“Freezing” parasites in pre-Himalayan region,Himachal Pradesh: Experience with mini-FLOTAC

Background

Helminths and protozoa infections pose a great burden especially in developing, countries, due to morbidity caused both by acute and chronic infections. Data on distribution of intestinal parasitic infections among the native and expatriates populations in Himachal Pradesh are scarce. The aim of our survey was to analyze the intestinal parasitic burden in communities from Dharamsala, Kangra district, in clinical and public health settings. We also field-tested the mini- FLOTAC, an innovative diagnostic device.

Methods

Subjects referring to the Tibetan Delek Hospital for abdominal discomfort and all children of the Tibetan Primary School in Dharamsala were screened for intestinal parasitic infections with direct smear, formol-ether concentration (FEC) method and mini-FLOTAC, their clinical history was recorded, and correlations between clinical symptoms and infections analyzed.

Results

152 subjects were screened for intestinal parasites, of which 72 subjects in the outpatients department (OPD) (36 expatriates and 36 natives) and 80 in the school. 60% of schoolchildren and 57% of OPD patients were found positive for any infection, the most represented were protozoa infections (50%), whereas helminthic infections accounted only for 13% and 20% in OPD patients and schoolchildren, respectively. The most prevalent among helminths was Ascaris lumbricoides (11%). Giardia intestinalis was more present among schoolchildren than the OPD patients (20% vs 6%) and E. histolytica/dispar was more prevalent among the OPD patients (42%) than the school children (23%). Correlations were found between nausea and loose or watery stools and parasitic infections, particularly in expatriates, whereas schoolchildren, despite being as infected as adults, were completely asymptomatic. Mini-FLOTAC detected higher number of helminth infections whereas FEC method was more accurate for the diagnosis of protozoa.

Conclusions

This study presents an accurate snapshot of intestinal parasitic infections in Dharamsala, and their high prevalence calls for more awareness and control measures. Mini-FLOTAC is a promising and simple technique for the diagnosis of helminth infections.     

Le coude flottant : étude rétrospective et revue de la littérature

The floating elbow represents an uncommon combination of lesions in traumatology. Few studies have described this lesion especially in adults. Over a period of 6 years, 12 floating elbows were reviewed retrospectively. One osteoporotic elderly patient was treated conservatively. Reduction and internal fixation using different implants was performed in the other patients. Consolidation was obtained at the humerus at 3 months (2.5–3.5 months) on average, and 2.6 months (2–3 months) at forearm bones. According to the classification of Lange and Foster, our functional results were good in 67% of cases, fair in 17% and poor in 16% cases. Good functional prognosis of the upper limb requires rapid and adequate management of floating elbows. Internal fixation followed by early rehabilitation is recommended. The choice of surgical acts depends on the location of fractures. This strategy gave satisfactory results.     

Outcome after cholecystectomy for symptomatic gall stone disease and effect of surgical access: laparoscopic v open approach.

The pre and postoperative symptoms and outcome after surgery in patients with symptomatic gall stone disease were evaluated by a detailed self administered postal questionnaire. The survey was conducted in two groups: 80 patients treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and an age matched cohort of patients who had conventional open cholecystectomy. The overall response rate on which the data were calculated was 76%. Symptomatic benefit ratios accruing from the surgical removal of the gall bladder were calculated. The symptoms that were relieved by cholecystectomy were nausea (0.98), vomiting (0.91), colicky abdominal pain (0.81), and backpain (0.76). Flatulence, fat intolerance, and nagging abdominal pain were unaffected as shown by a benefit ratio of 0.5 or less. Relief of heartburn (39/49) outweighed the de novo development of this symptom after cholecystectomy (7/49), resulting in a benefit ratio of 0.65. Postcholecystectomy diarrhoea occurred in 21/118 patients (18%): 10 after open cholecystectomy and 11 after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The type of surgical access did not influence the symptomatic outcome but had a significant bearing on the time to return to work or full activity after surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy two weeks, open cholecystectomy eight weeks, p = 0.00001). In the elderly age group (> 60 years), significantly more patients (29/30) regained full activity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared with the open cholecystectomy group (16/22), p = 0.001. The patient appreciation of a satisfactory cosmetic result was 72% in the open group compared with 100% of patients who were treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p = 0.0017). Despite the persistence or de novo occurrence of symptoms, 111/117 patients (95%) considered that they had obtained overall symptomatic improvement by their surgical treatment and 110/118 (93%) were pleased with the end result regardless of the access used.     

Laparoscopy in the management of pancreatic cancer: endoscopic cholecystojejunostomy for advanced disease.

Following a period of animal experimentation in pigs, a laparoscopic technique for sutured gastrointestinal and bilioenteric anastomoses was developed and its safety and efficacy tested in chronic experiments. The method involves the construction of a preformed external jamming loop knot and continuous suturing using a specially developed Endoski needle. The technique was used to construct a cholecystojejunostomy in five patients with advanced cancer of the pancreas (four hand-sutured and one stapled/sutured). Four of the patients recovered from the procedure with no complications, minimal postoperative discomfort and complete relief of their jaundice. In one patient relief of jaundice was slow due to blockage of the anastomosis by debris and blood clot; this resolved following removal of the inspissated material. This minimally invasive procedure has the potential for complete palliation with short hospital stay and avoids the hazards of endoscopic stenting such as encrustation and cholangitis.     

Videothoracoscopic ligation of bulla and pleurectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax

A thoracoscopic technique to ligate pleural bullae and perform parietal pleurectomy is described. The procedure has been performed on 2 patients, allowing definitive treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces. Both patients have been cured of their problem and benefited from the decreased trauma of access by reduced postoperative pain, rapid recovery, and decreased scarring of the skin.