Background: Despite extraordinary advances in modern radiology and laboratory investigations an accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis cannot be made in atypical cases. No single diagnostic aid can dramatically reduce the rate of negative appendicectomy.Methods: To reduce the rate of negative appendicectomies, application of RIPASA and Alvarado scoring done in every clinically diagnosed cases of appendicitis in a prospective study from January 2015 to January 2016 was done. 100 patients with right lower quadrant abdominal pain fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criterion underwent appendicectomy in Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Dr. S.N. Medical college, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.Results: The results of both scoring system were reported and were correlated with intraoperative and histopathological findings. Chi-square test was applied to calculate the p-value for the association between the variables of studied. The mean age was 24.86 years (10-80 years) and there were 61 males and 39 females in the study. Histopathological examination confirmed appendicitis in 95 patients with 5 negative appendicectomies. Negative appendicectomy rate for RIPASA and Alvarado score was 2.17% and 1.54% respectively. Accuracy for RIPASA and Alvarado score was 93% and 68% respectively.Conclusions: RIPASA score is a more valuable tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis with 93% accuracy, sensitivity 94.74% and specificity 60%; inspite of sophisticated investigations like CT, thus reducing the cost of treatment and minimize negative appendicectomy rate.

Background: Infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Clinical diagnosis of bacteremia and/or sepsis in burn patients is difficult for a number of reasons. It could be symptomatic and/or asymptomatic as a result of immune deficiency secondary to thermal injury.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital Burn Unit Associated with Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Fifty burn patients were investigated for bacterial profile of burn wound infections. Specimens were collected on 3rd and 7th day of burns in the form of wound swabs. The organisms were isolated and identified by standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by Kirby -Bauer disc diffusion method.Results: Gram negative organisms were found to be more prevalent. The most common isolate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) -38%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) -35%, Klebsiella spp.-8%, Acinetobacter spp -5%, Staphylococcus epidermidis - 5%, Proteus spp. -3% and Escherichia coli -1%.Conclusions: Pseudomonas was the commonest cause of infection in fire burn patients in our setting followed by S. aureus. About 82% of the isolates showed multiple resistances. In light of our findings, regular antibiotic resistance test has to be done for each patient in order to select an appropriate antimicrobial agent.

Background: Bowel obstruction is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen and also a common surgical emergency.The causes of IO vary significantly depending on geographical location. The aim of this study was to identify the etiology, clinical presentation, management and outcomes of patients with acute mechanical IO presenting in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital and Mathura Das Mathur Hospital (associated with Dr. SN Medical College), Jodhpur, Rajasthan. 100 patients with acute intestinal obstruction were admitted and evaluated. Blood routine, X-Ray abdomen, USG abdomen and CECT (if required) were done. A pre-operative diagnosis was made. Intra-operative findings and Post-operative complications were noted and follow up was done till the patient was discharged from the hospital.Results: A total of 69 male and 31 female patients, presented with acute mechanical IO during the period of the study. Mean patient age was 48.5 years with peak incidence in those aged 31-45 years. The foremost signs and symptoms were abdominal distension (88%), obstipation (87%), abdominal pain (81%) and nausea/ vomiting (47%). Adhesions and bands (29%), hernia (13%), neoplasm (9%) and pseudo-obstruction (8%) were the leading causes of intestinal obstruction. The sensitivity of X-ray and USG in present study was 67% and 75% respectively. Most common complication associated was wound infection (17%) followed by paralytic ileus (7%) and respiratory tract infections (6%). Late presentation was associated with poor prognosis. 4 patients expired before surgery. Post-operative mortality was associated with 6 patients and was more common in cases which presented with gangrenous bowel.Conclusions: The most common causes of IO in this study were adhesions and bands, hernia, neoplasm and pseudo-obstruction. Presence of bowel gangrene was associated with higher morbidity and mortality.

INTRODUCTIONThe prevalence of protein energy malnutrition in surgical patients is high ranging from 10 to 54%. The correct assessment of the nutritional status is crucial since malnourishment is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality.1 Identification of patients with high risk is essential in operative indications and decisions often limited by potential morbidities and mortality related to the procedure. Hence, the clinical and laboratory parameters which may point out higher risk for postoperative complications are important. 2Malnourishment is reported in 40 -50% of hospitalized patients with higher risk factor for postoperative infections and healing complication in patients who undergo surgeries.3 Protein-energy malnutrition affects every organ system. The most obvious results are loss of body weight, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass and due to changes in immunological status poor wound healing occurs. 4A dietary history and physical examination (including anthropometric measurements) with relevant laboratory tests are appropriate tools needed for an accurate evaluation of a patient's pre-operative nutritional status. Serum albumin is most readily available parameter.Albumin is a protein synthesized by liver with a long mean life (21 days), hence, variations in its concentration during a short interval can't be explained by nutrition or liver function alteration. 5 Some studies showed that serum albumin lower than 3 gm/dl was followed by anergia as well as by more frequent and severe postoperative ABSTRACT Background: Protein energy malnutrition affects every organ system. So correct assessment of nutritional status is important as malnourishment is a risk factor for morbidity and morality in surgical patients. In our study, serum albumin has been taken as parameter for nutritional assessment. Methods: Study is conducted on 50 patients admitted in Department of General Surgery, Dr. Sampurnanand Medical College and associated Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India for surgeries during January 2014-December 2015. Data was analyzed using Z-test and Fischer exact t-test and p value was calculated. P value <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: Patients with serum albumin <3gm/dl had more complications with maximum number of complications in age group of 41-60 year group. This finding was statistically significant. Conclusions: Low serum albumin patients has more post-operative complication than those with normal level and so is a good indicator of post-operative morbidity and mortality.