Assessing the Rates and Reasons of Elective Surgical Cancellations on the Day of Surgery: A Multicentre Study from Urban Indian Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Cancellations of elective surgeries on the day of surgery (DOS) can lead to added financial burden and wastage of resources for healthcare facilities; as well as social and emotional problems to patients. These cancellations act as barriers to delivering efficient surgical services. Optimal utilisation of the available resources is necessary for resource-constrained low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). This study investigates the rate and causes of cancellations of elective surgeries on the DOS in various surgical departments across ten hospitals in India. METHODS: A research consortium 'IndSurg' led by World Health Organisation Collaboration Centre (WHOCC) for Research in Surgical Care Delivery in LMICs, India conducted this multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study to analyse the cancellations of elective/planned surgical operations on DOS across urban secondary and tertiary level hospitals. We audited surgical records of a pre-decided period of six weeks for cancellations, documented relevant demographic information and reasons for cancellations. RESULTS: We analysed records from the participating hospitals, with an overall cancellation rate of 9.7% (508/5231) on the DOS for elective surgical operations. Of these, 74% were avoidable cancellations. A majority (30%) of these 508 cancellations were attributed to insufficient resources, 28% due to patient's refusal or failure to show-up, and 22% due to change in patient's medical status. CONCLUSION: We saw a preponderance of avoidable reasons for elective surgery cancellations. A multidisciplinary approach with adequate preoperative patient counselling, timely communication between the patients and caregivers, adequate preoperative anaesthetic assessment, and planning by the surgical team may help reduce the cancellation rate.

Sexual Dysfunction in Carcinoma Cervix: Assessment in Post Treated Cases by LENTSOMA Scale.

Treatment for cervical cancer consists of hysterectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy in different combination based on stage at presentation. However, late consequences of such radical treatments are known but not many Indian studies have reported it. Quality of life and impact on sexual health has become an important issue in view of long survival of cervical cancer patients. LENTSOMA scale is one such scale validated for scoring radiotherapy related morbidity. However, there is need for a comprehensive scale covering all aspects of physical and psychological disruptions to provide complete recovery and rehabilitation. The study was prospective and patients who were treated for cervical cancer on follow up were included in this study. A total of 85 patients, who were treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy alone or in combination, comprising of stage I to stage IV disease, participated in this study. Findings of this study showed that pain during intercourse and altered sexual life were reported by 32.9% and 25.9% patients respectively whereas 24.7% found it problematic and in 22.3% patients, alteration in interest in sex were reported. Vaginal stenosis was seen in 75.29% of patients after treatment with decreased frequency of intercourse after treatment was seen in 16.4 % of patients. Combination of surgery and radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients caused more sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction, especially in lower age group. Treatment morbidity in term of sexual function was more with advanced stage disease and with the patients on longer follow up. Sexual function is an important aspect of quality of life but there is no single self-report measure in routine clinical follow up use which is brief, easy to complete and incorporates all (physical, psychological, emotional) aspects of sexual health for people affected by cancer.
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Urinary Dysfunction Assessment in Long-Term Survivors of Carcinoma Cervix Using LENT SOMA Scale: An Indian Study Addressing Quality of Life Issues

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common type of cancer in the world. With the increasing proportion of women surviving carcinoma of the cervix, quality of life has been an important clinical issue. Since there are very few studies from India, this study is to assess urinary dysfunction issues in patients of carcinoma cervix treated with multimodality therapy using the LENT SOMA scores. Methods: The study was prospective and patients treated between 1995 - 2007 on follow up were included in this study after ethical clearance. A total of 85 patients were accrued comprising 6 stage IB, 6 stage II A, 25 stage II B, 2 stage IIIA, 45 stage III B and 1 stage IV A disease. Sixty-six patients were treated with radiotherapy in which 46 patients received chemoradiotherapy and 19 had surgery prior to post-operative radiotherapy. The mean age was 47.81 years with a range of 25-68 years. Completion of LENT SOMA scale and Statistical analysis was done. Results: Mean score for BU (Bladder/Urethra) was highest (0.0758) in fifth year of treatment whereas UK (Ureter/Kidney score was highest (0.0408) after 4 years. Bladder score was more in 60-69 years of age and in stage IIIB patients of cervical cancers. Bladder morbidity was more in patients who received chemoradiotherapy and in patients who received radiotherapy with boost where Bladder and Urethra morbidity was more in patients who were treated with Extended Field radiation. Conclusions: The LENT SOMA system was acceptable and feasible to use and gave us an insight into the morbidity in our patients and to develop effective management plans to reduce the post treatment symptoms and improve quality of life.

