Chronic groin pain following inguinal hernia repair in the laparoscopic era: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (IHR) on chronic groin pain (CGP) prevalence, risk and daily activities compared to open IHR is still unclear. METHODS: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing CGP rates in laparoscopic and open IHR was performed. RESULTS: 22 trials were included. CGP prevalence decreases significantly 1-2 years post-op and reaches rates as low as 4.69% (laparoscopic) and 6.91% (open) at >5 years. There is a significantly lower risk of CGP following totally extraperitoneal (TEP) than open mesh repair at all follow-up periods (p < 0.05) except for >5 years (p = 0.32). The same trend is not seen when compared to open non-mesh repair or for transabdominal pre-peritoneal repair (TAPP). There is no difference between techniques when CGP is described as moderate and/or affecting daily activities (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: CGP rates continue to decrease at >5 years follow up. TEP consistently results in a reduction in CGP rates compared to open mesh repair however, this is not functionally significant.

Ethnic disparities in the uptake of colorectal cancer screening: An analysis of the West London population.

AIM: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces mortality but variation exists in uptake, with poorer uptake in ethnic minority groups. The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between ethnicity and uptake of CRC screening in West London. METHOD: Results of CRC screening from the Central London, West London, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow and Ealing Clinical commissioning group collaborative between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. These five clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are located in West London. Compliance with screening according to ethnic group was evaluated compared with White British as the control. RESULTS: A total of 155 038 individuals were screened. White British individuals had the highest compliance (52.6%). A maximum difference in compliance of 8.2% was seen between CCGs. The odds of being less likely to participate were significant (p < 0.05) in all ethnic minorities except for Asian Chinese on univariate and multivariate analysis (adjusted OR 1.091, p = 0.88). CONCLUSION: This is the largest retrospective study focusing on the role of ethnicity in the uptake of CRC screening in England. Poor uptake of screening in all ethnic minorities in West London, with the exception of Asian Chinese individuals in particular, is a novel finding. A mandate to routinely collect ethnicity data, the use of a single more diverse census and further intervention are needed to understand this disparity and reduce health inequity.

Application of robotic technologies in lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopy: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Conventional optical colonoscopy is considered the gold standard investigation for colorectal tract pathology including colorectal malignancy, polyps and inflammatory bowel disease. Inherent limitations exist with current generation endoscopic technologies, including, but not limited to, patient discomfort, endoscopist fatigue, narrow field of view and missed pathology behind colonic folds. Rapid developments in medical robotics have led to the emergence of a variety of next-generation robotically-augmented technologies that could overcome these limitations. AIM: To provide a comprehensive summary of recent developments in the application of robotics in lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopy. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed from January 1, 2000 to the January 7, 2021 using EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases. Studies reporting data on the use of robotic technology in ex vivo or in vivo animal and human experiments were included. In vitro studies (studies using synthetic colon models), studies evaluating non-robotic technology, robotic technology aimed at the upper gastrointestinal tract or paediatric endoscopy were excluded. System ergonomics, safety, visualisation, and diagnostic/therapeutic capabilities were assessed. RESULTS: Initial literature searching identified 814 potentially eligible studies, from which 37 were deemed suitable for inclusion. Included studies were classified according to the actuation modality of the robotic device(s) as electromechanical (EM) (n = 13), pneumatic (n = 11), hydraulic (n = 1), magnetic (n = 10) and hybrid (n = 2) mechanisms. Five devices have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, however most of the technologies reviewed remain in the early phases of testing and development. Level 1 evidence is lacking at present, but early reports suggest that these technologies may be associated with improved pain and safety. The reviewed devices appear to be ergonomically capable and efficient though to date no reports have convincingly shown diagnostic or therapeutic superiority over conventional colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: Significant progress in robotic colonoscopy has been made over the last couple of decades. Improvements in design together with the integration of semi-autonomous and autonomous systems over the next decade will potentially result in robotic colonoscopy becoming more commonplace.