The effectiveness of a rapid-access flexible sigmoidoscopy clinic in a district hospital.

Historically rapid-access colorectal clinics have had high proportions of nonconforming referrals from primary care physicians, which calls into question the clinics' efficacy. We aim to determine the effectiveness of our rapid-access flexible sigmoidoscopy clinic, and the adherence to the referral guidelines for suspected bowel cancer by general practitioners. We performed a 3-month retrospective audit to evaluate (1) the proportion of patients seen within 2 weeks, (2) the appropriateness of referrals, (3) the proportion of patients with findings, and (4) the proportion of patients who had further tests.

Omental Torsion: An Unusual Cause of Right Iliac Fossa Pain and Role of Laparoscopic Management.

Omental torsion is a rare cause of acute abdomen. It usually presents with acute onset right-sided abdominal pain. Adult male between 40 and 50 years of age and obesity are the most common risk factor amongst others.

A case of fulminant portal pyemia complicating hemicolectomy for polyps: literature review and case report.

Introduction: Portal pyaemia is a rare phenomenon that can complicate a variety of pathologies and surgical procedures. It has a predilection for elderly and immunocompromised patients.

Discussion: We present a review of the related literature and report an exceptional case of fulminant portal pyaemia, with an atypical presentation in a patient with few typical risk factors, complicating an elective surgical procedure for benign disease.

Primary omental mesothelioma: a rare but important differential diagnosis in previous asbestos exposure.

Primary omental mesothelioma is a malignant tumour of the mesothelial cells of the omentum, related to asbestos exposure. It is an extremely rare condition that presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We present a review of the related literature and report on a fatal case of primary omental mesothelioma in a 70 year old man, presenting with a painful abdominal mass.

Intra-operative culture in appendicitis: traditional practice challenged.

Introduction: Traditionally, microbiological swabs are taken for culture during appendicectomy. However, the pathogens encountered are largely predictable, and sensitive to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Thus, we aimed to examine the clinical value of this practice, by determining the influence of microbiological results on postoperative outcome in patients undergoing appendicectomy.