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Background: Colostomy formation as part of the Hartmann's procedure is often performed during emergency surgery as a damage limitation measure where attempts at bowel anastomosis and continuity are contraindicated. Hartmann's reversal (HR) remains challenging and can be attempted through open surgery and various minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic and robotic platforms). We aimed to analyse outcomes of conventional multi-port laparoscopy (CL) versus single-incision approach (SILS) in patients undergoing HR., Methods: A comprehensive online search of various databases was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines including Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Comparative studies of patients undergoing CL and SILS for HR were included. Analysed primary outcomes were total operative time and mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, risk of visceral injury intra-operatively, and re-operation rate. Combined overall effect sizes were calculated using the random-effects model, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess bias., Results: Two observational studies matching our inclusion criteria with a total of 160 patients (SILS 100 vs. CL 60) were included. Statistical difference was observed for one outcome measure: operative duration (MD - 44.79 CI - 65.54- - 24.04, P < 0.0001). No significant difference was seen in mortality rate (OR 1.66 CI 0.17-16.39, P = 0.66), overall post-operative complications (OR 0.60 CI 0.28-1.32, P = 0.20), length of stay (MD - 0.22 CI - 4.25-3.82, P = 0.92), Clavien-Dindo III + complications (OR 0.61 CI 0.15-2.53, P = 0.50), risk of visceral injury (OR 1.59 CI 0.30-8.31, P = 0.58), and re-operation rates (OR 0.73 CI 0.08-6.76, P = 0.78)., Conclusion: Accounting for study limitations, the SILS procedure seems to be quicker with non-inferior outcomes compared with the conventional multi-port approach. This may lead to better patient satisfaction and cosmesis and potentially reduce the risk of future incisional hernia occurrence. However, well-designed, randomised studies are needed to draw more robust conclusions and recommendations., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: This study was a meta-analysis of published data so no prior ethical approval was required. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Campylobacter is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. This report presents a rare case of a 44-year-old female who developed a caecum perforation following an initial diagnosis of Campylobacter jejuni infection. The patient initially presented with several episodes of diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Initial investigations confirmed an uncomplicated C. jejuni infection, which was treated with antibiotics and supportive measures. Despite treatment, the patient's symptoms persisted and worsened, and caecum perforation was confirmed on the abdomen and pelvis computed tomography. The patient underwent an emergency right hemicolectomy with an end ileostomy and was discharged home on postoperative day 14 after she made a full recovery. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for possible severe complications in patients with C. jejuni infection. Frequent abdominal examinations with radiological investigations should be considered when symptoms are worsening to promptly identify any potentially life-threatening complications similar to those in the presenting case., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Al Dallal et al.)

Background: To evaluate comparative outcomes of outpatient (OP) versus inpatient (IP) treatment and antibiotics (ABX) versus no antibiotics (NABX) approach in the treatment of uncomplicated (Hinchey grade 1a) acute diverticulitis., Methods: A systematic online search was conducted using electronic databases. Comparative studies of OP versus IP treatment and ABX versus NABX approach in the treatment of Hinchey grade 1a acute diverticulitis were included. Primary outcome was recurrence of diverticulitis. Emergency and elective surgical resections, development of complicated diverticulitis, mortality rate, and length of hospital stay were the other evaluated secondary outcome parameters., Results: The literature search identified twelve studies (n = 3,875) comparing NABX (n = 2,008) versus ABX (n = 1,867). The NABX group showed a lower disease recurrence rate and shorter length of hospital stay compared with the ABX group (P = 0.01) and (P = 0.004). No significant difference was observed in emergency resections (P = 0.33), elective resections (P = 0.73), development of complicated diverticulitis (P = 0.65), hospital re-admissions (P = 0.65) and 30-day mortality rate (P = 0.91). Twelve studies (n = 2,286) compared OP (n = 1,021) versus IP (n = 1,265) management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. The two groups were comparable for the following outcomes: treatment failure (P = 0.10), emergency surgical resection (P = 0.40), elective resection (P = 0.30), disease recurrence (P = 0.22), and mortality rate (P = 0.61)., Conclusion: Observation-only treatment is feasible and safe in selected clinically stable patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (Hinchey 1a classification). It may provide better outcomes including decreased length of hospital stay. Moreover, the OP approach in treating patients with Hinchey 1a acute diverticulitis is comparable to IP management. Future high-quality randomised controlled studies are needed to understand the outcomes of the NABX approach used in an OP setting in managing patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.