Tele-colleaguography - Adjunct to Intraoperative Time Out for Safe Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure, and strategies for preventing biliovascular injury include intraoperative time-out and intraoperative cholangiography. However, the feasibility of intraoperative cholangiography is limited in certain regions due to cost and training constraints. This article introduces the concept of "Tele-colleaguography" as an adjunct to intraoperative time-out during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, particularly in low-resource settings. Telecolleaguography, a term coined to signify remote consultation with senior surgeons using video applications like WhatsApp and Viber, presents a potential solution to prevent bile duct injuries. The viewpoint discusses the potential benefits of Telecolleaguography, and the role of modern technology such as 5G, and references key studies that support this approach.

Celiac Plexus Denudation in Triangle Dissection in Pancreatico Duodenectomy: Perioperative Anesthetic Implications.

This is a case report of inadvertent right celiac plexus denudation during triangle dissection during the surgery for carcinoma of pancreas under combined general epidural anaesthesia. Operative removal of the ganglia has its own autonomic effects, which are important to observe for anesthesiologists and perioperative critical care physicians alike.

Laparoscopic Approach for Management of Hydatid Cyst of Liver.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy surgery trials are small and unconvincing at present and are limited to higher centers. The objective of the study is to determine the clinical features, prevalence of site of hydatid cyst and complications of this modality of this treatment. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out in all patients with one or two hepatic hydatid cyst who underwent laparoscopic management in KMCTH from January 2013 to March 2015 were included in the study. Aspiration, deroofing and evacuation of the hydatid cyst were done. RESULTS: Twenty six patients underwent laparoscopic management for liver hydatid cysts. Males were seven (65.38%) and females were 9(34.61%).The mean age was 35.5±13.1 years (range 21-55years.) The commonest complaint was pain and discomfort in 13(50%) patients and lump in 6(13.06%) patients. Twenty four (92.3%) patients were successfully treated with laparoscopic approach. Two (7.69%) patients had to be converted to laparotomy because of dense adhesions and bleeding. Mean operation time was 43.6±10.6 minutes. Two (7.69%) patients had port site infection. One (3.84%) patient had bile leak and no recurrence and mortality in our series. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of liver hydatid cyst was safe and effective in selective group of patients in equipped hospital.

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome following Gastrointestinal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome symptoms immediately after surgery have lately been regarded as potential warnings of impending post-operative complications and multiple organ failure. This study was conducted to find out the clinical significance of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in postoperative patients and to investigate the relationship between the duration of post-operative systemic inflammatory response syndrome and the post-operative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Total 30 patients who received different gastrointestinal surgery and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome between 2006 and 2008 at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital were included. Patients were analyzed for preoperative physiologic status, surgical stress parameters, and postoperative status of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, complications, and end-organ dysfunction. RESULTS: Duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or positive criteria's number of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after surgery significantly correlated with surgical stress parameters (blood loss/body weight and operation time). Septic complications and prolongation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome were associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is a useful criterion for the recognition of postoperative complications and end-organ dysfunctions. Early recovery from systemic inflammatory response syndrome may arrest the progression of organ dysfunction, thus reducing the mortality.

Effectiveness of 0.2% Glyceryl Trinitrate and 0.5% Nifedipine in the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure.

INTRODUCTION: Anal fissure is an ischemic ulcer caused by combination of spasm of internal anal sphincter and poor blood supply to the posterior midline of anal canal. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Glyceryl Trinitrate and Nifedipine in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Ninety patients with symptomatic anal fissure in Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital are allocated for study in two groups of 45 each from March 2013 to April 2014. The patients are assigned alternatively to GTN group and Nifedipine group. All patients were assessed every week till 8 weeks in regards to headache, compliance, healing and recurrence. The patients who had complete healing in 8 weeks were further followed up for 6 weeks to detect recurrence. RESULTS: Patients in the two groups were comparable in regard to demographic data (age and sex) as well as clinical factors. Headache was main complaint of patients using GTN in high percentage (16.6%) than complained by patients using topical Nifedipine (6.9%). This factor led to poor compliance with GTN compared with Nifedipine. Nifedipine showed better healing rate 82.5% compared with GTN 60%. Recurrence was comparable among the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nifedipine ointment showed better results than GTN ointment in chronic anal fissure regarding headache, compliance, healing and recurrence in 6 weeks of follow up period after complete healing of fissure in 8 weeks.

