Multiple Enteric Duplication Cysts in a Twin Fetus : Diagnosis and management

Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract. These can be suspected if cystic lesions are noted in the fetal abdomen during an antenatal ultrasonogram. The differential diagnoses of fetal intra-abdominal cystic lesions include fetal omental cysts, fetal mesenteric cysts, meconium pseudocysts and fetal ovarian cysts. We report an antenatally diagnosed enteric duplication cyst in one of a set of twin fetuses which was managed successfully.

Protracted Chemical Peritonitis Following Laparoscopy for Dermoid Cyst: A management dilemma

Dermoid cysts are common benign ovarian tumors arising from totipotent germ cells. We report a rare case of chemical peritonitis and prolonged fever following laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy for torsion of a large ovarian dermoid and discuss the management of this patient with prolonged hospital stay, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory use, repeated drainage of the collection as well as re-laparotomy. The occurrence of this rare condition can be extremely distressing for the patient and treating surgeon alike, as the recommendations for management are limited. The management of chemical peritonitis may require one or more surgical procedures along with prolonged anti-inflammatory therapy. Keywords: peritonitis, dermoid cyst, laparoscop

Twin Pregnancy with a Complete Hydatidiform Mole and a Coexisting Live Fetus : Rare entity

A hydatidiform mole with a coexisting live fetus is a rare occurrence and the optimal management for this condition is not yet known. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman (gravida 3, para 2) who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in March 2012 at 13 gestational weeks with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. An ultrasound examination revealed a hydatidiform mole pregnancy coexisting with a live fetus. After extensive counselling, the patient and her husband opted for a conservative management approach. Unfortunately, a hysterotomy had to be performed at 17 gestational weeks due to severe haemorrhage. The postoperative period was uneventful and histopathology results confirmed one complete mole with a coexisting fetus and normal placenta. The patient’s serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin level remained normal for 18 months following her surgery

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

COVID-2019 and Pregnancy: A narrative review of maternal and perinatal outcomes

As of March 2021, approximately 130 million people worldwide had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, limited data are available regarding the effects of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy and maternal and perinatal outcomes. The MEDLINE® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), SCOPUS (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands) and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (EBSCO Information Services, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA) databases were searched to identify relevant English-language articles published between January 2020 and February 2021. A total of 17 articles describing the outcomes of 762 pregnancies were identified. There were 613 babies born, including 16 sets of twins. Within the cases studied, 12 (1.6%) maternal deaths and eight (1.3%) stillbirths were reported. A small proportion (3.9%) of mothers required admission to the intensive care unit, usually due to associated comorbidities. Rates of Caesarean and preterm delivery were 27-100% and 4-50% respectively. Further research is necessary to determine the effect of COVID-19 infection on early pregnancy. Keywords: COVID-19; Pregnancy; Maternal Death; Perinatal Death; Pregnancy Outcome; Stillbirths; Preterm Births; Review

Metastatic Malignant Melanoma during Pregnancy: Case report and a Review of the literature

Malignant melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers and, when it occurs during pregnancy, it can frequently metastasise to the placenta and the foetus. Earlier reports suggested a rapid progress of the disease during pregnancy with a poor prognosis; however, recent controlled studies found that stage for stage, the prognosis of melanoma during pregnancy is similar to that in a non-pregnant state. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can avoid a tragic outcome

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous