Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome following Gastrointestinal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome symptoms immediately after surgery have lately been regarded as potential warnings of impending post-operative complications and multiple organ failure. This study was conducted to find out the clinical significance of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in postoperative patients and to investigate the relationship between the duration of post-operative systemic inflammatory response syndrome and the post-operative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Total 30 patients who received different gastrointestinal surgery and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome between 2006 and 2008 at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital were included. Patients were analyzed for preoperative physiologic status, surgical stress parameters, and postoperative status of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, complications, and end-organ dysfunction. RESULTS: Duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or positive criteria's number of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after surgery significantly correlated with surgical stress parameters (blood loss/body weight and operation time). Septic complications and prolongation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome were associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is a useful criterion for the recognition of postoperative complications and end-organ dysfunctions. Early recovery from systemic inflammatory response syndrome may arrest the progression of organ dysfunction, thus reducing the mortality.

Single Stage Management of Concomitant Cholelithiasis and Choledocholithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Concomitant cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis are commonly managed in two stage procedure, endoscopic management of common bile duct stone followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy in different time and setting. We perform these two procedures in same sitting in operating room set up. We evaluated the procedure in terms of outcome, feasibility and complications. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study carried out since April 2013 to August 2016 in all patients who had undergone single stage endoscopic and laparoscopic management of concomitant cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Patient's demography, procedural time for different procedure and procedure in total and post-operative complications were recorded and analyzed with suitable statistical methods. RESULTS: Out of 50 cases enrolled, 2 patients were converted to open. Out of 48 patients, 3 needed re-attempt for completion. Majority were female 36 (72%), mean age was 39.48years. Mean common bile duct diameter and mean stone size was 11.43±2.63 cm and 7.99±2.01cm, respectively. Mean of total procedural time was 90.93± 33.68 minutes. In most of the cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed first followed by endoscopic method (66.7%). Total procedural time was less in the patients who underwent laparoscopy first in comparison to endoscopy first. Clinically significant complications like cholangitis, pancreatitis and duodenal perforation occurred in 7 patients. Out of 4 patients who developed pancreatitis, one had severe acute pancreatitis requiring prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Single stage management of common bile duct and gall bladder stone by laparoscopic and endoscopic method is feasible in our setup with acceptable results. Endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stone if performed first, is associated with longer procedural time.

Comparison of Fissure Healing and The Incidence of Headache Among the Patients Treated with Endo- and Perianal Application of 0.2% Glyceryl Trinitrate for Chronic Anal Fissure.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic anal fissure is associated with significant morbidity and reduction in quality of life mostly in young healthy adults. Glyceryl Trinitrate, a most commonly used agent for treatment, is associated with incidence of headache causing discontinuation of treatment. There is belief that endoanal application instead of perianal is associated with lower incidence of headache. This study is to compare the incidence and severity of headache in between perianal and endoanal application of GTN ointment. METHODS: Thirty patients were taken in each perianal and endoanal group. They were given orientation to apply 375gm of ointment either endoanally or perianally and to record severity of headache according to visual analogue scale. This record was noted by independent observer in telephonic conversation. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks for evaluation fissure. RESULTS: The mean age, male female ratio and features of chronicity was similar in both the group however the duration of symptoms between the group was different. Regarding outcome, Overall incidence of headache was seen in two-third of patient with severe headache in approx. 10%. Severity of headache was slightly lower in endoanal group but the difference was not significant. Healing rate was comparable. Two patient in perianal and 3 in endoanal group were lost for follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoanal application of GTN ointment is associated with slight decrease in intensity of headache and is comparable with perianal application for fissure healing.

