Trauma Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background Trauma-related injury causes higher mortality than a combination of prevalent infectious diseases. Mortality secondary to trauma is higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than high-income countries. This review outlines common issues, and potential solutions for those issues, identified in trauma care in LMICs that contribute to poorer outcomes. Methods A literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar using the search terms "trauma," "injuries," and "developing countries." Articles conducted in a trauma setting in low-income countries (according to the World Bank classification) that discussed problems with management of trauma or consolidated treatment and educational solutions regarding trauma care were included. Results Forty-five studies were included. The problem areas broadly identified with trauma care in LMICs were infrastructure, education, and operational measures. We provided some solutions to these areas including algorithm-driven patient management and use of technology that can be adopted in LMICs. Conclusion Sustainable methods for the provision of trauma care are essential in LMICs. Improvements in infrastructure and education and training would produce a more robust health care system and likely a reduction in mortality in trauma-related injuries.

Appendicitis within the contents of an incarcerated paraumbilical hernia.

A 30-year-old woman known to have a paraumbilical hernia presented with central abdominal pain and vomiting. On examination, she was tender around the umbilical area, and a lump was felt on the umbilicus with associated skin changes. A CT scan was performed which showed an inflamed appendix within an incarcerated paraumblical hernia.

Minimally Invasive Fibrin Sealant Application in Pilonidal Sinus: A Comparative Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the filling of the pilonidal sinus tract with fibrin sealant (FS) against tract excision and primary closure (PC) as the primary procedure. Details of all patients who underwent treatment for a symptomatic first episode of pilonidal sinus disease between January 2011 and December 2015 were prospectively recorded in a custom database. Patients underwent PC (n=17) or FS (n=17) according to patient preference. Prior surgical treatment and ongoing infection precluded entry. Patients were treated with antibiotics if presenting with infection. Outcomes measured were recurrence, further procedures, outpatient attendances and length of follow-up to resolution. 34 consecutive patients [FS vs. PC: male n=15 vs. 12 p=0.398; mean age 29 (SEM 12) vs. 30 (SEM 15) p=0.849] were included. Treated preoperative infections were similar FS (n=5) vs. PC (n=12) (p=0.038, chi-squared test). FS cohort had more sinuses FS median (range) 2 (1-4) vs. PC 1 (1-3) (p=0.046). Postoperative outcomes: recurrence rate FS (n=5) vs. PC (n=4) (p=0.629); infection rate FS (n=1) vs. PC (n=8) (p=0.045); total number of operations required FS 1 (1-2) vs. PC 1 (1-4) (p=0.19); total number of outpatient attendance FS 2 (1-7) vs. PC 3 (1-16) (p=0.629); follow-up FS 129 days ± 33 vs. PC 136 ± 51 (p=0.914). Fibrin sealant is not inferior to excision followed by primary closure.

Unusual case of a rectal tumour.

A 48-year-old man presented as an emergency with a 3-week history of rectal bleeding. Examination of his rectum revealed a circumferential tumour, 2 cm from the anal verge. An MRI scan reported a locally infiltrative mid-lower rectal tumour staged as T3d/T4 N2 MX. A colonoscopy revealed appearances of severe proctitis and biopsies did not show any evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. The patient was discussed at the regional colorectal cancer multidisciplinary team meeting with a management plan for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy following repeat biopsies, which were again negative for malignancy. He tested positive for the HIV and was referred to genitourinary medicine. A positive Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid test from a rectal swab was serovar L2 consistent with a diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum. He was treated with doxycycline and subsequent MRI scans showed reduction in tumour size with eventual resolution. This case report highlights the importance of HIV testing in patients with newly diagnosed colorectal tumours.

Practice, training and safety of laparoscopic surgery in low and middle-income countries.

Surgical management of diseases is recognised as a major unmet need in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Laparoscopic surgery has been present since the 1980s and offers the benefit of minimising the morbidity and potential mortality associated with laparotomies. Laparotomies are often carried out in LMICs for diagnosis and management, due to lack of radiological investigative and intervention options. The use of laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment is globally variable, with high-income countries using laparoscopy routinely compared with LMICs. The specific advantages of minimally invasive surgery such as lower surgical site infections and earlier return to work are of great benefit for patients in LMICs, as time lost not working could result in a family not being able to sustain themselves. Laparoscopic surgery and training is not cheap. Cost is a major barrier to healthcare access for a significant population in LMICs. Therefore, cost is usually seen as a major barrier for laparoscopic surgery to be integrated into routine practice in LMICs. The aim of this review is to focus on the practice, training and safety of laparoscopic surgery in LMICs. In addition it highlights the barriers to progress in adopting laparoscopic surgery in LMICs and how to address them.

