A Retrospective Study of Milligan-Morgan Versus LigaSure Hemorrhoidectomy in the Treatment of Symptomatic Hemorrhoids at an Institute in North India.

Objective The present study aimed to assess and compare the surgical outcomes of hemorrhoidectomies performed using two different techniques: conventional Milligan-Morgan and another popular vessel sealing approach of LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at our tertiary care hospital and involved patients who underwent either of the surgical procedures from June 2016 to March 2022. The patient demographics and data on the duration of operation, hospital stay, and postoperative recovery were collected and evaluated. Results Of the 91 cases reviewed, a total of 44 patients underwent Milligan-Morgan open hemorrhoidectomy and 47 had LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy. The mean operative time was significantly shorter for LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy (33.84 ±9.18 vs. 23.15 ±3.36 minutes for Milligan-Morgan and LigaSure, respectively, p<0.0001). Additionally, in comparison to Milligan-Morgan open hemorrhoidectomy, the LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy group exhibited a significant reduction in hospital stay (2.20 ±0.79 vs. 1.47 ±0.50 days), lower pain score [6.55 ±1.19 vs. 5.30 ±1.10 on the visual analog scale (VAS) on day one and 2.25 ±1.26 vs. 1.47 ±0.78 VAS on day seven], and faster return to normal activities (18.18 ±4.30 vs. 14.85 ±3.15 days). Conclusions When pitted against the traditional Milligan-Morgan method, the LigaSure approach to performing a hemorrhoidectomy is superior, owing to the shorter duration of operation, shorter hospital stays, lesser pain, and earlier return to normal activities. In light of these findings, surgeons may consider choosing this procedure to improve surgical outcomes and efficiency.

A nationwide survey on the preference of Indian undergraduate medical students to go abroad for higher studies and residency.

Context: Getting residency training abroad is a critical motivator in the emigration of Indian medical students. Brain drain is an emerging issue, especially for developing countries as it causes a shortage of trained staff in the donor country. Aim: We aimed to survey Indian medical students to know about their intentions to get trained abroad and to understand the factors influencing their decision. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, we surveyed Indian undergraduate medical students of all professional years, including internship. A validated questionnaire collected data on students' demographics and educational characteristics, intention to study overseas or stay back in India, and factors influencing their decision. Results: Out of a total of 1199 responses (51.1% males, 48.9% females), 45.0% partakers had planned to pursue their residency abroad, while 33.8% wanted to stay in India and 21.2% were undecided. Better lifestyle and higher pay grades overseas were viewed as the most significant barriers to staying back in India and a key influencer in decision-making among the maximum number of students (412; 76.3%). On the other hand, a whopping 58.2% of participants opined that they wanted to stay back in India for taking care of their parents. Conclusions: Source countries with better healthcare facilities and better incomes tend to attract medical students. Awareness among medical educators regarding constantly changing curricula, a shift to a competency-based education system, better pay grades, limited working hours, and interventions to mitigate workplace violence could help prevent brain drain among Indian medical students and graduates.

Wide Local Excision of Complex or Infected Pilonidal Sinus Followed by Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: Does It Enhance Wound Healing?

Background Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic skin condition caused by hair retention that affects the sacrococcygeal cleft. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to routine daily dressings (DDs) in wound healing after complex or infected pilonidal sinus tract excision. Materials and methods The study included 81 individuals who had extensive local excisions for pilonidal sinuses that were complex or infected. Randomly selected participants were given either NPWT or the usual dressing. Between the two groups, the length of hospitalization, the amount of time needed to resume daily activities, and the amount of time needed for full wound closure were compared. Results Forty-two patients received NPWT, while 39 patients received DDs as usual. There was no discernible difference between the two groups in terms of operating time or hospital stay. However, patients who underwent NPWT experienced a quicker final wound closure (59.24 ± 10.21 days compared to routine DD with a mean time of 75.31 ± 14.68 days, P = 0.001) and returned to normal activities earlier (17.36 versus 21.75 days in NPWT and routine DD, respectively). Conclusion Compared to patients who received standard DDs, those who were postoperatively managed with NPWT showed faster wound healing and return to normal activities. Whenever feasible, this strategy may be employed to improve patient recovery.