Preservation of the rectum is possible in early rectal cancer with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, delay and local excision-a 12-year single-centre experience of the evolution of early rectal cancer treatment.

Aim: Treatment of early rectal cancer (ERC) is undergoing a revolution towards rectum preservation. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy alongside local excision (LE) means that organ preservation is a real possibility for most patients and a viable alternative for frailer patients. This study presents our 12-year experience as a specialist regional ERC unit, evolving towards organ preservation.

Laparoscopic repair of a migrated adjustable gastric band connecting tube with colonic erosion.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands are a popular and effective surgical option to treat morbid obesity. The overall complication rate is 10-20% and the most common complication is of 'slippage'. Although other complications such as gastric band migration and erosion have been reported, the phenomenon of a migrated gastric band connecting tube eroding into the colon (after port removal) is seldom reported in the literature.

In-house colorectal laparoscopic preceptorship: a model for changing a unit's practice safely and efficiently.

Purpose: There has been steady increase in demand for laparoscopic colonic resection as benefits are manifold compared to open and include smaller incisions, less pain, quicker recovery and convalescence, reduced morbidity and reduced analgesic demands. We devised a preceptorship programme with the aim of all four coloproctologists in our unit becoming proficient colorectal laparoscopic surgeons over a period of 12 months.

Method: The surgeon in the unit with significant experience of laparoscopic colorectal surgery acted as a preceptor to the remaining three.