A mathematical model for investigation of dry band location on 22 kV bushing with and without RTV coating: Experimental study.

As different pollutants are deposited on the high voltage bushings, a dry band forms, which causes a flashover. The bushing's contaminated layer will weaken its insulation and have an impact on its electrical characteristics. The performance of bushings in dry band conditions of various lengths was investigated in this proposed piece of work, and a dynamic arc model is presented for the arc process in polluted bushings. It shows satisfactory performance in modelling the arc variables for various dry band positions. The developed dynamic open model for contaminated bushings with and without RTV coating predicted the flashover voltage and dry band positions. Any type of contamination, such as sea salt, road salt, and industrial pollutants prevalent in several sites, can be studied using the established model. Ultimately, it was discovered that there was good agreement between the model's results and the outcomes of the experiments. •Mathematical modeling of 22 kV bushing is conceded out for diverse polluted dry band location at lead-in, lead-out and middle region of bushing surface.•Dynamic arc modeling involved in bushing flashover process for different dry band location is done and flashover voltage is predicted•Experimental work is carried out to find FOV for the bushing with different dry location and compared with predicted FOV.

Factors predicting perioperative outcomes in patients with myasthenia gravis or thymic neoplasms undergoing thymectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors which predict the perioperative outcomes after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) or thymic neoplasms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of consecutive patients who had undergone VATS thymectomy in our institution from August 2016 to April 2018 were collected retrospectively from a prospectively maintained database followed by prospective recruitment of patients who underwent VATS thymectomy from April 2018 to February 2020. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were included. Females were more common (51.6%), and 29 patients (93.5%) had MG. The most common indication for thymectomy was the presence of both MG and thymoma (51.6%). Most MG patients had moderate disease (55.2%) or severe (24.1%) disease preoperatively. Mean operative time and blood loss were 196.9 ± 63.5 min and 122.5 ± 115.3 ml, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 7.9 ± 6.7 days. The rate of major and minor complications was 16.18% and 35.4%, respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis established that MG symptoms >12 months, prolonged invasive ventilation (intubation ≥24 h), and complications were associated significantly with a prolonged hospital stay. Adjusting for outliers, pre-operative disease severity (MG Foundation of America class), and intubation ≥24 h were the only factors that had a significant impact on perioperative outcomes. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative disease severity and post-operative invasive ventilation are strong determinants of perioperative outcomes. Pre-operative optimisation and early extubation protocols can further reduce morbidity in patients undergoing thymectomy by the VATS approach.

Laparoscopic resection for low rectal cancer in a patient with horseshoe kidney - Technical considerations to prevent iatrogenic injuries.

Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a rare congenital malformation of the kidneys and is commonly associated with other anomalies of the renovascular and ureteropelvic systems. These anomalies present a surgical challenge, especially for surgeries involving the retroperitoneum. We present the case of a 56-year-old male patient with biopsy-proven rectal cancer who had completed neoadjuvant chemoradiation and was planned for curative resection. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed the presence of an HSK. Reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) images of the renal vasculature revealed the presence of an accessory renal artery originating directly from the aorta and supplying the isthmus of the HSK without any other venous or ureteral anomalies. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection with total mesorectal excision was done without any untoward complications. The presence of HSK per se is not a contraindication for laparoscopic operations involving the retroperitoneum. Pre-operative 3D CECT helps to identify the presence of anatomical variations and guides surgical resection.

Impact of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Gastric Emptying Time, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1), Ghrelin and Leptin in Non-morbidly Obese Subjects with BMI 30-35.0 kg/m2: a Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0-35.0 kg/m2. Possible mechanisms, including alterations in gastric emptying time (GET), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), ghrelin and leptin, were evaluated. METHODS: Twenty obese patients with T2DM and with a BMI of 30.0-35.0 kg/m2 underwent LSG during March 2012 to February 2015. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and GET were measured at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after surgery. Fasting and post-prandial levels of serum GLP-1, ghrelin and leptin were measured pre-operatively and after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The average duration of follow-up was 17.6 months, and 10 patients had completed 2 years of follow-up. After 2 years, the average BMI decreased from 33.4 ± 1.2 to 26.7 ± 1.8 kg/m2. The mean HbA1c decreased from 8.7 ± 1.6 to 6.7 ± 1.5 %, respectively. Ten patients achieved complete remission. Insulin could be stopped in all six patients who were on it pre-operatively. Meal-stimulated GLP-1 response and serum insulin at 30 min showed a significant increase following surgery. There was a significant decrease in GET. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study confirms the positive impact of LSG on diabetic status of non-morbidly obese patients. The possible mechanisms include the rise in post-prandial GLP-1 level induced by accelerated gastric emptying, leading to an increase in insulin secretion. LSG also leads to decreased ghrelin and leptin levels which may have a role in improving glucose homeostasis after surgery.