Endoscopic Needle Knife Sphincterotome-an Alternative for Retrieval of an Entrapped Nasogastric Tube.

Knowledge of the use of a nasogastric tube (NG) is integral in medical practice as a whole and more so in gastrointestinal diseases because of its wide range of uses. Accidental fixation of the nasogastric tube during surgery is a rare complication. Various methods have been described for retrieval of an entrapped, retained or stapled nasogastric tube. We describe here a novel technique in which an endoscopic needle knife sphincterotome using a side-view endoscope was used successfully to cut the knots and release the entrapped NG tube. Although stress should always be laid on prevention, the flexible endoscopic approach is a small-duration procedure, a minimally invasive, cost-effective technique for the removal of a nasogastric tube that avoids the need of redo surgery and unnecessary exposure to anaesthesia.

An optimal painless treatment for early hemorrhoids; our experience in Government Medical College and Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Infrared Coagulation Therapy (IRC) for hemorrhoids. IRC is a painless, safe and successful procedure. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh, India, from August 2006 to October 2008. The choice of procedure depends on the patient's symptoms, the extent of the hemorrhoidal disease, and the experience of the surgeon along with the availability of the techniques/instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study done from August 2006 to October 2008. Total number of 155 patients was included in the study. Infrared Coagulation Therapy (IRC) was performed through a special designed proctoscope. Patients excluded were with coagulopathy disorders, fissure in ano, and anal ulcers. Results - It is an outpatient Department (OPD), non-surgical, ambulatory, painless and bloodless procedure, without any hospital stay. Early recovery and minimal recurrence of hemorrhoids were noted without any morbidity or mortality. We have studied 155 patients, treated with IRC on OPD basis. Surgery was required in few patients in whom IRC failed or was contraindicated. Out of the total 155 patients, 127 came for follow up. After the 1st sitting of IRC therapy: out of 127; 43 patients got a total relief, mass shrinkage was of > 75% in 57 cases and < 50% in 14 cases. Twenty-eight cases did not come for follow-up. In the 2nd sitting, out of 84/127; 58 patients got a total relief, >75% relief in 15 cases and >50 % relief in 11 patients. In the 3rd sitting out of 26/84 cases: 13 cases got a total relief and 13 cases refused to take the third sitting; however, in 7 cases the hemorrhoidal mass shrank up to 50% after the two sittings. These 14 were operated as there was no relief from bleeding after giving two sittings of IRC. Our opinion is that, in the above 14 cases, the patient might have not followed the instructions properly for dietary habits. CONCLUSION: IRC is a safe, simple and effective procedure for early hemorrhoids without any complications. IRC is nowadays the world's leading office treatment for hemorrhoids. IRC is a better option than the surgical treatment as it is easy, well tolerated, and remarkably complication-free. In our study, we have not used any course of antibiotics. In the management of early hemorrhoids, IRC should be considered as a simple trouble-free and painless option.

Coexistence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases, AmpC Beta-Lactamases and Metallo-Beta-Lactamases in Acinetobacter baumannii from burns patients: a report from a tertiary care centre of India.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii is a major pathogen encountered in pyogenic infections, especially from burns patients in hospital settings. Often there is also coexistence of multiple beta-lactamase enzymes responsible for beta-lactam resistance in a single isolate, which further complicates treatment options. We conducted a study on burn wound pus samples obtained from the burns unit of our hospital. Phenotypic tests were used to determine the Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase, AmpC Beta-Lactamase and Metallo-Beta-Lactamase producing status of the isolates. Almost half of the samples from the burn wounds yielded Acinetobacter baumanii as the predominant pathogen (54.05%). Coexistence of the three resistance mechanisms was seen in 25 of the 100 (25%) isolates of Acinetobacter baumanii. This study emphasizes the need for the detection of isolates that produce these enzymes to avoid therapeutic failures and nosocomial outbreaks.

Acinetobacter baumannii multirésistante est un pathogène majeur rencontré dans les infections pyogènes, en particulier parmi les patients brûlés en milieu hospitalier. Il n'est également pas rare de trouver coexistence de plusieurs enzymes bêta-lactamases responsables de la résistance bêta-lactame dans un seul isolat, ce qui complique encore les options de traitement. Nous avons mené une étude sur les échantillons de pus des plaies de brûlures obtenus à partir de l'unité de soins aux brûlures de notre hôpital. Les isolats qui produisent des Bêta-Lactamases à Spectre Étendu, à l'AmpC et des métallo-bêta-lactamase ont été déterminés sur la base des tests phénotypiques. Près de la moitié des échantillons des plaies de brûlures a donné l'Acinetobacter baumannii comme l'agent pathogène prédominant (54,05%). La coexistence de ces trois mécanismes de résistance a été observée dans 25 des 100 (25%) des isolats d'Acinetobacter baumannii. Cette étude met l'accent sur la nécessité pour la détection des isolats qui produisent ces enzymes pour éviter les échecs thérapeutiques et des épidémies nosocomiales.

Successful repair of tubercular tracheal stenosis: a rare case report.

OBJECTIVE: We report a rare case of successful surgical management of tubercular tracheal stenosis. There was no history of tracheostomy except for trauma management. CASE REPORT: A 24-year-old man presented with breathing difficulty. He had previously sustained blunt chest injury, a fractured mandible and minor head injury in a traffic accident. Despite successful mandibular fracture fixation, he subsequently developed progressive breathing difficulty with stridor. The patient was treated successfully with surgical resection and bronchoplastic reconstruction. Post-operatively, endotracheal tuberculosis was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Endotracheal tuberculosis is rare despite the high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in India. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to prevent tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis, an extremely rare but serious clinical problem which can cause obstructive pneumonia and exertional dyspnoea. Surgical resection and bronchoplastic reconstruction is the established treatment for such stenosis. Patients with active tuberculosis usually respond to conventional antitubercular treatment.

Bilateral breast carcinoma- a rare case report.

We are presenting a rare case of bilateral breast cancer. A 65-year-old female reported to us with complaint of lump in the left breast. There was positive family history. The patient was diagnosed with carcinoma breast of left side on edge biopsy and of right side by ultrasonography, which was confirmed on fine needle aspiration cytology. At the time of admission, ultrasonography of the abdomen and right breast were normal. After 1 month, the patient was readmitted with redness over the inner quadrant of the right breast skin.

Giant parathyroid adenoma.

Primary Hyperparathyroidism is most commonly caused by parathyroid adenoma. Parathyroid adenoma is generally suspected by certain symptoms and biochemical abnormalities. They rarely attain large size to be evident clinically. We report a rare case of giant parathyroid adenoma measuring 5 x 4 x 3 cm and weighing 35 gm.

Diffuse colonic lipomatosis, presenting as perforation peritonitis and mimicking carcinoma colon.

Lipomas and lipomatosis of colon are rare in clinical practice. We herein report a case of diffuse colonic lipomatosis, fifth such case in literature which presented as perforation peritonitis, a presentation, never been reported earlier. On laparotomy, the findings suggested malignancy and appropriate surgery was done. Diffuse Colonic Lipomatosis, a rare and benign condition mimicks malignancy and should be kept as a differential diagnosis is unusual cases of colonic perforations.

A large primary hydatid cyst of thigh: a case report.

Primary hydatid disease of musculoskletal system is rare. A 60 year old woman presented with soft swelling in medial aspect of thigh, of long duration which was gradually increasing in size. She was initially diagnosed as lipoma of thigh, but ultrasonography revealed to be a cystic swelling suggestive of hydatid disease. MRI further reinforced the diagnosis. However serologic test (ELISA) was negative. Patient was given albendazole preoperatively. The swelling was removed en bloc and advised for adjunctive albendazole chemotherapy (15 mg/kg/day) for three months.

Diagnostic sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgG in hydatid disease.

CONTEXT: Hydatid disease in humans is most commonly caused by Echinococcus granulosus and results in development of cysts in various organs of body. The diagnosis is made by serology i.e. by estimation of antibody levels or on imaging studies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is widely used for serological confirmation of the disease. AIM: To study the sensitivity of ELISA for IgG antibodies against E. granulosus in detecting hydatid disease of liver or lung. SETTINGS: A retrospective study of serology of all surgically confirmed cases of hydatid cysts of liver or lung in a tertiary level hospital. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The levels of IgG antibodies against Echinococcus, measured by ELISA, in patients of cystic lesions of liver or lung, who underwent surgery for the same and confirmed as having hydatid disease, during surgery or on histopathological examination after surgery, were recorded and analysed. There were 28 such patients from January 2001 to 2007. Twenty-three patients with hydatid cysts in liver and 4 in lung were included. One patient with hydatid liver was excluded from the study due to heavily calcified cyst. RESULTS: Two types of kits were used; one using crude antigen and other using purified antigens. Among 23 patients with hydatid cysts of liver, 8 had positive serology while 15 had either equivocal or negative results. All 4 patients with hydatid of lung had positive serology. CONCLUSION: ELISA test is not sensitive enough to be relied upon for confirmation of hydatid disease and considering its high cost, an alternative more specific, sensitive, cheaper and easily available test needs to be evaluated for confirming hydatid disease.

