The radial artery (RA) is often selected as the next conduit of choice following the internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass grafting operations (CABG). Radial access coronary angiography (RA-CA) has grown in popularity among cardiologists and has been advocated as the access route of choice for coronary angiography and intervention by many groups. However, sheath insertion and instrumentation may lead to structural and functional damage to the RA, which may preclude its use as a bypass conduit. The increasing use of RA-CA may therefore have an adverse effect on the ability to use the RA as a bypass conduit at subsequent CABG. To review this, a best evidence topic in cardiothoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: 'should the radial artery be used as a bypass conduit following radial access coronary angiography'? Altogether, 167 papers were found using the reported search; 11 papers were identified that provided the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these studies were tabulated. Acute RA occlusion occurs in 2.3-30.5% of patients undergoing RA-CA. While a significant number of occluded RA's show recanalization on early follow-up, markers of endothelial function such as intima-media thickening (IMT) and flow-mediated dilatation remain impaired. RA-CA causes structural injury to the RA with evidence of histological injury (including intimal hyperplasia, periarterial tissue/fat necrosis and adventitial inflammation) along with intimal tears and medial dissections evident along the entire length of the vessel. Only one paper directly assesses patency rates of RA's used as bypass grafts following RA-CA finding a significant adverse effect on graft patency (77% patency in RA-CA, compared with 98% in the control group). We recommend avoiding the RA as a bypass conduit if it has previously been used for RA-CA. In situations where conduit options are limited, if possible, the RA should be avoided for at least 3 months following RA-CA and it may be beneficial to assess the RA's patency and flow characteristics with Doppler ultrasound preoperatively.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSSC) is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It has predilection for the upper aero digestive tract with common metastasis to regional lymph node and common distant metastasis to lungs. While metastasis to scalp has rarely been reported, primary occurrence of BSCC arising from scalp has hardly ever been reported. We are reporting a case of 70 year female patient, who presented with an ulceroproliferative growth in posterior scalp. Biopsy from the edge of growth was reported as malignant adnexal tumor. A wide local excision was done and that biopsy was reported as Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. We intend to present this case, considering its rarity and its primary presentation in an very unusual and unique location for this variant.

Background: Proper documentation of the surgery done in the form of operative notes is a very important aspect of surgical practice. The aim of this clinical audit was to identify the existing standard of the operative notes written in a general surgical unit in a quaternary care hospital; and to compare it with the recommendations given by Royal College of Surgeons, England (in Good Surgical Practice, 2014) and if needed, to improve the standard of practice.Methods: In the first loop of this prospective audit, 75 consecutive operative notes which were written were compared with the RCS guidelines and the areas which had missing data were identified. These areas were informed to the residents, who are primarily involved in the documentation of the operative notes. The second loop of the audit was conducted after a gap of 4 months involving 75 consecutive operative notes again.Results: The areas which were initially deficient were better documented when analysed in the second loop.Conclusions: Documentation of operative notes does not always comply with the set guidelines as highlighted in the first loop of our audit. But by employing a clinical audit it is possible to identify the existing deficiencies and thereby improving the standards of practice. Also, operative note writing should be taught as part of surgical training. Definitions should be clearly provided, and specific guidelines should be established to improve the quality of the operative notes and their use to improve patient safety.