Systematic review with expert consensus on use of extracorporeal hemoadsorption in septic shock:An Indian perspective

BACKGROUND Septic shock is a severe form of sepsis characterised by deterioration in circulatory and cellular-metabolic parameters.Despite standard therapy,the outcomes are poor.Newer adjuvant therapy,such as CytoSorb®extracorporeal haemoadsorption device,has been investigated and shown promising outcome.However,there is a lack of some guidance to make clinical decisions on the use of CytoSorb®haemoadsorption as an adjuvant therapy in septic shock in Indian Setting.Therefore,this expert consensus was formulated.AIM To formulate/establish specific consensus statements on the use of CytoSorb®haemoadsorption treatment based on the best available evidence and contextualised to the Indian scenario.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature on CytoSorb®haemoadsorption in sepsis,septic shock in PubMed selecting papers published between January 2011 and March 20232021 in English language.The statements for a consensus document were developed based on the summarised literature analysis and identification of knowledge gaps.Using a modified Delphi approach combining evidence appraisal and expert opinion,the following topics related to CytoSorb®in septic shock were addressed:need for adjuvant therapy,initiation timeline,need for Interleukin-6 levels,duration of therapy,change of adsorbers,safety,prerequisite condition,efficacy endpoints and management flowchart.Eleven expert members from critical care,emergency medicine,and the intensive care participated and voted on nine statements and one open-ended question.RESULTS Eleven expert members from critical care,emergency medicine,and the intensive care participated and voted on nine statements and one open-ended question.All 11 experts in the consensus group(100%)participated in the first,second and third round of voting.After three iterative voting rounds and adapting two statements,consensus was achieved on nine statements out of nine statements.The consensus expert panel also recognised the necessity to form an association or society that can keep a registry regarding the use of CytoSorb®for all indications in the open-ended question(Q10)focusing on“future recommendations for CytoSorb®therapy”.CONCLUSION This Indian perspective consensus statement supports and provides guidance on the use of CytoSorb®haemoadsorption as an adjuvant treatment in patients with septic shock to achieve optimal outcomes.

Knowledge and awareness of infection control practices among nursing professionals:A cross-sectional survey from South Asia and the Middle East

BACKGROUND The proficiency of nursing professionals in the infection prevention and control(IPC)practices is a core component of the strategy to mitigate the challenge of healthcare associated infections.AIM To test knowledge of nurses working in intensive care units(ICU)in South Asia and Middle East countries on IPC practices.METHODS An online self-assessment questionnaire based on various aspects of IPC practices was conducted among nurses over three weeks.RESULTS A total of 1333 nurses from 13 countries completed the survey.The average score was 72.8%and 36%of nurses were proficient(mean score>80%).43%and 68.3%of respondents were from government and teaching hospitals,respectively.79.2%of respondents worked in<25 bedded ICUs and 46.5%in closed ICUs.Statistically,a significant association was found between the knowledge and expertise of nurses,the country’s per-capita income,type of hospitals,accreditation and teaching status of hospitals and type of ICUs.Working in high-and upper-middleincome countries(β=4.89,95%CI:3.55 to 6.22)was positively associated,and the teaching status of the hospital(β=-4.58,95%CI:-6.81 to-2.36)was negatively associated with the knowledge score among respondents.CONCLUSION There is considerable variation in knowledge among nurses working in ICU.Factors like income status of countries,public vs private and teaching status of hospitals and experience are independently associated with nurses’knowledge of IPC practices.

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy:An unresolved issue

Management of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is based on expert opinion only,due to geographic and ethic variations.Nonbiliary causes should be sought as they are associated with worse outcomes.Alcohol as a cause of acute pancreatitis is not rare.Hemoconcentration as a marker of fluid def icit and severity should be predicted with caution and fluid resuscitation should be done carefully by closely monitoring the central venous pressure,cardiac and respiratory system.Hypercalcemia of hyperparathyroidism may be falsely lowered due to hypoalbuminemia or suppressed by magnesium tocolysis.

