No Doppler Single Position-Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap (NDSP-LICAP): a Safe and Versatile Flap for Breast Oncoplasty in Resource-Limited Setting.

INTRODUCTION: The lateral intercostal artery perforator flap (LICAP) has emerged as one of the safest and less morbid flaps for lateral and central breast defects. We hereby describe a reproducible no Doppler single position (NDSP) technique to harvest it in single position without handheld Doppler, making it a versatile flap for lateral breast defects in resource-limited setting also. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With this technique, we performed a total of 22 LICAP turnover flaps over a period of 18 months from January 2020 to June 2021. In all 22 cases, the indication of flap was to fill the post-breast conservation surgery (BCS) defects in outer quadrant of breast. All LICAP flaps were harvested by surface marking of anatomical landmarks and without handheld Doppler. RESULTS: Out of 22 LICAP turnover flaps, thirteen were harvested for left breast and nine for right breast. The median width and length of the flap were 12.2 cm and 19.6 cm, respectively. The additional mean operative time was 41 min. All LICAP flaps survived well, and grade 1 Clavien-Dindo morbidity was documented in four cases. Mean hospital stay was 2.6 days. All patients received radiotherapy on their stipulated schedule. Early cosmetic outcome was good, and long-term outcomes are awaited. CONCLUSION: NDSP-LICAP flap is a workhorse for lateral breast defects. Precise knowledge of perforators and anatomical landmarks can be used for harvesting these flaps, thus avoiding ultrasound Doppler and dedicated training for perforator localization. This technique has short learning curve without the need for any plastic surgery training. The early cosmetic outcomes are good.

A Simple Technique Using Peri-Prosthetic Irrigation Improves Implant Salvage Rates in Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Background and objectives: Implant-related complications leading to implant loss contribute to major morbidity in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). Various techniques have been advocated to improve rates of reconstruction salvage. The objective of our study was to assess if a peri-prosthetic irrigation system was an effective adjunct to the conventional wash-out technique in improving reconstruction salvage rates. Methods: The study included patients who had immediate implant-based breast reconstruction from January 2015 to November 2020. The conventional technique of reconstruction salvage, using debridement, wash-out, and implant/expander exchange with systemic use of antibiotics, was performed for patients undergoing exploration for infection until May 2019. A simple technique using a continuous peri-prosthetic irrigation system with vancomycin (1 g/L normal saline over 24 h) for 2 days was added as an adjunct to the conventional technique. Treatment details and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. The study was approved by the Clinical Governance department. Results: During the study period, 335 patients underwent IBR. A total of 65 patients (19.4%) returned to the theatre due to post-operative complications, of which 45 (13.4%) were due to infection. A conventional technique was used in 38 (84.4%) patients, and peri-prosthetic irrigation was used as an adjunct in 7 patients (15.6%). A total of 16 (42.1%) in the conventional group and all 7 (100%) in the irrigation group had successful reconstruction salvage. No patients had complications due to antibiotic irrigation. Conclusions: The peri-prosthetic irrigation system is a simple, safe, and effective adjunct to conventional techniques in improving reconstruction salvage in IBR.

A single centre comparative study of laparoscopic mesh rectopexy versus suture rectopexy.