Pre-operative Prediction of Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common operation performed. Though LC have become safer and easier at times it can be difficult. Difficult cases can result in prolonged operative time, bleeding, bile spillage, conversion to open technique and bile duct injury resulting in unplanned prolonged hospital stay, increase in estimated cost to the patients and for the surgeon it leads to increased stress during operation and time pressure to complete the operative list. . Identification of difficult cases has potential advantages for surgeons, patients and their relatives. We aim to develop and validate a scoring system to predict difficult LC preoperatively. METHODS: Prospective study. History, physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and biochemical parameters were included to develop a scoring system. Hundred patients undergoing LC were included and preoperative scores were calculated preoperatively to predict difficult LC which was compared with operative assessment. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of the preoperative scoring for difficult case was 53.8 % and 89.2 % respectively with PPV of 63.64 % and NPV of 84.62%. Only three parameters (history of acute cholecystitis, gall bladder wall thickness and contracted gall bladder) were statistically significant to predict difficult LC individually. Area under ROC curve was 0.779 (95 % CI, 0.657-0.883). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative scoring system can be used to predict difficult LC. Surgeons can plan operation based on predicted difficulty. Patients and relatives can be counselled preoperatively for the possibility of difficult operation, prolonged hospital stay and increased cost in predicted difficult case.

Ocular morbidity among children attending government and private schools of Kathmandu valley.

INTRODUCTION: Children from the developing world are more prone to going blind from avoidable and preventable causes. In Nepal, children in private schools are reported to have a higher ocular morbidity than those in government schools, with myopia being the major cause of the morbidity. This study was designed to evaluate ocular morbidity in students from both types of school. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, comparative study among students from government and private schools of Kathmandu. Eye examination was carried out evaluating visual acuity, color vision, refractive status, binocular vision status, and anterior and posterior segment findings. RESULTS: A total of 4,228 students from government and private schools were evaluated. The prevalence of ocular morbidity was 19.56 % with refractive error (11.9 %) being the major cause of the morbidity, followed by strabismus and infective disorders. No significant difference in the prevalence of ocular morbidity and refractive status was found in the students from government and private schools. CONCLUSION: A significant number of children of school-going age have ocular morbidity with no significant difference in the prevalence in the students from government and private schools. Research exploring the effect of various risk factors in the progression of myopia would be helpful to investigate the refractive status in children from these different types of schools.

Laparoscopic primary repair of common bile duct: does the suture size matter.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary closure is being popular method of management for common bile duct stone. As the standard method of procedure is yet to be established, we have compared the outcome of using different size suture for the closure of choledochotomy wound. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted where patients were categorized in two groups. Those with 3-0 suture were grouped "A" and those with 5-0 in"B". Outcome regarding the suturing time, cost, postoperative bile leak and hospital stay were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Total 42 cases were included, twenty-one in each group. Mean age in group A is 38.6yrs and in group B is 44.24yrs. The sex ratio is comparable. Mean time taken for suturing is almost same (34.4 mins Vs 32.6 mins). The Post-operative bile leak is significantly for shorter duration in 5-0 group than 3-0 group. But there is no difference in overall hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative bile leak is significantly less when common bile duct is sutured with thinner needle and suture. This does not increase the cost, does not prolong the operating time and is not associated with other complications. Although the overall hospital stay is same. Further large scale study is needed.

Biliary complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The reported prevalence of biliary tract disruption following laparoscopic cholecystectomy has ranged from 0% to 7% in early reports. Bile leaks are the most common biliary complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Total 530 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy from January 2004 to November 2006 at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital were studied for biliary complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: We reviewed 500 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at our institution and found 13 cases of bile extravasation and/or biloma formation and/or bile duct injuries (prevalence, 2.6%). One bile duct transection was acutely recognized and treated with hepaticojejunostomy. Three lateral bile duct injuries were also acutely recognized, two of them were managed with primary repair of CBD without T tube and the other was managed with repair and T-tube drainage. Two patients had postoperative generalized biliary peritonitis, one of whom was undergone exploratory laparotomy and found to have lateral injury on CBD which was managed with repair and T-tube drainage, whereas the other was undergone diagnostic laparoscopy with clipping of duct of Lushka. Two patients presented within seven days with biloma, one was treated with percutaneous drainage alone, the other treated with percutanous drainage was found to be complete transection of CBD on subsequent ERCP and managed with late hepaticojejunostomy. One patient with continued bile leak from surgical drainage tube for more than one week was managed with ERCP, diagnosed to be bile leak from duct of Lushka, managed by sphincterotomy and bile duct stenting. One patient presented with obstructive jaundice 6 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to have Bismuth type II bile duct stricture and was undergone hepaticojejunostomy. The remaining three had bile leak from surgical drainage which resolved within one week without further complication. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be associated with a higher incidence of bile duct injury than previous reports of open cholecystectomy. Possible explanations include variant anatomy plus failure to obtain an operative cholangiogram, inadequate dissection, injudicious use of cautery or clip placement, inherent limitations of the procedure, or the learning curve associated with a new technology.

