Revisiting the Anatomical Landmark-Guided Central Venous Access Device Insertion: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (USG) guidance is superior to blind and open cut-down techniques for accurate puncture of the internal jugular vein (IJV) or subclavian vein, but it increases the cost and duration of the procedure. Here, we report our experience with the reliability and consistency of anatomic landmark-guided technique for Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) insertion in a low-resource setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing CVAD insertion through one of the jugular veins was performed. Central venous access was achieved using a standardized anatomic insertion landmark (apex of Sedillot's triangle). Ultrasonography (USG) and/or fluoroscopy assistance was taken as and when required. RESULTS: Over 12 months (October 2021 to September 2022), a total of 208 patients underwent CVAD insertion. Central venous access was successfully achieved using anatomic landmark-guided technique in all but 14 patients (6.7%), in whom USG guidance or C-arm was used. Eleven out of 14 patients who needed guidance for CVAD insertion had body mass index (BMI) of more than 25, one had thyromegaly while the remaining two had an arterial puncture during cannulation. CVAD insertion-related complications included deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in five, extravasation of chemotherapeutic agent in one, spontaneous extrusion related to a fall in one, and persistent withdrawal-related occlusion in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Anatomical landmark-guided technique of CVAD insertion is safe and reliable, and can reduce the need for USG/C-arm in 93% of the patients.

Discordance of COVID-19 guidelines for patients with cancer: A systematic review.

This review was aimed to systematically evaluate the available literature on the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care and to critically analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies suggested by various healthcare providers, societies, and institutions. Majority guidelines for various types of cancers favored a delay in treatment or a nonsurgical approach wherever feasible. These guidelines are based on a low level of evidence and have significant discordance for the role and timing of surgery, especially in early tumors.

Modified Heidelberg technique of pancreatic anastomosis postpancreaticoduodenectomy - 10 years of experience.

CONTEXT: Pancreatic fistula has forever been a dreaded complication after pancreatic anastomosis (PA). We present a retrospective analysis of 10 years of experience with the Modified Heidelberg technique (MHT) that has been recently described. AIM: The aim of the study is to establish postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rates after MHT. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational study carried out at a tertiary cancer center in South India in the Department of Surgical Oncology. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and eight consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and PA with MHT for a variety of proximal pancreatic lesions from January 2008 to February 2018 were included in this study. The incidence of POPF was recorded by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula 2005 and 2016 definitions. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Epidemiological and clinical data are expressed in ratios and percentage and presented in table format. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and March 2016, 186 patients underwent PD, and MHT was used for PA. Five (2.7%) patients developed Grade A POPF whereas Grades B and C were seen in three (1.6%) patients each with one death. Between April 2016 and February 2018, 22 patients underwent PD. Two patients (9%) had biochemical leak whereas none of them developed clinically relevant POPF. No deaths were recorded in this period. Overall, Grade B and Grade C POPF rates were 1.4% each, whereas 30-day mortality was 0.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that MHT is a safe, reliable, easy to learn, and adopt technique of pancreatic reconstruction after PD.

Is there difference between anastomotic site and remnant stump carcinoma in gastric stump cancers?-a single institute analysis of 90 patients.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported regarding differences between malignancies that develop at the anastomotic site (ASC) and those that develop at the remnant stump (RSC) in gastric stump carcinomas (GSC). The purpose of our study was to compare clinical, pathological and survival characteristics of ASC patients with those of RSC patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for GSC between January 2005 and December 2017 were analyzed. Of the total 112 patients, 22 patients were excluded from the study due to extensive loss of data. Ninety patients underwent curative resection and were evaluated based on anatomic site at which they developed malignancy, i.e., ASC and RSC. Clinical, pathological and survival characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: As per Lauren's classification, diffuse and intestinal variety were significantly associated with ASC (P=0.0001) and RSC (P=0.0001) respectively. RSC was associated with lower pT [pT2, 15/33 (45.5%), P=0.0002]. ASC was significantly associated with higher pN [pN3, 30/57 (52.6%), P=0.0013], stage [stage III, 48/57 (84.2%), P=0.0022], positive mesenteric nodes (P=0.006) and poor 3-year survival (10.5% versus 36.4%, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: ASC is substantially different than RSC. ASC is more aggressive disease compared to RSC and has different pathophysiology, higher rates of nodal involvement (both primary and mesenteric), presents with higher stage and has significantly poor 3-year survival.

