A tertiary care prospective of epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma from Northern India

Background: Esophageal cancer is considered to be a one of the most lethal malignancy. Indian population have seen a lot of changes in the epidemiology of this deadly cancer. However very few studies have been done from northern India regarding the epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of this disease. Majority of esophageal cancers (about 90%) are either squamous cell or Adenocarcinoma. Any factor that causes chronic irritation and inflammation of the esophageal mucosa appears to increase the incidence of the esophageal. The aim of the study was to perform an epidemiological study and determine the various factors that are implicated in the pathogenesis of carcinoma esophagus.Methods: This study was conducted in the department of general surgery, Government Medical College, Jammu, as an observational prospective study. It took into account the patients from 2015 to 2020. A total of 23 patients of carcinoma oesophagus who presented to Outdoor patient wing of department of surgery were included in the study. After detailed history, examination and investigations, the various variables were extracted and data was processed.Results: In this study, the majority of people were from rural areas in their seventh decade of life with males: female ratio of 3:1. The majority of people complained of dysphagia and weight loss. The site of tumor was Gastroesophageal junction.Conclusions: This study emphasised the need of health education in our population, especially in young adults to lessen the risk factors for carcinoma esophagus.

Experience of small tissue bites with conventional tissue bites in emergency setting for midline abdominal wound closure

Background: Midline incision provides excellent access to the abdominal cavity. However, wound infection following a laparotomy can increase morbidity as well as burden on health care system. Wound prognosis can be influenced by the type of incisions, suture material and the method of closure. This study aimed to assess the outcome of midline abdominal wound closure using two different techniques of wound closure.Methods: This was a prospective observational study and consisted of 300 consecutive patients ≥18 years of age undergoing abdominal surgery through a midline incision in emergency setting. Patients who were included in the study were then randomised into two groups. In group I, midline laparotomy was closed with large tissue bites and in group II small tissue bites were used.Results: Out of 300 patients included in this study, 150 patients were subjected to large tissue bites and another 150 patients to small tissue bites. 29 patients out of 150 patients (19%) in large tissue bites group and 16 patients (11%) in small tissue bites developed surgical site infection (SSI). 23 patients out of 50 patients (15%) in large tissue bites group and 11 patients (7%) in small tissue bites developed wound dehiscence.Conclusions: In this study, we found that the patients in group II whose midline laprotomy was closed with small tissue bites had better wound outcome postoperatively in terms of wound site infection and wound dehiscence.

D-dimer as a safe, convenient and easily available biomarker, when combined with conventional sentinel node biopsy in clinically node negative breast cancer to assess metastatic disease in axilla and reduce false negative results

Background: Breast cancer is frequently associated with activation of the hemostatic system and the extent of this activation correlates with a more advanced tumor stage. D-dimer is a biomarker that indicates the activation of hemostasis and fibrinolysis.Methods: This is a prospective, observational, analytical study in which we compare plasma D-dimer levels among three groups’ i.e., healthy subjects, benign patients and breast cancer patients. We have also evaluated plasma D-dimer levels in patients with lymphadenopathy and in those patients who did not have palpable lymph nodes. Plasma D-dimer levels were further characterized based on TNM classification in breast cancer patients where quantitative D-dimer levels were correlated with clinical stage grouping.Results: Through our study we have observed that D-dimer level is inexpensive and a convenient method for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. We have used a control group so as to evaluate a more accurate result. Comparison between benign and malignant lesions was made and we have achieved a significant p value, which proved our study positive for raised D-dimer levels in cancer breast.Conclusions: D-dimer proves to be a safe, convenient and easily available biomarker which can be combined with conventional sentinel node biopsy in clinically node negative breast cancer to assess metastatic disease in axilla and reduce false negative results. Plasma D-dimer level was positively correlated with clinical stage of solid cancers.

