The impact of topical tranexamic acid on drain duration and seroma volume in axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Seroma is the most common complication after breast surgery. Some studies showed that tranexamic acid (TA) can be used in breast surgery to reduce seroma formation and drain volume. We studied the effect of intra-operative and postoperative topical TA on the duration of drain and volume of seroma in patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Breast cancer patients planned for ALND were enrolled in the study between July 2020 and July 2021. Patients were randomized into three groups where one group (n = 50) received a single intraoperative dose of diluted topical TA, the second group, in addition, received daily postoperative doses till day 5 through the suction drain, and the third group (n = 50) did not receive any dose. Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to analyze the primary outcomes-the total volume of drain fluid and total drain duration, and secondary outcomes-daily drain output till postoperative-day-5, wound infection, and seroma rates. RESULTS: Patients receiving multiple doses of topical TA had a decreasing trend in total drain volume, although this was not statistically significant (1597 vs. 1763 vs. 1773 mL: p = 0.269). There was no significant change in the duration of the postoperative drain (21.6 vs. 19.2 vs. 19.55 days: p = 0.54). There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: There is no significant reduction in drain duration, total drain volume, or the rate of complications with the use of single or multiple doses of topical TA.

Effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone mineral density in post menopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard management for benign gallbladder diseases. It has been observed that there is alteration in vitamin D levels and bone mineral density after cholecystectomy due to altered enterohepatic circulation. With increase in average age expectancy of the population, low levels of vitamin D levels and osteoporosis after cholecystectomies might cause increased health care burden. METHODS: A prospective observational study was planned between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2023 in the Department of General Surgery at PGIMER Chandigarh, a tertiary care hospital in north India. One hundred and three post-menopausal women who underwent LC and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. All participants underwent estimation of vitamin D and bone mineral density preoperatively and third-post operative month (POM). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 58.46 ± 7.44. Pain abdomen was present in 68(66%) patients, 18 had epigastric discomfort and 17 had dyspepsia. The mean levels of vitamin D decreased from 21.92 at the baseline to 20.12 at third POM (p < .001). There was a significant change in t score Femoral Neck (-1.12 vs -1.15, p < .001) and Lumbar spine L1-L4 - 1.98 vs -1.98 (p = .033). z-scores of the femoral neck were -0.34 vs -0.54 (p < .001) and of lumbar spine L1-L4 were -0.95 vs 1.02 (p < .001). The decrease in fracture risk for the femoral neck (p = .344) and the lumbar spine (p = .223) was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There is a significant decrease in vitamin D and BMD levels after LC in post-menopausal females.

Prospective Validation and Comparison of Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) and Site Other Than Lower Limb, Immunosuppression, Age, Renal Impairment, and Inflammatory Markers (SIARI) Scoring Systems for Necrotizing Fasciitis.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressing infection of the soft tissues associated with high morbidity and mortality and hence it is a surgical emergency. Early diagnosis and treatment are of paramount importance. LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) and SIARI (Site other than lower limb, Immunosuppression, Age, Renal impairment, and Inflammatory markers) scoring systems have been established for early and accurate diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. This study compared the two scoring systems for diagnosing NF, predicting management, and elucidating the prognostic performance for re-operation and mortality. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in PGIMER Chandigarh, India, between February 2020 and June 2021. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (No. INT/IEC/2020-90). The clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, and imaging were used to classify patients into NF or severe cellulitis groups. We also calculated the LRINEC and SIARI scores. Demographic variables and mortality were recorded. The area under the receiver operating characteristic was used to express the accuracy of both scores at a cut-off LRINEC and SIARI scores of ≥6 and ≥ 4, respectively. RESULTS: The study comprised 41 patients with NF and 11 with severe cellulitis. Informed written consent was taken from all the participants. At LRINEC score ≥6, the C-statistic for NF diagnosis was 0.839 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.682-0.995, P 0.001), which was better than SIARI score at ≥ 4, C-statistic of 0.608 (95% CI 0.43-0.787, P 0.297). Both scores accurately predicted 30-day mortality. The LRINEC score showed a C-statistic of 0.912 (95% CI 0.798-1, P 0.001). Simultaneously, the SIARI score showed 70% sensitivity and 77% specificity, with a C-statistic of 0.805 (0.62-0.99, P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: LRINEC score is an effective diagnostic tool for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from severe cellulitis. Additional research is required to establish the SIARI score's external validity.

