Identification of specific codon 201 mutation of the DCC Gene in the colonoscopic specimen of colorectal cancer.

Objective: To identify the mutation in codon 201 of the deleted in colorectal cancer gene in colorectal cancer, and to correlate that mutation to the histopathological grading of colorectal cancer. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2019 to February 2021 after approval from the ethics review board of the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, and comprised biopsy-proven colorectal cancer patients regardless of age and gender. After histopathological reporting, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of colorectal cancer were used for deoxyribonucleic acid extraction, followed by polymerase chain reaction optimisation and deoxyribonucleic acid Sanger sequencing for mutational analysis. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 100 biopsy specimens assessed, 45(45%) were selected. Of them, 13(29%) samples failed to show any band on gel electrophoresis. The remaining 32(71%) samples were used for Sanger sequencing. Of these, 1(3%) sample did not sequence, while 31(97%) showed sequencing. All the sequenced samples identified a mutation in codon 201 of exon 3 in the deleted in colorectal cancer gene; 30(97%) showed homozygosity, and 1(3%) showed heterozygosity. No significant association of point mutation was noted with various demographic and clinicopathological parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: The deleted in colorectal cancer gene's missense mutation in codon 201 was frequently observed in colorectal cancer patients.

A prospective randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of zero calorie carbonated drink and water as a solvent in sodium phosphate for colonoscopy.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of zero-calorie soft drink and plain water as a solvent for sodium phosphate in terms of good palatability and better patient tolerance. METHODS: The randomised controlled trial was conducted from May to December 2019 at the Dowites Operation Theatre Endoscopy Suite, Surgical Unit 3, Civil Hospital Karachi, and comprised patients aged >18 years of either gender undergoing colonoscopy for screening and non-emergency/non-urgent colorectal diseases. The patients were randomised into group A, which was assigned to take sodium phosphate in water, and group B, which was assigned to take sodium phosphate in zero-calorie soft drink. Bowel preparation was assessed by the consultant during endoscopy. Outcome variables, such as bowel cleanliness, palatability, tolerance of solution, adverse effects, and willingness to repeat the preparation, were evaluated in both groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 162 patients, there were 81(50%) in each of the two groups. There were 124(76.5%) males and the overall mean age was 43±8.66 years. The palatability score was significant (p=0.01) for group B compared to group A. Due to better palatability and tolerance, 64(79%) patients in group B took the preparation in <6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Use of zero-calorie soft drink was found to be a better option for colonoscopic preparation compared to plain water. RCT Registration: Clinical trial unit (www.clinicaltrials.gov), NCT04316858.

Factors affecting delay in diagnosis of colorectal cancer: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in our region. There is no specific CRC control programme or national cancer registry in Pakistan. Previously, no data have been published on presentation delay and diagnosis delay of CRC in our region. This study is conducted to determine the factors affecting delay in presentation and diagnosis and to provide baseline information to launch a CRC control programme. The primary objective is to determine factors causing delay in diagnosis of CRC. The secondary objective is to evaluate the relationship between tumour site and stage of CRC with presenting symptoms and symptom duration. METHODS: This project is a prospective cross-sectional study on 113 biopsy-proven CRC patients admitted to the surgical ward of Civil Hospital Karachi. RESULTS: The total number of participants was 113. Presentation delay was observed in 83.2% of patients. The main reasons for a reported delay in the presentation were lack of patients' knowledge that these symptoms may be cancer (60.4%), the wrong diagnosis by the primary physician (34.6%) or the patient did not want to visit the doctor (0.04%). Most tumours (95%) originated from the sigmoid and rectum; 44.2% and 38.9% of the patients were diagnosed at Stages 3 and 4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that CRC patients in Pakistan are facing delays in presentation and diagnosis. This is the reason behind diagnosis at the advanced stage with a poor prognosis. On the basis of this study findings, CRC control programme should be introduced to detect CRC at an early stage.

Use of Abdominal Binders after a Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective To compare the effect of abdominal binder versus no binder after major abdominal surgery and cesarean section on various post-operative recovery parameters. Materials and methods This is a randomized controlled trial conducted at the Department of General Surgery and Obstetrics, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All those patients aged ≥18 years having abdominal surgery including elective and emergency abdominal surgery and cesarean sections with American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I-III were included in the study. Randomization was done using the sealed envelope method by the principal investigator. The intervention group wore an abdominal binder postoperatively while the control group did not use it. Mobilization and the pain status of both groups were evaluated on the first, fourth, and seventh days after surgery. Results Primary outcome variables were mobility, assessed via 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and postoperative pain, evaluated via visual analogue scale. There was no statistically significant difference in the 6MWT distance before (p = 0.278) and on postoperative day one of the surgery (p = 0.0762). However, the difference was significant on fourth (p < 0.001) and seventh day (p value < 0.001). With regards to the pain status, patients in the binder group reported significantly less postoperative pain on first, fourth, and seventh (p value < 0.001) day compared to the non-binder group. Conclusion The use of abdominal binder postoperatively significantly reduced pain and improved mobility in both obstetric and surgery patients.