Perioperative Mortality in Cancer Esophagus-a Case Control Study at a High-Volume Regional Cancer Center in South India.

Surgery for esophageal cancers carries high rates of morbidity and mortality despite improvements in perioperative care especially with increasingly safe anesthesia and postoperative ICU care. A case control study was conducted on 713 patients operated for esophageal cancer over a period of 8 years (2009-2016). Multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between patients who succumbed to the surgery, i.e., 30-day mortality, and those who did not. Of the preoperative parameters, age > 58.5 years (p = 0.01), history of dysphagia with significant weight loss (p = 0.028), diabetes (p = 0.002), ischemic cardiac disease (p = 0.0001), low FEV1 < 69.5% (p = 0.036), preoperative length of hospital stay > 6.94 days (p = 0.001), involvement of gastroesophageal junction (p = 0.04), and ASA score > 2 (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with perioperative mortality. Intraoperatively, blood loss (p = 0.003), intraoperative (p = 0.015) and postoperative (p = 0.0001) blood transfusion, splenectomy (p = 0.0001), and excessive intraoperative intravenous fluids (p = 0.003) were associated with mortality. Decreased postoperative day 1 serum albumin level < 2.38 mg/dl (p = 0.0001), increased ICU stay > 7.32 days (SD+/- = 6.28, p = 0.03), number of positive lymph nodes > 2.97 (SD+/- = 4.19, p = 0.013), conduit necrosis (p = 0.0001), recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (p = 0.013), pulmonary venous thromboembolism (p = 0.0001), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (p = 0.0001), LRTI (p = 0.0001), arrhythmia (p = 0.005), sepsis (p = 0.0001), and ARDS (p = 0.0001) were the postoperative complications that were significantly associated with mortality. Comprehensive patient care involving preoperative optimization, improved surgical skills, rigorous intraoperative fluid management, and dedicated intensive care units will continue to play a major role in further minimizing mortality and morbidity associated with esophageal cancer surgeries.

Study of the occurrence of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in patients of blunt abdominal trauma and its correlation with the clinical outcome in the above patients.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements have been identified as essential for diagnosis and management of both intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). It has gained prominent status in ICUs worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the utility of measurement of rise in bladder pressure to assess IAP levels in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients of BAT with solid organ injuries were included in this study. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured through a Foleys bladder catheter throughout their stay. Bladder pressure was compared with clinical parameters like mean arterial pressures(MAP), respiratory rate(RR), serum creatinine(SC) and abdominal girth(AG) and also with outcome in terms of intervention whether operative(OI) or non-operative(NOI). RESULTS: Bladder pressure showed significant correlation with MAP (R = -0.418; P = 0.022), AG (R = 0.755; P = 0.000), SC (R = 0.689; P = 0.000) and RR (R = 0.537; P = 0.002). Bladder pressure (R = 0.851; P = 0.000), SC (R = 0.625; P = 0.000), MAP (R = -0.350; P = 0.058) and maximum AG difference (R = 0.634; P = 0.000) showed significant correlation with intervention. In total, 17 patients (56 %) required intervention, 9 patients (30 %) underwent NOI (pigtailing or aspiration) while 8 (27 %) needed OI. More than 3 derailed parameters were associated with 100 % intervention (Mean 3.47, SD-1.23). High APACHE III score on admission (>40) was associated with increased intervention (p = 0.001). Intervention correlates well with Grade of injury (p = 0.000) and not with number of organs injured (p = 0.061). Blood transfusion of 2 or more units of blood was associated with increased intervention (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Increased bladder pressure and other clinical parameters (MAP, SC, RR and change in AG) correlates well with intervention. Elevated bladder pressure correlates well with other clinical parameters in patients with BAT. Bladder pressure, SC, MAP, RR and AG difference can be used to determine the group of patients that can be managed conservatively and those that would benefit with minimal intervention or exploration. During Non-operative management (NOM) of patients with BAT and multiple solid organ injuries, IAP monitoring may be a simple and objective guideline to suggest further intervention whether NOI or OI. Although routine bladder pressure measurements will result in unnecessary monitoring of large number of patients it is hoped that patients with IAH can be detected early and subsequent ACS with morbid abdominal exploration can be prevented. However the criterion for non-operative failure and the point of decompression needs further refinement to prevent an increase of nontherapeutic operations.