AIM: The aim of our study is to compare the results of laparoscopic mesh vs. suture rectopexy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 70 patients including both male and female of age ranging between 20 years and 65 years (mean 42.5 yrs) were subjected to laparoscopic rectopexy during the period between March 2007 and June 2012, of which 38 patients underwent laparoscopic mesh rectopexy and 32 patients laparoscopic suture rectopexy. These patients were followed up for a mean period of 12 months assessing first bowel movement, hospital stay, duration of surgery, faecal incontinence, constipation, recurrence and morbidity. RESULTS: Duration of surgery was 100.8 ± 12.4 minutes in laparoscopic suture rectopexy and 120 ± 10.8 min in laparoscopic mesh rectopexy. Postoperatively, the mean time for the first bowel movement was 38 hrs and 40 hrs, respectively, for suture and mesh rectopexy. Mean hospital stay was five (range: 4-7) days. There was no significant postoperative complication except for one port site infection in mesh rectopexy group. Patients who had varying degree of incontinence preoperatively showed improvement after surgery. Eleven out of 18 (61.1%) patients who underwent laparoscopic suture rectopexy as compared to nine of 19 (47.3%) patients who underwent laparoscopic mesh rectopexy improved as regards constipation after surgery. CONCLUSION: There were no significant difference in both groups who underwent surgery except for patients undergoing suture rectopexy had better symptomatic improvement of continence and constipation. Also, cost of mesh used in laparoscopic mesh rectopexy is absent in lap suture rectopexy group. To conclude that laparoscopic suture rectopexy is a safe and feasible procedure and have comparable results as regards operative time, morbidity, bowel function, cost and recurrence or even slightly better results than mesh rectopexy.

Early rehabilitation after surgery program versus conventional care during perioperative period in patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted total gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of early rehabilitation after surgery program (ERAS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted total gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a study where 47 patients who are undergoing lap assisted total gastrectomy are selected. Twenty-two (n = 22) patients received enhanced recovery programme (ERAS) management and rest twenty-five (n = 25) conventional management during the perioperative period. The length of postoperative hospital stay, time to passage of first flatus, intraoperative and postoperative complications, readmission rate and 30 day mortality is compared. Serum levels of C-reactive protein pre-operatively and also on post-op day 1 and 3 are compared. RESULTS: Postoperative hospital stay is shorter in ERAS group (78 ± 26 h) when compared to conventional group (140 ± 28 h). ERAS group passed flatus earlier than conventional group (37 ± 9 h vs. 74 ± 16 h). There is no significant difference in complications between the two groups. Serum levels of CRP are significantly low in ERAS group in comparison to conventional group. [d1 (52.40 ± 10.43) g/L vs. (73.07 ± 19.32) g/L, d3 (126.10 ± 18.62) g/L vs. (160.72 ± 26.18) g/L)]. CONCLUSION: ERAS in lap-assisted total gastrectomy is safe, feasible and efficient and it can ameliorate post-operative stress and accelerate postoperative rehabilitation in patients with gastric cancer. Short term follow up results are encouraging but we need long term studies to know its long term benefits.

Efficacy and Safety of Terlipressin Infusion in Hepatorenal Syndrome-Acute Kidney Injury (HRS-AKI): A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background Hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) is an event that occurs in chronic liver disease (CLD) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Terlipressin, a vasopressin analog, is used for the treatment of portal hypertension-related gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and is found to be effective in the management of HRS-AKI. Continuous infusion of terlipressin maintains a high mean arterial pressure while reducing adverse events. It is better tolerated and equally effective at lower doses than intravenous boluses in patients with HRS-AKI. Aim of the study This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of terlipressin infusion at the rate of 4 mg/day in the treatment of HRS-AKI. Methods This retrospective study included patients who had HRS-AKI according to the modified International Club of Ascites (ICA) definition. Patients were started on a continuous intravenous infusion. The included patients received terlipressin 1 mg stat followed by a 4 mg infusion over 24 hours, and the infusion was continued until specific response criteria were met or for a maximum of seven days. Results In total, 136 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the study group was 45 years, the mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score was 11, the mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 30, and the mean serum creatinine was 2.46 mg/dl. A response to treatment in the form of reduction of serum creatinine was observed in 94 (69.1%) patients, 30 (22%) patients showed no response, and worsening of creatinine was seen in 12 (8.8%) patients. The mean duration of hospital stay was 7.6 days, the mean serum creatinine was 1.17 mg/dl at the end of treatment, and the mean CTP and MELD scores in treatment responders were nine and 27, respectively. A total of 29 (21.3%) of 136 patients had adverse events during the terlipressin infusion therapy.  Conclusion Terlipressin infusion has sustained effects on splanchnic hemodynamics with fewer and less severe adverse events than intravenous bolus doses. Terlipressin infusion at a dose of 4 mg/day appeared to be well tolerated, with similar outcomes to that of 2 mg/day with a significantly lower albumin dose. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing treatment protocols, particularly those favoring infusion methods, to enhance efficacy and minimize adverse effects.

A Comparative Study of Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine-Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA) and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-Based Brush Cytology for Tissue Diagnosis in Malignant Biliary Obstruction.

Background and objective Patients with suspected malignant biliary strictures frequently undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based brush cytology and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for establishing the diagnosis. The outcomes of these tests aid in the further management of the patient. A comparison of these two modalities in establishing the diagnosis is seldom reported. In light of this, we aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy between ERCP-based brush cytology and EUS-FNA for tissue diagnosis in malignant biliary obstruction. Our study involved a retrospective audit of all patients admitted to the Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre for EUS and ERCP from 2015 to 2019. Methodology A Comparative study was conducted in the Department of Medical Gastroenterology at the Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre over a five-year period. A total of 77 subjects who presented during the study period with biliary obstruction based on clinical presentation with altered liver function test in an obstructive pattern and evidence of biliary obstruction in the form of stricture or pancreaticobiliary mass on cross-sectional imaging were included in the study. All the patients included in the study underwent EUS and ERCP. Results The majority of the patients in the study were in the fifth decade of life with a slight female predominance. The most common CT finding was a periampullary mass with common bile duct (CBD) stricture (59.7%). In the study, EUS-FNA was more sensitive than ERCP-based tissue sampling. The overall sensitivity was 90.63% for EUS-FNA and 65.63% for ERCP sampling. EUS-FNA was found to have diagnostic accuracy of 92.63% in comparison to 71.43% for brush cytology. Conclusions Based on our findings, EUS-FNA is superior to ERCP-based tissue sampling with excellent sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy. Performing EUS before ERCP in all patients with suspected malignant biliary obstruction would definitely improve diagnostic accuracy and thereby help in the management of such cases.

Primary tracheal synovial sarcoma: a rare clinical entity with diagnostic challenges.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of primary tracheal tumors is very low. Tracheal synovial sarcoma (SS) is even an extremely rare entity. Diagnosis of tracheal SS can be achieved with chromosomal translocation studies along with immunohistochemistry. Margin-free resection is the gold standard treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of tracheal SS, which presented with stridor with a history of chronic cough and was diagnosed with a battery of clinical investigations and managed successfully with tracheal resection surgery. In histology, it may mimic Ewing's sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, SS stains positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, and S100. Chromosomal translocation t(X;18) (p11;q11) is found in almost all SS. This genetic signature is the gold standard diagnostic modality for these tumors. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of tracheal synovial sarcoma is challenging because of the rarity of the disease and common presenting symptoms to other tracheal pathology and is supplemented with chromosomal translocation study along with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Tumor coring before definite surgical resection facilitates lung perfusion in obstructive tracheal pathology. A multidisciplinary team approach for diagnosis and management along with long-term follow-up are warranted.

Breast Anthropometry-Results of a Prospective Study Among Indian Breast Cancer Patients.

Breast anthropometry plays an important role in surgical decision-making in the era of breast conservation therapy, oncoplasty and reconstruction. Majority of the currently available breast anthropometry data is from Western countries, and there is a need to evaluate anthropometric data among Indian women to tailor our surgical decision-making and achieve optimum surgical results. Two hundred and thirty-one breast cancer patients were included in this prospective study, and different anthropometric parameters were evaluated to assess and describe the nipple-areola complex, breast shape, size, volume and ptosis. Breast volume was calculated using formula developed by Qiao et al. Outcomes were compared with data available from different countries. Mean breast volume among Indian women was 515 ml. Nearly, 81% of patients had ptosis and up to 40% had grade 3 ptosis. Breast volume among Indian patients can be grouped into three categories based on quartiles (category I-≤ 220 ml, category II-> 220 to ≤ 730 ml, category III-> 730 ml). Overall breast anthropometry data among Indian women was different from the data reported from western studies. Breast anthropometry plays an important role in the surgical decision-making, and results of the study indicate that the anthropometry of Indian women is different from western counterparts.

Gardner's syndrome, a rare combination in surgical practice.

A 45-year-old man presented to the emergency ward with features of intestinal obstruction of 2 days duration. On admission, there was abdominal distension and multiple sessile polyps found on digital rectal examination. In addition, a soft tissue swelling near the elbow and a bony swelling over scalp were noted. Abdominal radiography revealed gaseous distension of the small and large bowel, and ultrasound revealed diffuse, gas-filled bowel with sluggish peristalsis. The obstruction failed to resolve with conservative measures and at emergency laparotomy an irregular hard recto-sigmoid junction mass was identified. A defunctioning transverse loop colostomy was undertaken and the abdomen closed. During recovery, a colonoscopy was performed and a malignant appearing lesion was identified 15 cm proximal to the anal verge. Further per-stomal colonoscopy revealed multiple sessile polyps from the ileo-caecal valve to the descending colon. The cutaneous and abdominal findings were consistent with a rare acute presentation of Gardner's syndrome.

Duodenal adenocarcinoma masked by acute cholecystitis and peptic ulcer disease.

We report a case of duodenal adenocarcinoma, who presented to the emergency ward, with features of acute cholecystitis and peptic ulcer disease. Ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy failed to pick up duodenal pathology, previously two times. Only third time endoscopy showed circumferential thickening of first and second part of the duodenum. On diagnosis laparoscopy mass at the D1/2 junction with apparent involvement of head of pancreas was noted. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed it to be primary duodenal adenocarcinoma with extension in to head of pancreas. His postoperative course was uneventful. After 4-month follow-up the patient remained well.

Unusual site and uncommon presentation of epidermoid cyst: a rare case report and review of literature.

Epidermoid cyst of gastrointestinal tract is very rare, and only a few cases of epidermoid cyst of the caecum have been reported in the literature. We report the first case of epidermoid cyst of the caecum in an elderly man, mimicking mesenteric cyst clinically. It was treated by laparoscopic excision of the cyst. The cyst was spherical, extending from and expanding the serosal surface of the caecum with no communication through the muscularis wall. Histologically, the inner lining of the cyst was composed of benign, mature, keratinised and stratified squamous epithelium with a well-formed granular layer. On opening, the cyst contained pultaceous cheesy material. No calcification, hair, teeth or bone elements were detected.

Primary amelanotic melanoma of the rectum mimicking adenocarcinoma.

PATIENT: Male, 55 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Melanoma Symptoms: Worsening constipation • tenesmus • weight loss MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: Chemoradiation therapy Specialty: Oncology. OBJECTIVE: Challenging differential diagnosis. BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is usually readily diagnosed by the presence of melanin granules. Although amelanotic melanoma contains a few melanin granules, it is often difficult to differentiate from non-epithelial malignant tumors. Immunohistochemical staining may be needed to diagnose the condition. CASE REPORT: This report describes a case of amelanotic melanoma of the rectum, which was originally suspected to be an adenocarcinoma, but was subsequently correctly diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining with HMB-45 antibody and by the presence of S-100 protein. A pinkish-red ulceroproliferative growth was located about 7 cm from the anal verge. The patient was treated by laparoscopic low anterior resection. CONCLUSIONS: Very few cases of amelanotic melanoma of rectum have been reported in the literature and there is only limited clinical experience with this disease. It appears to be a highly lethal tumor and may need much more aggressive treatment than that used for carcinoma of the rectum.