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Introduction: There is limited literature on digital ischemia in systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report the prevalence, associations and outcome of digital infarcts and gangrene from the Indian SLE inception cohort (INSPIRE)., Methods: From the web-based database of INSPIRE, we extracted information for patients with 'Digital Infarct' and 'Digital gangrene' at enrolment into cohort, together considered as critical peripheral ischemia (CPI); all others were controls. We describe the associations of CPI with SLE clinical phenotype, autoantibodies, and disease activity at enrolment. We also report short term outcomes viz. Digital tissue loss and early mortality up to 6 months and recurrence of digital ischemic events in cases till date., Results: Of 2503 SLE patients enrolled into the INSPIRE cohort, we identified 75 (2.9%) patients with CPI, 72 (96%) women and 6 (8%) children. Of them, 55 (73.3%) had digital gangrene and 21 (28%) patients had digital infarcts. Majority of digital gangrene resulted in amputation distal to terminal phalanx (63.6%). Multivariable analysis showed that pulmonary hypertension AOR [6.34 (1.99, 20.2)], coexistent thrombosis AOR [27.8 (15.7, 48.7)], triple antiphospholipid antibody positivity AOR [5.36 (1.67, 16.9)] and the presence of anti-Scl-70-antibody AOR [5.59 (1.86, 16.7)] were more likely while patients with class 3 or 4 lupus nephritis AOR [0.37 (0.15, 0.95)] and anti-nucleosome antibodies AOR [0.47 (0.23, 0.99)] were less likely to be associated with CPI. SLEDAI and short-term mortality were similar between cases and controls., Conclusions: CPI occurred in a higher proportion (2.9%) of SLE patients in the INSPIRE cohort as compared to earlier reports. Both prothrombotic state and vasculopathy contribute to its occurrence., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine associations between pre-operative factors and gangrenous cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis represents a severe spectrum of cholecystitis and is associated with an increased risk of complications. Early recognition and diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis can optimize prioritization for surgery and improve outcomes., Methods: A retrospective case-control study was undertaken. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, pre-operative biochemical and ultrasound findings as well as post-operative outcomes were assessed. Four hundred and fourteen patients who underwent an emergency cholecystectomy between 2018 and 2020 were reviewed., Results: One hundred and nine (26%) patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy during this 3-year period had gangrenous cholecystitis. These patients were older (median age 65 versus 45, P < 0.001) and more likely to be male (58.7% versus 32.5%, P < 0.001). Patients with coronary disease (OR 2.55, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR 2.25, P = 0.001), or arrhythmias (OR 3.64, P = 0.001) were two-to-three times more likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis. Patients with renal disease (OR 1.92, P = 0.004) or using antiplatelet medication (OR 2.27, P = 0.003) were twice as likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis. Patients who had gangrenous cholecystitis presented with a higher white cell count (median 13 x 10 9 /L versus 8 x 10 9 /L, P < 0.001) and a higher C-reactive protein (median 196 versus 18 mg/L, P < 0.001). Patients with gangrenous cholecystitis had poorer post-operative outcomes., Conclusion: We verified predictive factors from existing literature and identified a number of novel pre-operative predictive factors for gangrenous cholecystitis which could help with development of a scoring system for clinical use., (© 2021 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

Aims: Identify the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of lower extremity ischemic complications., Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed and SCOPUS databases for SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and peripheral arterial complications., Results: Overall 476 articles were retrieved and 31 articles describing 133 patients were included. The mean age was 65.4 years. Pain and gangrene were the most common presentation. Hypertension (51.3%), diabetes (31.9%) and hypercholesterolemia (17.6%) were associated co-morbidities. Overall, 30.1% of patients died and amputation was required in 11.8% patients., Conclusions: COVID-19 patients with diabetes or hypertension are susceptible for lower limb complications and require therapeutic anti-coagulation., (Copyright © 2021 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: prompt diagnosis and treatment are considered key to successful management of intussusception. We examined pre-treatment delay among intussusception cases in Zimbabwe and conducted an exploratory analysis of factors associated with intraoperative finding of gangrene., Methods: data were prospectively collected as part of the African Intussusception Network using a questionnaire administered on consecutive patients with intussusception managed at Harare Children´s Hospital. Delays were classified using the Three-Delays-Model: care-seeking delay (time from onset of symptoms to first presentation for health care), health-system delay (referral time from presentation to first facility to treatment facility) and treatment delay (time from presentation at treatment facility to treatment)., Results: ninety-two patients were enrolled from August 2014 to December 2016. The mean care-seeking interval was 1.9 days, the mean health-system interval was 1.5 days, and the mean treatment interval was 1.1 days. Mean total time from symptom onset to treatment was 4.4 days. Being transferred from another institution added 1.4 days to the patient journey. Gangrene was found in 2 (25%) of children who received treatment within 1 day, 13 (41%) of children who received treatment 2-3 days, and 26 (50%) of children who received treatment more than 3 days after symptom onset (p = 0.34)., Conclusion: significant care-seeking and health-system delays are encountered by intussusception patients in Zimbabwe. Our findings highlight the need to explore approaches to improve the early diagnosis of intussusception and prompt referral of patients for treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (©Dennis Mazingi et al.)

Objective: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a primary role in the prophylaxis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be protective against thrombosis in SLE. Optimal weight-based dosing of HCQ is unknown. This study was undertaken to examine the usefulness of HCQ blood monitoring in predicting thrombosis risk in a longitudinal SLE cohort., Methods: HCQ levels were serially quantified from EDTA whole blood by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The mean HCQ blood levels calculated prior to thrombosis or until the last visit were compared using t-tests between patients with and those without thrombosis. Pooled logistic regression was used to analyze the association between rates of thrombosis and HCQ blood level. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated., Results: In 739 patients with SLE, thrombosis occurred in 38 patients (5.1%). The mean ± SD HCQ blood level was lower in patients who developed thrombosis versus those who did not develop thrombosis (720 ± 489 ng/ml versus 935 ± 580 ng/ml; P = 0.025). Thrombosis rates were reduced by 13% for every 200-ng/ml increase in the most recent HCQ blood level (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.78-0.98], P = 0.025) and by 13% for mean HCQ blood level (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.76-1.00], P = 0.056). Thrombotic events were reduced by 69% in patients with mean HCQ blood levels ≥1,068 ng/ml versus those with levels <648 ng/ml (RR 0.31 [95% CI 0.11-0.86], P = 0.024). This remained significant after adjustment for confounders (RR 0.34 [95% CI 0.12-0.94], P = 0.037)., Conclusion: Low HCQ blood levels are associated with thrombotic events in SLE. Longitudinal measurement of HCQ levels may allow for personalized HCQ dosing strategies. Recommendations for empirical dose reduction may reduce or eliminate the benefits of HCQ in this high-risk population., (© 2020, American College of Rheumatology.)

Skin and soft tissue infections are common in diabetics. Diabetic foot infection usually results from disruption of the skin barrier, trauma, pressure, or ischemic wounds. These wounds may become secondarily infected or lead to development of adjacent soft tissue or deeper bone infection. Clinical assessment and diagnosis of these conditions using a multidisciplinary management approach, including careful attention to antibiotic selection, lead to the best outcomes in patient care., Competing Interests: Disclosure C. Polk has received research funding from Merck, United States., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: In patients with SSc, peripheral vasculopathy can promote critical ischaemia and gangrene. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for gangrene in the EUSTAR cohort., Methods: We included patients from the EUSTAR database fulfilling the ACR 1980 or the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria for SSc, with at least one visit recording data on gangrene. Centres were asked for supplementary data on traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We analysed the cross-sectional relationship between gangrene and its potential risk factors by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Longitudinal data were analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression., Results: 1757 patients were analysed (age 55.9 [14.5] years, disease duration 7.9 [10.3] years, male sex 16.7%, 24.6% diffuse cutaneous subset [dcSSc]). At inclusion, 8.9% of patients had current or previous digital gangrene, 16.1% had current digital ulcers (DUs) and 42.7% had ever had DUs (current or previous). Older age, DUs ever and dcSSc were statistically significant risk factors for gangrene in the cross-sectional multivariable model. During a median follow-up of 13.1 months, 16/771 (0.9%) patients developed gangrene. All 16 patients who developed gangrene had previously had DUs and gangrene. Further risk factors for incident gangrene were the dcSSc subset and longer disease duration., Conclusion: In unselected SSc patients, gangrene occurs in about 9% of SSc patients. DUs ever and, to a lesser extent, the dcSSc subset are strongly and independently associated with gangrene, while traditional cardiovascular risk factors could not be identified as risk factors., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: The present study investigated the impact of endovascular pedal artery revascularisation (PAR) on the clinical outcomes of patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI)., Methods: This retrospective analysis of a single centre cohort included 239 patients who underwent endovascular revascularisation of infrapopliteal arteries for a chronic ischaemic wound. PAR was attempted in 141 patients during the procedure. After propensity score matching, there were 87 pairs of patients with and without PAR., Results: After the matching, the two groups showed balanced baseline clinical and lesion characteristics. PAR was achieved in 60.9% of the PAR group. Direct angiosome flow was more frequently obtained in the PAR group than in the non-PAR group (81.6% vs. 34.5%; p < .001). Subintimal angioplasty (47.1% vs. 29.9%; p = .019) and pedal-plantar loop technique (18.4% vs. 0%; p < .001) were more frequent in the PAR group. At the one year follow up, the PAR group showed greater freedom from major amputation (96.3% vs. 84.2%; p = .009). The wound healing rate, overall survival, major adverse limb event, and freedom from re-intervention did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the patient subgroup with successful PAR showed a higher wound healing rate than the non-PAR group (76.0% vs. 67.0%; p = .031). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, successful PAR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.564, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.068-2.290; p = .022) was identified as an independent factor associated with improved wound healing, whereas gangrene (HR 0.659, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.471-0.923; p = .015), C reactive protein >3 mg/dL (HR 0.591, 95% CI 0.386-0.904; p = .015), and pre-procedural absence of pedal arch (HR 0.628, 95% CI 0.431-0.916; p = .016) were associated with impaired wound healing., Conclusion: Successful PAR significantly improved wound healing in patients with CLI. Thus, efforts should be made to revascularise the pedal arteries, especially when the pedal arch is completely absent., (Copyright © 2019 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Amputation is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. It has been one of the modalities of applying judgment and treatment. Its method and indications has evolved over time. Modern amputation is regarded as a part of treatment rather than failure of treatment. Amputation is the removal of a limb or part of a limb through on or more bone. When through a joint is referred to as disarticulation. Data on the profile and pattern of amputation in Liberia will add to the body of knowledge., Aim and Objectives: Is to describe the pattern of limb of amputations in Liberia. Also to describe the anatomical variations of limb amputations in Liberia., Patients and Method: A retrospective study of all patients that underwent limb amputation surgeries in the John F Kennedy Memorial (JFK M), Hospital , Monrovia Liberia between January 2010 to December 2015., Results: 100 patients had limb amputations between 2010 and 2015. Males(73) to female(27) ratio were 2.4:1. The age range was 9 - 91 years. Mean age was 42.9 years. The indications for amputations were Trauma 24%, Diabetes 29%, Gangrene (6%), Chronic ulcer (25%), Tumour (5%). Below knee(47%), Above Knee(45%), Below elbow(2%), Above Elbow(2%), Knee Disarticulation(2%), and Big Toe Disarticulation(2%)., Conclusion: The profile of Limb amputation in Liberia is not very different from what is obtaining in the region. However the limitations of histology and other investigative procedure have affected the accurate diagnosis of certain conditions like tumours., Competing Interests: None

Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease has an important impact on morbidity/mortality. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of this disease in Portugal during the last eight years, expressed by the volume of admissions, treatment strategies and associated morbidity and mortality., Material and Methods: We collected data from the Diagnosis Related Group national database on primary diagnosis, procedures codes, demographic variables, a number of risk factors, and mortality of all cases admitted from 2009 to 2016 with a primary diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease coded according to the 9th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-9)., Results: In this study, peripheral arterial disease led to 27 684 hospitalisations, which corresponded to 26.7% of all admissions for vascular disease in this period. Approximately 49.9% of patients were admitted to the emergency department. The volume of procedures in patients with claudication decreased over the eight years, unlike patients with critical ischaemia, in which the number of procedures increased., Discussion: Age and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with the severity of disease, as observed in our series. Overall hospital mortality varied, being significantly higher in patients with more advanced severity of the disease., Conclusion: Peripheral arterial disease represents an important burden in the overall volume of admissions in Portuguese public hospitals. A large number of patients was admitted in the context of emergency.

Background and Aim: Diabetic foot is a major comorbidity of diabetes, with 15-25% of diabetic patients developing diabetic foot ulcer during their lifetime. Other major diabetic foot complications include cellulitis, abscess, wet gangrene, dry gangrene, and necrotizing fasciitis. Dry gangrene involves tissue necrosis due to chronic ischemia whereby the tissue becomes numb, dry, wrinkled, and dead. Although diabetic foot complications have been extensively studied in literature, there is limited data on the management of dry gangrene., Methods: We report a case series of 12 patients with diabetes-related dry gangrene in the toes, initially planned to be managed conservatively with autoamputation., Results: One patient had an autoamputation, while eight patients underwent surgical amputations (six major amputations, two minor amputations) for better clinical outcomes. Two patients died, while no change was observed in one patient even after 12 months of follow-up., Conclusion: Managing diabetic dry toe gangrene by waiting for autoamputation may lead to worse clinical outcomes and should be practiced cautiously on a case-by-case basis. Early surgical intervention should be opted to improve patients' quality of life., (Copyright © 2019 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Many studies have investigated the association between time interval and incidence of complicated appendicitis and post-operative surgical site infection (SSI), but the results are controversial., Methods: A systematic search of the electronic databases identified studies that investigated the association of appendectomy delay with complicated appendicitis and SSI among patients with acute appendicitis. Qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis of the results was conducted., Results: Twenty-one studies were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in complicated appendicitis incidence between patients in the 6-12 h, > 12 and < 6 h groups (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89-1.30, p = 0.47; OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.88-1.22, p = 0.64). Comparison of the 6-12 h category with the < 6 h category of in-hospital delay revealed significant associations between longer in-hospital delay and increased risk of post-operative SSI (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.11-1.77, p = 0.004). Patients in the 24-48 h category had 1.99- and 1.84-fold (p < 0.05) higher odds of developing complicated appendicitis compared to patients in the < 24 h category for pre-hospital delay and total delay, respectively (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.35-2.94, p = 0.0006; OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.05-3.21, p = 0.03). When pre-hospital and total delay time extended to more than 48 h, the odds of risk increased 4.62- and 7.57-fold, respectively (OR 4.62, 95% CI 2.99-7.13, p < 0.00001; OR 7.57, 95% CI 6.14-9.35, p = < 0.00001)., Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis incidence was associated with overall elapsed time from symptom onset to admission or operation; short appendectomy in-hospital delay did not increase the risk of complicated appendicitis but was associated with a slightly increased risk of SSI. Prompt surgical intervention is warranted to avoid additional morbidity, enabling quicker recovery in this population.

Background: Diabetic foot is a common and severe complication of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary features of diabetic foot at a Hospital in Lomé (Togo)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015 (5 years) at the Medico-surgical Clinic, University Hospital Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé All patients hospitalized for diabetic foot during the study period were enrolled., Results: Diabetic foot prevalence was 12.90%. The average age of patients was 60,74 years (ranging from 39 to 86 years). Diabetic foot was predominant in male patients, with a sex ratio of 1.38. Type 2 diabetes was found in 88.70% of patients. The mean duration of diabetes evolution was 11.67 years (ranging from 1 to 24 years). Foot lesions were caused by a trauma resulting in a superinfected sore in 70.97% of cases. Gangrene (61.29%) and ischemic necrosis (12.90%) were the most common lesions. Neuropathy was the main etiopathogenetic factor (61.29). The majority of lesions (61.29%) were classified as Wagner grade 4 and 5 and 51,62% of patients underwent lower limb amputation., Conclusion: Foot lesions are frequent in diabetic patients living in Lomé. The fight against this scourge depends on education of patients and their caregivers as well on multidisciplinary and concerted patient management.

This study reports the complications occurred during the management of open fractures of the lower limbs, resulting in secondary amputations, observed in clinicians' practice in recent years as well as different risk factors and possible deficiencies in management at the origin of these complications. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 06 years (January 2006 - January 2012). It included patients with open fracture of the lower limb initially treated in our institution and whose complications resulted in amputation. All patient undergoing emergency amputation after examination at the Emergency Department were excluded. All patient treated in another hospital before being referred to us were excluded by the study, even if secondary amputation had been performed in our institution. We collected data by analyzing the records of patients (clinical and complementary examinations, surgical reports). We evaluated our management of open fractures of the lower limb according to the guidelines and recommendations found in the literature. These complications were observed in 9 out of 306 open fractures of the lower limb treated in the same period (January 2006 - January 2012), reflecting a rate of 2.9%. The average age was 42.6(26-57) years, all patients were male. We recorded 1 case of fracture of the femur, 7 cases of fracture of 2 leg bones and 1 case of foot crushing. These were open fractures including 1 case of type 1 fracture, 3 cases of type II fracture and 5 cases of type III fracture, according to Gustilo and Anderson classification. We performed 5 amputations of the thigh and 4 amputation of the upper third of the leg. Various complications motivated these amputations, including bone infections or soft-tissue gangrenes of ischemic or infectious origin. The patients had no morbidities such as diabete and were not chronic smokers. No patient died. Open fractures deserve special attention of the surgeon on immediade complications both from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view in order to reduce the amputation rates after primary surgery giving patients the impression that they had an incorrect procedure performed on them. Particular attention should be paid to the degree of initial contamination and to the presence of a virulent germ at the site of trauma which may motivate particular attitudes during primary management.

Background: Remarkable improvement in the treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) has led to changes in revascularization strategies from traditional open surgery to less invasive endovascular management. However, few studies are available on gender disparities in patients with PAD treated via an endovascular approach. This study was designed to analyze gender related differences with respect to in-hospital outcomes in PAD patients., Methods: Our data was obtained from National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2012 through 2014. We used International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedural codes appropriate for PAD and endovascular treatment. Endovascular treatment included drug eluting stent, bare metal stent, atherectomy or angioplasty of lower extremity arteries. A propensity score matching was performed to adjust for imbalances between variables., Results: Females presented late with more comorbidities and underwent more emergent/urgent procedures. After performing propensity score matched analysis, 25 758 patients were included in each group. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality between males and females in matched cohorts (2.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.25). Acute renal failure, gangrene, infection, and composite of all complications were higher in males. Only blood transfusion was noted higher in females., Conclusion: This study revealed no difference in in-hospital mortality between males and females undergoing endovascular peripheral intervention. Males have a higher rate of complications compared to females which explains the higher cost of care in males. Further research with long-term follow up is needed to see if there is any difference with regards to long-term outcomes and re-admission., (© 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: Ileo-sigmoid knotting (ISK) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction in which the ileum twists around the sigmoid colon. It is associated with rapid bowel gangrene and a high mortality rate. Little has been published about this condition in Kenya. The objective was to determine the presentation, management, and outcome of patients with ISK., Methods: A seven year (January 2008-December 2014) retrospective chart review of patients managed for ISK at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya., Results: A total of 61 cases were identified, with a mean age of 35.8 years (range 2-68), and mean symptom duration of 1.6 days (range 3 hours-7 days). Gangrene was noted to involve both the ileum and colon in 45 patients, the ileum only in 9 patients, and the sigmoid colon only in one. Resection and primary anastomosis was carried out in most cases of gangrenous ileum (48/54, 89%) and gangrenous sigmoid colon (34/46, 74%), while resection and stoma was performed in 8 patients with gangrenous colon. Death occurred in 7 (11.5%) patients due to severe sepsis and multisystem organ failure. Morbidities were noted in 15 (24.6%) patients, including surgical site infection (8, 13.1%), respiratory insufficiency (4, 6.6%), fascial dehiscence (3, 4.9%) and anastomotic leak (2, 3.2%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 8.3 days (range 1-26)., Conclusion: In this review, though retrospective in nature, ISK was noted to have high rates of bowel gangrene. In the appropriate setting, resection and primary anastomosis can be safely carried out in most cases of gangrenous colon.

Background: The male gender is considered a risk factor for complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The reasons for this gender associated risk are not clearly understood. The extent of gallbladder inflammation has been shown to influence surgical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not gallbladder inflammation is more severe in male patients presenting with acute cholecystitis., Methods: A retrospective gender dependent comparison of the data of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in a primary care facility within a five-year period was performed., Results: 138 patients, 69 males and 69 females were included for analysis. Severe gallbladder inflammation (gangrenous and necrotizing cholecystitis) was seen in a significant portion of the male population compared to the female population (p = 0.002). The male gender was confirmed in a multivariate analysis as an independent risk factor for severe cholecystits (p = 0.018)., Conclusion: The male gender is a risk factor for severe gallbladder inflammation. An early surgical intervention may be needed to prevent complications.

