Prevalence of anemia in geriatric population of Kashmir: A hospital based study: Anemia: an unrecognized sign in geriatric patients

Anemia is a common concern in geriatric age group in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to identify the common causes and types of anemia in elderly patients in educationally backward region with limited access to quality health care. This was an observational study was done in Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital of Government Medical College Srinagar, over a period of two years. 2000 patients above 60 years of age attending the outpatient clinic were screened for anemia based on WHO criteria. A random and non-consecutive selection of 100 anemic patients was done to study the morphological type and cause of anemia. 1160 (58%) patients were males and 840 (42%) were females.  Total 812 out of 840 (96.67%) females and 738 out of 1160 (63.62%) males were found to be anemic. Maximum numbers of anemic patients were found in the age group 60-69 years. Mean age was 74.5 years. All the types of anemia based on peripheral smear were evident, normocytic being the commonest constituting 77.5%, followed by microcytic hypochromic 11.1%, macrocytic 7.05% and dimorphic 4.35%. 21% were lost to follow up and almost one fourth of the patients (24%) needed further evaluation before labelling them as having anemia due to old age. The common causes of anemia noted were gastrointestinal malignancy (31%), renal insufficiency (15%) and tuberculosis (9%). The inability to evaluate anemia in elderly individuals can lead to delay in the diagnosis of treatable as well as threatening disease conditions

COMPLICATED RIGHT PARADUODENAL HERNIA - A CASE REPORT

Paraduodenal hernia, a rare congenital anomaly which arises from an error of rotation of the midgut, is the most common type of intra-abdominal hernia. There are two variants, right and left paraduodenal hernia, the right being less common. We report the case of a 41-year-old patient with a right paraduodenal hernia who presented with 2 days history of continuous pain abdomen with multiple episodes of vomiting. Patient was decided to undergo laparotomy in view of Increasing abdominal pain and development of peritonitis. In a planned laparotomy, herniation of the small bowel loops through the fossa of Waldeyer, behind the ascending mesocolon was found which was gangrenous with prolapse of a few gangrenous loops into the peritoneal cavity. Gangrenous bowel was resected and an end to end jejuno ileostomy was performed

Clinical profile, diagnostic challenge and management of alveolar hydatid disease: a prospective study

Background: Although a rare entity, alveolar hydatid disease is associated with significant morbidity. This disease presents a diagnostic challenge because of its low prevalence, unfamiliarity and nonspecific presentation. Aim: To look about the clinical profile, diagnosis and management of these patients.Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of surgery at SMHS (Shri Maharaja Harisingh) hospital. All patients with a diagnosis of alveolar hydatid disease of liver during this time period were enrolled in the study.Results: Eight patients in our study were females and 5 patients were males. The age ranged from 21 to 56 years with mean age of 42.07±8.88 years (SD =8.88). The most common presentation in our study was pain abdomen (38%). The most common finding on physical examination was hepatomegaly (30.76%). CT (computerized tomography) scan abdomen gave an impression of alveolar hydatid disease in 5 patients, a suspicion of malignancy in 3 patients and tuberculosis in one patient, and a possibility of liver abscess in one patient. Results of tru cut biopsy were suggestive of alveolar hydatid disease in 4 out of 6 patients. Twelve patients were operated on elective basis (liver radical resection in 8 patients, while “laparotomy and only tumor biopsy” in 4 unresectable patients) and one patient on emergency basis, and all were subjected to histopathological examination. ABZ (albendazole) was given orally at a dosage of 10-15 mg/kg per day.Conclusions: Alveolar hydatid is a rare disease with atypical (unfamiliar) and nonspecific clinical features and atypical radiological features. Also, the disease is associated with significant morbidity, hence a high index of suspicion is needed along with supplementary imaging studies for timely intervention to prevent further complications arising from the disease

A comparative study of skin staples versus sutures for fixing mesh in tension-free mesh hernioplasty

