A Case Report of Female Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck (Type I): A Diagnostic Challenge and Surgical Solution.

The canal of Nuck is an anomaly of the female inguinal canal that can lead to the development of hernias or hydroceles. It is a result of incomplete obliteration of a pouch of the parietal peritoneum that accompanies the round ligament throughout the inguinal canal. This is a case report of a 27-year-old female with hydrocele of the canal of Nuck which was initially misdiagnosed as a reducible right inguinal hernia. Physical examination and ultrasound revealed a right groin 64 × 15 × 36 mm cystic mass extending from the right inguinal region to the labia majora. Right inguinal exploration was performed with an oblique inguinal incision. A cystic lesion measuring 65 × 15 mm was carefully dissected from the round ligament and excised. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. The patient is doing well after six months with no signs of recurrence on the operated side. The hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, though a rare condition, should always be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating inguinolabial swellings in female patients.

The role of 18FDG PET/CT in the management of colorectal liver metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CLM). However, involvement of both the hepatic lobes or extrahepatic disease (EHD) can be a contra-indication for resection. The aim of the present study was to examine the addition of combined positron emission and computed tomography (PET/CT) to CLM staging to assess the effects upon staging and management. METHODS: All CLM patients referred to a single centre between January 2005 and January 2009 were prospectively included. All underwent routine staging (clinical examination and computed tomography), followed by a whole body (18) fluoro-deoxy-glucose ((18)FDG)-PET/CT scan and Fong clinical risk score calculation. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were included [63% male with a median age of 63 years (age range 32-79 years)]. The addition of PET/CT led to disease upstaging in 20 patients (31%) and downstaging in two patients (3%). EHD was found in 24% of low-risk patients (Fong score 0-2) as compared with 44% of high-risk patients (Fong score 3-5) (P= 0.133). There was a trend towards a greater influence upon management in patients with a low score (44% vs. 17%; P= 0.080). CONCLUSION: The addition of PET/CT led to management changes in over one-third of patients but there was no correlation between alterations in staging or management and the Fong clinical risk score; suggesting that PET/CT should be utilized, where available, in the pre-operative staging of CLM patients.

Results of laparoscopic repair of primary and recurrent incisional hernias at a single UK institution.

In this study incisional hernia repairs at a single UK institution between 1994 and 2008 were analyzed with respect to short-term and long-term results. Prospectively collected data were analyzed retrospectively to ascertain outcomes, complications, and recurrences. Two hundred and twenty-seven operations were performed with 35% of the operations being for recurrent hernias. A self-centering suture technique was used. Median operating time was 55 minutes. There were 8 conversions and median hospital stay was 1 night. There were 52 complications (23%) including 3 postoperative bleeds, 3 mesh infections, and 4 small bowel obstructions. Median postoperative follow-up was 53 months. There were 25 recurrences (11%) being detected, a median of 17 months after initial operation. In this large series, laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is safe and is associated with a short hospital stay. Recurrences after repair remain a concern prompting the development of strategies to try and minimize the likelihood of this occurring.

Training in laparoscopic colorectal surgery - experience of training in a specialist unit.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, although technically demanding, is an increasingly desirable skill for coloproctologists. We believe that trainees with adequate supervision from an experienced trainer may perform these procedures safely with good outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical logbooks of two senior trainees were reviewed over a 2-year period. A case note analysis was then undertaken. Patient data were recorded with regards to age, sex, operation type, American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) grade, conversion, length of hospital stay and complications. Lymph node yield, resection margins and grade of total mesorectal excision were recorded in oncological procedures. RESULTS: Over the 2-year period, trainees were involved in 140 resections (age range, 23-88 years; ASA grades I-III). Seventy patients were male. Trainees were first assistant in at least 20 cases prior to undertaking the procedures themselves. Trainees performed a total of 71 operations. Median hospital stay was 7 days (range, 2-48 days). There were three conversions. Anastomotic leaks developed in two patients, one requiring a laparotomy. One patient developed small bowel obstruction secondary to a port site hernia, which was repaired laparoscopically. There was one postoperative death. All oncological resection margins were clear with adequate lymphadenectomies. All total mesorectal excisions were Quirke grade III. CONCLUSIONS: Adequately trained and supervised trainees may perform major colorectal resections without compromising outcome.