Bundle approach in emergency surgery for prevention of surgical site infections: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have demonstrated significant antibiotic resistance by commonly isolated organisms. This is an eye-opener for the clinicians, who prescribe antibiotics day in and out. This situation shifts our attention towards the usage of antiseptic measures, which can at times play an important role in preventing and treating various infections. METHOD: This is a double-blinded randomized controlled study that compares the bundle approach to the conventional approach for the prevention of surgical site infections in patients of peritonitis undergoing midline laparotomy in emergency. The bundle approach includes three measures, namely, painting of surgical site with chlorhexidine, dabbing the wound with povidone-iodine after the closure of the rectus sheath, and application of chlorhexidine-impregnated gauze piece over the skin wound. RESULTS: The total sample size was 64 (32 in each arm). The rate of surgical site infection was significantly lower in the test arm (21.8%) as compared to the conventional arm (46.8%). The mean length of hospital stay was shorter by one day in the test arm, although, not significant. The isolates from the peritoneal fluid culture and wound culture were mostly gram-negative organisms. Most of the organisms exhibited resistance toward third generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic resistance is a burning concern in today's world. Alternative methods of preventing infection in the form of using antiseptics should be sought. Although our study was limited to emergency cases, this bundle approach can be implemented in elective cases as well.

Duodenal perforation caused by a bird feather.

Ingestion of gastrointestinal (GI) foreign bodies represents a challenging clinical scenario. The greater risk is at extremes of age, in those wearing dentures, alcoholics and mentally handicapped. We present a case of duodenal perforation caused by a bird feather. A 64-year-old man was presented with abdominal pain for 4 days. Abdominal examination showed signs of peritonitis. The erect abdominal x-ray showed free gas under diaphragm. Exploratory laparotomy showed purulent fluid, but no definite site of perforation could be found. So the abdomen was closed with a drain in Morison's pouch. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. He came for a repeat check-up at 4 weeks with dull aching pain in the upper abdomen and was advised for a routine upper GI endoscopy which revealed a feather penetrating the first part of the duodenum, which was removed with a foreign body removing forceps. GI foreign bodies represent a significant problem and an increased level of suspicion is important for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Unusual site and uncommon presentation of epidermoid cyst: a rare case report and review of literature.

Epidermoid cyst of gastrointestinal tract is very rare, and only a few cases of epidermoid cyst of the caecum have been reported in the literature. We report the first case of epidermoid cyst of the caecum in an elderly man, mimicking mesenteric cyst clinically. It was treated by laparoscopic excision of the cyst. The cyst was spherical, extending from and expanding the serosal surface of the caecum with no communication through the muscularis wall. Histologically, the inner lining of the cyst was composed of benign, mature, keratinised and stratified squamous epithelium with a well-formed granular layer. On opening, the cyst contained pultaceous cheesy material. No calcification, hair, teeth or bone elements were detected.