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Introduction The favorable effects of bariatric surgery (BS) on overall pulmonary function and obesity-related comorbidities could influence SARS-CoV-2 clinical expression. This has been investigated comparing COVID-19 incidence and clinical course between a cohort of patients submitted to BS and a cohort of candidates for BS during the spring outbreak in Italy. Materials and Methods From April to August 2020, 594 patients from 6 major bariatric centers in Emilia-Romagna were administered an 87-item telephonic questionnaire. Demographics, COVID-19 incidence, suggestive symptoms, and clinical outcome parameters of operated patients and candidates to BS were compared. The incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 was assessed including the clinical definition of probable case, according to World Health Organization criteria. Results Three hundred fifty-three operated patients (Op) and 169 candidates for BS (C) were finally included in the statistical analysis. While COVID-19 incidence confirmed by laboratory tests was similar in the two groups (5.7% vs 5.9%), lower incidence of most of COVID-19-related symptoms, such as anosmia (p: 0.046), dysgeusia (p: 0.049), fever with rapid onset (p: 0.046) were recorded among Op patients, resulting in a lower rate of probable cases (14.4% vs 23.7%; p: 0.009). Hospitalization was more frequent in C patients (2.4% vs 0.3%, p: 0.02). One death in each group was reported (0.3% vs 0.6%). Previous pneumonia and malignancies resulted to be associated with symptomatic COVID-19 at univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusion Patients submitted to BS seem to develop less severe SARS-CoV-2 infection than subjects suffering from obesity.

Subhepatic acute appendicitis (SHAA) is a very rare cause of acute abdomen, developing in association with two types of congenital anomalies like as midgut malrotation (MM) and maldescent of the caecum. Preoperative diagnosis of SHAA is a challenge because of its rarity and atypical presentation. Imaging may be helpful for determining the correct diagnosis. Surgery represents the standard treatment of SHAA.A 25-year-old Caucasian male presented to the Emergency Department with a one-day history of right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Physical examination revealed RLQ abdominal rebound tenderness with guarding. Laboratory tests reported high levels of C-reactive protein and neutrophilic leukocytosis. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a SHAA with intraluminal appendicolith, fat infiltration and pelvic fluid collection in a patient with MM. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy: a retrocaecal subhepatic phlegmonous and perforated appendicitis was sectioned and removed with drainage of pelvic abscess. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful.SHAA is characterized by anatomical variation of appendix and atypical presentation. Preoperative clinical diagnosis of SHAA is very difficult and imaging may be helpful for determining the correct diagnosis, as well as confirming MM or maldescent of the caecum. Laparoscopic appendectomy represents the correct treatment of SHAA.SHAA is a rare surgical emergency that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with RLQ abdominal pain. Preoperative diagnosis needs a high index of suspicion and is facilitated by imaging. Surgery represents the appropriate treatment of SHAA.

Syringomyelia is a chronic progressive disease of the spinal cord. In symptomatic patients, bilateral sensory motor signs and symptoms prevail, moreover they can develop gastrointestinal disorders, although few studies have succeeded in explaining this correlation so far. We report a case of a 67-year-old woman with a history of pain in the back-lumbar spine and lower limbs, paresthesia and urinary incontinence. MRI revealed syringomyelia, extended from T3 to the medullary cone. Neurological picture was worsened by progressive and increasingly debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms refractory to dietary changes and medical treatment. Blood tests, gastrointestinal investigations and imaging were all normal apart from scintigraphy which confirmed delayed gastric emptying. The neurological symptoms disappeared after removal of an hemangioblastoma of the medullary cone. The persistent gastroparesis was treated by total gastrectomy with complete resolution of the patient's gastrointestinal symptoms., Highlights • Syringomyelia is a spinal disorder rarely associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction. • We present a case of refractory gastroparesis in a female patient with syringomyelia. • Surgery may be indicated if dietary changes and medical management fails. • We performed a total gastrectomy with improvement in the patient's quality of life.

Key Clinical Message The report suggests that, when the patient's history, clinical examination, and findings do not lead to a clear diagnosis in case of an acute abdomen, a laparoscopic approach, that has both, diagnostic and therapeutic value, is advised.

Highlights • Left paraduodenal hernia is a potentially severe cause of small bowel obstruction. • Abdominal computed tomography scan is the standard for a correct diagnosis. • Laparoscopy is feasible and effective, also in emergency situation., Introduction Internal hernia is a pathological condition resulting from abnormal protrusion of abdominal viscera through an opening in the intraperitoneal recesses of the abdominal cavity. Small bowel obstruction due to internal hernia is not common (0.25–0.9% of cases). The most common group is that of paraduodenal hernias (53%), of which the left-sided one is the most common type (75%). Presentation of case We report a case of a 43 year-old man with a history of recurrent abdominal pain, who was hospitalized because of an episode of acute small bowel obstruction. He had no previous surgery. Computed tomography revealed an encapsulated circumscribed cluster of jejunal loops in the left upper quadrant, near the ligament of Treitz, and the hernia orifice was adjacent to the left side of the inferior mesenteric vessels. Emergency laparoscopic surgery was performed: the small bowel was found completely herniated under the inferior mesenteric vessels. It was gradually reduced and the hernia space was closed with a running suture. The patient was discharged on the fourth day without complications. Conclusion Left paraduodenal hernia is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction that should be taken into account in a patient with a history of recurrent abdominal pain or intestinal obstruction, and no previous surgery. Computed tomography is the standard for a correct diagnosis. Surgery is treatment of choice, because it reduces the risk of emergency and complications associated to hernia. Laparoscopic approach is feasible and effective, also in emergency situation.

Banded gastric bypass is a bariatric surgical intervention that has been regularly performed in many centers. According to some series, banded gastric bypass is safe and feasible. We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass in 2008. Subsequently, she underwent surgery in order to place adjustable gastric banding on previous bypass because of gastric pouch dilatation. Five months later, patient showed anorexia and signs of malnutrition. For this reason, she underwent laparoscopic removal of gastric banding. In our opinion, placing a device to restrict an already dilated gastric pouch must be avoided.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most frequently performed procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary-pancreatic diseases. ERCP-related complications total around 2.5% to 8%, with a mortality rate ranging from 0.5% to 1%. An exceptional ERCP complication is subcapsular hepatic hematoma, and few cases are reported worldwide.We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with a history of recurring upper abdominal pain and a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of obstructive jaundice due to common bile duct stones. After 2 difficult endoscopic biliary procedures, common bile duct stones clearance was obtained. Post-ERCP course was symptomatic with upper abdominal pain and anemization with hemodynamic instability.CT scan demonstrated a 15 cm × 11 cm subcapsular hepatic hematoma filled with air and liquid on the surface of the right hepatic lobe. The patient was successfully treated with the embolization of a small branch of right hepatic artery angiographically identified as the cause of bleeding.Subcapsular hepatic hematoma after ERCP is a rare complication that must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic cases after ERCP. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory data and especially on imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI). Treatment is often conservative but, in some cases, embolization or percutaneous drainage or surgery may be necessary.