Vaccination coverage against COVID-19 among rural population in Haryana, India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Conducting a study in rural pre-dominant areas will help to understand the penetration of the vaccination campaign during the COVID-19 health crisis. This study aimed to investigate vaccination coverage against COVID-19 among the rural adult population in India and to identify factors associated with vaccination coverage. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the rural population in one district of north India from January to February 2023. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed on the SurveyMonkey digital platform for interviewing the participants, which consisted of questions related to socio-demographic profile, health problems, vaccination status, types of vaccine, re-infection after vaccination, and functional difficulties. The data regarding infection with COVID-19 was collected based on self-reported positive testing for SARS-CoV 2 on RT-PCR. FINDINGS: A total of 3700 eligible individuals were enumerated for the survey, out of which 2954 (79.8%) were interviewed. The infection rate of past COVID-19 infection, based on self-report of testing positive, was 6.2% (95%CI: 5.3-7.1). Covishield vaccine was received by most participants (81.3%, 2380) followed by Covaxin (12.3%, 361) and Pfizer manufactured vaccine (0.03,1). The coverage for first, second, and booster doses of the vaccine was 98.2% (2902), 94.8% (2802), and 10.7% (315) respectively. The risk of reinfection at 12 months or more among participants with two doses of vaccine was 1.6% (46/2802, 95%CI: 1.2-2.1). The coverage among those with severe functional difficulties was lesser as compared to those with some or no difficulties. INTERPRETATION: Vaccination coverage against COVID-19 in rural Haryana, India is not dependent on factors like gender or occupation but is dependent on age and education. Although the full and partial vaccination coverage is high, the booster dose coverage is poor. In addition, the presence of severe disability was significantly associated with reduced vaccination coverage.

Central Aortic Cannula Disruption Following Left Atrial Myxoma Excision.

Central aortic cannulation is used to give oxygenated blood to the patient through a heart-lung machine. Central aortic cannula disruption during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a rare complication. This could result in aortic dissection, extensive tears, bleeding, posterior aortic wall injury, oesophageal trauma, and cardiac arrest. We are reporting a central aortic cannula disruption during a left atrium (LA) myxoma excision in which the metal tip part of the cannula detached from its body, resulting in massive blood loss. The intraoperative blood salvage technique was used to maintain hemodynamics during surgery. Pre-procedural visual inspection of all cardiac consumables, including cannula, should be performed to eliminate this complication. All surgical team members should be observant to avoid such complications.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Digital Chest Drainage System in Traumatic Pneumothorax.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumothorax is the major complication in patients with chest trauma. Thoracic injury is a major cause of trauma-related deaths, with up to half of these patients developing pneumothorax. The initial primary management of pneumothorax is intercostal chest drainage (ICD). Chest drainage systems are used to resolve pleural air leakage (PAL), lymphatic or exudative effusion, blood accumulation after chest surgery or trauma, and other disease conditions such as pneumothorax. This study evaluates the efficacy of a digital chest drainage system (Thopaz+, Medela AG, Baar, Switzerland) in patients with pneumothorax following chest trauma and analyzes the satisfaction score by patients. METHOD: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care centre at the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CTVS). All patients with a diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax/hemopneumothorax from January 2021 to June 2022, aged more than 15 years, were enrolled for the study. A total of 102 patients required chest drainage systems and were selected for the study. We analysed demographic data, clinical profiles, and routine investigations with chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. All patients were connected with digital drainage devices and monitored for air leaks and other complications. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a purposefully developed survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of our study subjects were male (84.3%) and the mean age was 42.38±15.75 years. The total duration of chest tube, post-operative air leak and duration of hospital stay were noted. The mean chest tube duration was 4.39±1.18 days. Twelve patients were found to have air leaks with digital drainage devices. The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.75±1.49 days. All subjects were provided with a survey questionnaire to assess their response to digital drainage devices. We found that patients were comfortable and had positive responses for the Thopaz+ device. CONCLUSION: We found that Thopaz+ digital drainage system is useful in reducing chest tube duration and hospital stay. It also helps in the early resolution of air leaks and minimises complications. Most of our patients showed a positive attitude. With regard to Thopaz+ digital device, our study concludes that Thopaz+ should be considered for patients who need chest tube drain for pneumothorax.

Extrapleural Intrathoracic Hydatid Cyst: A Rare Cause of Upper Limb Neuropathic Pain.

Human echinococcosis is a common zoonotic disease. Due to favourable climatic conditions, India contributes to the majority of the burden of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the world. The lung is the most commonly affected organ in the body, after the liver. Common symptoms of pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) include cough, chest pain, expectoration, and hemoptysis. This case report is a rare presentation of hydatid disease of the thoracic cavity with complaints of upper limb neuropathic pain. Radiological investigation showed an extrapleural thoracic cyst compressing the brachial plexus, and serological findings confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. The patient was taken up for cyst excision as it is the treatment of choice along with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Pulmonary tuberculosis with superadded infection of echinococcus and aspergillus.

Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the most common immunosuppressive infections in India, seldom accompanies other parasitic and fungal infections. In our case, we describe the three coexistent infections and their clinical presentation in a 53-year-old woman. A fibro-cavitary lesion in lung with superadded infections of hydatid cyst and aspergillus which is rare has been elaborated in the present case.

Assessment of Body Fat Percentage Using B-Mode Ultrasound Technique versus Skinfold Caliper in Obese Healthy Volunteers.

Background and aims The measurement of the skinfold thickness at various sites with the calipers has remained the traditional method for estimation of body fat percentage (%BF) in clinical practice. Although this technique is relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, there are more chances of errors while measuring the skinfold thickness by this method. Therefore, no single standard prediction formula for the determination of body fat could be fixed. The aim of our study was to use B-mode ultrasound (US) for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness and the calipers for skinfold thickness, and then compare, correlate, and derive the prediction equations for estimation of %BF by both the techniques. Methods This cross-sectional, observational, monocentric study was conducted on 43 Indian male volunteers aged 18 to 40 years. After collecting anthropometric data (age, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], etc.), the skinfold thickness was measured at four standard sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular region, and suprailiac region) with skinfold caliper (SFC) and then B-mode US. The data were analyzed for distribution, and independent t-test was applied to compare the difference between two means of a %BF estimated by both the methods. The prediction equations were developed from anthropometric and skinfold thickness data obtained from both the methods, i.e., SFC and US, by applying stepwise multiple linear regression. Results It was observed that mean values of all the skinfold thicknesses along with the %BF measured by SFC were far more than those measured by US. The %BF measured by US technique (%BF US) was significantly lesser, i.e., 20.69 (SD: 3.126; p < 0.0002), than that of the SFC method (%BF SFC), i.e., 30.38 (SD: 4.634), which is 0.68 % higher. The best prediction equation for the %BF by SFC method was [%BF SFC = -26.154 + 0.208 SFss + 0.374 age + 0.354 SFbi + 32.066 WHR] (R2 = 84.8), where SFss and SFbi are skin fold thicknesses at subscapular and biceps regions, respectively, measured with SFCs, and that by the US method was [%BF US = 0.713 + 0.351 USsi + 0.232 age + 0.248 USss + 0.448 USbi] (R2 = 84.6), where USsi and USss are skinfold measurements at suprailiac and subscapular regions, respectively, measured by US technique. Conclusion In our study, we arrived to the conclusion that even though the estimated %BF by both the methods were found to have a significant correlation with each other, the values were very less in case of the US method. In the prediction equations, it was found that the skinfold thickness at the suprailiac region was not found to be the significant determining factor for estimation of %BF by SFC method as that by the US method. Looking at the lesser sample size with all participants being males, we do not recommend the prediction equations to be used in clinical practice in spite of the high R2 values.

Brief overview of surgical aspect of autologous arterio-venous fistula for dialysis access.

Patients with the end-stage renal disease require renal replacement therapy in renal transplant, peritoneal dialysis, and intermittent hemodialysis. Hemodialysis remains the primary modality for renal replacement therapy. Excellent vascular access is a mainstay for performing hemodialysis. Here we present a brief review of the various surgical aspects of AV fistula creation. Preoperative physical examination and judicious use of the imaging modalities to define the artery and venous mapping provide a good outcome of the fistula formation. Surgical creation of RC-AVF is preferred for the end-stage renal disease patient. The end-to-side anastomosis between the radial artery and cephalic vein has shown very good results.

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma masquerading adenocarcinoma with co-existing BRAF V600E and PTEN mutation.

We report a case of a massive primary sclerosing pneumocytoma (PSP) involving the right lower lobe adhering esophagus with small synchronous PSP on the superior segment of the left lower lobe with concurrent mutation for B-RAF proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF V600E), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene in a young female. She underwent right lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection under single lung ventilation with tumor-free margins on diagnosis-based findings of preoperative computed tomography-guided biopsy and positron emission tomography. Histopathology was suggestive of PSP-papillary variant with concurrent mutation of BRAF V600E and PTEN genes. Post-operative follow-up at four weeks was uneventful. She has to undergo wedge resection for the contralateral disease after six weeks following recovery from the first surgery.

A maze of pearls in the chest.

Hydatid disease is a prevalent disease in India. The most common organs involved are the liver and the lungs. Most of the time, the lung cysts are single and large. Multiple cysts have been described in literature but they are generally bilateral. We present here a case of multiple hydatidosis which involved only one lung, but occupied all the segments of the lung. The cysts were numerous and interconnected giving the appearance of a maze. The images of the computed tomography (CT) scan reveal that there was very little identifiable lung tissue. But after surgery, the healthy lung tissue expanded and occupied the chest cavity.

Chondrosarcoma of the Rib: Atypical Presentation and Management.

Chondrosarcoma is an uncommon malignant tumor of the rib and can have an atypical presentation based on age, gender, and clinical manifestation with differential diagnosis of intrathoracic mass. Management is surgical as the tumor is resistant to chemoradiation. Access to chest wall reconstruction is limited in many low-income countries and forms a barrier to patient compliance. We report an atypical presentation and describe a simple, easy, and cost-effective chest wall reconstruction method for chondrosarcoma of the rib in any resource-constrained setting.

Le chondrosarcome est une tumeur maligne peu commune de la côte et peut avoir une présentation atypique en fonction de l'âge, du sexe et de la manifestation clinique avec un diagnostic différentiel de masse intrathoracique. La prise en charge est chirurgicale car la tumeur est résistante à la chimioradiation. L'accès à la reconstruction de la paroi thoracique est limité dans de nombreux pays à faible revenu et constitue un obstacle à l'adhésion des patients. Nous rapportons une présentation atypique et décrivons une méthode de reconstruction de la paroi thoracique simple, facile et rentable pour le chondrosarcome de la côte dans un contexte de ressources limitées.

Compromised microvascular free flaps; salvage using Fogarty vascular catheter thrombectomy.

Compromised free flap perfusion secondary to thrombus formation is a routinely encountered complication in microvascular free tissue transfer. Various modalities were tried out prophylactically to prevent thrombus formation, and likewise, various methods are tried for salvaging the flap with effective thrombectomy. We present the use of Fogarty vascular catheter for thrombectomy and effective salvage of the flap.

Scalp Avulsion Injuries and Replantation: Is Deep Temporal Artery an Alternate Option?

Scalp avulsion injuries are usually attributed to entrapment of long hair or clothing in agricultural or industrial machinery or traffic accidents. Though rare, these injuries may be dangerous, and resulting cosmetic defect and alopecia lead to social stigma and poor self-esteem. Early intervention in the form of microvascular repair and replantation prevent morbidity and improve outcome. In this case series, we have discussed 3 cases of scalp replantation, 2 complete and 1 partial. Immediate microvascular reconstruction was planned in each case. Single surgical team approach was followed, vessels were identified and operated under an operative microscope. No vein grafts were used. Operative outcome was good, and scalp healed well. Cosmetic outcome was excellent, and there was no need for secondary revisions or use of tissue expanders. Immediate referral of such cases to institutes with facility for microvascular repair is recommended to reduce ischemia time. Superficial temporal artery is the first choice for microvascular repair in scalp replants, and a single artery anastomosis is sufficient to perfuse the entire scalp. Deep temporal artery is a viable alternative in cases where repair with superficial temporal vessels will require use of vein graft, cutting short operative time and associated complications.

Primary Tuberculotic Osteomyelitis of Rib in a Child.

Although extremely rare, osteomyelitis has been reported in smaller bones like ribs. A 13-year-old male child presented with a one week history of chest wall swelling. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the lesion and initial bacterial culture could not find the aetiology of the lesion. He underwent surgical resection of entire sixth rib for osteomyelitis and was subsequently diagnosed to have tubercular osteomyelitis. Diagnosis and treatment of rib tuberculosis is both difficult and controversial. Rib tuberculosis is often not successfully treated by medical management alone and consequently needs surgery.

Genetic Diversity among Group A Streptococcus Isolated from Throats of Healthy and Symptomatic Children.

BACKGROUND: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the commonest bacterial cause of pharyngitis. Children in the age group of 5-15 years are most commonly affected. It can also colonize throats of healthy children in this age group. Both cases and carriers can transmit it in the community. METHODS: Throat swab samples were collected from 1849 asymptomatic and 371 symptomatic children. RESULTS: The rate of isolation of GAS was 1.41% among the asymptomatic group and 7.55% among the symptomatic group. Nine different emm types were encountered in the asymptomatic children and 14 among the symptomatic children. CONCLUSION: Throat swab cultures must be used in all cases of pharyngitis. Early and appropriate antibiotic therapy will prevent complications. Asymptomatic throat carriage of GAS in children was low in our study. However, they can still act as reservoirs. Emm typing helps in understanding epidemiology and finding new types.

Carney Complex: case report and review.

Carney complex is a very rare multiple neoplasia syndrome with cardiac, cutaneous, and neural tumours with a variety of pigmented lesion of skin. We are reporting a rare case of carney complex in which left atrial myxoma with superficial angiomyxoma, giant cell tumour of bone and lentigines showed a unique association. This patient underwent successful surgical excision of left atrial myxoma under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Isolated cervical rib fracture.

Isolated fracture of a cervical rib is a very rare entity. Cervical rib fracture due to heavy backpack usage is a new occupational hazard for students. Cervical rib fracture usually presents as a painless swelling or as thoracic outlet syndrome. We report two patients with cervical rib fractures, one of them secondary to backpack usage, and review the available literature.