Evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by oligonucleotide-based microarray analysis uncovers novel aberrations not detected by FISH or cytogenetic analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cytogenetic evaluation is a key component of the diagnosis and prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We performed oligonucleotide-based comparative genomic hybridization microarray analysis on 34 samples with CLL and known abnormal karyotypes previously determined by cytogenetics and/or fluorescence <it>in situ </it>hybridization (FISH).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a custom designed microarray that targets >1800 genes involved in hematologic disease and other malignancies, we identified additional cryptic aberrations and novel findings in 59% of cases. These included gains and losses of genes associated with cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and susceptibility loci on 3p21.31, 5q35.2q35.3, 10q23.31q23.33, 11q22.3, and 22q11.23.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results show that microarray analysis will detect known aberrations, including microscopic and cryptic alterations. In addition, novel genomic changes will be uncovered that may become important prognostic predictors or treatment targets for CLL in the future.</p

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair in a Developing Nation: Short‑term Outcomes in 103 Consecutive Procedures

Background: There are no published data on the outcomes of inguinal hernia repair from the Anglophone Caribbean. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a series of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs from the region.Materials and Methods: Data was extracted from a prospectively maintained database of consecutive trans abdominal pre‑peritoneal (TAPP) repairs done between June 1, 2005 and May 30, 2012. Perioperative data collected included patient demographics, hernia type, operative technique, duration of surgery, intra‑operative details, morbidity, analgesia requirements, and duration of hospitalization. A telephone survey was also performed to identify late recurrences and complications. Descriptive statistics were generated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Ver 12.0. Results: There were 103 consecutive TAPP procedures in 88 patients at an average age of 35.4 years ± 12.9 (standard deviation; SD) and average body mass index (BMI) of 28.9 Kg/m2 ± 2.23 (SD). The indications were bilateral (30), recurrent unilateral (24), and primary unilateral (49) inguinal hernias. The mean duration of operation was 68.5 minutes (SD ± 10.4; Range: 55-95; Median 65; Mode 65) minutes for unilateral TAPP and 89 minutes (SD ± 7.61; Range: 80‑105; Median 90; Mode 90) for bilateral repairs. Post‑operatively, 65/70 patients required ≤1 dose of parenteral opioid analgesia and 74 (84.1%) patients discontinued oral analgesia within 48 hours of operation. Complications were recorded in six (5.8%) cases and a recurrence in one (0.97%) case after a mean follow‑up period of 3.2 years (SD ± 1.8; Range: 0.5-7).Conclusion: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a safe and effective operation in this setting.Key words: Hernia, laparoscopic, recurrence, TAP

The History of Laparoscopic General Surgery in the Caribbean

Objective: The first world witnessed a laparoscopic revolution in the 1990s. At the start, laparoscopic surgery was heavily criticized and ridiculed. Despite this, the specialty has blossomed where almost any procedure can be done laparoscopically with the now obvious tremendous benefit to the patients. The objective of this paper is to examine where the Caribbean is placed relative to the rest of the world in terms of laparoscopic surgery and to understand why we are here. Design and Methods: The literature written on laparoscopy in the region was reviewed and contri-butions were taken from key surgeons in three main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. Results: Though the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Caribbean, in most islands, took place in the early 1990s like the rest of the world, there was relative dormancy for at least a decade in Trinidad and Tobago and even longer in other islands with regards to implementing advanced procedures or increasing case volumes. Reasons for this included lack of funding, lack of operating time in public facilities, lack of information of the public and the medical fraternity but most importantly lack of trained laparoscopic surgeons. This last factor was proven to be the key one in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003, Jamaica 2005 and Barbados 2011/12, when the return of trained personel engineered the transition from basic to advanced laparoscopy. Conclusion: Despite the delay of approximately 10 years in Trinidad and Tobago and 15 years in other islands, the return of trained surgeons has seen a rapid increase in case variety and volumes in laparoscopy. The wheels of motion of the laparoscopic revolution in the Caribbean have finally begun. Keywords: bariatric surgery, cholecystectomy, developing nations, laparoscopy "Historia de la Cirugía General Laparoscópica en el Caribe" RESUMEN Objetivo: El primer mundo fue testigo de una revolución laparoscópica en los años 1990. Al comienzo, la cirugía laparoscópica fue muy criticada y ridiculizada. A pesar de ello, la especialidad ha florecido, siendo el caso que ahora casi cualquier procedimiento puede hacerse laparoscópicamente, con evi-dentes grandes beneficios para los pacientes. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar donde se encuentra el Caribe en relación con el resto del mundo en lo que se refiere a la cirugía laparoscópica, y asimismo el por qué nos hallamos en ese lugar. Diseño y métodos: Se examinó la literatura sobre laparoscopia escrita en la región, y se tomaron  contribuciones de cirujanos claves de tres islas principales, a saber, Trinidad y Tobago, Barbados y Jamaica. Resultados: Aunque las primeras colecistectomías laparoscópicas en la mayoría de las islas del Caribe, tuvieron lugar a principio de los años 1990 como en el resto del mundo, hubo un período de relativa inactividad por espacio de casi una década en Trinidad y Tobago, y aun por más largo tiempo en otras islas, en relación con la implementación de procedimientos avanzados o el aumento del volumen de casos. Las razones para esta relativa inactividad incluyeron la falta de fondos, la falta de tiempo de operación de los centros públicos, la falta de información del público y la fraternidad médica, pero sobre todo la falta de cirujanos entrenados en laparoscopia. Esto ultimo resultó ser el factor clave en Trinidad y Tobago en 2003, Jamaica en 2005 y Barbados en 2011/12, cuando el regreso del personal entrenado hizo técnicamente posible la transición de una laparoscopia básica a una avanzada. Conclusión: A pesar de la demora de aproximadamente 10 años en Trinidad and Tobago, y de 15 años en las otras islas, el regreso de los cirujanos entrenados ha visto un rápido aumento en la variedad casos y los volúmenes de laparoscopia. El motor de la revolución laparoscópica en el Caribe ha por fin echado a andar. Palabras claves: colecistectomía, cirugía bariátrica, países en desarrollo, laparoscopi