Modified Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol Versus Non-ERAS Protocol in Patients Undergoing Emergency Laparotomy for Acute Intestinal Obstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal approach with promising results in improving patient outcome. Only recently, is evidence emerging highlighting how similar principles of care can be applied to patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022 at PGIMER Chandigarh, which is a leading tertiary care hospital in northern India. 60 patients with acute intestinal obstruction requiring emergency laparotomy were randomized and assigned to ERAS or Non-ERAS group. ERAS protocol with some modifications was applied. Primary endpoints were post-operative hospital stay. Secondary end points were morbidity, 30-day readmission and mortality rate. Data analysis was done using SPSS 22.0. Independent t test or Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square or Fisher-exact test were used for analysis. RESULTS: A significant 3-day reduction in hospital stay was observed in ERAS compared to non-ERAS group (median (interquartile range) 5.50 (4.75-8.25) vs 8.0 (6.0-11.0) p = 0.003) with no difference in 30-day readmission rate, mortality rate and complication rate (according to Clavien-Dindo classification). ERAS group was associated with early recovery of gastrointestinal functions including time to first passage of flatus (p < 0.001), stools (p = 0.014), early ambulation (p < 0.001), time to first fluid diet (p < 0.001), solid diet (p = 0.001) and reduced nasogastric tube reinsertion rates (p = 0.01) despite its early removal. CONCLUSION: ERAS with some modifications can be applied in patients with intestinal obstruction. Thus, we can expedite post-operative recovery and early regain of gastrointestinal function with decreased hospital stay, comparable morbidity and mortality. Further studies are needed to assess ERAS role in emergency gastrointestinal surgeries. Trial registration Ctri.gov Identifier: CTRI/2022/04/042156.

Spectrum of PIK3CA/AKT mutations across molecular subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) confers variable response to chemotherapy that results in poor outcome and relapse. Due to lack of targeted therapy, there is a need to provide molecular classification of TNBC and identify probable therapeutic targets. METHODS: We classified TNBC into surrogate molecular subtypes by immunohistochemistry and evaluated hotspot mutations (N = 80) in PIK3CA (exon 4, 9, and 20) and AKT1 (exon 2) in TNBC subtypes by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: TNBCs were classified into Basal-like 1(BL1) (n = 20, 25%), Mesenchymal (n = 19, 23.75%), Luminal Androgen (LAR) (n = 12, 15%), Basal+Mesenchymal (Mixed type) (n = 10, 12.5%), and unclassified subtype (n = 19, 23.75%). PIK3CA mutations were observed in 16.25% (13/80) TNBC cases. PIK3CA mutations were more frequent in exon 20 (8.7%) than in exon 9 (5%) and exon 4 (2.5%). PIK3CA mutations were frequent in LAR subtype (33.3%) followed by unclassified type (31.5%), Mesenchymal (10.5%), and BL1 (5%) subtypes. Two hotspot mutations were found in AKT1 (T21I, E17K) in mixed and unclassified subtype. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the heterogeneity within TNBCs. Higher frequencies of PIK3CA mutations were noted in LAR subtypes and unclassified type, comparable to their incidence reported in literature in ER-positive tumors. The mutation status can be used as potential biomarker for PI3K inhibitors in TNBC subgroups.

Awareness about breast cancer in first-year junior residents at a tertiary care institute in India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Primary physicians have a very important role in identifying early breast cancer, as well as promotion of awareness about breast cancer to general public. However, there is insufficient data about the knowledge of doctors, who have just finished their basic medical training, on breast cancer. METHODS: All the postgraduate residents who had joined within the last 3 months, irrespective of the department, were invited to take part in the study. After explaining the aims of the study telephonically, consent was taken through online signatures and the participants were asked to fill online proformas. Descriptive statistics were used, and chi-square test was used to compare groups. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: A total of 106 participants took part in the study. Only 63 (59.4%) participants had satisfactory knowledge about the warning signs of breast cancer. Apart from question of ideal frequency of breast examination, which was answered by 59 (55.7%) participants, the rest of the questions were answered correctly by less than 50% of participants. On the questions on risk factors, 102 (96.5%) of the participants were assessed to have adequate knowledge. Overall only 51 (48.1%) participants were assessed to have satisfactory knowledge about warning signs, screening and risk factors related to breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness about warning signs, risk factors and screening practices of breast cancer in newly joined residents was less than satisfactory. To improve this level of awareness, significant steps are needed at the level of undergraduate teaching.

