Clinicopathological study and management of liver abscess in a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Liver abscess is a burning problem in tropical nations, with often lethal consequences and diagnostic/therapeutic challenges. We have determined etiopathology, clinical, radiological, and bacteriological characteristics of this condition and review its management strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period of the month from May 2007 to September 2009, a prospective study was performed involving 125 patients admitted to the in-patient ward of the Department of General Surgery of N.R.S Medical College their diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical features (such as right upper abdomen pain, and fever), laboratory investigations and radiological evidence of liver abscess. RESULTS: Amoebic liver abscess was the most common (88%) type of liver abscess among the study groups. There was a strong correlation with the occurrence of liver abscesses and addiction to alcohol, history of diabetes mellitus and low socioeconomic status. The most common etiology of pyogenic liver abscess was Escherichia coli. Ultrasonography (USG) of the abdomen was accurate and cost-effective in diagnosis of liver abscesses. Percutaneous catheter drainage was the most effective method of treatment (with a 100% success rate). CONCLUSION: Most patients in our study had liver abscess of amoebic origin and had temporal relationship with diabetes, alcoholism, and staggering socioeconomic status. We suggest early recognition of clinical features and prompt abdominal USG as cost-effective means for treatment initiation and reducing complications.

Mechanical bowel preparation versus no preparation before colorectal surgery: A randomized prospective trial in a tertiary care institute.

BACKGROUND: In the first half of 20(th) century; mortality from colorectal surgery often exceeded 20%, mainly due to sepsis. Modern surgical techniques and improved perioperative care have significantly lowered the mortality rate. Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is aimed at cleansing the large bowel of fecal content thus reducing morbidity and mortality related to colorectal surgery. We carried out a study aimed to investigate the outcomes of colorectal surgery with and without MBPs, to avoid unpleasant side-effects of MBP and also to design a protocol for preparation of a patient for colorectal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study over a period of March 2008-May 2010 carried out at Department of General Surgery of our institution. A total of 63 patients were included in this study; among those 32 patients were operated with MBPs and 31 without it; admitted in in-patient department undergoing resection of left colon and rectum for benign and malignant conditions in both emergency and elective conditions. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage, intra-abdominal collections was detected clinically and radiologically in 2 and 4 patients in each group respectively. P > 0.5 in both situations, indicating statistically no difference between results of two groups. Wound infections were detected in 12 (37.5%) patients with MBP group and 11 (35.48%) patients without MBP. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that the omission of MBP does not impair healing of colonic anastomosis; neither increases the risk of leakage.

Sociodemographic profile of breast cancer patients diagnosed by FNAC.

The study included 431 patients who underwent breast FNAC over a period of five years between 2003 and 2008. The required clinical details were obtained from the requisition forms. The Information about the level of education and occupation were collected by interviewing the subjects. The number of cases of breast carcinoma was significant constituting 14.84% (n = 64). The study showed that the peak age for breast carcinoma was between 41 and 50 years. This correlates with the national figure where most of the cases observed belonged to the reproductive age group. Most of the females were married (93.75%) and were multiparous (92.18%). Maximum number of patients had only received primary education. There was not much difference in the number regarding whether they lived in urban or rural areas. Middle and lower socioeconomic class contributed the bulk of the cases and it were the housewives who were in majority (85.93%).

Management of large amoebic liver abscess--a comparative study of needle aspiration and catheter drainage.

Amoebiasis in endemic in the tropical countries with amoebic liver abscesses being a common complication. Different modalities of treatment of amoebic liver abscess are conservative (medical management), percutaneous needle aspiration, percutaneous catheter drainage, surgical drainage and endoscopic drainage. This study was carried out to compare the efficacy, safety and outcome of needle aspiration comparing with percutaneous catheter drainage of large (> or = 5cm diameter) amoebic liver abscesses. This was a prospective study carried over a period of two years (2006-2008) at the general surgery department of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. A total of 45 patients were included in this study. All of them had amoebic liver abscess with diameter of abscess cavity > or = 5cm. They were divided into two groups. Group A included 22 patients and they were treated with needle aspiration. Group B included 23 patients and they were treated by catheter drainage. Improvement in clinical features, liver function tests, ultrasonic evidence of decrease in the size of abscess cavity was considered as criteria for successful treatment. The sex ratio and the age incidence in the two groups were similar. In about 80% patients the right lobe was affected, in about 18% the left lobe was affected and in rest the abscess involved both lobes. Needle aspiration was successful in 15 (68.2%) and catheter drainage was successful in 23 patients (100%). The mean hospital stay of patients treated with needle aspiration was more than those treated with catheter drainage. The mean time in days taken for 50% decrease in the size of abscess cavity was significantly greater in group treated with needle aspiration than in those treated with catheter drainage (9 days versus 4 days). It is concluded that percutaneous catheter drainage is more effective in management of large amoebic liver abscess than needle aspiration.

Efferent loop gastrojejunal intussusception: a case report.

Gastrojejunal intussusception is a rare complication of gastric surgery. It can occur in cases with gastrojejunostomy done after partial gastric resection or in cases of simple gastrojejunostomy. There are only few cases reported worldwide, Review of literature showed about 200 cases reported till 2006 and a few more cases reported after that. A rare case of retrograde gastrojejunal intussusception is reported. The patient presented in the emergency with severe pain upper abdomen and haematemesis. Contrast enhanced CT scan of abdomen showed hugely distended stomach with retrograde gastrojejunal intussusception on laparotomy, the intussusception was reduced. A jejunojejunostomy was done. The patient is doing well after 1 1/2, months.