Mortality and Risk Factors in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI) have not been evaluated comprehensively in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to study the in-hospital iTBI mortality and its associated risk factors in a prospective multicenter Indian trauma registry. METHODS: Patients with iTBI (head and neck Abbreviated Injury Score ≥2 and other region Abbreviated Injury Score ≤2) were included. Study variables comprised age, gender, mechanism of injury, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score - classified as mild (13-15), moderate (9-12), and severe (3-8), transfer status, and time to presentation at any participating hospital. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of these factors on 24-h and 30-d mortality following iTBI. RESULTS: Among 5042 included patients, 24-h and 30-d in-hospital mortalities were 5.9% and 22.4%. On a regression analysis, 30-d mortality was associated with age ≥45 y (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1 [1.6-2.7]), railway injury mechanisms (OR = 2.1 [1.3-3.5]), SBP <90 mmHg (OR = 2.6 [1.6-4.1]), and moderate (OR = 3.8 [3.0-5.0]) to severe (OR = 21.1 [16.8-26.7]) iTBI based on GCS scores. 24-h mortality showed similar trends. Patients transferred to the participating hospitals from other centers had higher odds of 30-d mortality (OR = 1.4 [1.2-1.8]) compared to those arriving directly. Those who received neurosurgical intervention had lower odds of 24-h mortality (0.3 [0.2-0.4]). CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥45 y, GCS score ≤12, and SBP <90 mmHg at arrival increased the risk of in-hospital mortality from iTBI.

Association of adipocyte size and SREBP-1c in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Non-obese type 2 diabetes seems to be common in India; hence the current study tried to understand the pathogenesis of diabetes in this group focusing on the role of adipocytes especially abdominal fat compartment. Comparison was made between non-obese subjects with newly detected diabetes and those without diabetes, in relation to levels of adipogenic factor and adipokines in pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes respectively. RESEARCH DESIGN METHODS: Non-obese subjects (BMI-18-25 Kg/m2) were consecutively selected of whom 15 had newly-detected, treatment naïve type 2 diabetes (HbA1% ≥6.5) while 25 were control (HbA1c% ≤5.6). We examined the expression of adipocyte differentiation factor - SREBP-1c from preadipocytes and adipocyte specific adipokines- HMW isoform and total adiponectin, leptin, FABP-4, TNF-α and IL-6 from adipocytesisolated from abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SCAT) by RT-PCR and as well as from serum by ELISA. Size of cultured adipocytes was measured in a fully automated imaging system microscope. RESULT: Both in SCAT and VAT, SREBP-1c and adiponectin had significantly lower expression along with increased mRNA level of inflammatory adipokinesdiabetes.Average adipocyte size and frequency of large(hypertrophied) adipocytes were comparatively higher in T2DM subjects and had significant negative correlation with SREBP-1c. HMW adiponectin level significantly reduced in the secretion from VAT and SCAT of T2DM subjects compared to control. CONCLUSION: Reduced expression of SREBP-1c in preadipocytes may lead to increased number of hypertrophied adipocytes in T2DM. Therefore, these dysfunctional hypertrophied adipocytes could cause imbalanced expression of insulin resistant and insulin sensitive adipokines.

