A Comparative Study Between Pneumatic and Laser Lithotripsy for Proximal Ureteric Calculus

Introduction: There are various modalities of breaking urinary tract calculus. The aim of this study was to compare outcome between laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in patients with upper ureteric calculus in terms of stone free rate, proximal migration and complication. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study done in 210 patients with upper ureteric calculus. The patients were randomized into two groups (Laser Lithotripsy and Pneumatic Lithotripsy) from April 2018 to June 2019. The main objective of both the procedures was to break stone into particles less than 3 mm which was confirmed by X-ray KUB and ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis after six weeks and to compare effectiveness in terms of immediate stone free rate, proximal migration, operative duration and post-operative complication. Results: There was no difference in age, gender and stone size in both groups. Immediate stone free rate was 99.05% in Laser Lithotripsy and 76.19% in Pneumatic Lithotripsy (p value<0.001). Proximal migration in Laser Lithotripsy was 0.95% and 23.81% in Pneumatic Lithotripsy (p<0.001). There was significantly prolonged operative duration in Pneumatic Lithotripsy (14.7±4.77 min vs 13.31±3.24 in Laser Lithotripsy, p=0.014). Complications were more in Pneumatic Lithotripsy group, which was statistically significant (p=0.017). Conclusion: Both pneumatic and laser lithotripsy are effective and safe modalities for treating upper ureteric calculus, however laser has less chances of proximal migration and higher immediate stone free rate with less complicatio

Hemoperitoneum among Pediatric Abdominal Trauma Patients Visiting in Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional study

Introduction: Pediatric abdominal trauma presents a major challenge for first-line responders in the Emergency Department for assessment and management. The Focused assessment sonography for trauma is a readily available, easy-to-use, and affordable tool for detecting hemoperitoneum during the initial assessment of trauma in the Emergency Department for adult traumatic patients. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of hemoperitoneum among pediatric abdominal trauma patients visiting the Emergency Department of tertiary care centre through Focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination technique. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Emergency Department of a tertiary care hospital from 7 April 2019 to 7 April 2020. Among 413 pediatric trauma patients, 93 children (1 to 17 years) admitted to the Emergency Department who underwent focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination were included in the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Approval number: 111/19). Convenience sampling was used. Point estimate and 90% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 93 children receiving focused assessment with sonography for trauma imaging in the Emergency Department with a history of blunt abdominal trauma, the prevalence of hemoperitoneum was 18 (19.34%) (12.61-26.09, 90% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of hemoperitoneum was similar to other studies conducted in a similar setting

Prediction of saphenofemoral junction incompetence by measurement of great saphenous vein size at the level of femoral condyle

Introduction: Doppler ultrasonography (USG) is the primary modality for diagnosis of superficial venous reflux caused by incompetence of venous valves of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and usually associated with competence of saphenofemoral junction (SFJ). This study is done to know the cutoff value in size of GSV that safely predicts this junction incompetence. Methods: All varicose vein patients during the study period of January–December 2016 were included in the study. The cases underwent Doppler USG of GSV using Siemens Acuson P500 to identify GSV. The diameter of GSV was measured at the level of femoral condyle in standing position and these were compared with SFJ incompetence. Contralateral limbs which were apparently normal were taken as control limbs if there is no evidence of reflux in SFJ. Results: There were 147 patients with 16 cases (9.81%) where bilateral limb was involved making total cases as 163 limbs and controls as 131 limbs. The mean GSV diameter in disease group was 6.05 mm and in control group was 3.19 mm with P < 0.05. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of size of GSV at the level of knee and prediction of SFJ incompetence had the ideal curve depicting use of some cutoff value. The point with both best sensitivity and specificity lied on 4.95 mm with sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 83%. Conclusion: We recommend 5 mm as the cutoff value for diameter of GSV at the level of femoral condyle which successfully predicts SFJ incompetence

Applicability of wells' criteria for diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in lower extremities at Dhulikhel hospital, Kathmandu university hospital

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the presence of thrombus in deep venous system, commonly encountered in lower extremities. P. S. Wells was one of the pioneers to diagnose DVT without relying on imaging methods and using the clinical criteria for patient management. Methods: All the patients with clinical suspicion of DVT in lower extremities (new onset edema, pain) visiting the Outpatient Department or Emergency Department of Dhulikhel Hospital between September 2012 and August 2016 were included in the study. The patients were asked/examined for knowing all the points in Wells' criteria. Confirmation of the diagnosis was done by color Doppler ultrasonography on the same day by a radiologist. The patients were categorized into three groups as ≥3 as high probability, 1–2 as moderate probability, and <0 as low probability. Results: There were 68 patients with a history suggestive of DVT. Doppler ultrasonography being considered as gold standard for diagnosis confirmed 65 cases as DVT (95.6%) on the 1st day and remaining 3 cases were confirmed on the 3rd day in repeat Doppler ultrasonography. Mean age was 55.5 years (range: 34–75, standard deviation [SD] 11.3 years). Mean days of history was 3 days (range 1–10 days, SD 2.2 days). Pitting edema was present in 95.6% of cases which was the most common clinical characteristic in patients with DVT. This was followed by swelling of entire leg (67.6%), followed by localized tenderness along the distribution of deep venous system (64.7%). In 51 cases (75%), Wells' score was ≥3 (high probability), while in 14 cases (20.6), it was 1–2 (moderate probability) and in 3 cases (4.4%) it was <0 (low probability). In terms of positive Wells' score (≥2), there were 55 cases (80.9%). Conclusion: Wells' scoring can be used for diagnosis of DVT in lower extremities, but for further accuracy, it needs to be reconfirmed by Doppler ultrasonography