Spectrum of microbial flora in diabetic foot ulcers.

A prospective study was carried out on patients with diabetic foot lesions to determine their clinical characteristics, the spectrum of aerobic microbial flora and to assess their comparative in vitro susceptibility to the commonly used antibiotics. A total of 157 organisms (143 bacteria and 14 fungi) were isolated and an average of 1.52 isolates per case was reported. Polymicrobial infection was found in 35% of the patients. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the gram-negative (22%) and Staphylococcus aureus among the gram-positive (19%) were the predominantly isolated organisms, while Candida was the most predominantly isolated fungus. Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of the isolates is discussed in detail. There was a linear increase in the prevalence of organisms with increase in Wagner's grade. Neuropathy (76%) and peripheral vascular disease (57.28%) was a common feature among the patients. Poor glycemic control was found in 67% of the patients. Awareness about lower limb complications of diabetes was very low (23%) among the patients.

A comparative analysis of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of palpable and mammographically detected suspicious breast lesions.

The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of needle core biopsy (NCB) of the breast with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in breast lesions (palpable and non-palpable) in the Indian set-up, along with the assessment of tumor grading with both the techniques. Fifty patients with suspicious breast lesions were subjected to simultaneous FNAC and ultrasound-guided NCB following an initial mammographic evaluation. Cases were categorized into benign, benign with atypia, suspicious and malignant groups. In cases of infiltrating duct carcinomas, grading was performed on cytological smears as well as on NCB specimens. Both the techniques were compared, and findings were correlated with radiological and excision findings. Out of 50 cases, 18 were found to be benign and 32 malignant on final pathological diagnosis. Maximum number of patients with benign diagnosis was in the fourth decade (42.11%) and malignant diagnosis in the fourth as well as fifth decade (35.48% each). Sensitivity and specificity of mammography for the diagnosis of malignancy was 84.37% and 83.33%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FNAC for malignant diagnosis was 78.15% and 94.44%, respectively, and of NCB was 96.5% and 100%, respectively. But NCB had a slightly higher specimen inadequacy rate (8%). NCB improved diagnostic categorization over FNAC by 18%. Tumor grading in cases of IDC showed high concordance rate between NCB and subsequent excision biopsy (94.44%) but low concordance rate between NCB and FNAC (59.1%). NCB is superior to FNAC in the diagnosis of breast lesions in terms of sensitivity, specificity, correct histological categorization of the lesions as well as tumor grading.

A comparative study of serum lipid profile and gallstone disease.

The diseased gallbladder is one of the commonest specimens submitted to the surgical pathology laboratory in North India. Obesity is associated with a linear increase in gallstone formation. It has been observed that the plasma lipoprotein profile of patients with gallstones differs markedly from that of healthy subjects. Serum lipid profile was done by enzyme kit method. All the gallstones received were categorized morphologically and examined biochemically. The age range of 200 cases was 13 to 77 years with a mean of43.75 +/- 13.39 years. There were 171 females (85.5%) and 29 males (14.5%) with male to female ratio of 1: 5.8. The stones containing both cholesterol and bile pigments were the most common (129 cases, 84.87%); while pure cholesterol stones were seen in 23 cases (11.50%) and pigment stones were infrequent (1 case, 0.65%). On lipidogram of patients in the study group, mean serum total cholesterol was 155.50 +/- 43.03 mg/dL, mean serum triglycerides was 100.49 +/- 45.23 mg/dL, mean HDL cholesterol was 46.71 +/- 15.20 mg/dL, mean LDL cholesterol was 87.94 +/- 36.85 mg/dL and mean VLDL cholesterol was 20.84 +/- 11.97 mg/dL. Serum total cholesterol values were significantly higher in patients older than 39 years as compared to patients < or =39 years (161.44 +/- 42.32 mg/dL vs. 145.79 +/- 32.96 mg/dL, p < 0.05). But the observed mean values in both of these subgroups were within the normal range i.e. <200 mg/dL. No significant difference was observed in the mean serum triglyceride values between male and female patients. The findings of this study did not indicate any role of serum lipid profile in the formation of gallstones. However the higher mean values of serum total cholesterol and serum triglycerides in patients older than 39 years of age may be explained by increasing age.

