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Background: Native AV fistulas are the ideal access for hemodialysis but require monitoring and multiple interventions in some patients to keep them functioning. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the appointment of a trained vascular access coordinator (VAC) for fistula monitoring, on the evolution of the vascular access program at our institute. Method: Data was retrieved from the departmental database for the baseline year 2014 and compared with the data from 2018. Initial review showed that appointment of the VAC in 2015 resulted in a steady increase in the number of AV fistula interventions over 2 years to a plateau in 2018 which was chosen as the comparison year. The number of AVF’s created, number of salvage procedures performed, and follow-up data were compared. Other parameters like number of operation theatre hours, surgeons, and nursing staff remained constant during this period. Result: Total numbers of AVFs increased from 511 to 713 (39.3%). The number of follow-up visits to surgeons reduced from an average of 4–0.25 visits per patient during this period. Follow up Doppler examinations increased from 761 to 1296 (70%) indicating improved follow up. The salvage procedures increased from 44 to 161 (272%) with early detection of fistula dysfunction. Primary and secondary patency rates of 86% and 92% at 3 months could be achieved whereas limited follow-up data was available for 2014. Conclusion: Appointment of trained VAC increased the number of vascular access procedures, improved follow-up care, and led to early detection and intervention for access dysfunction while reducing the workload of surgeons.

Pulmonary mucormycosis has been associated with high mortality (reported up to 100%) in renal transplant recipients.This was a retrospective analysis of renal transplant patients with pulmonary mucormycosis between April 2014 and March 2020, who underwent surgical resection of the affected lung along with liposomal amphotericin therapy. Patients with lower respiratory illness features underwent chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography of the chest, and those with suspicious findings underwent analysis of bronchioloalveolar fluid and transbronchial lung biopsy. Patients with histological or microbiological evidence of mucormycosis were started on liposomal Amphotericin B. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were stopped at the time of diagnosis.Ten patients underwent combined management, while five patients were managed medically. At last follow up, seven out of ten patients (70%) who underwent combined management and two of the five patients (40%) who were managed medically, had a mean survival of 28.86 months (sd = 15.71, median = 25) and 14.17 months (sd = 12.21, median = 18), respectively, post-diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis.Surgical resection combined with antifungals in the perioperative period and decreased immunosuppression may improve the outcomes in renal transplant patients with pulmonary mucormycosis.

Objectives Although pancreas transplants were started at our center in 2014, the number of pancreases procured have remained low. This report presents an audit of donors over the past 18 months with the aim to identify factors preventing pancreas utilization. Methods This was a retrospective study. All deceased donors from January 2018 to July 2019 were included in this study. The medical records of deceased donors were reviewed with regard to donor characteristics such as demographics, biochemical parameters, and preterminal management. Results Organs were retrieved from 49 deceased donors over the duration of the study. Mean age of the donors was 35.34 ± 18.2 years (11 months to 72 years). Most donors were men (M:F 41:8). In total, 45/49 (92%) donors had central nervous system trauma as a cause of brain death. Out of 49, multiple abdominal organs were retrieved from 21 donors (42.8%), whereas kidneys alone were retrieved from the rest. Pancreases were retrieved from 8 donors (16.3%). Pancreases were rejected in 21 donors (42.8%) because of age limit criteria. Other reasons for refusal included donor sepsis (n = 12, 24.5%), severe hemodynamic instability (n = 5, 10.2%), donation after cardiac death (DCD) (n = 2, 4.1%), and ischemic hepatitis (n = 7, 14.3%) while 3 (6.1%) donations happened while awaiting license renewal. A suitable recipient was not available for 1 donor (2.0%). Conclusion Pancreas retrieval rates remain low because of donor-related factors. Expansion of age limits and better donor management could improve pancreas transplant activity.

Objectives This report presents an audit of utilization of various organs from deceased donors in different states of India over a 3-year period Methods Data released by the various regions on their official website was analyzed from 2015 to 2017.Regions with less than 25 donations per year were excluded while calculating utilization rates. Results Total organ donation in India had increased from 570 to 843 donations from 2015 to 2017 (47.8% increase) with southern states performing exceedingly well compared with northern states. Total organs retrieved during the 3-year period were 6659 with a 54.7% increase in organ retrieval in 2017 compared with 2015 (2592 vs 1675 respectively). The net utilization rate of kidneys was 87.35%. Total liver transplants done during this period were 1894. Net liver utilization rate was 86.81% over 3 years. Total Heart transplants during this period were 641 with net utilization rate of 28.98%. An increase in utilization rates was observed from 2015 to 2017 (19.33%-34.46%). A total of 217 lung transplants were done with net utilization rate of 8.86% with an increase in yearly utilization rate from 6.5% in 2015 to 11.97% in 2017. Total pancreas transplants remained low with 48 transplants over 3 year duration with net utilization rate of 2.25% but an increase in utilization rate was observed. (0.92% in 2015 to 2.1% in 2017). Conclusion There is a significant regional variability in organ utilization in India. Evaluating and addressing the cause of high variability can further increase the transplant activity.

