One-year outcomes following operative or non-operative management of adhesional small bowel obstruction.

Background: A trial of initial non-operative management is recommended in stable patients with adhesional small bowel obstruction. However, recent retrospective studies have suggested that early operative management may be of benefit in reducing subsequent recurrences. This study aimed to compare recurrence rates and survival in patients with adhesional small bowel obstruction treated operatively or non-operatively.

Inter-hospital variation in management of patients with small bowel obstruction in Denmark.

Introduction: Inter-hospital variation in the management of small bowel obstruction (SBO) has been described in other countries, but the extent to which similar variations exist in Denmark remains unknown. This study aimed to compare the management of SBO between hospitals in Denmark and identify potential areas for improvement METHODS. This was a multicentre prospective study performed at six emergency hospitals.

[Christmas article: Unexpected complication during COVID-19 swabbing].

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic a vast number of oropharyngeal swabs have been sampled. A patient was referred to a surgical department after accidentially ingesting part of a testing swab. Since the swab posed a perforation risk, an urgent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was performed.

[Traumatic bicycle handlebar hernia in a child].

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia in children caused by a bicycle handlebar is a rare injury. This is a case report of a 15-year-old boy with a traumatic hernia in the right groin, where a physical examination revealed a small bulge in the right inguinal region, and an ultrasonography confirmed the diagnosis. The condition was initially treated conservatively.

Traumatic bicycle handlebar hernia in children: a systematic review.

This is a systematic review of existing literature on the diagnostic modalities and treatment of traumatic abdominal wall hernia caused by bicycle handlebar injury in children. 
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted covering incidents involving children below 17 years of age. Data were extracted regarding gender, age, diagnostic modality, timing of surgery, location of hernia, associated injuries, management and recurrence of hernia.

Convalescence after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a qualitative systematic review.

Background: Duration of convalescence after inguinal hernia repair is of major socio-economic interest and an often reported outcome measure. The primary aim was to perform a critical analysis of duration of convalescence from work and activity and secondary to identify risk factors for unexpected prolonged convalescence after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: A qualitative systematic review was conducted.

Pain during sexual activity before and after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Sexual life may be impaired by pain during sexual activity in patients with inguinal hernia. On the other hand, inguinal hernia repair has also been reported to cause sexual dysfunction in terms of pain during sexual activity and ejaculation. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of pain during sexual activity before and after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, and the secondary, to describe pain location, frequency of pain during sexual activity, and to which degree sexual life was affected by the pain.

Early clinical outcomes following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TAPP) has gained increasing popularity because of less post-operative pain and a shorter duration of convalescence compared with open hernia repair technique (Lichtenstein). However, investigation of duration of convalescence with non-restrictive recommendations, and a procedure-specific characterization of the early clinical outcomes after TAPP was lacking. Furthermore, optimization of the post-operative period with fibrin sealant versus tacks for fixation of mesh, and the glucocorticoid dexamethasone versus placebo needed to be investigated in randomized clinical trials.

Randomized clinical trial of fibrin glue versus tacked fixation in laparoscopic groin hernia repair.

Background: Preliminary studies have indicated clinical advantages of mesh fixation using fibrin glue in transabdominal preperitoneal groin hernia repair (TAPP) compared with tack fixation. The aim of this randomized double-blinded, controlled, clinical trial is to compare fibrin glue with tacks fixation of mesh during TAPP.

Methods: One hundred and twelve men with unilateral inguinal hernia were enrolled.

Determinants of a short convalescence after laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Evidence-based recommendations for the expected duration of convalescence after laparoscopic groin hernia repair are not available, and objective reasons for prolonged convalescence are not clear. Our main aim was to establish the expected duration of convalescence using preoperative recommendations to the patient and to identify the limiting factors for early (postoperative) resumption of normal activities after laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal herniorraphy (TAPP).

Methods: This was a single-center prospective study.

Pain characteristics after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Previous studies have shown different pain characteristics in different types of laparoscopic operations, but pain pattern has not been studied in detail after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. To optimise preoperative patient information and postoperative analgesic treatment the present study investigated postoperative pain in terms of time course, pain intensity and individual pain components during the first 4 days after transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP).

Methods: The study was a single-centre prospective trial including 50 consecutive male patients with primary or recurrent inguinal and/or femoral hernia undergoing elective repair.