Single-stage laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and cholecystectomy versus two-stage endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The ideal method for managing concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct (CBD) stones is debatable. The currently preferred method is two-stage endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This prospective randomized trial compared the success and cost effectiveness of single- and two-stage management of patients with concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones. METHODS: Consecutive patients with concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones were randomized to either single-stage laparoscopic CBD exploration and cholecystectomy (group 1) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for endoscopic extraction of CBD stones followed by LC (group 2). Success was defined as complete clearance of CBD and cholecystectomy by the intended method. Cost effectiveness was measured using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to compare outcomes. RESULTS: From February 2009 to October 2012, 168 patients were randomized: 84 to the single-stage procedure (group 1) and 84 to the two-stage procedure (group 2). Both groups were matched with regard to demographic and clinical parameters. The success rates of laparoscopic CBD exploration and ERCP for clearance of CBD were similar (91.7 vs. 88.1 %). The overall success rate also was comparable: 88.1 % in group 1 and 79.8 % in group 2 (p = 0.20). Direct choledochotomy was performed in 83 of the 84 patients. The mean operative time was significantly longer in group 1 (135.7 ± 36.6 vs. 72.4 ± 27.6 min; p ≤ 0.001), but the overall hospital stay was significantly shorter (4.6 ± 2.4 vs. 5.3 ± 6.2 days; p = 0.03). Group 2 had a significantly greater number of procedures per patient (p < 0.001) and a higher cost (p = 0.002). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of postoperative wound infection rates or major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Single- and two-stage management for uncomplicated concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones had similar success and complication rates, but the single-stage strategy was better in terms of shorter hospital stay, need for fewer procedures, and cost effectiveness.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using NiCo-BiVO4 nanocomposite under visible light irradiation: A noble-metal-free approach for water remediation.

The increasing pollution of water bodies with organic contaminants, including antibiotics, has become a significant environmental concern. In this study, a noble-metal-free alternative, NiCo bimetal cocatalyst, was synthesized and applied to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline (TC) using BiVO4 as the photocatalyst under the visible spectrum. The NiCo-BiVO4 nanocomposite exhibited improved visible light absorption, reduced recombination rate of charge carriers, and enhanced electrochemical properties. The photocatalytic degradation of TC was significantly enhanced by the NiCo bimetal modification, with the 2 wt% NiCo-BiVO4 nanocomposite achieving an 87.2% degradation of TC and 82% Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal within 120 min. The degradation kinetics of TC (target compound) followed a first-order reaction, with photogenerated electrons and holes identified as the primary active species responsible for the degradation process. The recyclability of the catalyst was also demonstrated for multiple runs, indicating its stability. Furthermore, the pathway of TC degradation by 2 wt% NiCo-BiVO4 nanocomposite was proposed based on the detected intermediate products using LC-MS analysis. This study provides a promising approach for developing efficient, noble-metal-free photocatalysts to remove organic contaminants from water sources.

Oncological Efficacy of Robotic Nephroureterectomy vs. Open and Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Suspected Non-Metastatic UTUC-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The optimal approach for nephroureterectomy in patients with suspected UTUC remains a point of debate. In this review, we compare the oncological outcomes of robotic nephroureterectomy (RNU) with open (ONU) or laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU). METHODS: All randomized trials and observational studies comparing RNU with ONU and/or LNU for suspected non-metastatic UTUC are included in this review. The systematic review was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The primary outcome measures were overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), and intravesical recurrence-free survival (IV-RFS). The secondary outcome measures were the lymph node dissection (LND) rates, positive margin rates, and the proportion of patients receiving bladder intravesical chemotherapy. RESULTS: We identified 8172 references through our electronic searches and 8 studies through manual searching. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total number of patients in the review was 18,964. RNU had superior OS compared to LNU (HR: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.93), p-0.002 (very low certainty)). RNU and ONU had similar OS (HR: 0.83 (95% CI: 0.52, 1.34), p-0.44 (very low certainty)). One study reported an independent association of RNU as a worse predictor of IV-RFS when compared to ONU (HR-1.73 (95% CI: 1.22, 2.45)). The LND rates were higher in the RNU cohort when compared to the LNU cohort (RR 1.24 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.51), p-0.03 (low certainty)). The positive margin rate was lower in the RNU cohort when compared to the ONU cohort (RR 0.29 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.86), p-0.03 (low certainty)). CONCLUSION: RNU offers comparable oncological efficacy to ONU, except for intravesical recurrence-free survival (IV-RFS). RNU has fewer positive surgical margin rates compared to ONU in well-balanced studies. RNU appears to outperform LNU for certain oncological parameters, such as OS and the proportion of patients who receive lymph node dissections. The quality of evidence comparing surgical techniques for UTUC has remained poor in the last decade.