Endoscopic excision of breast fibroadenoma through inframammary fold: Feasibility, safety and medium-term outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic-assisted surgery for breast tumors has the advantage of inconspicuous scars, less breast volume loss, and nipple areolar distortion. A novel endoscopic-assisted technique through inframammary fold for excision of fibroadenomas is presented. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Endoscopic-assisted excision of fibroadenoma(s) through inframammary fold was performed in four patients after informed written consent via three ports (12, 5, and 5 mm). Breast Cancer Treatment Outcome Score-12 (BCTOS-12) was used to evaluate patient satisfaction after surgery. DISCUSSION: No intraoperative and wound complication was noted. On median follow-up of 26.5 months, patients reported satisfactory responses to aesthetic and functional outcomes. No scar related complications were noted. Endoscopic-assisted excision of fibroadenoma through inframammary fold can be a safe and feasible option with good aesthetic outcomes.

Cancer associated fibroblasts modulate the cytotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs in breast cancer: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Tumour microenvironment (TME) contributes to resistance to anti-cancer drugs through multiple mechanisms including secretion of pro-survival factors by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In this study, we determined the chemotherapy resistance producing potential of CAFs in molecular subtypes of breast cancer. METHODS: The CAFs were isolated from fresh lumpectomy/mastectomy specimens of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. The CAFs were cultured and secretome was collected from each breast cancer subtype. Breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, SK-BR3, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468 were treated with different doses of tamoxifen, trastuzumab, cisplatin, and doxorubicin alone respectively and in combination with secretome of CAFs from respective subtypes. MTT assay was done to check cell death after drug treatment. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis of CAF secretome was also done. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that anti-cancer drugs alone had growth inhibitory effect on the cancer cells however, presence of CAF secretome reduced the anti-cancer effect of the drugs. Resistant to drugs in the presence of secretome, was determined by increased cell viability i.e., MCF-7, 51.02% to 63.02%; SK-BR-3, 34.22% to 44.88%; MDA-MB-231, 52.59% to 78.63%; and MDA-MB-468, 48.92% to 55.08%. LCMS analysis of the secretome showed the differential abundance of CAFs secreted proteins across breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of breast cancer cell lines with anti-cancer drugs in combination with secretome isolated from molecular subtype specific CAFs, reduced the cytotoxic effect of the drugs. In addition, LCMS data also highlighted different composition of secreted proteins from different breast cancer associated fibroblasts. Thus, TME has heterogenous population of CAFs across the breast cancer subtypes and in vitro experiments highlight their contribution to chemotherapy resistance which needs further validation.

Topical antibiotics in the prevention of port-site infection after elective day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Wound-related infections and complications are rare after day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). They can have a significant adverse impact on the postoperative course after an uneventful elective LC. The use of topical antibiotics over the port site may prevent such complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This trial was conducted from January 2018 to June 2019. Two hundred and fifty patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. They were randomized into the topical antibiotic group (Group A, n = 125) and control group (Group B, n = 125). All patients underwent four-port LC. Mupirocin 2% topical antibiotic ointment was applied to all four-port sites in Group A, whereas no topical antibiotic was used in Group B. One dose of prophylactic systemic antibiotics was given to all patients in both groups. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.22 ± 12.7 years in Group A and 43.44 ± 12.5 years in Group B. The comorbidities and the other variables were comparable between the two groups. The port-site infection (PSI) was observed in one patient in Group A and three patients in Group B, which was statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.622). The mean time of detection of infection was 4.75 ± 1.7 days. All the infections were superficial surgical site infections. Microbiological swabs culture of the infected wounds yielded no growth of bacteria. CONCLUSION: The PSI after LC is very less. The use of topical antibiotics to prevent PSIs after LC could not be established.