Fluoroscopy guided percutaneous renal access in prone position

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a very commonly done procedure for management of renal calculus disease. Establishing a good access is the first and probably themost crucial step of this procedure. A proper access is the gateway to success. However, this crucial step has the steepest learning curve for, in a fluoroscopy guided access, it involves visualizing a three dimensional anatomy on a two dimensional fluoroscopy screen. This review describes the anatomical basis of the renal access. It provides a literature review of all aspects of percutaneous renal access along with the advances that have taken place in this field over the years. The article describes a technique to determine the site of skin puncture, the angle and depth of puncture using a simple mathematical principle. It also reviews the common problems faced during the process of puncture and dilatation and describes the ways to overcome them. The aim of this article is to provide the reader a step by step guide for percutaneous renal access.

在在印度的心血管的风险因素的地区性的变化: 印度心手表

Cardiovascular disease(CVD) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in India.Mortality statistics and morbidity surveys indicate substantial regional variations in CVD prevalence and mortality rates.Data from the Registrar General of India reported greater ageadjusted cardiovascular mortality in southern and eastern states of the country.Coronary heart disease(CHD) mortality is greater in south India while stroke is more common in the eastern Indian states.CHD prevalence is higher in urban Indian populations while stroke mortality is similar in urban and rural regions.Case-control studies in India have identified that the common major risk factors account for more than 90% of incident myocardial infarctions and stroke.The case-control INTERHEART and INTERSTROKE studies reported that hypertension,lipid abnormalities,smoking,obesity,diabetes,sedentary lifestyle,low fruit and vegetable intake,and psychosocial stress are as important in India as in other populations of the world.Individual studies have reported that there are substantial regional variations in risk factors in India.At a macro-level these regional variations in risk factors explain some of the regional differences in CVD mortality.However,there is need to study the prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in different regions of India and to correlate them with variations in CVD mortality using a uniform protocol.There is also a need to determine the 'causes of the causes' or fundamental determinants of these risk factors.The India Heart Watch study has been designed to study socioeconomic,anthropometric and biochemical risk factors in urban populations in different regions of the country in order to identify regional differences.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis:Few additional points

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a treatable complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Coagulopathy with evidence of hyperfi brinolysis or clinically evident disseminated intravascular coagulation precludes paracentesis. Alcoholic hepatitis with fever, leucocytosis and abdominal pain should be evaluated for SBP. Oral ofloxacin is as effective as parenteral cefotaxime in treatment of SBP except for inpatients with vomiting, encephalopathy, or renal failure. Albumin is superior to hydroxyethyl starch in treatment of SBP.

Evaluating factors associated with the risk of hydrothorax following standard supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Objective:To report our experience with supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy(SC-PNL)and evaluate factors which could predict the risk of hydrothorax following SC-PNL.Methods:We reviewed 347 patients who underwent SC-PNL from January 2011 to December 2019.Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics,indication for the supracostal access,level of supracostal access,anatomy of the kidney(normal or malrotated),site of the puncture in relation to the mid-scapular line(medial or lateral),and whether another subcostal tract for stone clearance was required or not.Patients were assessed for the incidence of hydrothorax and requirement of intercostal drain depending on the level of percutaneous access.In addition,a multivariable logistic regression analysis model was developed to identify factors which could predict the occurrence of hydrothorax following SC-PNL.Results:Of the 347 patients with SC-PNL,248(71.5%)underwent a supra-12th rib approach,while the rest needed a supra-11th(n=85;24.5%)or a supra-10th(n=14;4.0%)rib tract.Overall,17(4.9%)patients developed a hydrothorax,while an intercostal-drain was required in seven of these 17 patients for 48 h.None of the patients with a supra-12th rib puncture required an intercostal-drain.More than a third of the patients with a supra-10th puncture developed a hydrothorax(35.7%)and all of them required an intercostal drain.Factors such as anteriorly malrotated kidney(odds ratio[OR]=2.722;95%confidence interval[CI]=1.042-5.617,p=0.03),puncture medial to the mid-scapular line(OR=1.669;CI=0.542-1.578,p=0.03),and an access higher than the supra-12th level(OR=5.265;CI=1.292-9.342,p<0.001)proved to be independent predictors of hydrothorax following a SC-PCNL on multivariable analysis.Conclusion:Incidence of clinically significant hydrothorax requiring an intercostal-drain after SC-PNL is very low.Knowledge of the predicting factors will help to anticipate the risk of hydrothorax in a particular patient and take necessary peri-operative measures.