Primary Liver Abscess with Anterior Abdominal Wall Extension Caused by Mycobacteriumtuberculosis Complex.

Tubercular liver abscess is generally secondary to some other primary foci in the body, most notably pulmonary and gastrointestinal system. To find primary tubercular liver abscess is rare, with prevalence of 0.34% in patients with hepatic tuberculosis. Abscess tracking into abdominal wall from spinal and para spinal tuberculosis is known, however primary liver tuberculosis rupturing into anterior abdominal wall has been reported only twice in literature. We report a case of 43-year-old female with direct invasion of the anterior abdominal wall from an isolated tubercular parenchymal liver abscess, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, diagnosed primarily on smear for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), imaging and isolated by culture and BACTEC MGIT 960 KIT. We discuss here the diagnostic dilemma, management and outcome of primary tubercular liver parenchymal abscess with direct invasion into anterior abdominal wall.

Spontaneous Resolution of Non Traumatic Chronic Subdural Haematoma Despite Continued Antiplatelet Therapy: A Case Report.

Spontaneous resolution of traumatic chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) has been reported in literature. However, those with non traumatic CSDH are exceedingly rare and none reported with continued antiplatelet therapy where it itself is an aetiological agent for development of non traumatic CSDH. A 50-year-old male presented to us with a non haemorrhagic cerebellar infarct with a concomitant CSDH without history of any trauma. Patient's PT/INR, Bleeding time and Clotting time were normal. Patient was started on antiplatelet therapy (Tablet Aspirin 150 mg OD) for the acute infarct. MR Brain at 1 month showed an increased size of CSDH. However patient denied surgical evacuation hence we continued conservative line of management, however we continued anti-platelet therapy with close neurological and coagulation profile monitoring that remained within normal range throughout the period of observation. CT at 5(th) month showed complete resolution of CSDH. Patient was on antiplatelet drugs throughout the period of observation. Our case argues about the role of antiplatelet therapy in patients with CSDH with contrary lesions requiring anticoagulation.

A Successful Strategy for Surgical Treatment of Boerhaave's Syndrome Sans Thoracotomy.

Boerhaave's syndrome is a rare life threatening condition that is often misdiagnosed and fatal if not treated promptly. While the gold standard is early surgical intervention, recent studies have showed success with conservative management. We report a case of Boerhaave's syndrome that was managed conservatively by decompressive gastrostomy, feeding jejunostomy, bilateral intercostal drainage tubes with added proximal diverting cervical esophagostomy. The patient recovered completely and stoma closure was done two months later.

Small intestinal obstruction secondary to jejunal trichobezoar removed per anum without an enterotomy: a case report.

Trichobezoars can rarely present with obstruction. This is usually due to collection of a hair ball in the stomach. We encountered an interesting case of small bowel obstruction due to a jejunal trichobezoar. The treatment generally is an enterotomy with removal of the hair ball. We report a case of a 29-year-old post partum female who presented to us with sub acute intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an impacted mass in the distal jejunum which was removed per anum without an enterotomy. Postoperative gastroscopy did not show trichobezoar in the stomach. This case highlights the importance of trichobezoar as a differential diagnosis in young women with small bowel obstruction that can be treated without an enterotomy and avoiding the risks and morbidities associated with it.