A CASE OF COMPLEX HEMATOMA FORMATION AFTER INSTITUTION OF ACS PROTOCOL IN A PATIENT WITH UNTREATED PRIMARY HYPOPARATHYROIDISM.

OBJECTIVE: We report an unusual case of untreated hypoparathyroidism in which the patient presented with a prolonged QT interval and unusual bleeding after the institution of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) protocol. METHODS: A 53-year-old female presented with sudden pain and diffuse tightness in the abdomen/limbs and profuse sweating for a few hours. Patient was admitted under cardiology services and ACS protocol was instituted. RESULTS: After 2 days of admission, she developed severe abdominal pain and distention, which was due to large hematomas in the bladder wall, rectus sheath, and retroperitoneal area. These hematomas were surgically drained, but the abdominal wall could not be closed due to gut distention and stiffness of the abdominal wall; a Bogota bag was applied for closure. The patient was shifted to oral calcium after 12 days of intravenous calcium and vitamin D replacement. Abdominal closure was done several weeks later as a follow-up procedure. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the neglected areas of the impact of hypoparathyroidism; the effects of chronic hypocalcemia on the cardiovascular system and coagulation cascade.

Odyssey of an accidently ingested sewing needle from mouth to mesentery of small bowel in a young female - Case Report.

Foreign body (FB) ingestion is one of the most common complaint in the emergency room and, extra-intestinal migration of penetrating sharp FBs is one of the most overlooked aspect of medical research. We report a case of accidental ingestion of a sewing needle which was recovered from the mesentery. The 28-year-old female presented to our hospital with abdominal pain and one-month's history of needle ingestion. Initially laparoscopy was performed, which was inconclusive. Afterward, through laparotomy, the needle was successfully removed from the mesentery of small bowel.

Gastric volvulus through Morgagni hernia and intestinal diverticulosis in an adult patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Morgagni's hernia (MH) is a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia with limited available literature. Late presentations are infrequent and the ones complicated due to gastric volvulus are even rarer. Another uncommon association of MH is with small bowel diverticulosis. We herein discussed a case of gastric volvulus as the content of MH, and small bowel diverticulosis present in a patient concomitantly. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30 year old woman, who presented with a one year history of epigastric burning and indigestion, occasionally associated with pain and vomiting. On clinical examination, no clue to the diagnosis could be ascertained. Her chest and abdominal x-ray indicated an abnormal air-fluid level at right hemithorax, which prompted a Computed Tomography (CT) scan, showing organo-axial gastric volvulus. MH with gastric volvulus was observed during laparotomy and trans-thoracic reduction of the contents was performed, along with repair of the defect. Multiple intestinal diverticuli were also found and the largest diverticulum was excised. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric volvulus through MH is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Non-specific symptoms like epigastric pain and vomiting can delay the diagnosis and management, however, advanced imaging techniques like CT scan can speed up this process. After the diagnosis is made, surgical repair should be attempted regardless of symptoms.

Levels of Depression and Anxiety Post-Mastectomy in Breast Cancer Patients at a Public Sector Hospital in Karachi.

BACKGROUND: There is a noticeable change in the approach with which women nowadays seek help for diseases like breast cancer, primarily due to awareness campaigns, but what happens after surgical procedures is of great significance too. This study focused on the several psychological connotations attached to mastectomy and how the patients cope. OBJECTIVE: To understand the pattern of anxiety and level of depression among Pakistani patients undergoing mastectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample size consisted of 88 patients who had undergone mastectomy at the different surgical units of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2012- December 2014; The questionnaire was administered before they were discharged i.e. within 3 days of surgical procedures. The patients were asked if they were willing to participate in this study, those who agreed signed the consent form and then we preceded by asking questions with a standardized tool. A self made questionnaire was constructed keeping in mind the nature and specification of the disease, which consisted of 20 questions related to anxiety and depression, focusing on a mixture of psychological and physiological symptoms. RESULTS: There were a total of 88 patients out of which 36 (41%) were aged 51 to 60 years, 24 (27.2%) of the patients were in the age category of 41 to 50 years, 17 aged 61 and above (19.3%) and only 11 (12.5%) 30-40 years of age, the youngest of all the age categories. The pattern of depression and anxiety was found to be similar among all age categories, severe depression and anxiety predominating over moderate level of such symptoms, with only relatively few patients sufering mild or no depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that going through mastectomy leads to moderate to severe levels of depression and anxiety, primarily because the females feel incomplete and insecure after losing a part of themselves.

