Rajiv Chadha

An outbreak of post-surgical wound infections due to Mycobacterium abscessus

Abstract An outbreak of post-operative wound infections due to Mycobacterium abscessus is described. During a 5-month period 45 post-surgical patients developed wound infection, manifested by wound breakdown, cellulitis, and discharge and progressing slowly to suppuration and sinus formation. The majority (43/45) had undergone out-patient operations, and 40 had had surgery in the inguinal region. The source of infection was identified as contaminated tap water. A study revealed serious deficiencies in the disinfection and sterilisation techniques employed in the operating theatre (OT), including major defects in the autoclaving machine. The outbreak was controlled after several specific measures were instituted. The patients responded well to treatment with conventional first-line anti-tuberculous drugs administered for 3–8 months. The report highlights the necessity of strict monitoring of disinfection and sterilisation techniques in surgical units and OTs.

The embryology and management of congenital pouch colon associated with anorectal agenesis

Forty-one infants with a pouch colon malformation accompanied by a high anorectal anomaly were treated between January 1986 and December 1990. The 41 cases constituted 9% of all anorectal malformations and 15.2% of high defects managed during this period. There were 32 boys and nine girls; three of the girls had an associated cloaca. Many of the babies presented in poor condition, with gross abdominal distension caused by the distended colonic pouch. The typical radiological feature was an enormously distended colonic shadow occupying more than 50% of the width of the abdomen. At the time of surgery, the patients were classified into 4 subgroups based on the length of the normal colon. All but three infants had a high wide fistula, with the genitourinary tract consisting of a colovesical fistula in males and a colovaginal or colocloacal fistula in females. Frequent associated malformations included duplication of the appendix and vesicoureteric reflux. The operations performed initially were a window colostomy of the pouch with or without division-ligation of the fistula, end-colostomy after fistula ligation, or subtotal pouch excision with tubularization of the remaining colon and end-colostomy. Thirteen of the 41 patients have undergone a definitive pull-through operation using the posterior sagittal approach, including two children in whom one-stage reconstruction of a cloaca was performed. Standardized management of this complex anomaly is proposed for the initial operation and for definitive reconstruction.

Congenital pouch colon associated with anorectal agenesis.

This article presents a review of the history and development of the various types of congenital pouch colon. Also described are the criteria for diagnosis, the treatment modalities and the results of follow-up studies to emphasize the post-operative problems. The problem of pre-operative and post-operative fecal incontinence is dealt with in more detail.

Complete penoscrotal transposition and associated malformations.

Abstract Complete transposition of the penis and scrotum, or prepenile scrotum, is an uncommon congenital malformation. Concomitant genitourinary abnormalities, often life-threatening in nature, are frequently seen, and major malformations involving other organ systems may also be present. We report a newborn in whom complete penoscrotal transposition was accompanied by urethral atresia and radial dysgenesis.

Conservative management of isolated splenic abscess in children

INTRODUCTION Isolated splenic abscesses (SAs) are rare in children. We report a single-center experience with emphasis on their diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and outcome. METHODS This is a retrospective review. RESULTS Eighteen children (age, 3-16 years; male-female ratio, 5:1) were managed over a period of 8 years in a tertiary-care institution. Presenting symptoms included fever, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Splenomegaly was present in 12 (67%), leukocytosis in 9 (50%), and thrombocytosis in 12 (67%) patients. Associated diseases were thalassemia (1), tuberculosis (1), and typhoid fever (9). Solitary and multiple SAs were seen in equal numbers. Blood culture grew Salmonella paratyphi A in 1 case. Splenic aspirate culture was positive in 3 (Escherichia coli [1], S paratyphi A [1], Acinetobacter [1]). Widal serology was positive in 9 (50%) patients. Management consisted of intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in all patients, together with percutaneous aspiration in 10 (56%) cases where the abscess size was greater than 3 cm. All patients responded, and complete resolution was observed. CONCLUSION Isolated SA in children responds favorably to conservative treatment with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and percutaneous drainage without the need for splenectomy.

Congenital pouch colon in females.

Abstract From January 1995 to March 1998, congenital pouch colon (CPC) with anorectal agenesis was diagnosed in ten girls who were classified into four groups based on the length of normal colon proximal to the colonic pouch. Of six girls with little or no normal colon, one had a cloacal anomaly while five had a colovesical or colovestibular fistula along with a completely bifid uterus and cervix and a septate vagina. Initial surgery consisted of ligation of the fistula and subtotal pouch excision with tubularization of the remaining colon in four girls, ileostomy after excision of a gangrenous pouch in one, and window colostomy in another. None of the patients had a sacral abnormality or associated major malformation. Definitive surgery using the posterior sagittal approach consisted of a pull-through of the tubularized colon in three girls (including one in whom one-stage cloacal reconstruction was performed), the ileum in one, and the proximal colon in another. The four girls with a longer length of normal colon had an associated vestibular fistula. In these, a colostomy was constructed just proximal to the pouch with definitive surgery in two patients consisting of excision of the pouch and pull-through of the proximal colon. Definitive surgery was well tolerated in all seven patients. The embryogenesis of this condition and the related genitourinary tract abnormalities are discussed.

Accessory limb attached to the back.

The authors report on a newborn with an accessory malformed leg attached to the back. The limb was associated with a teratomatous mass adjacent to its attachment site. The embryology and nomenclature of this malformation is discussed briefly.

An unusual form of caudal duplication (dipygus)

An unusual case of caudal duplication is presented in which the infant had an extra lower limb with 14 digits attached to an accessory parasitic pelvis situated in the midline subpubic area. Duplication of the external genitalia was also present. Successful excision of the accessory limb and reconstruction of the genitalia was performed in the neonatal period.

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia: a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

An extremely rare case of congenital intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia is presented. Since 1981, only 14 cases have been reported in the literature. A 5-year-old girl presented with dyspnea on exertion and easy fatigability. Computed tomography was suggestive of an anterior diaphragmatic hernia. Laparoscopy followed by successful open repair of hernia was performed.

Covered exstrophy with incomplete duplication of the bladder.

Abstract A rare exstrophy variant in a 1½-year-old girl is reported. The child had a wide, scar-like lesion over the lower central abdomen with divarication of the recti and a spread symphysis pubis. The underlying bladder was divided into two unequal chambers by a complete sagittal septum with only the right chamber communicating with the single urethra and the left draining by a vesicocutaneous fistula. Both kidneys were normal. The clitoris was bifid and the anus anteriorly placed. Preliminary surgical management consisted of dissection of the bladder from its prevesical covering, excision of the sagittal septum, and cystocystostomy. Postoperatively, the child had normal urinary continence. The literature is reviewed with special reference to the various forms of duplicate exstrophy.