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Biomedical subjects

P N Haray

Publications and source records attributed to P N Haray.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Splenic rupture following colonoscopy: rare in the UK?

Splenic injury following colonoscopy is rare, with only 28 cases reported so far in the English language literature. Direct trauma during colonoscopy or traction on the spleno-colic ligament is the proposed mechanism of injury. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is usually considered to be the most sensitive and specific modality for diagnosis. We report a case of a 56-year-old female, who was diagnosed having a splenic rupture following a routine colonoscopy for investigation of anaemia. She underwent an emergency laparotomy with splenectomy and made a satisfactory recovery post-operatively. We wish to highlight that there should be a high index of suspicion of splenic rupture in patients presenting with abdominal pain and demonstrating a positive Kehr's sign following colonoscopy. Only two case reports from the United Kingdom have been published, raising the possibility of under-reporting of such cases.

Colonoscopy↗

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Great Britain and Ireland--where are we now?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to gather information from the members of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) to assess trends in the current practice of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. METHODS: A postal questionnaire survey of the members of ACPGBI. RESULTS: The response rate was 37% (200/540). Only 45 surgeons currently perform laparoscopic colorectal work in Great Britain and Ireland mainly right hemicolectomy and laparoscopic stoma formation, of these about one third practiced laparoscopy for benign colorectal conditions only. The majority (68%) of surgeons had enough resources at their place of work, but further training seemed to be a major issue. Nearly 22% of surgeons had not had any formal training. Only 50% of surgeons trained their specialist registrars. The incidence of conversion rate was not different for benign or malignant conditions and also did not appear to be related to the duration of experience. Only four surgeons had noted port a site recurrence during the past 10 years. Seventy-five percent (150/200) felt that laparoscopic colorectal work could be carried out safely in a District General Hospital. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery was being performed by a small minority of members of the ACPGBI although more surgeons had started to work in this field in recent years. The main areas of concern appeared to be a wide variation in the range of experience as indicated by the number of operations performed and limited formal training for consultants.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: learning curve and training implications.

AIMS: This paper is a review of experience of laparoscopic colorectal surgery at a district general hospital with particular emphasis on the learning curve and training implications. METHODS: All patients undergoing colorectal surgery where laparoscopy was attempted between March 1998 and October 2003 were included in this study. RESULTS: There were 80 patients of which 49 had malignancy. Twenty eight stomas and 52 bowel resections were performed laparoscopically. The conversion rate for bowel resection was 32% (decreasing from 38% to 44% to 22%). This was significant (p = 0.001) when compared with stoma formation (7%). The firm has support from a specialist registrar and staff grade surgeon. In 22% of cases, one of the middle grades was the principal operating surgeon, mainly laparoscopic mobilisation and stoma formation. Only 6% of resections were performed by the middle grades. Conversely, a middle grade was the main operating surgeon in 66% of open resections and 61% of stoma formations during the same period. There were in all two deaths and 14 postoperative complications. All patients who had laparoscopic resections for malignancy had clear resection margins. CONCLUSION: This audit highlights that there is a long learning curve in laparoscopic colorectal surgery with decrease in conversion rates with increasing experience. There is also a reduction in training opportunities in open surgery during the learning phase of the consultant, although this may be counterbalanced by the exposure to laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic colonic mobilisation, as a part of stoma formation, is a good starting point for specialist registrar training.

Adult↗

Fluid and electrolyte balance: how do junior doctors measure up?

Fluid and electrolyte disorders are common in hospital patients and can cause serious complications, especially in the elderly. The task of fluid management is often left to the most junior members of the team, the senior house officer and the preregistration house officer. However, the level of teaching and support available to them in this regard appears to be unsatisfactory.

Clinical Competence↗

The natural history diverticular disease: is there a role for elective colectomy?

BACKGROUND: The natural history of colonic diverticular disease is unclear leading to a debate on the value of elective colectomy in preventing complications of the disease. AIM: To assess whether the complications of diverticular disease requiring emergency surgery are related to previous episodes of diverticulitis and whether elective colectomy might prevent such complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done on all patients admitted with complicated diverticular disease in two adjacent district general hospitals between 1995 and 2000. Information was collected on the details of management of the complications and past history of the investigations and treatment for diverticular disease in these patients. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were admitted with complicated diverticular disease. Ninety eight (91%) patients were admitted as an emergency for perforated diverticular disease and rectal bleeding. Ten patients were urgent admissions for fistulae and diverticular phlegmons. Ninety eight patients underwent a Hartmann's operation, two had a subtotal colectomy and 4 patients had a sigmoid colectomy. Thirty four (31.4%) patients died in hospital post-operatively. Of the 108 patients, only 28 (26%) patients were known to have diverticular disease previously. Only three (2.7%) patients had had an episode of acute diverticulitis before they presented with further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Complications of diverticular disease occur de novo in the majority of patients who have no previous history of the disease. Further studies are needed to identify risk factors for complicated diverticular disease before adopting a policy of elective interval colectomy.

