Congenital Intraoral Dermoid and Epidermoid Cyst with Orocutaneous Fistula Presenting with Life-threatening Airway Obstruction in an Infant.

Dermoid cysts and epidermoid cysts in the floor of the mouth are rare in the pediatric age group. In this case report, we have discussed the presentation, management, and literature review of a 6-month-old female child presenting with both dermoid and epidermoid cysts in the floor of the mouth with an orocutaneous fistula.

Health system factors related to COVID-19 mortality in Eastern India: Hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left footprints across all ages and socio-economic strata. The deaths because of COVID-19 are usually multi-factorial. The study aimed to assess the health system factors related to COVID-19-related deaths. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India. A total of 272 COVID-19 deaths that occurred between April and November 2020 were investigated. Data were extracted from Medical Record Department, and telephonic interviews were conducted to assess the different delays related to death. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Travel time, travel distance, delay in testing, and delay in receiving quality care were presented as median with inter-quartile range. Results: Complete information could be collected from 243 COVID deaths of the 272 deaths (89.3%). The duration of hospital stay was 1-7 days for 42% of the deceased. The median travel time was 120 min, and the median distance travelled was 60 km. The median time to receive first attention of health care workers was 10 minutes. There was hardly any delay in reporting of test results, whereas the median time from symptoms to test and the median time from symptoms to admission were 4 days each. Conclusion: Health system factors related to death of COVID-19 need to be addressed to avoid the avoidable deaths during the pandemic situation. The resilience of the health system can be helpful in reducing death toll in a low-resource country like India.

Effect of preoperative estrogen on complications after proximal hypospadias repair: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Proximal hypospadias repair has many postoperative complications such as urethrocutaneous fistulae, wound dehiscence, and urethral stricture. The beneficial effect of estrogen to promote wound healing has been known. We designed a study to determine whether preoperative stimulation of tissue with estrogen can reduce the postoperative complications associated with wound healing in patients undergoing hypospadias repair. Methods: Patients with proximal hypospadias requiring two-stage repairs (chordee correction followed by urethral tubularization) were randomized to estrogen and control groups before the second stage of surgery. In the former, topical estrogen cream (0.5 mg of estriol) was applied to the ventral penis for a month, whereas normal saline gel was applied to the latter; the urethroplasty was carried out thereafter. Patients were followed up for complications. Results: There were 29 patients in the estrogen group and 31 in the placebo group after the exclusion criteria were met. There was no significant difference in the overall postoperative complications between the estrogen group (44.8%) and the placebo group (51.6%). The occurrence of urethrocutaneous fistula (37.9% vs. 51.6%) and dehiscence (41.4% vs. 45.2%) was not significantly different between the estrogen and placebo groups. Neourethral stricture occurred in four patients in the estrogen group, while none of the patients in the placebo group developed stricture. Conclusions: The preoperative application of topical estrogen cream to the ventral penis failed to demonstrate any significant effect on wound healing and complications.

