Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS)-guided vs conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy: a randomised control trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of routine use of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) in improving perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing IOUS-guided laparoscopic nephrectomy (IOUS-LN) and conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy (C-LN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a parallel-arm, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial (CTRI/2021/12/038906). All patients undergoing LN, either for benign or malignant causes, were included. Patients undergoing partial/cytoreductive nephrectomy, with venous thrombus were excluded. In the study arm, IOUS-guided renal vascular assessment was performed after colon mobilisation and a standard LN was performed in the control arm. The primary outcome was intraoperative duration. The secondary outcomes were blood loss, need for open conversion, blood transfusion, perioperative complications, duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and length of hospitalisation (LOH). The patients were followed for 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included, with 52 in each arm. Demographic characteristics were comparable in both arms. A significant reduction in the operative duration (mean [sd] 181.69 [40.8] vs 199.7 [41.8] min, P = 0.02) was seen in the IOUS-LN group. The difference in blood loss showed no significant difference when compared between both groups (median [interquartile range] 84.55 [74-105.5] vs 99.95 [78.5-111] mL, P = 0.08). On subgroup analysis, the reduction in the operative duration was significant in patients who underwent laparoscopic simple nephrectomy (LSN; mean [sd] 194.4 [42.5] vs 221.2 [36.4] min, P = 0.01), whereas comparable operative durations were seen in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN; mean [sd] 168.96 [35.3] vs 178.3 [35.9] min, P = 0.34). Similar conversion rates were seen in both groups (P = 0.98) along with blood transfusions (P = 0.78). The LOH, ICU stay, and complications were similar in both groups. Significantly less blood loss (P = 0.03) was noted with IOUS in patients undergoing LSN. IOUS did not influence any outcomes in patients undergoing LRN. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative ultrasonography significantly reduced the operative duration in LN, but with no significant reduction in the volume of blood loss. Significant reduction in intraoperative duration and blood loss was seen in patients who underwent LSN on subgroup analysis.

Long-term Sexual Function and Quality of Life in Women Following Substitution Urethroplasty.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term quality of life (QOL) and sexual function (SF) in women who underwent either dorsal on-lay (DO) or ventral inlay (VI) urethroplasty for urethral stricture disease. METHODOLOGY: Between January 2016 and September 2022, women who underwent either dorsal on-lay (DO) or ventral inlay (VI) urethroplasties and had at least a six-month follow-up been included. Using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and WHO-QOL bref questionnaires, the QOL and SF were evaluated. Scores were compared between the two groups after being examined for internal validity. A sub-group analysis was carried out based on the procedure's success. RESULTS: With follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 86 months, 25 patients who received VI urethroplasty and 10 patients who underwent DO urethroplasty were included. Both scores demonstrated strong internal consistency. The cumulative QOL and FSFI scores were comparable in both groups (p = 0.53 and p = 0.83, respectively). Significantly high scores were noted in the physical health domain (76.5 ± 9.9 vs 62.33 ± 10.97; p = 0.03; (95% CI = 0.72-24.4)) and the environmental domain (75.75 ± 3.84 vs 66.00 ± 4.24; p = 0.01 (95% CI = 2.64-16.85) in patients with successful VI and DO urethroplasties respectively. Addictions, low socioeconomic status and protracted symptom duration were associated with low QOL scores. Old age was related to low FSFI scores. CONCLUSION: Substitution urethroplasty, despite the approach, showed good QOL and SF scores. Long symptom duration, addictions, and poor socioeconomic status were associated with low QOL whereas old age independently influenced low FSFI scores.

Effect of Synbiotics in Reducing the Systemic Inflammatory Response and Septic Complications in Moderately Severe and Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Parallel-Arm Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

