Clinico-pathological Evaluation and Management of Gastrointestinal Hollow Viscous Perforation.

Background: Gastrointestinal hollow viscous perforations constitute one of the important causes of acute pain abdomen in adults and if not treated properly may lead to significant morbidity and sometimes mortality. Successful treatment requires a thorough understanding of anatomy, microbiology, pathophysiology of the disease process and in-depth knowledge of the therapy, including resuscitation, antibiotics, source control, and physiologic support. Aim: To evaluate the etiopathology, clinical signs and symptoms, investigations in the management of gastrointestinal hollow viscous perforations. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted on patients presenting with gastrointestinal hollow viscous perforations to the Department of General Surgery, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital over a period of 2-year from July 2013 to June 2015. A total of 110 patients were included in the study. A written, informed consent was taken from all patients before enrolling into the study. The Institutional Ethical Committee clearance was taken before starting the study. A pre-formed questionnaire was used to collect the clinical information from the patients. Results: The majority of the patients involved were males (81%) and in the age group of 30-50 years. 80% of the perforations were noted in the Gastroduodenal region, and the remaining was seen in the small bowel (13%) and appendix (7%). Pain abdomen was the presenting complaint in all patients (100%) while vomiting was seen in 50% and abdominal distension was seen in 80% of the patients. 91% of the patients had gas under the diaphragm. Wound infection (9%) lead the list of post-operative complications with a residual abscess (6%) following behind burst abdomen (4%) and fecal fistula (1%). 2% (2 patients) of patients died due to varied reasons. Conclusion: Even after the introduction of proton pump inhibitors, the incidence of perforations resulting from acid peptic disease is still high. Early recognition of perforation, prompt surgical intervention, good post-operative care, recognition of co-morbid conditions and early recognition, and management of complications would reduce morbidity and mortality.

Healicoll: An Alternate to Flap Cover for Bare Bones and Tendons.

Background: Wounds with bare bone, joint and tendons in the extremities have been a formidable challenge to plastic surgeons. Although several skin substitutes are used in West, as both dermal and epidermal analogue, they are expensive and most of them are unavailable in India. It is in this scenario that Healicoll – a type 1 pure collagen as a possible dermal substitute is being investigated. The material ‘Healicoll’ is a type-1 native collagen derived from the bovine source and is bioengineered, biocompatible and biodegradable skin substitute. The advantages of Healicoll have led us to an increase in its use for complex wounds. Medical literature on Healicoll, thus far has only reported its use for superficial burns and ulcers. Materials & Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages of using an inexpensive, easily available, bioengineered skin substitute ‘Healicoll’ for the closure of bare bone, joints and tendon. Results: Healicoll was used in three patients with two patients having undergone surgery involving use of Healicoll for bare bones, joints and tendons after release of contracture following burns and trauma, and one patient was treated with Healicoll as an outpatient procedure for bare bones following electrical burns. The mean hospital stay was 15 days. In all the three cases, a clear neodermis had covered the bones and joints in 5 days time and was ready to support the take of skin graft. Conclusions: Based on our initial experience, Healicoll skin substitute offers an excellent alternative for rapid reconstruction obviating the need for flap cover for wounds that have been difficult to reconstruct.

Fournier’s Gangrene: A Case Report.

Fournier’s gangrene is a rare, idiopathic, life-threatening, necrotizing fasciitis of the genitals and perineum caused by both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora. The synergistic effect of the bacteriae results in fulminating gangrene, multiple organ failure, and can even lead to death. Most commonly it has a predilection for diabetic and alcohol abused individuals, those who have impaired immunity. Genital trauma is frequently recognized vector for infection initiation. Timely recognition of the disease process and initiation of treatment with aggressive debridement and antibiotic administration is called for. The advanced age of the patient, extensive disease, delayed presentation with shock or sepsis and organ failures, all contribute to mortality in Fournier’s gangrene. In this case report, we recall an account of our tryst with Fournier’s gangrene management.

Knowledge, attitude, of Mothers On Oral Hygine Practices Among 1-5 Year Old Children And Association With Their Oral Hygiene Practices- A Comparitive Study.

Aim: This study aims to investigate oral hygiene and frequency of oral cleaning in children up to 5 years in relation to mother related factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 250 children aged 1-5 years in Chennai, Tamil Nadu was implemented. Mothers answered questions about their own oral self-care and their children’s oral hygiene. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was done. Results: Twice daily oral cleaning was reported for 95% of all children . 92% of the mothers believed it necessary to rinse the mouth between meals and to clean the gum pads even if teeth have not erupted. Oral hygiene was seen to be better in children whose mother’s own brushing frequency was high. It was also seen that mothers with a higher educational level had a better attitude towards their child’s oral hygiene care. Conclusion: To improve oral hygiene in early childhood, more emphasis should be placed on mother’s own tooth brushing practice and their skills in their children’s oral hygiene.

Comparison of def index with Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria among three to six years old children in a school at Bangalore city

Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease with varying clinical picture and its diagnostic criteria is complicated, when initial lesion is considered. Hence, there is a need for an index which measures cavitated, non-cavitated, and initial lesion in dental caries. So, the purpose of this study was to compare the of def index with Nyvad's new diagnostic criteria. Materials and Methods: A total of 249 school children in the age group of three to six years were selected for the study from Sajjan Rao School at Bangalore city. Children teeth were cleaned and dried with cotton rolls and chip blower. The dental caries examinations were conducted under standardized conditions using plane mouth mirrors and explorers with the help of artificial illumination. The diagnostic criteria used were deft and d, e, and f component of Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria. Mann Whitney 'U' test was used to compare the two indexes at five percent significant level. Results: The mean value for deft was 2.48 and the mean for d, e, and f component of Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria was 3.18 which shows statistically significant difference with P value of <0.05. Conclusion: The result obtained by Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria produces values much higher than those with def caries index system. Hence, Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria can be used to diagnose dental caries at the initial stages, which in turn will reflect exact prevalence of caries.

Feeding and oral hygiene habits of children attending daycare centres in Bangalore and their caretakers oral health knowledge, attitude and practices.

Aim: Caretakers in day-care centers play a significant role in imparting good oral hygiene practices and also extend a working relationship with parents with regard to their children's oral health. As a result of this, caregiver's dental knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices affect the child's oral condition. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study involved caretakers working in day-care centers of Bangalore. Fifty-two day-care centers were randomly selected from the different zones of Bangalore city, from which 246 caretakers provided consent for participation. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive, closed-ended, self-administered questionnaire was employed which was designed to collect the sociodemographic details and to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitudes, practice of caretakers. The institutional review committee approved the study. Data were entered using SPSS 13.01. Results: Seventy-nine percent of the subjects had good knowledge of child's tooth eruption time, clinical presentation of dental caries and the role of fluoride in caries prevention. Yet, half of the subjects found routine dental examination after all the milk teeth have erupted in the oral cavity insignificant and 41% strongly agreed that dentist should be consulted only when the child has a toothache. In spite of the good knowledge, 77% preferred to use pacifier dipped in honey/sugar if the children acted troublesome. Analogous to this, 45% gave milk/juice with sugar before the child's nap time. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that caretaker's attitude toward oral health care needs is far from acceptable standards to mirror any positive impact on the children.