Laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repairs by a surgeon experienced at laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Objective: To measure standards achieved at total extra peritoneal hernia repair by a surgeon experienced in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and to compare the results with standards identified by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Methods: The outcomes of the first 100 consecutive total extra-peritoneal hernia repair cases by the surgeon were retrieved retrospectively. The surgeries were conducted between January 2006 and July 2007.

Pelvic vein embolisation in the management of varicose veins.

Pelvic vein incompetence is common in patients with atypical varicose veins, contributing to their recurrence after surgery. Therefore, refluxing pelvic veins should be identified and treated. We present our experience with pelvic vein embolisation in patients presenting with varicose veins.

Coil protruding into the common femoral vein following pelvic venous embolization.

Pelvic venous embolization is performed for pelvic congestion syndrome and prior to lower limb varicose vein surgery in females with associated pelvic venous insufficiency. The procedure is analogous to varicocele embolization in males, although refluxing internal iliac vein tributaries may also be embolized. We report a case of inadvertent coil placement in the common femoral vein while embolizing the obturator vein, during pelvic vein embolization for recurrent lower limb varicose veins.