Characterisation of human posterior rectus sheath reveals mechanical and structural anisotropy.

Background: Our work aims to investigate the mechanical properties of the human posterior rectus sheath in terms of its ultimate tensile stress, stiffness, thickness and anisotropy. It also aims to assess the collagen fibre organisation of the posterior rectus sheath using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy.

Methods: For mechanical analysis, twenty-five fresh-frozen samples of posterior rectus sheath were taken from six different cadaveric donors.

The Isolation, Culture, and Cryopreservation of Human Rectus Sheath Fibroblasts.

The vast majority of pelvic and intra-abdominal surgery is undertaken through at least one incision, through either the linea alba or the rectus sheath. These connective tissue layers are formed from the aponeuroses of the rectus muscles (anterior and posterior rectus sheath) and are vital for the structural integrity of the abdominal wall. Poor healing of these connective tissues after surgery can lead to significant morbidity for patients, who can develop unsightly and painful incisional hernias.

A case of perforated Meckel's diverticulitis tethered to the umbilicus associated with a urachal remnant.

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) occurs in 2% of the population and is often asymptomatic. It is an embryological remnant of the oomphalomesenteric duct and can be associated with another embryonic structure-the urachus. A 23-year-old male presented with generalized abdominal pain and fever on a background of chronic abdominal pain and recurrent urinary infections.

A Systematic Review Examining the Experimental Methodology Behind In Vivo Testing of Hiatus Hernia and Diaphragmatic Hernia Mesh.

Introduction: Mesh implants are regularly used to help repair both hiatus hernias (HH) and diaphragmatic hernias (DH). In vivo studies are used to test not only mesh safety, but increasingly comparative efficacy. Our work examines the field of in vivo mesh testing for HH and DH models to establish current practices and standards.

The Use of Botulinum Toxin in Complex Hernia Surgery: Achieving a Sense of Closure.

Abdominal wall surgeons have developed a host of tools to help facilitate fascial closure. Botulinum toxin A is one of the most recently identified treatments and has grown in popularity over recent years; showing great promise in a number of case series and cohort studies. The toxin paralyses lateral abdominal wall muscles in order to increase laxity of the tissues-facilitating medialisation of the rectus muscles.

Surgical Site Infection: The Scourge of Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a well-recognized and potentially catastrophic complication of abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). The authors present a review of the literature surrounding SSI in AWR, exploring prevention and treatment strategies as well as risk factors. A comprehensive review of the current literature was undertaken.

A very persistent chicken bone: two separate perforations from the same foreign object 2 months apart.

A 56-year-old man presented acutely with abdominal pain and raised inflammatory markers. Initial CT images demonstrated acute inflammation in the right upper quadrant surrounding a high-density linear structure. The appearance was of a chicken bone causing a contained small bowel perforation.

A mesh masquerading as malignancy: a cancer misdiagnosed.

After a positive faecal occult blood test, a 60-year-old woman underwent a screening colonoscopy which identified a malignant-looking ulcer in the ascending colon. Biopsies from the lesion were inconclusive. A subsequent CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis commented on a polypoid lesion in the ascending colon.

A Comparison of Two Monofilament Suture Materials for Repair of Partial Flexor Tendon Lacerations: A Controlled In-vitro Study.

Background: Surgical repair is advocated for flexor tendon lacerations deeper than 70%. Repair can be undertaken with different suturing techniques and using different materials. Different materials used for tendon repair will have a different gliding resistance (GR) at the joint.

Bilateral, simultaneous pneumococcal septic arthritis of the knees: a normal immune system, an unknown source.

Pneumococcal septic arthritis is a rare clinical entity and is often associated with a systemic bacteraemia. A 60-year-old man was admitted with bilateral swollen, painful knees. He was feeling feverish with raised inflammatory markers.

Incidental De Garengeot's hernia: A case report of dual pathology to remember.

Introduction: A De Garengeot's hernia is the very rare dual pathology of a vermiform appendix within a femoral hernia.

Presentation Of Case: We discuss the rare case of a 62 year old female who presented as an emergency with a strangulated femoral hernia. Within the hernia sac a partly necrotic vermiform appendix was discovered.