Uterine Prolapse: Should Hysterectomy Specimens be Subjected for Histopathological Examination?

CONTEXT: Uterine prolapse accounts for one of the common gynecological problems in India. The excised uterus is not expected to have any pathological finding other than atrophic endometrium and may be an ulcer because of the prolapse. AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess the hysterectomy specimen for unsuspected pathology. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study is done over two and half years at a tertiary care hospital. Hysterectomy specimens done with a clinical indication of prolapse were included in the study. Histopathological examination done, findings noted, and data analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive analysis was used in this study. RESULTS: Of the total hysterectomy specimens, 55 (6%) were done for uterovaginal prolapse. Patients age ranged from 32 to 78 years; mean 51.1 ± 11.9 years. Majority (46; 83.6%) of the patients were above 40 years of age, whereas only (9; 16.4%) were < 40 years of age (P < 0.0001) Vaginal hysterectomy was done in most 38 (69.1%) cases as compared to abdominal hysterectomy in 17 (30.9%) cases (P < 0.001). Adnexae were removed in only 3 (5.5%) cases as compared to 52 (94.5%) cases, in which adnexae were preserved (P < 0.001). Chronic cervicitis was seen in 100% of cases. Majority (18:32.7%) of the endometrium was in atrophic phase, secretory in 8 (14.5%), cystic regressive hyperplasia and chronic endometritis in 4 (7.2%) each. Myometrium was unremarkable in 43 (79%) cases, whereas focal adenomyosis in 12 (21%) cases. All the adnexa received were histologically unremarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Grossly unremarkable specimens can have unsuspected histopathological lesion which could be potential premalignant or malignant lesions. Therefore, all hysterectomy specimens should be subjected to the histopathological examination for accurate diagnosis and proper categorization of lesions.

Recurrent hemoperitoneum secondary to haemorrhage from the corpus luteum unmasks factor V deficiency.

Factor V deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive coagulation disorder. We report a case with inherited factor V deficiency presenting as life-threatening recurrent hemoperitoneum, following bleeding from ruptured corpus haemorrhagicum. Prolonged prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times, normal thrombin time and a normal platelet count pointed towards a disorder of coagulation. Mixing studies with factor V deficient plasma and coagulation factor assay revealed markedly reduced plasma factor V clotting activity. The management included blood, plasma and tranexamic acid. Family screening revealed low factor V levels in her parents. Although her brother had significant Factor V deficiency and epistaxis, he did not need hospitalization or replacement, indicating the varied manifestation of this bleeding defect in this family.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome attending an infertility clinic in a tertiary care hospital in south India.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). SETTING: Infertility clinic in a tertiary care hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the women attending the infertility clinic categorized as polycystic ovary syndrome according to Rotterdam criteria (2003) during the study period were included in the study. The women with PCOS underwent screening for metabolic syndrome as defined by the modified American Heart Association/National Heart Lung Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) modified ATP 111 (2005) definition. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied and significant predictors identified for the prediction of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the modified AHA/NHLBI ATP III (2005) criteria was 37.5%. A total of 5.8 % cases were detected to have diabetes mellitus, 8.3% had impaired fasting glucose, and 11.7 % had an impaired glucose test. Dyslipidemia was present in 93.3% cases of PCOS. Among all the risk factors, age and waist hip ratio ≥0.85 were strongly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: Infertile women with PCOS, particularly those with age ≥25 years or with central obesity (a waist hip ratio of ≥0.85), are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome and should be offered screening tests.