Safety, efficacy, and patient selection of ripasudil in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma with maximum conventional medical therapy

Purpose: Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate (0.4%) is the first Rho?associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor eye drop that lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing conventional aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ripasudil in patients using the maximum topical anti?glaucoma medications and with uncontrolled IOP. Methods: In our prospective interventional study, we enrolled 27 eligible and consenting patients (46 eyes) who presented to us between January 2021 and June 2021. Ripasudil 0.4% was added as adjunctive therapy to the ongoing glaucoma treatment. On follow?up visits at 7 days, 15 days, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months, the visual acuity, IOP with applanation tonometer, anterior segment, and fundus were evaluated. The IOP before and after the use of ripasudil eye drops was compared by paired t?test. Results: Among the 27 patients, 18 were males and 9 were females. A statistically significant reduction in IOP was noted at all time durations (P < 0.00001) with the maximum reduction at 3 months with all patients achieving their target IOP. No patient developed any side effects necessitating the omission of ripasudil. The most common adverse event noted was conjunctival hyperemia (22 patients), which was mild and transient. Conclusion: Ripasudil showed additional IOP?lowering effect with other antiglaucoma medications and exhibited no significant side effects.

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: An epidemiological study from a tertiary care referral center in Western India

Purpose: Rhino?orbital?cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare opportunistic fungal infection with a fulminant course and an often fatal outcome. It can occur in immune?compromised patients such as those having uncontrolled diabetes, on long?term corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy, with COVID?19 infection, renal failure, AIDS, malignancy, or organ transplant. The aim of our study was to study the epidemiology of mucormycosis in COVID?19 patients and identify its risk factors. Methods: Ours was an epidemiological study wherein we gathered the demographic, clinical, histopathological, and radiological data of 458 patients of mucormycosis who presented to us between August 2020 and May 2021. Mucormycosis was defined through clinical and radiological findings or positive culture reports. Results: Out of all, 20.74% of patients did not have any past or concurrent history of COVID?19. The most common symptom of mucormycosis was orbital/facial pain (38.64%) and the most common sign was periocular/facial edema (50.74%). Mucormycosis involving the nose and sinuses (94.54%) was most common followed by rhino?orbital (45.41%) and brain involvement (10.04%). The most common risk factor for mucormycosis was diabetes [81.92%], followed by corticosteroid use [79.69%] and supplemental oxygen [48.90%]. Most of the patients received similar treatment with IV amphotericin B [88.64%] and local debridement [80.74%]. Conclusion: With the third wave of COVID?19 still lurking, a fatal fungal infection should be kept in mind in COVID?19 active as well as recovered patients, especially those who have co?morbid medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and who are treated with large doses of corticosteroids.

Comparison of hernioplasty under local anesthesia v/s spinal anesthesia.

Background: Hernia is a common surgical problem which requires good surgical skill as well as good knowledge about anatomy and various repair of hernia. Hernia is a protrusion of a viscous of part of viscous through a normal or abnormal opening in the wall of its containing cavity. Inguinal hernioplasty can be done under general anesthesia, spinal/epidural and local anesthesia. The choice of anesthesia depends upon a variety of factors viz patient's acceptance, surgeon’s wishes, safety feasibility and cost etc. Recently there has been revival in the use of local anesthetic technique for hernioplasty. Aim: To study comparison of local anesthesia v/s spinal anesthesia for per-operative and post- operative outcome measures. Material and methods: We have done comparative study of total 100 patients (50 patients under local anesthesia and 50 patients under spinal anesthesia), with follow up period of 60 days. The present study included male patients of uncomplicated inguinal hernia with ASA grade 1 to 3. Patients were selected without bias of type (Direct/Indirect) and extent. All patients were explained about both the methods of anesthesia for hernioplasty, those who willing for local anesthesia were selected for this group and similarly spinal anesthesia group selected (total 100,50 in each group). Results: All patients were explained about both the methods of anesthesia for hernioplasty, those who willing for local anesthesia were selected for this group and similarly spinal anesthesia group selected (Total 100, 50 in each group). In local anesthesia group 7(14%) patients had intra- operative discomfort in form of pain. 64% of patients of local had mild pain and 38% had moderate pain. None of the patients belonged to serve pain group. In spinal anesthesia, 6% of patient had serve pain, 22% patients had mild pain and 72% patients had moderate degree of pain. Local anesthesia was associated with less post-operative complication, in our study no patient devlope complication like nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, or headache. Conclusion: hernioplasty under local anesthesia was an acceptable alternative to spinal anesthesia for hernioplasty especially with regard to operative condition, patient’s surgeon’s satisfaction, post- operative pain relief, complications and cost efectiveness.

Study of management of 25 cases of fistula- in-ano.

Background: Fistula-in-ano forms a good majority of treatable benign lesions of the rectum and anal canal. 90% or so of these cases are end results of crypto glandular infections. Despite the easy of diagnosis, establishing a cure is problematic on two accounts. Firstly, many patients tend to let their ailment nag them rather than being subject to examination, mostly owing to the site of this disease. The more important second factor is that a significant percent of these diseases persist or recur when the right modality of surgery is not adopted or when the post-operative care is inadequate. Aim and objectives: To know the usefulnessof investigative procedures in early and accurate diagnosis of fistula in ano. To study the efficacy of different modalities of surgical approach with reference to post-operative hospital stay and complication like pain, bleeding and sphincter incontinence and outcome in respect to persistence /recurrence of fistulae. Material and methods: A total of 25 patients with clinically diagnosed fistula in ano were included in the study. Clinical history was obtained in all the patients. Clinical examination including per rectal examination and proctoscopy was done in all the patients. All the patients were processed by routine investigations, ECG, ches X -ray etc. prior to surgery. Patients were followed up to a period of 1 year. Results: 6 patients i.e. 24% had similar illness out of them two previously operated for fistula with recurrence, and four patients with similar illness and resolved without treatment. In this study, 72% of patients had low level of fistula and another 28% of patients had an internal opening situated above the ano rectal ring. Patients with low level fistula were treated with fistulotomy and fistulectomy and patients with high level fistula were treated with seton placement. In this study 60 % of patients underwent fistulotomy, 12 % of patients fistulectomy and another 28% seton placement. Patients with low level fistula were treated with fistulotomy and fistulectomy and patients with high level fistula were treated with seton placement. Conclusion: Fistula-in-ano is an important, commonest disease due to crypto glandular infection (anal glands) and has a complication of ano rectal abscess. It is curable disease by the treatment of surgery and higher antibiotics, local antibiotics with good post-operative wound management, like sits bath for twice a day without closing the wound.