Background The B-MaP-C study aimed to determine alterations to breast cancer (BC) management during the peak transmission period of the UK COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of these treatment decisions. Methods This was a national cohort study of patients with early BC undergoing multidisciplinary team (MDT)-guided treatment recommendations during the pandemic, designated ‘standard’ or ‘COVID-altered’, in the preoperative, operative and post-operative setting. Findings Of 3776 patients (from 64 UK units) in the study, 2246 (59%) had ‘COVID-altered’ management. ‘Bridging’ endocrine therapy was used (n = 951) where theatre capacity was reduced. There was increasing access to COVID-19 low-risk theatres during the study period (59%). In line with national guidance, immediate breast reconstruction was avoided (n = 299). Where adjuvant chemotherapy was omitted (n = 81), the median benefit was only 3% (IQR 2–9%) using ‘NHS Predict’. There was the rapid adoption of new evidence-based hypofractionated radiotherapy (n = 781, from 46 units). Only 14 patients (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during their treatment journey. Conclusions The majority of ‘COVID-altered’ management decisions were largely in line with pre-COVID evidence-based guidelines, implying that breast cancer survival outcomes are unlikely to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. However, in this study, the potential impact of delays to BC presentation or diagnosis remains unknown.

INTRODUCTIONDe Garengeot hernia is a rare occurrence whereby an appendix is found in a femoral hernia sac. It is rarer still to find an acutely inflamed appendix manifesting itself as a strangulated femoral hernia. This case is important to report as it highlights the diagnostic difficulty this particular condition presents to an emergency surgeon.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe report the case of an 86 year old female who was found to have a De Garengeot hernia containing a necrotic appendix. A retrograde appendicectomy was performed to prevent peritoneal contamination. The hernia defect was repaired using a standard repair with non-absorbable suture.DISCUSSIONDe Garengeot's hernia is a rare occurrence, is often unexpected and tends to be diagnosed intra-operatively. Pre-operative diagnosis remains difficult and it will often masquerade as a strangulated femoral hernia. In stable patients, where there is a diagnostic uncertainty CT scanning is a useful adjunct and may allow a laparoscopic approach to be undertaken in the absence of appendicitis.CONCLUSIONA De Garengeot's hernia should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with clinical signs of a strangulated femoral hernia. It is often an incidental finding during an emergency operation. Although mesh repairs in the presence of appendicitis have been reported, the safest approach remains a primary suture repair.

Purpose The B-MaP-C study investigated changes to breast cancer care that were necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we present a follow-up analysis of those patients commenced on bridging endocrine therapy (BrET), whilst they were awaiting surgery due to reprioritisation of resources. Methods This multicentre, multinational cohort study recruited 6045 patients from the UK, Spain and Portugal during the peak pandemic period (Feb–July 2020). Patients on BrET were followed up to investigate the duration of, and response to, BrET. This included changes in tumour size to reflect downstaging potential, and changes in cellular proliferation (Ki67), as a marker of prognosis. Results 1094 patients were prescribed BrET, over a median period of 53 days (IQR 32–81 days). The majority of patients (95.6%) had strong ER expression (Allred score 7–8/8). Very few patients required expedited surgery, due to lack of response (1.2%) or due to lack of tolerance/compliance (0.8%). There were small reductions in median tumour size after 3 months’ treatment duration; median of 4 mm [IQR − 20, 4]. In a small subset of patients (n = 47), a drop in cellular proliferation (Ki67) occurred in 26 patients (55%), from high (Ki67 ≥ 10%) to low (< 10%), with at least one month’s duration of BrET. Discussion This study describes real-world usage of pre-operative endocrine therapy as necessitated by the pandemic. BrET was found to be tolerable and safe. The data support short-term (≤ 3 months) usage of pre-operative endocrine therapy. Longer-term use should be investigated in future trials.

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