Self-directed treatment for lower limb wounds in&nbsp;persons with diabetes: a short report

Patrick Harnarayan, Shamir O Cawich, Shariful Islam, Shivaa Ramsewak, Vijay Naraynsingh Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad&nbsp;and Tobago Aim: There has been little focus on self-directed treatment for lower limb wounds, although it a common practice among persons with diabetes across the Caribbean. We sought to document this practice in a Caribbean nation. Methods: We prospectively interviewed all consecutive patients with diabetes who were admitted with lower limb wounds at the San Fernando General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago over a period of 18 months. A questionnaire was used to collect data on patient demographics, use of self-directed treatment, and details of these treatments.Results: Of 839 persons with diabetes who were admitted with infected lower limb wounds, 344 (41%) admitted to self-directed treatment before seeking medical attention. These patients were predominantly male (59.9%) at a mean age of 56.4&plusmn;12.4 years. The practice was most common in persons of Afro-Caribbean descent (45.9%) and those with type 2 diabetes (93.9%). In this group, 255 (74.4%) patients were previously admitted to hospital for lower limb infections. And of those, 32 (12.6%) had a prior amputation and 108 (42.4%) had at least one operative debridement specifically for foot infections.Conclusion: Caribbean cultural practices may be an important contributor to negative outcomes when treating lower limb wounds in persons with diabetes. Despite being acutely aware of the potentially devastating consequences of inadequate treatment, 41% of our patients with diabetes still opted to use self-directed treatment for lower limb wounds. This deserves further study in order to give a more tailored approach in care delivery. Keywords: diabetes, foot infection, alternative, home, remedy, amputatio

Adverse events in diabetic foot infections: a case control study comparing early versus delayed medical treatment after home remedies

Shamir O Cawich, Patrick Harnarayan, Shariful Islam, Steve Budhooram, Shivaa Ramsewak, Vijay Naraynsingh Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies Background: The aim of conventional medical therapy in diabetic foot infections is to control infection, thereby reducing amputation rates, infectious morbidity, and death. Any delay incurred during a trial of home remedies could allow an infection to progress unchecked, increasing the risk of these adverse outcomes. This study sought to determine the effects of delayed operative interventions and amputations in these patients. Methods: A questionnaire study targeting all consecutive patients admitted with diabetic foot infection was carried out over 1 year. Two groups were defined, ie, a medical therapy group comprising patients who sought medical attention after detecting their infection and a home remedy group comprising those who voluntarily chose to delay medical therapy in favor of home remedies. The patients were followed throughout their hospital admissions. We recorded the duration of hospitalization and number of operative debridements and amputations performed. Results: There were 695 patients with diabetic foot infections, comprising 382 in the medical therapy group and 313 in the home remedy group. Many were previously hospitalized for foot infections in the medical therapy (78%) and home remedy (74.8%) groups. The trial of home remedies lasted for a mean duration of 8.9 days. The home remedy group had a longer duration of hospitalization (16.3 versus 8.5 days; P&lt;0.001), more operative debridements (99.7% versus 94.5%; P&lt;0.001), and more debridements per patient (2.85 versus 2.45; P&lt;0.001). Additionally, in the home remedy group, there was an estimated increase in expenditure of US $10,821.72 US per patient and a trend toward more major amputations (9.3% versus 5.2%; P=0.073). Conclusion: There are negative outcomes when patients delay conventional medical therapy in favour of home remedies to treat diabetic foot infections. These treatments need not be mutually exclusive. We encourage persons with diabetes who wish to try home remedies to seek medical advice in addition as a part of holistic care. Keywords: diabetic foot infections, adverse events, medical treatment, home remedie

Factors Related to Obstetric Third and Fourth Degree Perineal Lacerations in a Jamaican Cohort

