Retrospective histopathologic findings of routine cholecystectomy specimens in a teaching hospital in North East India.

Background: Cholecystectomy is one of the most common general surgical operations performed worldwide. Limited data is available about the histopathological diagnoses of various gallbladder diseases in North Eastern part of India even though a higher incidence of gallbladder cancer has been reported from this part of the Country. Hence, a retrospective review of the histopathological findings of routine cholecystectomy specimens was done to assess the incidence of gallbladder cancer and other gallbladder pathologies. Aims and Objective: To study the incidence of gallbladder cancer and other pathologic findings in routine cholecystectomy specimens. Methodology: A retrospective study of the histopathological findings of cholecystectomy specimens with presumed benign gallbladder diseases who had undergone cholecystectomy from June 2013 till October 2021. Results: A total of 1683 patients had undergone cholecystectomy during the study period. In total, 1354 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 339 patients underwent open cholecystectomy. Gallstones were present in 1631 patients. Chronic cholecystitis and cholesterosis were the most common histopathologic findings, followed by pyloric metaplasia. Unsuspected gallbladder cancer was detected in eight patients (0.48%). Conclusion: Chronic cholecystitis was the most common histopathologic finding followed by pyloric metaplasia. Gallstones were found in most patients. Incidental gallbladder cancer was detected in 0.48% of patients.

A case control study of needlescopic herniotomy versus open herniotomy in children.

Introduction: Since the inception of laparoscopy, it has been explored in many fields of surgery, like in the abdomen, hernia, thorax, etc., Laparoscopic hernioplasty in adults is being practiced by many surgeons nowadays. However, the role of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in pediatric patients is not well-established, even though it is being explored as an alternative to open herniotomy procedure. In the present study, laparoscopic needlescopic hernia repair was compared with the conventional open herniotomy procedure. Material and Methods: The study was a case-control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in northeast India during 2018-2021. A total of 25 patients underwent needlescopic hernia repair, the outcome of which was compared by collecting data of 25 more patients who earlier underwent open herniotomy repairs. Results: The laparoscopic needlescopic repair took a longer operative time as compared to the open technique with a smaller-sized incision. Conclusion: Laparoscopic needlescopic hernia repair is a safe and feasible procedure with a similar outcome to open herniotomy but with a smaller scar.

Role of aluminium paint on the management of peristomal skin excoriation . A case.control study.

Introduction: Peristomal skin excoriation is the most common complication of any stoma, especially of ileostomy and entero-cutaneous fistula. Effluent is erosive to skin and at times leads to excoriation of skin and pain or discomfort to the patient. Many strategies or local medications are being used to treat excoriated skin and give comfort to the patient. Aluminium paint is a cheap and effective means of managing skin excoriation. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in NEIGRIHMS from January 2015 to October 2020 on the role of aluminium paint for the management of skin excoriations due to stoma and fistula. A total of 19 patients were managed with aluminium paint and compared with the data of 19 other patients who were managed by conventional dressings as controls. Results: Aluminium paint helped in the earlier healing of skin excoriations and give comfort to the patients as compared to normal dressings. Conclusion: Aluminium paint is safe and cost-effective skin barrier to prevent and to manage skin excoriations.

A Study to Evaluate the Association Between Thyroid Function and Serum Potassium Level in Diagnosed Cases of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Introduction Coexistence of diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases is common. One of the main microvascular complications of diabetes is diabetic nephropathy (DN) and it is found to be the leading cause of chronic kidney disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between hypothyroidism and serum potassium levels in diabetic nephropathy patients. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 to January 2021. We enrolled 100 patients with DN along with 50 healthy controls belonging to the same localities. Serum potassium, creatinine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and total triiodothyronine (T3) levels of all the cases were measured to establish the correlation of serum potassium along with each parameter separately. Results Serum potassium, creatinine, TSH levels were increased in all the cases of diabetic nephropathy showing positive correlations of serum potassium with serum TSH and serum creatinine levels with correlation coefficient values 0.71 and 0.7 respectively and serum T3 levels were decreased in all the cases significantly showing negative correlation with serum potassium levels with correlation coefficient value -0.34. Conclusion Estimation of serum TSH and T3 levels along with serum potassium levels is important and helpful in patients with diabetic renal disease. Changes in thyroid parameters like decreased TSH or increased T3 are significantly associated with deterioration in the severity of renal function in diabetic patients.

