Methods: This RCT included 60 patients (30 in control and 30 in intervention) between 18 and 80 years old, scheduled for elective single or double-level lumbar spine surgeries through the posterior approach. Intervention group (MBP) received PEGLEC, tablet Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily (BD), tablet Cefuroxime 500 mg BD, and probiotic (Bacillus clausii ) on pre-operation day, whereas the control (non-MBP) had no specific bowel preparation but received only a placebo. Outcome parameters included time to first flatus, bowel sound, and first defecation, which were compared between the two groups. Results: Demographic data such as age, sex, body mass index, level of surgery, and intraoperative data such as duration of surgery and blood loss were similar without significant differences. The time to first flatus, bowel sounds, and first defecation was not statistically significant, but POI was seen in 6.67% of patients, all belonging to the MBP group. No correlation observed between the duration of the ileus and the intraoperative blood loss and duration of surgery. Conclusions Bowel preparation may not be necessary for patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery involving a maximum of two levels.

Objective: A cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis cases in a semi-nomadic, pastoral community was reported in October 2023 from Village A, Uttarakhand State, India. This cluster was investigated to describe the epidemiology and potential exposures. Methods: Suspected cases were residents with sudden-onset fever or myalgia occurring from 1 August 2023 to 7 January 2024; confirmed cases were suspected cases with laboratory confirmation. Suspected cases were identified through a house-to-house case search and were interviewed regarding sociodemographic variables, symptoms and exposures. Those who consented were tested. Data were cleaned and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results: Fifty suspected cases were identified among a total of 300 residents across 85 households. Among these, 27 agreed to be tested, and 25 were confirmed (13 with leptospirosis, 7 with brucellosis and 5 with both leptospirosis and brucellosis). The cases began in September 2023 following flooding and continued until January 2024, with no deaths. The median age (range) of cases was 30 (17–82) years for leptospirosis, 39 (25–56) years for brucellosis and 39 (22–50) years for coinfection. Altogether, females accounted for 92% (12/13) of leptospirosis cases, 57% (4/7) of brucellosis cases and 80% (4/5) of coinfections. Symptoms included fever, myalgia and arthralgia. All cases reported contact with floodwater and animal abortus. Discussion: This was a laboratory-confirmed co-occurring cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis, including five cases of coinfection, following flooding, predominantly affecting female Van Gujjar dairy farmers. Education was provided to the community about the hygienic disposal of animal waste.

Background: The clinical phenotype of hemophilia A (HA) does not always correlate with severity.Similarly, the presence of inhibitors does not necessarily increase the risk of bleeding.This paradox between clinical and laboratory findings may be partially attributed to non-modifiable factors, such as blood group, which is known to influence FVIII levels in healthy individuals. Our aim was to assess the effect of ABO blood group antigens on FVIII levels across the severity spectrum of HA and risk of inhibitor development. Methods: Data of consecutive patients with HA who visited the coagulation unit of a northern Indian tertiary care hospital between 2010‒2021 were reviewed. Patients with missing blood group data, transfusion histories, or baseline FVIII levels were excluded. Results: Mild, moderate, and severe HA was present in 41 (6.9%), 72 (12.2%), and 479 (80.9%) patients, respectively. There were no differences in the FVIII levels among the various blood groups across the HA severity spectrum. Inhibitors were administered to 35 patients (5.9%). In the multivariate analysis, blood group A was an independent risk factor for the development of inhibitors (adjusted odds ratio 2.70, P =0.04) after adjusting for age at onset of bleeding, FVIII transfusion, age at first FVIII transfusion, and severity of HA. Conclusion Unlike what is observed in healthy individuals, blood group did not influence residual FVIII levels across the severity spectrum of HA. Patients in group A had a higher risk of developing inhibitors.

Objectives: The quality of life declines gradually as women enter menopause, owing to the various problems associated with estrogen deficiency and aging, which adds to their morbidities. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of morbidity among rural menopausal women and compare the morbidity patterns among menopausal transition group and post-menopausal women. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study included menopausal women aged 45–55 years from rural areas of the Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. To select blocks and villages of the district, multistage random sampling was performed. According to a pretested, semistructured schedule, data were collected through interviews. Results: A total of 315 women participated in the study. The most frequent complaints among the participants were of feeling tired and worn out (85.1%) and of muscle and joint pains (67.6%). Poor memory (P = 0.046) and diabetes (P = 0.024) were more common in women who were in the menopause transition phase than in those who were in the postmenopausal phase. Conclusions This study showed that majority of the menopausal women suffered from physical problems. Lifestyle modification and awareness programs will be beneficial among women in menopausal transition, to reduce the morbidity later in post-menopausal stage.Behaviour change communication, family and community support are essential in post-menopausal women, to help them cope with various morbid conditions.