Background: The role of statins in the development of microvascular disease in patients with diabetes is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that statin use increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and gangrene of the foot in individuals with diabetes., Methods: We identified all patients living in Denmark who were aged 40 years or older and were diagnosed with incident diabetes between Jan 1, 1996, and Dec 31, 2009. We obtained patients' data from the Danish Patient Registry and information on drug use from the Danish Registry of Medicinal Product Statistics. We randomly selected 15,679 individuals from the database who had used statins regularly until their diagnosis of diabetes (statin users) and matched them in a 1:3 ratio with 47,037 individuals who had never used statins before diagnosis (non-statin users). Our primary outcome was to compare the cumulative incidence of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, or gangrene of the foot in statin users versus non-statin users. We analysed data with Cox regression models, adjusted for covariates including sex, age at diabetes diagnosis, and method of diabetes diagnosis. To address potential biases between statin users and non-statin users, we made adjustments to our analysis with a propensity score and with other factors. Median follow-up was 2·7 years (range 0-13)., Findings: During 215,725 person-years of follow-up, 2866 patients developed diabetic retinopathy, 1406 developed diabetic neuropathy, 1248 developed diabetic nephropathy, and 2392 developed gangrene of the foot. Compared with non-statin users, statin users had a lower cumulative incidence of diabetic retinopathy (hazard ratio 0·60, 95% CI 0·54-0·66; p<0·0001), diabetic neuropathy (0·66, 0·57-0·75; p<0·0001), and gangrene of the foot (0·88, 0·80-0·97; p=0·010), but not diabetic nephropathy (0·97, 0·85-1·10; p=0·62). These results were similar after adjusting for the competing risk of death, after matching for a propensity score, after adjusting for visits to a family doctor, and by stratification on covariates. The corresponding multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for risk of diabetes in the total population was 1·17 (95% CI 1·14-1·21; p<0·0001)., Interpretation: Use of statins before diagnosis of incident diabetes was not associated with an increased risk of microvascular disease. Whether statins are protective against some forms of microvascular disease-a possibility raised by these data-will need to be addressed in other studies similar to ours, in mendelian randomisation studies, and preferably in randomised controlled trials., Funding: Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To describe the prevalence, characteristics, and outcome of cutaneous ischemia, and whether it can occur in systemic necrotizing vasculitides (SNVs), i.e., polyarteritis nodosa, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with SNV who were included in the French Vasculitis Study Group cohort database between March 1963 and September 2007. We compared characteristics and outcomes for patients with and without cutaneous ischemia (digital necrosis and/or isolated necrotic cutaneous ulcers)., Results: Among the 1304 patients with a diagnosis of SNVs, 40 (3.1%) had digital necrosis and 25 (1.9%) had isolated necrotic cutaneous ulcers, with an equal distribution among SNVs. Presence of cutaneous ischemia was associated with past and/or current smoking [odds ratio (OR), 1.73; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.02-2.95] and history of coronary artery disease (2.40; 1.01-6.00), as well as with other cutaneous manifestations (6.54; 3.21-8.67), gastrointestinal tract perforations (4.29; 1.41-13.07), and arthralgias (1.84; 1.10-3.07) during diagnosis. Ten patients with digital necrosis underwent extremity amputation, but no patient with isolated necrotic cutaneous ulcers (p = 0.007) underwent it. Smoking was the main risk factor of amputation (OR, 9.1; 1.7-48.9). At a mean follow-up of 10 years, cutaneous ischemia was identified as an independent predictor of vasculitis relapse (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05-2.05) and all-cause death (1.66; 1.01-2.74)., Conclusions: Cutaneous ischemia is a rare manifestation of SNVs but is associated with an increased risk of relapse and mortality. Tobacco use is associated with amputation, which emphasizes the importance of managing conventional cardiovascular risk factors in SNV patients., (© 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: Polyarteritis nodosa in children is a rare necrotizing vasculitis affecting mainly small and medium-size arteries., Objective: To describe the different clinical patterns and laboratory profiles of polyarteritis nodosa patients in a tertiary care hospital., Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period January 2007 to December 2012. A total of 13 patients fulfilling the European League Against Rheumatism/Paediatric Rheumatology International Trial Organization/Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (EULAR/PRINTO/PRES) classification criteria were enrolled in this study. Data was collected via a predesigned questionnaire., Results: Age range was 3-12 years, male : female ratio was 9 : 4. The duration of symptoms was 2-16 weeks. All the children had fever, anorexia and generalized weakness. Subcutaneous nodules were present in 77% of cases followed by arthritis and rash (69%), muscle pain (54%) and abdominal pain (38%). Impaired peripheral pulses were present in 54%, ulceration and gangrene was present in 31% and auto-amputation was present in 15% of cases. All the patients had high erythrocyte sedimentation rates followed by neutrophilic leukocytosis and thrombocytosis (85% and 62%). Skin biopsy was positive in 77% of cases and angiographic abnormalities were present in 23% of cases., Conclusion: Most clinical and laboratory profiles of polyarteritis nodosa in our center, such as age, sex, fever, rash, arthritis and abdominal pain, were mostly similar to other reports; however some late cases were found in this series with complications such as gangrene and auto-amputation., (© 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Objective: To underline the status of male gender and gall bladder wall thickness as significant risk factors for acute cholecystitis complications., Methods: The retrospective study, with purposive sampling of the patients of acute cholecystits in age above 18 years, who were operated within 10 days of onset of symptoms, was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Dow University Hospital, Karachi, by reviewing the patients' medical record from March 2010 to August 2012. Correlation of incidence of acute cholecystitis complications (empyema and gangrene) to male gender and to the sonographic gall bladder wall thickness more than 4.5 mm was analysed using SPSS 16., Result: Out of 62 patients, 8 (13%) patients had gangrene while 10 (16.12%) had empyema. Overall, there were 21 (33.87%) males in the study. Ten (47.6%) of the male patients developed empyema or gangrene of the gall bladder as a complication of acute cholecystitis. Of the 41 (66.12%) female patients, only 8 (19.5%) developed these complications. There were 22 (35.48%) cases of gall bladders with sonographic wall thickness more than 4.5 mm who were operated for acute cholecystitis. Of them, 16 (72.7%) had empyema or gangrene., Conclusion: Male gender and sonographic gall bladder wall thickness more than 4.5 mm were statistically significant risk factors for suspicion of complicated acute cholecystitis (empyema/gangrene) and by using these risk factors, we can prioritise patients for surgery in the emergency room.

Background: Above-the-knee amputations (AKA) and below-the-knee amputations (BKA) are commonly indicated in patients with ischemia, extensive tissue loss, or infection. AKA were previously reported to have better wound-healing rates but poorer rehabilitation rates than BKA., Objectives: To compare the outcomes of AKA and BKA and to identify risk factors for poor outcome following leg amputation., Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised 188 consecutive patients (mean age 72 years, range 25-103, 71 males) who underwent 198 amputations (91 AKA, 107 BK 10 bilateral procedures) between February 2007 and May 2010. Included were male and female adults who underwent amputations for ischemic, infected or gangrenotic foot. Excluded were patients whose surgery was performed for other indications (trauma, tumors). Mortality and reoperations (wound debridement or need for conversion to a higher levelof amputation) were evaluated as outcomes. Patient- and surgery-related risk factors were studied in relation to these primary outcomes., Results: The risk factors for mortality were dementia [hazard ratio (HR) 2.769], non-ambulatory status preoperatively (HR 2.281), heart failure (HR 2.013) and renal failure (HR 1.87). Resistant bacterial infection (HR 3.083) emerged as a risk factor for reoperation. Neither AKA nor BKA was found to be an independent predictor of mortality or reoperation., Conclusions: Both AKA and BKA are associated with very high mortality rates. Mortality is most probably related to serious comorbidities (renal and heart disease) and to reduced functional status and dementia. Resistant bacterial infections are associated with high rates of reoperation. The risk factors identified can aid surgeons and patients to better anticipate and possibly prevent severe complications.

Little published data exist on the morbidity and mortality associated with poor trauma care in developing countries. This report highlights our experience with iatrogenic limb gangrene related to fracture management by traditional bonesetters. Children with bonesetter's gangrene were identified from a prospectively recorded paediatric surgery database at the Regional Hospital of Kaolack in Central Senegal. 21 children were treated for bonesetter's gangrene during a 18-month period (January 2007 up to June 2008). The average age was 10 years (range, 5 to 15 years). Bonesetter's gangrene was more common in boys (90.5%) and occurred almost exclusively in children from rural areas where access to health care was limited. 16 children underwent proximal extremity amputation. Complications included one case of tetanus. Bonesetter's gangrene is a preventable complication that results from a failure of child health planners to recognize the importance of basic trauma care. Management of fractures should be considered an essential component of child health programs in developing countries.

