A randomized trial analyzing the effects of primary versus delayed primary closure of incision on wound healing in patients with hollow viscus perforation.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed primary closure (DPC) of the skin has been suggested to decrease superficial surgical site infection (SSSI) in patients undergoing surgery for peritonitis secondary to hollow viscus perforation, but there is no consensus. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of primary closure (PC) and DPC of the skin in terms of SSSI, fascial dehiscence and length of hospital stay (LOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients, undergoing emergency surgery for perforation peritonitis, were randomized to PC (n= 30) and DPC (n= 30). Patients in the DPC group underwent skin closure four or more days after surgery when the wound was clinically considered appropriate for closure. Patients in the PC group had skin closure at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Incidence of SSSI was significantly less in the DPC group (7.4%) compared to the PC (42.9%) (p= 0.004). However, the median time of DPC was the 10th POD, i.e., these wounds required considerable time to become clinically suitable for closure. Incidence of fascial dehiscence was comparable between the two groups (p= 0.67). Length of hospital stay (LOS) was 13.8 days in the DPC group compared to 13.5 days in PC; the difference was not significant (p= 0.825). CONCLUSION: DPC of the skin incision resulted in the reduction of SSSI. However, this did not translate into a reduction in hospital stay, as it took considerable time for these wounds to become appropriate for DPC, thus bringing into question any real advantage of DPC over PC.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: A Circumventable Emergency.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is characterized by multiple hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and mucocutaneous pigmentation. Here we present, a case of multiple gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps in a 22-year-old male who had been operated for intestinal obstruction due to ileocolic intussusception. Resection of the affected segment was done with proximal ileostomy and distal mucous fistula formation. Clinicopathological diagnosis of PJS was made. Later, during ileostomy closure, it was found that the patient had a transverse colonic mass which was resected. Histological examination with immunohistochemistry confirmed it to be a Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma (MALToma). Colonic MALToma in the background of PJS is a unique case for which it has been reported.

Perforated isolated jejunal diverticulum: a rare aetiology of acute abdomen.

In the absence of trauma, perforated jejunal diverticulum (JD) is a rare entity. Perforated isolated JD is rarer. We report a case of perforated isolated JD in a 55-year-old woman who presented with features of peritonitis and had no history of trauma. Resection and anastomosis of the involved jejunal segment was performed.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a young adult.

We report a rare case of a primary adrenal cortical malignancy presenting with spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a young adult. To the best of our knowledge, this is the thirteenth such case to be reported in the English literature.

Concurrent parathyroid carcinoma and adenoma: A rare presentation of a rarer disease entity.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare disease. But multiglandular parathyroid neoplasm is even rarer. A high level of suspicion, on the basis of clinical, hematological tests and intraoperative findings is necessary to treat this disease entity, particularly in the absence of palpable neck masses. Preoperative localization is important. Bilateral neck exploration should be done routinely and all 4 glands seen to avoid missing out other pathological glands.

Seminoma Arising from Intra-abdominal Cryptorchidism with Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis: A Rare Association.

Unilateral renal agenesis is usually asymptomatic and may be found incidentally during examination for other causes. The incidence of testicular tumors arising from cryptorchidism is well established, but if it is coexistent with ipsilateral renal agenesis, the diagnosis and management becomes a challenge. Only three cases of such association have been reported in literature so far. This association has to be kept in mind when dealing with a case of testicular tumor arising from abdominal cryptorchidism, so that the function of the other kidney can be assessed before surgery, and protection given to it in the event of using radiotherapy in an adjuvant setting.

Sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid: a rare presentation as a hepatic mass.

We report an unusual presentation of a sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid tumour, possibly arising from the diaphragm, masquerading as a hepatic mass in a young female without any history of surgery or trauma. Histopathology ruled out a hepatic origin of the tumour as was inferred from pre- and intraoperative evaluation. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity of lesional fibroblastic cells for ß-catenin and negativity for CD34, CD117, EMA, SMA, desmin, vimentin, cytokeratin, and ALK1 thereby confirming the diagnosis of a desmoid tumour. There exist only a few reports in the literature on desmoids related to the diaphragm, but only one on a diaphragmatic desmoid that is possibly primary.

Ascaris lumbricoides: an unusual aetiology of gastric perforation.

Gastrointestinal (GI) infestation with Ascaris lumbricoides is common in the tropical countries, particularly in children. A wide range of clinical presentations are reported for GI ascariasis in both adults and children. We report a case of gastric perforation due to Ascaris, a rare presentation.

Laparoscopic versus open splenectomy in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: an Indian experience.