Colorectal cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease: A critical analysis

Colonoscopic surveillance is advocated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) for detection of dys-plasia. There are many issues regarding surveillance in IBD: the risk of colorectal cancer seems to be de-creasing in the majority of recently published studies, necessitating revisions of surveillance strategy; surveil-lance guidelines are not based on concrete evidence; commencement and frequency of surveillance, cost-effectiveness and adherence to surveillance have been issues that are only partly answered. The traditional technique of random biopsy is neither evidence-based nor easy to practice. Therefore, highlighting abnormal areas with newer technology and biopsy from these areas are the way forward. Of the newer technology, digital mucosal enhancement, such as high-definition white light endoscopy and chromoendoscopy(with magnification) have been incorporated in guidelines. Dyeless chromoendoscopy(narrow band imaging) has not yet shown potential, whereas some forms of digital chromoendoscopy(i-Scan more than Fujinon intelligent color enhancement) have shown promise for colonoscopic surveillance in IBD. Other techniquessuch as autofluorescence imaging, endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy need further evidence. Surveillance with genetic markers(tissue, serum or stool) is at an early stage. This article discusses changing epidemiology of colorectal cancer development in IBD and critically evaluates issues regarding colonoscopic surveillance in IBD.

Adult-onset Still's disease: A case report

Rationale: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a frequently observed phenomenon in clinical practice. Definite diagnosis of FUO is a great challenge in clinical practice since potential causes for FUO involve more than 200 diseases. Adult-onset Still's disease is a defined clinical entity and a known rare cause of FUO. Patient's concern: A 19-year girl was referred to the clinic with the concern of intermittent fevers and shivering for almost a year despite multiple investigations and consultations. She had undergone intensive serologic, radiologic, laboratory investigations to exclude infectious diseases, connective tissue diseases, and malignancy, and all the investigation showed no conclusive diagnosis. Diagnosis: Adult-onset Stills disease. Intervention: Steroids and supportive treatment. Outcomes:The symptoms were relieved within three days, and the patient became asymptomatic. Lessons: Physicians need to be familiar with the diagnostic criteria of adult-onset Still's disease, or it shall remain a diagnostic dilemma. Besides, all shivers are not infections.

Self-expanding metallic esophageal stents:A long way to go before a particular stent can be recommended

We agree that the covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) fare better than the uncovered stents as recurrent dysphagia due to tumor ingrowth is common with uncovered stent. Recent American College of Gastroenterology Practice Guideline on the Role of Esophageal Stents in Benign and Malignant Diseases concludes that SEMSs cannot be routinely recommended in conjunction with chemo-radiation. The comparison of ultraflex and choostent in the Italian study found no difference in the palliation of dysphagia, rate of complications and survival rate.

Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome-a retrospective cohort study

AIM To ascertain the frequency of hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome(HHS) in a cohort of children with hypertensive emergency in a tertiary pediatric hospital.METHODS A retrospective review was undertaken among children with hypertensive emergency admitted in our tertiary children hospital between June 2014 and December 2015 with an aim to identify any children with HHS. Three children with HHS were identified during this period. RESULTS The 3 patients with HHS presented with hypertensive emergency. They were initially managed with Labetalol infusion and thereafter switched to oral anti-hypertensives(combination of Nifedipine sustained release,Hydralazine and Beta Blocker). All 3 were diagnosed to have unilateral renal artery stenosis. One child was lost to follow up,whereas the other 2 underwent renal angioplasty which was followed with normalization of blood pressure.CONCLUSION Despite activation of renin angiotensin axis secondary to renal artery stenosis,these groups of children have significant hyponatremia. Renal re-vascularisation produces excellent results in most of them.