Introduction: Vaseline self-injection into the penis is currently a popular procedure in prisons. Since such injections are illegal, severe complications of the procedure can often remain hidden., Aim: To identify the incidence, motivation, and morbidity of Vaseline self-injection into the penis among inmates., Methods: A total of 4,735 inmates at the largest Hungarian prisons were asked to complete a questionnaire relating to their sexual life, whether they had self-injected Vaseline into their penis, the motivation leading them to resort to Vaseline self-injection, any complications observed and the level of satisfaction attained., Main Outcome Measures: A 17-point questionnaire on the circumstances, motivations, and complications of Vaseline self-injection among prisoners., Results: Of the 1,905 responders, 15.7% admitted Vaseline self-injection. Only around one-fifth of the Vaseline injected subjects had not been satisfied with the original size of their penis and their sexual life up to the time of the injection, a proportion similar to that among Vaseline nonusers. While the satisfaction with the sexual life became significantly worse after the Vaseline injection, the satisfaction with the penis size did not change and an erectile dysfunction developed de novo in 21.4% of cases. The most common motivation for self-injection was a recommendation by another inmate; it was rarely recommended by a sexual partner. Complications had developed among 25.4% of the Vaseline users and 50.3% of them were not satisfied with the result of the Vaseline injection. Of the Vaseline users, 22.4% regretted the self-injection, while the rate among those who had developed complications was 53%., Conclusions: The self-injection of Vaseline into the penile skin proved to be somewhat of a trend among these inmates. The complications depended mainly on the amount of Vaseline injected, the poor hygienic circumstances, and the personal tolerability. Increased awareness is needed for the prevention of this social, psychological, and physical problem., (© 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Our study analysed a batch of 1402 A.C., operated on within the S.U.U.B. First Surgical Clinic between 1993-2010. L.C. was possible in 90% of the cases, and conversion to open surgery was required in 10% of the cases. The causes that determined the necessity for this conversion were pericholecystic plastron - 49%, unclear anatomical orientation - 46.5%, haemorrhage - 9.7%, iatrogenic injury of the main bile duct - 0.23% etc. Statistical analysis has shown that male gender, over 50 yrs. age groups, gangrenous A. C. and fibrous plastron represent risk factors for the conclusion of L.C. Reinterventions were performed on 20 patients (1.4%). Postoperative mortality was not encountered., (Celsius.)

Purpose: Outcomes of gastroschisis are influenced by associated intestinal complications. We present a detailed analysis of complex gastroschisis., Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with gastroschisis treated at 2 university neonatal intensive care units between January 1, 2001, and March 31, 2007, was performed., Results: Of 83 patients, 19 (23%) had complex gastroschisis, including atresias (68%), gangrene (37%), closing gastroschisis (32%), perforation (21%), strictures (21%), and volvulus (11%). Prenatal ultrasound did not predict complications. Fifty-three percent underwent primary closure. Duration of mechanical ventilation and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was 14.4 ± 1.9 days and 90.7 ± 9.0 days, respectively. Enteral feeds started at 35.9 ± 4.6 days. Hospital stay was 104.4 ± 9.6 days. Patients underwent a median of 3 abdominal procedures (range, 2-5) before discharge. Ninety-five percent survived to discharge; 33% and 67% were discharged on TPN and gastrostomy feeds, respectively. Two-year survival was 89%, with 82% on full oral feeding, 12% on a combination of oral and gastrostomy feeding, and 1 patient (who received a liver/bowel transplant) on a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition., Conclusions: Complex gastroschisis continues to produce significant morbidity. However, most of the patients are TPN free by 2 years of age., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine factors affecting ischaemic wound healing and role of the angiosome concept in bypass surgery., Design: Single-centre, retrospective clinical study., Materials and Methods: A total of 249 consecutive critical ischaemic limbs with tissue loss in 228 patients who underwent distal bypasses from 2003 to 2009 were reviewed. A total of 81% of patients were diabetic, and 49% of patients had dialysis-dependent renal disease (end-stage renal disease, ESRD). Distal targets of bypasses were the crural artery (57%) and the pedal artery (43%)., Results: The complete healing of ischaemic wounds was achieved in 211 limbs (84.7%). ESRD (odds ratio (OR) 0.127, p < 0.001), diabetes (OR 0.216, p = 0.030), Rutherford category 6 (R6) with heel ulcer/gangrene (OR 0.134, p < 0.001), R6 except heel (OR 0.336, p = 0.025) and low albuminaemia (OR 0.387, p = 0.049) were negative predictors of wound healing. Regarding the angiosome, the healing rate in the indirect revascularisation (IR) group was slower than in the direct revascularisation (DR) group, especially in patients with ESRD (p < 0.001). However, the healing rates of the DR and IR groups were similar after minimising background differences with propensity score methods (p = 0.185)., Conclusions: In the field of bypass surgery, the angiosome concept seems unimportant, at least in non-ESRD cases. The location and extent of ischaemic wounds as well as co-morbidities may be more relevant than the angiosome in terms of wound healing., (Copyright © 2011 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hospital gangrene refers to a historical presentation of septic wounds, which was associated to situation with a multitude of wounded patients. Later, it was proven that hospital overcrowding together with inadequate wound treatment options aggravated the spread of the infection by nurses and surgeons as well as contaminated wound dressings resulting in high morbidity and mortality in the affected hospitals and lazarettos. This article, which reviews the historical situation of this disease in Chile, mainly bases on reports of the physicians Rafael Wormald and Jacinto Ugarte, who reported on this topic in 1852 and 1873, respectively, and on outbreak occurring between 1860 and 1870 at Hospital San Juan de Dios in Santiago.

Objectives: Pediatric small-bowel volvulus (SBV) is a surgical emergency, and early diagnosis is difficult. We analyzed the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and laboratory parameters in children with SBV and attempted to determine the risk factors for bowel gangrene., Patients and Methods: Forty-nine children (35 boys and 14 girls) with SBV who were admitted to the hospital for a period of 13 years were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory parameters and evaluation measures included fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stool, peritoneal signs, severe dehydration, disease duration, white blood cell counts, sugar, C-reactive protein (CRP), sodium, potassium, metabolic acidosis, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. These parameters were statistically compared between patients with and without bowel gangrene., Results: Thirty-six patients (73.5%) were 5 years old or younger, and nearly half were younger than 1 year old. Abdominal pain and vomiting were 2 major symptoms. Malrotation was the most common cause of SBV. In univariate analysis, nonbilious vomiting, peritoneal signs, severe dehydration, leukocytosis (WBC count >18,000 cells/mm3), elevated CRP (>50 mg/dL), and hyponatremia (<130 mmol/L) were significantly associated with bowel gangrene (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, nonbilious vomiting, leukocytosis, and elevated CRP were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with bowel gangrene. The resection rate for bowel gangrene was 44.9%, and no mortality was found. Seven (14.3%) patients had postoperative complications, including short-bowel syndrome (n = 2), adhesion ileus (n = 3), and intraabdominal abscess (n = 3). Seven experienced failure to thrive in later follow-up., Conclusions: Specific clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters are helpful in the identification of bowel gangrene in children with SBV.

