Background: Failure to attend the clinic without prior intimation, known as "Did Not Attend" (DNA) is a significant global issue. There have been no published studies attempting to reduce DNA rates in breast clinics. We aimed to assess the impact of contacting patients prior to clinic attendance and Short Message Service (SMS) reminder on DNA rates in rapid access new patient breast clinics, evaluate 'Could Not Attend' (CNA) rate, and explore any correlation between age, sex, clinic days and sessions. Methods: Initially, DNAs at the rapid access new patient breast clinic between 01/04/2018 and 31/03/2019 at a district general hospital in the NorthWest of England was assessed (Cycle 1). Changes were introduced in terms of contacting patients prior to offering appointments, followed by SMS reminders nearer the clinic dates. Subsequently, DNA was reassessed between 01/10/2019 and 31/03/2020 (Cycle 2). Results: Following implementation of changes, DNA rate reduced from 8.2 to 4.1% (p < 0.00001). CNA rates were 0.9% (Cycle 1) and 1.1% (Cycle 2) [p = 0.36]. Evening clinics had the lowest DNA rates throughout. DNA patients in cycle 2 were significantly older than those in cycle 1 (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Contacting patients prior to clinic appointments and sending SMS reminders helped reduce DNA rates significantly in rapid access new patient breast clinics. Scheduling clinic sessions with least DNA rates, such as evening clinics, should be contemplated. One should be cautious of mobile phone technology that conveys SMS, which can potentially disadvantage the older age group. This model could be considered across the board to improve DNA rates.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is defined as symptomatic hypercalcaemia due to excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in the absence of secondary or tertiary causes. Surgical management involves parathyroidectomy, which has shown to improve health-related quality of life.1 Conventional surgical practice has been collar incision with bilateral neck exploration and a four-gland evaluation approach.From the early 21st century, minimally invasive techniques of unilateral exploration and evaluation limited to the site of suspected lesion, as directed by preoperative localisation, were developed.2 These include video-assisted parathyroidectomy, endoscopic parathyroidectomy and mini-incision parathyroidectomy.Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) showed a lower complication rate, with a reduced hospital stay and cost compared with the conventional approach.3 However, a national survey in the UK and Ireland noted that only 3% of consultant members of the British Association of Endocrine Surgeons were using the lateral incision approach, with the majority preferring the collar incision. 4 Some centres use intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) measurements as routine 5 although the role of the IOPTH in parathyroidectomy at this point is questionable. 6Frozen sections are also used occasionally in parathyroid surgery to identify parathyroid tissue and differentiate it from non-parathyroid tissue with good accuracy. 7Our local practice utilises simplified parathyroidectomy. This involves a mini-incision without the routine use of IOPTH measurements and frozen sections. This study aims to demonstrate that a good success rate can be achieved without the use of any intraoperative adjuncts. This simplified technique will hopefully encourage more to undertake minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. Materials and MethodsThe first 100 patients who underwent MIP for PHPT from January 2008 done at a single institution by a single surgeon were recruited prospectively for this study. Preoperatively, patients underwent ultrasonography (US) and/or a 99m Tc-labelled sestamibi (MIBI) scan for localisation. The risks were ABSTRACT inTRodUCTion Conventional practice of parathyroidectomy has been collar incision with bilateral neck exploration and a fourgland evaluation. our local practice involves simplified parathyroidectomy via mini-incision without routine use of intraoperative adjuncts. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that a good success rate can be achieved, which will hopefully encourage more to undertake minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. maTERiaLS and mEThodS a prospective case series of the first 100 patients undergoing minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (miP) by a single surgeon at a single institution were included. Preoperatively, patients underwent ultrasonography (US) and/or a sestamibi (mibi) scan for localisation. Parathyroidectomy was performed following an algorithm of intraoperative decisions. Serum calcium and/or parathyroid hormone levels were checked at follow-up. Postoperative normo...

Solitary fibrous tumor is an extremely rare clinical entity, most commonly manifested in the pleura and peritoneum. An increasing number of cases are found to occur at extrapleural sites. We report a case of solitary fibrous tumor arising from the mesentery of the small intestine. A 53-year-old man presented with a large abdominal mass which was initially thought to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The tumor was successfully removed surgically and the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor was confirmed on immunohistochemical analysis. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a solitary fibrous tumor arising from the small bowel mesentery.

Gastric perforation secondary to metastasis from breast cancer occurs infrequently. We present the case of a 72-year-old postmenopausal female patient with a known history of lobular carcinoma of the breast who presented to a district general hospital with a clinical diagnosis of an acute abdomen. Further contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrated free gas and fluid in the abdomen. She underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy and onlay Graham's omentopexy patch due to 1×1 cm prepyloric gastric perforation. Final histopathology proved the presence of metastatic malignant cells in the breast origin. We discuss the issues involved in postoperative investigation and management.

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Iliac crest osteomyelitis is indeed a rare complication of appendicitis. A heightened awareness and better understanding of this complication would necessitate early diagnosis and treatment.

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