AIM: This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of synbiotics in reducing septic complications in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: This was a prospective, parallel-arm, double-blinded superiority randomized control study. All patients with moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis were included in the study. Acute on chronic pancreatitis, pancreatitis due to trauma, ERCP and malignancy were excluded. 1 g of synbiotic containing both pre- and probiotics was administered to the cases twice a day for 14 days and a similar-looking placebo to controls. Patients were followed for 90 days. Primary outcomes were reduction of septic complications and inflammatory marker levels. Secondary outcomes were mortality, non-septic morbidity, length of hospitalization (LOH) and need for intervention. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were randomized to 43 in each arm. Demographic profile and severity of pancreatitis were comparable. There was no significant difference in septic complications between the groups (59% vs. 64%; p 0.59). Total leucocyte and neutrophil counts showed a significant reduction in the first 7 days (p = 0.01 and 0.05). No significant difference was seen in other inflammatory markers. There was a significant reduction in the LOH (10 vs. 7; p = 0.02). Non-septic morbidity (41% vs. 62.2%; p 0.06) and length of ICU stay (3 vs. 2; p 0.06) had a trend towards significance. The need for intervention and mortality was comparable. CONCLUSION: Synbiotics did not significantly reduce the septic complications in patients with moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis; however, they significantly reduced the LOH. There was no reduction in mortality and need for intervention. Clinical Trials Registry of India Number: CTRI/2018/03/012597.

Socio-economic, education, and insurance-related factors associated with the treatment completion rates in patients with nonmetastatic urinary bladder cancer: A Retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Among urological malignancies, the diagnosis and treatment of urinary bladder cancer (UBC) incurs the highest cost per patient. Our objective was to broaden the current understanding of how demographic, socioeconomic, education, and insurance-related factors influence UBC management. Methods: Between January 2017 and December 2019, all patients with nonmetastatic bladder cancer were included. The demographic, treatment, and follow-up details were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database, and the Modified Kuppuswamy Index was used to evaluate the patients' socioeconomic level. Patients were divided into the completed treatment group, or the incomplete treatment group based on adherence to the initially intended treatment plan. Patients who presented with benign disease or metastases were not included. Results: Eighty-nine patients did not complete the initially intended course of treatment out of 132 patients who needed additional management after the initial transurethral resection. Comparable risk factors and demographic profiles existed in both groups. Patients with intermediate-risk disease are more likely to fail to adhere to the initial intended treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.30). On logistic regression analysis, upper socioeconomic status (OR = 6.8; 95% CI: 0.35-132.1) patients and patients with higher educational status of graduation or above (OR = 3.62; 95% CI: 0.75-17.43) had higher chances of treatment completion. Education status significantly impacted treatment completion on multivariate analysis (P = 0.01). Patients who utilized employer-funded insurance had better treatment compliance (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 0.90-18.7). The compliance was unaffected by smoking, occupation, or other demographic factors. Conclusion: Patients with low economic status, low levels of education, and who need adjuvant intravesical therapy had considerably greater treatment dropout rates.

Comparison Of Ventral Inlay and Dorsal Onlay Urethroplasty For Female Urethral Stricture.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of Ventral inlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (VIBMGU) with dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (DOBMGU) for the treatment of Female urethral stricture (FUS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included women who underwent either VIBMGU or DOBMGU between January 2016 and June 2023. The preoperative AUA symptom scores, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual volume (PVR) on ultrasonography, and length and location of the stricture were obtained from a prospectively maintained electronic database. The data obtained from the patient's last visit was compared with the preoperative values for this study. The primary outcome was the success rate. The secondary outcomes were changes in AUA score, PVR, and Qmax. The patient's last follow-up visit was considered for the duration of the follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were treated for BMGU for FUS. Forty-six patients underwent VIBMGU, and 27 patients underwent DOBMGU. The median duration of follow-up was 27.5 11.00-55.00) versus 14 (7.00-17.00) months respectively. The success rates of VIBMGU and DOBMGU were 89.13% and 88.89% respectively. There was a reduction in AUA scores and PVR and an improvement in Qmax postoperatively in both groups. The difference in the reduction in AUA scores between the VIBMGU and DOBMGU groups was statistically significant. The difference was not statistically significant in terms of reduction in PVR and improvement in Qmax between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The ventral inlay technique can provide equal results to the dorsal technique with the added advantage of vaginal sparing. This is the single largest series in the literature on female urethral stricture with the largest follow-up period of 90 months.

