Indian Council of Medical Research consensus document on hepatocellular carcinoma.

This document aims to assist oncologists in making clinical decisions encountered while managing their patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), specific to Indian practice, based on consensus among experts. Most patients are staged by Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system which comprises patient performance status, Child-Pugh status, number and size of nodules, portal vein invasion and metastasis. Patients should receive multidisciplinary care.

Molecular Imaging to the Surgeons Rescue: Gallium-68 DOTA-Exendin-4 Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography in Pre-operative Localization of Insulinomas.

Background: Insulinoma is an islet-cell neoplasm that secretes insulin. It is usually localized to the pancreas and is often the most common cause of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic adult patients. Surgical excision with a curative intent is the standard modality of treatment, and it requires precise localization of tumor tissue.

Outcomes of 101 Consecutive Surgical Resections of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (GEPNETs) at Tata Memorial Hospital: a Referral Bias for Nonfunctional Duodenopancreatic Tumours and the Need for Greater Awareness of GEPNETs as a Distinct Entity.

Data from India regarding the disease spectrum and surgical results of neuroendocrine tumours (GEPNETs) are sparse. Tempered surgical radicality in a high-volume oncology centre, conforming to existing guidelines, may further our understanding of tumour characteristics and behavioural patterns of nonfunctional GEPNETs. Surgical outcomes of patients with histopathologically confirmed GEPNETs from January 2003 to December 2013 were analyzed from a prospectively maintained database.

Serum Lysozyme (Muramidase) Levels in Intra-Abdominal Abscesses: An Experimental Study.

The role of serum lysozyme in the presence of intra-abdominal sepsis was studied to act as an adjunct to various other modalities used for diagnosing intra-abdominal abscesses. Lysozyme (muramidase) is a bacteriolytic enzyme located within phagocytic cells including leukocytes. We measured serum concentrations of lysozyme by a standard turbidimetric method on three groups of murine models.

Is Laparoscopic Surgery the Standard of Care for GI Luminal Cancer?

As surgeons in India strive to keep pace with the technical advances in the field of laparoscopic surgery, we endeavor to evaluate the mounting global evidence regarding laparoscopic gastric and colorectal resections for cancer. We seem to be riding on the crest of excellence in traditional open surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies, opening avenues for research and for the establishment of practice guidelines in laparoscopic surgery. Results from available trials along with those from ongoing studies are paving the path toward the acceptance and standardization of these procedures.

Preresection transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: an experience with 23 patients.

Purpose: The routine use of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) prior to resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not recommended, although its use in the transplant setting is gaining popularity. In the absence of other effective neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment options, TACE may benefit selected patients. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of preoperative TACE for selected patients with HCC.

Novel sustained release and swellable gastroretentive dosage form for ciprofloxacin hydrochloride.

Introduction: The present study aims at developing a gastroretentive swellable and floating matrix tablet formulation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (HCl) for the effective treatment of infections caused by susceptible organisms. Ciprofloxacin HCl is a fluoroquinoline antibiotic drug. Ciprofloxacin HCl is more stable in acidic medium and it has a narrow absorption window which is sited at the stomach and proximal portions of the small intestine, so it covers the required criteria for selection of drug for gastroretentive dosage form.

Major abdominal cancer resections in cirrhotic patients: how frequent is postoperative hepatocellular decompensation?

Background: The reported incidence of postoperative liver failure in cirrhotic patients is highly varied with diverse risk factors identified to predict risk, mainly drawn from organ or disease-specific studies. We aimed to assess risk factors for the development of postoperative liver failure in a specific cohort of patients with cirrhosis undergoing abdominal cancer resection.

Methods: From November 2007 to October 2012, 30 cirrhotic patients who underwent curative resection for abdominal cancer were analyzed.

Rectal cancer in young Indians--are these cancers different compared to their older counterparts?

Background: The incidence of rectal cancer in young Indians is increasing. Recent evidence suggests a probable existence of noncanonical tumorigenesis pathways in early-onset colorectal cancer patients in India. The aim of the study was to evaluate rectal cancer outcomes in patients ≤40 years with those >40 years.

Tuberculosis nearly preventing a curative resection for colorectal liver metastasis: A case report.

Perihepatic lymph node involvement portends a poor prognosis, and is reported to be the most important prognostic factor following R0 resection of colorectal liver metastases. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is one of the common presentations of tuberculosis and is often diagnosed only after histopathological confirmation. In this patient, a frozen section revealing tuberculosis in the perihepatic nodes allowed us to proceed with the curative liver resection.

An ideal suture for midline abdominal closure?

Background: Within the last decade the customary trend of using non absorbable sutures has changed, with numerous studies and meta-analyses advocating the use of slowly absorbable sutures, claiming comparable wound strength with significantly lower incidence of wound complications. It was the objective of this randomized clinical trial to compare two universally accepted suture materials, the non-absorbable Nylon and the slowly absorbable Polydioxanone for midline abdominal closure in the Indian context.

Method: 64 patients undergoing midline laparotomy were allocated, using block randomization, to mass closure of the abdominal wall with continuous polyamide (34 patients) or continuous polydioxanone (30 patients).