A case report on umbilical endometriosis.

Endometriosis is generally common benign disease manifested by the presence of uterine tissue outside the uterus. Umbilical endometriosis as such is rare entity but many a time it may go unnoticed to general physician if no symptoms arises from it. The documented case of umbilical endometriosis case is below 100 as per the case reports research. Here, in the case report we present an umbilical endometriosis arises after a laparoscopic and umbilical hernia repair procedure.

A clinical study on surgical causes of Hematuria.

INTRODUCTION: Hematuria is a clinical sign and symptom that every individual would have a worst nightmare and invokes a physician to carefully evaluate possible causes of hematuria. It may be medical or surgical causes. A thorough examination is required to exact the primary pathology. As such, a study on hematuria in North east India is not sufficiently researched or published. MATERIAL & METHODS: Here we present an observational study in our institution on that very topic. A study was done purely on surgical causes of hematuria on symptomatic patients. It was done on the inpatient and outpatient basis in Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh during the period of 2016-2019. Total 43 patients were evaluated, who came with symptomatic hematuria. RESULTS: Out of 43 cases of symptomatic hematuria, 34 were male and 9 were females patients. Carcinoma urinary bladder was the commonest cause of hematuria, followed by BPH, urolithiasis, carcinoma prostrate, carcinoma upper urinary tract, etc. CONCLUSION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia was found to be the most common benign cause and carcinoma bladder was the commonest malignant cause of hematuria.

A cross sectional study of risk factors for surgical site infections after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in a tertiary care hospital in North East India.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) after cholecystectomy unduly delays patients' early return to normal activities and also leaves behind relatively disfigured cosmetic scars at the port sites. This prospective study was undertaken to assess the various risk factors leading to SSI in patients undergoing cholecystectomy, both by laparoscopic and open techniques in this part of India for which no data is available at present. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1507 cholecystectomies (1184 by laparoscopy and 323 by open technique) during a 6 year period. The various risk factors studied were gender, age, BMI, DM, chronic anaemia, COPD, timing of surgery (elective or emergent), influence of surgeon (operated by resident surgeon or faculty), intraoperative bile spillage, etc., Odd's ratio was calculated to see the influence of the factors on SSI and statistical significance was tested by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The overall rate of infection was 3.12% (1.94% in laparoscopy and 7.43% in the open technique). Intraoperative bile spillage, increasing age, increased duration of surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy done by resident surgeons, increased intraoperative blood loss, emergent operations done for acute cholecystitis, etc., were associated with higher rates of SSI. CONCLUSION: Meticulous operative techniques avoiding bile spillage and blood loss during cholecystectomy may reduce the chances of developing SSI.

Role of serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 as a predictor of intra-abdominal and surgical site infections after elective abdominal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Infections after surgeries considerably increase patients' hospital stay, thereby prolonging patients' early return to productive life. At the same time, the cost of hospitalization also increases. Therefore, if objective tests can predict infections before it actually happens, then more preventive measures in the form of upgrading antibiotics can be taken which might prevent patients from developing serious infections and thereby reduce morbidity and mortality of surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a prospective cross sectional study to assess the efficacy of acute phase reactants C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL 6) in predicting infections in patients undergoing routine general surgical operations. A total of 74 patients were included in the study. Laparoscopic surgical procedures were not included in the study to maintain uniformity in the procedures. Data so collected were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients developed wound infections postoperatively. The mean rise in the levels of CRP and IL 6 was higher in those patients who developed postoperative wound infections. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value was found to be better with IL 6 than with CRP. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that a serial estimation of CRP and IL 6 postoperatively can predict infections and may be utilized routinely in general surgical practice.

Primary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of stomach-report of a very rare case.

Primary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a very rare tumor arising from stomach and it closely mimics gastric GIST. It usually affects the lung and found in children and young patients. The diagnosis of gastric IMT is usually done post-operatively by immunohistochemistry examination where it is seen that IMT is positive to SMA and vimentin. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice and local recurrence is usually seen in incompletely resected cases.

