Efficacy of spray flushing in the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes.

This article comments on the article by Du , who conducted a randomized controlled trial aiming at evaluating the effectiveness of a novel spray flushing system in cleaning flexible endoscopes while minimizing damage to the working channels. We share our perspective on the importance of improving endoscope reprocessing methods. The findings highlight the spray flushing system's capacity to improve cleaning efficacy while minimizing damage, suggesting that it might be important in enhancing endoscope reprocessing procedures.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas causing obstructive jaundice: Case report of a rare entity.

Introduction: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is an extremely rare, low-grade, malignant pancreatic tumour with an excellent prognosis. We describe a case of SPN causing obstructive jaundice in a young female, thus mimicking pancreatic adenocarcinoma clinically and radiologically.

Case Presentation: A 32-year-old female presented with abdominal pain for 12 h, icterus, and an epigastric mass measuring 3 × 3 cm.

Is infection protective against esophageal cancer?

() infection affects a substantial proportion of the global population and causes various gastric disorders, including gastric cancer. Recent studies have found an inverse relationship between infection and esophageal cancer (EC), suggesting a protective role against EC. This editorial focuses on the possible mechanisms underlying the role of infection in EC and explores the role of gut microbiota in esophageal carcinogenesis and the practicality of eradication.

Importance of risk assessment, endoscopic hemostasis, and recent advancements in the management of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANVUGIB) is a common medical emergency in clinical practice. While the incidence has significantly reduced, the mortality rates have not undergone a similar reduction in the last few decades, thus presenting a significant challenge. This editorial outlines the key causes and risk factors of ANVUGIB and explores the current standards and recent updates in risk assessment scoring systems for predicting mortality and endoscopic treatments for achieving hemostasis.

Reducing Surgeon Fatigue Through Ergonomics: Importance and Benefits in Laparoscopic Surgeries.

Laparoscopy, despite enhancing surgical outcomes, presents ergonomic challenges, such as visual-motor axis dissociation and increased cognitive load, leading to inefficiency and fatigue. Ergonomics, optimizing tasks and environments to fit human capabilities, can address these issues by designing user-friendly instruments, improving surgeon positioning, and enhancing operating room setups. These interventions reduce suturing time, alleviate discomfort, and decrease musculoskeletal disorders among surgeons.

Addressing the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Crisis in Pakistan's Healthcare System: An Urgent Call for Holistic Action.

The recent resurgence of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Pakistan's Balochistan province has significantly impacted both the medical community and the general population. Initially perceived as a concerning development, the situation has deteriorated, culminating in the infection and mortality of healthcare workers directly engaged in managing this virulent outbreak. This critical situation necessitates an urgent and collective response, transcending national boundaries to involve the international healthcare community.

Gender Bias in Leadership Roles in General Surgery: A South Asian Perspective.

This article addresses the significant issue of gender bias in leadership roles within the realm of general surgery, with a particular focus on the South Asian context. The persistence of cultural norms, entrenched gender stereotypes, and discriminatory practices in this region significantly limits the opportunities available to female surgeons. It calls on all stakeholders, including medical institutions, governing bodies, and surgeons, to take an active role in eliminating gender bias and fervently supporting diversity and inclusivity in leadership positions.

Multifocal Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: A Case Report of a Rare Neoplasm.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy predominantly affecting adolescents and young adults. We report a case of multifocal DSRCT in an 11-year-old male who presented with complaints of unilateral forehead swelling, proptosis, and ophthalmoplegia for four months along with abdominal pain and dysphagia for six months. A whole-body computed tomography revealed widespread lesions in the skull, orbit, thorax, and abdomen with local infiltration.

Psychological Stress Experienced by First-Year Medical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study From Eastern India.

Background While medical education is vital for producing competent physicians, its rigorous curriculum can harm students' mental well-being. This study focuses on assessing psychological stress in first-year medical students in Eastern India and aims to identify its primary causes. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 125 first-year MBBS students in a tertiary care medical teaching institution in eastern India.

