Emergency appendicectomy during COVID-19 pandemic - A single UK centre experience.

Background - In December 2019 following an outbreak of Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, it spread rapidly overwhelming the healthcare systems globally. With little knowledge of COVID-19 virus, very few published reports on surgical outcomes; hospitals stopped elective surgery, whilst emergency surgery was offered only after exhausting all conservative treatment modalities. This study presents our experience of outcomes of emergency appendectomies performed during the pandemic.

The "GP" mechanical thrombectomy device.

We present data concerning the extraction of clots using the newly invented "GP" mechanical thrombectomy device (MTD). Artificial and porcine clots of various lengths were used in plastic tube models of an artery. We investigate the pressures and times taken for clot extraction together with the volumes of fluid extracted.