Outcome of Biliary-enteric Reconstruction with Hepaticoduodenostomy Following Choledochal Cyst Resection: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The two most commonly performed methods of biliary-enteric reconstruction following choledochal cyst resection are Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) and hepaticoduodenostomy (HD). There is a lack of consensus regarding the better technique between them. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes, efficacy and early complications of HD as a mode of biliary reconstruction after surgical resection of a choledochal cyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multi-institutional prospective study carried out in high-volume tertiary care teaching institutes from January 2010 to December 2022. All children managed with HD following choledochal cyst resection were analysed for their early complications and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were included in this study. There were 59 (79.73%) females and 15 (20.27%) males. Thirty-nine (52.70%) patients had jaundice at the time of presentation. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was performed in 57 (77.03%) patients following ultrasonography. Intraoperatively, malrotation was present in 2 (2.70%) patients. In our study, operating time ranged from 60 to 195 min (mean: 118 min). Hospital stays ranged from 8 to 17 days (mean: 11.5 days). The post-operative biliary leak was seen in 7 (9.50%) patients, out of which 6 (8.11%) minor leaks were managed conservatively. Roux-en-Y HJ was performed on 1 (1.35%) patient with a major leak. In our series, 4 (5.40%) patients developed cholangitis; post-operative haemorrhagic nasogastric aspirate 5 (6.76%), post-operative pancreatitis 3 (4.05%) and wound infection 4 (5.40%) were observed and managed conservatively. None of the patients in our study developed an anastomotic stricture, bile gastritis and adhesive small bowel obstruction. CONCLUSION: Resection of choledochal cyst with HD reconstruction is safe and feasible with short operative time. HD is a viable option for operative management of choledochal cyst with low complication rates and faster recovery.

Protocolized Foot Exercises Help in Improvement of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Quality of Life When Added to Standard Therapy-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT: Diabetic foot disease is the major cause of nontraumatic limb amputations worldwide causing a high socioeconomic and psychological toll and a huge burden to the healthcare system. Currently, standard treatment of diabetic foot ulcer is through multidisciplinary therapy. Foot exercises have been shown to improve healing in diabetic ulcers although evidence is limited and applicability is non-uniform. Our study aimed to generate more evidence regarding the benefit of addition of protocolized foot exercises so that it can be instituted as a standard of care. METHODS AND MATERIAL: It was an open label Randomized controlled trial with seventy-two patients and study duration of one and half years Patients with diabetic foot ulcers were randomized into two groups. Both groups received standard therapy for diabetic foot ulcer. The intervention group in addition received three months of protocolized foot exercises. At the end of three months ulcer healing and quality of life were m compared among both the groups. RESULTS: Regular exercises for three months caused significant reduction in ulcer area compared to the non-intervention group [100% versus 45.22%, 95% CI =36.30(16.04-56.56), P-value = 0.001]. Quality of life analyzed by SF-36 score showed significant improvement in components like physical function [69.4 ± 8.9 versus 63.7 ± 11.0, 95% CI = 5.73 (0.97-10.48), P-value = 0.01], emotional well-being [65.2 ± 7.6 versus 60.8 ± 7.9, 95% CI = 4.44 (0.79-8.10), P-value = 0.01], and pain components [55.4 ± 18.5 versus 47.5 ± 14.5, 95% CI = 7.99 (0.16-15.81), P-value = 0.04) at 3 months although change in social functioning, physical health limitation, health change, energy and general health improvement were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of protocolized foot exercises are beneficial for patients of diabetic foot ulcers in terms of ulcer healing as well as improvement of quality of life provided compliance to exercises can be ensured.

Fetus in fetu: A rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Fetus in fetu is a rare congenital anomaly in which malformed fetus grows within the body of its twin. It is almost always detected as an abdominal mass in infancy. It is a parasitic twin of a diamniotic, monozygotic twin. It should be differentiated from teratoma which has no axial arrangement and has got definite malignant potential. Herein, we present a case of a two-month old female infant and review the literature. Although fetus in fetu is a rare condition, correct diagnosis using imaging can be made before surgery. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis for lump abdomen especially in infants. Complete excision is curative.

Changing pattern of admissions for acute myocardial infarction in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: Studies on the changes in the presentation and management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic from low- and middle-income countries are limited. We sought to determine the changes in the number of admissions, management practices, and outcomes of AMI during the pandemic period in India. METHODS & RESULTS: In this two-timepoint cross-sectional study involving 187 hospitals across India, patients admitted with AMI between 15th March to 15th June in 2020 were compared with those admitted during the corresponding period of 2019. We included 41,832 consecutive adults with AMI. Admissions during the pandemic period (n = 16414) decreased by 35·4% as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (n = 25418). We observed significant heterogeneity in this decline across India. The weekly average decrease in AMI admissions in 2020 correlated negatively with the number of COVID cases (r = -0·48; r2 = 0·2), but strongly correlated with the stringency of lockdown index (r = 0·95; r2 = 0·90). On a multi-level logistic regression, admissions were lower in 2020 with older age categories, tier 1 cities, and centers with high patient volume. Adjusted utilization rate of coronary angiography, and percutaneous coronary intervention decreased by 11·3%, and 5·9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of reduction in AMI admissions across India was not uniform. The nature, time course, and the patient demographics were different compared to reports from other countries, suggesting a significant impact due to the lockdown. These findings have important implications in managing AMI during the pandemic.