T-tube vs primary common bile duct closure.

INTRODUCTION: Closure of the common bile duct over T-tube after exploration is a widely practiced traditional method. However, its use may give rise to many complications. We do primary closure of common bile duct after exploration. Aim of the study is to see the efficacy and safety of the primary closure. METHODS: Study was carried out to compare the results of both the techniques from 2006 to 2009 in the cases proven to have common bile duct stone with or without the features of obstructive jaundice. Post operative hospital stay and morbidities related to both the groups were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: There were total 71 cases included in the study. Thirty one in T-tube group and 40 in primary closure group. T-tube was removed in most of the cases after three weeks where as average time of drain removal in primary closure group is 5.79 +/-1.79 days. Incidence of retained stone was equal in each group. Major complication in T-tube group is biliary peritonitis in four patients at the time of T-tube removal whereas none of the patient from primary closure group suffered from such major complication. CONCLUSIONS: Primary closure after the common bile duct exploration is safe and it helps to avoid the morbidities related to T-tube.

Early experience of day care surgery in Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: The day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) is found to be safe and effective in developed countries. However, it has not been well accepted in our part of the world probably because of lack of infrastructures,established norms and published reports. We have analyzed the safety and feasibility of the procedure in the recently established first dedicated day care surgery centre of the country. METHODS: All the patients with American society of anaesthesiologist (ASA) score I and II admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy are included. Operation are performed in the morning and closely observed till evening. Patients found to be medically fit to discharge; having a responsible person at home and who can make their own arrangements in case of problems were advised for discharge. Follow up was done by telephone call from next morning. RESULTS: Total 35 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Age range was between 16-65 years and most of them were females (88%). Only 30 patients were operated in early morning and were eligible for day care surgery. 25 (83%) Patients were advised for discharge but only 10 (33%) could make arrangement. Other 15 patients could not go home mainly due to different psychosocial reasons. Only one patient needed readmission and Complications observed were minor and relatively few. CONCLUSIONS: Day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible in our set up. Acceptance of the procedure is expected to increase once it is regularly practiced and awareness in improved.

Color vision defects in school going children.

INTRODUCTION: Color vision defect can be observed in various diseases of optic nerve and retina and also a significant number of people suffer from the inherited condition of red and green color defect. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed with purposive sampling of students from various schools of Kathmandu Valley. All children were subjected to color vision evaluation using Ishihara Isochromatic color plates along with other examination to rule out any other causes for color deficiency. RESULTS: A total of 2001 students were examined, 1050 male students and 951 females with mean age of 10.35 (+/- 2.75) and 10.54 (+/- 2.72) respectively. Among the total students examined, 2.1% had some form of color vision defects. Of the male population, 3.9% had color vision defects while none of the female was found with the deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of color vision defect in Nepal is significant and comparable with the prevalence quoted in studies from different countries.

Use of ureterorenoscope as choledochoscope.

BACKGROUND: Flexible Choledochoscope is used to remove the stones using accessories during exploration of the common bile duct and its use reduces the incidence of retained stones. The choledochoscope and accessories are expensive and not available in many General Hospitals. In comparison to this, semi-rigid ureterorenoscope is easily available in many minimally invasive centres and accessories are more useful to remove even the impacted stones. We have used this for exploration of the CBD and tried to analyse its efficacy and safety. METHODS: All the patients who underwent ureterorenoscopic intervention by single surgeon for common bile duct stones during 2007-2010 are included. The usefulness, efficacy and safety of the procedure are analysed. RESULTS: There were total 71 patients. Age ranges from 10 years to 69 years. Forty one (57.7%) patients had undergone open procedure where as 30 (42.2%) underwent laparoscopic procedure. Most of them were females (69%) and majority had multiple stones (59%). Twenty five (35%) patients required the use of different accessories like dormia basket, forceps etc. Pneumatic lithotripsy was used in 3 patients to fragment large impacted stones. In one (3%) patient of laparoscopic group scope could not be negotiated. In 4 cases mild common bile duct tear observed and in one patient duodenal laceration occurred. In two patients (2.8%) there were retained small stone fragments which passed spontaneously within two weeks post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Semirigid ureterorenoscope is easily available, safe and effective instrument. It is useful even for large impacted stones.