Outcome of application of primary versus secondary Illizarov＇s fixator in open tibial shaft fractures

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to compare outcome of primary and secondary Illizarov's fi xator application as a treatment method for type III open tibial fractures in terms of nonunion and wound infection.METHODS: This prospective study was done in a tertiary care center. Forty-eight type III tibial fractures were treated with Illizarov's apparatus between 2008 and 2011. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the treatment protocol, timing of wound closure and Illizarov's application, primary(n=28) and secondary(n=20).RESULTS: In the primary group, healing was achieved in all 28 patients. The median time to recovery was 24 weeks, and the median number of operations was 3. There were 6 patients with a bone defect. In the secondary group, complete recovery was achieved in 18 out of 20 patients. The median time to recovery was 30 weeks, and the median number of operations 5. There were 9 patients with a bone defect. The median time to recovery and the number of operations were signifi cantly smaller in patients undergoing primary operation. Union was 100% in the primary group and more than 95% in the secondary group. Chronic osteomyelitis persisted in one patient and below amputation was done in one patient in the secondary group.CONCLUSION: Primary wound closure and Illizarov's fixation required a smaller number of operations and shorter time to recovery than secondary wound closure and Illizarov's fi xation, mostly due to a signifi cantly less number of patients with a bone defect in the primary group.

Microscopic Surgery with Coblation for the Treatment of Benign Laryngeal Lesions: A Case Report

Background: Coblation based bipolar plasma devices are designed to operate at a relatively low temperature to gently dissolve and/or shrink target tissue with minimal thermal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Coblation technology provides ablation, resection, coagulation of soft tissue and hemostasis of blood vessels in one convenient surgical device. Coblation technology can be used in the larynx and trachea for removing or debulking sessile polyps, lesions or tumors. Minimally invasive coblation technology can offer less invasive treatment with quicker recovery and shorter hospitalization. Aim: This case study aims to explore the advantages of coblation combined with microscopy to treat benign laryngeal lesions. Case report: We report the case of laryngeal papilloma treated with minimally invasive coblation resection. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy was done pre-operatively and that showed papillomatous mass at anterior half of right vocal cord involving inferior surface and also extending upto anterior commissure. Mobility of both vocal cords was normal. On the basis of the above findings with normal vocal cords mobility, the microlaryngeal surgery with coblation was planned. After complete pre-op work up, the patient underwent trans-oral microscopic coblation excision of mass under general anaesthesia. Power level was set to 7 for ablation and 3 for coagulation. The PROciseTM LW Plasma Wand system was chosen such that it was malleable to reach the papillomatous mass without obstructing the vision. It was totally excised and sent for histopathology examination. Post-operatively after four hours, he was able to take normal diet comfortably. He was followed up after 10 days. Histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis of papilloma. Check laryngoscopy was performed after 3 weeks. Laryngeal examination was absolutely normal with almost normal vocal cords and normal voice post-operatively. Conclusion: Microscopic surgery with coblation has the advantages of less bleeding, short procedure duration, increased completion rate and few complications.

Nuclear medicine imaging in osteonecrosis of hip:Old and current concepts

Osteonecrosis(ON) is caused by inadequate blood supply leading to bone death, which results in the collapse of the architectural bony structure. Femoral head is the most common site involved in ON. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is a commonly used imaging modality to detect early ON. When MRI is inconclusive, bone scan is helpful in detecting ON during early phase of the disease. As newer nuclear medicine equipment, like single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography(CT) and positron emission tomography/CT, are emerging in medical science, we review the role of these imaging modalities in ON of femoral head.

