ABSTRACT
In India, the incidence of mucormycosis reached high levels during 2021-2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, we established a multicentric ambispective cohort of patients hospitalised with mucormycosis across India. In this paper, we report their baseline profile, clinical characteristics and outcomes at discharge. Patients hospitalized for mucormycosis during March-July 2021 were included. Mucormycosis was diagnosed based on mycological confirmation on direct microscopy (KOH/Calcofluor white stain), culture, histopathology, or supportive evidence from endoscopy or imaging. After consent, trained data collectors used medical records and telephonic interviews to capture data in a pre-tested structured questionnaire. At baseline, we recruited 686 patients from 26 study hospitals, of whom 72.3% were males, 78% had a prior history of diabetes, 53.2% had a history of corticosteroid treatment, and 80% were associated with COVID-19. Pain, numbness or swelling of the face were the commonest symptoms (73.3%). Liposomal Amphotericin B was the commonest drug formulation used (67.1%), and endoscopic sinus surgery was the most common surgical procedure (73.6%). At discharge, the disease was stable in 43.3%, in regression for 29.9% but 9.6% died during hospitalization. Among survivors, commonly reported disabilities included facial disfigurement (18.4%) and difficulties in chewing/swallowing (17.8%). Though the risk of mortality was only 1 in 10, the disability due to the disease was very high. This cohort study could enhance our understanding of the disease's clinical progression and help frame standard treatment guidelines.
ABSTRACT
A recent review by the American association of clinical Endocrinologist (AACE) and American College of Endocrinology discussed definations and management of post-surgical hypocalcemia. In term of post-surgical hypocalcemia a total serum calcium of less than 8.5 mg/Dl(2.125 mmol/L) or ionised calcium less than 1.15 mmol/L were considered as cut off levels. The aim of the study is to evaluate & compare 30 operated cases of thyroid surgery based on its gender, age distribution, pre-operative indication & nature of surgery, post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, head, neck surgery department sir T hospital, and government medical college Bhavnagar. All patients undergoing thyroidectomy surgeries were included in the study. Data collected from the patients undergoing thyroidectomise by meticulous history taking, careful clinical examination, appropriate radiological, haematological investigations including serum calcium and serum albumin, operative findings and follow-up of the cases was done after surgery for post- in association with nature of thyroid surgery. Post-thyroidectomy transient hypocalcemia is a frequent complication which can be prevented with pre-operative preparation of patients with extreme caution and pre-operative meticulous dissection, prompt identification of parathyroids and post-operative frequent monitoring of serum calcium and early treatment can prevent significant morbidity. operative hypocalcemia. The study was conducted to know the incidence of hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery.
ABSTRACT
Tracheostomy is the creation of a stoma at the surface of skin, which leads into trachea. In the critically ill patients, it is one of the most frequently done procedure especially in intensive care unit (ICU) for those requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. About 24% of all patients in ICU need tracheostomy (Esteban et al. in Am J Respir Crit Care Med 161:1450-1458, 2000). Historically it had a high complication rate and so many authors suggested that it should be done only in operating room (Dayal and Masri in Laryngoscope 96:5862, 1986). A standardized procedure to reduce complications was described by Jackson (Laryngoscope 19:285-290, 1909). The aim of the study is to observe and analyze the outcome of bedside open tracheostomy, in relation to its safety, complications and simplicity. Study consists of 200 patients who underwent bedside tracheostomies in a tertiary care center from 2014 to 2017 in medical/surgical/paediatric ICU's. All the procedures followed a standard protocol. In all the surgeries, two E.N.T. surgeons were scrubbed and did the procedure, assisted by two ICU nurses. One anesthetist who administered sedation and monitored the patient. If coagulation disturbances were present in elective case then they were corrected prior to the procedure. We all want the latest, safest, simplest and cheapest available technique in medical practice. Bedside tracheostomy is one such procedure. It is better than tracheostomy in operating room for patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation in ICU as it eliminates the need of patient transport to OR and its associated complications and also minimizing cost. Training programs need to be provided to the assisting staff for better procedural outcome.
