Comparison of short-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) plication of diaphragmatic eventration - a six-year prospective cohort study.

Diaphragmatic eventration is one of the rarest conditions characterized by elevation of the hemidiaphragm while maintaining its normal attachments. In recent years, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has gained popularity for diaphragmatic surgery. In this study, we share our experience over six years with VATS plication of diaphragmatic eventration. We conducted a prospective study at our institute for six years from April 2016 to March 2021, which included 37 symptomatic patients with diaphragmatic eventration. The sample size reported in this study is one of the largest to date for VATS diaphragmatic plication. Of these, 18 patients underwent combined stapler and suture plication, and 19 patients underwent single modality approach (10-stapled resection, 9-suture alone plication). All patients were followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Comparative analysis of the combined approach and the single modality approach was performed. The mean operative time was significantly longer with the combined approach (p value < 0.01). However, there was no difference in postoperative pain (p value = 0.50), analgesia requirement (p value = 0.72), or pleural drainage (p value = 0.32) between the two approaches. Although not statistically significant, the combined approach had fewer post-operative complications (p value = 0.32). Besides, the Single modality approach resulted in one recurrence (p value = 0.32) and one mortality (p value = 0.32). VATS diaphragmatic plication using staplers and/or sutures is safe and efficacious in the management of diaphragmatic eventration. Surgeons should consider using both staplers and sutures whenever possible, rather than selecting one over the other.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgical Management of Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck: A Retrospective Analysis of 20 Cases.

INTRODUCTION:  Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a condition that arises due to incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis or an abnormal outpouching from the round ligament during fetal development. It usually presents as a painless, rarely painful, groin swelling. The definitive diagnosis for this condition is magnetic resonance imaging. Various management options have been proposed for this condition, including open surgery, transabdominal preperitoneal approach, totally extraperitoneal approach, and a combination of laparoscopic and open surgery. The present study highlights the benefits of the transabdominal preperitoneal approach when compared with the open anterior approach and addresses the intraoperative challenges faced during laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  The study is a retrospective study inclusive of 20 patients who underwent surgery for the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck from June 2019 to December 2023. Case records of patients were studied for information such as demographic features, type of pathology, the surgery performed, intraoperative challenges encountered, operative time, duration of hospital stay, scores from the visual analog scale pain assessment chart at various intervals, and time taken to return to work. The variables were documented and statistically analyzed. RESULTS:  The average age group of the study population was 27.8 ± 8.34 years. Of the 20 patients, 10 had undergone a transabdominal preperitoneal approach (Group A), and 10 had undergone an open anterior approach (Group B). Eleven out of 20 patients had an associated inguinal hernia, of which three were identified preoperatively and eight were identified incidentally during surgery. The mean operative time of Group A cases was 97.95 ± 7.54 minutes, while it was 66.3 ± 6.20 minutes for Group B cases. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significantly lesser operative time for Group B than for Group A (p-value < 0.001). The duration of hospital stays was comparable for the two groups with no significant difference (two days versus 3.8 ± 3.08 days, respectively). When the difference in the means of time taken to return to normal work was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test between Group A and B (6.1 ± 0.87 days and 11.2 ± 1.81 days, respectively), a statistically significant early return to normal work in the former group (p-value = 0.001) was revealed. Similarly, the Mann-Whitney U test when used to compare the median postoperative pain score of both groups at 12-24 hours, 48-72 hours, seven days, and three months showed a significantly lesser pain score among patients of Group A at all intervals (p-value < 0.001, p-value = 0.005, p-value = 0.005, p-value < 0.001, respectively). The incidence of intraoperative challenges, sero-hematoma, and surgical site infection were insignificant in comparison. CONCLUSION: The transabdominal preperitoneal approach for the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is ideal as it offers excellent intraoperative delineation of pathology and postoperative outcomes. Prophylactic placement of a mesh in all cases can help prevent a future occurrence of inguinal hernia in these cases.

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: A 6-Year Experience from a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Western India.

Background: Minimally invasive and endoscopic surgical techniques have surpassed the conventional open thyroidectomy for the treatment of thyroid nodules. Trans-axillary, Unilateral Axillo-Breast Approach (UABA), Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach, and Trans-Oral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) are the most common endoscopic procedures performed currently. This article highlights our experiences with UABA and TOETVA over a period of 6 years. Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2020, we retrospectively analyzed our experience in Endoscopic thyroidectomy with 119 patients using UABA (n = 72) and TOETVA (n = 47) in our tertiary care teaching hospital. Both approaches used the standard three-port technique. Real time angiography was performed intraoperatively using Indocyanine Green dye to delineate the vessels in all patients. Results: The mean operative time for UABA and TOETVA was 90 and 110 minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 18 mL in the former and 20 mL in the latter. Temporary Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve palsy and Hypoparathyroidism were minimal with TOETVA (5 patients versus 4 patients and 7 patients versus 2 patients). Shorter duration of hospital stay was observed with UABA (3 days versus 5 days). Cosmetic satisfaction was better with TOETVA. Conclusion: Based on our 6-year experience, we propose "JJ Hospital Criteria," which we currently follow to decide which surgical approach will yield best results. UABA and TOETVA are safe, feasible, and give exceptional cosmetic satisfaction. Both approaches should be seen as complementary rather than competitive.

Management of thymomatous myasthenia gravis - Case report of a rare Covid19 infection sequelae.

INTRODUCTION: SARS CoV19 infection can predispose to many autoimmune and neurological conditions, thymomatous myasthenia gravis being one of them. The rarity of these case poses therapeutic dilemmas about their further management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 61 year old gentleman who had covid19 infection 2 months back, presented with new onset myasthenia gravis and an anterior mediastinal mass. He was diagnosed as a case of anti acetyl choline receptor antibody positive thymomatous myasthenia gravis. The patient was posted for video assisted thoracoscopic excision of thymoma. The procedure was uneventful and patient was discharged with improvement in myasthenic symptoms. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of WHO Type A Spindle cell thymoma. DISCUSSION: SARS CoV19 infection is associated with an array of autoimmune disorders due to various proposed phenomenon including molecular mimicry and loss of immune tolerance. Post infectious thymomatous myasthenia gravis is extremely uncommon, and can be managed with open, minimally invasive or robotic approach. CONCLUSION: This is the first documented case of post covid19 infection thymomatous myasthenia gravis to the best of our knowledge, managed with minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery. Further research is required for documentation of the natural history of the disease and therapeutic outcomes.