Intraoperative irradiation in breast cancer: preliminary results in 80 patients as partial breast irradiation or anticipated boost prior to hypo-fractionated whole breast irradiation

Purpose To present the first results of intraoperative irradiation (IORT) in breast cancer with a low-energy photon system used as partial breast irradiation (PBI) or as an anticipated boost before whole breast hypo-fractionated irradiation (IORT + WBI), concerning tolerance, side effects, quality of life, and patient-reported outcomes. Materials and methods Eighty patients treated with an Intrabeam® system of 50 kV X-rays received a 20 Gy dose intraoperatively were included. Moderate daily hypofractionation of 2.7 Gy in 15 fractions up to 40.5 Gy was administered if high-risk factors were present. Acute post-operative toxicity, surgery complications, chronic toxicity, patient-reported cosmesis and Breast-Q questionnaire were performed at follow-up visits. Results Thirty-one patients were treated as PBI and the remaining 49 as IORT + WBI. Only the IORT + WBI group presented acute toxicity, mainly mild acute dermatitis (11 patients) and one subacute mastitis. A total of 20 patients presented fibrosis (18 patients grade I, 2 patients grade II), 15 (30.5%) patients in the IORT + WBI group and 3 (9.6%) patients in the group of PBI. The cosmesis evaluation in 73 patients resulted poor, fair, good or excellent in 2, 7, 38 and 26 patients, respectively. In PBI group Breast-Q scored higher, especially in terms of their psychosocial well-being (78 vs 65) and satisfaction with radiation-induced toxicity (77 vs 72, respectively) compared to IORT + WBI group. Conclusion IORT is a well-tolerated procedure with low toxicity, good cosmesis and favorable patient-reported outcomes mainly when administered as PBI.

Shoe-Lace Technique Hasten Delayed Primary Closure In Fasciotomy Wound For Forearm Compartment Syndrome

We report a case of acute compartment syndrome of the forearm in a 51-year-old man with open fracture distal third radius (Gustilo I). Decompressive fasciotomy was performed promptly. Complete progressive closure of the wound without split-thickness skin grafting was achieved using a shoe-lace technique: silastic vessel loop were interlaced held together with skin staplers placed at the edge of the fasciotomy wound and were then tightened daily. Delayed primary closure of the fasciotomy wound was performed after 8 days post fasciotomy with complete opposition of skin edges without tension. Shoelace closure is a good option for atraumatic fasciotomy wound closure with good cosmesis result.

Comparison of Dartos flap and spongioplasty in Snodgrass urethroplasty in distal penile hypospadias

BackgroundHypospadias surgery has been continuously evolving, although there is no single technique which can be said to be perfect and suitable for all types of hypospadias. Tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty (Snodgrass procedure) is presently the most common surgical procedure performed for distal penile hypospadias (DPH). The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of TIP urethroplasty using Dartos flap (DF) and spongioplasty as second layer in DPH.MethodsA total of 30 patients of DPH were repaired using TIP urethroplasty with DF or spongioplasty as second layer from January 2017 to June 2018. Out of 30 patients, TIP with DF was done in 15 patients (group A) and TIP with spongioplasty was done in the remaining 15 patients (group B). Preoperative mean age and weight were comparable in both groups. Postoperative complications, namely, postoperative edema, residual chordee, urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF), meatal stenosis and final cosmesis, were recorded.ResultsIn both groups, complications included postoperative edema (Gp A-1Gp B-1), residual chordee (Gp A-1, Gp B-1), UCF (Gp A-3, Gp B-4), meatal stenosis (Gp A-1, Gp B-5) and poor cosmesis (Gp A-3, Gp B-4). Wound infection was managed with appropriate antibiotics, and meatal stenosis responded to calibration in five patients.Although it seems that DF has a better outcome clinically, the difference between the two techniques was statistically not significant.ConclusionDF as an additional cover to TIP is associated with an acceptable complication and has good cosmesis compared with spongioplasty; however, the difference is not statistically significant.