Implementation of modified enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) following surgery for abdominal trauma; Assessment of feasibility and outcomes: A randomized controlled trial (RCT).

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) is a set of multiple perioperative care component not a rigid protocol with improved outcomes for elective surgeries. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and outcomes in trauma patients undergoing laparotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective single-centre randomized controlled trial(RCT). Patients undergoing emergency laparotomy following trauma were randomized into ERAS(early removal of catheters, early mobilization and initiation of diet, use of opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia) and conventional care groups 24 â€‹h post-surgery. Outcome measures included length of hospitalization(LOH), recovery of bowel function, duration of removal of catheters and 30-day complications(Clavien-Dindo). RESULTS: Fifty patients were randomized into ERAS(n â€‹= â€‹25) and conventional care(n â€‹= â€‹25) groups. Ninety-two percent of patients were young males, 58 â€‹% had blunt trauma to the abdomen and the most common indication of surgery was hollow viscus injury(88 â€‹%). ERAS group had a reduced median LOH(days) (6 versus 8, p â€‹= â€‹0.007), early recovery of bowel function(p â€‹= â€‹0.010) and shorter times for nasogastric tube(p â€‹= â€‹0.001), urinary catheter(p â€‹= â€‹0.007) and drain(p â€‹= â€‹0.006) removal. The complications were comparable in both groups except for deep surgical site infection[significantly lower in ERAS group(p â€‹= â€‹0.009)]. CONCLUSION: ERAS is safe and significantly reduces LOH in select trauma patients undergoing laparotomy.

Preliminary results of hypofractionated radiotherapy in breast cancer in Chandigarh, India: single-centre, non-inferiority, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial.

Background: Globally, most of the randomised trials with hypofractionation in patients with breast cancer have used 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technique (3D-CRT). As facilities for 3D-CRT technique may not be available in low-resource settings, there is a need to see if hypofractionation is feasible and safe with 2-dimensional (2-D) technique. In this study, we compared a 3-week radiation schedule with a 2-week schedule of hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer with 2-D technique. Methods: The current study was an open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Patients with breast cancer, stage I-III, post mastectomy or after breast conservative surgery who needed adjuvant locoregional radiotherapy were randomised in the Department of Radiotherapy & Oncology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India; to 34Gy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks (2-week arm) or 35Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks to the chest wall and 40Gy/15#/3wks to breast and supraclavicular fossa (3-week arm). Boost dose when indicated was 8-10Gy/2-4#/2-4 days in both the arms. Patients were planned on a 2-dimensional (2D) simulator with 2 tangential fields to breast/chest wall and incident supraclavicular fossa field. Acute toxicity was assessed using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grading scale. Assessments were carried out weekly during radiotherapy and at 4 weeks after treatment by the physician. Cosmetic outcome was assessed using the Harvard/National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/RTOG scale. The toxicity rates between the two arms were compared using Fisher's exact tests. The trial was approved by institutional ethics committee and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04075058. Findings: This study included 1121 eligible patients from June 2015 to December 2020. Median follow-up was 35 months (6-84 months). Mean age was 48 years (24-75 years). The patient characteristics were comparable between the two arms except for more mastectomies in the 3-week arm and more node-positive patients in the 2-week arm. There were more oestrogen receptor-positive tumors in the 3-week arm. Acute skin toxicities were comparable between the two arms. Grade 2 and 3 skin toxicity was 100 (18%) and 82 (15%); and 16 (3%) and 12 (2%) in the 3-week and 2-week arm (p = 0.21), respectively. Cosmetic outcome was assessed as Excellent or Good for 89% of patients in the 3-week arm as compared to 94% in the 2-week arm (p = 0.004). Interpretation: The two radiation schedules were comparable in terms of acute skin toxicity. The cosmetic outcome was better with the 2-week schedule. The preliminary findings indicate 2-week radiotherapy schedule with 2-D technique was better than the 3-week schedule in patients with breast cancer. However, disease outcomes and late-term toxicities need to be further checked. Funding: This study was funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), India.