Bowel injury following induced abortion.

OBJECTIVE: Bowel injury is an uncommonly reported yet serious complication of induced abortion, which is often performed illegally by persons without any medical training in developing countries. A sudden increase in cases prompted the authors to analyze this problem. METHOD: A retrospective review was done of 11 cases of bowel injury following induced abortion seen over 2 years at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. RESULTS: Young, married women of low socioeconomic status with a strong preference for male children were the predominant recipients of induced abortion in India. The terminal ileum and pelvic colon were the most commonly injured portions of the bowel owing to their anatomic locations. CONCLUSION: Preoperative resuscitation, then resection with exteriorization of bowel and thorough peritoneal lavage, is the treatment for bowel injury incurred during induced abortion when the patient presents late.

Herniation of colon following transhiatal esophagectomy.

We report a 38-year-old man with intestinal obstruction following transhiatal esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus; it occurred secondary to herniation of the transverse colon through the esophageal hiatus into the mediastinum. The patient is asymptomatic after reduction of the hernia and repair of the disphragmatic hernia.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia.

A traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare type of hernia, which follows blunt trauma to the abdomen, where disruption of the musculature and fascia occurs, with the overlying skin remaining intact. The case of a sixty five year old female that developed a TAWH, following the collapse of the roof of her house, is reported. She underwent a laparotomy for suspected liver injury, followed by repair of the hernia using a fascia lata graft taken from the thigh. The etiology, pathogenesis and management of this rare hernia are discussed.

Incisional hernia from iliac bone grafting site--a report of two cases.

Incisional hernia is a fairly common problem in India, although there is a paucity of data from the region. The commonly implicated operations in the aetiology of incisional hernia in our setup are lower segment cesarean sections and surgery for peritonitis. Incisional hernia following iliac bone grafting is rare, despite the frequency of performance of the procedure. Two patients with incisional hernia arising from the donor site of iliac bone grafting were seen in our department over the last year. They underwent mesh hernioplasty using polypropylene mesh that was placed as an onlay. Both the patients are presently well on follow-up, with no recurrence of the hernia. Mesh hernioplasty of hernia following iliac bone grafting gives good results and may be considered the method of choice of repair of this uncommon type of hernia.

Mechanical bowel obstruction: the Chandigarh experience.

Intestinal obstruction is a fairly common surgical emergency in India, but there is little data available regarding the spectrum of intestinal obstruction in India, or its related complications. This paper represents a retrospective review of 97 patients who underwent surgery for intestinal obstruction at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India, over four years (1997-2000). The case files of all these patients were reviewed and analysed for patient particulars, pre-operative clinical examination and investigations, intraoperative findings, final diagnosis, post-operative morbidity, and mortality. The mean age of our patients was 39.46 years, with an overall male to female ratio of 2.46:1. Most of the patients were in the age group of 17 to 60 years (62.89%). A total of 107 causes for the obstruction could be identified at surgery, with intra-abdominal adhesions and bands (27.10%) being the commonest followed by obstructed herniae (22.43%). Strangulation was present in 21 patients at the time of surgery. This group of patients had a significantly higher post-operative morbidity than patients with simple obstruction, although no statistically significant difference was seen in between the mortality rates in these two groups.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: an Indian experience of 1233 cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a well-established procedure for symptomatic cholelithiasis in India, but there are few data available regarding the procedure and its related complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This paper represents a retrospective review of 1233 patients who underwent LC at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India, over 4 years (1997-2000). The case files of all these patients were analyzed for patient particulars, intraoperative findings, reason for any open conversion, postoperative stay, and mortality. RESULTS: The overall conversion rate was 7.06% (87 patients). The commonest cause of conversion was a frozen Calot's triangle (52 patients), followed by injury to the common bile duct (8 patients). The average postoperative stay in successful LC was 1.32 days. The overall mortality rate was 0.16% (2 deaths). The quality of life after LC was good to excellent in more than 90% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite multiple hands in training, the complication rates of LC are within acceptable limits. The overall conversion rate has risen because of the increase in elective conversions, but the incidence of complications has come down because of a "no hesitation" policy in converting. In spite of multiple operators, LC is the procedure of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis at our hospital.