Prevalence of undiagnosed hypothyroidism in patients with gall bladder stones in Belagavi

Background: Contribution of hypothyroidism to gallstone formation is debated over years. With this background, the study intended to analyze the prevalence of undiagnosed hypothyroidism in patients with cholelithiasis. The aim is to understand the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with gallstones.Methods: A prospective, hospital-based study was done on 100 patients admitted for the management of gall stone disease in Belagavi. After initial screening, a detailed history was obtained with special reference to symptomatology and the risk factors as per proforma from patients meeting selection criteria. Thyroid function test was done on all eligible patients. Patients were divided into three groups of Euthyroid, Subclinical hypothyroid and clinical hypothyroidism. Statistical analysis used. Percentage of gall stones in different age groups and gender of the study population was calculated followed by prevalence of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism in all the patients included.Results: Among the study population, 40% were male and 60% were female. 23 of them have subclinical hypothyroidism and 6 of them were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Majority of subclinical hypothyroid patients (39.13%) were aged 41-60 years. Hypothyroid symptoms were shown by the study population with unknown thyroid status.Conclusions: The prevalence of hypothyroidism in cholelithiasis is 29% in the study and is significant. The study demands further studies to consider hypothyroidism as a cause /risk factor for biliary calculus.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Because of the initial case study results suggesting high recurrence rates at port sites, adoption of the laparoscopic approach for colorectal cancer treatment was slow. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone and most important facet in management of colon cancer. The use of minimally invasive approach in colorectal surgery has been reported by several authors in the literature. Some difficult about the use of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer still raises, particularly with the technique’s complexity, learning curve and longer duration. Scientific literature published from January 2010 to April 2020 was reviewed. Phase III randomized clinical trials were included. Analysis of the scientific literatures confirmed that for the curative treatment of colon and rectal cancer, laparoscopy is not inferior to open surgery with respect to overall survival, disease-free survival and rate of recurrence. Laparoscopic resection can be considered an option for the curative treatment of colon and rectal cancer; but must take into consideration surgeon experience, tumour stage and potential contraindications; and that laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer be performed only by appropriately trained surgeons.

Occult insulinoma after oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer-diagnostic challenges

Hypoglycaemia in the post-operative period is mainly iatrogenic (related to anti-hyperglycaemic drugs), but can be explained by an endogenous hyperinsulinemic state. In the context of previous gastrointestinal surgery, a form of dumping syndrome can mask hypoglycaemia from an underlying cause, such as an insulinoma. The authors present a clinical case of a male patient who underwent oesophageal surgery for an oesophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma and developed hypoglycaemic symptoms in the post-operative period, caused by an undiagnosed insulinoma. This case report portraits the diagnostic investigation of a hypoglycaemia state in the post-operative period, narrowing to the workup of an endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia and provides a summary of insulinoma’s treatment. An insulinoma should always be considered in a patient with endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia, even with a history of oesophago-gastric surgery.

Association between multi nodular goitre and thyroid malignancy at a tertiary care centre

Background: Over the past few decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has dramatically increased. Thyroid malignancy in multinodular goitre is considered to be high and these occult malignancies are detected only in post operative histopathological analysis. The study helps in finding association between multinodular goitre and thyroid malignancy. Objective was to find the association between multinodular goitre and thyroid malignancy in those who underwent total thyroidectomy.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in department of general surgery, KIMS hospital, Bangalore. The 236 randomized cases of multinodular goitre who underwent total thyroidectomy were selected. Patients underwent thorough clinical examination pre operatively and were reassessed in post-operative period following surgery. Later, histopathology report on thyroidectomy specimen of the patients were obtained. This report was considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy.Results: Occult malignancies were commoner in middle aged females. Most of the patients in the study underwent total thyroidectomy. The prevalence of thyroid malignancy in our study was found to be 7.2%. In the study, 17 incidental malignancies were papillary carcinomas. It revealed a highly significant relation between the lymphocytic thyroiditis and occult malignancy (p<0.0001)Conclusions: The prevalence of malignancy in multinodular goitre is 7.2%. The only variant of incidental malignancy detected in histopathological examination of excised thyroid was papillary carcinoma. There is a statistically significant association between presence of thyroiditis in preoperative FNA and presence of occult malignancy carcinoma.

