Background Incarcerated hernia is a common surgical emergency with considerable morbidity or even mortality. Manual reduction (taxis) and elective surgery could be an alternative management approach. This study examines the role of taxis with the adjuvant use of the visual analogue scale (VAS) score in treating incarcerated hernias and thereby decreasing the emergency surgery rate, especially during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods All adult patients admitted to the emergency department of our hospital with incarcerated hernias of anterior abdominal wall were prospectively submitted to hernia manual reduction. The VAS score was used as an adjuvant tool for monitoring the success of this maneuver. Patients with successful taxis and low VAS score were hospitalized for a 24-hour period of observation. On their discharge, they were scheduled for an elective hernia repair. Patients with unsuccessful taxis or with less than a 50% reduction in VAS score after successful taxis were submitted to emergency surgical repair. Age, sex, type of hernias, time until taxis, VAS scores before and after taxis, length of hospital stay, and adverse events for both groups were recorded. Results Between September 2018 and September 2020, 86 patients with incarcerated hernias were included. The types of hernias were incisional in 8 patients, umbilical in 15 patients, inguinal in 56 patients, and femoral in 7 patients. Taxis was successful in 66% of patients with a mean reduction in VAS score from 83 to 17 mm. Following successful taxis, patients were hospitalized for a 24-hour period of observation. No taxis-related complications were observed. Fifty-two patients were safely discharged from hospital and scheduled for an elective repair during the first month. Thirty-four patients were operated emergently. Five patients had successful taxis but with a reduction of posttaxis VAS score less than 50% (a mean reduction from 86 to 62 mm), while taxis failed in twenty-nine patients. Patients with emergency surgery had longer time until reduction and longer stay of hospitalization. In this group, two patients required admission to the intensive care unit while one patient died. Conclusion In this protocolized approach, taxis is a safe and feasible option for most patients with incarcerated hernias. It should be kept in our armament, especially in times when emergency surgery capabilities are under strain like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is a significant clinical concern, which has been proven to cause significant adverse events in patients. Respiratory infections are a high-yield problem in the intensive care unit (ICU). In this study, we reviewed available literature regarding the relationship between elevated IAP and the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. Patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation are prone to develop VAP. Longer hospitalization, prior use of antibiotics, and comorbidities make these patients more susceptible to infections. Multidrug-resistant VAP poses a vast threat to critically ill patients, as it is characterized by a shift in the microbiological profile of the disease, as well as difficulties in its treatment options. Elevated IAP could adversely affect mechanically ventilated patients, as it is associated with an elevated risk of microaspirations and altered patency of the intestinal barrier, thus comprising an important factor for developing VAP. In addition, elevated IAP can deteriorate pulmonary function and hemodynamic condition of the patient, adding an extra risk for developing VAP. In such frail conditions, these patients have compromised immune function and are at risk of developing systematic infection, even resulting in the failure of multiple organs. As the microbiologic profile shifts toward multidrug-resistant bacteria, there is a need for comprehensive strategies in ICU settings to mitigate the risks associated with both elevated IAP and multidrug-resistant VAP. Timely intervention and proper management can prevent the risk of difficult-to-treat infections and life-threatening adverse events for patients.

Background: Abnormalities in the canal of the Nuck are rare clinical entities with presentation in the early adulthood of females. Given their rarity, they can be misdiagnosed with a strangulated inguinal hernia. Methods: Herein, we report a young female with painful swelling of the right inguinal hernia and its surgical approach. Results: A 37-year-old female presented to the emergency department with pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant and an edematous inguinal mass. Physical examination showed a palpable inguinal mass, setting the suspicion for possible incarcerated inguinal hernia. Laboratory exams were within normal ranges. The patient was subsequently treated surgically. During the operation, a cystic well-rounded mass was identified and completely excised. The mesh and plug technique was the chosen technique for the restoration of the inguinal canal. The hospitalization length was one day, and the post-operative course was uneventful. Conclusions: Although a Nuck cyst is a rare entity, it should be taken into consideration in female adults who present with an inguinal mass.

Introduction: Attendance of patients to the emergency department due to acute large bowel obstruction is a common phenomenon. Most of these patients are elderly, critically ill, and with high comorbidity. The literature suggests that more than 50% of these cases are due to colon cancer. Since this condition is considered to be an emergency, immediate intervention and response is imperative. Purpose: The aim of the present study is to present our surgical technique of colostomy formation under local anesthesia in selected critically ill patients, with increased perioperative risk and acute large bowel obstruction. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of 24 patients, with obstipation, who underwent emergency colostomy under local anesthesia, during the period from 2014 to 2021. Results: The mean age of the patients was 77 years. The vast majority of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of ≥3 and a Charlson score of ≥7. The most common colostomy was transverse colostomy (21/24 patients). The patients' hospitalization ranged from four to 42 days. Only one patient died. All colostomies functioned properly in the immediate postoperative period. Only one patient required postoperative admission to the ICU. Conclusions: Colostomy under local anesthesia in critically ill, elderly patients is an alternative option for the treatment of ileus.

Post-radiation sarcoma is a rare clinical entity, but it is considered an aggressive late complication of radiotherapy administered as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer treatment. Although radiotherapy significantly improves local disease control and survival, radiation-induced malignancies may occur years after treatment completion. Surgical resection with negative margins remains the cornerstone of management. However, treatment is often challenging because of prior irradiation, local tissue fibrosis, and advanced local disease. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman previously treated for breast cancer with breast-conserving surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Twenty-three years after completion of radiotherapy, the patient developed a progressively enlarging mass within the irradiated field. Imaging studies revealed a heterogeneous soft tissue lesion involving the chest wall. Core needle biopsy demonstrated leiomyosarcoma. Following multidisciplinary team discussion, three weeks after the core biopsy, the patient underwent wide en bloc surgical resection with chest wall reconstruction. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed high-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma with negative surgical margins (R0 resection). Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Then the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient remains disease-free after three years of follow-up. Post-radiation sarcoma following breast cancer radiotherapy remains a rare and highly aggressive malignancy associated with poor prognosis. Early recognition and aggressive multidisciplinary treatment, particularly complete surgical excision with negative margins, are critical for improving outcomes.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard surgical technique for the treatment of gallbladder diseases worldwide. Nonetheless, despite its safety and popularity, it comes with certain complications. Duodenal injury is an extremely rare, but potentially fatal complication. The rarity of duodenal injuries, combined with under-reporting of incidents, has resulted in a scarcity of references in the international literature. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 72-year-old male patient, initially subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy that was intraoperatively converted to open cholecystectomy. During the laparoscopic approach, the patient experienced a major duodenal injury, which was treated intraoperatively using primary suturing. Upon postoperative failure of the indicated surgical treatment, extended individualized salvage surgery was performed, with an ultimately favorable outcome. Methods: When assessing the overall implications of this case, we conducted a review of the published literature in English, published up to November 2025 on patients with duodenal injury after exclusively laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: We then categorized the 105 cases described based on the therapeutic approach: surgical, conservative, and endoscopic, with a view to attempt to classify the available therapeutic options based on the time of diagnosis, the patient’s performance status, and the size and location of the injury. Conclusions: While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure, duodenal injuries remain rare. The treatment approach highly depends on the time of injury recognition, site and extent of the injury and patient’s status. Treatment should be personalized based on the aforementioned parameters.