Changing scenario of therapeutic apheresis in India in the last 14 years.

There has been a remarkable change in the scenario of therapeutic apheresis in the last 14 years in India. The crude method of manual removal of blood followed by separation of plasma by gravity, keeping it in the bottle for a long time, has now been totally replaced by plasmapheresis, centrifugation, membrane filtration, and immunoadsorption techniques. The indications for use have also changed from a list of limited indications in the beginning to include all immune complex disorders. The clinical beneficiaries have also increased from blood bankers to nephrologists and immunologists in addition to oncologists. Efforts are now underway with the help of the Indian Society for Apheresis (founded in 1985) to popularize the newer methods of cryofiltration, photopheresis and heparin extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein (HELP) and DALI apheresis systems besides the specialized techniques of immunoadsorption using filters, columns, or ligands. This is suggestive of a positive trend for the treatment of immune complex disorders.     

Double skin island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with nipple-areola complex preservation: a case report.

A horizontal double skin island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with preservation of nipple-areola complex is described, a different modification used to reconstruct a complex defect following radical resection of a locally advanced gingival carcinoma. The skin islands are horizontally separated by a distance of 2.5 cm but rely on one vascular pedicle for their blood supply. The muscle between the skin islands provides the soft tissue bulk between the internal mucosal and external skin lining. The need for a separate segmental flap or a split-thickness skin graft for mucosal lining was eliminated.     

Chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: double-blind controlled study of plasmapheresis in patients taking immunosuppressive drugs

Fifty-four patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis received prednisone plus oral low-dose cyclophosphamide and either true plasmapheresis (PP) or "sham" PP weekly for 20 weeks in a double-blind controlled study. Immunosuppressive drug therapy alone (sham PP group, n = 29) was associated with improvement (greater than or equal to one step in Kurtzke Disability Status Scale [DSS]; mean change of 1.5) in 8 and stabilization of MS in 18 patients, with this status sustained in 23 patients at follow-up, 11 months after entry. In contrast, 14 of 26 patients who received "true" PP improved (greater than or equal to one step in DSS; mean change of 2.6), and 11 more were stable, with these changes sustained in 23 of 26 patients at follow-up. These differences, overall, between the PP and sham PP groups were significant at p less than 0.007.     

High Velocity Gunshot Fractures of Humerus: Results of Primary Plate Osteosynthesis

BackgroundHigh velocity gunshot fractures usually seen in conflict zones, often mandate external fixation due to delayed presentation and associated contamination. In the presented observational study, we managed high velocity gunshot fractures of humerus with adequate debridement and primary plate osteosynthesis under controlled conditions with gratifying results.Material and MethodsEighteen consecutive cases of fracture of the humerus secondary to high velocity gunshot wounds with ages ranging from 28 to 45 years reporting within 6 h of the initial injury formed our study group. Immediate debridement, lavage and primary plate osteosynthesis was carried out following hemodynamic stabilisation and intravenous antibiotics. All the cases were followed up at 2, 4, 6 months, 1 year and then annual follow-up including telephonic follow-up for six patients.ResultsFifteen cases of Gustillo Anderson type III A, two of type III B and one of type III C were managed with primary plate osteosynthesis. Brachial artery injury was addressed immediately, however injured radial nerve ends were tagged. Five cases showed delayed/non-union and were managed with decortication and autologous bone grafting. Two cases of deep infection could be managed with implant retention till union. The implants were removed following fracture consolidation. All the fractures united and no patient was left with sequelae of chronic infection.ConclusionTimely presentation of high velocity gunshot fractures of humerus teamed up with adequate debridement, soft tissue management and primary plate osteosynthesis can offer satisfactory outcomes. Associated vascular injury needs immediate attention. Nerve injuries can be addressed in a staged procedure. Our results have been satisfactory and add to the scant literature available on the subject, however further studies are warranted.     

Cowden's disease

A 24-year old male patient developed multiple lesions of keratoacanthoma in the epidermal verrucous naevus. He also had multiple papillomatous lesions on the lips, buccal mucosa, gingiva and tongue, with positive family history of similar lesions. He also had multiple skin tags and patchy palmoplantar keratoderma and minimal kyphoscoliosis.