Efficacy of Low Dose Intravenous Epinephrine Infusion in Improving Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Prostate: A Prospective Parallel Arm Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of intraoperative low-dose intravenous epinephrine infusion in improving intraoperative bleeding and perioperative outcomes of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) surgery. METHODS: This was a double-blinded, randomized control trial in which all patients undergoing bipolar TURP were included. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac disease, and on anticoagulants were excluded. The study group received intravenous epinephrine, whereas the control group received normal saline at the same rate (0.05 µg/kg/min) throughout the procedure. Intraoperative blood loss was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were incidence of intraoperative hypotension (due to spinal anesthesia), resection time, indwelling catheter time, and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in each group. Demographic and clinical profiles were comparable with an overall median prostate size of 41 (34-52) gram in both groups. The primary objective, mean intraoperative blood loss in the study group was lower than the control group but statistically insignificant (67.91+/-18.7 mL vs 75.14 +/-17.1 mL; P = .086). Incidence of intraoperative hypotension was significantly lower in the study group (8.3% vs 33.3%; P = .01). Rest of the secondary outcomes, resection time (83 (64-111.5) minutes vs 86 (68-94.75) minutes; P = .97), mean indwelling catheter time (P = .94), postoperative complications (P = .73), and length of hospitalization (P = .87) were comparable. CONCLUSION: In this first-of-its-kind trial, low-dose epinephrine infusion did not reduce intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing TURP. However, it significantly reduced intraoperative hypotension, which complicates spinal anesthesia particularly in elderly population.

Inferior Alveolar Plus Buccal Nerve Block Decreases Postoperative Pain Scores at Buccal Mucosal Graft Harvest Site: A Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pain at buccal mucosal graft (BMG) harvest site hinders the resumption of food intake. We aim to study the effect of inferior-alveolar nerve block plus buccal nerve block (IANB+BNB) on pain scores. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study performed in a single center from July 2021 to July 2022 (ethics committee approval: T/IM-NF/Urology/23/27). We performed IANB+BNB with a mixture of 5 mL each of 1% lignocaine and 0.25% bupivacaine and 4 mg dexamethasone, in addition to local infiltration of 2% lignocaine and (1:100000) epinephrine combination before harvesting BMG. We retrospectively compared the recorded postoperative pain scores using the visual analog scale (VAS) among patients who received and did not receive IANB+BNB. The time for resumption of pain-free diets and postoperative analgesic requirements was compared. RESULTS: The study groups included 20 patients each and were similar in age and graft size. The VAS scores at 0 hours [1.0 (1.25) vs. 2.5 (3.5); P= .043], 6 hours [2.40 (± 0.69) vs. 4.60 (± 0.97); P= .008], 12 hours [2.50 (± 0.97) vs. 4.80 (± 0.92); P= .008], and 24 hours [3.0 (1.25) vs. 4.5 (1.25); P= .002] were better in the intervention arm. However, the pain beyond the second day was similar. The IANB+BNB group resumed solid food quicker, and the cumulative paracetamol dose required was less [8.9 (± 3.03) vs. 16.2 (± 5.06) g; P= .001]. Fewer patients required opioids. CONCLUSION: Patients who received IANB+BNB had better pain scores during the first 24 hours following surgery and tolerated solid diet quicker.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast Following a Core-Needle Biopsy.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive rapidly spreading infection of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. Its occurrence in the breast is extremely rare especially after routine procedures like core-needle biopsy. We present the case of a 35-year-old non-lactating female who presented with swelling and a necrotic patch with pus discharge over her right breast following a core needle biopsy. She was immediately treated with aggressive debridement and culture-specific intravenous antibiotics following which she had an uneventful recovery. It is quintessential to diagnose the condition and initiate the treatment as early as possible to prevent the progression of the disease to sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction.

Hydrogen Peroxide Poisoning-A Rare Cause of Portal Venous Gas.

Hydrogen peroxide is a clear and odorless liquid at room temperature that can easily be mistaken for water. Its ingestion results in varied clinical and radiological squeals depending on the volume and concentration of the liquid. We present a case of a 22-year-old lady who accidentally ingested 30 to 40 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide and presented with hematemesis and abdominal pain. On further radiological evaluation, she was found to have portal venous gas and pneumatosis of the bowel wall. She was conservatively managed with 100% oxygen and nil per os for 2 days following which the portal venous gas resolved. Hydrogen peroxide ingestion causes a massive release of oxygen and when its volume exceeds its solubility in blood, gas embolism occurs that is responsible for portal venous gas and pneumatosis. Close monitoring with conservative management will suffice in mild cases without the need for any therapeutic intervention.