Assessment of Pathological Complete Response Using Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy in Breast Cancer Patients Who Have Clinical and Radiological Complete Response After Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: Any treatment protocol that leads to complete elimination of surgery may lead to a better patient acceptance of breast cancer treatments. Objectives: We conducted this study to assess the feasibility of preoperative vacuum-assisted biopsies in identifying pathological complete response (pCR) and its accuracy in correlation to final histopathology report (HPR), in an Indian setting. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted between October 1, 2019, and March 31, 2021. Patients with early breast cancer, estrogen and progesterone receptors negative and either Her2 positive or negative, and who were fit to undergo marker placement at the centre of the tumour and to receive third-generation chemotherapy (4 cycles of 3 weekly doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by 4 cycles of 3 weekly docetaxel) were included in the study. Following the enrolment, a tissue marker was placed at the centre of the tumour and appropriate chemotherapy was started. Patients who achieved clinical complete response were subjected to ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) from the tumour bed before surgery. Pathology results of the VAB and resected specimen were then compared. Descriptive statistics were used in the study. Results: Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 43.6 ± 9.8 years. However, only 10 were eligible for VAB procedure, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the results of these 10 patients only. Vacuum-assisted biopsy showed sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 100% in identifying pCR. Combination of mammography, ultrasonography, and VAB showed sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 66.7% in identifying pCR. Conclusion: Vacuum-assisted biopsy of tumour bed may not be sensitive enough to eliminate surgery even in patients who have had exceptional response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Breaking bad news: Awareness and practice of the SPIKES protocol among general surgery residents at a tertiary care institute in northern India.

Background In general surgery, a clinician is commonly required to break bad news. However, training in communication is not a part of the formal curriculum either in medical school or in surgical residency and there is a paucity of data on awareness of the SPIKES (Setting up the interview, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge sharing, Emotion, Strategy and Summary) protocol among practising surgeons and residents in India. Methods We did a cross-sectional study in the Department of General Surgery at our institution. Junior residents were invited to take part in a one-on-one interview. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the findings of the study. Comparison for categorical data was done using Fisher exact test or chi-square test (whichever was applicable). Results A total of 82 residents with mean (SD) age of 27 (2.5) years (range 23-37 years) participated in the study. Only 31 (37.8%) had ever received training for breaking bad news, though 80 (97.6%) had broken bad news at least once. Twenty-one (26.3%) participants had a bad experience while breaking bad news. Seventy-seven (93.9%) participants felt the need for training in breaking bad news and 76 of them were willing to attend the same. Although the complete SPIKES protocol was followed only by 25 (31.3%) residents, 46 (56.1%) felt that it was practically possible to follow the SPIKES protocol. Conclusion Resident doctors in general surgery face situations of breaking bad news and adherence to the SPIKES protocol is poor. Formal training at every level may enhance their communication skills and enable better healthcare delivery.