The present report describes an outbreak of gangrenous dermatitis (GD) infection in a commercial poultry farm in Delaware involving 34-day-old broiler chickens. In addition to obvious clinical signs, some GD-affected broilers also showed severe fibrino-necrotic enteritis and large numbers of Gram-positive rods in the necrotic tissue. Histopathological findings included haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis of parenchymatous cells, especially of skin, muscle, and intestine. Immunofluorescence staining revealed Clostridium-like bacilli in the skin and the intestine. Both Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium septicum genomic sequences were identified by polymerase chain reaction in bacterial cultures isolated from the skin, muscle, and intestine, and in the frozen tissues from the GD-affected birds. Serological analysis demonstrated that both affected and clinically healthy birds from the same house had high serum antibody titres against C. perfringens, C. septicum, Eimeria, chick anaemia virus, and infectious bursal disease virus. These results are discussed in the context of the relationship between the different Clostridium spp. and the pathogenesis of GD.

Background: Soft tissue infection and foot disease are well known complications among diabetes mellitus patients. With an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Africa, management of these complications is expected to become a major problem., Objective: To audit the surgical management of diabetic soft tissue infection and foot disease over a two-year period in Accra, Ghana., Methods: A prospective study of all patients admitted to the General Surgical Unit of the 37 Military Hospital between May 2005 and April 2007 was conducted. Diabetic patients with soft tissue infections and foot disease were selected for study. Doppler studies using a monopolar 8 MHz Nicolet vascular probe was used in assessing the ankle to brachial pressure index (ABPI). Patients were managed based on admitting diagnosis and outcomes were noted., Results: Eighty (8.3%) of 966 surgical patients had diabetes mellitus and soft tissue infection or foot disease. The peak age of presentation of diabetics with soft tissue infection or foot disease was 50-59 years. Diabetic foot disease (53.0%) was the commonest followed by cellulitis of the leg and other soft tissue infections. Overall amputation rate was 33.3% while mortality was 8.8%., Conclusion: Foot infections, cellulitis, abscesses and gangrene are the common surgical complications of diabetes mellitus patients in Ghana. Abscess of the hand is the commonest non-foot soft tissue surgical complication and had good outcomes. Overall, females presented earlier and had better outcomes than males.

Background: This prospective study compares results of infrainguinal revascularisation with autologous vein in diabetic and non-diabetic populations., Patients and Methods: 101 patients (diabetics (A) n = 50 and non-diabetics (B) n = 51) were operated upon with an in situ saphenous vein bypass to the popliteal artery below knee or to crural arteries, due to critical ischemia. Data on operative details, morbidity, mortality, secondary interventions and graft patency, were collected prospectively. All patients were followed up for 5 years., Results: The two groups were similar except that diabetics more often suffered from gangrene or tissue loss. The distal anastomoses were constructed significantly more distally in diabetics. There were no differences in perioperative bleeding, length of operation, hospital stay or 30 d mortality. The 5 year patency did not differ significantly between groups, A 68 % vs. B 72 %. The limb salvage was equal in both groups, 86 % after 5 years. Mortality during follow up was significantly higher among diabetics, at two years A 31 % vs. B 14 %., Conclusions: Distal revascularisation with in situ technique is a durable procedure that can be performed with very good results in both diabetics and non-diabetics. The survival among diabetics is however significantly lower, although reaching 69 % at two years.

Background: Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is characterized by sudden onset of peripheral, frequently symmetrical gangrene in the absence of major vascular occlusive disease. SPG is associated with a wide range of underlying medical problems and usually has disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the background. Although sporadic cases and a few retrospective case series of SPG have been reported, lack of any prospective study on the profile and outcome of these patients prompted us to undertake the present work., Objectives: To study the clinical profile, aetiological factors, and outcome of a group of patients of SPG from eastern India., Patients/methods: Prospective, observational study of consecutive patients presented at or referred to the Dermatology Department of a tertiary-care hospital during 2001 to 2008., Results: We observed 14 patients (5 males, 9 females; mean age: 43.36 years) of SPG during the study period. All had clinical and laboratory evidence of DIC in association with a shock syndrome. Associated purpura fulminans was noted in 11 patients. In 12 patients, the cause of SPG was infective, Pneumococcus being the commonest organism involved. Two patients developed DIC and SPG postoperatively. Nine patients survived and the remaining five patients died. Three patients had leukopenia and all of them died. Amongst the survivors, four patients had auto-amputation of some parts of distal limbs; surgical amputation was done in two patients., Conclusions: SPG carries a high mortality rate frequently requiring multiple limb amputations in survivors. Leukopenia may be a poor prognostic factor of SPG and DIC may occur universally.

Objective: To report on the clinical presentation and possible risk factors leading to hand sepsis, amputation, management, and outcome in diabetic patients presenting to a multidisciplinary diabetic center in Khartoum, Sudan., Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of all diabetic patients presenting with hand sepsis between September 2002 and March 2008 to Jabir Abueliz Diabetic Centre (JADC) in Khartoum, Sudan., Results: A hundred and nineteen diabetic patients with hand sepsis were managed in JADC. The causative agent was unknown in 48.7%, and due to trauma in 42.9%. The most common presentation was cellulitis in 36.1% of patients and deep seated abscess in 29.5%. In 22.7% there was significant sensory neuropathy with loss of perception to 10 gm monofilament nylon. An associated foot ulcer was present in 13.4% of patients. One or more digits amputation was carried out in 17 (14.3%) of patients and hand amputation was unavoidable in 2 (1.7%). Complete healing with good function was achieved in 79%. There was no mortality in this series., Conclusion: Hand sepsis in diabetics is a serious complication, but with early presentation to a specialized diabetic care facility, satisfactory outcome could be achieved.

The aim of the study is to assess the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcome of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with digital gangrene. In all, 2684 consecutive SLE inpatients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 1997 to August 2007 were studied. Demographic data, clinical features, laboratory findings as well as therapeutic regimens were systematically reviewed and a database was established. Cases with digital gangrene were identified and followed up. 1) Eighteen patients with SLE were complicated with digital gangrene, the average age at event was 33.1 +/- 11.8 years and the average disease duration was 99.1 +/- 60.1 months. 2) Patients with SLE, with long disease duration (> or =4 years), Raynaud's phenomenon and elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were more likely to develop digital gangrene, P = 0.006, 0.001, and 0.031, respectively, OR = 1.03 (95% CI 1.01, 1.04), 35.76 (95% CI 4.67, 273.83) and 9.93 (95% CI 1.23, 80.30), respectively. 3) Fifteen gangrene patients started prednisone > or =1 mg/kg/d, and 18 were treated with cyclophosphamide, although 8 cases failed and ultimately received digital amputation. Prompt corticosteroid treatment (prednisone > or = mg/kg/d started within 3 weeks) decreased the hazard of amputation, P = 0.073, HR = 0.13 (95% CI 0.01, 1.21). Long disease duration, Raynaud's phenomenon and elevated serum CRP were independent predictive factors for SLE to develop digital gangrene. Early and aggressive corticosteroid treatment prevented gangrene from progression and improved prognosis.