Outcomes of bariatric surgery in human immunodeficiency virus positive individuals: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global pandemic that is also affecting HIV-positive individuals receiving combined anti-retroviral therapy. We present the outcomes of a cohort of HIV-positive individuals who underwent bariatric surgery in a single centre. The primary outcome was weight loss including secondary end points such as the use of hypoglycaemic and/or anti-hypertensive medication. METHODS: An electronic hospital database was used to retrospectively identify individuals that were HIV-positive and had bariatric surgery between 2003 and 2013. Detailed morphometric, immunological and virological data including post-operative follow-up information were obtained from the database. RESULTS: Twelve HIV-positive individuals (male =8, female =4) underwent bariatric surgery following multi-disciplinary team meetings and engagement in the pre-operative bariatric surgery care pathway. Their mean age was 46 years (range 33-66) with a median BMI of 43 kg/m2 (range 37-55). The mean duration of HIV prior to surgery was six years (range 3-24). All procedures were performed laparoscopically and included gastric banding (N.=8), sleeve gastrectomy (N.=1), gastric ileo-bypass (N.=1) and a Roux -en -Y gastric bypass (N.=2). Two patients had wound infections related to their gastric bands. Nine patients achieved weight loss and all but one patient remained without anti-hypertensives or anti-diabetic medication. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery is safe in stable HIV-positive individuals receiving multiple drug therapies with no detrimental effect on viral suppression. It should therefore be offered as a management strategy for obesity in HIV-positive individuals as per the general population.

Assessment of the management outcomes of body packers.

BACKGROUND: The constant need for rapid financial gain drives the international illegal drug industry, which encourages healthy individuals to smuggle drugs through internal concealment. The aim of this study was to evaluate our practice of the management of body packers using a hospital-based protocol in order to validate it. METHODS: Electronic hospital data were retrospectively reviewed between 2000 and 2013 of all patients that were admitted to Hillingdon Hospital with a history of internal drug concealment. Demographic as well as clinical data including investigations and management were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were admitted over the study period to our surgical unit. This included 86 male and 34 female patients with a mean age of 38 (range 19-64) years. Three per cent (n = 4) underwent surgery for either cocaine toxicity or obstruction. The rest of the patients were managed conservatively with bowel cleansing preparations to encourage the natural passage of drug packages. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment is safe and effective for drug body packers. We therefore recommend conservative management to be the mainstay for body packers with surgery only being indicated on clinical grounds.

Terrorism-related trauma in Africa, an increasing problem.

Global terrorist activities have increased significantly over the past decade. The impact of terrorism-related trauma on the health of individuals in low- and middle-income countries is under-reported. Trauma management in African countries in particular is uncoordinated, with little or no infrastructure to cater for emergency surgical needs. This article highlights the need for education, training and research to mitigate the problems related to terrorism and surgical public health.