Glasgow coma scale compared to other trauma scores in discriminating in-hospital mortality of traumatic brain injury patients admitted to urban Indian hospitals: A multicentre prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is one of the most commonly used trauma scores and is a good predictor of outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. There are other more complex scores with additional physiological parameters. Whether they discriminate better than GCS in predicting mortality in TBI patients is debatable. The aim of this study was to compare the discrimination of GCS with that of MGAP, GAP, RTS and KTS for 24-hour and 30-day in-hospital mortality in adult TBI patients, in a resource limited LMIC setting. METHOD: We analysed data from the multicentre, observational trauma cohort Towards Improved Trauma Care Outcome (TITCO) in India. We included all patients 18 years or older, admitted from the emergency department with TBI. The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to quantify and compare the discrimination of all scores: GCS; Revised Trauma Score (RTS); mechanism, GCS, age, systolic blood pressure (MGAP); GCS, age, systolic blood pressure (GAP) and Kampala Trauma Score (KTS) in the prediction of 24-hour and 30-day in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3306 TBI patients were included in this study. The majority were within the GCS range 3-8. The commonest mechanism of injury was road traffic injuries [1907(58.0%)]. In-hospital mortality was 27.2% (899). There was no significant difference in discrimination in 24-hour in-hospital mortality when comparing GCS with MGAP and GAP. While GCS performed better than KTS, RTS performed better than GCS. For 30-day in-hospital mortality, GCS discriminated significantly better compared with KTS, but there was no significant difference when compared to MGAP and RTS. GAP discriminated significantly better when compared with GCS. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the discrimination of GCS is comparable to that of more complex trauma scores in predicting 24-hour and 30-day in-hospital mortality in adult TBI patients in a resource limited LMIC setting.

Breast Conservative Surgery for Breast Cancer: Indian Surgeon's Preferences and Factors Influencing Them.

Background: It is well established that disease-free survival and overall survival after breast conservation surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy are equivalent to that after mastectomy. However, in Asian countries, the rate of BCS continues to remain low. The cause may be multifactorial including the patient's choice, availability and accessibility of infrastructure, and surgeon's choice. We aimed to elucidate the Indian surgeons' perspective while choosing between BCS and mastectomy, in women oncologically eligible for BCS. Methods: We conducted a survey-based cross-sectional study in January-February 2021. Indian surgeons with general surgical or specialised oncosurgical training, who consented to participate were included in the study. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of study variables on offering mastectomy or BCS. Results: A total of 347 responses were included. The mean age of the participants was 43 ± 11 years. Sixty-three of the surgeons were in the 25-44 years age group with the majority (80%) being males. 66.4% of surgeons 'almost always' offered BCS to oncologically eligible patients. Surgeons who had undergone specialised training in oncosurgery or breast conservation surgery were 35 times more likely to offer BCS (p < 0.01). Surgeons working in hospitals with in-house radiation oncology facilities were 9 times more likely to offer BCS (p < 0.05). Surgeons' years of practice, age, sex and hospital setting did not influence the surgery offered. Conclusion: Two-thirds of Indian surgeons preferred BCS over mastectomy. Lack of radiotherapy facilities and specialised surgical training were deterrents to offering BCS to eligible women. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-022-01601-y.

Mortality from fall: A descriptive analysis of a multicenter Indian trauma registry.

INTRODUCTION: Fall is the second most common mechanism of trauma worldwide after road traffic injuries. Data on fall predominantly comes from the high-income countries (HICs) and mostly includes injuries in children and elderly. There are very few studies from low- and middle-income countries(LMICs) that describe fall related injuries other than fragility fractures in elderly. This study describes the profile of poly-trauma patients admitted with a history of 'fall' and assesses the variables associated with mortality. METHOD: We analyzed data from the 'Towards Improved Trauma Care Outcome' (TITCO) database which prospectively collected data of poly-trauma patients admitted to four major tertiary care hospitals of India between 2013 to 2015. Patients across all age groups admitted to hospital with the history of 'fall'; were included in our study. Single bone fractures were excluded.  The Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the survival probability in different age groups. RESULTS: A total of 3686 patients were included in our study. The median age of the patients was 28 years (IQR: 9, 47) with the majority being males (73.6%). Almost one-third of the patients were within the age group of 0-14 (30.4%). Most of the patients (79.9%) had a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The overall in-hospital mortality was 18% (664), but higher at 39.0% among patients over 65 years of age. Probability of survival decreased with increase of age. CONCLUSION: Falling from height is a common injury mechanism in India, occurring more in young males and usually associated with TBI. Isolated TBI and TBI associated with other injuries are the main contributors of mortality in fall injuries. Mortality from these injuries increased with age and ISS.

Perceived usefulness of trauma audit filters in urban India: a mixed-methods multicentre Delphi study comparing filters from the WHO and low and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To compare experts' perceived usefulness of audit filters from Ghana, Cameroon, WHO and those locally developed; generate context-appropriate audit filters for trauma care in selected hospitals in urban India; and explore characteristics of audit filters that correlate to perceived usefulness. DESIGN: A mixed-methods approach using a multicentre online Delphi technique. SETTING: Two large tertiary hospitals in urban India. METHODS: Filters were rated on a scale from 1 to 10 in terms of perceived usefulness, with the option to add new filters and comments. The filters were categorised into three groups depending on their origin: low and middle-income countries (LMIC), WHO and New (locally developed), and their scores compared. Significance was determined using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Wilcoxon rank-sum test. We performed a content analysis of the comments. RESULTS: 26 predefined and 15 new filter suggestions were evaluated. The filters had high usefulness scores (mean overall score 9.01 of 10), with the LMIC filters having significantly higher scores compared with those from WHO and those newly added. Three themes were identified in the content analysis relating to medical relevance, feasibility and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Audit filters from other LMICs were deemed highly useful in the urban India context. This may indicate that the transferability of defined trauma audit filters between similar contexts is high and that these can provide a starting point when implemented as part of trauma quality improvement programmes in low-resource settings.

A pilot multicentre cluster randomised trial to compare the effect of trauma life support training programmes on patient and provider outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma accounts for nearly 10% of the global burden of disease. Several trauma life support programmes aim to improve trauma outcomes. There is no evidence from controlled trials to show the effect of these programmes on patient outcomes. We describe the protocol of a pilot study that aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a cluster randomised controlled trial comparing advanced trauma life support (ATLS) and primary trauma care (PTC) with standard care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will pilot a pragmatic three-armed parallel, cluster randomised controlled trial in India, where neither of these programmes are routinely taught. We will recruit tertiary hospitals and include trauma patients and residents managing these patients. Two hospitals will be randomised to ATLS, two to PTC and two to standard care. The primary outcome will be all-cause mortality at 30 days from the time of arrival to the emergency department. Our secondary outcomes will include patient, provider and process measures. All outcomes except time-to-event outcomes will be measured both as final values as well as change from baseline. We will compare outcomes in three combinations of trial arms: ATLS versus PTC, ATLS versus standard care and PTC versus standard care using absolute and relative differences along with associated CIs. We will conduct subgroup analyses across the clinical subgroups men, women, blunt multisystem trauma, penetrating trauma, shock, severe traumatic brain injury and elderly. In parallel to the pilot study, we will conduct community consultations to inform the planning of the full-scale trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: We will apply for ethics approvals to the local institutional review board in each hospital. The protocol will be published to Clinical Trials Registry-India and ClinicalTrials.gov. The results will be published and the anonymised data and code for analysis will be released publicly.

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.

Deep Invasive Fungal Infection of the Hand in a Child Mimicking a Local Gigantism.

Subcutaneous and deep fungal infections in the hand are rare among children. These are usually found in immunocompromised adults or in persons engaged in soil handling activities, due to direct exposure, especially in the tropics. Delay in diagnosis is usual because pyogenic and other granulomatous infections are considered first. The authors present the case of a healthy, immunocompetent 2½-year-old child who presented with progressive swelling of the right hand mimicking a localized gigantism of the entire hand. Multiple operative drainage procedures done previously had failed to resolve the condition. A biopsy established the presence of fungal hyphae, thus confirming the diagnosis of deep fungal infection of the hand and guided proper therapeutic intervention. A strong index of suspicion needs to be maintained in cases not responding to conventional antibacterial therapy, and both microbiologic and histopathologic samples need to be obtained to establish the diagnosis.