Objectives: The quality of life declines gradually as women enter menopause, owing to the various problems associated with estrogen deficiency and aging, which adds to their morbidities. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of morbidity among rural menopausal women and compare the morbidity patterns among menopausal transition group and post-menopausal women. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study included menopausal women aged 45–55 years from rural areas of the Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. To select blocks and villages of the district, multistage random sampling was performed. According to a pretested, semistructured schedule, data were collected through interviews. Results: A total of 315 women participated in the study. The most frequent complaints among the participants were of feeling tired and worn out (85.1%) and of muscle and joint pains (67.6%). Poor memory (P = 0.046) and diabetes (P = 0.024) were more common in women who were in the menopause transition phase than in those who were in the postmenopausal phase. Conclusions This study showed that majority of the menopausal women suffered from physical problems. Lifestyle modification and awareness programs will be beneficial among women in menopausal transition, to reduce the morbidity later in post-menopausal stage.Behaviour change communication, family and community support are essential in post-menopausal women, to help them cope with various morbid conditions.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare a fistulectomy and a fistulotomy with marsupialization in the management of a simple anal fistula. METHODS: Forty patients with simple anal fistula were randomized into two groups. Fistulous tracts were managed by using a fistulectomy (group A) while a fistulotomy with marsupialization was performed in group B. The primary outcome measure was wound healing time while secondary outcome measures were operating time, postoperative wound size, postoperative pain, wound infection, anal incontinence, recurrence and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Postoperative wounds in group B healed earlier in comparison to group A wounds (4.85 +/- 1.39 weeks vs. 6.75 +/- 1.83 weeks, P = 0.035). No significant differences existed between the operating times (28.00 +/- 6.35 minutes vs. 28.20 +/- 6.57 minutes, P = 0.925) and visual analogue scale scores for postoperative pain on the first postoperative day (4.05 +/- 1.47 vs. 4.50 +/- 1.32, P = 0.221) for the two groups. Postoperative wounds were larger in group A than in group B (2.07 +/- 0.1.90 cm2 vs. 1.23 +/- 0.87 cm2), however this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.192). Wound discharge was observed for a significantly longer duration in group A than in group B (4.10 +/- 1.91 weeks vs. 2.75 +/- 1.71 weeks, P = 0.035). There were no differences in social and sexual activities after surgery between the patients of the two groups. No patient developed anal incontinence or recurrence during the follow-up period of twelve weeks. CONCLUSION: In comparison to a fistulectomy, a fistulotomy with marsupialization results in faster healing and a shorter duration of wound discharge without increasing the operating time.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Pain, Postoperative ; Rectal Fistula ; Recurrence ; Sexual Behavior ; Wound Healing ; Wound Infection

Simultaneous non-traumatic perforation of the extrahepatic bile duct and the gallbladder is an uncommon occurrence that has been infrequently reported. We describe a patient with a spontaneous perforation of both the extrahepatic bile duct and the gallbladder. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) demonstrated a perforation of the gallbladder and a free leak from the right hepatic duct, respectively. Endoscopic biliary drainage following a sphincterotomy and biliary stent placement led to a dramatic improvement in the patient’s general condition. He was subsequently scheduled to undergo an elective cholecystectomy. Repeat ERCP performed at 4 weeks after the initial stenting showed a normal cholangiogram and a distally migrated stent, which was there after removed. However, early stent removal led to re-perforation of hepatic duct and gallbladder. A repeat endoscopic biliary drainage did not help, and the patient developed biliary peritonitis. Surgical exploration revealed a perforation at the fundus of the gallbladder, 400 ml of biliopurulent collection and a frozen Calot’s triangle. A subtotal cholecystectomy, gall stone removal, and a thorough peritoneal lavage were undertaken. The patient improved postoperatively. The second biliary stent was removed after 4 months. This case report highlights the role of endoscopic biliary drainage in the management of an extrahepatic bile duct perforation and warns against the early removal of a biliary stent.