Neurovascular antropylorus perineal transposition using inferior rectal nerve anastomosis for total anorectal reconstruction: preliminary report in humans.

BACKGROUND: Technical feasibility of inferior rectal nerve anastomosis to the anterior vagus branch of the perineally transposed antropyloric valve for total anorectal reconstruction has been previously demonstrated in cadavers. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report of using this procedure in humans. METHODS: Eight patients [mean age 35.5 years (range 15-55 years); (male/female = 7:1)] underwent the procedure. The antropyloric valve with its anterior vagus branch was mobilized based on the left gastroepiploic arterial pedicle. The antral end was anastomosed to the distal colon. The anterior vagus nerve was anastomosed by epineural technique to the inferior rectal nerve in the perineum. A diverting proximal colostomy was maintained for 6 months. Anatomical integrity of the graft (on magnetic resonance imaging scans), its arterial pedicle (on computed tomography angiogram) and neural continuity (on ultrasound and pyloric electromyography) were assessed. Functional assessment was performed using barium retention studies, endoscopy, manometry and fecal incontinence scores. RESULTS: Tension-free end-to-end anastomosis of the anterior vagus nerve to the right (n = 7) and left (n = 1) inferior rectal nerve was achieved. An intact left gastroepiploic pedicle, a healthy graft and neural continuity were visualized on perineal ultrasound. Electromyographic activity was noticed on neural stimulation. Endoscopy and barium studies showed voluntary antral contraction and contrast retention, respectively, in all patients. The mean resting and squeeze pressures were 26.25 mmHg (range 16-62 mmHg) and 50.25 mmHg (range 16-113 mmHg), respectively. St. Mark's incontinence scores varied between 7 and 12. There were no major surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Pudendal (inferior rectal) innervation of the perineally transposed antropylorus in total anorectal reconstruction is feasible and may improve outcomes in selected patients with end-stage fecal incontinence.

Chemical leucoderma: Indian scenario, prognosis, and treatment.

Chemical leucoderma is an industrial disorder in developed countries and the common causative chemicals are phenols and catechols. Due to stringent controls and preventive measures the incidence has come down. In the recent past various chemicals in consumer products have also been documented to produce depigmentation. In India due to lax quality control measures chemical leucoderma due to consumer items is not uncommon.The various consumer items documented to cause contact depigmentation are sticker bindis, rain shoes, plastic chappals, hair dye/ black henna(kali mehndi), alta, wallets and even mobile plastic covers.

Bulimia nervosa.

Although there is a lot of information coming up to explain the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa, yet little is know about bulimia nervosa in Indian literature. This case report highlights the typical presentation of a case of bulimia nervosa in an adolescent girl, where bulimia symptoms were preceded by anorexic behavior. Our case showed clinical similarity with the diagnostic criteria of the available classification system. The absence of self-evaluation for body weight and shape in this case be explained on the basis of cultural factors. To some extent, initial anorexic behavior could have played a role in etiopathogenesis of bulimia nervosa.

Chronic but not resistant mania: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: There are many nuances of elevated mood states. At times, it becomes very difficult to diagnose a case of mania because of personality style of the patient superimposed on a cyclothymic or hyperthymic temperament. Such cases may become chronic if timely intervention is not received. We describe a case of chronic mania of 48 years of duration. METHOD: A case report. RESULTS: A 65-year-old male was admitted with history of mania for around five decades. The illness commenced at prepubertal age and was continuous without any residual symptoms of note. During the course of illness, he got involved in many devastating socio-politico-legal complications. He showed good response to treatment and is currently maintained well without medication. In this case we also described some psychosocial features that may have been responsible for the chronicity of the illness. CONCLUSION: We highlighted the need for correctly identifying chronic mania, early intervention and increasing treatment awareness. This case was not treatment resistant, suggesting that chronicity per se should not denote poor outcome.

Effects of education and sex on some common clinical tests used in mental status examination.

Some common clinical tests were evaluated to see the effects of education and sex. The effect of education was highly significant on tests of Attention and Concentration, Immediate Retention and Recall, General Knowledge (From 'A'), Counting and Calculation, and Comprehension. Males tended to score higher on all of these tests and the differences were significant on tests of Attention and Concentration, and Comprehension in illiterate group of subjects, and on tests of Comprehension in V-IX educational group. It is suggested to obtain norms for these tests for different educational groups, as well as for males and females, before any valid conclusion can be drawn.The tests of Orientation, Remote Memory, and Recent Memory were not affected by age & education.

Hypomagnesemia in relation to digoxin intoxication in children.

Serum magnesium estimation was done in 19 children who had heart failure of varied etiology. Five of nine toxic patients and three of 10 nontoxic ones had magnesium deficiency (serum magnesium less than 1.5 mEq. per liter). Mean serum magnesium level was significantly lowered (P less than 0.01) in 19 children and it was further lowered in nine toxic patients (P less than 0.001) as well as in eight hypomagnesemic patients (P less than 0.001) than in healthy control subjects. Mean serum digoxin level in toxic patients was significantly higher than in nontoxic ones (P less than 0.05). In three cases magnesium sulfate was successfully used for the management of cardiac arrhythmias.