What is the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in patients with a referral diagnosis of constipation in South Africa?

Background: Constipation is a common problem for referral to surgical and colorectal units. Its association with colorectal cancer is controversial. Some authors have found an increased incidence while others have not.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the colon, rectum and anus.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP) is a neoplastic proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells that occur outside of the bone and bone marrow. It is rare, commonly occurring in the head and neck region, followed by the gastrointestinal tract. The aetiology, risk factors, natural history and consequent treatment are not well defined.

Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and repair of diaphragmatic injuries in left-sided penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma: laparoscopy in trauma.

Background: Diaphragmatic injuries from penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma are notoriously difficult to detect with clinical and radiological evaluation. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of diaphragmatic injury from penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma, clinical and radiological features predictive of a diaphragmatic injury and the feasibility of laparoscopic repair.

Methods: This is a prospective consecutive case series conducted in a metropolitan hospital complex.

Perineal hernia repair after abdominoperineal resection: a pooled analysis.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine treatment characteristics and clinical outcome for patients with perineal hernia after abdominoperineal excision (APE).

Method: A systematic search of the literature revealed 40 individually documented patients, published between 1944 and 2010. Three additional patients treated at our centre were added.

Ileosigmoid knot complicated by gastric and splenic mucormycosis: a lethal combination.

Two very rare conditions, ileosigmoid knot and intra-abdominal mucormycosis, occurred sequentially in a middle-aged HIV positive male.At laparotomy for peritonitis, a gangrenous sigmoid volvulus with ileosigmoid knot was resected; 2 days later, colo-rectal continuity was restored, the distal ileum stapled and an end jejunostomy fashioned.At re-laparotomy on day 15, necrotic stomach and spleen required a total gastrectomy and splenectomy.