Although it did not confirm the harmful effect of mechanical bowel preparation (suggested by previous meta-analyses), this meta-analysis including almost 5000 patients, demonstrates with a high level of evidence that any kind of mechanical bowel preparation should be omitted before colonic surgery.

This comprehensive systematic review of the literature showed that ERP was feasible and effective in the elderly undergoing colorectal surgery. Protocols should be adapted to the particular aspects of this population. Future research should target pre-operative evaluation and the place of pre-habilitation in geriatric ERP.

Non-traumatic abdominal pathology is one of the most common reasons for consultation in emergency care services. Abdominal pain is the presenting symptom for many diseases, which often requires urgent care. Clinical history and physical examination are rarely sufficient to establish a definite diagnosis and imaging is usually necessary. The choice of imaging modality is oriented by the clinical context and guided by the institutional capabilities, safety and cost-effectiveness of the available tests. Plain radiographs have little or no place in the evaluation of the acute abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) still has limited availability in many hospitals, thus narrowing the imaging choice to ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT). No scientific evidence exists to allow the imposition of one single strategy. At the present time, the clinician may choose either routine US evaluation complemented by CT in case the US is inconclusive or first-line CT (except for the evaluation of right lower quadrant [RLQ] pain, right upper quadrant [RUQ] pain and in pregnant women where ultrasound is the first-line study).

No abstract

Undergoing first-line gastric banding increases the risk of complications after secondary LSG. We recommend that patients who undergo LSG after a first-line gastric banding should be warned of the increased risks of morbidity or, alternatively, that LSG be performed preferentially as the initial procedure.