The precut sphincterotomy is used to facilitate selective biliary access in cases of difficult biliary cannulation. Needle-knife precut papillotomy is the standard of care but is associated with a high rate of complications such as pancreatitis, duodenal perforation, bleeding, etc. Sometimes during bowing of the sphincterotome/cannula and the use of guide wire to facilitate biliary cannulation, inadvertent formation of a false passage occurs in the 10 to 11 o'clock direction. Use of this step to access the bile duct by the intramucosal incision technique was first described by Burdick et al., and since then two more studies have also substantiated the safety and efficacy of this non-needle type of precut sphincterotomy. In this review, we discuss this non-needle technique of precut sphincterotomy and also share our experience using this "Burdick's technique."
Bile Ducts ; Catheterization ; Hemorrhage ; Pancreatitis ; Standard of Care

·AIM:To assess the common causes of penetrating ocular injuries and to determine the visual outcome of these cases.·METHODS:A total of one hundred and twenty four eyes of 124 patients suffering from penetrating ocular injury between the ages 6-60 years, presenting to the Department of Ophthalmology,Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences were assessed clinically to determine the common causes of the penetrating intraocular injury and the final visual outcome.·RESULTS:One hundred and twenty four eyes with penetrating ocular injuries were enrolled in the study.The mean age was 35 years,(range 6 to 60 years).Males were predominant 86.3% with most of the patients less than 20 years of age (71%).Occupational class was mostly affected by the intraocular injuries accounting to 76%.51% patients had best corrected final visual acuity between perception of light to 6/60.Among the 124 patients in whom both initial and final visual acuities were reliably recorded,there was a correlation between poor initial visual acuity and poor final visual acuity.·CONCLUSION:Penetrating eye injury is a common incident, predominantly in young males and often resulting in poor visual outcome in the injured eye.Labour work without protective measures and children playing with hazardous objects are associated with more frequent and severe ocular injuries.

AIM:To identify the predisposing factors,causative fungi and to improve the facilities for the laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis.METHODS:Two hundred and forty eyes of 240 patients of clinically suspected microbial corneal ulcer were included in the study.Data was collected through history and slit lamp examination.Using standard techniques,corneal scraping was performed.A portion of each scraping was examined by direct microscopy for the presence of fungi,bacteria and acanthamoeba by using 10% potassium hydroxide and also by Gram and Giemsa stainings.Another portion was inoculated directly on the surface of solid media such as Blood agar,Mac-Conkey agar,chocolate agar and Sabouraud agar in C-shaped streaks for culture.RESULTS:A total of 240 patients with suppurative corneaI ulcer were enrolled in the study,out of which fungi were identified in 84(35%)patients.Of these,48(57.1%)were males and 36(42.9%)females.The age ranged between 22-80 years.Sixty patients(71.4%)belonged to rural population and twenty four(28.6%)to urban population.Trauma with vegetative material was the most frequent cause noted in eighteen(21.4%)patients.Peak incidence was in the months of October-Nevember.Out of 84 eyes with fungal keratitis,fungi alone were the etiologic agents in 74(80.10%)cases and bacteria with fungi were identified in 10(11.90%).The most frequently isolated organism was Candida albicans which was found in 66(78.6%)patients.CONCLUSION:Fungal keratitis is the leading cause of infective corneal ulcer and Candida albicans being the most commonly isolated pathogen in the patients belonging to Southern Pakistan.The direct microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide 100mL/L method is a simple,rapid,inexpensive and reliable method in the diagnosis of this infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) is a device used for endoscopic closure of perforations, leaks and fistulas, and for endoscopic hemostasis. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of OTSC. METHODS: Between October 2013 and November 2015, 12 patients underwent OTSC placement by an experienced endoscopist. OTSC was used for the closure of gastrointestinal (GI) leaks and fistula in six patients, three of which were iatrogenic (esophageal, gastric, and duodenal) and three of which were inflammatory. In six patients, OTSC was used for hemostasis of non-variceal upper GI bleeding. Endoscopic tattooing using India ink was used to assist the accurate placement of the clip. RESULTS: All subjects except one with a colonic defect experienced immediate technical success as well as long-term clinical success, during a mean follow-up of 6 weeks. Only one clip was required to close each of the GI defects and to achieve hemostasis in all patients. There were no misfirings or complications of clips. The procedure was well tolerated, and patients were hospitalized for an average of 8 days (range, 3 to 10). Antiplatelet therapy was continued in patients with GI bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, OTSC was safe and effective for the closure of GI defect and to achieve hemostasis of non-variceal GI bleeding.
Colon ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; India ; Ink ; Prospective Studies* ; Tattooing ; Treatment Outcome