Change in refractive status of the patients undergoing phacoemulsification surgery.

This study was carried out with the objective of finding refractive status of patients undergoing phacoemulsification surgery for cataract extraction. Success of cataract surgery can be quantified with the improvement in visual acuity with least amount of refractive error. Prospective study of 44 patients was done pre operatively and with subsequent follow up in the first, third and eighth week post operatively. Pre and post operative evaluation was carried out in terms of visual acuity, refractive error and corneal curvature. Among patients undergoing surgery, 91.0% achieved visual acuity of 6/9 or better at eighth week follow up 73.3% of patients had astigmatism of 1.25 dioptric cylinder or less. Keratometry readings showed insignificant variability in the preoperative and postoperative period (p > 0.05). This confirms that phacoemulsification surgery does not change the corneal curvature significantly and thereby induces less amount of astigmatism.

Prevalence of different types of gallstone in the patients with cholelithiasis at Kathmandu Medical College, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease known as cholelithiasis is the most common digestive surgical disorder and account for an important part of health care expenditure. Attempt was made to analyse the gallstone for typing depending upon the composition. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to see the prevalence of different types of gallstone in Nepal and to correlate them with the clinical findings. MATERIALS & METHODS: Gallstones of 80 different patients who underwent cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis were collected from 20th January 2005 to 16th May 2006 in Department of Pathology, Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital. Detailed history was taken. Stones were analyzed with chemical and enzymatic methods using clinical spectrophotometer. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The most commonly involved age group for cholelithiasis (32.5%) is found to be 30-39 years with a female predominance (M: F=1:3.2). Cholelithiasis was found more commonly among non-vegetarian with the vegetarian: non-vegetarian ratio 1:9. Mixed type stone was found to be the most common type of stone comprising 78.75%, followed by cholesterol stone 12.5%, Brown pigment stone 7.5% and Black pigment stone 1.25%.

Comparative study between tramadol and dexamethasone as an admixture to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

This is a prospective, randomized, double blind study to evaluate the postoperative analgesia following supraclavicular brachial plexus block with Tramadol or Dexamethasone as an admixture to bupivacaine in upper extremity surgery. Total 60 patients of ASA I and II undergoing upper extremity surgery under brachial plexus block with Bupivacaine were randomly divided in to two groups; one group received Tramadol (2 mg/kg) and the other group received Dexamethasone (8 mg) as an admixture to Bupivacaine. The duration of postoperative analgesia was recorded in both groups using pain VAS score which was determined by maximum VAS score of 8-10 and when patient demands for additional analgesics. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in the Dexamethasone group was 1028.00 minutes while in the tramadol group it was 453.17 minutes We concluded that Dexamethasone with local anaesthetic prolongs postoperative analgesia significantly than Tramadol (P<0.05) when used as admixture to local anaesthetic in brachial plexus block in upper extremity surgery.

Use of percutaneous thread loop to hold the vermiform appendix during laparoscopic appendectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic appendectomy, although not as widely performed as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, it has got definite advantage over the conventional open procedure. Controversy exists regarding the closure of stump. Our institute practices intracorporeal knot tying using 3 ports. Difficulties are observed in three port technique to hold the appendix during knot tying. We use a percutaneous thread loop. Advantage of the use of loop was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective study was carried out during 18 months. Total cases were randomly divided in non-loop and with loop group. Operative procedure was same. Cases were compared in terms of operating time, post-operative hospital stay and complications. RESULTS: Total patients were 66. Thirty two in non-loop group and 34 in with loop group. Mean age was 27.89 yrs. Most of the cases were females (62%). Mean operating time was less in loop group although statistically not significant. There was no difference in post operative hospital stay. Use of loop was not associated with added complications. CONCLUSION: Use of percutaneous loop to hold the appendix reduces the operating time and replaces the need of fourth port. It is safe and effective without any increased morbidity. Key words: Laparoscopic appendectomy, Intracorporeal knot, Percutaneous loop.