Prevalence of Pancreato-Biliary Maljunction in Children with Choledochal Cyst - A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Pancreatico-biliary maljunction (PBM) is often found to be associated with choledochal cysts (CCs). According to a European multicenter study, the prevalence of PBM in cases of CC is found to be 72.2%, however, there is no Indian study depicting the prevalence of PBM in Indian children with CCs, which is one of the main postulated factors in the etiopathogenesis of CC. In this study, we have attempted to observe prospectively the prevalence of PBM in children with CC and correlate this to its morphological and biochemical parameters. The association between the presence of PBM and histopathological findings such as epithelial changes of the mucosa of the CC, inflammation, metaplasia or dysplasia, and histopathology of the liver has also been evaluated. Materials and Methods: We carried out a single center, prospective observational study with a single arm study group. We prospectively selected all patients of CC admitted for surgery from November 2018 to October 2020. Data on biochemical, radiological, and histopathological parameters were collected and analyzed. Results: We included a total of 20 patients in our study. The mean age of the participants was 6.22 ± 4.32 years. Among them, 11 (55.0%) were male and 9 (45%) were female. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting complaint among our patients (75.0%) and had a significant association with the presence of a PBM (P = 0.001). In symptomatic children, the mean duration of symptoms was 4.50 ± 2.26 months for jaundice, 4.50 ± 1.98 months for abdominal distension, and 5.07 ± 2.02 months for abdominal pain. Among the 3 children with cholangitis, the mean number of episodes was 3.33 ± 2.08, with a median of four episodes. Fourteen (70.0%) of the children had type I a CC, 1 (5.0%) participant each for types I b, I c, II and IV a and 2 (10.0%) of them had type IV b cyst. The mean size of the cyst (cm) was 7.41 ± 3.03 with a median of 6.85 cm. Among the children, 9 (45%) showed the presence of PBM on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), with 7 (77.8%) showing Komi's C-P type and 2 (22.2%) showing Komi's PC type. The mean common channel length (mm) on MRCP was 8.11 ± 2.47 with a median length of 8.00 mm. The biochemical analysis of a bile fluid amylase and lipase is the functional indicator of the presence of a PBM. Histopathological examination showed the presence of ulceration in the walls of the CC in 10 (50.0%) of the specimens. There was a significant association of the presence of PBM and ulceration in the mucosa of the CC (P ≤ 0.001), with the median levels being the highest in the PBM present group. Conclusion: Abdominal pain is the most common complaint in a child with CC, and when present, it is significantly associated with the presence of a PBM. MRCP is the gold standard tool to detect CCs and find out the morphology of PBM. The prevalence of PBM in children with CC of 45% with a mean common channel length of 8.11 mm. The biochemical analysis of a bile amylase and lipase is the functional indicator of the presence of a PBM and there is a significant association of their higher levels and presence of PBM. The presence of chronic inflammation and microscopic ulcers is significant histologic parameters depicting the presence of a PBM.

Fatal intracranial bleedings in a viper bite: A case report.

Viper bite envenomation represents a significant occupational hazard among agricultural workers in India. The viper bite envenomation is usually suspected when a patient presents with predominant local symptoms at the bitten site, including pain, swelling, and necrosis. Further, systemic findings such as diffuse intravascular coagulation, hypotension, and shock may alert physicians of viper bite envenomation rather than a neurotoxic snake bite. However, cerebral complications are rare in viper bites but may potentially fatal. Central nervous system involvement in a viper bite is either due to neurotoxins or hemorrhagins present in the venom, which may induce cerebral thrombosis, ischemia, infarction, and hemorrhage. Here we present a case of a previously healthy adult male who succumbed to extensive subarachnoid, intracerebral, and intraventricular hemorrhages involving bilateral cerebral hemispheres following viper snake bite envenomation. This report highlights the importance of anticipating cerebral complications in viper bite envenomation, a rare occurrence. It also emphasizes the need for early antisnake venom administration to prevent and control systemic envenomation and its complications.

Biliary Cystadenoma in a Child: A Rare Entity.

Biliary cystadenoma, a rare potentially malignant hepatic cystic lesion, is characterized by multiloculations and septations. It is common in middle-aged females (about 5% of nonparasitic liver cysts); only 12 cases are described in children. We report a rare case of hepatic biliary cystadenoma in a 3-year-old girl, with a gradually increasing lump in the right upper abdomen. Complete excision with a healthy liver margin was done.

Accidental formalin poisoning in a child with acute fatal manifestations: A rare case report.

Formalin is a protoplasmic poison, which poses a potential occupational hazard among morticians, embalmers, pathologists, and hospital staff. The crystal-clear appearance of formalin can be easily mistaken for normal saline, local anesthetics, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and spirit in health care facilities and water in domestic settings. However, accidental poisoning is extremely rare because of its low olfactory threshold, strong irritant nature, pungent taste, and odor. This is also evident from the scarce scientific literature on this topic. Here, we presented a case of accidental, fatal formalin ingestion by a 4-year-old child who succumbed to the poisoning within 12 h of ingestion. The case presented here is unique because of its rarity in causing accidental poisoning by ingestion and first of its kind in a child.

Phimosis - Are we on right track?

