Acute Appendicitis Management in Patients Aged Above 40 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study With Four Years of Follow-Up.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic led many units to increase their utilization of nonoperative management (NOM) of acute appendicitis, with the literature showing its non-inferiority when compared to operative management (OM). Therefore, we compared NOM to OM against standard guidelines in order to ascertain the effectiveness of NOM. Primary outcomes were rates of admission, complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), and the incidence of colonic malignancy following NOM upon subsequent bowel evaluation using colonoscopy and/or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Urological Examination Compared to Ultrasonography in Testicular Lump Assessment: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background General practitioners (GPs) often expedite indeterminate scrotal lumps for urological evaluation. While a scrotal examination by a urologist is crucial, ultrasound (US) has become a routine component of clinical assessment regardless of the clinical examination findings and the nature of the symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of clinical examination compared to scrotal ultrasound, even when the suspicion of cancer was low.

Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the management of gallbladder disease: a literature review.

Background: Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) has gained traction globally due to its benefits, including shorter hospital stays, reduced costs, and enhanced patient experience. While concerns about patient safety, particularly related to bleeding and bile duct injury persist, the literature supports the efficacy and advantages of DCLC highlighting the need for its wider adoption in healthcare settings to optimise resources and improve patient outcomes.

Methods: This was a literature review that aims to assess the feasibility and safety of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone patients, focusing on incidence and aetiology of unexpected admissions and readmissions, as well as conversion-to-open rates.

Aspirin Compared to Other Thromboprophylactic Agents in Patients Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Literature Review.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common but major surgery performed in the United Kingdom and around the globe. THA is associated with several postoperative complications, with one of the most common being venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the form of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). VTE following orthopaedic surgery can have major consequences in terms of patient morbidity and may even cause mortality.

The Oncologic Outcomes of Bilateral Central Lymph Node Dissection in Unilobar Papillary Thyroid Cancer and Its Risks: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background Indications for performing a prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remain controversial. Thyroidectomy and central neck dissection (CND) are often recommended in all cases with proven differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and clinically positive lymph nodes (LNs), as well as in high risk for micro-metastasis patients with T3-T4 tumors or established metastatic nodes in the lateral compartments. Aims The aims of this study were to ascertain the role of performing bilateral central LN dissection in unilobar PTC in improving the oncological outcomes and outline the risks involved.

Incidence of Infection Following Local Anesthetic Transperineal Prostate Biopsy: A Single-Centre Experience.

Background Local anesthetic transperineal prostate biopsy (LATP) is a widely used diagnostic procedure for prostate cancer. As a diagnostic procedure, it should carry minimal risk. However, morbidity resulting from prostate biopsy is frequent.

Navigating the Complexities of Symptomatic Hydronephrosis in Pregnancy.

The management of symptomatic hydronephrosis presents substantial challenges due to the absence of consensus within clinical guidelines concerning pain management, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, and follow-up protocols. This literature review focuses on complexities involving diagnostic challenges that arise from the difficulty in distinguishing physiological from pathological obstruction and treatment complexities that involve deciding on the most appropriate pain management medications and safe interventions while minimizing risks to both the mother and foetus. To address these challenges, a comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, was conducted for the terms "hydronephrosis", "hydronephrosis in pregnancy", "ionising radiation in pregnancy", and "safe analgesia in pregnancy".