Background Empyema thoracis a disease of significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing world. However, the optimal management of empyema thoracis remains controversial. Objective To analyse evolving experience in clinical presentation, management, outcome and factors contributing to adverse morbidity in empyema thoracis. Methods This is hospital based retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with empyema thoracis in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) unit, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal over a period of one year (July 2009 to June 2010). A total of forty-six adult cases were categorized into two treatment groups: (i) thoracotomy for decortication (ii) segmentectomy, lobectomy and redo-thoracotomy for pneumonectomy. The median duration of illness prior to hospital admission was compared. The presence of loculated pleural fluid determined the need for thoracotomy. Results Out of forty-six cases, twenty- nine (63.04%) who had early thoracotomy (<22 days) had prompt symptomatic recovery. Forteen out of seventeen (82.35%) of the patients who were initially treated with thoracocentesis or tube thoracostomy eventually needed thoracotomy. There was a positive shift in management towards early thoracotomy resulting in prompt symptomatic recovery. Significant complications were noted in eight patients who had delayed thoracotomy. Complications included recurrent empyema with lung abscess (n = 3), restrictive lung disease (n = 3), bronchopleural fistula (n = 1) and scoliosis (n=1). Conclusion Early thoracotomy and decortication was found to be an excellent surgical procedure with good functional results and high patient satisfaction rate.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6253 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):5-7

The TST STARR Plus is a simple, safe, and effective option for selected patients with ODS. Long-term prospective clinical studies are needed to validate the advantages of this emerging, novel procedure.

Introduction: Inguinal hernia is a common surgical problem, with a lifetime risk of 27% in men and 3% in women. Its cumulative incidence is 17.2% and 12.3% in body mass index of <25 kg/m2 and 25–30 kg/m2 respectively. Obesity had been regarded as the risk factor for the development of an inguinal hernia. However, recent epidemiologic studies have suggested the decreased prevalence of inguinal hernia in increased weight and body mass index individuals. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of obesity in inguinal hernia repair patients in a tertiary care center. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was performed in Bir Hospital from May 2018 to December 2019 after taking ethical approval from the institutional review board of NAMS. Convenient sampling was done with a sample size of 219. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS ver. 23 and Microsoft Excel software by descriptive statistics. Results: The mean body mass index was 22.10 ±3.07 kg/m2. Body mass index Category 18.5 – 22.9 kg/m2 had 133 (61%) male and seven (3.2%) female patients, category ≥30 kg/m2 had four (1.8%) male. Most of inguinal hernia repair patients were farmers 158 (72.5%). Common risk factors noted were smoking 142 (65.1%), heavy work 112 (51.4%), chronic cough 65 (29.8%). Most of the complications occurred in the normal body mass index category and the prevalence of complications decreased as the body mass index increased. The recurrence was found in 3 (1.4%) inguinal hernia repairs. Conclusions: The majority of inguinal hernia repair patients were non-obese, and complications were less in obese patients.

Intussusception is one of the common causes of acute abdomen in early childhood, particularly in children younger than two years of age. The majority of cases in children are idiopathic. Pathologic lead points can be identified in only 25 percent of cases. Here. we present a case of 15 months female child with Ileoileal postoperative intussusception with an anastomotic margin as a lead point, following resection anastomosis done for patent vitello intestinal duct. Role of high clinical suspicion, investigations and judgement are highlighted in managing the case.Keywords: Anastomosis; ileoileal; postoperative intussusception; patent vitello-intestinal duct.