Acute management of a unilateral incarcerated Spigelian hernia in a patient with bilateral Spigelian hernias.

Spigelian hernias were first described by Joseph Klinkosch in the 18th century, and have since posed a diagnostic and surgical problem owing to their non-specific presentation and rarity. While the management of unilateral hernias is fairly well described in today's literature, bilateral Spigelian hernias are very rare. We describe the emergency management of a patient with bilateral Spigelian hernias, diagnosed on computed tomography.

A retrospective wound review of standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is there need for single-port laparoscopic surgery?

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the satisfaction or otherwise of a proportion of the U.K. population who have undergone standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy within the past 18 months. The results should indicate whether there is potential demand for a new, improved approach to surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between October 2008 and October 2009 in two geographically separated general hospitals were identified from hospital databases. Notes were reviewed to confirm the technique and lack of conversion to an open procedure. Those who had immediate complications were excluded. A telephone questionnaire was conducted to answer questions related to long-term cosmetic and general satisfaction of the current procedure. RESULTS: Of the patients surveyed, 93% were happy or extremely happy with the current procedure, 48% experienced some wound-related issues (pain, infection), and 65% of those were at the umbilicus (a possible reflection of location and retrieval site for gallbladder). Cosmesis was rated less important than hospital cleanliness and experience of the surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Overall satisfaction was high with the existing technique. The high rate of umbilical wound problems is an issue that will not be eradicated by introduction of single-port laparoscopic surgery.

Two-week target for laparoscopic cholecystectomy following gallstone pancreatitis is achievable and cost neutral.

BACKGROUND: The British Society of Gastroenterology recommends that all patients with gallstone pancreatitis should undergo cholecystectomy within 2 weeks. This study assessed whether these guidelines are feasible and cost-effective. METHODS: Admissions for gallstone pancreatitis between January 2006 and January 2008 were reviewed. Readmissions for subsequent pancreatitis or biliary pathology were noted together with additional investigations, severity scores, hospital stay and time to cholecystectomy. The costs of readmission and theoretical costs of developing a dedicated operating list were provided by independent accountants. RESULTS: During the 2 years, 153 patients were admitted. Twenty-one patients (13.7 per cent) had further attacks requiring 40 readmissions. There were no deaths. Additional hospital costs related to readmissions were 172,170 pound sterling, including bed occupancy (67,860 pound sterling), investigations (12,510 pound sterling) and 153 cholecystectomies on an existing theatre list (91,800 pound sterling). The estimated cost of staffing a half-day theatre list every fortnight, performing 153 cholecystectomies, was 170,391 pound sterling. CONCLUSION: Instigating a dedicated theatre for cholecystectomy after biliary pancreatitis has many potential benefits. The costs of readmissions and ad hoc operating are balanced by those of a dedicated theatre list in the long term. Implementation of the guidelines would save approximately 900 pound sterling annually and be cost neutral.

Complications of bariatric surgery: presentation and emergency management--a review.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity surgery is increasing rapidly in the UK as demand rises. Consequently, general surgeons on-call may be faced with the complications of such surgery and need to have an understanding about how to manage them, at least initially. Obesity surgery is mainly offered in tertiary centres but patients may present with problems to their local district hospital. This review summarises the main complications that may be encountered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A full literature search was carried out looking at articles published in the last 10 years. Keywords for search purposes included bariatric, surgery, complications, emergency and management. CONCLUSIONS: Complications of bariatric surgery have been extensively written about but never in a format that is designed to aid the on-call surgeon. The intricate details and rare complications have been excluded to concentrate on those symptoms and signs that are likely to be encountered by the emergency team.

An overview of the management of morbid obesity.

Obesity is a modern-day epidemic with serious physical, psychological and economic implications for the patients. Tackling obesity is now a priority for most healthcare providers. Managing such patients can be complex, emotional, time consuming and often frustrating. Obesity surgery, in its various forms, has revolutionised this struggle. With appropriate selection of patients, adequate resources and a multidisciplinary team involvement, obesity can now effectively be "cured". It is vital that those who deal with obese patients know how to access these services and understand the processes involved in the journey from initial assessment to postoperative follow-up. Obesity surgery has a major impact in reducing obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension and contributes to society by returning patients to work. Prevention must be at the heart of any strategy to manage obesity, but, for established cases, surgery is taking centre stage and will continue to flourish as new techniques and procedures are developed.