Extended Frontobasal Approach for Skull Base Lesions

Background Lesions involving the skull base can be approached by a variety of surgical corridors and extended frontobasal approach is one of them. It provides quite a wide exposure to lesions in the midline of anterior skull base, paranasal sinuses, and sphenoclival region. Objective To share our experience, and list the merits and demerits, of this approach for anterior skull base lesions. Methods A total of six cases were operated using extended frontobasal approach. Four of them were skull base tumors with extensive involvement of paranansal sinuses and extension into sellar, parasellar, and clival region. Fronto-orbital and sphenoethmoidal osteotomy provided adequate surgical access, thereby facilitating their excision. Two cases of frontonaso-orbital encephalocele with large bone defect at anterior skull base were also operated upon. Skull base repair was performed using autologous bone graft, pericranium, and fibrin glue. Results Gross total excision was achieved in four cases of skull base tumors with good cosmesis as transfacial access was obviated. Excision, repair, and reconstruction of two patients with frontonaso-orbital encephalocele were also done with acceptable cosmesis. Conclusion The extended frontobasal approach is an excellent alternative for extensive anterior skull base tumors (up to posterior skull base), and also for the repair of large malformative lesions of the anterior skull base.

IS UMBILICAL TUBE TECHNIQUE THE BEST METHOD TO GAIN INTRAPERITONEAL ACCESS? A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF 1532 CASES

Background: Intraperitoneal access in laparoscopic surgery is the first and most important step to start a procedure. Many methods have been described in literature for the same. We share our experience of umbilical tube technique using a vertical infra umbilical or supra umbilical incision for the better cosmetic result. Methods: This study is a retrospective study of laparoscopy performed for various indications. Umbilical tube technique was performed. In 1532 cases performed from July2016to January 2019. A vertical incision was used instead of a commonly performed curve incision to access the umbilical tube. A vertical incision is again taken after exposing the junction of rectus sheath and umbilical tube. Vertical incision is again taken over the tube to gain access to peritoneal cavity. The closure is done in a similar way with skin closed in subcuticular fashion. No Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was required for this paper. Result: The technique is found to be safe, can be performed with technical ease as anatomy is well defined, good cosmesis is achieved. The longest follow up is for a period of one year. No incidence of port site hernia or infection was seen. Conclusion: The umbilical tube technique using a vertical incision is found to be safe and effective, can be reproduced with technical ease. In our opinion this method can be considered as a standard approach to intraperitoneal access. Keywords: umbilical tube, intraperitoneal access, port site infection, port site hernia. Laparoscopy.

Iodine-125 interstitial brachytherapy after tumor excision: an alternative eye-sparing surgery for lacrimal gland carcinoma

Background:To describe the preliminary suppressive effects of iodine 125 brachytherapy for malignant lacrimal gland tumors after excisionMethods:The study recruit 9 patients with lacrimal gland carcinoma from May 2017 to December 2020. All patients underwent eye sparing surgical tumor resection first and then received iodine 125 interstitial brachytherapy to prevent tumor recurrence. We look over whether tumor recurred or metastasized by detecting the visual function and CT/MRI/PET MRI of every patient.Results1 patient was lost visit. The median follow up period was 29 months of other 8 patients (range, 7 43 months). One patient experienced recurrence two years later but was free from local disease after iodine 125 seeds were implanted one more time. The vision of one female patient was lost due to the seeds moving to the optic nerve. In the remaining 6 patients the vision was no changed, and CT/MRI showed no tumor was recurrencedConclusions:Permanent iodine 125 strip implantation in the orbit can be used as an alternative eye sparing surgery for malignant lacrimal gland tumors after tumor excision. It can control tumor recurrence and maintenance of vision and good cosmesis.

The mini osteoplastic flap for eroded anterior table: case report

<p class="abstract">Trans-nasal Endoscopic access to the frontal sinus is in vogue now a days with advancements imaging modalities and availability of angled instrumentation. The external osteoplastic flap approach to the frontal sinus is still applicable in failed endoscopic procedures, laterally placed pathologies or eroded anterior or posterior tables. We discuss an intriguing patient with chronic dull ache over the forehead being treated with a mini osteoplastic flap technique. There is no single approach that has been able to fulfil the criteria for the modality of choice in terms of excellent results, no recurrence or residual disease, minimal morbidity, short hospital stays, uneventful long-term postoperative course, and good cosmesis in cases of extensive disease involvement. The main objective of this study was to study the outcome of external frontal sinus osteoplastic flap approach in terms of intraoperative disease clearance for extensive frontal sinus lesions beyond the scope of endoscopic excision. </p>