AIM: To determine the predisposing factors, clinical and microbial characteristics of bacterial corneal ulcer.METHODS: Three hundred patients (300 eyes) of clinically suspected microbial corneal ulcer were included in the study. Data was collected through history and slit lamp examination. Using standard techniques, corneal scraping was performed. A portion of each scraping was examined by direct microscopy for the presence of bacteria, fungi and acanthamoeba by using 100g/L potassium hydroxideand also by Gramand staining. Another portion was inoculated directly on the surface of solid media such as blood agar, Mac-Conkey agar, chocolate agar and Sabouraud's agar. A bacterial corneal ulcer was defined as a suppurative corneal infiltrate and overlying epithelial defect associated with presence of bacteria on corneal scraping examination and cured with antibacterial therapy. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients, sixty were lost in follow up, they were excluded from study. Of the remaining 240, bacterial corneal ulcer was identified in 156 (65.0%) patients. The age of patients ranged from 14 to 74 (mean age of 48) years. Majority of them were male (102). Corneal localization of the ulcers was distributed as central in 96 (61.5%) patients and peripheral in 60 (38.5%) patients. Ulcer depth in 82 (52.6%) patients was less than 1/3 of corneal thickness. In 64 (41.0%) patients, anterior chamber inflammation was 1+ to 2+ Tyndall effect with 1+ to 2+ cells present. Bacteria were isolated in 125 (80.0%) patients from the corneal smears. Sixty-nine percent of isolated bacteria were Grams' positive, and 39% were Grams' negative. Gram negative bacteria were associated with severe anterior chamber inflammation (P=0.003) and depth more than 2/3 of cornea (P=0.001). The most frequent organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus. Forty percent of patients had good visual outcome with visual acuity same or better than the level at admission. Among the others 60% patients, final outcome was poor.CONCLUSION: Bacterial corneal ulcer is aserious ocular infectious disease that remains a therapeutic challenge and vision threatening ocular condition. Rapid isolation of bacteria and treatment with intensive ocular antibiotics represent decisive steps in the management of such pathologies.

AIM:To evaluate the site, size,histology,and recurrence of the tumor.METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 53 patients with histological diagnosis of retinoblastoma involving the eye, orbit, intra cranial cavity and other tissues, at Department of Ophthalmology, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana. To assess the extent of the tumor investigations, including X-ray-orbits, ocular B-scan, CT-scan/MRI-Oorbits-brain, whole body bone scanning, X-ray chest PA view, ultrasound abdomen, lumbar punc-ture, complete blood cell count, blood chemistry as-sessment, including renal and hepatic function para-meters, were performed. The selection of mode of treatment like surgical procedures, local radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy used depend on the site, size, recurrence and metastasis of the tumor. The patients with local and systemic metastases were referred to the oncologist at the Larkana Institute of the nuclear medicine and radiotherapy for local radiation and systemic chemotherapy. Follow up examinations were carried out at 1, 3 , 6 and 12 months after the operation, and then annually for a further 5 years or longer. The tumor's site, size, histological type, and recurrence were evaluated.RESULTS: Of these 53 patients the age range was from 8 months to 8 years. 25 (47%) were male and 28 (53%) were female. The laterality of the tumor was in left eye 25 (47%) cases, right eye 19 (36%) cases, and both eyes 9 (17%) cases. The presentation of the patient at 1st visit was strabismus 3 (6%) cases, pseudohypopyon 4 (8%) cases, orbital pseudo orbital inflammation 6 cases (11%), mass with metastases 7 (13%) cases, fungating mass 8 (15%) cases, leu-kocoria 12(23%) cases and orbital invasion 13(25%) cases. The surgical procedures performed were enucleation alone in 19 (36%) cases, enucleation with modified exentration followed by local radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy in 19 (36%) cases and enucleation with total exentration followed by local radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy in 15 (28%) cases. The histological types of the tumor were well- differentiated retinoblastoma with abundant rosettes in 25 (47%) cases and highly undifferentiated retino- blastoma 28 (53%) cases . After primary surgery, the recu-rrences and metastases of the tumors were noticed in 37 (70%) cases due to optic nerve involvement beyond the point of surgical transaction, orbital invasion and sy-stemic metastasis.CONCLUSION: Any child with red eye or white pupillary reflex should be suspected of having retinoblastoma, until proved otherwise, and should be promptly referred to an ophthalmologist, because early presentation of patient in the initial stage of the tumor will result in decreased risk of tumor extension, recurrence and mortality.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Padlock clip is a recently introduced over-the-scope clip (OTSC) that requires the use of an alternate technique and has a different design from previous OTSCs. However, data regarding its clinical use are limited. The aim of this study is to present our clinical experience using this novel Padlock clip system.METHODS: Between September 2018 and June 2019, 7 consecutive patients underwent Padlock clip application at our center by an experienced endoscopist. A Padlock clip was used for achieving hemostasis in 4 patients presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, as well as for endoscopic full-thickness resection in the remaining 3 patients.RESULTS: All 7 patients achieved technical as well as clinical success, with absence of complications or rebleeding, during a follow-up of a minimum of 3 weeks. All patients were hospitalized post procedure for a minimum of 48 hours, and an absence of adverse events was noted in our patient population throughout the procedure and post-procedure period. Antiplatelet therapy was reinstated shortly after the application of the Padlock clip, with no GI bleeding observed.CONCLUSIONS: The Padlock clip is a novel OTSC, with benefits that include safe, simple, and rapid deployment. Antiplatelet therapy may be reinstated for patients, when necessary, shortly after applying the Padlock clip due to full-thickness closure of the tissue.
Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Direct endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy is increasingly being utilized to treat infected or symptomatic walled-off necrosis (WON) located close to the stomach or duodenum. Laterally-placed WON has traditionally been treated surgically. We evaluated a less utilized technique of sinus tract endoscopy (STE) for symptomatic laterally-placed WON. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-six patients with acute pancreatitis admitted in our hospital, 32 had symptomatic or infected WON requiring intervention. Of the 12 patients with laterally placed WON, 10 were treated by STE. STE was performed with a standard adult gastroscope passed through a percutaneous tract created by the placement of a 32-Fr drain. RESULTS: Ten patients (7 males; mean age, 43.8 years) underwent STE. Mean number of sessions was 2.3 (range, 1–4), with mean time of 70 minutes for each session (range, 15–70 minutes). While 9 patients had complete success, 1 patient had fever and chose to undergo surgery. Two patients developed pneumoperitoneum, which was treated conservatively. There was no mortality, cutaneous fistula, or recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Laterally placed WON can be successfully managed by STE performed through a percutaneously placed drain. Details of the technique and end-points of STE require further evaluation.
Adult ; Cutaneous Fistula ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy* ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroscopes ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Recurrence ; Stomach