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify significant and modifiable risk factors associated with obstetric third and fourth degree perineal lacerations and to produce recommendations that may reduce their morbidity and prevalence. Methods: This is a retrospective case control study performed between March 2004 and March 2008. All patients diagnosed with third and fourth degree perineal lacerations were identified (cases) along with randomly assigned controls who delivered during the same time period. Nineteen cases and 38 controls were identified giving a total of 57 patients. Each patient’s hospital record was collected and the data extracted. Results: When analysed for weight greater than or equal to 3.5 kg versus birthweight of less than 3.5 kg, the difference between cases and controls was found to be statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.012. Of the cases, 21% had an operative delivery (forceps or vacuum) whereas only 2.6% of the controls had an operative delivery. This was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.011). Conclusion: This study has shown that the two main factors related to the obstetric third and fourth degree perineal lacerations were babies weighing more than 3.5 kg and the use of forceps or vacuum to assist with deliveries. These high risk patients should be attended to by the most senior staff that is available. Keywords: Jamaica, operative vaginal deliveries, perineal lacerations "Factores relacionados con las laceraciones perineales obstétricas de tercer y cuarto grado en una cohorte de Jamaica" RESUMEN Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar factores de riesgo modificables y significativos asociados con las laceraciones perineales obstétricas de 3er y 4to grado, y producir recomendaciones que puedan reducir su morbilidad y prevalencia. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio de caso control retrospectivo realizado entre marzo de 2004 y marzo de 2008. Todas las pacientes diagnosticadas con laceraciones perineales de 3er y 4to grado fueron identificadas (casos) con controles asignados de manera aleatoria, que tuvieron el parto en el mismo período de tiempo. Diecinueve casos y 38 controles fueron identificados, para un total de 57 pacientes. Se recogieron y se extrajeron los datos de las historias clínicas de cada paciente. Resultados: Al analizárseles en términos de peso superior o igual a 3.5 kg frente a un peso al nacer por debajo de 3.5 kg, la diferencia entre los controles y los casos resultó ser estadísticamente significativa, con un valor p de 0.012. De los casos, el 21% tuvo un parto operativo (fórceps o vacío), mientras que sólo el 2.6% de los controles tuvo un parto operativo. Esto resultó ser estadísticamente significativo (p = 0.011). Conclusión: Este estudio ha demostrado que los dos factores principales relacionados con las laceraciones perineales obstétricos de 3er y 4to grado, eran bebés con un peso de más de 3.5 kg y el uso de fórceps o vacío en la asistencia a los partos. Estos pacientes de alto riesgo deben ser atendidos por el personal disponible de mayor experiencia. Palabras claves: Jamaica, partos vaginales operativos, laceraciones perineale

Displasia tanatofórica de grado II: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

La displasia tanatofórica (DT) es la osteocondrodisplasia más letal que existe en el periodo neonatal. Se caracteriza por miembros cortos, macrocefalia, tronco de longitud normal y tórax estrecho con hipoplasia pulmonar. Se clasifica en dos subtipos clínicamente definidos: la DT tipo I (DTI), es el subtipo más común y se caracteriza por presentar huesos largos curvados (fémur en forma de receptor telefónico) con o sin deformaciones craneales, y la DT tipo II (DTII), en que los fetos presentan cráneos en forma de “hoja de trébol” y fémures rectos. Muchas de las alteraciones morfológicas de este tipo de enanismo coinciden en ambos subtipos: micrognatia o platispondilia vertebral. Actualmente existen varias formas de diagnosticar este trastorno por imágenes clínicas o técnicas moleculares. Se presentan los hallazgos clínicos y de imagen de un feto de 36 semanas de gestación que presentó macrocefalia, frente prominente, puente nasal plano, costillas cortas y gruesas, tórax estrecho, micromelia extrema y vértebras planas, asociados a una rotura prematura de membrana, en que se estableció el diagnóstico de DT tipo II

Advancement of laparoscopic surgery in Guyana: a working model for developing countries

Shamir O Cawich,1 Cheetnand Mahadeo,2 Maddan Rambaran,2 Sheik Amir,2 Shilindra Rajkumar,2 Ivor W Crandon,1 Vijay Naraynsingh1 1Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago; 2Department of Surgery, Guyana Public Hospital Corporation, Georgetown, Guyana Abstract: In the late 20th century, the volume and complexity of laparoscopic operations being performed have increased worldwide. However, surgical practice lagged behind in the Caribbean region. This article reports a tailored approach to initiate advanced laparoscopy in Guyana, which can be used as a model to initiate laparoscopic services in other developing nations. This can be achieved in four stages: 1) relying on regional proctors to teach laparoscopic techniques adapted to resource-poor environments, 2) focusing on developing skill sets such as laparoscopic suturing in order to rely less on expensive consumables, 3) creating partnerships that include all stakeholders, and 4) collaborating with regional experts as a valuable resource for continued medical education, multidisciplinary support, and sharing learning experiences. Keywords: laparoscopy, education, Caribbean, minimal, invasiv