Bioadhesives in neurosurgery: a review

OBJECTIVENeurosurgery presents unique surgical challenges arising from delicate neural structures, limited accessibility, and the risk of CSF leakage that can lead to CNS infections. Sutures and staples may have limited applicability in the complex anatomical constraints of cranial and spinal surgeries, especially in trauma settings when time is of the essence. Surgical bioadhesives are emerging as attractive alternatives because they avoid traumatic application methods, provide a stress-distributed fixation, and provide good cosmesis and outcomes. This article presents the history of the development of surgical bioadhesives, and is also a review of current applications of commercial surgical bioadhesives within neurosurgical procedures and the unmet clinical needs that should be addressed in bioadhesives technologies.METHODSA PubMed literature search was performed using the terms “(glue OR bioadhesive OR fibrin OR tisseel OR evicel OR tachosil OR cyanoacrylate OR duraseal OR bioglue) AND (neurosurgery OR spine OR spinal OR dural OR microvascular decompression OR transsphenoidal OR endovascular).” Of 2433 records screened, 168 studies were identified that described the use of bioadhesives in neurosurgical procedures.RESULTSThe greatest number of studies describing the use of bioadhesives in neurosurgery were identified for endovascular embolization, followed by dural closure and transsphenoidal surgeries. Other common areas of application were for microvascular decompression, skin closure, peripheral nerve repair, and other novel uses. Numerous case reports were also identified describing complications associated with bioadhesive use.CONCLUSIONSDespite the paucity of approved indications, surgical bioadhesive use in neurosurgical procedures is prevalent. However, current bioadhesives still each have their own limitations and research is intense in the development of novel solutions.

Omphalomesenteric duct resection using an intraumbilical round incision or a transumbilical vertical incision: report of two cases

We report our experience with two patients who underwent omphalomesenteric duct resection: one for a patent omphalomesenteric duct and the other for a Meckel diverticulum connected to the umbilicus by a fibrous cord. We used an intraumbilical round incision and a transumbilical vertical incision, respectively. The first patient was a neonate with a patent omphalomesenteric duct who appeared to have a small stoma after ligature of the umbilical cord. Contrast media, injected through a catheter inserted into the stoma, entered the lumen of the small bowel. The second patient was an infant with a Meckel diverticulum connected to the umbilicus by a fibrous cord. After bloody stool was noted, nuclear imaging using 99m technetium pertechnetate revealed a small, round area of intense tracer activity in the midabdomen, suggesting the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa. Using either an intraumbilical or a transumbilical incision is safe and provides good cosmesis.

Transoral endoscopic excision of cystic hygroma vestibular approach in adult (novel approach): a case report

Lymphangioma, soft tissue tumor was originally reported by R. Backer in 1828 and “cystic hygroma” name was first given by Wernker in 1834. It can occur in the head, neck, axilla, cervico-facial regions and below tongue. Although it is well recognized in children, it may present in adulthood. Cystic hygroma neck is traditionally removed via an overlying incision near or over the swelling. The resultant scar can be displeasing to an adult. Various endoscopic approach present in literature for excision are via neck, anterior chest, combined or robotic assisted. We here, are reporting transoral endoscope excision of cystic hygroma via vestibular approach. A 51 year old female with swelling over anterior aspect of neck, trans-illumination positive, diagnosis confirmed on CT neck, of size ~4×4 cm was our case. We decided for transoral endoscopic vestibular approach for excision, first of its kind with no assisted approach. Patient discharged after 3 post-operative days (PODs). There was mild seroma which resolved within a week. Transoral endoscopic excision of cystic hygroma via vestibular approach without any assisted approach can be applied in adult. Various approach present in literature for excision of cystic hygroma are via neck, anterior chest or combined or robotic assisted. Hence this approach can be an excellent choice for adult cystic hygroma patients who desire to avoid a neck incision. Transoral endoscopic excision of cystic hygroma via vestibular approach was successfully performed. Patient was satisfied with good cosmosis. It results in good cosmesis and better dissection. Hence can be a new method of excision of cystic hygroma in adult.