Epigastric port retrieval of the gallbladder following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with the reduced risk of port site infection and port site incisional hernia: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aims: The objective of this article is to compare the surgical outcomes for epigastric port or umbilical port retrieval of the gallbladder (GB) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: The data retrieved from the published randomized, controlled trials (RCT) comparing the surgical outcomes for epigastric port or umbilical port retrieval of the GB following LC was analysed using the principles of meta-analysis. The summated outcome of continuous variables was expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) and dichotomous data was presented in odds ratio (OR).

South Coast appendicular mass management (SCAM) survey.

Background: Management of appendicular mass and interval appendicectomy remains a controversial issue. Recent publication of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) reported the incidence of around 20% neoplastic lesions in the age group of more than forty years among the interval appendicectomy group against magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance only which led to trial termination. The objective of this study is to evaluate the current practice of the management of appendicular mass in five major hospitals of South Coast of the England.

Robotic total meso-rectal excision for rectal cancer: A systematic review following the publication of the ROLARR trial.

Aim: To compare outcomes in patients undergoing rectal resection by robotic total meso-rectal excision (RTME) laparoscopic total meso-rectal excision (LTME).

Methods: Standard medical electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus were searched to find relevant articles. The data retrieved from all types of included published comparative trials in patients undergoing RTME LTME was analysed using the principles of meta-analysis.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials only exploring the role of single incision laparoscopic surgery versus conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery for colorectal resections.

Background: The objective of this article is to evaluate the surgical outcomes in patients undergoing single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) versus conventional multi-incision laparoscopic surgery (MILS) for colorectal resections.

Methods: The data retrieved from the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the surgical outcomes in patients undergoing SILS versus MILS for colorectal resections was analysed using the principles of meta-analysis. The combined outcome of dichotomous data was represented as risk ratio (RR) and continuous data was shown as standardized mean difference (SMD).

Pilot study on an innovative biosensor with a range of medical and surgical applications.

Objectives: The objective of this article is to briefly outline the utilization of biosensors in medicine and surgery and present diagnostic efficacy of thermal product (TP) based biosensor.

Results: The working principle of biosensor is based on measuring TP of a material in contact with the sensor. When an electrical square wave pulse of certain amplitude and duration is passed through TP based biosensor, the generated heat from its higher resistance will be dissipated and recorded by the sensor.

Early vs delayed closure of loop defunctioning ileostomy in patients undergoing distal colorectal resections: an integrated systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials.

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes and feasibility of early loop defunctioning ileostomy closure, within 2 weeks of index surgery, in patients undergoing distal colorectal resection.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature on published randomized controlled trials reporting the feasibility and outcomes on early vs delayed closure of loop defunctioning ileostomy in patients undergoing distal colorectal resection using the principles of meta-analysis on RevMan 5.4 statistical software was undertaken.

A critical appraisal of the cost effectiveness of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for oncological and non-oncological resections.

The aim of this study was to critically appraise the cost effectiveness of the laparoscopic colorectal (LCRS) surgery using published randomised, control trials (RCTs). Published RCTs comparing the cost effectiveness of LCRS with conventional open surgery were selected from the search of standard electronic databases and the extracted data were analysed using the statistical software RevMan 5.3.

A systematic review of clinical effectiveness of wound edge protector devices in reducing surgical site infections in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

This article highlights the clinical effectiveness of wound edge protector devices (WEPD) in preventing the post-operative surgical site infections (SSI) in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Using the principles of meta-analysis and systematic review as recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration, the data from selected randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were analysed to generate summated outcome and presented in the form of odds ratio (OR). Eighteen RCTs on 3808 reported the effectiveness of WEPD in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

A systematic review comparing laparoscopic vs open adhesiolysis in patients with adhesional small bowel obstruction.

Background And Objective: To evaluate whether surgical outcomes differ between laparoscopic vs open approach for adhesiolysis in patients presenting with adhesional small bowel obstruction (ASBO).

Data Source: A systematic review of literature on published studies reporting the surgical outcomes after laparoscopic vs open adhesiolysis for ASBO was undertaken using the principles of meta-analysis.

Results: Fourteen comparative studies on 38,057 patients, evaluating the surgical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic vs open adhesiolysis for ASBO were analyzed.

Local anaesthetic infiltration for the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this article is to systematically analyse the randomized, controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of local anaesthetic infiltration prior to the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids. Published randomized, controlled trials comparing the use of local anaesthetic (LA) versus no-local anaesthetic (NLA) for the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids were analysed using RevMan®, and the combined outcomes were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD). Four randomized, controlled trials evaluating 387 patients were retrieved from the standard electronic databases.

Systematic review of absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures used for the closure of surgical incisions.

Aim: To report a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of absorbable suture (AS) against non-AS (NAS) used for the closure of surgical incisions.

Methods: RCTs investigating the use of AS vs NAS for the closure of surgical incisions were statistically analysed based upon the principles of meta-analysis and the summated outcomes were represented as OR.

Results: The systematic search of medical literature yielded 10 RCTs on 1354 patients.

Carbon dioxide insufflation vs conventional air insufflation for colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials.

Aim: Conventional air insufflation (AI) may cause prolonged abdominal bloating, excessive abdominal pain and discomfort during colonoscopy. Carbon dioxide may be an acceptable alternative to avoid these complications. The object of this study was to evaluate systematically the effectiveness of carbon dioxide insufflation (CI) for colonoscopy compared with AI.

