Jejunal diverticula are uncommon and usually asymptomatic. Very rarely, they can lead to acute complications such as bleeding, obstruction, and perforation. This report describes our experience of a case of jejunal diverticula perforation secondary to a large faecolith, with particular focus on the aetiology and management of this rare condition.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands are a popular and effective surgical option to treat morbid obesity. The overall complication rate is 10–20% and the most common complication is of ‘slippage’. Although other complications such as gastric band migration and erosion have been reported, the phenomenon of a migrated gastric band connecting tube eroding into the colon (after port removal) is seldom reported in the literature. In this article we describe such a case of an incidentally found colonic erosion on colonoscopy and describe the subsequent laparoscopic repair, as well as a review of the literature.

The use of a composite synthetic mesh using a laparoscopic IPOM technique for the prophylaxis and treatment of parastomal hernias, even in a clean contaminated surgical field, is safe and feasible.

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Aim: Treatment of early rectal cancer (ERC) is undergoing a revolution towards rectum preservation. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy alongside local excision (LE) means that organ preservation is a real possibility for most patients and a viable alternative for frailer patients. This study presents our 12-year experience as a specialist regional ERC unit, evolving towards organ preservation.Method: Data were collected prospectively between 2006 and 2018 for all patients referred to the regional ERC multidisciplinary team with suspected or confirmed ERC.Patients considered suitable for LE, or those declining radical surgery, were offered LE or neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy (SCRT), delay and LE with subsequent rescue surgery or contact brachytherapy for unfavourable histopathology.Results: In all, 102 patients underwent LE. Ten patients were excluded (N = 92). 45 patients underwent LE directly and 47 patients received SCRT and LE. After SCRT and LE, a pathological complete response was achieved in 44.7%. This approach also resulted in a lower rate of lymphovascular invasion (22.2% vs. 6.4%), fewer distant recurrences (4.4% vs. 0%) and a better disease-specific mortality (11.1% vs. 0%) (P < 0.05). Although statistically insignificant, fewer patients required rescue surgery after SCRT (15.6% vs. 4.3%). Conclusion:Organ preservation with a good oncological outcome is better achieved by neoadjuvant radiotherapy, delay and LE. To achieve this, careful patient selection, thorough preoperative investigation, experienced surgical technique and a deep appreciation of tumour biology managed via a dedicated ERC network is paramount. What does this paper add to the literature?This study demonstrates that organ-preserving management of early rectal cancer can achieve comparable oncological outcomes in patients who cannot, or will not, undergo a major resection. This is best achieved with neoadjuvant radiotherapy and local excision, with or without adjuvant contact brachytherapy, in a specialist regional early rectal cancer network. K E Y W O R D Searly rectal cancer, organ preservation, transanal endoscopic microsurgery How to cite this article: Bilkhu A, Robinson JM, Steward MA. Preservation of the rectum is possible in early rectal cancer with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, delay and local excision-a 12-year single-centre experience of the evolution of early rectal cancer treatment.