Meckel's diverticulum causing acute intestinal obstruction: Report of two cases.

Reporting herewith 2 cases of Meckel's diverticulum presenting with acute intestinal obstruction. The patients were managed surgically. The cases were presented in emergency department and management were based on clinical and imaging after a initial resuscitation. The intra-operative findings are discussed in herewith.

A comparative study of postoperative port-site pain after gallbladder retrieval from umbilical versus epigastric ports in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Gall bladder (GB) retrieval is an important cause for postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). GB is usually extracted either from the epigastric or the umbilical port and there are limited data to decide the superiority of one over other in terms of postoperative pain. This study was designed to determine whether GB retrieval from the umbilical port was associated with less pain as compared to epigastric port in adult patients undergoing four ports elective LC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients took part in the study and were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Postoperatively, port-site pain score was assessed at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h by visual analog scale (VAS) score both for the epigastric and umbilical ports in all the patients and the collected data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. RESULT: VAS score for postoperative pain at epigastric port at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h found to be higher as compared to umbilical port (6.640 ± 1.494 vs. 5.500 ± 1.176, 6.620 ± 1.549 vs. 5.320 ± 1.188, 6.100 ± 1.549 vs. 4.660 ± 1.232, 5.250 ± 1.459 vs. 3.970 ± 1.274, respectively) which was statistically significant (P value 0.001). But the time taken for retrieval of GB was significantly longer in the umbilical group (4.94 ± 1.56 vs. 3.24 ± 1.29). CONCLUSION: Umbilical port is better as compared to epigastric port for GB retrieval in patient undergoing elective four port LC in terms of postoperative port-site pain but it takes relatively longer time for the extraction.

Incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a host of disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis liver, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD can occur at all ages, and the highest prevalence is found in the age group of 35-55 years. NAFLD is becoming the commonest cause leading to hepatic cirrhosis, but there is no prescribed therapy for this common condition. Reduction in body weight may reverse the condition. AIM: To find the prevalence of NAFLD in a cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this part of the country and also to evaluate the usefulness of routine liver biopsy for the diagnosis of NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interventional type of cross-sectional study. In all, 200 consecutive patients underwent a liver biopsy at the end of a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and detailed histopathological examination was done. Clinical, biochemical, demographic, and anthropometric variables were obtained prospectively. NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) was obtained for each patient. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (140 females and 60 males) were included in the study. In all, 138 patients were categorized as non-nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 39 patients as borderline/suspicious NASH, and 23 patients had definitive NASH. A higher body mass index, weight, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, alkaline phosphatise, and weight circumference were found in patients with NASH. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of NAFLD in patients with gallstone disease may justify routine liver biopsy during cholecystectomy to establish the diagnosis, stage, and possibly direct therapy.

Spontaneous Enterocutaneous Fistula Resulting from Richter's Hernia.

Richter's hernia is due to the entrapment of a part of circumference of the bowel wall. As the bowel continuity is maintained, the patients usually do not have intestinal obstruction. Some patients with Richter's hernia may present with enterocutaneous fistula either spontaneous or due to surgical intervention mistaking the obstructed hernia to be inguinal abscess. This is more so in developing countries due to lack of awareness among the masses or due to the delay in seeking medical attention. Presenting here is a case of a 53-year-old male patient with enterocutaneous fistula which occurred spontaneously and sought medical attention only after about three years of repeated discharge of yellowish fluid from the left inguinal region. Magnetic resonance fistulogram confirmed the diagnosis of enterocutaneous fistula. Laparotomy with resection and primary anastomosis of the fistulous bowel was done. Patient recovered uneventfully without any complications or recurrence.

Giant Inguinal Herniae Managed by Primary Repair: A Case Series.

Giant inguinal hernia are usually found in developing countries due to delay in seeking medical attention. The management of such hernias may sometimes require procedures to increase the intra-peritoneal capacity prior to the repair of the giant hernia. Otherwise patients may develop abdominal compartment syndrome leading to various unwanted complications. Primary repair of giant hernias are possible in some cases without having significant post-operative complications. In this present case series, we have managed a total of four patients of giant inguinal hernia by primary repair without much post-operative complications.

Refractive errors among patients attending the ophthalmology department of a medical college in North-East India.