Study of Pattern and Management of Abdominal Trauma Patients at a University Hospital of Nepal

Background: Injury related death is a leading cause of death globally. Abdominal injuries may occur in up to one third of patients with trauma. Road traffic accidents have become the commonest mechanism of trauma. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based retrospective descriptive study conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital. Patients admitted with abdominal trauma from July 2021 to December 2023 were included in this study. Results: This study included 60 patients with abdominal trauma. Mean age of patients was 35.60 ± 15.81 (10-76) years. Majority of patients belonged to age group 21-40 years (n=32, 53.3%) with male predominance (Male:female ratio=3.6:1). Blunt abdominal trauma (n=58, 96.7%) was more common than penetrating abdominal trauma (n=2, 3.3%). Road traffic accident (n=31, 51.7%), fall from height (n=22, 36.7%) and physical assaults (n=7, 11.7%) were the mechanisms of injury. In our study, commonly injured organs were spleen(n=19, 30.64%), liver(n=15, 24.19%) and small bowel(n=14, 22.58%). Among the patients with penetrating abdominal trauma, one patient had rectal injury and next patient had stab injury with protruding omentum through the wound. Thirty four patients (56.7%) were managed conservatively and 26 patients (43.3%) underwent operative management. The mortality rate was 8.33% (n=5) of which 4 (80%) had undergone operative management and 1 (20%) was being managed conservatively. Conclusion: Majority of patients with solid organ injury can be managed conservatively while hollow viscus injury undergoes operative treatment. Physically active male population is the most affected group. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of abdominal trauma followed by fall from height and physical assaults

Vascular anomalies: Presentation and response to medical and surgical management, our experiences in the last 5 years

Aim: Vascular anomalies, lesions of abnormal vascular development pose a significant challenge in some of the cases for diagnosis and management. The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies has classified this condition into two broad types as vasoproliferative or vascular neoplasms such as hemangioma and vascular malformation. We have analyzed all the cases with vascular anomalies that have presented in outpatient department (OPD) in the past 5 years. Materials and Methods: All patients presented to vascular OPD of Dhulikhel Hospital in the year 2013–2017, if patients are diagnosed with vascular anomalies, are included in the study. Details on age, sex, site of the lesion, and medical or operative management performed are analyzed. Results: Of the total 51 vascular anomalies cases, the mean age of the patient was 22.4 years (standard division. 8.4, range 6 months to 51 years). Female-to-male ratio was 2.4:1. Forty cases (70.48%) belonged to vascular malformation while 11 cases (21.56%) were of hemangioma. In case of vascular malformation, 18 cases were of venous malformation while 8 cases were of capillary malformation. There were a total of 14 arteriovenous malformations. The highest number of anomalies was noticed in the lower limb (39.22%) followed by the head (25.49%). Regarding treatment modality opted, in five cases, medical management with oral steroids and propranolol was advised. In 35 cases, surgical resection was done. Conclusion: Vascular anomalies are detected in fairly young patients with preponderance in the female. Treatment of vascular anomalies is complex and is based on stage, type, and location of each anomaly

Health system gaps in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths and disability in Nepal. Health systems can improve CVD health outcomes even in resource-limited settings by directing efforts to meet critical system gaps. This study aimed to identify Nepal's health systems gaps to prevent and manage CVDs. METHODS: We formed a task force composed of the government and non-government representatives and assessed health system performance across six building blocks: governance, service delivery, human resources, medical products, information system, and financing in terms of equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability. We reviewed 125 national health policies, plans, strategies, guidelines, reports and websites and conducted 52 key informant interviews. We grouped notes from desk review and transcripts' codes into equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability of the health system. RESULTS: National health insurance covers less than 10% of the population; and more than 50% of the health spending is out of pocket. The efficiency of CVDs prevention and management programs in Nepal is affected by the shortage of human resources, weak monitoring and supervision, and inadequate engagement of stakeholders. There are policies and strategies in place to ensure quality of care, however their implementation and supervision is weak. The total budget on health has been increasing over the past five years. However, the funding on CVDs is negligible. CONCLUSION: Governments at the federal, provincial and local levels should prioritize CVDs care and partner with non-government organizations to improve preventive and curative CVDs services.</p