Background: Phimosis, a common paediatric condition, is defined as the inability to retract the preputial skin behind the glans. Current practice shows there is some confusion among the paediatricians towards this common condition and in differentiating it from the more common physiological preputial adhesion; leading to frequent referrals to a paediatric surgeon or a general surgeon, which can be addressed by the parents and the child physicians themselves. Aim: To find out the awareness towards the management of phimosis among the paediatricians. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire on this topic was generated using 'Google Forms' and was circulated among junior and senior residents, faculty in various medical colleges and consultants in private practice all over India and their response was collected and analysed. Results: We received a total of 221 responses from all over India from paediatric medicine trainees and consultants. Among them, majority (48%) were senior residents. According to the survey participants, the most (46%) find inability to retract the prepuce as the major presenting complaint. A straight away reference to a paediatric surgeon was preferred by majority of paediatricians (62.9%), though most of them were aware of them were aware of physiological adhesions and conservative management (94.2%). There was a belief among 43% about counselling each and every patient presenting with phimosis for circumcision. Among the respondents, 60.2% advised ultrasound of kidneys, ureter, and bladder to their patients and believed that backpressure changes alter the management of the child. A urine routine examination was advised by 70.1% of participants, with 46.6% believing that the presence of urinary tract infection changes the management of phimosis. Waiting up to 1 year of age before going for surgery was advocated by 71.5%. A major proportion of respondents (76%) believed all cases of phimosis should be referred to a surgeon, only 58.8% would voluntarily follow them up. There is still a belief among 69.7% of participants that all cases of phimosis should be referred to a paediatric surgeon and only few of them, 5.4% feel referring only indicated cases. Conclusion: Physiological phimosis is a common condition which can be addressed by the paediatricians themselves. Awareness is to be increased among them, especially during the training period regarding the proper management of this common condition, avoiding unnecessary circumcisions.

Pedunculated cavernous lymphangioma of the newborn oral cavity.

Oral swellings and ulcers in neonates are a spectrum of diseases often creating a sense of anxiety among parents. Early detection, high index of suspicion, proper investigations, and prompt diagnosis can aid in accurate management of the same. Lymphangiomas are benign hamartomas which are basically malformed lymphatics do not drain into other lymphatics or veins and hence there is lymphatic accumulation and enlargement following cystically dilated spaces. We hereby present a rare case of a neonate born with a cystic mucosal swelling at the upper gingival sulcus since birth.

Rectal Inflammatory Myoglandular Polyp with Osseous Metaplasia in a Child.

Background: Inflammatory myoglandular polyp (IMGP) combines the histopathological features of juvenile polyp and Peutz-Jegher's polyp. Osseous metaplasia can be occasionally seen in various benign, adenomatous, and malignant polyps. Case report: A nine-year-old girl with hematochezia had a rectal polyp with histological features of IMGP with additional stromal osseous metaplasia. Conclusion: Benign osseous metaplasia can be found in IMGP.

Ball of Death: A Fatal Case Report on Accidental Death of a Child After Crude Bomb Explosion.

ABSTRACT: Crude bombs are country-made explosive weapons, usually prepared from locally available materials such as firecrackers or explosives used in mines. These are generally concealed inside the fruits, such as jackfruit, pineapple, and watermelon, to kill wild boars or other animals by poachers in India. Occasionally, crude bombs are remodeled resembling fruit or a ball and placed on the fields, where animals usually raid their crops. Such crude bombs may result in accidental explosions and contribute to the death of unintended targets, including humans. Despite these sporadic incidents reported in media, scientific data are lacking. Here, we report a young child who sustained injuries after an accidental explosion of such a crude bomb. It exploded when the child apparently mistook it for a ball and grasped it firmly while playing with his brother. This case is the first to report the accidental death of a child after the crude bomb's fatal explosion to the best of our knowledge. This report also briefly overviews the emerging menace of crude bombs in India.