UNLABELLED: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is emerging as the treatment of choice over open splenectomy (OS) in cases of idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) that is either steroid resistant or steroid unresponsive.The aim of the present study is to compare therapeutic response and outcome of patients with ITP undergoing LS with a similar group undergoing OS.The study was performed on 63 patients with ITP attending Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, a tertiary level referral centre in Eastern India during 2005-2009.Twenty-seven patients with ITP underwent LS and the rest underwent OS. Twenty-eight patients were steroid resistant whereas the rest were diagnosed to be refractory to steroids. Parameters assessed were demographic characteristics of patients, peri-operative data, complications and haematological outcome.The patients were followed up for a mean period of 40 months. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of the patients in LS and OS group were comparable. Patients undergoing LS were found to require a longer operative time but had lower intra-operative blood loss, less postoperative pain, decreased incidence of complications, reduced hospital stay and comparable haematological response as compared to that for patients undergoing OS. LS for ITP is a safe technique associated with lower morbidity and faster convalescence and similar haematological response when compared to OS.

Reinforced tension line suture closure after midline laparotomy in emergency surgery.

Midline laparotomy is an emergency surgical operation frequently performed in cases of intra-abdominal pathology. Closure of the incision is usually done by continuous suturing by mass closure. In an emergency operation the intra-abdominal milieu is usually contaminated leading to gut oedema and, hence, an increase in postoperative intra-abdominal pressure. It is complicated by wound dehiscence, burst abdomen, etc. The cause of this complication is an increase in horizontal tensile forces on the site of the insertion of sutures which cuts the sheath. In this technique of reinforced tension line suture peak tensile forces are distributed from the suture base to the surrounding tissue through a horizontal suture, thereby preventing the suture from cutting through the tissue. From July 2007 to June 2009 patients requiring laparotomy were randomly divided into test and control groups by a 'closed envelope' technique. Their postoperative intra-abdominal pressure was recorded by urinary bladder catheter manometry. The result of this technique was compared with the incidence of burst abdomen in cases where it was closed by continuous suture. A total of 190 patients underwent laparotomy. In 90 the abdomen was closed by reinforced tension line (RTL) and in 100 patients by continuous suturing. None of the RTL group had a burst abdomen. Thirteen who had closure by continuous suture had a burst abdomen. The analysis of the results was done using the chi-square test. On comparing the incidence of burst abdomen in cases operated by continuous suture technique and by RTL, the P value was found to be 0.0026 which is highly significant. On analysis of the incidence of burst abdomen in cases having a grade II intra-abdominal pressure the P value was found to be 0.0009 which is highly significant. Closure of midline incision by RTL reduces the incidence of burst abdomen. Registration No. PROVCTRI/2008/091/000269 (http://www.ctri.in).

Laparoscopic repair of late presenting congenital Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia.

Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia is a common congenital anomaly presenting in the neonatal period and managed by open surgical procedures. Late presentation is usually associated with better prognosis. Here a case of a 10 years old boy presenting with Bochdalek hernia, managed primarily by laparoscopic approach is reported.

Congenital intra-mesosigmoid hernia- a case report of a rare sigmoid mesocolon hernia.

Internal hernia is the protrusion of the viscera through normal or abnormal peritoneal or mesenteric apertures within the confines of peritoneal cavities.

Etiology and outcome of acute intestinal obstruction: a review of 367 patients in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The etiology of acute intestinal obstruction, which is one of the commonest surgical emergencies, varies between countries and has also changed over the decades. We aimed to provide a complete epidemiological description of acute intestinal obstruction in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients admitted in our unit with a diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction between the years 2005 and 2008 at Medical College, Calcutta. The study comprised of 367 patients. RESULTS: Acute intestinal obstruction was the diagnosis in 9.87% of all patients admitted with males (75.20%) grossly outnumbering females. The commonest age group affected was 20-60 years. In our patients, the main cause of obstruction was obstructed hernia followed by malignancy with adhesions coming third. Intestinal tuberculosis was an important cause for obstruction in our patients comprising 14.17% of patients. Conservative management was advocated in 79 patients while the rest underwent surgery. Postoperative complications occurred in 95 patients and of these, 38 patients had a single complication and the rest, more than 1. The main complications were wound infection, basal atelectasis, burst abdomen and prolonged ileus. The mortality rate was 7.35% (27 patients). The highest mortality occurred in those with intestinal tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the pattern of intestinal obstruction differs from the Western world with obstructed hernias being the most important cause and also emphasizes the fact that intestinal tuberculosis assumes a prominent role. It also highlights the necessity of using universal precautions because of the ever increasing number of HIV patients in those with intestinal obstruction.

Radiographic griding of subcutaneous soft tissue metallic foreign bodies in emergency department.

Radiographic grid for localization of soft tissue metallic foreign bodies is a modification of traditional radiography. Twenty localization procedures using simple radiographic grid was successfully performed. Its low cost and easy to perform makes it a useful tool in emergency setting.