Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is seen in <5% of patients with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria and is more common in cerebral malaria. Here, we report the diagnosis and management of a case of severe P. falciparum malaria with DIC.

Background: Desflurane is relatively newer volatile anesthetic in clinical practice with many advantages. Unfortunately, it is comparatively costlier. The present observational study is aimed to evaluate the consumption pattern and cost of Desflurane based minimal flow anesthesia with regards to different durations of anesthesia. Methods: Twenty adults of American Society of Anesthesiologists' class I and II of either sex were enrolled for the study with informed consent during November 2015 to January 2016. Anesthesia was performed using Intermed Penlon sigma Alfa Desflurane vaporizer and Penlon Prima SP2 workstation. Age and opioid compensated minimum alveolar concentration was fixed for each patient and was monitored using Penlon SP M8 monitor and its attached anesthesia gas monitoring system. Bispectral index was used in affordable patients to monitor depth of anesthesia. Data of Desflurane consumption was collected from the digital numerical display on the vaporizer screen. Statistical analysis was done using INSTAT software and cost was calculated from maximum retail price. Results: Data from 20 patients consisting 60% male (mean + standard deviation age of 39.8 + 16.9 years and weight of 59.7 + 12.52 kilograms) were analyzed. Gender had no effect on consumption of Desflurane. Older patients (>60 years) consumed less than the younger (p<0.05). Mean Desflurane consumption was highest during first 5 minute (6.2 ml) and followed decreasing trend till 45 minute of anesthesia (p<0.05) followed by a near steady consumption. Cost of Desflurane reduced from Indian Rupees 22/minute for 15 minute anesthesia to Indian Rupees 6/minutes for 3 hours anesthesia. Conclusions: Desflurane consumption and cost do not depend on sex but on age, flow and time. It becomes more cost-effective for relatively longer duration of minimal flow anesthesia.

Introduction: Urinary bladder stones comprise 5% of all urinary stones. Various modalities for the treatment of symptomatic bladder stones are available. They are open cystolithotomy, extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy, cystolitholapaxy, suprapubic or transurethral cystolithotripsy using various energy sources. Presently transurethral Holmium laser cystolithotripsy is considered as the treatment of choice for symptomatic bladder stones. Aim: To report the experience of holmium laser cystolithotripsy for the treatment of symptomatic urinary bladder stones under local anaesthesia in adult patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 86 patients at Department of Urology, NorthEastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, Meghalaya, India, between June 2016 and August 2019. It included consecutive adult patients with symptomatic bladder stones of size upto 4 cm who underwent transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy under local anaesthesia during the study period. Laser energy was delivered through a 9.5F semi rigid ureteroscope using 365 µm or 550 µm end-firing fibre. Pain during the procedure was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of the results. Results: During the study period, 86 patients (84 men, 2 women) underwent transurethral Holmium laser cystolithotripsy under local anaesthesia. Complete fragmentation of the stones was achieved in all patients. The mean stone size was 15.04 mm and the mean operating time was 23.81 minutes. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients and the mean pain score was 3.26. It was associated with minor complications only. There was no major complication or mortality during the study. Conclusion: Transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy under local anaesthesia is a safe procedure. It is well tolerated by adult patients and it can be used for the treatment of bladder stones of size upto 4 cm.

Introduction: Cancellation of elective surgical operations is defined as an elective operation which is not performed on the scheduled date. The rates and the reasons for cancellation vary in different parts of the world. Cancellation causes increased cost of treatment, loss of daily wage and mental trauma. It also causes under utilisation of hospital resources and loss of training opportunities to surgical trainees. Aim: To estimate the rate of cancellation of elective surgical operations in a tertiary care centre in North-East India and determine the reasons for cancellation. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a 500 bedded, North-Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, Meghalaya, India, from January 2018 to September 2018. All consecutive elective surgical cases scheduled during this period were included in the study. The rate and the reasons for cancellation were noted. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of the results. Results: Out of 1812 elective surgical operations scheduled during the study period, 491 operations (27.10%) were cancelled. The most common reasons for cancellation were shortage of time (78.62%), medical causes (10.79%) and administrative problems (4.48%). Cancellation rate was highest in the Department of Surgical Oncology (40.23%), followed by Departments of Orthopaedics (34.51%) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OG) (31.02%). Conclusion: The rate of cancellation of elective surgical operation was high (27.10%) and the most common reason was shortage of time and Surgical Oncology Department had highest rate of cancellation.

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