Background Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is considered the gold standard for live donor nephrectomies owing to lesser pain, shorter hospitalization, and earlier return to normal activities, yet it remains a technically challenging surgery. Repetition of a highly skilled task such as LDN should lead to improved performance reflected in shorter surgery times and a decrease in adverse events. Methods The records of over 2524 LDNs from February 2004 to June 2019 were evaluated for duration of surgery (from incision time to clamping of the renal artery) and occurrence of complications. Results The mean duration of surgery ± SD from incision to clamp time for the first 100 cases at the inception of LDN was 166.13 ± 33.28 minutes whereas it was 124.59 ± 35.91 minutes for the best 100 consecutive cases in 2015 with a decrease of 41 minutes duration of surgery from incision to artery clamping. The adverse events were accessory renal artery injury (n = 10), splenic laceration (n = 2), bowel and mesocolon injuries (n = 12), venous or arterial clip slippage (n = 4), inferior vena cava tear (n = 2) pneumothorax (during stapler application, n = 1), missing gauze counts (n = 1), chylous ascites (n = 1), ureteric thermal injury (n = 2), and renal parenchyma injury (n = 3). Conclusions LDN is a technically demanding surgery where surgeon experience appears to affect operative metrics such as operative time. The occurrence of intraoperative complications appears to be acceptably low, although serious complications are a possibility.

Objectives Delayed graft function (DGF) in renal allograft transplantation refers to the need for dialysis in the first week after renal transplantation. This study analyzed the causes of DGF in deceased donor transplantation. Methods Data from January 2018 to July 2019 was reviewed with regard to donor and recipient characteristics such as demographics, biochemical parameters, organ dysfunction, and preterminal management. The recipients were divided into 2 groups: group I: patients without DGF and group II: patients with DGF. Results Kidneys were retrieved from 49 deceased donors (male:female = 41:8) and transplanted to 95 recipients (male:female = 60:35). Mean age of the donors and recipients was 35.34 ± 18.2 and 40.72 ± 13.30 years, respectively. The most common cause of brain death was central nervous system trauma (45 out of 49, 91%). In total, 20/95 (21%) recipients had DGF. Twelve recipients had received kidneys from donors who had circulatory arrest. Two patients were re-explored on postoperative day 1 for bleeding from renal artery anastomosis. The mean age in group I and group II was 28.65 ± 10.2 and 37.38 ± 12.28 years, respectively. The mean cold ischemia time in group I and group II was 398.73 ± 187.19 and 333.24 ± 115.49 minutes, respectively. The mean hospital stay of donor before donation in group I and group II was 4.34 ± 1.27 and 6 ± 2.95 days, respectively. The terminal donor creatinine in group I and group II was 0.88 ± 0.47 and 2.33 ± 1.73 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusion DGF in deceased donor transplantation may be attributed to donation after circulatory death, prolonged donor hospital stay, high donor leukocyte count, and high terminal creatinine.

Background: Use of face mask and hand hygiene may break the chain of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 by reducing the infectiousness of the subclinical virus shedders while also offering some protection to the susceptible population. Aim and Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and practices of community wide use of face mask and hand hygiene for prevention and control of coronavirus disease. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional, observational study carried out in Punjab, using an online questionnaire developed using Google Forms. General population excluding the health-care professionals were included in the study. The participants were selected using convenience snowball sampling. The study period was May 26–June 26 (30 days period). All responses fulfilling inclusion criteria and received within 15 days period after sharing the link will be included in the study. Statistical analysis was done using EPI INFO VERSION 7.0. Results: Maximum participants were between 20 and 39 years of age. About 97.70% knew the importance of hand hygiene in prevention of coronavirus infection. The usage of face mask was less at private settings like home or at work. The cleaning practices of cloth masks were improper. Further, the study population was aware of the importance of hand washing but the duration of hand washing with soap and water was not appropriate. Conclusion: Community of Punjab needs little more awareness regarding hand hygiene and face mask to prevent the transmission of coronavirus infection effectively.

Background: Many studies have been conducted on prevention and treatment of substance abuse but focus on recovery phase is still little. Recovery from addiction is a process of reconnecting and taking oneself back; finding their voice. Spirituality, social support, family support, and hobbies have played major role in self-help recovery programs and the treatment of substance use disorders (addictions) for a long time. The previous studies focused on problems associated to the life of substance abusers raised the question on whether these factors could influence their recovery. Set against this background, this study explains the role of non-pharmacological modalities in the recovery of substance abusers. Aim and Objective: This study aims to study the role of non-pharmacological modalities in recovery of relapse cases of substance abuse. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at drug deaddiction center attached to Government Medical College, Amritsar, between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015, involving 400 male relapse cases. The subject who visited drug deaddiction center was visited which was included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel sheets and analyzed in EPI INFO VERSION 7. Prior approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee was obtained. Results: Significant association of hobbies and fitness measures with state of mind and degree of satisfaction with life was seen. Conclusion: The study highlights need of peer recovery support system and family support.