Colectomy↗

Colorectal subspecialization in a DGH. The way forward!

AIMS: To audit all aspects of the diagnosis and management of colorectal cancers by a specialist unit within a District General Hospital (DGH). To compare the clinical effectiveness of the specialist service with the service prior to specialization and attempt to assess the feasibility of setting up such a service within the constraints imposed by a DGH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for this study was collected prospectively over a 3-year period from July 1997 to June 2000 since the establishment of a specialist colorectal service. The results so obtained have been compared with the Trent and Wales audit of 1993 as well as with the guidelines issued by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Association of Colo-proctologists of Great Britain and Ireland. We have attempted to evaluate whether specialization has altered the outcome for patients with colorectal cancer. RESULTS: A total of 2181 patients were seen at the specialist colorectal clinic and 42% underwent immediate flexible sigmoidoscopy. A total of 241 colorectal cancers were diagnosed during this period by the specialist unit, of which the rapid access clinic had picked up 191 (a pick-up rate of 8.75%). The mean age of patients with colorectal cancer was 69.23 years and the median waiting time from referral to clinic and from referral to treatment was 9 days and 24 days, respectively. These compare favourably with the waiting times prior to specialization. 117 rectal cancers were diagnosed of whom 32 (32%) underwent APER. A selective approach to short course preoperative radiotherapy resulted in 24% of rectal cancer patients receiving this treatment. The CRM was positive in 14% of resected rectal cancers, all of whom had received preoperative radiotherapy. The percentage of patients with Dukes' stage A disease has risen from 11% in 1993 to 23% and the percentage of patients undergoing emergency surgery have fallen from 29% in 1993 to 8.2%. The rate of permanent stoma formation has also decreased from 52% to 32%. This audit has also confirmed that the guidelines for the management of colorectal cancers were all being met or exceeded. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that, even within the constraints of a DGH, a specialist service can result in earlier diagnosis, shorter waiting periods and judicious use of adjuvant treatment leading to improved clinical effectiveness. It is possible to deliver a high quality service, which meets, and in some areas, surpasses the minimum guidelines, provided there is an integrated multidisciplinary approach.

Journal Article↗

Are surgeons aware of the dangers of diathermy?

Surgical diathermy is an invaluable aid in modern surgery and most contemporary diathermy machines are considered safe. However, diathermy accidents still do occur and a diathermy unit can be potentially lethal if adequate care is not exercised in its use.

Awareness↗

Are surgeons aware of the dangers of diathermy?

Surgical diathermy is an invaluable aid in modern surgery and most contemporary diathermy machines are considered safe. However, diathermy accidents do still occur and a diathermy unit can be potentially lethal if adequate care is not exercised in its use.

Burns, Electric↗

The impact of open access flexible sigmoidoscopy: a comparison of two services.

BACKGROUND: Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy (OAFS) is an integral part of colorectal cancer services. This study compares the impact of two types of open-access flexible sigmoidoscopy services on the utilisation of barium enema and tumour-stage migration. METHODS: This was a non-randomised comparison (over two one-year periods, four years apart) of two unselected groups of patients, with different inclusion criteria, in adjacent similarly populated health districts. One offered a nurse practitioner endoscopy service while the other had a doctor-led colorectal clinic. RESULTS: The doctor-led service with its broad inclusion criteria detected more colorectal cancers [13.2% versus 0.7%; OR = 16.05; 2.16-119.2]. Neither nurse practitioner (130 cases) nor doctor-led (262 cases) flexible sigmoidoscopy reduced the total number of barium enemas [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.16 (95% CI 1.03-1.3)]. However, the doctor-led service did reduce the number of barium enemas requested by general practitioners (from 249 to 152). The total number of colorectal cancers (detected by all available methods) were similar [OR = 0.82 (0.53-1.25)] and both services resulted in a similar tumour-stage migration [OR = 1.39 (0.31-6.23)]. CONCLUSION: Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy services have minimal impact on the utilisation of radiology services. Broader inclusion criteria of doctor-led services produce a higher cancer-yield. Tumour-stage migration may be related to greater awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms rather than to the type of OAFS.

Barium Sulfate↗

The specialist registrar puzzle: do all the pieces fit?

The review of medical training by the Working Party headed by Sir Kenneth Calman culminated in the introduction of the specialist registrar (SpR) training grade. Surgery and Radiology were the vanguard specialties, with the SpR post being introduced in December 1995.

Consumer Behavior↗