Visualisation of Rouviere's Sulcus during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Safe dissection of Calot's Triangle is important during the performance of laparascopic cholucystectomy. The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of demonstrable Rouviere's sulcus in patients with symptomatic gall stones and its role in safe dissection in Calot's triangle. METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive study design done in Department of surgery, Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital from Jan 2013 to Jan 2015. Patients who were posted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. During laparoscopy, Rouviere's sulcus was noted in the operative note and classified according to following: Type I: Open type was defined as a cleft in which the right hepatic pedicle was visualized and the sulcus was opened throughout its length. Type II: if the sulcus was open only at its lateral end. Type III If the sulcus was open only at its medial end. Type IV: Fused type was defined as one in which the pedicle was not visualized. RESULTS:  A total of 200 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during period of 2 years. Out of which Rouviere's sulcus was visualized in 150 patients (75 %).Type I (open type) was commoner in 54%, type II in 12%, Type III in 9% and type IV (fused type) in 25%. CONCLUSION: Rouviere's Sulcus is an important extra biliary land mark for safe dissection of Calot's triangle during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.  KEYWORDS: Rouviere's Sulcus, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Bile duct injury.

Early enteral feeding in intestinal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Routine practice after major GI surgery has been to keep patient nil per oral till the return of bowel sound with a belief that this will prevent post operative nausea and vomiting and protect the anastomotic site where as the trend has been changing to encourage enteral feeding as soon as possible as various studies has shown early enteral feeding to be beneficial in terms of nutritional, immunological aspect and for faster recovery of patient. METHODS: Patients undergoing major elective GI surgery in department of Surgery, Kathmandu Medical college Teaching Hospital who were given early enteral feeding (within 24 hrs of operation) were studied prospectively and were compared retrospectively with historical control who underwent similar procedure. RESULTS: Early enteral feeding in patient undergoing major G.I surgery showed early return of bowel movement, decreased ICU and hospital stay with a significant reduction in postoperative cost. CONCLUSIONS: Early enteral feeding promotes faster recovery while reducing hospital stay and treatment cost in patient undergoing major GI surgery.

Initiating advanced laparoscopic surgery in a medical college hospital with basic laparoscopic set up: is it feasible and safe?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery involves performing surgery through small incisions in abdominal wall to get access. Primary goal of this procedure is to achieve good cosmetic outcome, reduced post operative pain, early recovery and reduced hospital admission. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to see the feasibility and benefit of performing advance laparoscopic surgery in a place where basic laparoscopic surgery is done and to share my experience while performing it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of case sheets and discharge summary from 1st May 2008 till 1st August 2009 was done. Altogether eight patients underwent different advanced laparoscopic procedure. Cases done for the fi rst time in the institute and those done by himself were only included. Technical feasibility, use of devices like harmonic scalpel, need for incision extension, operative time, blood product requirement, ambulation and enteral feed, post operative hospital stay and patients satisfaction regarding minimal scars were assessed. RESULT: Total eight patients underwent advance laparoscopic surgery. There were two common bile duct (CBD) exploration of which one was transcystic exploration, one total laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer, one laparoscopic assisted right hemicolectomy for carcinoma ceacum, one laparoscopic assisted sigmoid colectomy for recurrent sigmoid volvulus, two laparoscopic right nephrectomy for non functioning right kidney, one retroperitoneal pyelolithotomy and one laparoscopic assisted splenectomy for massive splenomegaly with haemolytic anaemia. All procedures were technically feasible with basic laparoscopic instruments. However harmonic scalpel was required for splenectomy due to difficult hilum dissection. Ureteroscope was used as a choledochoscope in CBD exploration. Blood transfusion was required only in patient with low preoperative haemoglobin. Early ambulation and enteral feed was done within 24 hours in all and within 48 hours in patients who had bowel anastomosis. Post operative hospital stay was 5-8 days. Cosmetic scar was appreciated by all. Although long term oncological outcome is yet to come in malignancy case, biopsy report of laparoscopic APR identified 13 nodes which shows complete nodal dissection on oncological principal basis. CONCLUSION: Advanced laparoscopy is feasible, safe and effective in the hand of surgeons performing basic laparoscopic surgeries with guidance from surgeons who have long experience on same procedures but by open method.

