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BACKGROUND: Gossypiboma or textiloma is the unintentional retention of textile material in a patient's body, often occurring during abdominal surgery and involving surgical sponges. The body may respond to this foreign body with an exudative inflammatory reaction or an aseptic fibrotic reaction, encapsulating the cotton material and forming a mass. This rare but dramatic event can lead to life-threatening complications, and due to legal and ethical concerns, few publications exist. There were no published papers regarding this issue in our nation (Yemen). This study aims to report the retained surgical sponges' cases and their associated factors in a resource-limited setting to improve prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series study was conducted at hospitals affiliated with Ibb University, Ibb, Yemen, between March 22, 2018, and May 12, 2024. The study included 14 cases of diagnosed and surgically confirmed retained surgical sponges. Data on demographic characteristics, type of operation, and risk factors were gathered and analyzed. RESULT: Among 15,120 surgical procedures, there were 14 cases of retained surgical sponges with a prevalence rate of 0.09%. The mean age was 32.5±17.0 years, with 10 (71.4%) females and 4 (28.6%) males. Gynecological surgery was the most common causal procedure (n=7, 50.0%). The most common clinical presenting features were abdominal pain in 12 (85.7%), followed by infections and a systemic reaction in 9 (64.3%). The median symptom incubation time was 37 days. 11 (78.5%) patients underwent abdominal X-rays, and 13 (92.8%) had abdominal ultrasounds, with 4 (28.6%) X-rays and 5 (35.7%) abdominal ultrasounds being deemed non-diagnostic. An abdominal-pelvic CT scan was done on 11 (78.5%) individuals, with the results being diagnostic in 10 (71.4%) and non-diagnostic in one (7.1%). The leading causes for gossypiboma occurrence were prolonged surgical procedures > one hour and emergency in 7 (50.0%) cases, followed by multiple surgical team involvement and change in nursing staff during procedures in 5 (35.7%) cases. CONCLUSION: A gossypiboma or retained foreign body diagnosis can be achieved through comprehensive patient history, radiologist-surgeon interaction, understanding of risk factors, and familiarity with imaging patterns. Safety procedures should be robust and straightforward, and effective communication among surgical professionals can help minimize medical negligence and protect patients in chaotic situations. Furthermore, the surgeon should adhere to the standard prescribed method and report cases of retained surgical sponges.
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BACKGROUND: In addition to the global rise in the use of hemodialysis (HD) for end-stage renal disease, individuals receiving maintenance HD continue to have higher mortality rates than the general population. The mortality rates among HD patients in Yemen have not been studied because of the lack of a national registry system, and the impact of the disease on the country is yet to be evaluated. Our study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality among patients with HD in a resource-limited setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved 4194 HD patients at the Nephrology Center of Al-Thora General Hospital, Ibb Governate, Yemen, between March 2014 and September 2023. Data on HD patients' demographic characteristics, risk factors, and comorbidities were gathered and analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to evaluate and compare survival curves, and the proportional Cox hazard model was used to investigate the factors associated with mortality. RESULT: The mean age was 49.2 ± 16.5 years. The majority of cases were male (n= 2604, 62.1%) and from rural areas (3386, 80.7%), with 1226 (29.2%) living outside Ibb Governorate. Hepatitis C and B viruses were positive in 466 (11.1%) and 312 (7.4%) patients. The main comorbidity was hypertension (n= 3152, 75.2%), followed by diabetes mellitus (DM) (n= 1375, 32.8%). Five hundred and forty-eight patients died during the study period between 2017 and 2023, with an estimated mortality rate of 13.1%. The survival rates at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of follow-up were approximately 97.4%, 93.3%, 91.7%, 86.0%, and 74.6%, respectively. Predictive factors for mortality among HD patients in the Cox regression model were age >65 years (HR:1.41; 95 % CI: 1.15-1.74, p<0.001), cardiovascular disease (HR: 7.28; 95 % CI: 2.68-19.81, p<0.001), coming from other cities (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.11-1.59, p= 0.002), DM (HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.23-2.01, p <0.001), and cerebral vascular accidents (HR:1.57; 95 % CI: 1.13-2.18, p= 0.007). CONCLUSION: Instead of a higher mortality rate in this study, coming from other cities, DM, cardiovascular disease, cerebral vascular accidents, and age >65 years were predictive factors for mortality in HD patients. The study underlines the necessity of planning new HD facilities, avoiding and treating comorbidities, managing them early to decrease mortality, and educating regional administrative decision-makers on effective implementation techniques.
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INTRODUCTION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The surgical removal of unexploded mortar shells is rarely documented in the literature. Since most cases occur within war or conflict regions, reporting such instances is vital for optimizing and enhancing surgical practices, particularly in low-resource settings. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 35-year-old man who sustained an injury from a 60 mm unexploded mortar shell, penetrating the patient's right posterior chest in the right paravertebral region of the 4th thoracic vertebra, causing intrathoracic injuries, multiple rib fractures, and a right pneumothorax. The patient was immediately resuscitated and transferred to the operating room. The projectile was removed without direct contact with metal instruments. A right chest tube was then inserted and the injured area was repaired, resulting in an uneventful postoperative recovery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Unexploded mortar shell injuries are infrequently documented in the literature. These injuries are seen within war and conflict regions, that have limited accessibility or availability of experienced explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, transporting personnel, and equipped and separated operating theaters. CONCLUSION: Unexploded ordnance and munitions represent an underrecognized and underreported health risk to patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities. These injuries are commonly encountered within regions that lack experienced transport and EOD staff. The need for the establishment of such experienced teams along with providing adequate training for healthcare providers is necessary.
