One in four loop ileostomies performed to defunction an elective anterior resection is not reversed, and in the presence of significant comorbidity one in three is not reversed. Only 12% is reversed within 12 weeks.

Complications following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) have been well-described in the literature. While rare, small bowel volvulus following IPAA has been described. We describe the successful use of the modified Noble plication in such a patient with small bowel volvulus about an elongated mesentery. This largely 'historical' technique is well-suited to manage small bowel volvulus, especially when non-resectional management is preferred.

Acute appendicitis is an extremely rare complication of colonoscopy, with no reports in the British literature. Here we discuss a case report of a patient who developed acute appendicitis 24 hours following a normal diagnostic colonoscopy. This case report highlights the rarity of this life threatening complication and discusses its aetiology.

The diagnosis of polymyositis in the elderly population should raise suspicion of an underlying malignancy.