Synthetic mesh placement - modality of choice in spontaneous intercostal pleural herniation: a case report

Hernia is defined as protrusion of a viscus or its part from the wall covering it and in some rare cases due to increased intercostal space there is spontaneous herniation of pleura and lung also known as extrathoracic lung hernia. A 48 year gentleman was admitted in our centre for chest wall swelling which has developed spontaneously 1 year back, painless, with cough impulse, further investigations like chest x-ray revealed nothing , subsequently CT thorax showed intercostal pleural hernia. He underwent surgery which diagnosed it as a case of intercostal pleural hernia having defect between 8th and 9th rib. Subsequently primary repair of defect was done with placement of monofilament mesh over it and then approximation of intercostal space was done with monofilament suture placed over 8th and 9th ribs. Post operatively patient had no complications and no recurrence of hernia. Spontaneous pleural herniation is a usually caused by coughing, heavy weight lifting, weakness of thoracic muscles by smoking, obesity etc. Ideal management is to treat the aetiology along with repair of the defect to prevent recurrence. In the present case the hernia developed after a bout of cough due to increased intercostal space between 8th and 9th ribs and also due to obesity leading to weak musculature. Intercostal pleural hernia repair can be achieved by primary repair of defect but it is advisable to use synthetic materials such as knitted monofilament polypropylene (Marlex) mesh to provide addition support to prevent recurrence.

Clinical outcome of appendectomy: laparoscopic vs open technique

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common abdominal surgical emergency. Appendectomy has been proven to be the standard care for the treatment of acute appendicitis. Objective of the study was to compare laparoscopic and open appendectomy in terms of clinical outcome and complication rates.Methods: This was a single centric, retrospective study conducted at SKIMS, Soura from May 2018 to April 2021. Open and laparoscopic appendectomy patients were compared in terms of operative times, conversion rate, complication rates and duration of hospital stay.Results: Total 120 patients were included in this study with 40 in laparoscopic group while 80 patients in the open group. Increased operative time in laparoscopic group (p=0.033) and longer duration of hospital stay (p=0.021) with open group while as comparable complication rate in both procedures were observed. Higher rates of intra-abdominal collection in laparoscopic group as compared to open groupConclusions: Both laparoscopic and open appendectomy procedures can be performed routinely for acute appendicitis without the additional risks of complications.

Long segment “Hanging-snout” end ileosotmy a safe “Surgical disaster mitigating” technique for an “Un-brookeable” end ileum: a study of 23 cases over 12 years

Background: In 1952, Professor Bryan Brooke described his technique for everting an ileostomy in order to minimise skin excoriation1. Pouting, mucosa-everting Brooke’s ileostomy have been accepted as the best technique for stoma formation in almost all cases, save a few difficult situations – such as edematous friable bowel with bulky short mesentry! In such cases formation of standard Brooke’s ‘Pouting’ ileostomy is not only difficult, but an impossible and a dangerous surgical exercise! In these situations where the bowel is “Un-Brookeable” due to aforementioned causes. Over a period of 12 years we could device a formula – “Ray’s Criteria” to decide at operation, if a given ileum in a particular patient, is safely “Brookeable” (i.e. evertable into a neat Brooke, spouting ileostomy) or is “Un-Brookeable”.Methods: 23 patients were included in this study over 12 years, who due to the peculiarity of their body morphology (obesity or thick abdominal fat), edematous friable bowel with bulky mesentry, the ileum could not be drawn outside the abdomen and everted as Brooke’s ileostomy. The “Brookeability” of the exteriorized ileum was decided based on satisfying two issues of Ray’s criteria.Results: By using “Ray’s criteria”, we could seggregate patients safely as “Brookeable” and “Un-Brookeable”. Those deemed “Un-Brookable” underwent “Long segment Hanging snout” end ileostomy, which is the theme of our study.Conclusions: We are emphatic in stating that by using “Ray’s criteria” we could accurately segregate cases into “Brookeable” and “Un-Brookeable” ileum.