PURPOSE: To determine the magnitude and pattern of refractive errors among patients attending the ophthalmology department of a new medical college in North-East India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of the new patients (age ≥5 years), who were phakic and whose unaided visual acuities were worse than 20/20 but improved with pinhole, was done. Complete ophthalmic examination and refraction with appropriate cycloplegia for age were done for the 4582 eligible patients. Spherical equivalents (SE) of refractive errors of the right eyes were used for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 4582 eligible patients, 2546 patients had refractive errors (55.56%). The proportion of emmetropia (SE - 0.50-+0.50 diopter sphere [DS]), myopia (SE <-0.50 DS), high myopia (SE >-5.0 DS), and hypermetropia (>+0.50 DS for adults and >+2.0 DS for children) were 53.1%, 27.4%, 2.6%, and 16.9%, respectively. The proportion of hyperopia increased till 59 years and then decreased with age (P = 0.000). The proportion of myopia and high myopia decreased significantly with age after 39 years (P = 0.000 and P = 0.004, respectively). Of the 1510 patients with astigmatism, 17% had with-the-rule (WTR), 23.4% had against-the-rule (ATR), and 19% had oblique astigmatisms. The proportion of WTR and ATR astigmatisms significantly decreased (P = 0.000) and increased (P = 0.000) with age, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study has provided the magnitude and pattern of refractive errors in the study population. It will serve as the initial step for conducting community-based studies on the prevalence of refractive errors in this part of the country since such data are lacking from this region. Moreover, this study will help the primary care physicians to have an overview of the magnitude and pattern of refractive errors presenting to a health-care center as refractive error is an established and significant public health problem worldwide.

A Comparative Study of Single Incision versus Conventional Four Ports Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Cholelithiasis is one of the most common disorders of the digestive tract encountered by general surgeons worldwide. Conventional or open cholecystectomy was the mainstay of treatment for a long time for this disease. In the 1980s laparoscopic surgery revolutionized the management of biliary tract diseases. It brought about a revolutionary change in the basic concepts of surgical principles and minimal access surgery gradually started to be acknowledged as a safe means of carrying out surgeries. AIM: To investigate the technical feasibility, safety and benefit of Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (SILC) versus Conventional Four Port Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (C4PLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized control trial was conducted to compare the advantages if any between the SILC and C4PLC. Thirty two patients underwent SILC procedure and C4PLC, each. The age of the patients ranged from 16-60years. Other demographic data and indications for cholecystectomy were comparable in both the groups. Simple comparative statistical analysis was carried out in the present study. Results on continuous variables are shown in Mean ± SD; whereas results on categorical variables are shown in percentage (%) by keeping the level of significance at 5%. Intergroup analysis of the various study parameters was done by using Fisher exact test. SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean operating time was higher in the SILC group (69 ± 4.00 mins vs. 38.53 ± 4.00 mins) which was of statistical significance (p=<0.05). Furthermore, the patients of the SILC group had less post-operative pain, with lesser analgesic requirements (p=<0.05), shorter hospital stay and earlier return to normal activity. CONCLUSION: SILC is feasible and safe in trained hands. It did not compromise the procedural safety, or lead to any complication. The operating time was longer otherwise it has almost similar clinical outcomes to those of C4PLC.

Clinical study of burn patients requiring admission: A single center experience at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences.

BACKGROUND: Although burns are a major problem in health care, a lot of the variation in risk factors exists from region to region which if uncovered correctly could help take effective prevention measures. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the 3-year (January 2012 to January 2015) epidemiology of burn injuries admitted to our hospital (primary objective) and to find areas of improvement in burn care (secondary objective). MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining ethical approval data were obtained from the medical record section regarding age, sex, residence, occupation, marital status, socioeconomic status, dates of admission and discharge, circumstances regarding the place, intent, cause, and source of heat. Clinical assessment was done using Wallace's "Rule of Nine" in adult and "Lund and Browder" chart in the pediatric age groups. The interrelationships between clinical and epidemiological variables with burn injury were studied. RESULTS: An increasing trend in the admission rates of burn victims noted in last 3 years males (55.47%) outnumbered females (44.52%). The most common age group affected is older children, adolescents, and young adults (between 11 and 30 years). Flame (38.3%) and scald (25.3%) burns contributed to most of the injuries. Females (52.30%) are the major victim of flame burns. Electrical and chemical burns affected only the males suggesting work-related injuries. Trunk (30.8%) is the most severely affected site in all cases. Depression (6.8%) and power line workers (4.7%) seem to be important risk factors in our study. Inability to complete treatment (26.7%) was a major concern in our study. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for proper burn care that could be provided at the primary health-care level. The majority of burns were accidental in nature in school going children, young adults, and females. Flame and scald burns were the most common cause. Preventive measures directed toward burn safety and first aid measures may improve the outcome in burn injuries.