Dietary Practices, Addictive Behavior and Bowel Habits and Risk of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer: a Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The abrupt rise of colorectal cancer in developing countries is raising concern in healthcare settings. Studies on assessing relationships with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in the Pakistani population have been limited. The present investigation was designed to examine associations of dietary practices, addictive behavior and bowel habits in developing colorectal cancer (CRC) among patients in a low-resource setup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An age-gender matched case control study was conducted from October 2011 to July 2015 in Karachi, Pakistan. Cases were from the surgical oncology department of a public sector tertiary care hospital, while their two pair-matched controls were recruited from the general population. A structured questionnaire was used which included questions related to demographic characteristics, family history, dietary patterns, addictive behavior and bowel habits. RESULTS: A family history of cancer was associated with a 2.2 fold higher chance of developing CRC. Weight loss reduced the likelihood 7.6 times. Refraining from a high fat diet and consuming more vegetables showed protective effects for CRC. The risk of CRC was more than twice among smokers and those who consumed Asian specific addictive products as compared to those who avoid using these addictions (ORsmoking: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.08 - 4.17, ORpan: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.6 - 5.33, ORgutka: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.14 - 3.97). Use of NSAID attenuated risk of CRC up to 86% (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the findings showed concordance with the literature elucidating protective effects of consuming vegetables and low fat diet while documenting adverse associations with family history, weight loss, constipation and hematochezia. Moreover, this study highlighted Asian specific indigenous addictive products as important factors. Further studies are needed to validate the findings produced by this research.

Colorectal cancer in younger population: our experience.

OBJECTIVE: To promote awareness regarding increased occurrence of colorectal cancer in younger population and its clinicopathological features compared to older patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2010 to January 2011 on patients with diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma admitted through emergency or outpatients' departments to Surgical Unit 5, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Data regarding age, gender, presentation, site of tumour, surgery performed and Dukes staging was collected and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were operated during the study period: 13 (56.52%) males and 10 (43.47%) females. Of them 12 (52.17%) were below the age of 40 years, while 3 (13.04%) patients were in the 11-20 age group. In 7 (30.4%) patients, tumour was irresectable at the time of presentation so a palliative procedure (diversion colostomy or ileostomy) was performed.There was a higher proportion of younger patients with metastatic disease at the time of presentation (n = 9; 75%) while 10 out of 12 patients in the younger age group (83.3%) had a tumour of left colon, particularly rectum. CONCLUSION: Although colorectal cancer is usually a disease of older patients, it is increasingly becoming more common in younger population. Data suggests a leftward distribution for colorectal carcinoma and that younger patients present with more advanced disease and poorer prognosis.

Metastasis to ileostomy of mucinous adenocarcinoma of rectum.

Carcinoma of colon and rectum is one of the most common malignancies of gastrointestinal tract. Primary ileostomy cancer following excision of primary tumour is a rare complication although a number of cases have been reported in the last 30 years. This case also reports lymph node metastasis to the adjacent mesenteric lymph nodes. Appearance of ileostomy tumour as synchronous or metachronous lesion is highly debatable. Once diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy enblock excision with or without stomal relocation is the main stay of treatment. Patient education and regular surveillance of patients with long-standing ileostomy is recommended for early detection of this unusual cancer.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix.

Mucinous neoplasm is a rare malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, the most common site being the appendix. There are different types of mucin producing tumours that can occur in the appendix, which can be benign as well as malignant. Mucin produced by these tumours results in ascites that makes it palpable as jelly belly.

Reasons of conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in a tertiary care institution.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and reasons of conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to open cholecystectomy (OC) in a tertiary care teaching hospital. METHODS: A prospective analysis of conversion of laparoscopic to OC was performed in one Surgical Unit of Civil Hospital Karachi, from 1st September 1997 to 31st May 2005. There were 1238 patients in the series. The inclusion criteria were: all patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, who were subjected to LC. The exclusion criteria were: cases with incomplete laboratory or histopathology data, patients who were lost to follow-up, and patients with preoperative diagnosis of carcinoma of gallbladder. RESULTS: Eighty-one (6.5%) patients were converted to OC, due to difficult anatomy, complication or equipment failure. The frequency during learning curve was 9% vs. 6.3% during skill curve. The conversion rate was higher in male patients (16.45% males vs. 5.09% females), and in patients with acute cholecystitis (24.39% acute vs. 5.06% chronic). In eight cases, conversion was due to major complication: bleeding (6), and bowel injury (2). In 73 cases, conversion was carried out electively; disturbed anatomy at Calot's triangle (44), wide cystic duct (7), choledocholithiasis (5), dense adhesions between gallbladder and bowel (4), biliodigestive fistula (1), and equipment failure (12). CONCLUSION: The overall frequency of conversion of LC to OC was 6.5%; the risk was more during the learning curve, in male patients and in patients with acute cholecystitis.