Heterogeneity of the Tumor Microenvironment Across Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogenous disease at the molecular level thus, it can be hypothesized that different molecular subtypes differ in their tumor microenvironment (TME) also. Understanding the TME heterogeneity may provide new prognostic biomarkers and new targets for cancer therapy. For deciphering heterogeneity in the TME, immunohistochemistry for immune markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD163, and programmed death-ligand 1), Cancer-associated fibroblast markers [anti-fibroblast activating protein α (FAP-α), platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFR-α), S100A4, Neuron-glial antigen 2, and Caveolin-1], and angiogenesis (CD31) was performed on tissue microarrays of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. High CD3 + T cells were noted in the Luminal B subtype ( P =0.002) of which the majority were CD8 + cytotoxic T cells. Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in immune cells was highest in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2)-positive and Luminal B subtypes compared with the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype ( P =0.003). Her-2 subtype is rich in M2 tumor-associated macrophages ( P =0.000) compared with TNBC and Luminal B subtypes. M2 immune microenvironment correlated with high tumor grade and high Ki-67. Her-2 and TNBC subtypes are rich in extracellular matrix remodeling (FAP-α, P =0.003), angiogenesis-promoting (PDGFR-α; P =0.000) and invasion markers (Neuron-glial antigen 2, P =0.000; S100A4, P =0.07) compared with Luminal subtypes. Mean Microvessel density showed an increasing trend: Luminal A>Luminal B>Her-2 positive>TNBC; however, this difference was not statistically significant. The cancer-associated fibroblasts (FAP-α, PDGFR-α, and Neuron-glial antigen 2) showed a positive correlation with lymph node metastasis in specific subtypes. Immune cells, tumor-associated macrophage, and cancer-associated fibroblast-related s tromal markers showed higher expression in Luminal B, Her-2 positive, and TNBC respectively. This differential expression of different components of TME indicates heterogeneity of the TME across molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Impact of Tailored-Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Versus Conventional Care in Patients of Gastro-Duodenal Perforation: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program established improved clinical outcomes in elective surgery; however, its role in emergencies is uncertain. This study was designed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a tailored-ERAS (t-ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing modified Graham's patch closure for gastro-duodenal perforation. METHODS: A single-centre, prospective, parallel-arm, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted from February 2021 to December 2021. Patients with gastroduodenal perforation undergoing modified Graham's patch were randomly assigned to either conventional care or the t-ERAS pathway. Patients with refractory septic shock, psychiatric or neurological disorders, pregnancy, multiple perforations, sealed-off perforations, and perforation sizes greater than 1.5 cm were excluded. The primary outcome was to compare the length of hospitalization (LOH). Functional recovery parameters and morbidity were compared in secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients each were included in conventional care and the t-ERAS group. In the t-ERAS group, LOH was significantly shorter (6.3 SD2.15 days versus 9.56 SD4.33 days, p = 0.001). Patients in the t-ERAS group had significantly early functional recovery (days) with time to first bowel sound (1.8 SD0.41; p 0.002), first flatus (2.52 SD0.65; p = 0.026), first stool (3.04 SD0.68; p < 0.001), first liquid diet (2.24 SD0.60; p = 0.002), and duration of ileus (2.64 SD0.86; p = 0.038). There was no significant difference in morbidity such as post-operative nausea and vomiting, SSI, or pulmonary complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Tailored ERAS pathways are safe and effective in reducing the LOH and promoting early functional recovery in patients undergoing emergency closure of gastro-duodenal perforation.

A Novel Potential Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Non-Healing Ulcers - Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Appropriate care and treatment of a wound is the need of the hour whether it is an infected or a non-infected wound. If wound healing is delayed for some reason, it leads to serious complications and further increases the hospital stay and cost of treatment. Herein, we describe a novel antimicrobial wound dressing formulation (VG111), with an objective to generate the preliminary data showing the distinct advantages in various types of wounds. METHOD: This case series involved the treatment of acute cases of wounds or chronic wounds that did not respond well to conventional wound healing treatments with VG111 in patients with different etiologies. Thirteen cases of patients that included patients with diabetes, pressure ulcers, burns, trauma, and others treated with VG111 showed rapid wound healing in all the cases, even obviating the need for a graft when complete skin regeneration occurred RESULT: This was illustrated by clearing of the wound infections, reduction/disappearance of the exudate, appearance of intense granulation, epithelialization, and anti-biofilm activity followed by complete wound closure. This VG111 precludes the need for systemic antimicrobial agents in localized infections and therefore, this single agent is an attempt to address the limitations and the drawbacks of the available products. CONCLUSION: Despite patients belonging to the old age group and having comorbidities like diabetes, still VG111 showed effective rapid wound healing, and that too without any scar formation in hardto-heal, infected, and non-infected wounds