A Study to Assess the Validity of Estimation of Serum Ostase Level in Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid Cases.

INTRODUCTION: One of the more specific assessments of the metabolic status of bone in normal and in disease conditions is the measurement of bone specific alkaline phosphatase or ostase. The measurement of serum ostase has several advantages over the measurements of other bone parameter. Because of its relatively long half-life, in-vivo (1 to 3days), it is relatively unaffected by diurnal variation. AIM: To find the correlation of serum ostase level in hyper and hypothyroid cases and also to study the validity of routine estimation of serum ostase in hyper and hypothyroid cases so as to monitor the base level bone health on presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum ostase level was studied in 74 patients with disorder of thyroid function. Serum ostase level, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), FT3, FT4 levels were estimated by chemiluminescent technique. The instrument used was Beckman- coulter Access 2. A total of 39 patients were hypothyroid, 31 were hyperthyroid and 4 patients had subclinical hyperthyroidism. RESULTS: The serum ostase level was found to be elevated above 40 µg/L in 26 of the cases and above 16 µg/L but below 40µg/L in 5 cases of hyperthyroidism along with decrease in Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Serum ostase level was found to be directly proportional to the serum FT3 level (Normal range of serum ostase is 8-16 µg/L). CONCLUSION: From this study, an inference can be drawn that a routine estimation of serum ostase level in hyperthyroid cases will help in proper monitoring of decrease bone turnover as indicated by increase serum ostase level. Besides, the estimation of serum ostase level in hyperthyroid cases it is found to be valid in this study, which can turn to be an important guiding parameter to the treating physician to formulate necessary protocols and guidelines for prophylaxis, treatment and to monitor the response to therapy in cases of reduced bone turnover related to hyperthyroid state.

Schwannoma of Upper Lip: Report of a Rare Case in a Rare Age Group.

Schwannoma is a benign, encapsulated perineural tumour originating from the schwann cells of the neural sheath of peripheral motor and sensory nerves. It may develop at any age but is extremely rare in paediatric age group. The tumour is frequently located on the head and neck region, the tongue being the most common site followed by the palate, floor of mouth, buccal mucosa, lips and jaws. Schwannomas rarely occur in the lip area and it is exceedingly rare in the upper lip. The lesion is usually solitary but can be multiple when associated with neurofibromatosis. The diagnosis is usually confirmed after biopsy and anti-S100 protein immuno-histochemical staining is usually used to identify the tumour. In the present study the patient was a 14-year-old young girl with the schwannoma on the upper lip which is probably the third such case in a paediatric age group being reported and was excised without any recurrence at 2 year after excision.

A comparative study of two-port versus three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Conventionally, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is performed by using three or four ports of various sizes. As cosmesis is an important aspect of LC, the trend is now towards use of fewer ports, thereby resulting in better cosmesis for patients. The aim of this study was to compare three-port against two-port LC techniques and to see whether there is any advantage in using one technique over the other. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery of North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital in Northeast India. A prospective comparative type of study was designed. An odd number of patients were operated on by using the three-port technique (Group A), whereas an even number of patients were operated on by the two-port technique (Group B). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were included in the study after obtaining informed consent from each of the patients. All patients were operated on under general anaesthesia. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: There were 51 female patients and 9 male patients. The mean patient age was 38.67 years. There was less operative time in group A but less postoperative pain in group B. Cosmetic appearance and patient satisfaction for the scar were better in group B. CONCLUSIONS: The two-port method appeared to have better acceptability among patients due to lower pain score and better cosmesis.