A novel double arrowhead auxetic coronary stent.

A stent implantation is a standard medical procedure for treating coronary artery diseases. Over the years, various different designs have been explored for the stents which come with a range of limitations, including late in-stent restenosis (due to low radial strength), foreshortening, radial recoil, etc. Contrary, stents with auxetic design, characterized by a negative Poisson's ratio, display unique deformation characteristics that result in enhanced mechanical properties in terms of its radial strength, radial recoil, foreshortening, and more. In this study, we have analysed a novel double arrowhead (DA) auxetic stent that aims to overcome the limitations associated with traditional stents, specifically in terms of radial strength, foreshortening, and radial recoil. The parametric analysis was done initially on the DA's unit ring structure to optimize the design by evaluating the effect of three design parameters (angle, amplitude, and width) on the mechanical characteristics (radial strength and radial recoil) using finite element analysis. The width of the strut was found to be the primary determinant of the stent structure's properties. Consequently, the angle and width were found to have the least effect on altering the stent's mechanical properties. After performing the parametric analysis, optimal design factors were selected to design the full-length DA auxetic stent. The mechanical characteristics of the DA auxetic stent were assessed and compared in a case study with the Cypher™ commercial stent. The radial strength of DA auxetic stent was found to be 7.26 N/mm, which is more than double the Cypher™ commercial stent's radial strength. Additionally, the proposed stent possesses reduced radial recoil property and completely eliminates the stent foreshortening issue, which shows the superior mechanical properties of the proposed auxetic stent and its potential as a promising candidate for future stent designs.

Ileosigmoid knotting: an unusual cause of acute intestinal obstruction with bowel gangrene.

Ileosigmoid knotting (ISK) is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction rapidly progressing to bowel gangrene. It is characterised by the wrapping of loops of ileum and sigmoid colon around each other. The condition often remains undiagnosed preoperatively; however, it can be suspected by the triad of small bowel obstruction, radiographic features suggestive of predominately large bowel obstruction and inability to deflate the intestine by a sigmoidoscope. We are reporting a case of 56-year-old man who presented with features of acute intestinal obstruction and compensated shock within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. Exploratory laparotomy revealed ISK resulting in gangrene of ileum and sigmoid colon. In view of haemodynamic instability, end ileostomy was done after excising gangrenous segments. The patient improved and stoma closure and ileocolic anastomosis were done after 3 months in follow-up.

Primary enterolithiasis with intestinal tuberculosis: rare presentation of a common disease.

Enterolithiasis is the formation of intestinal calculi due to stasis. Tubercular strictures resulting in intestinal stasis provide a favourable environment for enterolith formation. Intestinal tuberculosis occurs commonly in India, but coexistent enterolithiasis has been reported rarely. We are describing three cases of enterolithiasis secondary to tubercular intestinal strictures among female patients in the fourth to fifth decades of life, all of them having pulmonary tuberculosis in the past. All the cases presented with features of subacute intestinal obstruction. X-ray abdomen done for all of them revealed single to multiple round, oval and rectangular, radio-opaque shadows suggestive of stones. Coexistence of enterolithiasis with intestinal tuberculosis may worsen the symptoms of intestinal obstruction and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. All the patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, resection and anastomosis of the diseased bowel and antitubercular therapy was started. Two patients responded well to the treatment and the third one expired due to cardiac comorbidity.

Randomised Controlled Trial of Day-Case Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy vs Routine Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Many randomised controlled trials conducted worldwide favours for day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but questions have been raised regarding its application in developing country like ours. Hence, considering it a high time to review current practices, we conducted this trial to report our experience with day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to access its feasibility and safety in our set-up. Data from 65 patients with symptomatic gallstone were randomised to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy either as day-case procedure or as routine (conventional) procedure. Complication, quality of life, satisfaction, post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain were assessed. Ninety-seven per cent (31/32) of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients were successfully discharged with mean duration of 8.9 ± 4.54 h, which was 3.33 ± 1.45 days (72.92 ± 34.8 h) in routine (conventional) laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. There was no significant difference in complication, quality of life, satisfaction, post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain between the two groups. Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, feasible and beneficial procedure in our set-up. Patient acceptance in terms of quality of life and satisfaction was similar to that of routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in epidermal inclusion cyst of breast: a diagnostic dilemma.

Epidermal, or inclusion, cysts are frequently seen benign lesions that are lined with stratified squamous epithelium. Malignant transformation of these is rare, occurring in 0.011% to 0.045% cases [1]. We herein report an unusual case of squamous cell carcinoma occurring in an epidermal cyst of the breast in a middle aged lady.

Role of Transrectal Ultrasound in Preoperative Local Staging of Carcinoma Rectum and It's Histopathological Correlation.

A precise knowledge of depth of invasion of tumor is essential for the planning of treatment of rectal cancer. TRUS is a new diagnostic modality that has become useful in determining depth of invasion preoperatively and the presence or absence of metastatic lymph nodes. Our aim was to determine Role of Transrectal Ultrasound in Preoperative Local Staging of Carcinoma Rectum and it's Histopathological Correlation. TRUS was used in preoperative local staging of 30 patients with carcinoma rectum. 25patients underwent APR (abdomino-perineal resection) & 5 underwent AR. (anterior resection). Preoperative TRUS staging was compared with pathological staging obtained from biopsy of resected specimen. In staging depth of invasion of rectal wall (T stage) overall accuracy was 83.3 %, over staged 10 %, under staged in 6.67 % sensitivity was 92.5 %, and specificity was 62.5 %. In staging lymph nodes (N stage) overall accuracy was 76.67 %, sensitivity was 79.31 %, specificity was 87.5 %. TRUS is a safe and accurate preoperative local staging method for assessment of both depth of invasion of rectal wall and presence or absence of metastatic lymph nodes.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma breast: our experience.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study was designed to present the clinical characteristics and histopathological features of Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma (PNEC) of breast, and to evaluate the impact on outcome following its management on the line of more common primary adenocarcinoma of breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of four patients diagnosed with PNEC of breast were retrospectively reviewed. Data were obtained from medical record from January 2008 to December 2012. Diagnosis of PNEC was confirmed by histopathological examination (HPE) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of tissue obtained from Trucut biopsy of the breast lump in all four patients. PNEC of breast was defined by the presence of more than 50% of invasive tumor cells with cytoplasmic immunoreaction for neuroendocrine (NE) markers synaptophysin, chromogranin or neuron specific enolase as per WHO classification. All patients were treated with Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM), six cycle of Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and 5-Flurouracil (CAF) based adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. RESULTS: There were four female patients. The mean age was 58~years (50-65 years). Breast lump was the presenting complaint in all patients. The result of HPE showed tumor size ranging from 4 to 6.5 cm in diameter. Axillary lymph node metastasis was detected in three (75%) patients. ER and PR expression was positive in four (100%) and three patients (75%) respectively. None of the patients expressed Her-2-neu. IHC staining was positive for NE markers chromogranin in three (75%) patients, synoptophysin in two patients (50%) and Neuron specific enolase three (75%) patients. The mean follow-up time was 27.7 months (range 48-9). All four patients survived without any loco-regional or metastatic recurrence with one patient developing lymphedema of arm. CONCLUSIONS: Breast lump is the most common presentation of PNEC of the breast with characteristic expression of NE markers by the tumor. Management of this rare tumor may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy depending on the size of the tumor, lymph node and hormone receptor status. However, most appropriate treatment plan has yet to be established.

Retrorectal cystic hamartoma: a problematic 'tail'.

The retrorectal space is an uncommon seat for neoplastic masses. Retrorectal hamartoma or tailgut cyst (TGC) is an uncommon developmental cystic lesion occurring in this space which mostly occurs in middle-aged females. We recently cared for a 16-year-old girl who presented with vague lower abdominal pain and occasional constipation. Per rectal examination revealed an extraluminal mass bulging from posterior rectal wall. Preoperative radiological investigations revealed by suggested it to be a mature cystic teratoma. The patient underwent exploratory laprotomy with en masse excision of the cyst. Histopathological examination of the specimen showed it to be a TGC. This case highlights the possibility of a TGC as a differential for retrorectal cystic lesions and the need to completely excise them given the possibility of future malignant transformation.