Double Compound Intussusception桝 Clinico-radiological Correlation

Intussusception is the invagination of a proximal segment of intestine into a distal segment leading to intestinal obstruction. The rarest form of intussusception is the Compound Intussusception. In adults, the typical signs and symptoms may be present in only a small subset of patients. Hence, the diagnosis may be missed clinically. Computerised Tomographic (CT) Scan can prove to be a useful adjunct for the diagnosis. In patients with Compound Intussusception, the Triple Circle Sign may be seen on CT scan, which gives a useful clue to the diagnosis. This clinico-radiological correlation can help in early diagnosis and intervention and lead to decreased morbidity in patients

Amyand Hernia — An Uncommon Coexistence of Two Common Disease Entities

Amyand hernia is a very rare disorder characterized by presence of appendix (normal, inflamed or perforated) in the hernia sac. Though it is usually detected intra-operatively, ultrasonography or computerized tomographic scan done preoperatively may provide a clue. The presentation is determined by the condition of the appendix, and can mimic an incarcerated hernia. Though there are no standardized treatment protocols, management is mostly dictated by the condition of the appendix. We present the case of a 62-year-old male patient who presented with right sided obstructed inguinal hernia, which intra-operatively revealed an Amyand Hernia.

Comparative Study of Recurrence and Complications Using Various Sclerosants by Single Dart Technique in Treatment of Ganglion Cysts.

Ganglion cysts are tense,smooth,fluctuant,cystic and transilluminant swellings. They are commonly found on the dorsum of the wrist, at the scapholunate articulation and may involve volar wrist, tendon sheaths and even inter phalangeal joints. This study aims to compare the efficacy and the recurrence rates with triamcinolone, hyaluronidase and sodium tetradecyl sulphate,using the single dart technique. This prospective observational study was conducted on patients who presented to the general surgery outpatient department of our institute with ganglion cysts of wrist between January 2010 and August 2011 (20 months). A total of 180 patients were included in this study. The difference in the recurrence rates after sclerotherapy for ganglion cysts is statistically not significant between triamcinolone and hyaluronidase regimens as Z (P1-P2) = 1.70, p > 0.05 but the difference in the recurrence rates after sclerotherapy for ganglion cysts is statistically significant between triamcinolone and sodium tetradecyl sulphate regimens as Z (P1-P2) = 3.34, p < 0.05 . Chi-square value -10.33 (2 ° of freedom), p = 0.00571987 (significant at 5 % level). Intralesional injection of triamcinolone by single dart technique, therefore, may be considered as a simple, safe, cost effective, convenient, less invasive alternative to surgical excision of wrist ganglion cysts.

Methods of retaining the suture in a sub-cuticular stitch using non absorbable suture - innovations and diversity of techniques.

Subcuticular sutures have been extensively used for closure of wounds, particularly when good cosmesis is required. Both absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures are used in subcuticular sutures. Nonabsorbable sutures have some distinct advantages over absorbable sutures from cosmetic point of view, when used in subcuticular sutures. The challenge remains in keeping the nonabsorbable suture secure and in situ. We present six different methods of securing the suture in position while closing the wound with a nonabsorbable suture (2-0/3-0 polypropylene, polyamide, or polyethylene).

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.

Acute intestinal obstruction: a rare aetiology.

Internal herniation of small intestine is a very rare entity, and it poses a real diagnostic challenge clinically. Recurrent entrapment of the bowel may lead to partial to complete intestinal obstruction and eventually strangulation of the small bowel. Of this rare clinical entity, left paraduodenal hernia is more common. High index of suspicion with prompt management may prevent bowel strangulation and gangrene. We present a case of acute intestinal obstruction due to left paraduodenal hernia with malrotation of midgut in a 55-year-old male patient.

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.

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.

Gallstone ileus--an atypical presentation and unusual location.

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction and is rarely suspected preoperatively. Patients are usually elderly and present with features of small bowel obstruction. Commonest site of impaction of the gallstone is the terminal ileum. We report a case of gallstone ileus in a 37-year-old female who presented with vomiting and anuria, and without any symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Intraoperatively the gallstone was found impacted at the duodeno-jejunal flexure. Impaction of gallstone at the duodeno-jejunal flexure is yet to be reported in literature.