Mesenchymal hamartoma versus hepatoblastoma: A diagnostic dilemma.

Introduction And Importance: Pediatric hepatic tumors present diagnostic challenges due to diverse clinical presentations and limited patient communication. Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, often associated with hepatoblastoma, can occur in various hepatic conditions, adding complexity to diagnosis. This report emphasizes the importance of comprehensive assessment and integrated interpretation in such cases.

Artificial intelligence assisted endoscopic ultrasound for detection of pancreatic space-occupying lesion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diagnosing pancreatic lesions, including chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer, poses a challenge and, as a result, is time-consuming. To tackle this issue, artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly utilized over the years. AI can analyze large data sets with heightened accuracy, reduce interobserver variability, and can standardize the interpretation of radiologic and histopathologic lesions.

Challenges in managing anorectal melanoma, a rare malignancy.

Introduction And Importance: Anorectal melanoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy that can be difficult to diagnose due to its nonspecific presentation.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with painful defecation, bleeding per rectum, and a mass coming out of her anal opening. The initial differential diagnosis included hemorrhoids, rectal polyp, or a malignant lesion of the rectum.

Giant choledochal cyst: The largest reported!

Choledochal cyst (CC) is an atypical congenital abnormality of the biliary system. CC more than 10 cm is rare and only a few cases are reported. Herein, we reported a 25 × 18 cm CC and highlighted how definitive treatment after a timely diagnosis provides good prognosis irrespective of the size.

Perception of Online Learning Among Undergraduate Medical Students of Eastern India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background In 2020 WHO declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as a global pandemic. To flatten the curve of infection, a nationwide lockdown was declared by the Indian government. All the schools and colleges were shut for an indefinite period.

Factors affecting depression and anxiety in diabetic patients: A cross sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic disease in the world and its prevalence in India is rising day by day. Diabetic patients often suffer from depression and anxiety which has a negative impact on patients resulting in non-adherence to medication, rapid disease progression and overall poor prognosis. India is the land of diversity and so are the causes of depression and anxiety in the people from different parts of the country.

Prevalence of the Retro-Renal Colon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Implications for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the prevalence of the retrorenal colon (RRC) and its implications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy with the overall objective of promoting the prevention of associated iatrogenic complications.

Methods: A systematic search of literature was conducted on the electronic databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Hinari to identify studies eligible for inclusion. Search results were screened by title and abstract, and those potentially relevant were evaluated by full text.

Hilar tuberculosis versus Klatskin tumour: a diagnostic challenge.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a rare condition causing obstructive jaundice either by enlarged lymph nodes around the bile ducts or involvement of biliary epithelium by the tuberculous process. Since a tissue diagnosis is not mandatory to proceed with the resection or initiation of a liver transplant protocol, benign lesions are occasionally misdiagnosed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Here, we present a case of hepatobiliary tuberculosis which presented as obstructive jaundice due to hilar obstruction.

Authorship diversity in Gastroenterology-related Cochrane systematic reviews: Inequities in global representation.

The need for promoting diversity and equitable authorship representation in academics faces increasing recognition, with some articles pointing out the lack of diversity in specific fields. Currently, there are no such articles scrutinizing the author diversity in the field of Gastroenterology. Cochrane systematic reviews are perceived worldwide to be amongst the highest quality of evidence available, thereby its conclusions often impact policy and practice globally.

Effect of Hypodermic Needle Versus Safety Lancet on the Fear and Anxiety of Needle Prick Among Undergraduate Medical Students During Hematology Practical: A Cohort Study From a Resource-Limited Setting.

Background Most of the government-sponsored medical teaching institutions in India do not provide safety lancets, and hence, the students are compelled to use hypodermic needles. These needles are widely unpopular among students due to the potential hazards (pain, fear, anxiety) associated with them. This study aims to compare any difference in fear and anxiety associated with finger pricking with a hypodermic needle and a safety lancet.