Laparoscopic suturing skills acquisition: a comparison between laparoscopy-exposed and laparoscopy-naive surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic suturing is a difficult skill to master but can be acquired with extensive training outside the operating room. This study was done with the primary aim of assessing whether prior exposure to laparoscopic surgery helped trainees in acquiring laparoscopic suturing skills more quickly than trainees with no prior exposure to laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty laparoscopy-exposed and 20 laparoscopy-naïve surgeons performed 5 laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies each on a phantom porcine model. The performance was evaluated for operation time, overall anastomotic score (calculated by adding scores of anastomotic leak, size of the anastomosis, suture placement, and mucosal approximation), and the level of difficulty. The performance at the beginning of training (baseline) was compared to the performance at the end of training. RESULTS: All participants showed statistically significant improvement in operation time, overall anastomotic score, and difficulty level. Laparoscopy-exposed surgeons had a significantly better operation time than laparoscopynaïve surgeons at the beginning of training; however, the difference became insignificant by the end of training. The difference in overall anastomotic score was not significant between laparoscopy-exposed and naïve-surgeons. Laparoscopy-exposed surgeons showed significant improvements in anastomotic leak rate and size of the anastomosis, whereas laparoscopy naïve surgeons showed improvements in all the parameters, although these were not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: Training improves the laparoscopic suturing skills of laparoscopy-exposed as well as laparoscopy-naïve surgeons. Prior experience in laparoscopic surgery does not seem to influence the acquisition of laparoscopic suturing skills as laparoscopic-naïve surgeons manage to catch up with the skills of the laparoscopy-exposed surgeons.

Impact of piezoelectric effect on the heterogeneous visible photocatalysis of g-C3N4/Ag/ZnO tricomponent.

In recent years, the piezophotocatalytic mechanism had been intensively recognized as a potential and promising route to sewage treatment. Here we report the piezoelectric effect improved heterogeneous photocatalysis of g-C3N4/Ag/ZnO (g-CN/A/Z) tricomponent in rhodomine B (RhB) degradation. Initially, the nanomaterials were characterized for their physico-chemical and optoelectronic properties using analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning & transmission electron microscopes (SEM & TEM), UV-vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). In addition, the photoelectrochemical activity of determining the photocurrent density and electrochemical impendence response were also been conducted. The catalytic properties of the tricomponent, g-CN/A/Z was studied with the degradation of RhB with visible photons irradiation and ultrasonication. In piezophotocatalysis, degradation up to 89% of RhB was achieved with 1.26 folds synergetic effect on par to the photocatalysis and piezocatalysis.

Black pearl in urology: Inadvertent anastomosis of gonadal vein to ureter leading to malpostioning of stent into the inferior vena cava.

Double- J (JJ) stents are commonly used in urological procedures. Minor and self limiting complications are common following JJ stenting. Malpositioning of JJ stent into the vascular system is a rare and a possibly fatal complication. We are reporting a case of a malpositioned JJ stent in the inferior vena cava (IVC), during Boari flap procedure for post-hysterectomy uretereovaginal fistula. Patient had undergone hysterectomy three months previously, and had ureterovaginal fistula possibly due to iatrogenic intraoperative injury. Patient underwent right-sided ureteroneocystostomy with Boari flap one week previously at other institute. Patient was admitted in our institution with complaints of fever, pain in abdomen and vomiting. In view of the symptoms of the patient, cross-sectional imaging with computed tomography scan was done which revealed an intraoperatively malpositioned JJ stent in the IVC, and well healed Boari flap was seen.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration After Failed Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Concomitant Gall Stones and Common Bile Duct Stones: A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of secondary laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) following failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and primary laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-five patients undergoing LCBDE were divided into Group I consisting of patients undergoing a primary LCBDE (n = 102) and Group II consisting of patients undergoing LCBDE after failure of ERCP to clear the CBD stones (n = 83). Primary outcome measure was successful laparoscopic CBD clearance. The secondary outcome measures were degree of difficulty, operative time, complications, hospital stay, and the cost of treatment. RESULTS: Success rate was similar in both groups (85.3% versus 80.7%). Mean operative time, degree of difficulty, hospital stay, and cost of procedure were significantly higher in Group II (P value <.05). CONCLUSION: It may be prudent to consider ERCP failure patients for primary LCBDE than risk the complications of ERCP if they are suitable for primary surgery.