Serum gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase in acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The serum level of gamma glutaryl transferase and alkaline phosphatase is raised in acute calculus cholecystitis and common bile duct stone. However, the rise in serum level of these enzymes in acute cholecystitis implies stone in the common bile duct is not well studied. Thus, it may lead to retained CBD stone on one side and unnecessary CBD exploration on the other during emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The objective of the study is to predict presence of CBD stone by assessing serum level of gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT)and alkaline phosphatase. METHODS: A prospective study was designed which included 40 patients with clinically diagnosed and radiologically confirmed acute cholecystitis and 40 patients who had choledocholithiasis with or without cholangitis. Their serumgamma glutaryl transferase and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed. RESULTS: Both acute cholecystitis and CBD pathology had significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (p-value: 0.05). However, in acute cholecystitis there was 1.69±0.118 fold increase and in CBD pathology there was 2.5±0.57 fold increase in alkaline phosphatase than normal.(130 IU /L). There was no statistically significant difference ingamma- GT in both acute cholecystitis and CBD pathology(p-value: 0.390). However it increases by 2.8±0.47fold in acute cholecystitis and by 2.2±0.16 in CBD pathology(p value: 0.627). CONCLUSIONS: Although there is rise in serumγ-GT and alkaline phosphatase level in acute cholecystitis and CBD stone,only more than 2.5 fold rise in serum alkaline phosphatase level predicts CBD stone.

A 5 year clinical experience of laparoscopic appendicectomy.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic appendicectomy is now a common practice, it has not become the gold standard like in cholecystectomy. Aim of our study is to compare with operation time and hospital stay found in available literatures. METHODS: All laparoscopic appendicectomies performed between January 2004 and February 2009 were retrospectively reviewed for age, sex and operation time length and hospital stay. Appendicitis with signs of perforation was treated by open midline laparatomy and the ones with lump formation were treated conservatively. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients underwent laparoscopic appendicectomies during this period (female 26 and male 22) and mean age was 27.2 years (6-77). The mean operating time was 56.6 minutes (40-120 minutes). The mean hospital stay was 4.7 days (3-8 days). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a feasible and safe in simple appendicitis. Although the number of cases of laparoscopic appendicectomies is a small for five year period, the mean operation time and mean hospital stay is comparable to the literatures.

Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs conventional cholecystectomy in developing country.

INTRODUCTION: Use of laparoscopic surgery has demanded principles of less trauma of access hence less scar and so probably less complications. Hence conventional laparoscopic surgeries were tried with natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) and then single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). With refinement in instruments and surgeons skills SILS have bridged up between conventional and NOTES in order to quench the desire of less or no scar at all. METHODS: Comparative case control study between conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and SILS in public teaching hospital. RESULTS: Total 20 patients underwent SILS cholecystectomy and 20 underwent conventional cholecystectomy and found that no difference between both in terms of post operative pain score, hospital stay and post operative wound infection except significant difference in mean operative time and patient's level of satisfaction was less in patient with SILC if were subjected to pay for instruments in order to maintain cosmesis. CONCLUSIONS: Though SILS have gained rapid acceptance in surgical fraternity, large number of randomized controlled trials are necessary to show its benefit over conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Influence of duration of symptoms over perioperative outcomes during emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a gold standard treatment for gall stone diseases. Early surgical intervention in acute calculus cholecystitis is feasible and duration of onset of symptoms does not influence the conversion rate. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and feasibility between urgent and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute calculus cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a comparative study conducted in Department of Surgery, Kathmandu Medical College, during the period of January 2006 to January 2008. Alltogether, 436 patients were analysed out of which 55 were selected as urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and were included in the study. Among 55 patients presented with acute calculus cholecystitis were divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours of onset of pain abdomen and Group 2 after 72 hours of onset of pain abdomen. RESULTS: Conversion rate in Group 1 was 19.44% whereas it was 263% in Group 2 (p = .693). There was no statistically significant difference in mean operating time (p = .412), total hospital stay (p = .626), bile duct injury and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and duration of onset of pain abdomen does not influence conversion rate.

Hospital based analytic study of peptic ulcer disease in patients with dyspeptic symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer disease is one of the most common diseases prevalent in developing country like Nepal and with availability of endoscopy there have been increase in diagnosis and therapeutic use of endoscopy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in patient who came for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who were referred to department of endoscopy from outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department with symptoms like dyspepsia, upper GI bleeding were included from August 2004 to August 2008. RESULTS: A total of 2761 patient were evaluated, with mean age group of 40.57 years (range 8- 95 years) and with sex distribution of male 1353 (49%) and female 1408 (51%) and racial difference into Aryan 2050 (74.2%) and Mongoloid 771 (25.8%). There were 983 patients (35.60%) with peptic disease which includes erosive gastritis, non erosive gastritis, duodenitis and gastroduodenitis without obvious ulcer. The prevalence of peptic disease with or without ulcer was more common in age group of 20- 49 years (n= 764, 27.67 %) with 70 patient with gastric ulcer (2.5%) and 50 patient with duodenal ulcer (1.8%). There was no significant racial difference among incidence of peptic ulcer (P value= 0.527). CONCLUSIONS: Peptic ulcer disease is a significant cause of morbidity in urban population of Nepal with more prevalent of erosive diseases in productive age group (20-49 years). However both male and female have equal incidence of peptic ulcer disease and there was no significant racial difference in its incidence.

The role of sedation and pulse oximetry during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the changes in oxygen saturation, blood pressure and pulse rate during endoscopic procedure and to evaluate--oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) related discomfort assessed by the patient. METHODS: It is observational case control study. Baseline pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored before procedure, at one minute of procedure, at five minute and soon after procedure. Patients were randomly selected according to lottery system (1: without sedation and 2: with sedation) and divided into two groups; without and with sedation. Before leaving department they were asked about level of discomfort during and after procedure. RESULTS: Patient's mean age +/- SD: 36.65, +/- 11.42 years and 53.3% were men. Base line mean oxygen saturation among sedated patient were 96.77 +/-1.56 % and 97.23, +/- 2.26 % respectively (P = 0.358). Mild to moderate hypoxia was noted more in sedated patient than in non sedated patient. Severe hypoxia was noted in 3.3% of sedated patient. No statistically significant change was noticed in pulse and blood pressure in both the group. None or only slight discomfort was experienced by 9.4% in non sedated group and 90.6% in sedated group. Severe discomfort by 96.4% in non sedated group and 3.6% in sedated group. CONCLUSIONS: There is slight more incidence of mild hypoxia in sedated group than in non sedated group but no change in pulse and blood pressure. However, sedated patient have significant less level of discomfort than in non sedated group. Though routine use of pulse oxymeter is not necessary, routine use of sedation during endoscopy is recommended.

Inguinal vasal obstruction following polypropylene mesh repair.

