Mesh fixation in TEP is associated with increased operative cost and chronic pain but no difference in the risk of hernia recurrence at six months was observed.

Laparoscopic lavage and drainage in the acute management of perforated acute diverticulitis may be a promising alternative to more radical procedures, including the Hartmann's procedure. Acute resection should still be carried out in patients found to have faecal peritonitis or who fail to improve following lavage.

LDP is a safe alternative to conventional resection for a wide range of lesions. As with open resection, pancreatic fistula is the dominant morbidity, but is generally indolent. While spleen preservation is often possible, care must be taken to avoid infarction of the inferior pole if the Warshaw technique is utilized.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration remains an effective, efficient and safe first-line treatment of BDS even when carried out in regional nonspecialist units. In spite of the wide availability of ERCP, general surgeons should be encouraged to continue performing LCBDE in order to optimise patient care and maintain important surgical skills.

The described technique offers a simple option for open repair of small midline hernias in patients with co-existing rectus divarication, to decrease the risk of upper midline recurrence in an at-risk patient group. This initial case series is able to demonstrate a suitably low rate of recurrence and complications.