Background: In open anterior inguinal mesh hernioplasty, the commonly used method for mesh fixation is by polypropylene sutures which involves extensive mesh fixation and placement of sutures into periosteum of pubic symphysis, thereby increasing the operative time with attendant risk of infection of the prosthetic material. An alternative to sutures is the use of staples which are easy to use and quick to apply. We explored the use of staples in securing the mesh in inguinal hernioplasty. Methodology: A prospective comparative study of 400 patients who underwent inguinal mesh hernioplasty with 200 patients selected randomly each in polypropylene suture (PPSG) and staple group (SG) was performed. Postoperatively patients were made ambulatory on the same day of surgery and discharged from hospital on 1st or 2nd day in both the groups. Follow-up was carried out in 1 week, 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years and the patients were assessed for wound infection, hematomas, local pain, return to work, recurrence if any, and other miscellaneous complications if any. Results: The mean age of patients in our study in polypropylene suture group and staple group was 46.75 years and 46 years, respectively. 80% (160 patients) in polypropylene suture group and 75% (150 patients) in stapler group had indirect hernia. The mean operative time in PPSG and SG group was 59.25 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively (p value0.05). Overall the complication rate was the same in the two groups with no statistically significant differences observed (P value >0.05). There was 0% recurrence rate in 6 months and 1 year of follow-up in both groups. However, in 3-year follow-up 20 patients (10%) in PPSG and 2 patients (1%) in SG had recurrence (P value=0.0001). Conclusion: The technique of mesh fixation with skin staples is as effective as conventional fixation with polypropylene sutures, with an important added advantage of a significant reduction in the operative time and an early return to work. At the same time this technique does not have any additional complications compared to traditional Lichtenstein method. Good tissue penetrance and effective mesh anchorage are achieved when staples are utilized to secure the mesh. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2018; 7(1.000): 7-12

Comparative Study of Fibrin Sealent versus Use of Tackers in Inguinal Hernia Repair

Purpose: To determine role and benefit of fibrin glue over tackers for mesh fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Backgroud: Mesh fixation by tackers may lead to many complications peroperatively like bleeding, increased hospital stay and overall more cost and later on chronic groin pain. Material and Methods: 60 inguinal hernia with age more than 18 years were taken and were divided in two groups; 30 patient group who underwent TAPP and 30 patient group who underwent TEPP. In 15 patients in both groups tackers were used and in other half fibrin glue was used for fixation of mesh using a 3mm catheter (Duplotip: Baxter Healthcare), which fits the Tisseel syringe. Results: The use of fibrin sealent has a distinct advantage in laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernias compared with use of tackers as a method of mesh fixation. The use of fibrin sealant reduces the risk of post- and intraoperative complications, such as bleeding, seroma, chronic pain, has a lower incidence of postoperative neuralgia and provides an early faster return to social life. The recurrence rates do not vary much, but the operative time is slightly longer if the preparation time of the fibrin sealant is taken into consideration. In our study, we found a marginal difference in the cost of the two groups, fibrin sealant and stapled tackers. [Cukurova Med J 2015; 40(3.000): 457-465

Silicon occurrence, uptake, transport and mechanisms of heavy metals, minerals and salinity enhanced tolerance in plants with future prospects: A review

Recently, heavy metals pollution due to industrialization and urbanization, use of untreated wastewater and unreasonable use of pesticides and fertilizers is increasing rapidly, resulting in major threat to the environment and contaminate soils. Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the earth crust after oxygen. Although it's higher accumulation in plants, yet Si has not been listed as essential nutrient however, considered as beneficial element for growth of plants particularly in stressed environment. Research to date has demonstrated that silicon helps the plants to alleviate the various biotic and abiotic stresses. This review article presents a comprehensive update about Si and heavy metals, minerals and salinity stresses, and contained the progress about Si so far done worldwide in the light of previous studies to evaluate the ecological importance of Si. Moreover, this review will also be helpful to understand the Si uptake ability and its benefits on plants grown under stressed environment. Further research needs for Si-mediated mitigation of heavy metals and mineral nutrients stresses are also discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved