Sumit Shukla

Collagen dressing versus conventional dressings in burn and chronic wounds: A retrospective study

Objective: Biological dressings like collagen are impermeable to bacteria, and create the most physiological interface between the wound surface and the environment. Collagen dressings have other advantages over conventional dressings in terms of ease of application and being natural, non-immunogenic, non-pyrogenic, hypo-allergenic, and pain-free. This study aims to compare the efficacy of collagen dressing in treating burn and chronic wounds with that of conventional dressing materials. Materials and Methods: The records of 120 patients with chronic wounds of varied aetiologies and with mean age 43.7 years were collected and analyzed. The patients had been treated either with collagen or other conventional dressing materials including silver sulfadiazine, nadifloxacin, povidone iodine, or honey (traditional dressing material). Patients with co-morbidities that could grossly affect the wound healing like uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic liver or renal disease, or major nutritional deprivation were not included. For the purpose of comparison the patients were divided into two groups; ‘Collagen group’ and ‘Conventional group’, each having 60 patients. For assessment the wound characteristics (size, edge, floor, slough, granulation tissue, and wound swab or pus culture sensitivity results) were recorded. With start of treatment, appearance of granulation tissue, completeness of healing, need for skin grafting, and patients’ satisfaction was noted for each patient in both groups. Results: With two weeks of treatment, 60% of the ‘collagen group’ wounds and only 42% of the ‘conventional group’ wounds were sterile (P=0.03). Healthy granulation tissue appeared earlier over collagen-dressed wounds than over conventionally treated wounds (P=0.03). After eight weeks, 52 (87%) of ‘collagen group’ wounds and 48 (80%) of ‘conventional group’ wounds were >75% healed (P=0.21). Eight patients in the ‘collagen group’ and 12 in the ‘conventional group’ needed partial split-skin grafting (P=0.04). Collagen-treated patients enjoyed early and more subjective mobility. Conclusion: No significant better results in terms of completeness of healing of burn and chronic wounds between collagen dressing and conventional dressing were found. Collagen dressing, however, may avoid the need of skin grafting, and provides additional advantage of patients’ compliance and comfort.

A comparative study to evaluate the effect of honey dressing and silver sulfadiazene dressing on wound healing in burn patients

To compare the effect of honey dressing and silver-sulfadiazene (SSD) dressing on wound healing in burn patients. Patients (n=78) of both sexes, with age group between 10 and 50 years and with first and second degree of burn of less than 50% of TBSA (Total body surface area) were included in the study, over a period of 2 years (2006-08). After stabilization, patients were randomly attributed into two groups: ‘honey group’ and ‘SSD group’. Time elapsed since burn was recorded. After washing with normal saline, undiluted pure honey was applied over the wounds of patients in the honey group (n=37) and SSD cream over the wounds of patients in SSD group (n=41), everyday. Wound was dressed with sterile gauze, cotton pads and bandaged. Status of the wound was assessed every third and seventh day and on the day of completion of study. Patients were followed up every fortnight till epithelialization. The bacteriological examination of the wound was done every seventh day. The mean age for case (honey group) and control (SSD group) was 34.5 years and 28.5 years, respectively. Wound swab culture was positive in 29 out of 36 patients who came within 8 hours of burn and in all patients who came after 24 hours. The average duration of healing in patients treated with honey and SSD dressing at any time of admission was 18.16 and 32.68 days, respectively. Wound of all those patients (100%) who reported within 1 hour became sterile with honey dressing in less than 7 days while none with SSD. All of the wounds became sterile in less than 21 days with honey, while tthis was so in only 36.5% with SSD treated wounds. The honey group included 33 patients reported within 24 hour of injury, and 26 out of them had complete outcome at 2 months of follow-up, while numbers for the SSD group were 32 and 12. Complete outcome for any admission point of time after 2 months was noted in 81% and 37% of patients in the honey group and the SSD group. Honey dressing improves wound healing, makes the wound sterile in lesser time, has a better outcome in terms of prevention of hypertrophic scarring and post-burn contractures, and decreases the need of debridement irrespective of time of admission, when compared to SSD dressing.

