Totally-laparoscopic versus laparoscopic-assisted low anterior resection for rectal cancer: are outcomes different?

Background: Laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer has superior short-term benefits compared to open surgery. When operative conditions do not favour a totally-laparoscopic (TL) approach, a hybrid operation can be performed. In this laparoscopic-assisted (LA) approach, mobilization and vessel ligation are performed laparoscopically, with total mesorectal excision and distal transection performed either partially or totally in an extra-corporeal fashion.

Transanal minimally invasive full-thickness anterior middle rectum polyp resection - video vignette.

Rectal preservation is gaining popularity in the surgical treatment of degenerated rectal polyps or early rectal cancer (1,2). Tis/T1 rectal lesions can be safely treated without chemoradiation (3). Treatment by transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) offers more advantages than endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) (4).

An unusual cause of haemorrhagic shock from a subcutaneous haematoma: a Morel-Lavallée lesion.

20-year-old man presented to our emergency department after he was hit by a forklift. He developed haemorrhagic shock from a subcutaneous haematoma in his left thigh and required monitoring in the surgical intensive care unit. He stabilised with aggressive fluid resuscitation with crystalloids and blood transfusion.