Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an uncommon "borderline malignancy" generally arising from a perforated appendiceal epithelial tumour. Optimal treatment involves a combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Controversy persists regarding the pathological classification and its prognostic value. Computed tomography scanning is the optimal preoperative staging technique. Tumour marker elevations correlate with worse prognosis and increased recurrence rates. Following CRS with HIPEC, 5-year survival ranges from 62.5% to 100% for low grade, and 0%-65% for high grade disease. Treatment related morbidity and mortality ranges from 12 to 67.6%, and 0 to 9%, respectively. Surgery and HIPEC are the optimal treatment for PMP which is at best a "borderline" peritoneal malignancy.

Cricothyroid muscle paralysis is often missed as the symptoms are not dramatic and the laryngeal observations, on conventional indirect mirror examination, are inconclusive. The anatomy and physiology of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) and cricothyroid muscle are described. Three case reports are presented to illustrate our diagnostic techniques. Videofibrolaryngoscopy and electromyography are found to be invaluable tools for the diagnosis of this condition. The importance in diagnosing this entity is discussed.

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has greatly impacted healthcare systems and society more generally around the world. The management of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 has primarily impacted emergency departments, medical teams, and intensive care units. However, the impact on health systems as a whole, including surgical specialties, has been wide ranging. We aimed to establish the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown on the number and characteristics of general surgical patients reviewed and/or admitted by the surgical team within a district general hospital. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients admitted in the 2-week period from start of the lockdown (Monday 23rd March 2020 to 5th April 2020), and the same period 1 year earlier (Monday 25th March 2019 to 7th April 2019). Number of patients reviewed and admitted were compared between the two cohorts. Data including diagnosis, operation/procedural interventions, and length of stay were analysed. The overall number of patients reviewed and admitted by the surgical team was substantially lower during the period of lockdown (61 vs 126). Of the patients seen during lockdown, a smaller proportion were admitted to hospital after initial surgical review (59% vs 77%, p<0.05). Interventional/operative procedures were performed in a similar proportion of patients in both cohorts (31%). Our data show that there has been a substantial reduction in the number of patients being referred to and admitted by the general surgical team at our centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explanations for this include reduced attendance due to risk perception of the patients, the impact of lockdown messages and advice regarding self-isolation, as well as an increased threshold for patient admission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key learning points include the possible benefits of a reduction in admission to hospital of patients with nonurgent conditions.

To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analysed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2. We found that patient rather than operation factors were the best predictors and used these to create the COVIDsurg Mortality Score (https://covidsurgrisk.app). Our data demonstrates that it is safe to restart a wide range of surgical services for selected patients.

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Laparascopic mesh repair is a safe and effective method of surgically treating incisional hernia. However, such an approach may lead to specific complications of both laparoscopy and mesh placement. The mesh may migrate, become infected or erode into adjacent structures. We describe the case of a woman who underwent laparoscopic incisional hernia repair with subsequent erosion of the mesh into the bladder.

Aspiration into the lower respiratory tract can be detrimental to life. Ten patients, suffering from neurological dysphagia with aspiration, were studied. Neurological disorders can cause inadequate glottic closure resulting in aspiration. It has not been well recognized however, that even patients who have full glottic closure are still capable of aspirating in the pre- and post-deglutition stages of swallowing. The combined techniques of videofibrolaryngoscopy and videofluoroscopy are found to be the best methods for demonstrating these abnoralities. Development of new techniques, in the prevention of aspiration, should also take into account silent, pre- and post-deglutitional aspiration.

Awareness of the need to close the fascia in all ports over 5 mm, and the techniques available to do so, may reduce the incidence and decrease the morbidity associated with this potentially fatal complication associated with laparoscopic colorectal surgery.