Honey dressing versus silver sulfadiazene dressing for wound healing in burn patients: A retrospective study

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of honey dressing and silver sulfadiazene (SSD) dressing on wound healing in burn patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 108 patients (14–68 years of age), with first and second degree burns of less than 50% of the total body surface area admitted to our institution, over a period of 5 years (2004–2008). Fifty-one patients were treated with honey dressings and 57 with SSD. Time elapsed since burn, site, percentage, degree and depth of burns, results of culture sensitivity at various time intervals, duration of healing, formation of post-treatment hypertrophic scar, and/or contracture were recorded and analyzed. Results: The average duration of healing was 18.16 and 32.68 days for the honey and SSD group, respectively. Wounds of all patients reporting within 1 h of burns became sterile with the honey dressing in less than 7 days while there was none with SSD. All wounds treated with honey became sterile within 21 days while for SSD-treated wounds, this figure was 36.5%. A complete outcome was seen in 81% of all patients in the “honey group” while in only 37% patients in the “SSD group.” Conclusion: Honey dressings make the wounds sterile in less time, enhance healing, and have a better outcome in terms of hypertropic scars and postburn contractures, as compared to SSD dressings.

A prospective single center study to assess the impact of surgical stabilization in patients with rib fracture

OBJECTIVE To compare the intensity of pain and duration of return to normal activity in patients with rib fractures treated with surgical stabilization with plating versus conventional treatment modalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was conducted over a 12 month period. Patients with rib fractures were assessed by numerical pain scale. Patients having pain scale less than 5 were excluded from study. Patients having pain scale of 5 or more than 5 were treated with conventional treatment for next 10 days. On 11th day patients were again assessed by numerical pain scale and patients having score less than 5 were excluded from study. Patients having pain scale of 5, 6, and 7 were treated with conventional treatment and patients having pain scale of 8, 9, and 10 were selected for operative management. Operative and control group were compared on basis of intensity of pain and duration of return to normal activity. Follow up was done on 5, 15, and 30 post operative day. RESULTS There was less pain in operative group as compared to control group. Mean rib fracture pain in operative group was 9.15, 2.31, 1.12 as compared to 6.25, 5.96, 4.50 in control group on 5, 15 and 30 post operative days. Also there was early return to normal activity in operative group. CONCLUSION Surgical stabilization of rib fracture, an underutilized intervention is better than conventional conservative management in terms of both, decrease in intensity of pain and early return to normal activity.

Acute fulminant necrotizing amoebic colitis: a rare and fatal complication of amoebiasis: a case report

Acute Fulminant Necrotizing Amoebic Colitis is a rare complication of amoebiasis that is associated with high mortality. Only one to four such cases are seen per year in large hospitals of India, and only few such cases have been reported in the literature. The condition requires early diagnosis and surgical intervention. We recently cared for a patient who presented with acute abdomen with history of intermittent abdominal pain and diarrhea. Before presenting to our institution he was misdiagnosed as a case of inflammatory bowel disease and had been treated with steroids. On emergency exploration, extensive necrosis and multiple perforations in retroperitoneum involving entire colon were seen. Total colectomy with ileostomy was performed. Postoperative course was marked by septicaemia and multi-organ failure followed by death. This case report emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of acute FAC, and associated high mortality.

Spontaneous transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia: a rare clinical entity

The herniation of abdominal contents through a diaphragmatic and chest wall rent has been uncommonly reported in literature. Also known as a transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia (TDIH) or intercostal pleuroperitoneal hernia, it occurs when the disruption of diaphragmatic or intercostal muscles leads to an acquired herniation of abdominal contents. It is usually seen to occur following a traumatic incident. We report the case of an elderly male who presented with a reducible lump in the left chest and breathlessness on exertion, in the absence of any trivial or occult trauma, and how this was managed adequately via surgery alone.

Jejunal diverticulae: reports of two cases with review of literature.

