Amyand's hernia with concurrent appendicitis: A case of interval laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Amyand's hernia with concurrent appendicitis is rare, with a reported incidence of 0.13 % of all inguinal hernias. This condition is challenging to diagnose and manage and no optimal treatment has been established. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old man presented with an acutely painful, tender, and irreducible right inguinal hernia. He had a history of a right inguinal hernia for several months and had undergone open left inguinal hernia repair. The patient had no other medical comorbidities. Blood test results were nonspecific, with a C-reactive protein of 90 mg/L. Ultrasound scan suggested a strangulated right inguinal hernia. Laparoscopy revealed an Amyand's hernia with concurrent appendicitis and a pus-filled right inguinal hernia sac. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy, followed by staged laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal right inguinal hernia repair with mesh after eight weeks to reduce mesh infection. Histopathological examination confirmed acute uncomplicated appendicitis without perforation or malignancy. The patient had an unremarkable post-operative recovery. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with Amyand's hernia and concurrent appendicitis. Laparoscopy provides both diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. In this case, laparoscopic mesh herniorrhaphy was delayed and staged until local hernia sac inflammation resolved following appendicectomy. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should have an index of suspicion for Amyand's hernia given the heterogeneity of presentations. A case-by-case approach is required to prevent post-operative complications and determine the safe timing of definitive hernia repair when the inguinal hernial sac is inflamed. Further research is required to provide surgeons with evidence-based approaches for this unique condition.

Vagal sparing gastrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Radical gastrectomy is associated with significant functional complications. In appropriate patients may be amenable to less invasive resection aimed at preserving the vagal trunks. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the functional consequences and oncological safety of vagal sparing gastrectomy (VSG) compared to conventional non-vagal sparing gastrectomy (CG). A systematic review of four databases was undertaken for studies published between 1/11990 and 15/122021, comparing patients who underwent VSG to CG. We meta-analysed the following outcomes: operative time, blood loss, nodal yield, days to flatus, body weight changes, as well as the incidence of post-operative cholelithiasis, diarrhoea, delayed gastric emptying, and dumping syndrome. Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis with a selection of studies qualitatively analysed. VSG was associated with a lower rate of cholelithiasis (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.15-0.41, p<0.010) and early dumping syndrome (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21 - 0.86; p=0.02), less blood loss (MD -51 ml, 95% CI -89.11 to -12.81 ml, p=0.009), less long term weight loss (MD 2.03%, 95% CI 0.31-3.76%, p=0.02) and a faster time to flatus (MD -0.42 days, 95% CI -0.48 - 0.36, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in nodal harvest, overall survival, and all other endpoints. VSG significantly reduces the incidence of post-operative cholelithiasis and dumping syndrome, decreases weight loss and facilitates an earlier return of gut motility. Although technically more challenging, VSG should be considered for prophylactic surgery.

Case report of Brunner's gland hyperplasia: A rare "mimic" of malignant pathology.

INTRODUCTION: Brunner's gland hyperplasia is a rare, benign lesion of the duodenum. The symptomology can range from asymptomatic (as an incidental finding on endoscopy) to gastrointestinal obstruction or haemorrhage. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 60-year-old man presenting with post-prandial vomiting and weight loss. Inpatient evaluation led to the likely diagnosis of a duodenal malignancy for which the patient underwent a laparotomy and proximal duodenectomy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Brunner's gland hyperplasia is a rare, benign condition that can be overtreated due to the difficulty in obtaining an accurate pre-operative diagnosis. The literature has been reviewed to discuss the approach to diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the potential for Brunner's gland hyperplasia mimicking a malignancy.