Vascular Care Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic in a South Asian Country: Implications for Limb Salvage

Objective: Covid-19 continues its negative impact on limb salvage in patients with limb ischemia and vascular trauma. Bangladesh fought the 1st and 2nd waves of the Covid-19 pandemic during April through August, 2020 and in April-May, 2021, respectively. Infections have been rising once again since early June 2021 to reach a positivity rate over 30%. With limited resources, vascular surgical care during the pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for a developing country like Bangladesh. As a small vascular community, we have adopted a strategy focused on conserving essential resources including manpower while delivering essential vascular care. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of our pandemic-time guideline-based working strategy with a focus on limb salvage. Methods: Essential vascular services were provided by customized teams throughout the Covid-19 pandemic at two referral centers according to our working guidelines. Data were analyzed and key limb salvage outcomes compared between the two pandemic waves by chi-square test. Results: A total of 1792 vascular surgical cases were addressed during the pandemic- over 90% of which involved limb or life-saving procedures. Overall mortality was 0.6% and overall limb salvage rate for acute and Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) were 95.3% and 76.8%, respectively. Limb salvage rate for CLTI was significantly higher in the 2nd wave compared with the 1st (P<0.05). Rate of Covid-19 infection among vascular workforce was about 20%. Conclusion: Emergency-focused altered working guideline has produced satisfactory results in terms of continuing emergency vascular services, improving limb salvage and safeguarding vascular workforce during Covid-19 pandemic in a developing country. Conservation of resources including manpower remains relevant in the context of a highly probable 3rd wave of infection.

Granular Cell Tumor of the Breast: Clinical Presentation, Pathological Diagnosis and Treatment

Introduction: Granular cell tumor is a rare neoplasm of soft tissue and only in 1% of cases, it can shows a malignant behaviour. It is presumed to be a tumor originating from perineural or putative Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. Materials and Methods: We reviewed five patients affected by Granular cell tumor of the breast treated between January 2011 and January 2021 at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS of Rome, Italy. Results: All of the granular cell tumors presented as solitary, painless and firm lump, highly suggestive of malignancy. The radiological findings were heterogeneous and non-specific. All lesions presented as masses, more clearly evident on ultrasound as hypoechoic lesions, with irregular shape, blurred contours and borderline features. The tumors were composed of large polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and small, central nuclei, being immunohistochemically positive for S100, Vimentin (with variable staining), CD56; negative for HMB45, MelanA, AE1/AE3, EMA, and Desmin. Conclusion: Granular cell tumor is a rare, usually benign breast disease that can have very similar characteristics to breast cancer both clinically and radiologically. Treatment of choice consists in wide resection or lumpectomy with margin assessment (no ink on tumor).

Comparison of Functional and Clinical Outcomes between Minimally-Invasive and Conventional Approaches after Total Hip Replacement

Comparison of Functional and Clinical Outcomes between Minimally-Invasive and Conventional Approaches after Total Hip Replacement

Controlling Tumor Regression about the Physiological System

It is proposed to study the mechanism of tumor regression from an evolutionary point of view. The proposal is based on the assumption that the evolutionary precursor of this mechanism is the resorption mechanism in sedentary modular invertebrates preparing for diapause in embryos. To understand how the tumor regression mechanism works, it is necessary to investigate the mechanism of resorption of these embryos in these invertebrates.

Comparison between Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap and Free Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap in Reconstruction of Post Traumatic Soft Tissue Defects of Dorsum of the Foot

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the pliability, the function, aesthetic outcome, complications and patient satisfaction between free anterolateral thigh flap and free medial sural artery perforator flap in reconstruction of post traumatic soft tissue defects of dorsum of the foot. Method: The study was conducted on forty patients with post traumatic soft tissue defects of the dorsum of the foot between August 2018 and August 2019. Patients were divided randomly into two groups. In group1 (20 patients), the defects were reconstructed with free anterolateral thigh perforator flap. In group 2 (20 patients), reconstruction was done by free medial sural artery perforator flap. Result: In group 1 (ALT flap), Complete flap survival was achieved in 100% of cases. Thirteen patients required secondary debulking procedures and scar revisions. In group 2 (MSAP Flap), Complete flap survival was achieved in 85% with one flap totally lost and two flaps had distal necrosis. One patient needed scar revision and another patient needed flap advancement. Conclusion: MSAP flap is superior to ALT flap. It has many advantages: it is thin, pliable, fitted to normal footwear, less hairy and there is no need for secondary procedures in most cases.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: More than Just a Lung Problem

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the diaphragm, which permits abdominal organs to herniate into the thorax. This causes lung hypoplasia and at birth, children with CDH experience respiratory distress and pulmonary hypertension. Despite optimal neonatal treatment, CDH is still associated with a high mortality and morbidity. In severe cases, Fetal Intervention (FETO) may alter the natural course of this disease. Herein we describe the rationale, action mechanism and technique to perform this intervention. Despite hope giving results, this technique remains investigational for left sided CDH. However, an increased survival may come at the cost of increased morbidity. Children born with CDH are at increased risk for long and short-term morbidity, including neurodevelopmental problems. Until now, there are still uncertainties about the severity and prevalence of neurologic morbidity. Furthermore, it remains uncertain if these problems are already present prenatally and if a prenatal intervention influence this.

Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient with Severe Post-Radiation Damage

Chest radiotherapy is a common treatment for mediastinal malignancy. The long-term effect of radiation can harm several of cardiovascular structures including pericardium, myocardium, valvular system, conduction system, and coronary arteries. Cardiovascular disease is the most common non-malignancy cause of death in radiation-treated patient, most often occurs many years after treatment. Valvular heart disease secondary to mediastinal radiation mainly affect the aortic and mitral valves. We present a unique case of 58 years old women with history of past mediastinal radiotherapy who presented with few episodes of true syncope, complete AV block, severe aortic stenosis and significant ostial left main and ostial right coronary artery disease.

Evaluation of HSG and SIS Diagnostic Value in Comparison to Hysteroscopy to Detect Intrauterine Abnormalities in Infertile Women in Iran

Objective: Hysteroscopy is the gold standard in evaluation of uterine cavity. However, being invasive and its possible adverse effects have reduced popularity of hysteroscopy and clinicians have always been looking for a valid alternative for hysteroscopy. In the current study, we aimed to compare diagnostic value of Saline induced Sonography with HSG in diagnosis of intrauterine abnormalities. Material and Method: We performed a retrospective study on 81 infertile women who underwent hysteroscopy, SIS, and HSG at Taleghani infertility center during their IVF treatment course. Polyp, fibroids, adhesion and septate uterus were considered as abnormality. We reported agreement percent, Kappa, sensitivity, specificity, Area Under Curve, Diagnostic Odds Ratio, Positive Predictive Value, and Negative Predictive value for both SIS and HSG. Results: Total agreement between SIS and hysteroscopy was 85.1, while it was 23.4 for HSG. We also observed considerably higher Kappa for SIS (80.1%) than HSG (15.5%). Overall sensitivity and specificity of SIS for diagnosis of all type of anomaly including both uterine abnormalities and Acquired uterine pathologies was 90.1% (95% CI= 80.7, 95.9) and 90.0% (95% CI= 55.5, 99.7). Meanwhile overall sensitivity and specificity of Hysterosalpingography where hysteroscopy was considered as the gold standard was 54.9 (42.7, 66.8) and 50.0 (18.7, 81.3). Conclusion: SIS is more sensitive tools than HSG for diagnosis of intrauterine abnormalities and could be considered one of the best alternative of hysteroscopy. It provides more accurate detail diagnostic information with high sensitivity and specificity.

Laparoscopic Distal Splenorenal Anastomosis

Introduction: Esophagogastric bleeding is the most formidable complication of the portal hypertension syndrome. At acute bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach, mortality reaches 40 to 50% and is accompanied with the high risk of early hemorrhage recurrence in 30-50 % of survivors. Portosystemic shunt surgery provides for radical decompression of the portal vein system and reliably prevent hemorrhage recurrence. Purpose: To assess the possibility and efficacy of the Distal Splenorenal Anastomosis (DSRA) with a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach. Methods: The study included 28 patients with portal hypertension syndrome who underwent laparoscopic DSRA. By the Child-Pugh scale, class A was 42.9%, class B - 57.1%. The indication for surgical decompression of the portal system was the ineffectiveness of repeated sessions of endoscopic ligation with recurrence of varicose veins of the esophagus (21.5%) and/or bleeding from them (46.4%) or the presence of varicose veins of the stomach (32.1%). Results: Mean surgery time was 294±86 minutes. The maximum blood loss was 211±55 ml. The access conversion was performed in 10.7% of cases. In the postoperative period, the patients were in ICU for 1-2 days. The hospital stay and in-patients treatment duration was 9.4±2.5 days. Both in the early and in the long-term follow-up, there were no cases of gastroesophageal bleeding and shunt thrombosis. The portosystemic encephalopathy developed in 12% of cases. The surgical decompression of the portal system was featured by a decrease in the degree of esophagus varication in the long-term period. The maximum follow-up period was 46 months. Conclusion: Minimally invasive laparoscopic DSRA in patients with portal hypertension syndrome is a possible, safe and effective alternative treatment option.

Immune Check-Point Inhibitors in Breast Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Check-point inhibitors have erupted as a treatment option for numerous kinds of neoplasms. Although there have been some achievements, the evidence supporting their use in breast cancer is scarce. Combinations with chemotherapy seem to provide better outcomes, and triple negative is the subtype most likely to benefit from them. New combination strategies are undergoing research to improve these results. Other approaches to determining biomarkers that identify which populations clearly benefit from these therapies are needed. Here, we review the clinical data of the role of immune check-point inhibitors in early and advanced breast cancer and present emerging strategies.