Revisiting the Trans-Sacral Approach for Large Rectal Adenomas, Surgical Technique, and Oncological Outcome: a Case Series.

The standard oncologic surgeries for rectal carcinoma are radical trans abdominal procedures, However, these radical procedures are not suitable for large rectal adenomas. The transsacral approach for rectal adenoma was first described by Kraske and since then it has been utilized for various benign conditions of low and mid-rectum as well as for certain cancers. We are presenting a series of 5 consecutive cases of trans-sacral resection done in the past 7 years between January, 2016, until June, 2023, at the Department of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, HIMS Dehradun, for large mid- and lower rectal adenoma. There were 5 patients who underwent transsacral excision of rectal adenoma. Three patients were male and 2 were female. All the patients underwent surgery after confirming the diagnosis of adenoma and metastatic work up. The postoperative histopathological examination showed adenocarcinoma infiltrating submucosa (T1) in one patient; however, other 4 patients had adenoma reconfirmed. The transsacral approach may not be the method of choice for the rectal carcinoma but it is a very useful surgical alternative to the large rectal adenoma where there is no invasive component and which cannot be managed by any other methods.

A Systematic Review Article on Orbital Exenteration: Indication, Complications and Reconstruction Methods.

Orbital Exenteration is a major surgical procedure that consists of the removal of the orbital bone, orbital fat, eyeball, and its contents including extraocular muscles. It is an extensive and morbid surgical procedure. Our aim is to systematically review the indications, complications and reconstruction methods utilised for orbital exenteration. An objective electronic database search was conducted in PUBMED Central, MeSH, NLM Catalog, Bookshelf, and PUBMED published in 20 years period from 1999 till 2019. A total of 29 articles were shortlisted for the present review. Most of the studies have eyelid and canthus as most common primary site of malignancy leading to orbital exenteration. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma being most common pathology. Other intraocular pathology was Retinoblastoma and melanoma. There were various reconstruction methods used by different authors and Sino-orbital fistula was most commonly occurring in majority of studies. Inspite of being a morbid surgery, Orbital Exenteration had acceptable survival and good quality of life. The aggressive pathology that requires orbital exenteration worldwide is mostly periorbital skin, sinus, and intraocular malignancies. The morbidity of the procedure is high with many surgical complications. However, in properly selected patients it can give better outcomes and survival.

A Systematic Review on Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: Current Guidelines and Safety Measures.

At this moment the world is fighting with COVID-19 pandemic. Because of increasing number of critical cases, the ICU admissions are also increasing and overwhelming the hospital. These group of patients often required Tracheostomy for proper management and ventilation. As Surgeons we often required to examine and perform procedures in head and neck patients and are in high risk of exposure to aerosol and droplet contamination. We did a literature search for research regarding tracheostomy and its post procedure care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this review various international guidelines and sources were put together, and we aim to summarize in a systematic way the available recommendations: indications, timing, technique and safety measures for tracheostomy for COVID-19 patients, from all over the world.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Surgical Services-AIIMS, New Delhi Experience.

COVID pandemic has impacted cancer care delivery and cancer surgical services globally. There is an urgent need to study the extent of the impact of COVID on cancer surgery and individual institutional response and strategies adopted to counter the adverse impact. A review of administrative and clinical policy changes adopted at the tertiary cancer center to combat COVID pandemic and resume cancer surgical services were performed. A retrospective comparative analysis of cancer out-patient census during COVID pandemic affected year and the preceding normal year along with cancer surgery data audit for the same periods was performed to assess the impact of the pandemic on cancer surgery. In addition, COVID infection rates among cancer surgery patients and healthcare workers were evaluated. There was approximately a 50% reduction in cancer outpatient registrations during COVID pandemic affected year. A trend of increasing footfalls was noted with decreasing COVID intensity and opening of lockdowns. There was a 33% reduction in major elective surgery and a 41% reduction in emergency surgery performed during the COVID period. As far as cancer surgeries are concerned, there was a 12-50% reduction in volumes involving different subsites. Overall COVID positivity rates among cancer surgery patients was low (8.17%), and approximately 30% of healthcare workers involved in cancer surgery were tested positive for COVID during the study period. Results of the current study indicate a significant impact of COVID pandemic on cancer surgical services. There was a significant impact on outpatient visits and cancer surgery volumes. However, a multidisciplinary-coordinated team approach, effective administrative and policy implementation, adoption of revised surgical safety and anesthesia protocols, COVID screening, and testing protocols facilitated resumption of cancer surgical services without adverse impact on surgical outcomes.

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma mimicking carcinoid on preoperative imaging in a 14-year-old female.

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the lung, commonly occurs in middle-aged persons with a marked female predominance. Earlier, it was known as sclerosing hemangioma. Here, we present a case of pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma which was diagnosed as carcinoid of the lung, based on imaging, in a 14-year-old female. Besides radiology, the uniqueness of this case lies in the young age (14 years) of the patient. She was presented with a 3.3 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm soft tissue density mass with a tiny speck of calcification in the anterior basal segment of the lower lobe of the right lung. Based on imaging findings on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) scan and DOTANOC scan, a diagnosis of carcinoid was made. We performed a video-assisted thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy. Histopathological examination showed features of pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma. Surgery is an established method of treatment for pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma. Enucleation, lobectomy, sleeve resection are possible treatment options. To define the role of adjuvant therapy, further direct evidence is required. The metastatic potential of this disease is yet to be established.

The prevalence and clinicopathological correlation of human papillomavirus in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in India: A systematic review article.

OBJECTIVE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) pose a great danger to society and now we have shreds of evidence for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) being one of the major causative agents for it. Though the prevalence of HPV varies throughout the world, it is gradually on the rise. The present systematic review aims to retrospect all the available studies on the prevalence of HPV in HNSCC in India and its clinicopathological aspect to study how it is different from HPV negative HNSCC. METHODS: An objective electronic database search was conducted in PUBMED Central, MeSH, NLM Catalog, Bookshelf, and PUBMED published in 25 years period from 1994 till 2019. A total of 33 articles were shortlisted for the present review. RESULTS: Studies conducted across India show the prevalence of HPV in Head and Neck Cancers ranging from 0-86.6%. Some studies reported that HPV positive HNSCC is more common in younger age, presents with advanced stage disease, and more commonly presents with nodal metastasis. As opposed to western literature HPV positive HNSCC in India is associated with a well-differentiated tumor grade. There is no difference in treatment outcome and survival among HPV positive and negative HNSCC. CONCLUSION: Exact prevalence of HPV in HNSCC is still doubtful but now we have some insight into it. The prevalence of HPV in Indian HNSCC patients has risen gradually but treatment outcome and survival may be poorer compared to other countries. However definite conclusions cannot be drawn without proper prospective study.