Tight near-total corrosive strictures of the proximal esophagus with concomitant involvement of the hypopharynx: Flexible endoscopic management using a novel technique

AIM To investigate the role of a novel minimally invasive endoscopic technique in the management of tight neartotal corrosive strictures of the proximal esophagus involving the hypopharynx.METHODS Two patients with near-total corrosive strictures of the proximal esophagus involving the hypopharynx were managed with the novel endoscopic technique. The technique involved passing a 0.025-inch flexible guidewire across the stricture, and stricture dilatation, using 10 F coaxial diathermy and balloon dilators, followed byelectro-incision of the proximal aspect of the residual eccentric stricture by means of a novel approach using a wire-guided sphincterotome.RESULTS Both patients were successfully managed on an outpatient department basis with the complete relief of symptoms and resolution of strictures on endoscopy and an esophagogram. No adverse events were seen during or after the procedure. There was no recurrence of symptoms at a follow-up of over a year in both cases. There was a significant improvement in the body mass index of both patients after the procedure.CONCLUSION We report a novel flexible endoscopic technique for the management of complex hypopharyngo-esophageal strictures. In experienced hands, the procedure is relatively simple, safe and effective with a durable response.

Sexual dysfunctions and their treatment in liver diseases

Sexual dysfunction(SD)is a prevalent but very commonly ignored aspect in the treatment of liver diseases and cirrhosis.The etiology of SD is multifactorial and therefore treatment strategies are complex,especially in females.Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are useful and effective in erectile dysfunction in males but in females,no single drug is available for SD,therefore multimodal treatment is required depending upon the cause.The foremost and fundamental requirement in both genders is to be stress-free and have adequate control of liver diseases.Improved quality of life is helpful in improving SD and vice versa is also true.Therefore,patients suffering from liver diseases should come forward and ask for treatment for SD,and physicians should actively enquire about SD while history taking and evaluating these patients.SD results in deterioration of quality of life,and both are modifiable and treatable aspects of liver diseases,which are never addressed actively,due to social taboos and fears of SD treatment in the presence of liver diseases.The diagnosis of SD does not require costly investigations,as the diagnosis can be established based on validated questionnaires available for both genders,therefore detailed targeted history taking using questionnaires is essential.Data are emerging in this area but is still at an early stage.More studies should be dedicated to SD in liver diseases.

A simple technique of tissue collection after morcellation during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HoLEP)has stood the test of time for management of benign enlarge-ment of prostate[1].Multiple studies since 1990 have shown good results with HoL EP,which are comparable to the re-sults of transurethral resection of the prostate[2-4].

An Isolated Displaced Fracture of the Coracoid Process Treated with Osteosynthesis—A Case Report and Review of Literature

Coracoid process fractures are relatively rare and few cases have been reported in the orthopedic literature. In this article, we report the case of an active, thirty years old, male patient with isolated, displaced fracture of the coracoid process, associated with a blunt injury to the shoulder, during a motor vehicle accident. We describe the incidence, mechanism of injury, and surgical treatment. Although rare, a high index of suspicion, special radiographic views, can detect an isolated coracoid process. Knowledge of the associated injuries will help the clinician to order further imaging and treat them accordingly. We recommend that a displaced, isolated fracture of the coracoid be treated with open reduction and osteosynthesis, to achieve early use of the extremity, good radiological union and clinical function.

Distal Tibial Stress Fracture Secondary to Severe Osteoarthritis Knee

Stress fractures of the tibia are commonly seen in young athletes or military recruits due to repetitive micro trauma. These are rare in elderly patients. Osteoarthritis knee with varus deformity leading to stress fracture is rare but has been reported in literature. Stress fracture in osteoarthritis more commonly occurs in upper third tibia. We report a patient who had stress fractures of distal tibial shaft secondary to advanced osteoarthritis of knee with varus deformity.

A Concise Review of Surgical exposures for Revision Knee Arthroplasty

Revision knee arthroplasty is fraught with complications such as delayed wound healing, arthrofibrosis, increased chances of infection, instability and extensor mechanism disruption. The key to avoiding these complications is to handle the soft tissue with care and to have an adequate surgical exposure at the same time. As the number of revisions has gone up, there has been a renewed interest in getting the basics right to have an adequate surgical exposure. Numerous surgical approaches have been proposed and subsequently modified. We present a concise review of the various surgical approaches for a revision knee replacement.