Bilirubin is a specific marker for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Total serum bilirubin and other biochemical parameters have been associated with acute appendicitis, mainly in complicated cases. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of biochemical parameters in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and to further investigate the role of bilirubin as a diagnostic marker irrespective of the severity of the pathology. All recorded cases of appendicectomies in a 1-year period in a single institution were reviewed.

Laparostomy and temporary abdominal closure outcomes in emergency non-trauma surgery and parameters affecting early definite primary fascial closure.

Background: The open abdomen or laparostomy is a great advance of surgery based on the concept of damage control surgery. Aim of the study is to review the laparostomy outcomes of non-trauma emergency surgery patients in a district general hospital and identify parameters affecting early definite primary fascial closure.

Methods: The records of all non-trauma emergency surgical patients who underwent laparostomy in a three-year period in a single institute were studied retrospectively.

Single Port Laparoscopic Total and Subtotal Colectomies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a District General Hospital.

Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is expanding, enhancing the advantages of multi-port laparoscopic surgery (MLS). Limited literature exists regarding SILS total/subtotal colectomies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim of the study was to present the initial experience with this type of approach in a district general hospital and extrapolate its feasibility and safety in this specific context based on gold standard outcomes reported in literature.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in oesophageal cancer with positive circumferential resection margins-recurrence and survival outcomes.

Background: The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with microscopically positive circumferential resection margins (CRM), R1 specimen, in oesophageal resections for cancer with curative intent remains unclear. However, R1 specimens are associated with poorer survival outcomes. The aim was to assess the benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy on recurrence and survival in these patients.

Postoperative outcomes in laparoscopic appendicectomies with histopathologically normal appendix.

Aim: Although still debatable, appendicectomy during laparoscopy in patients with abdominal pain is often performed even if the appendix seems normal. The study's aim is to compare the postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic appendicectomies with appendix proven to be histologically normal to those with proven appendicitis, adding evidence on whether a normal appendix should be removed.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy in a one-year period in a single centre were retrospectively studied.

Is ultrasound a reliable diagnostic tool for acute appendicitis? A single centre experience.

Aim: Aim of the present study is to evaluate the utility of US as a diagnostic method for acute appendicitis (AA) in a district general hospital, by use of accurate quality indices.

Material And Methods: The records of all patients who underwent an appendicectomy in a one year period in a single centre were reviewed. The patients who underwent a preoperative US scan were included in the study in accordance to specific criteria and the results were statistically compared to the final surgical histology.

Preoperative ultrasound guided percutaneous axillary biopsy in breast cancer patients: fine needle aspiration cytology versus core biopsy.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy in detecting axillary node metastases between preoperative ultrasound with percutaneous core biopsy or fine needle aspiration cytology, in patients with breast cancer.

Material And Methods: All cases with newly diagnosed ipsilateral primary breast cancer that underwent axillary ultrasound guided biopsies in a 2 year period were reviewed and the biopsy outcome was compared to the final histopathology from sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary node dissection. Comparison was also attempted in a subgroup including only patients who underwent one method and in a second subgroup of patients who had both techniques performed.

Managing Small Ureteral Stones: A Retrospective Study on Follow-Up, Clinical Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Conservative Management vs. Early Surgery.

Introduction: The management of ureteral calculi has evolved over the past decades with the advent of new surgical and medical treatments. The current guidelines support conservative management as a possible approach for ureteral stones sized = 10 mm.

Objectives: We purport to follow the natural history of ureteral stones managed conservatively in this retrospective study, and attempt to ascribe an estimated health-care and cost-effectiveness, from presentation to time of being stone-free.