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Key Clinical Message: In the evaluation of acute flaccid paralysis, particularly in pediatric populations within endemic areas for schistosomiasis infection, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for neuroschistosomiasis. Prompt identification is imperative to mitigate the risk of irreversible neurological sequelae. Abstract: Spinal cord involvement in neuroschistosomiasis (NS) is considerably rare, with even fewer reported cases affecting the conus medullaris in children. While NS's neurological sequelae are typically thought to be reversible, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to permanent deficits. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with 3 weeks of progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness. A spinal MRI showed patchy gadolinium enhancement in an expanded conus medullaris, leading to a presumed diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome, and the patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. However, the lack of improvement necessitated surgical laminectomy. The post-operative histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a schistosomal parasite. Despite initiating therapy with corticosteroid and praziquantel, the patient did not exhibit clinical improvement, resulting in persistent flaccid paralysis, bladder, and bowel incontinence. In conclusion, spinal NS should be considered in patients presenting with myeloradicular symptoms in regions endemic for schistosomal infection, as delayed recognition can result in irreversible outcomes.
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BACKGROUND: Neurological involvement in schistosomiasis presents a significant and serious complication. While the disease is generally considered treatable during the early stages, the rarity of this condition often leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to report the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with spinal neuroschistosomiasis (NS) in an endemic area to the disease. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional review was conducted at Althora General Hospital in Ibb, Yemen, from January 2016 to January 2021. The study examined confirmed pediatric cases of spinal NS, analyzing their clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological data, treatment approaches, and complications. RESULTS: The study identified 10 cases of spinal NS with a mean age of 10.1± 3.2 years. The majority (90%) were male and from rural areas, all with a history of freshwater exposure, a known risk factor for schistosomiasis. The average time from presentation to treatment was 33.4± 45.6 days (7-150 days). Common symptoms observed in all patients were bladder dysfunction and paresthesia (100%). Intestinal dysfunction was prevalent in 90% of cases, while 80% exhibited limb weakness or inability to walk. The diagnosis was confirmed through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serology in 80% of cases, and stool and urine exams yielded positive results in 90% and 30% of cases, respectively. Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings revealed medullary lesions in 50% of cases, cauda equina lesions in 20%, and multiple lesions in 30%. All patients received oral praziquantel and high-dose steroids for at least three days as part of their initial treatment. During the average follow-up period of 5.6±1.7 months, one patient experienced lower extremity paraplegia, while two cases (20%) showed partial improvement with residual deficits including urinary and fecal incontinence. Complete resolution of symptoms was achieved in seven cases (70%). CONCLUSION: Schistosomiasis should be considered in pediatric patients with myeloradicular manifestations, especially in endemic areas. Early identification can be achieved through history, prompt imaging, and CSF serology. In the absence of immediate test results, expert-guided presumptive therapy should be considered to minimize neurological complications.
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Background Despite thyroidectomy being the preferred approach for retrosternal goiter (RSG), controversies surround its rationale in asymptomatic cases. This study aimed to investigate the treatment of RSG in resource-limited settings. Methods A retrospective study conducted between April 2010 and June 2022 included 28 RSG cases who underwent thyroidectomy using the cervical approach at Al-Nasar Hospital, Ibb, Yemen. A bivariate analysis was performed to investigate the risk factors for postoperative complications. Results The main age was 49.4±9.9 years, and most of them (60.7%) were females. The main symptoms were cervical mass appearance and breathing difficulty in 75 %, and 32.1%, respectively. Twenty-four (86%) cases were classified as Grade 1 (above aortic arch) and four (14%) cases were classified as Grade 2 (aortic arch to the pericardium). All patients underwent total thyroidectomy through the cervical approach without needing sternotomy. The mean operative time was 121.9±26.7min (99-200 min) and the mean intraoperative bleeding was 321.2±137.4 mL. Postoperatively, the malignant entity was histopathologically proven in seven patients (25%). The postoperative complications (14%) were transient hypocalcemia in two (7.1%) and hematoma in two (7.1%). Older age, bigger thyroid mass, extension below the aortic arch (Grade 2), longer operative time and bleeding, intensive care unit admission, and malignant features are associated with postoperative complications (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Cervical approach for patients with RSG in our experience is an optimum, feasible, and less invasive surgical approach, in a resource-limited setting. Older age, bigger thyroid, extension below the aortic arch, longer operative time and bleeding, intensive care unit admission, and malignant features are associated with postoperative complications.
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Intramural gastrointestinal hematomas are commonly observed following abdominal trauma or are associated with coagulopathy disorders. In contrast, idiopathic gastrointestinal hematoma is rare, and colonic involvement is sporadic, with very few published reports. We report the case of a 29-year-old female who presented with right hypogastric pain over the last three days. Abdominal CT with contrast revealed an 8.5 × 6 × 7.5 cm pre-occlusive intramural hematoma of the ascending colon up to the hepatic flexure with diffuse edematous wall thickening, indicating colonic obstruction. On colonoscopy, the site of the intramural hematoma was identified without active bleeding or obvious pathology, and the colonoscope successfully passed through the region. The patient was managed conservatively. A month later, abdominal CT revealed complete resolution of the colonic hematoma. After two months of follow-up, the patient was free from gastrointestinal symptoms. In conclusion, idiopathic colon intramural hematoma is rare, with a challenge in diagnosis and treatment; efforts should be made to treat it with conservative therapy.