Optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and common bile duct clearance: A prospective observational study.

Background: The treatment of patients with cholelithiasis with common bile duct (CBD) stones is CBD clearance with cholecystectomy. While traditional teachings advocate waiting for 4-6-week post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) with CBD clearance, recent studies favour an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the optimal timing of LC post-ERCP. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study between March 2017 and October 2018. Patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis and CBS stones on ultrasonography or computed tomography were included. They were assigned to one of two groups (<2 weeks and >2 weeks) based on the time interval between ERCP and subsequent LC. Chi-square test was used to analyse the intraoperative and post-operative outcomes between the two study groups. Results: One hundred and forty patients were included in the study of which 69 underwent an early LC (<2 weeks). There was a significant decrease in the blood loss and incidence of bowel injury in the early group. Calots triangle was better defined and critical view of safety was achieved more in the patients who underwent an early LC. This resulted in a significantly lower incidence of drain placement and length of hospital stay in those patients who underwent an early LC. Conclusion: A delay of 2 weeks after ERCP makes the LC more difficult and is associated with a longer hospital stay. We advocate LC within 2 weeks of ERCP whenever feasible.

A Comparative Study of Desarda's Versus Lichtenstein's Technique for Uncomplicated Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Purpose Since mesh-related long-term morbidity like chronic groin pain and vas entrapment in patients with an inguinal hernia is a concern, tissue-based repairs should be revaluated. There have been few prospective studies comparing the outcomes of Lichtenstein's technique and Desarda's technique for the repair of uncomplicated inguinal hernias. So, we conducted this prospective study comparing the two techniques. Methods This is a single-center prospective observational study conducted for a period of one year (2019). The patients who underwent surgery for uncomplicated inguinal hernia either by Lichtenstein's technique or Desarda's technique were included in the study. The two techniques were compared with respect to recurrence rates, immediate postoperative pain, chronic groin pain, wound infection, and the time taken to return to activities of daily living (ADL). Results There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates, chronic groin pain, wound infection, or return to ADL between Lichtenstein's technique and Desarda's technique of inguinal hernia repair. The mean duration to return to ADL was lesser when patients underwent Desarda's repair though this difference was not significant. Conclusion Desarda's tissue repair was found comparable to Lichtenstein's mesh repair in terms of recurrence and postoperative morbidity, immediate postoperative pain, chronic groin pain, wound infection, and the time taken to return to ADL. Desarda's technique may be considered as an alternative to mesh-based repairs to avoid long-term mesh-related morbidity for uncomplicated indirect hernias in the younger population.

Management of pancreatic trauma in urban India: A multicenter study.

Background: Pancreatic trauma occurs in 0.2-2% of patients with blunt trauma and 1-12% of patients with penetrating trauma. The mortality and morbidity rates range from 9 to 34% and 30-60% respectively. We aimed to review the management of pancreatic trauma in a multicenter database from India. Methods: We analyzed all patients who suffered a pancreatic injury and who were included in the multicenter prospective observational study 'Towards Improved Trauma Care Outcomes (TITCO)'. Results: Of the 16047 trauma cases, 1134 (7.1%) patients suffered abdominal trauma. Of all those with abdominal trauma, 55 patients (4.9%) had injury to the pancreas. 28 patients (50.9%) with pancreatic trauma were managed conservatively. 27 patients (49.1%) underwent surgical exploration in the form of laparotomies. 11 procedures were undertaken for pancreas. A total of 45 (82%) patients had associated injuries along with pancreatic injury. Thorax (19) (including injuries to lung, pleura and ribs), liver (17), bowel (14) and spleen (13) were the most common associated injuries. Conclusion: Conservative management was as common as operative management in patients with pancreatic injuries. Most (80%) grade III/IV underwent operative treatment. Many patients (82%) had associated injuries. Level of evidence: III.

Acute pancreatitis: predictors of mortality, pancreatic necrosis and intervention.

OBJECTIVES: Several predictive scoring systems are used in the prognostication of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the quantity of evidence of these prognostic systems in the Indian population remains sparse. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of such prognostic scores to predict mortality, incidence of pancreatic necrosis and intervention in AP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational study of patients diagnosed with AP between June 2012 and November 2013 in a tertiary referral center in India. Vital signs, biochemical tests and CT-findings were recorded to identify SIRS, Ranson's score and CT-severity index at diagnosis. Chi square test was used to compare incidence of mortality, pancreatic necrosis, and intervention between mild versus severe acute pancreatitis groups. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with AP were treated during out study period. Ranson's score more than 7 and presence of pancreatic necrosis were significantly associated with increased mortality (p <0.05). SIRS, CTSI score more than 7, inotropic support, and complications were more frequently associated with patients with necrosis. Prophylactic antibiotics did not decrease mortality, but decreased intervention rate (p <0.05). Presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), Ranson's score > 7, necrosis, inotropic support and presence of complications were associated with a greater rate of interventions including surgery and percutaneous procedures (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: We validate SIRS, Ranson's, and CTSI score as prognostic markers for AP in the Indian population. These predictors, when used in combination, can direct early monitoring and aggressive management in order to decrease mortality associated with severe AP.

Management of liver trauma in urban university hospitals in India: an observational multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) contribute to 90% of injuries occurring in the world. The liver is one of the commonest organs injured in abdominal trauma. This study aims to highlight the demographic and management profile of liver injury patients, presenting to four urban Indian university hospitals in India. METHODS: This is a retrospective registry-based study. Data of patients with liver injury either isolated or concomitant with other injuries was used using the ICD-10 code S36.1 for liver injury. The severity of injury was graded based on the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) grading for liver injuries. RESULTS: A total of 368 liver injury patients were analysed. Eighty-nine percent were males, with road traffic injuries being the commonest mechanism. As per WSES liver injury grade, there were 127 (34.5%) grade I, 96 (26.1%) grade II, 70 (19.0%) grade III and 66 (17.9%) grade IV injuries. The overall mortality was 16.6%. Two hundred sixty-two patients (71.2%) were managed non-operatively (NOM), and 106 (38.8%) were operated. 90.1% of those managed non-operatively survived. CONCLUSION: In this multicentre cohort of liver injury patients from urban university hospitals in India, the commonest profile of patient was a young male, with a blunt injury to the abdomen due to a road traffic accident. Success rate of non-operative management of liver injury is comparable to other countries.

Infarcted accessory spleen masquerading as a mesenteric cyst.

An accessory spleen is a rare entity which is usually asymptomatic. When symptomatic, it presents as an acute abdomen, with either torsion, rupture or haemorrhage. We present the case of a 20-year-old man who presented with chronic lower abdominal pain since 3 months and a lump in the left lower quadrant. On clinical examination and investigations, the lump was diagnosed as a mesenteric cyst, and an uncomplicated laparoscopic excision was performed. The postoperative histopathological examination reported it as an infarcted accessory spleen.