BACKGROUND: Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become a suitable alternative to anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, outcomes among patients age > 75 years undergoing LAAO are lacking. METHODS: We included 723 consecutive patients with AF undergoing LAAO from August 2015 to March 2020. Patient data including clinical, laboratory, procedural characteristics, medications and outcomes were collected. The primary composite outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including mortality, stroke, bleeding and readmissions at 60-days. RESULTS: Mean age was 75 ± 8 years and 434 (60%) were males. Median CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 4 (IQR: 4, 5) points and median HASBLED score was 4 (IQR: 3, 4) points. Composite MACE outcome was significantly higher among patients age > 75 years in both unadjusted (17.1% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.03) and adjusted (Odds Ratio = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.02 - 2.46, P = 0.04) analysis. Composite MACE was primarily driven by higher all-cause mortality (1.3% vs. 0, P = 0.04) among patients age > 75 years. The secondary outcome of procedural success was also lower among patients age > 75 years (92.2% vs. 96.2%, P = 0.02). The occurrence of stroke (P = 0.38), major bleeding (P = 0.29) and readmissions (P = 0.15) did not differ between patients age > 75 years and less than 75 years. CONCLUSION Patients age >75 years undergoing LAAO have worse outcomes primarily driven by higher all-cause mortality and are less likely to achieve procedural success. Future prospective studies evaluating these findings are warranted.

Background: s/Aims: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is the key worry in the ongoing debate about the safety and effectiveness of total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (TLPD). Laparoscopic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy (LAPD), a hybrid approach combining laparoscopic resection and anastomosis with a small incision, is an alternative to TLPD. This study compares the short-term outcomes and oncological efficacy of LAPD vs. open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). Methods: A retrospective analysis of data of all patients who underwent LAPD or OPD for periampullary carcinoma at a tertiary care center in Northeast India from July 2019 to August 2023 was done. A total of 30 LAPDs and 30 OPDs were compared after 1:1 propensity score matching. Demographic data, intraoperative and postoperative data (30 days), and pathological data were compared. Results: The study included a total of 93 patients, 30 underwent LAPD and 62 underwent OPD. After propensity score matching, the matched cohort included 30 patients in both groups. The LAPD presented several advantages over the OPD group, including a shorter incision length, reduced postoperative pain, earlier initiation of oral feeding, and shorter hospital stays. LAPD was not found to be inferior to OPD in terms of pancreatic fistula incidence (Grade B, 30.0% vs. 33.3%), achieving R0 resection (100% vs. 93.3%), and the number of lymph nodes harvested (12 vs. 14, p = 0.620). No significant differences in blood loss, short-term complications, pathological outcomes, readmissions, and early (30-day) mortality were observed between the two groups. Conclusions LAPD has comparable safety, technical feasibility, and short-term oncological efficacy.

Objective: Due to its comprehensive, reliable, and valid format, the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is the gold standard for assessing the clinical competency of medical students. In the present study, we evaluated the importance of the OSCE as a learning tool for postgraduate (PG) residents assessing their junior undergraduate students. We further aimed to analyze quality improvement during the pre-coronavirus disease (COVID) and COVID periods. Methods: This quality-improvement interventional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The PG residents were trained to conduct the OSCE. A formal feedback form was distributed to 22 participants, and their responses were analyzed using a five-point Likert scale. Fishbone analysis was performed, and the ‘plan-do-study-act’ (PDSA) cycle was implemented to improve the OSCE. Results: Most of the residents (95%) believed that this examination system was extremely fair and covered a wide range of clinical skills and knowledge. Further, 4.5% believed it was more labor- and resource intensive and time-consuming. Eighteen (81.8%) residents stated that they had learned all three domains: communication skills, time management skills, and a stepwise approach to clinical scenarios. The PDSA cycle was run eight times, resulting in a dramatic improvement (from 30% to 70%) in the knowledge and clinical skills of PGs and the standard of OSCE. Conclusion The OSCE can be used as a learning tool for young assessors who are receptive to novel tools. The involvement of PGs in the OSCE improved their communication skills and helped overcome human resource limitations while manning various OSCE stations.

Male infertility due to obstructive azoospermia is a well-known entity. It is characterised by obstruction to the outflow of sperms either in the epididymis, vas, seminal vesicles or the ejaculatory ducts. We describe a rare case of obstructive azoospermia due to compression of the ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicle by a large lower ureteric stone in a 30-year-old man who had infertility for the past ten years. The patient's azoospermia resolved after removal of the stone.
Adult ; Azoospermia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; diagnosis ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Seminal Vesicles ; physiopathology ; Sperm Count ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ureteral Calculi ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery