Clinical update on acute cholecystitis and biliary pancreatitis: between certainties and grey areas.

Acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) and acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) are significant complications of gallstone disease. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of current management practices for ACC and ABP. The Tokyo Guidelines (TG) and World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines recommend early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) as the treatment of choice for ACC.

Emergency robotic surgery: the experience of a single center and review of the literature.

Backgrounds: Laparoscopic surgery is widely used in abdominal emergency surgery (AES), and the possibility of extending this approach to the more recent robotic surgery (RS) arouses great interest. The slow diffusion of robotic technology mainly due to high costs and the longer RS operative time when compared to laparoscopy may represent disincentives, especially in AES. This study aims to report our experience in the use of RS in AES assessing its safety and feasibility, with particular focus on intra- and post-operative complications, conversion rate, and surgical learning curve.

Strategies to prevent blood loss and reduce transfusion in emergency general surgery, WSES-AAST consensus paper.

Emergency general surgeons often provide care to severely ill patients requiring surgical interventions and intensive support. One of the primary drivers of morbidity and mortality is perioperative bleeding. In general, when addressing life threatening haemorrhage, blood transfusion can become an essential part of overall resuscitation.

Cesena guidelines: WSES consensus statement on laparoscopic-first approach to general surgery emergencies and abdominal trauma.

Background: Laparoscopy is widely adopted across nearly all surgical subspecialties in the elective setting. Initially finding indication in minor abdominal emergencies, it has gradually become the standard approach in the majority of elective general surgery procedures. Despite many technological advances and increasing acceptance, the laparoscopic approach remains underutilized in emergency general surgery and in abdominal trauma.

Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections: The Role of Procalcitonin.

Patients with intra-abdominal sepsis suffer from significant mortality and morbidity. The main pillars of treatment for intra-abdominal infections are (1) source control and (2) early delivery of antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible.

Assessing and managing frailty in emergency laparotomy: a WSES position paper.

Many countries are facing an aging population. As people live longer, surgeons face the prospect of operating on increasingly older patients. Traditional teaching is that with older age, these patients face an increased risk of mortality and morbidity, even to a level deemed too prohibitive for surgery.

WSES consensus guidelines on sigmoid volvulus management.

Sigmoid volvulus is a common surgical emergency, especially in elderly patients. Patients can present with a wide range of clinical states: from asymptomatic, to frank peritonitis secondary to colonic perforation. These patients generally need urgent treatment, be it endoscopic decompression of the colon or an upfront colectomy.

The Asian Problem of Frequent Laser Toning for Melasma.

In recent years, laser toning or laser facial to treat melasma has become increasingly popular in Asia. It is common to see patients undergoing lasers three times a week, or even daily. This is part of a growing trend and is sometimes recommended in the user manuals from laser manufacturers.

Treatment of Freckles Using a Fractional Nonablative 2940nm Erb:YAG Laser in a Series of Asian Patients.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a novel, effective, and safe way to utilize the Erb:YAG laser to clear freckles in Type III/IV Asian skin. This was a prospective study. The setting was a Singapore-based clinic.

Laser toning for melasma: A single-centre experience with 38 970 cases.

Melasma is a common pigmentation in Asian women. Lasers have been used to lighten melasma, although with variable outcomes and complications. In Asia, laser toning is a common technique used to safely lighten melasma.

Novel technique of creating a seal for the vacuum-assisted closure system application in complex head and neck wounds.

Background: Achieving a good seal for the application of the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system in complex head and neck wounds is difficult.

Methods: A case series of 4 patients who developed postoperative orocutaneous or pharyngocutaneous fistulas were studied. A sterile green glove was used as a sealant together with the VAC system.

Tele-aesthetics in South Asia.

Background: Telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular. The best use for it is in the field of aesthetic dermatology - where conditions are not life-threatening, and treatments can be topical and very safe.

Aims: In this study, we demonstrate that a simple store-and-forward telemedicine system can be applied safely to the field of aesthetic dermatology.

Novel Low Fluence Combination Laser Treatment of Solar Lentigines in Type III Asian Skin.

Objective: To demonstrate a novel low fluence combination laser technique [Erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Erb:YAG) and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG)] to effectively treat solar lentigines in type III Asian skin in a single session.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: A Singapore-based clinic.

Novel treatment of Hori's nevus: A combination of fractional nonablative 2,940-nm Er:YAG and low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Objective: To demonstrate a combination laser therapy to treat Hori's nevus.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: A Singapore-based clinic.

Management of orocutaneous fistulas using a vacuum-assisted closure system.

Background: The vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has been used to manage complicated wounds. The purpose of this study was to describe a novel technique in using the VAC system for orocutaneous fistulas.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 10 patients treated at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore, who developed postoperative orocutaneous fistulas.