Inguinal vasal obstruction following hernia repair is related to either direct injury to vas or ischemic injury leading to delay stricture. Not much has been described regarding the long term impact of synthetic mesh as far as integrity of the cord structure is concerned. Here, we report a case that underwent mesh explantation for posthernioplasty inguinodynia as well as recurrence and found to have total occlusion of the lumen of vas segment adherent to the explanted mesh on microscopic examination.

Comparative study between tramadol and dexamethasone as an admixture to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

This is a prospective, randomized, double blind study to evaluate the postoperative analgesia following supraclavicular brachial plexus block with Tramadol or Dexamethasone as an admixture to bupivacaine in upper extremity surgery. Total 60 patients of ASA I and II undergoing upper extremity surgery under brachial plexus block with Bupivacaine were randomly divided in to two groups; one group received Tramadol (2 mg/kg) and the other group received Dexamethasone (8 mg) as an admixture to Bupivacaine. The duration of postoperative analgesia was recorded in both groups using pain VAS score which was determined by maximum VAS score of 8-10 and when patient demands for additional analgesics. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in the Dexamethasone group was 1028.00 minutes while in the tramadol group it was 453.17 minutes We concluded that Dexamethasone with local anaesthetic prolongs postoperative analgesia significantly than Tramadol (P<0.05) when used as admixture to local anaesthetic in brachial plexus block in upper extremity surgery.

Predicting difficulties during laparoscopic cholecystectomy by preoperative ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the preoperative USG finding can predict the risk of conversion or difficulty during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 patients undergoing Laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital were included. Sonographic parameters like size of gall bladder, wall thickness, distance between hepaticoduodenal ligament and Hartmann's pouch and the size of stone were taken into consideration and difficulties in terms of adhesions around gall bladder, anatomy of calot's triangle and difficulty in peeling off gall bladder from the bed and retrieval were analyzed. RESULT: In 8 of 200 patients (4%), LC was converted to open procedure. In univariate analysis all the sonographic parameters we had included in this study were statically significant (p value <0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative sonographic signs can predict the difficulty in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Use of percutaneous thread loop to hold the vermiform appendix during laparoscopic appendectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic appendectomy, although not as widely performed as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, it has got definite advantage over the conventional open procedure. Controversy exists regarding the closure of stump. Our institute practices intracorporeal knot tying using 3 ports. Difficulties are observed in three port technique to hold the appendix during knot tying. We use a percutaneous thread loop. Advantage of the use of loop was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective study was carried out during 18 months. Total cases were randomly divided in non-loop and with loop group. Operative procedure was same. Cases were compared in terms of operating time, post-operative hospital stay and complications. RESULTS: Total patients were 66. Thirty two in non-loop group and 34 in with loop group. Mean age was 27.89 yrs. Most of the cases were females (62%). Mean operating time was less in loop group although statistically not significant. There was no difference in post operative hospital stay. Use of loop was not associated with added complications. CONCLUSION: Use of percutaneous loop to hold the appendix reduces the operating time and replaces the need of fourth port. It is safe and effective without any increased morbidity. Key words: Laparoscopic appendectomy, Intracorporeal knot, Percutaneous loop.

Saphenous--peritoneal shunt in refractory ascites: a neglected technique.

Management of intractable ascites has always been a challenge. Peritoneovenous shunt (PVS) plays a major role in the surgery of intractable ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. Positive pressure gradient between the ascitic fluid and venous pressure leading to one-way drainage of ascitic fluid into venous circulation is the mainstay. Over decades, various modifications of shunting technique have been done. Here we report our experience with this procedure which is safe, easy and effective. Here the long saphenous vein is used as a drainage system. One-way ascites flow is ensured by a natural valve in the saphenous orifice.

Removal of central venous catheter fragment embolus in a young male.

A 22 years male admitted with severe pancreatitis with central venous catheter implanted for central venous pressure monitoring and for providing total parental nutrition developed catheter fragment embolus due to accidental fracture of the same while manipulating it. Non surgical retrieval of the same was done by radiological intervention without any complication.