The Impact of Body Mass Index on Local Anaesthetic Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Background: Open mesh repair of inguinal hernia is acceptable and can be performed under local anaesthesia (LA). Individuals with high BMI (Body Mass Index) have often been excluded from LA repairs for varying reasons including safety concerns. Open repair of unilateral inguinal hernia (UIH) amongst individuals with different BMI groups was studied.

Ambulatory Pathway for the Management of Superficial Abscesses: Criteria for Safe Provision of Care.

Background Superficial abscesses are common surgical emergencies and unless complicated, are considered a low-priority emergency often leading to delayed primary treatment. Patients who are clinically stable benefit more from an ambulatory-care approach to their treatment. Aim of study This is a retrospective study to investigate the current practice of treatment of superficial abscesses at West Suffolk Hospital, United Kingdom, and evaluate the potential impact of implementing care via the ambulatory pathway to improve patients' experience, optimise the use of hospital resources and identify areas for service improvement.

Need For Whole Large Bowel Investigation in Sole Change in Bowel Habit: An Analysis of 719 Patients.

Patients referred for suspected colorectal cancer typically undergo whole large bowel investigation (WLBI) as per national guidelines. Sole change in bowel habit (CIBH) with no anemia/abdominal mass at time of referral has low oncological yield following diagnostic investigations, particularly for tumors proximal to the splenic flexure. Study aims were to evaluate cancer yield of patients referred for suspected colorectal cancer presenting with sole-symptom CIBH and to assess clinical and financial feasibility of a straight-to-test flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS).