Modus Operandi: Irrigation of the Modified Eloesser Flap in Heterogeneous Suppurative Lung Pathologies.

BACKGROUND: Refractory empyemas with collapsed lung and persistent bronchopleural fistulas pose significant problems to thoracic surgeons and impose a substantial burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. The modified Eloesser flap procedure is a useful palliative option for clearing infections. Herein, we present our experiences with the modified Eloesser flap procedure in mixed suppurative lung pathologies with a new technique of irrigation for persistent infection. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of 56 patients who underwent the modified Eloesser flap with continuous irrigation at Katurba Medical College. These patients had severe morbidities and were not suitable for major thoracic resection surgery, and electively underwent modified Eloesser flap surgery. Regular follow-up was done at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients with persistent infections were treated with our continuous irrigation technique. RESULTS: The most important finding was that all patients with active sputum acid-fast bacilli-positive findings became sputum smear-negative during the first month of follow- up. Half (50%) of the patients had a patent stoma. Eleven patients had persistent infections, necessitating continuous irrigation. The infection was fully cleared after 1 month in 9 patients, while 2 patients required second irrigation and continued to receive follow-up. In the remaining 50% of the patients, the stoma closed completely, and the lung expanded fully. CONCLUSION: The modified Eloesser flap is a simple procedure. In suppurative pathologies, infections were well controlled and the general condition of the patients improved. Our continuous irrigation method showed promising results in patients with persistent purulent discharge.

Clinical variables responsible for early and late diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in pediatrics age group.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of foreign body aspiration has been noticed predominantly in age group ranging from 12 months-3 years. Foreign body in the trachea is a medical emergency as presentation is in respiratory distress. Obstruction of only one main or distal bronchus, leads to severe cough, choking sensation and breathlessness. Without early intervention, it can lead to collapse, consolidation and pneumonia of the affected lung. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 37 pediatric case records who presented from January 2014-December 2018 with foreign body aspiration. Our primary aim was to assess the parameters responsible for early and late diagnosis of foreign body aspiration. We concluded with a diagnostic algorithm for management of foreign body aspiration on the basis of this outcome. RESULTS: Around 32.5% came with a history of aspiration, 43% were referred from the primary centers with a suspicion for the same and the rest came to our tertiary care hospital directly. Those who presented within a week came with complaints of wet cough, wheeze and tachypnea. Furthermore, those who came in after a week had a dry cough and fever as their main complaint. Majority of ingested foreign bodies was a vegetative type (80%) as compared to the non -vegetative. CONCLUSION: Unlike adults, foreign body aspiration in children is most commonly diagnosed on history, suspicion and clinical findings. Chest x ray has been the primary investigation of choice but in the majority of the cases it was normal with subtle changes. Early diagnosis is the key to avoid complication.

Emergency brachial artery ligation for ruptured infected pseudoaneurysm of haemodialysis access is a possible option.

BACKGROUND: For patients with end-stage renal disease, a good vascular access is essential for chronic haemodialysis. Surgically created access arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis is associated with multiple complications, and ruptured pseudoaneurysm being the most life threatening and dreaded of all. The management of this complication warrants emergency procedure, although timely diagnosis and arteriovenous fistula salvage has been emphasised. In this study, we describe the surgical technique and outcomes of ligation of the proximal arteriovenous fistula as a plausible alternative and life-saving procedure. METHOD AND RESULTS: This is a retrospective study performed between January 2011 and December 2016. A total of 588 native arteriovenous fistula-related surgeries were performed, of which 18 patients (3.06%) developed delayed complication of infected pseudoaneurysm and rupture. All presented to the emergency care with life-threatening bleeding. We describe the surgical technique as a life-saving measure to this fatal complication. CONCLUSION: Proximal arteriovenous fistula has higher incidence of aneurysmal complications than distal ones. Ligation of the brachial artery which was a 'grey zone' of unpredictable prognosis has yielded good results and can be safely performed in desperate situations with low complication rates.

Tracheobronchial tear in chest trauma-a diagnostic perplexity.

Tracheobronchial injuries following blunt chest trauma are uncommon and diagnosed late. Tracheal rupture due to a fall from a height is rare. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment give gratifying results. We present a case of a 42-year-old man who was referred at our hospital with alleged history of fall from a height of about 12 ft from a tree. On presentation, the patient was haemodynamically stable and right-sided ICT was already inserted. There was a minimal surgical emphysema in the neck, a continuous air leak from the chest tube and a partially collapsed right lung on chest X-ray. After a few hours, he desaturated and was intubated. The right lung did not expand in spite of the second apical chest tube, and on ventilation, air leak increased. Tracheabronchial tear was suspected and computerised tomography scan revealed the site of damage and fibreoptic bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. Emergency thoracotomy with primary repair of the right tracheabronchial tear was done. The patient recovered and post-operative course was uneventful.