Is social deprivation associated with weight loss outcomes following bariatric surgery? A 10-year single institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Social deprivation is associated with a greater morbidity and shorter life expectancy. This study evaluates differences in weight loss following bariatric surgery and deprivation, based on UK deprivation measures in a London bariatric centre. METHODS: All patients undergoing bariatric surgery between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively identified. Demographic details, type of surgery and percentage excess weight loss data were collected. UK Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD, 2010) and IMD domain of the Health Deprivation and Disability (HDD) scores were used to assess deprivation (where 1 is the most deprived in rank order and 32,482 is the least deprived). Two-way between-subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to examine the effect of IMD score, deprivation, procedure type and gender on percentage excess weight loss. RESULTS: Data were included from 983 patients (178 male, 805 female) involving 3,663 patient episodes. Treatments comprised laparoscopic gastric bands (n=533), gastric bypass (n=362) and gastric balloons (n=88). The average percentage excess weight loss across all procedures was 38 % over a follow-up period (3 months-9 years). There was no correlation between weight loss and IMD/HDD rank scores. Gastric bypass was significantly more effective at achieving weight loss than the other two procedures at 3-, 6- and 9-month and 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Social deprivation does not influence weight loss after bariatric surgery, suggesting that all socioeconomic groups may equally benefit from surgical intervention. Social deprivation should not therefore negatively influence the decision for surgical intervention in these patients.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography for choledocholithiasis after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Gallstones are a common condition in bariatric patients after a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). The management of ductal stones is challenging due to the altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Various techniques have been reported to manage bile duct stones. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the successful percutaneous trans hepatic management of common bile duct stones after LRYGB. One year after a LRYGB for morbid obesity, a 59-year-old female presented with acute cholecystitis. One month after laparoscopic cholecystectomy a 1cm calculus was found within the distal CBD and patient underwent a percutaneous trans hepatic cholangiography under local anesthetic. This involved a right sided anterior segmental duct puncture. With the sphincter dilated to 10mm, a balloon catheter was used to push the stone into the duodenum leaving an internal- external drain. Patient recovered completely at follow up. DISCUSSION: Patients with morbid obesity have a higher incidence of gallstones. After LRYGB, the altered anatomy does not allow the conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for choledocholithiasis. Various techniques have been reported as means of managing bile duct stones in LRYGB patients. These include a double balloon enteroscope-assisted ERCP, laparoscopic transgastric ERCP, laparoscopic or open biliary surgery and interventional radiology. We report a non-surgical approach using percutaneous transhepatic technique under local anesthetic that resulted effective and could be applied more extensively. CONCLUSION: Due to the increase of global obesity, bariatric centers need to strategically plan resources such as interventional radiology in order to manage post LRYGB choledocholithiasis safely, efficiently and in a cost effective manner.

High-resolution anoscopy screening of HIV-positive MSM: longitudinal results from a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The ability to detect and treat pre-malignant anal lesions suggests screening may prevent anal cancer. The incidence of anal cancer in men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV exceeds that of cervical cancer before screening was introduced. METHODS: High-resolution anoscopy (HRA) with intervention for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) was offered to asymptomatic HIV-positive MSM. Patients with HSILs were treated and follow-up HRA performed after 6 months, whilst patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions had a repeat HRA after 12 months. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-eight asymptomatic MSM had a total of 1497 HRAs during a median follow-up of 4.2 years (maximum 13 years). At first HRA, 36% had normal appearances, 16% had no dysplasia, 15% anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN)-1, 19% AIN-2 and 13% AIN-3. During follow-up, five patients (1.4%) developed invasive anal cancer (incidence 2.7 per 1000 person-years). The 5-year cancer rate for the 368 patients was 0.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0-0.6%]. Progression to cancer was associated with higher age (P=0.049) and AIN-3 (P=0.024). Ninety patients had AIN-3 present at least at one HRA. The cumulative risk of cancer from first AIN-3 diagnosis was 3.2% (95% CI 0-7.8%) at 5 years. One hundred and seventy-one patients had HSILs (AIN-2 or 3) present at least once. The cumulative risk of cancer from first HSIL diagnosis was 0.6% (95% CI 0-1.8%) at 5 years. CONCLUSION: AIN-3 is a significant risk factor for subsequent anal cancer, although the tumours detected in screened patients were small localized, and generally the outcomes were favourable.

Adenocarcinoma in an ano-vaginal fistula in Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Fistulas are a relatively common occurrence in Crohn's disease (CD), and often present early in the disease process. Additionally, patients suffering from either CD or ulcerative colitis are shown to have an increased risk of colorectal malignancies compared with the general population. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of adenocarcinoma in an ano-vaginal fistula in a patient with longstanding CD. DISCUSSION: Various pathogenic mechanisms for the development of carcinoma in fistulas have been suggested, but there is no consensus and indeed this risk may be cumulative. In this case report, we also discuss the pathogenesis of mucinous adenocarcinoma in fistulas secondary to CD. CONCLUSION: Better detection of adenocarcinoma in patients presenting with persistent non-resolving fistulas in the presence of CD should be undertaken with regular biopsies following examinations under anaesthetic of the anorectum.

Squamous cell carcinoma of pancreas: an unusual site of relapse from early-stage lung cancer: 12-month postsurgery.

A 57-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and backache, weight loss of 10 kg and irregular bowel movements. He was previously diagnosed with Stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of lung and had undergone lobectomy 12 months previously. Investigations including imaging revealed a cystic mass in the body and tail of the pancreas which was biopsied and it was confirmed to be a recurrence of the squamous lung cancer involving the pancreas. He was treated with systemic chemotherapy and has shown a partial response on repeat imaging. This case illustrates a rare and unusual site of relapse in lung cancer after adjuvant therapy and a key message for follow-up surveillance for these patients.