Prospective Case-Control Study to Evaluate the Role of Glutathione S Transferases (GSTT1 and GSTM1) Gene Deletion in Breast Carcinoma and Its Prognostic Significance.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women with the incidence rising in young women. GST gene polymorphisms are significant because of their role in the detoxification of both environmental carcinogens and also cytotoxic drugs used in therapy for breast cancer. The present study has been designed to identify the role of polymorphisms in GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes in the risk of development of breast cancer, in the prognostication of breast cancer, and in the prediction of response towards chemotherapy. Ninety-nine patients with breast cancer and 100 healthy controls with no history of cancer were taken from blood donors after informed consent. Epidemiological and clinical data was collected from participants and 5 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected for genotype analysis. Null genotype of GSTT1 was detected in 51.04 % of the controls in comparison to 20.2 % of patients with carcinoma breast, which was found to be statistically significant (OR 4.18; 95 % CI 2.01-8.75; P = 0.0001). GSTM1 gene deletion was also significantly more common among controls (60 %) than in patients with breast cancer (33 %) (OR 4.57; 95 % CI 2.20-9.51; P = 0.0001). Tumors more than 5 cm in size had greater tendency for GSTM1 gene expression (P value = 0.019), but other clinicopathological parameters did not show any correlation. GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes status did not show any association with response to chemotherapy. The results indicated the null genotype of both GSTT1 and GSTM1 to be protective for the development of carcinoma breast. None of the known etiological factors have any correlation with GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene deletion. Patients with small tumor size expressed GSTM1 gene deletion. Other tumor characteristics and clinicopathological parameters did not have any correlation with gene deletion.

Factors Affecting Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes After Bilioenteric Reconstruction for Post-cholecystectomy Bile Duct Injury: Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre.

Bile duct injury following cholecystectomy is an iatrogenic catastrophe associated with significant perioperative morbidity, reduced long-term survival and quality of life. There has been little literature on the long-term outcomes after surgical reconstruction and factors affecting it. The aim of this study was to study factors affecting long-term outcomes following surgical repair of iatrogenic bile duct injury being referred to a tertiary care centre. Between January 2005 to December 2011, 138 patients with bile duct injury were treated in a single surgical unit in a tertiary care referral hospital. Preoperative details were recorded. After initial resuscitation, any intra-abdominal collection was drained and an imaging of biliary anatomy was done. Once the general condition of the patient improved, patients were taken up for a side-to-side extended left duct hepaticojejunostomy. The post-operative outcomes were recorded and a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan and liver function tests were done, and then the patients were followed up at regular intervals. Clinical outcome was evaluated according to clinical grades described by Terblanche and Worthley (Surgery 108:828-834, 1990). The variables were compared using chi-square, unpaired Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. A two-tailed p value of <0.05 was considered significant. One hundred thirty-eight patients, 106 (76.8 %) females and 32 (23.2 %) males with an age range of 20-63 years (median 40.8 ± SD) with bile duct injury following open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were operated during this period. Majority of the patients [83 (60.1 %)] had a delayed presentation of more than 3 months. Based on imaging, Strasburg type E1 was seen in 17 (12.5 %), type E2 in 30 (21.7 %), type E3 in 85 (61.5 %) and type E4 in 6 (4.3 %). On multivariate analysis, only level of injury, longer duration of referral and associated vascular injury were independently associated with an overall poor long-term outcome. This study demonstrates level of injury at or above the confluence; associated vascular injury and delay in referral were associated with poorer outcomes in long-term follow-up; however, almost all patients had excellent outcome in long-term follow-up.

A prospective randomized controlled blinded study to evaluate the effect of short-term focused training program in laparoscopy on operating room performance of surgery residents (CTRI /2012/11/003113).

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery requires certain specific skills. There have been several attempts to minimize the learning curve with training outside the operation room. Although simulators have been well validated as tools to teach technical skills, their integration into comprehensive curricula is lacking. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that the technical skills learned on these simulators transfer to the operating room. Currently, however, the integration of these simulated models into formal residency training curricula is lacking. In our institute, we have adopted the Tuebingen Trainer devised by Professor GF Buess from Germany. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the training of surgical residents on an ex vivo phantom model for basic laparoscopic skill acquisition and its transferability to the OR performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen general surgery residents were randomized into 2 groups: Laparoscopic Training Group (n = 9, Group A) and Standard Training Group (n = 8, Group B). Group A underwent training in the Minimally Invasive Surgery Training Centre on the porcine phantom model and did 10 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, whereas Group B did not undergo training in the Minimally Invasive Surgery Training Centre. All the participants performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the operation theater in the presence of a consultant who was blinded to the training status of the participants. The performance of the residents in both groups in the operation theater was assessed using GOALS criteria, surgical performance assessment parameters, task-specific checklists, and visual analog scale for gallbladder perforation difficulty and overall competence. RESULTS: The Laparoscopic Training Group had better performance than the Standard Training Group regarding operation time, GOALS criteria, and Task-specific checklists. Although the surgical performance assessments, i.e. cystic duct and artery identification scores, gallbladder perforation scores, and liver injury scores, were better in the Laparoscopic Training Groups, they were not statistically significant. The overall difficulty of the surgery was comparable in both the groups. The Laparoscopic Training Group exhibited significant overall competence on visual analog scale scores. CONCLUSION: Our study has clearly shown that training on the Tuebingen Trainer with integrated porcine organs results in a statistically significant improvement in the operating room performance of surgical residents as compared with the nontrained residents, thereby indicating a transfer of skills from training to the operating room.