PurposeEvidence regarding whether or not antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in preventing post-operative surgical site infection in adult inguinal hernia repair is conflicting. A recent Cochrane review based on 17 randomised trials did not reach a conclusion on this subject. This study aimed to describe the current practice and determine whether clinical equipoise is prevalent.MethodsSurgeons in training were recruited to administer the Survey of Hernia Antibiotic Prophylaxis usE survey to consultant-level general surgeons in London and the south-east of England on their practices and beliefs regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in adult elective inguinal hernia repair. Local prophylaxis guidelines for the participating hospital sites were also determined.ResultsThe study was conducted at 34 different sites and received completed surveys from 229 out of a possible 245 surgeons, a 93 % response rate. Overall, a large majority of hospital guidelines (22/28) and surgeons’ personal beliefs (192/229, 84 %) supported the use of single-dose pre-operative intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis in inguinal hernia repair, although there was considerable variation in the regimens in use. The most widely used regimen was intravenous co-amoxiclav (1.2 g). Less than half of surgeons were adherent to their own hospital antibiotic guidelines for this procedure, although many incorrectly believed that they were following these.ConclusionIn the south-east of England, there is a strong majority of surgical opinion in favour of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in this procedure. It is therefore likely to be extremely difficult to conduct further randomised studies in the UK to support or refute the effectiveness of prophylaxis in this commonly performed procedure.

Although gallstone disease is classically associated with the inflammatory sequela of cholecystitis, other presentations include gallstone ileus, Mirizzi syndrome, Bouveret syndrome and gallstone ileus. Gallstone ileus occurs when a gallstone passes from a cholecystoduodenal fistula into the gastrointestinal tract and causes obstruction, usually at the ileocaecal valve. It represents an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis, accounting for 1%–4% of all cases of mechanical bowel obstruction and 25% of all cases in individuals aged >65 years. It has a female predilection. Clinical presentation depends on the site of the obstruction. Diagnosis can prove challenging with the diagnosis rendered in 50% of cases intraoperatively. The authors present the case of a 79-year-old woman with a 10-day history of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and episodes of loose stools. An abdominal radiograph showed mildly distended right small bowel loops. Further investigation with a CT of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated small bowel obstruction secondary to a 3.3 cm calculus within the small bowel. She underwent a laparotomy and a 5.0×2.5 cm gallstone was evident, causing complete obstruction. An enterolithotomy was performed. Her postoperative course was complicated by Mobitz type II heart block requiring pacemaker insertion. This paper will provide an overview of the clinical presentation, investigations and management of gallstone ileus. It provides a cautionary reminder of considering gallstone ileus in the differential diagnosis in elderly patients presenting with bowel obstruction and a history of gallstone disease.

Abdominal apoplexy or idiopathic spontaneous intraperitoneal haemorrhage is defined as the presence of free blood within the peritoneal cavity. Non-traumatic and non-iatrogenic causes may cause abdominal apoplexy. It has a variable clinical presentation, with abdominal pain being an early and non-specific symptom. We report a rare case of a 23-year-old male with abdominal apoplexy because of rupture of the short gastric artery. He presented to our department with abdominal pain. Later, he developed signs of shock, and was found to have haemoperitoneum on laparotomy. We ligated the short gastric artery, which was the bleeding source, and he had an uneventful postoperative course. We also review the literature on existing cases of short gastric vessel rupture.

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Introduction: Broad ligament hernia was first reported post-autopsy by Quain in 1861. In a 1995 review article, only 61 cases had ever been reported. This paper presents a case report of broad ligament hernia and explores the literature surrounding this topic. Case Presentation: The patient presented with no significant past medical history, acute lower abdominal pain (several hours), nausea, and vomiting. Clinical examination showed a heart rate of 85 beats per minute; normal temperature, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; and a mildly distended abdomen with tenderness across the right lower quadrant. A plain abdominal X-ray showed dilated small bowel loops, and a blood test showed leukocytosis. Urgent diagnostic laparoscopy showed a broad ligament strangulated hernia with small bowel infarction. Reduction of the small bowel, resection, and side-side anastomosis were performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery, and follow up reported no postoperative complications. Conclusion: Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction due to broad ligament internal hernia is a safe and effective option.