A prospective, non-randomized study to determine the role of intraperitoneal drain placement in perforation peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection continues to be a major problem after laparotomy for perforation peritonitis, as it increases morbidity and hospital stay and decreases the quality of life. Intra-abdominal drain placement is a routine practice in perforation peri-tonitis. The aim of our study is to compare the incidence of surgical site infection in two groups of patients who were operated for perforation peritonitis: The first group received the intraperitoneal drain, while no drain was placed in the second group. METHODS: The present single-center, prospective, non-randomized study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India. A total of 122 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy for gastroduodenal and small bowel perforation peritonitis, of which 100 participants were included in this study, based on specified cri-teria for inclusion and exclusion. A total of 50 participants each were included in the drain group and the no drain group, respectively. A drain was placed in every alternate patient with perforation peritonitis who received primary closure or resection anastomosis. Patients with diabetes, renal failure, and hemodynamic instability and those who presented more than 72 h since symptom onset were excluded from the study. Peritoneal fluids were cultured. The primary endpoint was to identify the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in the two groups. We also compared the time taken for the return of bowel movements, duration for which a nasogastric tube was inserted, whether any intervention was performed under local or general anesthesia within 30 days of surgery, the duration of hospital stay, and the ease of diagnosing repair leak in the post-operative period in both the groups. RESULTS: Demographics of participants in both the groups were matched. No significant difference was observed between the drain and no-drain groups with respect to the incidence of surgical site infection (p=0.779). The duration of surgery and length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the no drain group. A significant difference was observed between the two groups concerning the peritoneal culture growth, and increased bacterial growth was seen in the drain group. No significant difference in morbidity was noted between the two groups, which was classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. CONCLUSION: Routine use of intra-abdominal drains was not found to be effective in preventing SSIs, but a selection bias cannot be ruled out. Patients with no drains had a significantly shorter duration of hospital stay.

Metabolic Syndrome in Breast Cancer Patients: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The reported association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and breast cancer may have a significant impact on the incidence and mortality related to breast cancer. We undertook this study to find if the disease is different in patients with MetS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of MetS (according to the IDF definition of 2006) and also based on menopausal status. The presence of known risk and prognostic factors were also recorded, and the groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 305 patients were recruited, of which 191 (62.6%) had MetS. Patients with MetS were older than those without (52.1 versus 48.3 years, P = .014) and had a lower incidence of nulliparity (4.1% vs 12.8%, P = .005) and dense breasts (2.9% in MetS vs 10.8% in no MetS, P = .009). On further dividing into premenopausal and postmenopausal, these differences persisted only in premenopausal patients. MetS group had a lower number of HER2-positive tumours (14.3% for MetS, 23.9% for no MetS; P = .036). After dividing into premenopausal and postmenopausal, significant differences were observed in distant metastases (5.4% in MetS vs 16.1% in no MetS, P = .045) and in grade (higher grade in MetS, P = .05) in premenopausal patients. In postmenopausal patients, difference was observed in HER2 positivity (12.3% in MetS vs 28.8% in no MetS, P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer in patients with MetS may not be significantly different from breast cancer in patients without MetS.

Molecular Subtyping of Triple Negative Breast Cancer by Surrogate Immunohistochemistry Markers.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease and an attempt was made to classify TNBCs into surrogate molecular subtypes using immunohistochemical markers. Tissue microarrays were constructed for 245 cases of TNBCs. For classification of TNBCs immunohistochemistry was done on tissue microarrays for cytokeratin 5/6, 4/14 (CK5/6, CK4/14), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vimentin, E-cadherin, claudin 3 and 7, androgen receptor (AR) and aldehyde dehydrogenase1A. The TNBCs were classified into basal-like 1 (BL1) type (CK5/6+, CK4/14+, EGFR- n=32; 13.1%), basal-like 2 (BL2) type (EGFR+, n=4; 1.6%), mesenchymal type (Vimentin+, E-cadherin ̅, claudin 3-and 7-, n=70; 28.6%), luminal androgen type (AR+, n=41; 16.7%), mixed type (n=37; 15.1%), and unclassified type (n=61; 24.9%). Luminal androgen receptor subtype showed apocrine features, and was associated with older age group, lower proliferation index and high frequency of lymph node metastasis. Basal subtype was cellular with rich stromal lymphocytic infiltrate. Mesenchymal stem like subtype was associated with younger age group with metaplastic and mesenchymal features. Mesenchymal stem like and unclassified subtype had shorter overall survival with median of 68.2 and 69.2 months, respectively, and the BL2 had median disease-free survival of 35.4 months. On immunohistochemistry TNBC is a heterogeneous entity composed of 6 major subtypes. Immunohistochemical subtyping of TNBC can provide information on prognostication and selection of appropriate targeted therapy for these patients.