VATS surgical anatomical resection of bronchopulmonary sequestration presenting as chest sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) is a malformation of the lungs resulting in lung tissue lacking direct communication to the tracheobronchial tree. Most cases demonstrate systemic arterial blood supply from the descending thoracic aorta, the abdominal aorta, celiac axis or splenic artery and venous drainage via the pulmonary veins with occasional drainage into azygos vein. BPS is considered a childhood disease and accounts for 0.15-6.40% of congenital pulmonary malformations. BPS is divided into intralobar sequestrations (ILS) and extralobar sequestrations (ELS) with ILS accounting for 75% of all cases. METHODS: Here we present our 11-year experience of dealing with BPS; all cases presented with recurrent chest sepsis in young-late adulthood regardless of the type of pathological sequestration. The surgical technique employed was a minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic anterior approach (VATS). RESULTS: Between May 2010 and September 2021, we have operated on nine adult patients with bronchopulmonary sequestration who presented late with symptoms of recurrent chest sepsis. Most patients in the cohort had lower lobe pathology, with a roughly even split between right and left sided pathology. Moreover, the majority were life-long never smokers and an equal preponderance in males and females. The majority were extralobar sequestrations (56%) with pathological features in keeping with extensive bronchopneumonia and bronchiectasis. There were no major intra-operative or indeed post-operative complications. Median length of stay was 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Dissection and division of the systemic feeding vessel was readily achievable through a successful anterior VATS approach, regardless of the type of sequestration and without the use of pre-operative coiling of embolization techniques. This approach gave excellent access to the hilar structures yet in this pathology, judicious and perhaps a lower threshold for open approach should be considered.

Bacteriological patterns and antibiotic sensitivities in calculus cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Calculus cholecystitis with its complications dominates the diseases of the biliary tract. There is an inherent difficulty in identifying patients having infected gall bladders who may have the risk of wound infection or gram negative septicaemia after cholecystectomy. This study was conducted to ascertain the bacteriological patterns and antibiotic sensitivities of bile in calculus cholecystitis patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital and formulate guidelines for prophylactic antibiotic therapy. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from 20th Dec 2006 to 19th Sep 2008. A total number of 150 patients presenting at CMH Rawalpindi for elective cholecystectomy were included in the study. Prophylactic antibiotics were given after the induction of anaesthesia, 5 ml of bile was aspirated from their intact gall bladder was subjected to bacteriological examination at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. A pro forma was designed to record all the information regarding isolated bacteria and their sensitivities to various antibiotics. Data was analyzed using SPSS-11. RESULTS: Growth of bacteria was seen in 57 (38%) cases and no growth was seen in 93 (62%). Most common organism cultured was: Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The most effective antibiotic was Imipenem followed by Piperacillin- Tazobactum combination and Amikacin. CONCLUSIONS: Imipenem, Piperacillin-Tazobactum combination and Amikacin should be used for prophylaxis in cases of cholelithiasis undergoing elective cholecystectomy.