On 26 December 2004, a tsunami devastated the west coast of Thailand and caused 8457 injuries and 5395 deaths. Data were collected from 26 December 2004 to 31 January 2005 at four public hospitals to describe the character and treatment of wounds of 523 persons who were injured during tsunami and sought medical treatment. Wounds were contaminated with mud, sand, debris and sea water and had an infection rate of 66.5% (674/1013). Most wounds (45%) had poly-microbial infection with gram-negative rods such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus and Pseudomonas species. The risk of wound infection increased with size of the wound and presence of an open fracture. Infections occurred more frequently on the lower than upper trunk of the body. Early treatment with antibiotics was protective against wound infection. Many patients asked to have their wounds sutured so that they could return to their village to look for their families and to repair damage. This report suggests that wounds should be aggressively debrided and suturing postponed if possible. Patients should be given broad spectrum antibiotics to assist with wound healing.

Background: Interest in measuring the quality of surgical care has grown over the past decades. As complications after vascular surgery may be used as a quality indicator of care, analysis of these adverse events remains essential., Objective: The goal of this study was to identify patient and procedure specific risk factors of postoperative complications following infrainguinal vascular surgery and to describe the incidence, cause and consequence of all complications in this group., Patients and Methods: This study included all 296 patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial bypass surgery at our institution over a 5-year period. All complications occurring during these patients' admission were registered in a prospective standardised complication registration and analysed., Results: Seventy-three of 296 (25%) procedures in 247 patients were followed by 129 complications. The mean patient age was 70 years. Factors associated with a significantly higher complication risk were diabetes, critical ischaemia with rest pain or gangrene, a cardiac medical history, acute surgery and a former cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Independent risk factors in multivariate analysis were a former CVA and acute surgery. Postoperative haemorrhage (n = 19), early occlusion of the graft (n = 15) and surgical site infection (n = 10) were the most frequently registered surgery-related complications. The most common consequence of a complication was blood transfusion or treatment with additional medication (33%). In 16% of all complications, a reoperation was necessary. Twelve patients died during admission (mortality 5%)., Conclusion: A former CVA and acute surgery were independent risk factors of postoperative complications. Identifying the cause and consequence of each complication is essential in a complication registration. When using complications as an indicator of quality of care in this population, an adjustment should be made for patient comorbidity and surgical indication.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by hyperglycaemia due to absolute or relative insulin deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of skin manifestations in patients with diabetes mellitus of this area. This descriptive study was conducted in medical out patient door of District Headquarter Hospital Battgram from January 2008 to July 2008., Methods: A total of 350 diabetic (types 1 and 2) patients over 15 years of age attending the medical OPD of DHQ Hospital were examined in detail for skin manifestations of the disease., Results: Three hundred and fifty diabetic (type-1 and type-2) patients (193 females and 157 males) enrolled in this study. Mean age of the patients was 54 +/- 8.53 years. Duration of diabetes was between 1-12 years; 320 patients had type-2 and 30 patients had type-1 diabetes mellitus. Patients with uncontrolled disease were 327 and 23 patients showed adequate glycaemic control. Seventy-six percent of patients had cutaneous manifestations. The skin manifestations observed were: skin infections 30.9%, foot gangrene and ulcers 12.9%, pruritus 7.1%, vitiligo 5.7%, yellow skin 4.2%, diabetic dermopathy 4.2%, skin tags 3.7%, acanthosis nigricans 2.9%, eruptive xanthomas 2.6%, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum 1.4%, diabetic bullae 0.6%, and pigmented purpuras in 0.3% patients., Conclusions: Cutaneous manifestations were quite common in the diabetics of this area.

Background: Cluster investigations has been an important tool in investigations of diseases. While clustering of diseases or a manifestation in community can cause great public alarm, similar unexplained clustering in hospital admissions has baffled clinicians., Objectives: (a) To determine whether perceived unexplained clustering of diseases and manifestations among hospital admissions is real or significant. (b) To look for possible explanations of such clustering., Design: One-year prospective observational and two-year retrospective study., Material and Methods: Cases admitted under pediatric and neonatal services (excluding rooming in babies) from September 2002 to August 2003 formed material for prospective and cases admitted for 2 years prior for retrospective study. Whenever an unexplained cluster of disease/manifestation was perceived, case definition was finalized and cases recorded. Retrospective cluster analysis was done for some significant unexplained clusters detected prospectively. These clusters case rate were analyzed in relation to age, sex, climatic conditions, etiology of case, etc. to detect any correlation. Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-square test, centroid method and Z test of proportion were used for statistical significance., Results: Eight unexplained clusters were perceived in prospective study. 3 (hyperbilirubinemia in exchange range hypocalcemic seizures and vesicoureteric reflux) proved statistically not significant. 3 were small clusters of uncommon diseases / manifestations (biliary atresia, cardiomyopathy, and acral gangrene). Two large significant clusters, major non-traumatic bleeding manifestations (MNTBM) and acute renal failure (ARF) occurred to which retrospective study was extended. Tmax and Tmin (average maximum and minimum daily temperature) had statistically significant positive correlation with ARF (gamma = + 0.83, P <0.001 for Tmax and gamma =+ 0.56, P = 0.002 for Tmin) and negative correlation with MNTBM (gamma = - 0.34, P = 0.040 for Tmax and gamma = - 0.59, P <0.001 for Tmin). Barometric pressure has significant negative and positive correlation with MNTBM and ARF respectively (gamma =+ 0.57, P <0.001 for MNTBM and gamma = -0.45,P = 0.006 for ARF). The clusters also had significant positive correlations with female sex and age under 1 year (Z = 2.48, P <0.001,chi2=13.83, P<0.001 for sex and age of MNTBM and Z =3.11, P <0.001, chi2 =10.85, P <0.001 forage and sex of ARF cases respectively). Three small clusters and a small subgroup of MNTBM(subcutaneous nodules as manifestations of bleeding disorders) occurred predominantly under one year and different sexes were involved., Conclusions: Several significant unexplained clustering were noted among hospital admissions. There was significant correlation with climatic conditions, age and sex. Larger, longer and multicentric studies in different geographical areas are required to investigate more plausible but complex biological phenomenon and associations related to diseases or manifestations. Cluster awareness has diagnostic and management implications for clinician as it also helps in early recognition of disease outbreak and dissemination of information and hospital staff to be prepared to handle increased number of cases and its treatment.

Introduction: A meta-analysis of the literature suggests there is an increased rate of intra-abdominal abscess after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) compared with open appendectomy (OA)., Methods: To analyze the infectious complications of LA at one tertiary care centre, we completed a retrospective chart review for all patients undergoing LA for acute appendicitis from 1995 to 2002., Results: We used established exclusion criteria to identify 175 patients with a mean age of 37.6 (standard deviation [SD] 14.5) years (95 male, 80 female). The mean operating time was 61.9 (SD 22.5) minutes. Excluding conversions to OA (14/175, 8%), operating time was 59.9 (SD 20.5) minutes. On surgical assessment, 143 patients had acute nonperforated appendicitis (17 perforated, 15 gangrenous). However, on histopathology assessment, 13 cases of normal appendix were identified (13/175, 7.4%). The overall median length of stay was 2.0 days. Three patients had significant postoperative infectious complications, including 1 wound infection and 2 cases of intra-abdominal abscesses. All abscesses were managed successfully with percutaneous drainage. An analysis of perioperative factors that might have contributed to the infectious complications revealed that each case of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess occurred in patients with gangrenous appendicitis and when extensive irrigation was used during LA., Conclusions: An institutional review demonstrates outcomes comparable with the Cochrane systematic review of the published literature. Technical issues that may impact on intra-abdominal abscess formation after LA include aggressive manipulation of the infected appendix and increased use of irrigation fluid, possibly producing greater contamination of the peritoneal cavity.

