Decolonising qualitative research to explore the experiences of Manitoba's urban Indigenous population living with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are growing global health concerns associated with significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditures. Due to histories of colonisation and contemporary marginalisation, Canada's Indigenous populations are disproportionately burdened by obesity, T2DM and many other chronic illnesses. Culturally appropriate research on experiences and outcomes of Indigenous patients undergoing bariatric surgery in Canada is scarce. This qualitative study protocol will use a decolonising approach guided by an Indigenous Elder to explore the perspectives and experiences of urban Indigenous Manitobans with respect to T2DM, obesity and bariatric surgery. This knowledge will guide the development and implementation of culturally sensitive bariatric care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sequential sharing circles (SSCs) and semistructured conversational interviews that have been purposefully designed to be culturally relevant with the guidance of an Indigenous Elder and advisory group (IAG) will be carried out in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Indigenous adults who are obese (body mass index >35 kg/m2), have T2DM and live in an urban centre will be recruited. Three groups will be investigated: (1) those who have had bariatric surgery; (2) those on the wait list for bariatric surgery and (3) those not associated with a bariatric surgery programme. Each group of 10-12 participants will be guided through a semistructured script led by an Indigenous Elder. Elder-facilitated conversational interviews will also be completed following the SSCs. All content will be audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis will be used to identify emerging patterns using a constructive grounded theory approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received ethical approval from the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board. Findings will inform the development and implementation of culturally sensitive programmes at Manitoba's Centre for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals, at obesity and Indigenous health conferences, and knowledge sharing ceremonies.

Laparoscopic removal of massive pediatric gastric trichobezoars: A brief report.

BACKGROUND: Trichobezoars are foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract composed of ingested hair. These can develop into large, hard, obstructing objects that are often impossible to remove endoscopically. The size often leads surgeons to remove these via laparotomy or laparoscopic-assisted procedure (midline laparotomy for specimen removal), with few removed completely laparoscopically. BRIEF REPORT: We present a case of a 5-year-old female with pica who had symptoms of foul-smelling diarrhea and weight loss and was found to have a massive gastric trichobezoar. The bezoar was removed laparoscopically with pfannensteil incision facilitating specimen extraction. Further, technical aspects of the procedure are discussed. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there are benefits to using a laparoscopic approach to remove a massive gastric trichobezoar. This includes the use of a Pfannensteil incision rather than a midline laparotomy for specimen removal.

CHIVA - A prospective study of a vein sparing technique for the management of varicose vein disease.

BACKGROUND: Varicose vein disease (VVD) affects approximately one third of adults. Cure Conservatrice et Hémodynamique de l'Insuffisance Veineuse en Ambulatoire (CHIVA) is a minimally invasive, vein sparing technique that is emerging as an alternative to ablative techniques for treating VVD. METHODS: This prospective study assessed the rate of recurrence of venous reflux with CHIVA. We evaluated 150 primary procedures with clinical and duplex ultrasound examinations pre and post operatively. Patients were followed at <3 months and >1-year post-op. Recurrence was defined as reflux in the diseased vessel at the saphenofemoral junction on duplex examination. RESULTS: There was no documented recurrence at the early follow up. To date, 58 legs have completed the late follow up and reflux was found in 5 legs resulting in a recurrence rate of 8.6%; 95% CI (2.4%, 19%). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that CHIVA appears to offer a promising alternative for the treatment of VVD.