Isolated internal iliac artery infected pseudoaneurysm occlusion using endovascular coil embolisation.

A 34-year-old man presented with painful swelling in the right gluteal region. The MRI showed right sacroiliitis and adjacent intramuscular abscess. The abscess was drained by a pigtail insertion followed by incision and drainage. The patient developed persistent bleeding from the drainage site. CT angiogram revealed a large pear-shaped pseudoaneurysm arising from the anterior branch of the right internal iliac artery. The patient had Abrus precatorius poisoning previously resulting in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia, which incited above events. Digital subtraction angiography with coil embolisation of the right internal iliac artery was done under the cover of culture-specific antibiotics along with thorough wound debridement following which the patient's condition improved. Isolated infected pseudoaneurysms of internal iliac arteries, although rare, should be considered in cases of complicated sacroiliitis. Under antibiotic cover, endovascular coil embolisation can be considered as a treatment strategy to treat complicated infected pseudoaneurysms located in difficult anatomical locations.

Emphysematous cystitis - An uncommon yet fatal urinary tract infection.

Emphysematous cystitis is an uncommon form of complicated urinary tract infection mostly caused by Gram-negative organisms in elderly, debilitated or immune-compromised patients. It has a varied spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to generalised sepsis. Radiological investigations such as conventional abdominal radiography and computed tomography are quintessential for diagnosis. Treatment with culture-specific antibiotics forms the mainstay of management. We present the case of an elderly patient who presented with gastric carcinoma and, during his stay, developed an unexplained fever with rapid clinical deterioration. Emphysematous cystitis was diagnosed radiologically, and urinalysis revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Culture-specific antibiotics were started after obtaining the culture report, and despite early and aggressive management, the patient succumbed to generalised septicaemia. Although Emphysematous cystitis is known to have lower mortality compared to other gas-forming infections of the urinary tract, high degrees of clinical suspicion and early management are of paramount importance in obtaining a favourable outcome.

A Rare Case of Penile Strangulation by a Hard Plastic Bottleneck.

Penile strangulation is an uncommon condition that mandates emergent management to remove the constricting device and restoring penile blood flow. Different kinds of metallic and non-metallic objects were placed over the penis due to various reasons but mostly due to autoerotic intentions. We present a case of a middle-aged male who presented to the emergency with penile strangulation by a hard plastic bottle, which was successfully removed using a bone-cutter. The patient had an uneventful recovery without any immediate complications. Treatment aims at decompressing the penis to restore blood flow and maintain urethral continuity. Early removal of the constricting object with minimal discomfort to the patient prevents long term complications such as urethral stricture and priapism.

A Curious Case of Cutaneous Horn.

Cutaneous horns are uncommon lesions that occur as conical projections in various sun-exposed parts of the body. They are made of hyperkeratotic material and look similar to animal horns. These lesions lack a central bony core that differentiates them from the animal horns. They are frequently associated with various benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions, and therefore carry a clinical significance. We present a case of a 58-year-old gentleman who presented with a conical projection over the center of the forehead, which was clinically diagnosed as a cutaneous horn. Excision of the horn along with the base was done, and the histopathology revealed benign seborrheic keratosis as the underlying lesion. The excision of small lesions along with their bases or biopsy of the base of large lesions is of paramount importance in the management of cutaneous horns.

Systemic Melioidosis With Ruptured Splenic Abscess.

Melioidosis is a severe systemic disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, commonly found in soil, ground water, and ponds of endemic regions. It is transmitted to humans via percutaneous inoculation while working in these areas without protective clothing and footwear giving rise to the disease which has a high case fatality rate. It has a wide range of clinical manifestations, varying from asymptomatic infection to localized abscess formation to fulminating disease with multiple organ involvement and even death. Currently, there are no known pathognomonic features or specific criteria which can lead to a confident diagnosis of melioidosis. The gold standard diagnostic test is culture sensitivity of blood, pus, or bodily fluids, which itself has a low sensitivity. Imaging findings are not specific and can mimic other bacterial infection. However, awareness of these radiographic manifestations in multiple organs can raise the possibility of diagnosis and lead to more early proper treatment and thereby lower the high mortality associated with this disease. We here present a rare case of systemic melioidosis with ruptured splenic abscess managed laboriously with antibiotics and splenectomy and wish to review the literature.