Initial experience of endobronchial silicon stents from a tertiary care centre in north India.

Background. Central airway obstruction (CAO) is defined as obstruction of trachea and principal bronchi. Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy with tracheobronchial stenting using silicon stents is a well established procedure in the management of such conditions. However, there is limited experience with this technique in India. Methods. Between January 2010 and April 2010, Dumon stents were placed in four patients with CAO. Three patients had symptomatic tracheal stenosis while one patient had malignant obstruction at the carina. Rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia was performed to relieve the CAO followed by placement of silicon stents. Pre- and post-stent placement symptom assessment was performed with a symptom-based visual analogue scale. Results. Four patients underwent silicon stent placement in the tracheobronchial tree. Three patients had benign postintubation tracheal stenosis and one had malignant tracheal obstruction at carina due to endobronchial growth. Significant improvement was achieved in all patients. There were no significant complications. Conclusions. Rigid bronchoscopy with silicon stent placement is an effective and suitable method of relieving the distressing symptoms due to benign or malignant airway obstruction.

Status of soil transmitted helminthiasis in UT of Lakshadweep.

Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH) survey in UT of Lakshadweep was conducted during February-March 2004. The survey was undertaken using WHO sampling methodology and Kato-Katz technique for stool sample examination. A total of 387 stool samples were examined of whom 322 samples (83.2%) were found positive for one or more STH. Maximum prevalence (100%) was found in Kavaratti Junior Basic School. Thirty children (7.8%) had high intensity of infection. In Kadmat Junior Basic School high intensity TT infection was 8.9%, For AL highest intensity of infection was found among Kavaratti Senior Basic School (7.0%). Mass anthelminthic chemotherapy of all school children was advocated.

Status of soil transmitted helminthic infections in India--observations on sample surveys using Kato-Katz technique.

Results of surveys conducted in eight different ecologically homogenous zones in the country, using WHO sampling design methodologies and Kato-Katz technique are presented in this communication. Hilly and coastal areas had high STH prevalence ranging from 34%-36% with total epg ranging from 53,952-4,67,976. Apart from this, Chitradurga urban area had STH prevalence of 39.6% with epg of 81,792. However, except in few cases, in all these surveyed areas, intensity of STH infection was found to be light. A national programme for control of soil transmitted helminthic infections is advocated.