ABSTRACT
Background Oncological surgeries pose an elevated risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) due to their complexity and various associated treatments, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. This has prompted a focus on advanced wound dressings that provide microbial protection, exudate absorption, and improved product performance, enhancing patient satisfaction. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of Theruptor NXT with the current standard of care (SOC) practice involving cotton/povidone/micropore dressings in the postoperative wound management of oncological surgeries. Methodology A total of 102 patients who underwent oncological surgeries in the Department of Surgical Oncology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India between May and September 2023 were randomized to Theruptor NXT and SOC dressing groups (51 patients each). The incidence of SSIs, wound pain score, cosmetic appearance of the wound, and adverse events were assessed in the two groups at various intervals, i.e., post-surgery day 2 ± 1, day of discharge, and post-surgery day 30 ± 7. Further, the subject satisfaction and product usage were evaluated on post-surgery day 2 ± 1. Results The baseline characteristics were found to be comparable in both groups, i.e., Theruptor NXT and SOC groups. Further, the SSI rates, scar outcomes, and physiological parameters were also similar between the Theruptor NXT and SOC groups, indicating a similar safety profile of both dressings (p > 0.05). However, the product usage assessment revealed statistically significant differences, favoring Theruptor NXT in terms of superior ease of application, stretchability, exudate management, breathability, and non-adherence properties (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that Theruptor NXT wound dressing is a promising, effective, and user-friendly alternative to SOC wound dressing in diverse clinical settings.
ABSTRACT
Diversion colostomy plays a crucial role in the management of carcinoma rectum in low- and middle-income countries as significant number of patients present with partial intestinal obstruction. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open approaches for fecal diversion done in patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum as a pretreatment procedure. The primary end point of our study was time to initiation of neoadjuvant chemo radiation. It was a retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed to have carcinoma rectum and underwent a pretreatment fecal diversion between 2012 and 2014. A total of 55 patients underwent pretreatment diversion colostomy of which 33 were performed via the laparoscopic approach while 22 had open diversion. The time for initiation of neoadjuvant therapy was shorter in the laparoscopic group compared to the open approach (16 days vs. 20.5 days, P = 0.31). The study concluded that pretreatment diversion colostomy using the laparoscopic approach was a safe option in low- and middle-income countries as it was associated with faster recovery and early initiation of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with partially obstructed locally advanced carcinoma rectum.
ABSTRACT
The treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis has evolved from time to time and the success of surgical intervention depends on the timing of necrosectomy. Bacterial infection occurs in 40-70% of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. Infection is the main risk factor for mortality among patients with pancreatic necrosis. Timely intervention is generally required for pancreatic necrosis but is now deferred until four weeks after disease onset in order to permit encapsulation and demarcation of the necrotic material. Demarcation facilitates necrosectomy and reduces complications related to the drainage and debridement procedures. The approach to pancreatic necrosectomy has evolved from primary open necrosectomy to minimally-invasive radiologic, surgical and endoscopic procedures. Direct endoscopic necrosectomy is a minimally-invasive technique that was introduced in recent years for the treatment of walled-off necrosis. The pancreas is approached through the posterior wall of stomach and debridement is done.