Ultrasound: an extension of clinical examination.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the impact the use of portable ultrasound can have for the benefit of the patients when used by doctors other than radiologist, in this case surgeons. METHODS: Ultrasound performed by surgeons in the pre-operative, operative and post-operative period was studied. Patients presenting to the Hospital with acute abdomen was subjected to ultrasound. They were either pre-operative or post-operative patients. Five patients were scanned intraoperatively. The impact of these scans to the patients as well as the clinicians was studied. RESULTS: This is an ongoing study and preliminary results of the scans show two pre-operative diagnosis of acute appendicular collection and one acute hydronephrosis. In the operation room, ultrasound was done on 5 cases. On three occasions, it was to locate renal stones so that it could be extracted with ease. On two of the case, it was t to confirm the adequacy of common bile duct exploration thereby allowing primary closure of the common bile duct. Post-operatively, it was used in four cases of which in two cases post-operative hemorrhage were detected timely within hours. In the other two cases, the surgical team was assured that the patient's complaint was not surgically related. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound should be an extension of the clinical examination when indicated and all clinicians should be proficient in its use in their respective fields.

Empyema thoracis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the management of Empyema Thoracis in the surgical department of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital. METHODS: Thirteen cases with Empyema thoraces treated in the surgical department of the hospital with different modalities of treatment was taken for study and analyzed for morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. RESULTS: there was a single mortality in the thoracotomy group. Video assisted thoracic surgery or VATS debridement or deloculation was successful in the eight of the patients with shorter stay in the hospital. One patient who refused surgery was treated with streptokinase with good result. CONCLUSION: Streptokinase may be effective in the treatment of empyemas. Video assisted thoracic surgery or VATS has definite advantage over traditional surgery in terms decreased morbidity, mortality, earlier hospital discharge and cosmesis in the treatment of empyema.

Saphenous--peritoneal shunt in refractory ascites: a neglected technique.

Management of intractable ascites has always been a challenge. Peritoneovenous shunt (PVS) plays a major role in the surgery of intractable ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. Positive pressure gradient between the ascitic fluid and venous pressure leading to one-way drainage of ascitic fluid into venous circulation is the mainstay. Over decades, various modifications of shunting technique have been done. Here we report our experience with this procedure which is safe, easy and effective. Here the long saphenous vein is used as a drainage system. One-way ascites flow is ensured by a natural valve in the saphenous orifice.

Ancient cystic pelvic schwannoma presenting as a right iliac fossa mass.

Schwannoma is rare in pelvis. Ancient schwannoma is rarer histological subtype of schwannoma. We report a very rare case of pelvic schwannoma presenting with right sciatica and right iliac fossa pain. Clinical and imaging findings were suggestive of Peritoneal Hydatid cyst. The tumour was resected completely with marked clinical improvement. Histopathological examination showed Ancient cystic schwannoma.

Total thyroidectomy: the treatment of choice in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Clinically detectable thyroid carcinoma constitutes less than 1% of human cancers. Ninety percent of all thyroid malignancies are differentiated papillary and follicular carcinoma. Surgery plays a key role in differentiated thyroid carcinoma as it carries excellent prognosis, lower recurrence rate and low mortality rate but controversy persists for extent of surgery and optimal surgical management of lymph node metastasis. PATIENT AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis was done for the cases that underwent total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection for differentiated carcinoma of thyroid in Kathmandu Medical College during two year periods (Oct 2001 to Oct 2003). RESULT: In our experience with 18 cases of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC) treated with total thyroidectomies and lymph node dissection, papillary carcinoma was predominant with 83% incidence. Disease was prevalent in 50 to 60 year age group. Except two cases of transient hypocalcaemia and few wound related complications, there have been no other complications. CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection is safe and effective, so, the treatment of choice in cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.