IntroductionJejunal diverticulosis (JD) is a rare disease of elderly people. Majority of diagnosed individuals are asymptomatic and found incidentally. The disease is clinically significant because of associated potential risk of serious complications. Due to the rarity and variable presentation of this clinical entity, diagnosis is often difficult and delayed, resulting in unnecessary morbidity and mortality. Clinical presentations, signs, diagnosis, complications and treatment of JD are discussed through a review of the literature and report of two cases.MethodsA literature review was done for analysis of diagnosis, treatment and complications of JD. Two cases of JD diagnosed and treated in our institution are also presented.ConclusionJD is a rare disease which has variable presentations and thus poses a challenge to our diagnostic skills. Awareness about complications and presentation of the condition is needed for early detection and avoiding unnecessary mortality.

Splenic abscesses: Reports of two cases with review of the literature

Abscess of the spleen is a rare discovery, with about 600 cases reported in the international literature so far. It is more common in the presence of infection at different primary sites, especially endocarditis or in cases of ischemic infarcts that are secondarily infected. Immunosuppression and trauma are well-known risk factors. Recently, intravenous drug abusers and alcoholics have shown an increased incidence compared to other high-risk groups. However, encountering this entity in general population is uncommon. Clinical examination and laboratory findings are not constant; thus, imaging is a necessary tool for establishing the diagnosis, with a choice between ultrasound and computed tomography. If untreated, the mortality reaches almost 100%. Treatment includes conservative measures and surgical interventions. Splenectomy has been the preferred approach in most centers. More recent studies have suggested the use of advanced and alternative options, including laparoscopic surgical and percutaneous interventions. Changing trends, in view of the importance of immunological role of spleen, have emphasized more on spleen preserving protocols, especially in children and young patients, and in cases of solitary abscess with a thick wall. conducted a literature review by analysis of various high-risk groups, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of splenic abscess, and have presented here a report of two cases.

A Rare Case of Primary Mucinous Cystadenoma of Spleen

Mucinous cystadenomas are relatively uncommon benign cystic tumors. Most of them are found in the ovary, pancreas, and appendix. Primary mucinous cystadenoma of spleen is extremely rare and only countable cases have been recorded. These are assumed to arise from heterotopic pancreatic tissue or invaginated spleenic capsular mesothelium. We present a rare case of primary mucinous cystadenoma of spleen without pancreatic tissue in it. Exact tissue of origin could not be determined. Keywords Cystadenoma; Splenic cyst; Pseudomyxoma peritonei

Primary hyperparathyroidism: retrospective 10-year study of 32 cases.

BackgroundParathyroid glands are endocrine glands that regulate calcium metabolism. Usually four in number, they lie mostly on the posterior aspect of thyroid glands. Primary hyper-parathyroidism (PHPT) refers to a condition wherein they secrete an excess of parathyroid hormone leading to signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia.Patients and MethodsThirty-two patients of primary hyper-parathyroidism were seen by us in the ten years. Majority of patients were below 40 years of age (88%). Male: female ratio was 1:4. The diagnosis was made incidentally in patients who reported for various signs and symptoms not responding to treatment. High serum calcium pointed to the diagnosis of primary parathyroid hyperplasia. It was confirmed by high level of serum parathyroid hormone and localization of enlarged parathyroid glands by USG / MRI and / or Tc-99 Technetium scan. Of the 32 patients examined, 43 parathyroid glands were excised, five cases had two glands excised; out of these 4 cases underwent parathyroid reimplantation in neck/forearm muscles. One unusual case underwent operation for giant-cell tumor of the head of humerus. This patient presented with excessive vomiting not responding standard medical management in post-operative period.ResultsDuring investigations serum calcium was found to be very high, the diagnosis was confirmed by finding high parathyroid hormone and corroborated by T99 Technetium scan. Parathyroidectomy was done in all cases, of which 59% (18 cases) developed mild to severe tetany due to hypocalcaemia.ConclusionPrimary hyperplasia of thyroid gland is the most important cause of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is found in all cases of PHPT in our series with high parathyroid hormone levels. Majority of our cases have one gland involvement and hypocalcaemia in our series is unusually high following excision of involved gland.