A case report of sacrococcygeal foreign body presenting as pilonidal sinus.

Pilonidal disease occurs most commonly in those males who have to sit long hours at their work place e.g. online office workers or drivers. It is caused by piercing of broken hairs into the sacrococcygeal region which causes localised inflammation. Inflammation in this area due to any other foreign body is very rare. Among many treatment options for pilonidal sinus, instillation of crystalloid phenol showed promising results in terms of low recurrence rates, low post-operative complications and less healing time. Here, we present the case of a 13-year-old female student who had pilonidal sinus in sacrococcygeal region for six months and was unresponsive to multiple treatments. Later, on exploration it was revealed to contain a small foreign body of 3cm of hard straw of grass. The patient was treated with crystalloid phenol and on regular follow-up she was completely fine by the end of the third week.

A rare case report of short bowel anastomosis after acute mesenteric ischaemia in Covid-19 postive patient.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia is one of the serious abdominal surgical emergency, which has got very high morbidity and mortality. During the pandemic of COVID-19, besides respiratory complications, the virus was causing venous and arterial thromboembolism that can lead to acute mesenteric ischaemia in otherwise healthy individuals. Early diagnosis and suitable surgical procedures are the key to the better outcome of this disease. Surgical resection of gangrenous gut, leaving healthy gut is an important step of this operation. Leaving less than 200 cm of small intestine leads to short bowel syndrome which has got its own complication. This case report is on a healthy COVID-19 positive patient who presented with acute mesenteric ischaemia. After surgical resection only 1.5 feet small bowel (60 cm) was left behind and anastomosis was done with healthy transverse colon. He was later managed for complications of small bowel syndrome and was discharged successfully with dietary modifications.

A rare case of acute mesenteric ischaemia and duodenal ulcer perforation together in a single patient in a tertiary care hospital.

A 57 years old male presented in the emergency department of EAST Surgical Ward, MAYO Hospital Lahore in February 2021 with complaints of abdominal distension, pain and vomiting. He was a chronic smoker and diagnosed hypertensive for the last 14 years but was non-compliant with oral antihypertensive medications. He was a factory worker and took NSAIDs off and on for pain in the knee joint for the last five years. On examination, his abdomen was tense and tender with resonant percussion notes in the right hypogastrium and epigastrium. His chest x-ray showed free gas under the right diaphragm. Diagnosis of a perforated duodenal ulcer was made and exploratory laparotomy was done. Examination revealed a perforated ulcer in the first part of the duodenum with greenish gangrenous patches on the next 3 feet of the small gut. Graham's patch repair and resection of the diseased small gut was done and a jejuno ileostomy was performed. Unfortunately, the patient expired on 2nd postoperative day due to sudden cardiopulmonary arrest.

Ruptured splenic abscess: A rare case entity.

Ruptured splenic abscess has been reported as a rare clinical entity in literature. We present the case of a middle aged female with peritonitis due to a ruptured splenic abscess. Emergency splenectomy was done and broad spectrum antibiotic was given postoperatively. However, the patient could not survive and died on the 4th postoperative day. We propose that a ruptured splenic abscess should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of peritonitis, especially in an immuno-compromised individual.

Spectrum of hollow visceral injury due to isolated blunt trauma abdomen presented to a tertiary care trauma hospital of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the spectrum of isolated hollow visceral perforations in patients presenting with abdominal blunt trauma. METHODS: The observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted at the surgical ward of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from July 1, 2020, to June 31, 2021, and comprised patients who presented in the emergency department after blunt trauma to abdomen without any open wound. Findings of hollow visceral injury were confirmed on exploration laparotomy. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. RESULTS: Of the 216 patients, 173(80.9%) were male and 43(19.9%) were female. The overall mean age was 42±9.7 years. Most of the blunt trauma abdomen cases were caused by motor vehicle accidents 59(27.3%). The most common hollow viscus affected was jejunum 42(19.4%), followed by transverse colon 29(13.4%). The most common type of injury observed was single complete disruption of hollow viscus 74(34.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common hollow organ affected by blunt trauma to the abdomen was jejunum, followed by transverse colon, and motor vehicle accidents were the major cause of these injuries.

Primary defect of ileal mesentery presenting as internal herniation and strangulation of the small bowel: Case report.

Primary internal hernia is a rare entity of acute intestinal obstruction. Delay in diagnosis and surgical intervention can cause ischaemia or gangrene of the small bowel and result in high morbidity and mortality. A 14-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with acute intestinal obstruction. On exploration, 3-4cm mesenteric defect was noted in the ileal region. Strangulated loops of the small bowel had gone through the mesenteric defect in a complicated way. Primary anastomosis was done after resection of the gangrenous small bowel.

Adrenal Schwannoma: A Case Report.

Schwannoma of the adrenal gland is very rare, comprising 0.2% of adrenal tumors, presenting usually as non-specific abdominal pain. We report such a rare case in a 50-year-old female. Her only complaint was right lumbar pain. Ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) both showed a supra renal cystic mass most likely of adrenal origin. Excision of mass was performed. Post-operative course was uneventful. Histopathology showed a benign tumor of Schwann cell origin. Usually, pre-operative imaging including CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are inconclusive and diagnosis has to be confirmed on histopathology.

A cross-sectional study of body mass index and sleep quality as risk factors to severity of acne.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association of body mass index and sleep quality with severity of acne. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dermatology Department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to March 2019, and comprised acne patients of either gender aged 12-45 years. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. Acne grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 were determined by a consultant dermatologist. Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to assess sleep quality, while body mass index was calculated as per the standard procedure. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 98 patients, 27(27.6%) were male and 71(72.4%) were female. The overall mean age of the sample was 22.3±4.9 years. There were 36(36.7%) patients with acne grade 3, followed by 25(25.5%) each with grades 1 and 2, and 12(12.2%) with grade 4. The relationship between body mass index and acne severity was not significant (p=0.07), and the same was the case with sleep quality (p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Body mass index and sleep quality were not found to be associated with acne severity.

Outcome of abdominal binder in midline abdominal wound Dehiscence in terms of pain, psychological satisfaction and need for reclosure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of abdominal binder in patients with midline wound dehiscence after elective or emergency laparotomy in terms of pain, psychological satisfaction and need for reclosure. METHODS: It was a comparative study done at EAST Surgical Ward of Mayo Hospital, Lahore from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019. One hundred and sixty-two (162) patients were included in this study with post-operative midline abdominal wound dehiscence and after informed consent by consecutive non probability sampling technique. Patients were divided into two groups by lottery method into eighty-one patients each. Group-A included patients where abdominal binder was applied and Group-B included patients without abdominal binder. In both groups pain score, psychological satisfaction and need for reclosure was assessed and compared. RESULTS: Patients with abdominal binder shows significantly less pain (P value =0.000) and more psychological satisfaction (P value = 0.000) as compared to the patients where abdominal binder was not used. However, there was no difference in reducing the need for reclosure in patients who use abdominal binder (P value = 0.063). CONCLUSION: Although abdominal binder helps in reducing the pain and improving the psychological satisfaction in patients with midline abdominal wound dehiscence yet it doesn't help in healing of wound and reclosure of the dehisced abdominal wound is needed.

Challenges in providing surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic: Qualitative study among Operating Department Practitioners in Pakistan.

The surgical theatre is associated with the highest mortality rates since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are neglected human resources for health in regards to both professional development and research for patient safety; even though they are key practitioners with respect to infection control during surgeries. Therefore, this study aims to describe challenges faced by ODPs during the pandemic. The secondary aim is to use empirical evidence to inform the public health sector management about both ODP professional development and improvement in surgical procedures, with a specific focus on pandemics. A qualitative study has been conducted. Data collection was based on an interview guide with open-ended questions. Interviews with 39 ODPs in public sector teaching hospitals of Pakistan who have been working during the COVID-19 pandemic were part of the analysis. Content analysis was used to generate themes. Ten themes related to challenges faced by ODPs in delivering services during the pandemic for securing patient safety were identified: (i) Disparity in training for prevention of COVID-19; (ii) Shortcomings in COVID-19 testing; (iii) Supply shortages of personal protective equipment; (iv) Challenges in maintaining physical distance and prevention protocols; (v) Human resource shortages and role burden; (vi) Problems with hospital administration; (vii) Exclusion and hierarchy; (viii) Teamwork limitations and other communication issues; (ix) Error Management; and (x) Anxiety and fear. The public health sector, in Pakistan and other developing regions, needs to invest in the professional development of ODPs and improve resources and structures for surgical procedures, during pandemics and otherwise.

Left sided appendicitis - a surgical dilemma: Case report.

Left-sided abdominal pain is an uncommon presentation of acute appendicitis. When a patient presents with this complaint, appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose, thus resulting in delayed definitive therapy and increased morbidity and mortality. In this report we discuss the case of a middle-aged man, who presented with left-sided abdominal pain, and was diagnosed to be suffering from acute appendicitis along with asymptomatic midgut malrotation.

Intravenous drug abusers presenting with pseudoaneurysm and other surgical complications in Pakistan.

People who inject drugs (PWIDs) reuse injection equipment and other paraphernalia, which is a major source of transmission of human immunodeficiency (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. PWIDs who use infected injections develop many surgical complications which are life- threatening. The most common complication is infected pseudoaneurysm. To assess complications requiring surgery in drug abusers, a study was conducted in the East Surgical Ward of Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan from Jan 2017 to Jan 2019. A total of 48 PWIDs presented to the surgical department, out of which 39 (81%) were HIV positive, and 31 (64%) were HCV positive. Of the 52% who had pseudoaneurysm, 92% had femoral and popliteal aneurysm and 8% had brachial aneurysm. After ligation and excision of pseudoaneurysm only 8% required major amputation. Mortality rate was 0%. Ligation and excision is a safe option in pseudoaneurysm. Most common site for pseudoaneurysm was left femoral artery.

Comparison of the outcome of mesh hernioplasty under local anaesthesia in patients with age less than 60 years VS more than 60 years in terms of wound complications and urinary retention.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of mesh hernioplasty performed under local anaesthesia in relatively young and older patients regarding wound complications and urinary retention. METHODS: This comparative study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from 17th Feb 2017 to 17th feb 2018, and comprised patients who underwent mesh hernioplasty. Demographic profile was noted and the patients were divided into <60 and >60 age groups. Surgical method used was Lichtenstein mesh repair under local anaesthesia. Outcome was documented in terms of urinary retention at 8 hours post-operation, wound seroma and haematoma at 24 hours and wound infection after 5 days of surgery. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 102 patients, there were 51(50%) in each of the two age groups. Among patients <60 years, urinary retention developed in 4(7.8%) compared to 6(11.8%) in the other group. Frequency of the wound complications, including wound haematoma, seroma and wound infection, were seen in 3(5.9%), 2(3.92%) and none respectively in the younger group compared to 2(3.92%), 2(3.92%) and none respectively in patients aged >60 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results in patients aged <60 years and >60 years were comparable in terms of urinary retention and wound complications.

Quality of Sleep and Academic Performance among Medical University Students.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of sleep quality on academic performance of medical university students. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: King Edward Medical University, Lahore, from December 2017 to April 2018. METHODOLOGY: Second to final year Medical and Allied Health Sciences students filled out questionnaires that comprised of three major components. With the help of questionnaire, demographic data about the subjects along with academic scores were collected. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS) were used to collect the data. Qualitative variables are represented as frequencies and percentages; while, quantitative variables are reported as mean along with standard deviation ± S.D. Chi-square and was applied for statistical significance, and p-value <0.05 was considered. RESULTS: A total of 810 students, including both MBBS and Allied Health Sciences (AHS), filled out the questionnaire. Among those, 564 (69.6%) were females and 246 (30.4%) were males. Overall, mean age was 21.35 ±1.51 years. Of the total, 418 (51.6%) were from MBBS programme and 392 (48.4%) were from AHS. No significant relationship was found between PSQI and academic scores. However, academic scores had a strong association with ESS scores. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of the studied students had poor sleep; but its effect on academic scores was not significant. Key Words: Sleep quality, Medical students, Academic performance.

Transverse testicular ectopia with persistent Mullerian duct syndrome: an operative eureka.

INTRODUCTION: Transverse Testicular Ectopia (TTE) is a rare entity in which both testes descend on the same side, and can be found in ectopic locations. When present with Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome (PMDS), a yet rarer entity, the persistence of Mullerian duct derivatives i.e. fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and upper two-thirds of vagina occurs alongside testicular ectopia. There have only been about a hundred and fifty reported cases of TTE; a fifth of these accompanied by PMDS. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Two middle-aged male patients presented with two separate complaints of inguinoscrotal swellings. In both patients, ultrasonography showed a hernial defect protruding into the scrotum on one side and the testis absent on the contralateral side. During hernia surgery, Mullerian duct remnants were found. Diagnosis of TTE with PMDS was established. Bilateral orchidectomy was done and Mullerian derivatives were excised. DISCUSSION: There is controversy over the treatment of TTE with PMDS. Some authors,in addition to hernia repair, advocate the preservation of Mullerian structures because of risk to injury to vas deferens while others advocate resection of these structures due to risk of carcinoma. In pediatric patients, orchidopexy should be done to preserve fertility.However, in the older age group, orchidectomy should be done due to an increased risk of testicular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: TTE should be suspected in cases of unilateral inguinal hernia with contralateral undescended testes. Orchidectomy is recommended in patients older than 12 years old, otherwise, orchidopexy should be done. No Mullerian duct remnants should be left in situ.

Benign idiopathic retroperitoneal cyst: A case series of three patients.

IMPORTANCE: Retroperitoneal cysts are a rare entity in the field of surgery and their management remains a clinical dilemma for many surgeons. This study addresses the clinical management of three benign retroperitoneal cysts which were presented in our hospital. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this case series is to explore the different clinical presentation of the retroperitoneal cyst (RPC). This study also aims at different tools of investigations especially role of CT scan in the diagnosis of RPC and finally the different treatment options available for RPC. METHODS: This is a single centered case series of three retroperitoneal cysts which were presented in surgical department of our hospital in the year 2016 and 2017. Total three patients were presented in this case series, two of them were females and one was male. Females were 13 years and 23 years age-old, male was 45 years old. Two of them admitted through the Outdoor Patient Clinic and one was presented to the surgical emergency. Informed consent from the patients and guardian (case1) has been taken. Research work has been reported in line with the PROCESS criteria. RESULTS: They were investigated and treated in our hospital. Two of them were diagnosed with retroperitoneal cysts preoperatively and one was diagnosed pre-operatively. In all three cases, surgery had been carried out and they had been observed in their early postoperative period and then followed up for two years. All biopsies had been followed and turned out to be benign idiopathic cysts. These patients have been followed up for 2 years after completion of their treatment. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal cysts in adults are an uncommon manifestation of abdominal pathology. Their presentation is quite vague. The rarity catches the surgeon off guard at times. Radiology plays a crucial role in defining these lesions and complete surgical excision remains the cornerstone of treatment for symptomatic and complicated patients.

Breaking bad news skill of postgraduate residents of tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the skill of postgraduate residents in breaking bad news to the patients in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at King Edward Medical university, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to April 2016, and comprised postgraduate residents of different specialties at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. The subjects were examined in terms of their personal experience in breaking bad news to the patients by means of a specifically-designed questionnaire based on six-step protocol of Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Empathy and Summarising model. Data was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 200 respondents, 141(70.5%) were males and 59(29.5%) were females. Overall mean age of the sample was 23 } 2.55years. Of the total, 94(47%) respondents were only fairly satisfied with their breaking bad news skill, while 130(65%) were eager to get training in this regard. The knowledge regarding breaking bad news protocols was lacking across all comparisons (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the residents had little satisfaction regarding their breaking bad news skill. It is necessary to plan special training for the residents in this key area.

Peer assisted learning as a formal instructional tool.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the utility of peer assisted learning (PAL) in medical schools as a formal instructional tool. STUDY DESIGN: Grounded theory approach. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: King Edward Medical University, Lahore, from July 2011 to December 2011. METHODOLOGY: A study was designed using semi-structured in-depth interviews to collect data from final year medical students (n=6), residents (n=4) and faculty members (n=3), selected on the basis of non-probability purposive sampling. The qualitative data thus generated was first translated in English and transcribed and organized into major categories by using a coding framework. Participants were interviewed two more times to further explore their perceptions and experiences related to emergent categories. An iterative process was employed using grounded theory analysis technique to eventually generate theory. RESULTS: PAL was perceived as rewarding in terms of fostering higher order thinking, effective teaching skills and in improving self efficacy among learners. CONCLUSION: PAL can offer learning opportunity to medical students, residents and faculty members. It can improve depth of their knowledge and skills.