Robot-assisted low anterior resection for situs inversus totalis: a novel technical approach for an uncommon condition.

Introduction: Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is an uncommon condition, with an incidence of 1 in 10,000. Surgery for SIT patients is more difficult because of the uncommon anatomy. Experience in laparoscopic surgery for patients with SIT is very limited.

Edematous and painful external hemorrhoids following intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer.

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is the ultimate sphincter saving procedure for low rectal cancer. Hemorrhoids are a common benign condition. We present and discuss a case of ISR which developed painful edematous hemorrhoids after ISR.

Robot-assisted rectal surgery for malignancy: a review of current literature.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is rapidly gaining acceptance for the management of colorectal cancer. However, laparoscopic colorectal surgery is technically more challenging than conventional surgery. This challenge is more profound for laparoscopic rectal cancer, where there is a need to perform a total mesorectal excision (TME), in the confines of the pelvis, with the limitations of the laparoscopic system.

Robot-assisted intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: technique and short-term outcome for 29 consecutive patients.

Background: Intersphincteric resection (ISR) for low rectal cancer has been described as the ultimate sphincter-saving procedure. Laparoscopic ISR has been proved safe with early postoperative benefits. Recently, some colorectal surgeons have begun to perform robot-assisted ISR to harness the advantages of the da Vinci robotic system.

Emergency colorectal resections in Asian octogenarians: factors impacting surgical outcome.

Purpose: The population in developing countries is aging and the number of octogenarians is expected to increase in the future at an alarmingly fast rate. This paper evaluates the surgical outcomes of emergency colorectal resections among Asian octogenarians.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all octogenarians and older, who had an emergency colorectal resection performed between February 1996 to December 2001.

Radiation dermatitis following radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case for prophylactic embolization of a patent falciform artery.

The most common use of radioembolization is in the treatment of primary and secondary liver tumors, and the most common radioisotope used is yttrium-90. This form of therapy has been proven to be successful in achieving tumor reduction and prolonging survival. Adverse events, although uncommon and usually self-limiting, have been reported.

Young adults and riding position: factors that affect mortality among inpatient adult motorcycle casualties: a major trauma center experience.

Background: In Singapore, road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the second most common cause of deaths in trauma. Motorcycle casualties account for 54% of all fatalities. Studies have shown that the mean age of motorcycle casualties is significantly younger than that of other RTA victims.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lower oesophagus presenting with dysphagia and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus is an exceedingly rare oesophageal neoplasm. It accounts for less than 0.1% of all primary oesophageal tumours.

Necrotising colitis related to clozapine? A rare but life threatening side effect.

We report here a case of a 34-year-old gentleman who developed right-sided necrotising colitis after clozapine usage. Anticholinergic activity is believed to the cause. We believe that in patients who have been consuming medications known to have an association with necrotising colitis, constipation with concomitant increasing abdominal pain, distension and fever should be treated with a strong index of suspicion.