Small bowel malignant melanoma presenting as a perforated jejunal diverticulum: a case report and literature review.

Although usually harmless and asymptomatic, jejuno-ileal diverticulae are associated with various non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, and rarely cause surgical emergencies. This case report describes the presentation and management of a patient with an acute abdomen, whose jejunal diverticulum was perforated. Unexpectedly, histopathological assessment demonstrated malignant melanoma lining the diverticulum.

Specimen retrieval approaches in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections: a literature-based review of published studies.

Objective: To review the published studies reporting various specimen retrieval incisions being used by colorectal surgeons in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections (LCR).

Methods: Standard medical electronic databases were searched to find relevant articles and a summary conclusion was generated.

Results: There were 43 studies reporting various approaches used for the purpose of specimen retrieval in 2388 patients undergoing LCR.

Open transinguinal preperitoneal mesh repair of inguinal hernia: a targeted systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The objective of this article is to systematically analyse the randomized, controlled trials comparing transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) and Lichtenstein repair (LR) for inguinal hernia.

Methods: Randomized, controlled trials comparing TIPP vs LR were analysed systematically using RevMan® and combined outcomes were expressed as risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference.

Results: Twelve randomized trials evaluating 1437 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases.

Use of antibacterial sutures for skin closure in controlling surgical site infections: a systematic review of published randomized, controlled trials.

Objective: The objective of this article is to systematically analyse the randomized, controlled trials that compare the use of antibacterial sutures (ABS) for skin closure in controlling surgical site infections.

Methods: Randomized, controlled trials on surgical patients comparing the use of ABS for skin closure in controlling the surgical site infections were analysed systematically using RevMan® and combined outcomes were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and standardized mean differences (SMD).

Results: Seven randomized, controlled trials evaluating 1631 patients were retrieved from electronic databases.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of published trials comparing the effectiveness of transanal endoscopic microsurgery and radical resection in the management of early rectal cancer.

Aim: A systematic analysis was conducted of trials comparing the effectiveness of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) with radical resection (RR) for T1 and T2 rectal cancer.

Method: An electronic search was carried out of trials reporting the effectiveness of TEMS and RR in the treatment of T1 and T2 rectal cancers.

Results: Ten trials including 942 patients were retrieved.

Retraction techniques in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a literature-based review.

Aim: To systematically review the published literature and describe the various techniques of bowel and mesentery retraction available for use in laparoscopic colorectal resection.

Method: A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken using MESH terms 'retraction', 'laparoscopic' and 'colorectal'. All articles describing methods of retraction in laparoscopic colorectal surgery were included.

Diagnostic laparoscopy through deep inguinal ring: a literature-based review on the forgotten approach to visualize the abdominal cavity during emergency and elective groin hernia repair.

Objective: To systematically review the published literature on the role of diagnostic laparoscopy through deep inguinal ring (DL-DR) during groin hernia repair.

Methods: Standard electronic databases were searched reporting article in any language on the role of DL-DR during groin hernia repair regardless of the age and sex of patients.

Results: Thirty-one articles on 5745 patients undergoing DL-DR during groin hernia repair were retrieved from the electronic databases.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of published, randomized, controlled trials comparing suture anastomosis to stapled anastomosis for ileostomy closure.

The objective of this article is to systematically analyze the randomized, controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of suture anastomosis (SUA) versus stapled anastomosis (STA) in patients undergoing ileostomy closure. Randomized, controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of SUA versus STA in patients undergoing ileostomy closure were analyzed using RevMan(®), and combined outcomes were expressed as odds risk ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD). Four randomized, controlled trials that recruited 645 patients were retrieved from electronic databases.

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of lightweight mesh against heavyweight mesh in influencing the incidence of chronic groin pain following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Background: A systematic analysis was conducted of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing lightweight mesh (LWM) with heavyweight mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: Data extracted from the included RCTs were analyzed according to the principles of meta-analysis.

Results: Eleven RCTs encompassing 2,189 patients were analyzed.

A meta-analysis examining the use of tacker mesh fixation versus glue mesh fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Background: The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the randomized trials comparing tacker mesh fixation with glue mesh fixation (GMF) in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR).

Methods: Standard electronic database were searched to retrieve relevant randomized trials comparing tacker mesh fixation with GMF in LIHR, which were analyzed systematically using RevMan.

Results: Five randomized controlled trials encompassing 1,001 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases.

Intra-abdominal collections following laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy: an experience of 516 consecutive cases at a district general hospital.

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of intra-abdominal collections (IACs) in all patients undergoing laparoscopic (LA) and open appendicectomy (OA) from April 2009 to October 2011 in a district general hospital with expertise in minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing appendicectomy in the specified time period was carried out. IACs were identified from various in-hospital data resources.

Suture mesh fixation versus glue mesh fixation in open inguinal hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically analyse the trials comparing suture mesh fixation (SMF) versus glue mesh fixation (GMF) in open inguinal hernia repair (OIHR).

Methods: Trials comparing the SMF versus GMF in OIHR were analysed systematically using RevMan(®), and combined outcomes were expressed as risk ratio (RR) and standardised mean difference (SMD).

Results: Seven randomised controlled trials encompassing 1259 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases.