Combined minimally invasive approach for an incarcerated diaphragmatic hernia with a perforated stomach in a young adult female - A video case report.

INTRODUCTION: Diaphragmatic hernia is most commonly congenital; however, it can also be acquired, most often due to trauma. It is a life-threatening condition resulting in abdominal visceral incarceration and subsequent mortality. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Our patient was a 27-year-old mother who presented with upper abdominal pain associated with breathlessness. There was no history of trauma. The chest X-ray suggested the diagnosis of a diaphragmatic hernia which was further confirmed on CT. The decision was made to operate on the patient through a laparoscopic approach using single-lung ventilation. A diaphragmatic rent was identified with the incarceration of the stomach and omentum. The rent was widened further which allowed partial reduction of contents and visualization of the left hemithorax which was entirely contaminated. An additional thoracic approach was opted for which enabled reduction of the herniated stomach. A large perforation was present along the greater curvature, which was resected using a linear endo stapler. The diaphragmatic rent was then repaired primarily. Adequate lavage, aspiration, and mopping were performed along with chest tube drainage. The patient remained stable post-operatively. DISCUSSION: An optimal surgical repair along with sound perioperative care is essential for the successful management of diaphragmatic hernia. A minimally invasive approach avoided extensive open surgery and the complications that would come with it for a young nursing mother. CONCLUSION: Such technically challenging cases can be successfully managed with a minimally invasive approach using sound surgical skills and necessary improvisations.

Artery to Cystic Duct: A Consistent Branch of Cystic Artery Seen in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Uncontrolled arterial bleeding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a serious problem and may increase the risk of bile duct damage. Therefore, accurate identification of the anatomy of the cystic artery is very important. Cystic artery is notoriously known to have a highly variable branching pattern. We reviewed the anatomy of the cystic artery and its branch to cystic duct as seen through the video laparoscope. A single artery to cystic duct with the classical "H-configuration" was demonstrated in 161 (91.47%) patients. This branch may cause troublesome bleeding during laparoscopic dissection in the hepatobiliary triangle. Careful identification of artery to cystic duct is helpful in the proper dissection of Calot's triangle as it reduces the chances of hemorrhage and thus may also be helpful in prevention of extrahepatic biliary radical injuries.

Carcinoid Klatskin tumour: A rare cause of obstructive jaundice.

Carcinoid tumours of the extrahepatic biliary ducts represent an extremely rare cause of bile duct obstruction. We report a case of obstructive jaundice secondary to carcinoid tumour arising at the hilar confluence. Resection of the primary tumour was done and the patient is doing well on follow-up. This case demonstrated that surgery offers the only potential cure for biliary carcinoid and aggressive surgical therapy should be the preferred treatment in cases of potentially resectable biliary tumours.

Penile fracture: experience from a third world country.

Aim. To ascertain the clinical presentation, commonest age group affected, and treatment of patients diagnosed to have penis fracture. Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective study carried at a tertiary care hospital from January 2005 to January 2011. All the 36 patients diagnosed to have penile fracture were enrolled in the study group. The diagnosis was made based on the clinical findings in the patients. All, except two patients, were managed by a standard surgical procedure, same for all the patients, on the day of presentation to the hospital. All the data pertaining to the presentation, management, and followup of these patients were studied and scrutinized thoroughly. Results. Thirty-four patients were operated while 2 refused surgery. Most of our patients were between 16 and 30 years (55.6%) of age. The commonest presenting complaints were penile swelling and detumescence during sexual intercourse or an erection. All except two of our patients were managed with immediate surgical repair which had excellent results even in the presence of associated urethral injury. Conclusion. Fracture of the penis is a surgical emergency which can be best managed by immediate surgical repair with excellent results even in the presence of urethral injury.

External tube drainage or omentoplasty in the management of residual hepatic hydatid cyst cavity: a prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical procedures advocated for management of residual hepatic hydatid cyst cavity have been a subject of controversy. The aim of this study was to compare omentoplasty (OP) and external tube drainage (ETD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted on radiologically documented cases of hepatic hydatidosis (n=50) in a tertiary care hospital of Kashmir. Patients were divided into two groups; in one group ETD was performed and in another OP was done. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were offered ETD and 22 OP. There was no statistically significant difference in mean operative time. The overall complication rate was higher in ETD (42.86%) as compared to OP (22.73%). In ETD group two patients had bile leak and infection of residual cavity each; whereas no such complication was seen in OP. The mean pain scores were elevated in ETD (p<0.0016).The mean hospital stay was more in ETD as compared to OP (p<0.0031). Also time for resumption of activities of daily life was more in ETD (p<0.0026). The recurrence of disease was seen in three patients in ETD as compared to none in OP. CONCLUSION: Omentoplasty offers a number of advantages over external tube drainage and should remain the preferred option whenever possible.

Staging Laparoscopy in Carcinoma of Stomach: A Comparison with CECT Staging.

Background. aim of this study was to compare the role of diagnostic laparoscopy and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of abdomen in the staging of stomach carcinoma. Methods. This was a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital over a period of two years and included 50 patients of endoscopy and biopsy proven stomach carcinoma that were found to be operable on CECT. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in all patients before proceeding to a formal laparotomy. Results. Metastasis was detected at diagnostic laparoscopy in 14 (28%) patients. CECT correctly identified the T stage in 22 (61%) patients. Overall accuracy of CECT for T staging was 74% with a a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 79%. Laparoscopy correctly identified the T stage in 26 (72%) patients. Overall accuracy of laparoscopy for T staging was 81% with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 86%. the most common N stage on CECT was N0 (50%). CECT correctly identified the N stage in 26 (72%) patients. Overall accuracy of CECT for N staging was 86% with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 90%. the most common N stage on laparoscopy was N0 and N2 (42% each). Laparoscopy correctly identified the N stage in 27 (75%) patients. Overall accuracy of Laparoscopy for N staging was 88% with a sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 91%. Conclusion. Laparoscopy is a valuable technique in staging of stomach carcinoma and has an important role in the detection of intra-abdominal metastasis missed by CECT.

Laparoscopic interval appendectomy versus open interval appendectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

This was a prospective randomized controlled study designed to compare laparoscopic and open interval appendectomy and involved 100 patients of appendicular phlegmon. After initial conservative management, patients were divided into 2 groups of 50 each and interval appendectomy was performed by laparoscopy in one of the groups and by open method in the other. Mean operative time in open surgery was 33.9 minutes and that in laparoscopic surgery was 57.64 minutes (P < 0.05). Concomitant pathology was observed in 16% and 2% of patients in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. Mean pain scores on the first postoperative day were 5.14 in the laparoscopic group and 6.01 in the open group (P < 0.05). Patients in the laparoscopic group had a shorter duration of ileus, postoperative stay, and returned to work earlier (P < 0.05). We conclude that laparoscopy offers a number of advantages over open interval appendectomy.

Epiploic appendagitis of caecum: a diagnostic dilemma.

Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute abdomen. Depending on the site of occurrence, it can mimic any cause of acute abdomen or disease of the colon and caecal appendix; making its preoperative diagnosis very difficult. We present here a case of a 7-year-old boy misdiagnosed preoperatively as acute appendicitis and later on, upon surgical exploration, found to have caecal appendagitis. The affected epiploic appendage was removed and the patient had an uneventful recovery. We also review the relevant literature and discuss the measures to overcome this diagnostic dilemma. General surgeons should be aware of this self-limiting disease and consider it as a differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.

Taenia saginata: A Rare Cause of Gall Bladder Perforation.

We report a case of biliary peritonitis caused by gall bladder perforation due to Taenia saginata induced gangrenous cholecystitis. Although parasites are not unusual causes of biliary tract disorders, especially in disease endemic areas, but this is for the first time that Taenia saginata has been reported to cause gall bladder perforation.

Extra luminal colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the commonest mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach and small intestine are the favored sites of occurrence. They rarely occur in the colon, rectum and esophagus. GIST is neoplasm of mesenchymal origin originating from precursors of the interstitial cells of cajal. The symptoms of gastrointestinal stromal tumor depend on the site and size of the tumor, and may include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding or signs of obstruction; small tumors may, however, be asymptomatic. Majority of the patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor have bloody stools and abdominal pain as the commonest manifestation. We describe a young female with extra luminal colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor presenting as mass abdomen. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe 34-year-old female from north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir who had presented with history of slowly increasing epigastric lump associated with abdominal discomfort of 4 months duration. She had no features of luminal obstruction. Her contrast enhanced computed tomography abdomen revealed a large extra-colonic mass in relation to transverse colon. The tumor was resected and histology was suggestive of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. CONCLUSION: Extra luminal colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumors are very rare and can present as mass abdomen. Resection is the treatment of choice.