Robotic approach to colonic resection: For some or for all patients?

The robotic approach is rapidly gaining momentum in colorectal surgery. Its benefits in pelvic surgery have been extensively discussed and are well established amongst those who perform minimally invasive surgery. However, the same cannot be said for the robotic approach for colonic resection, where its role is still debated. Here we aim to provide an extensive debate between selective and absolute use of the robotic approach for colonic resection by combining the thoughts of experts in the field of robotic and minimally invasive colorectal surgery, dissecting all key aspects for a critical view on this exciting new paradigm in colorectal surgery.

Surgery for deep infiltrating rectal endometriosis-Selecting the right approach.

Endometriosis involving the bowel is a form of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The endometriotic lesions can infiltrate the bowel layers mimicking a malignancy. The majority of bowel involvement happens in the colon and rectum. We report our experience in surgically managing rectal endometriosis in two patients, one via a conservative approach and the other with a more radical approach and their associated short-term and long-term outcomes are observed. In principle, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in managing rectal DIE with adjuvant hormonal therapy. The selection of surgical approach should be based on disease factors such as the size of the lesions and extent of the disease, patient factors including fitness for surgery and expectations as well as logistics and resource limitations.

Giant submandibular sialolipoma masquerading as huge goitre: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Sialolipoma is a rare tumour which may arise from both major and minor salivary glands and has recently been described as a variant of salivary gland lipomatous lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 54-year-old male who presented with a 7-year history of large right anterior neck swelling. He was clinically euthyroid and had no compressive or infiltrative symptoms. He sought medical attention due to the discomfort exerted by the weight of the mass and was keen for excision. The swelling appeared like a goitre but physical examination proved otherwise. Imaging was suggestive of a benign tumour arising from the right parapharyngeal fossa. The mass was surgically excised and was noted to be adherent to part of the submandibular gland. Histopathological examination revealed a new variant of benign adipocytic tumour of salivary gland or sialolipoma arising from the submandibular gland. Besides being the largest sialolipoma to be reported, there are also no reports of giant submandibular sialolipomas masquerading as a huge goitre in appearance. CONCLUSION: Submandibular sialolipomas can present in really large sizes and appear as a giant goitre. It is important to differentiate between benign lipomas from liposarcomas and tailor the management accordingly. Surgical enucleation is the preferred choice of treatment for these benign tumours with low recurrence rates.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia after impact from handlebar: A case report.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare type of hernia resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. It develops following the inertia of sudden, high-energy blunt trauma or focused low-energy impact. A 22-year-old motorcyclist presented to the emergency department following a collision with an automobile. Clinical examination demonstrated a bulging mass at the lower abdomen, resulting from impact with the motorcycle handlebar. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen revealed a disruption of both rectus abdominis muscle and linea alba at the lower abdomen with loops of small bowels and mesentery herniating through the defect, associated with multiple air pockets and pneumoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy showed TAWH containing loops of small bowel and mesentery in addition to mesenteric tears. Small bowel resection with primary anastomosis and repair of the anterior abdominal wall defect using interrupted polypropylene sutures was performed. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged home three days later. A follow-up at 1 year showed no evidence of recurrence.

Managing traumatic testicular dislocations: what we know after two centuries.

Traumatic testicular dislocation (TTD) is a rare consequence of blunt scrotal trauma. A 21-year old gentleman presented with inguinal pain following a motorcycle accident and physical examination revealed absence of both testes within a well-formed scrotal sac with bilateral inguinal swellings. Ultrasonography confirmed viability and location of the testes at the superficial inguinal pouch. He underwent emergent surgical reduction with orchidopexy and was discharged the next day. No evidence of testicular dysfunction or atrophy was noted at follow-up. We reviewed reports of TTDs reported in English over the last two centuries and discuss its occurrence, evolution and management.