Subanesthetic intravenous ketamine vs. caudal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries: a non-inferiority randomized, single-blind controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Subanesthetic intravenous (IV) ketamine acts as an analgesic and has opioid-sparing effects, particularly for acute postoperative pain; however, its effectiveness in children is understudied. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the non-inferiority of subanesthetic IV ketamine vs. caudal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing infraumbilical surgery. METHODS: Children aged < 6 years were enrolled in this single-blind study and randomized to receive either subanesthetic IV ketamine (0.3 mg/kg) or caudal 0.125% bupivacaine (1 ml/kg) along with general anesthesia. Postoperative pain was assessed using the FLACC scale at 30 minutes and 1, 2, 3, and 6 h post-operation. Intra- and postoperative opioid consumption, time to extubation, postoperative vomiting, agitation, sedation, and inflammatory markers were also assessed. RESULTS: Altogether, 141 children completed the study (ketamine group: n = 71, caudal group: n = 70) The cumulative proportion of children without significant postoperative pain (FLACC score < 4) in the first 6 h post-surgery was 45.1% in the ketamine group vs. 72.9% in the caudal group (P < 0.001). More children in the ketamine group required an additional dose of intraoperative fentanyl (33.8% vs. 5.7%, P < 0.001) and postoperative tramadol (54.9% vs. 27.1%, P < 0.001). However, postoperative agitation, sedation, and other secondary outcomes were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subanesthetic ketamine is inferior to caudal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in children aged < 6 years undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries; however, other postoperative outcomes are similar.

Intestinal Failure in a Neonate: A Surgical Emergency and Medical Catastrophe.

In this case report, we present a female neonate referred to us, born to a primigravida mother at 39 weeks, who cried after birth, did not require any resuscitation, had a birth weight of 2.9 kg and developed abdominal distension and bilious vomiting on Day 1 of life. Ultrasound abdomen and X-ray imaging were suggestive of midgut volvulus with malrotation. The emergency explorative laparotomy revealed the small bowel to be gangrenous in extensive areas, and 10 cm of the small intestine was successfully preserved. The baby was admitted to the NICU and required three months of total parenteral nutrition. In between, the baby was managed successfully for sepsis, septic shock, diarrhea, and dehydration, Later, she was discharged, and is currently being followed up. At the first follow-up, the baby was noted to be gaining weight and has developed no complications to date.

Effect of intra-operative high inspired fraction of oxygen on postoperative nausea and vomiting in children undergoing surgery: A prospective randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Administration of high inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) during anaesthesia has been proposed to decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adults but has not been extensively studied in children. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 80% FiO2 on the incidence of PONV in children undergoing surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, study. SETTING: Single-centre, teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Children of either gender in the age group of 5 to 15 years scheduled for elective surgeries were assessed for eligibility. Emergency surgeries; patients receiving supplemental oxygen pre-operatively or on mechanical ventilation; sepsis; bowel obstruction or ischaemia; poor nutritional status; anaemia (Hb <8 g%) or surgeries lasting less than 1 h or greater than 4 h were excluded from the study. INTERVENTIONS: After induction of anaesthesia, children were randomised to receive either 30 or 80% oxygen in air, till the end of surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of PONV within 24 h; surgical site infections (SSI)s; serum serotonin and TNF-α levels and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC)s were studied. RESULTS: The overall 24 h incidence of PONV was not different between the low and high FiO2 groups [24 vs. 23%; P = 0.84; odds ratio (OR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44 to 2.06]. The incidence of SSIs (15 vs. 12%; P = 0.61; OR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.28 to 2.10) and PPCs (12 vs. 8%; P = 0.38; OR 0.59; 95% CI, 0.18 to 1.92) were not significant between the low and high FiO2 groups, respectively. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons of serum serotonin and TNF-α showed no significant difference either at baseline or at the end of surgery. CONCLUSION: High intra-operative FiO2 of 80% does not provide additional protection against PONV in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI) with trial registration no: CTRI/2018/07/014974.

Epidemiology and patterns of road traffic fatalities in India pre- and post-motor vehicle (Amendment) act 2019: An autopsy-based study.

BACKGROUND: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a preventable cause of death. The government of India enacted the motor vehicle amendment (MVA) act on September 01, 2019, to curtail the alarming trend of RTAs and their associated fatality. The study objective was to compare the epidemiology and pattern of fatal RTAs before and after the MVA Act 2019 of India. METHODS: An autopsy-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT) of a tertiary-care hospital from March 2019 to February 2020. The sample comprised 75 fatal RTA victims who underwent postmortem at FMT. Patients were studied in two groups: One pre-MVA group (n = 47) and one Post-MVA group (n = 28). The data were obtained from medical records and inquest reports with autopsy correlation. Data pertaining to sociodemographic profile, mechanism, injury profile including injury-severity-score (ISS) and survival-time was recorded. RESULTS: There was a 40.4% decline in mortality among RTA victims (P = 0.057) in the post-MVA group. The case fatality rate also declined during post-MVA implementation months compared to pre-MVA months (1.61 vs. 1.96). A significant correlation was noted between the ISS and survival-time of victims (P < 0.001, r = -0.522). The mean age of patients was 39.87 ± 17.44 years. Heavy motor vehicles along with motorized two-wheeler were the most common offending-vehicle. The median ISS of all victims was 41 (33-57). Head injury was the most common cause of death (60%). CONCLUSION: Study results signal-toward early triumph of the new MVA act, probably due to enhanced adherence to safety gears and constructive behavioral change.

Rigid Bronchoscopic Placement of Fogarty Catheter as a Bronchial Blocker for One Lung Isolation and Ventilation in Infants and Children Undergoing Thoracic Surgery: A Single Institution Experience of 27 Cases.

One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a challenging task in infants and children as few techniques are possible because of narrow anatomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate and experience lung isolation with Fogarty catheters as a bronchial blocker placed by rigid bronchoscope for OLV in infants and children with lung pathologies requiring surgical management in an industrial hospital. This study is a prospective study carried out in J.L.N. Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilai (CG), from January 2011 to December 2014. The study was designed to place Fogarty catheter for achieving OLV using rigid bronchoscope in children. The patient and anaesthesia characteristics, placement and positioning of Fogarty catheters, intraoperative course, complications and recovery of the patient were studied. The data were then compared with the relevant and available literature. Over the study period of 4 years, 27 cases were included, out of which 22 (81.48 %) cases had suppurative lung disease, three cases (11.11 %) had hydatid cyst of the lung, whereas one case (3.7 %) each of congenital lobar emphysema and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, respectively. In all cases general anaesthesia was provided using single lumen endotracheal tube and one lung ventilation achieved by parallel placement of Fogarty catheter as a bronchial blocker with rigid bronchoscope. The surgical management included thoracotomy with decortication in 21 cases, thoracotomy with excision of hydatid cyst in 3 cases, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, thoracotomy with left upper lobectomy and thoracotomy with left lower lobectomy in one case each, respectively. There were no major intraoperative and postoperative complications. There was no mortality in our study. We conclude that rigid bronchoscope can be safely and effectively used to place Fogarty catheter in main bronchus in infants and children for achieving OLV.

Neonatal Intrathoracic Stomach without Gastric Volvulus.

Intrathoracic stomach is a rare and serious congenital abnormality. The anomaly may be complicated by gastric volvulus and can lead to ischemic gastric infarction in the neonate. If diagnosed antenatally, neonatal management can be planned in advance so as to reduce morbidity. This anomaly must be differentiated from the more common congenital diaphragmatic hernia, as associated pulmonary hypoplasia is common in the latter and rare with gastric herniation. We report a case of intrathoracic stomach in a neonate without volvulus, fortunately a rare entity which was managed operatively, and the child has been under regular follow-up.

Ornament induced complications in snake bites: Revisiting the "Do it RIGHT" approach.

Limb adorning ornaments (LAO) can exacerbate the local effects of envenoming in case of venomous snake bite. Cultural presuppositions do inhibit victims from removing symbolically/ritually important jewelry even under circumstances that might increase the dangers of envenoming-induced gangrene formation. The recommendation to remove the LAO is usually skipped in guidelines and if at all included the very real hazard is uncommonly documented. We observed 14 cases of snake bite with LAO on the bitten limb with minimal to severe local complications. The possible reasons were discussed with recommendations of proper and timely methods of removal of these ornaments. We suggest inclusion of this concept of 'Remove' in the recommended first aid methods of the guidelines/protocols.