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the role of recipient body mass index (BMI) on postoperative complications in patients receiving pancreas transplants., Methods: A single-institution retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients undergoing either simultaneous kidney pancreas (SPK) or pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplantation from January 1997 through December 2003. Variables analyzed included: age, sex, BMI, number of prior transplants, cytomegalovirus status of donor and recipient, postoperative insulin resistance, complications, and overall patient and graft survival. Differences in continuous variables and dichotomous variables were evaluated using two-tailed t test and Fisher exact test, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of overall complications following surgery., Results: Obesity was defined by a BMI > or = 30. Of the 145 patients, 33 (23%) had a BMI > or = 30 and 112 (77%) had a BMI < 30. There was no significant difference in age or sex between obese and nonobese patients (P = .98 and P = .56, respectively). The type of transplantation, SPK or PAK, did not affect the complication rate (P = .36). Overall complications (infection, dehiscence, evisceration, ventral hernia, allograft failure, gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, postoperative bleeding, or death) were significantly higher in the obese group (81% vs 40%, P < .001). Obesity was specifically associated with increased frequency of dehiscence, ventral hernia, intra-abdominal infection, gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, and repeat laparotomy. Obese patients also had a threefold higher rate of graft pancreatitis/enteric leak. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age > or = 50 and BMI > or = 30 as independent predictors of overall complications following surgery (odds ratio 4.0, P = .014 and OR 6.8, P < .001, respectively). There was no difference identified between groups with regards to allograft failure, posttransplant insulin resistance, and death., Conclusion: Obese patients are at increased risk of overall complications following pancreas transplantation. Specifically, obese patients experience higher frequency of dehiscence, ventral hernia, intra-abdominal infection, gangrene, and necrotizing fasciitis. This study demonstrates the need for careful postoperative monitoring in the obese patient.

Unlabelled: This study is done to evaluate cases of limb gangrene resulting from treatment of limb injury by traditional bonesetter., Method: This is a prospective study in which patients with limb gangrene are evaluated as each presents. Data extracted for evaluation include history of having been to a traditional bonesetter, the original injury, type of treatment given by the traditional healer, progression of condition while on treatment and reason for not coming to orthodox orthopaedic centre ab initio for treatment., Results: 15 cases were seen during the 5-year of study spanning June 1997 to May 2002. Upper limbs were involved in 4 cases while 11 involved the lower limbs. The original injuries were 3 cases of soft tissue injury to the joints, 7 closed fractures and 5 open fractures of type I and II. There was associated sepsis and toxemia in all except one. All the cases were treated by amputation. There were 4 deaths., Conclusion: Limb gangrene was not a justifiable end-result of treatment in all the cases judging by the nature of the original injury. Reasons for this end result were adduced. The need to avert unnecessary limb loss from mismanagement of limb injury by education of public in general and enlightenment of the traditional bonesetters of the harmful procedures in their practice is highlighted.

Over the last few decades, numerous public health agencies and other private and public organizations have sought to prevent and delay the disabling complications of diabetes by increasing the use of preventive care practices and reducing risk factors for complications among people with diabetes. Now, federal diabetes surveillance activities are yielding encouraging reports that progress is being made in increasing the use of preventive care practices, reducing risk factors for complications, and preventing or delaying diabetes complications. However, although several gains have been noted, levels of preventive care practices remain suboptimal, risk factors for diabetes complications are too prevalent, and diabetes complications are too pervasive. Furthermore, with compelling evidence that the onset of diabetes can be prevented or delayed among adults at high risk, prevention of diabetes has become a major new challenge. Additional efforts are needed to address the growing problems of obesity and physical inactivity, to identify the most efficacious and cost-effective prevention strategies and interventions, and to implement surveillance activities that allow us to gauge our success. Although progress has been made against diabetes complications, the current epidemic of diabetes increases the urgency of primary prevention efforts.

Total retrospective clinical-social investigation of 2431 patients with pyo-necrotic complications of the diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) has revealed a considerably increased incidence of pyo-necrotic complications of DFS, mainly at the expense of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Most of these patients (87.8%) are elderly and senile patients with a middle or severe degree of diabetes (98.2%) and signs of subcompensation or decompensation (87.2%). In 98.0% of the patients there were coexisting diseases. 87.9% of the patients were urgently admitted to hospital with acute pyo-inflammatory processes. A comparison of the results has shown that treatment and interdisciplinary observation in specialized institutions allowed to reduce lethality and number of high amputations more than two times.

The records of 19 patients with sigmoid colon volvulus (SCV) who were treated surgically in a 36.5-year-period were reviewed. Seven of them (37 %) had ileosigmoidal knotting (ISK). The age range was between 10 weeks and 17 years (mean 10 years), and 17 patients (90%) were male. In two cases (11%) there was previous SCV history. The mean symptom duration was 57 h (range 24-96), and three patients (16%) were in shock. The main symptoms were abdominal pain (90%), distention (79%), vomiting (74%), and obstipation (58%), and the main signs were abdominal tenderness (90%), distention (79%), absence of stool in the rectum and hypo- or akinetic bowel sounds (58%), muscular rigidity (53%), hyperkinetic bowel sounds (32%), and melanotic stool in the rectum (21%). The torsion was found in a clockwise direction in 47%, and the torsion degree was 360 in 42%. In four patients (21%) there was no gangrene (one with ISK), whereas in 15 (79%) sigmoid colon was gangrenous (six with ISK, in whom small bowel was also gangrenous). In nongangrenous cases, detorsion (11%) or sigmoidopexy (11%) was performed. In gangrenous cases, gangrenous sigmoid colon was resected, and Hartmann's procedure (74%) or primary anastomosis (5%) was performed. In those with associated gangrene of the small bowel, resection and enteroenteric anastomosis were done. Four patients (21%) died, with the most common cause of death being toxic shock. In 11 patients, including five with SCV and six with ISK, no recurrence was seen in a mean 18-year follow-up period (range 8-39). As a result, preoperative resuscitation, prompt surgery, and postoperative support are important in emergent SCV in children.

The 1st outbreak of fescue toxicosis in South Africa was recently confirmed in a Brahman herd at Perdekop, near Standerton, in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Within 3 weeks of being placed on a fescue pasture in mid-winter, 50 of 385 cattle developed lameness and/or necrosis of the tail. The farmer had established Festuca elatior L. (tall fescue, Iewag variety) on c. 140 ha for winter grazing. Fescue may be infected by an endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum, which produces ergot alkaloids, in particular ergovaline. Ergovaline concentrations in basal leaf sheaths and grass stems collected during the outbreak ranged from 1720-8170 ppb on a dry-matter basis.

Objective: To determine the incidence of acute thrombo-embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (AOSMA) in a population-based study., Material: All clinical (n=23,446) and forensic (n=7569) autopsies performed in the city of Malmö between 1970 and 1982 (population 264,000-230,000 inhabitants). The autopsy rate was 87%., Methods: Calculation of the incidence of AOSMA with intestinal gangrene in those autopsies coded for bowel ischaemia (997/23,446 clinical and 9/7569 forensic autopsies). The operative procedures performed in 1970, 1976 and 1982 were also analysed., Results: Two forensic and 211 clinical autopsies demonstrated AOSMA with intestinal gangrene. Previous suspicion of intestinal ischaemia was noted in only 33%. Sixteen patients were operated. The cause-specific mortality was 6.0/1000 deaths. The incidence was 8.6/100,000 person years, increasing exponentially with age (p<0.001). Mortality was 93%., Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of AOSMA is higher than previously reported from clinical series. There is seldom any suspicion of the diagnosis prior to death.