Introduction: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) surgery is one of the three most popular bariatric procedures worldwide due to its favorable risk benefit profile, reversibility, and low rates of morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have demonstrated a myriad of long-term complications including band slip, band erosion, intra-abdominal infection, port-site infection, port breakage, and pouch enlargement. All of which contribute to alarming rates of revision, adjustment, and removal of LAGB.
Case Report: We describe a novel case of a 68-year-old female presenting to the Emergency Department with a one-day history of abdominal pain, obstipation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a cecal volvulus. Subsequently an emergency right hemicolectomy was performed which identified a LAGB encircling the hepatic flexure.
Conclusion: Clinicians should hold a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for operating when treating patients with a bowel obstruction with a known history of a LAGB.
Introduction: Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is increasingly being considered to be a common cause of abdominal pain. Unfortunately, ACNES is a condition that is frequently overlooked and misdiagnosed resulting in chronic abdominal wall pain, unnecessary investigations, procedures, and repeat admissions. Patients diagnosed with ACNES present with well-localized abdominal pain, a positive Carnett’s sign, somatosensory disturbance of the surrounding skin and symptomatic relief secondary to a trigger point injection. Current treatment strategies include modification of physical activity, simple analgesia, trigger point injections, chemical neurolysis, pulsed radiofrequency, and anterior neurectomy. Despite the plethora of treatment modalities, it is evident that a majority of patients will only experience temporary pain relief.
Case Series: We describe two cases in which ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal plane blocks have successfully provided long-term symptomatic relief in patients diagnosed with ACNES. The first being a 45-year-old female and the second is a 52-year-old male who both presented with ACNES which were successfully treated with an ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal plane (TAP) block with 20 mL of 0.25% Marcaine and 4 mg of Dexamethasone.
Conclusion: We provide evidence supporting the use of an ultrasound-guided TAP block for long-term symptomatic relief in patients with ACNES. However, further research is required to assess its efficacy.
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