PURPOSE: Conventional instruments are known to result in high numbers of outliers in restoring femoral component rotation primarily due to fixed degree of external rotation resection relative to the posterior condylar line (PCL). Outliers can be reduced by determining the patient specific posterior condylar angle (PCA) preoperatively or intraoperatively. There is a paucity of methods that can be used during surgery for determining the PCA. We propose two simple, real-time methods to determine the PCA and hence to measure the axial anatomical variation during surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted using axial computed tomography (CT) scans of the knees of 26 patients. The commercial software K-PACS and our proposed two methods (trigonometric and protractor) were used to measure the angle between the transepicondylar axis and PCL, i.e., PCA. Statistical comparison between the mean angles obtained by K-PACS and our methods were done. RESULTS: The three methods resulted in similar PCAs. The mean PCA measured by the three methods were similar. The mean PCA value measured by the K-PACS, trigonometric method and protractor method was 6.27degrees (range, 0degrees to 12degrees), 6.23degrees (range, 0degrees to 11.11degrees) and 6.31degrees (range, 0degrees to 12degrees), respectively. There were significant correlations between the K-PACS measured PCA and trigonometrically or protractor measured PCA. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel, simple, easily reproducible, real-time and radiation-free PCA measurement methods obviate the need for preoperative CT scan for identification of patient specific PCA.
Arthroplasty ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Humans ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate patients with portal hypertension (PH) of varied etiologies for portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) using the PillCam SB3 capsule endoscopy (CE) system. METHODS: Consecutive patients with PH presenting with unexplained anemia and/or occult gastrointestinal bleeding were evaluated using the PillCam SB3 CE system. Abnormal findings were categorized as vascular or non-vascular. The patients with ongoing bleeding caused by PHE were treated. The correlation of the CE scores of PHE with the clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic features was determined. RESULTS: Of the 43 patients included in the study, 41 (95.3%) showed PHE findings. These included varices (67.4%), red spots (60.5%), erythema (44.2%), villous edema (46.5%), telangiectasia (16.3%), and polyps (16.3%). The CE scores varied from 0 to 8 (mean±standard deviation, 4.09±1.8). Five patients (11.6%) showed evidence of ongoing or recent bleeding due to PHE. Three of these five patients underwent endotherapy, and one patient underwent radiological coil placement. CONCLUSIONS: The PillCam SB3 CE system revealed a high prevalence of PHE in the patients with PH. Using this system, evidence of bleeding due to PHE was found in a small but definite proportion of the patients.
Anemia ; Capsule Endoscopy* ; Edema ; Erythema ; Fibrosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Portal* ; Intestine, Small* ; Polyps ; Prevalence ; Telangiectasis ; Varicose Veins