon or Upper Gastrointestinal Tract – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on colonoscopy, gastroscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

 Colonoscopy is described for patients needing a diagnosis of symptoms that may be attributed to disorders such as colitis, Crohn’s disease, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and colorectal cancer (bowel cancer).

 Gastroscopy is described for patients needing a diagnosis of symptoms that may be attributed to disorders such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, stomach polyps, gastritis, hiatal hernia and cancer of the stomach or oesophagus.

 ERCP is described for patients needing a diagnosis of symptoms that may be attributed to disorders such as chronic pancreatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, cancer of the pancreas, ampulla or bile duct, and pancreas divisum.

 This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the benefits, risks and limitations of each procedure are discussed in detail. The possible complications of colonoscopy, gastroscopy and ERCP are listed to assist the informed-consent process.

 Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Colonoscopy, gastroscopy and ERCP are described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Haemorrhoids and Their Management – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on the surgical treatment of haemorrhoids. The topics discussed include:
-   Internal haemorrhoids and external haemorrhoids
-   Signs, symptoms and diagnosis
-   Causes of haemorrhoids (such as pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, and constipation)

Non-surgical treatment options are discussed for patients that may have small haemorrhoids, which can be treated without surgery. Such options include salt baths, ice packs and haemorrhoidal creams.

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering undergoing surgical treatment as the benefits, risks and limitations of surgery are discussed in detail. The surgical methods described are:
-   Injection sclerotherapy
-   Rubber band ligation
-   Surgical excision (haemorrhoidectomy)
-   Stapled haemorrhoidectomy
-   THD (transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation)

The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. The management of haemorrhoids is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Surgical Treatment of Pilonidal Disease – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on surgery to treat pilonidal disease. The three forms of pilonidal disease discussed are: pilonidal sinus, acute pilonidal abscess and pilonidal cyst.

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the surgical treatment options are discussed in detail. The surgical techniques described are:

• Incision and drainage
• Excision surgery
• Excision and repair with reconstructive flap techniques. The flap techniques described are: the Karydakis flap, the Bascom cleft lift flap and the Limburg flap.

EPSit (endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment) is also discussed as a newer surgical option that has been developed in recent years. The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. The surgical treatment of pilonidal disease is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.