Strategies for the Long-Term Preservation of Site for Future Implantation of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs): Two Decades of Experience.

Introduction Implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is an art of science. As the volume of implantation has increased worldwide, so has the rate of complications. Infection, fibrosis, lead and device erosion, lead displacement, right ventricle perforation, lead fracture, and insulation break are the common complications in the implantation process. This exposes the patient for reopening and threatens the implantation for further complication due to infection, fibrosis of veins, failure to retrieve the implanted wire, and failure to re-implant the device on the same site. We slightly changed our implantation technique to preserve the implantation site for future implantation and reduce the rate of complication in the index implantation. Methods This randomized control trial was conducted from January 2016 to September 2019 at Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Pakistan. A consecutive sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 602 patients keeping a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin error. We adopted a strategy to take prick, for implantation of devices, inside the pocket, which reduces the number of sutures, hastens the procedure, prevents erosion, and minimizes the chance of subclavian crush syndrome and insulation break. We also selected the minimum possible length of leads. This will possibly decrease the chances of cumbersome fibrosis around the lead and device and will make future implantation convenient. Results There was a total of 602 procedures in the study period. About 253 (42%) procedures were done in the newly adopted strategy and 349 (58%) were performed in the conventional way. Our complication rate grossly reduces in the novel way of implantation in which we took our prick inside the pocket. Conclusion A slight modification in the implantation of CIEDs not only prevents the rate of complication in the index implantation but will also possibly preserve the site for future implantation.

Innovation in Permanent Pacemaker's Implantation Technique: Trans-Axillary Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Permanent pacemakers' (PPM) implantation is an integral part of electrophysiology and general cardiology. The implantation technique has evolved a lot since the first implantation. Several innovations have been undertaken to improve the effectiveness, life of the transplant, and patient outcomes. In this study, we introduced a new implantation technique to improve the procedure and possibly reduce the rate of complication. METHODS: This study was conducted from January 2016 to February 2017 in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Patients destined for implantation of PPM based on a clinical treatment plan, after proper explanation of the procedure, were brought to the catheterization laboratory. Venogram of the upper limb performed. Patients were scrubbed and draped. The axillary vein was approached via the Seldinger technique. About 2 to 3 cm superolateral to the puncture site, a skin incision was made and subcutaneous pocket constructed, and a guidewire external end was pulled in from inside the pocket keeping the venous end at the place. Subsequently, in a routine way, lead was placed, secured and the wound was closed in layers. RESULTS: A total of 690 PPM were implanted under the study. About 290 devices were implanted in the conventional way and 380 devices via the trans-axillary approach. The mean implantation time was less than 30 minutes via the trans-axillary approach. Immediate and delayed complications of the procedure were minimal. CONCLUSION: Trans-axillary approach holds some significant advantages over the conventional technique. The subcutaneous pocket and venous puncture successfully reduce the burden of foreign material, minimize the tension on the wound, shorten implantation time and reduce the chances of erosion of the device.

Primary tuberculosis of cystic duct lymph node.

Tuberculosis (TC) is very common and significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Isolated cystic duct lymph node TC cases without involvement of gallbladder are exceedingly rare. It is difficult to diagnose preoperatively because of lack of characteristic signs and symptoms of TC. We report a man aged 45 years who presented with right upper abdominal pain since 1week. It was associated with nausea and postprandial fullness. There was no evidence of jaundice and lymphadenopathy. Abdominal examination showed moderate right upper quadrant tenderness with positive Murphy's sign and splenomegaly but no signs of peritonism. Abdomen ultrasound revealed sludge in gallbladder, dilated pancreatic duct, coarse exotexture of liver, splenomegaly and no lymphadenopathy. He underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy; histological report showed chronic caseating granulomatous lymphadenitis with Langhans type of giant cells in lymph node near cystic duct with chronic cholecystitis of gallbladder. Standard antituberculosis therapy was given for 12 months.

True brachial artery aneurysm in a child aged 2†years.

Congenital brachial artery true aneurysms are exceedingly rare. Most are pseudoaneurysms secondary to trauma or infection. We report a boy aged 2 years who presented with painless, pulsatile swelling on the medial aspect of the right arm, 4 cm above the elbow joint that had been present since birth. Spiral CT angiography showed a fusiform aneurysm of the distal right brachial artery with a peripheral crescent-shaped thrombus. Distal arteries were normally opacified. There was no evidence of abnormal dilation or stenosis in any other artery. The aneurysm was surgically resected, with vascularisation re-established using a reversed great saphenous vein graft. His postoperative course was uneventful. Early surgery should be performed for moderately sized to large aneurysms that recently increased in size, exhibited luminal thrombus formation or caused neurovascular distal limb compromise. Early surgery could prevent complications such as a ruptured aneurysm, thromboembolism or limb ischaemia or loss.

Caecal amoeboma simulating malignant neoplasia, ileocaecal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease.

We report two cases of amoeboma of caecum. The patients were initially diagnosed with acute appendicitis but a large cecal mass was found on surgery, giving the gross impression of tumor, Ileocaecal tuberculosis or Crohn's disease necessitating right hemicolectomy. On histopathological examination, the mass was found to be 'Amoeboma'. Mode of presentation, clinical examination and operative findings are presented along with the review of literature.