Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1177/00494755261448966
M Mohammed Imran, Jayesh Chavda, Saket Shekhar, Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Pawan Agarwal, Dhananjaya Sharma
{"title":"Postoperative antibiotics do not reduce surgical site infections after clean thyroid and breast surgery: A randomised controlled trial from a resource-constrained setting.","authors":"M Mohammed Imran, Jayesh Chavda, Saket Shekhar, Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Pawan Agarwal, Dhananjaya Sharma","doi":"10.1177/00494755261448966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261448966","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Elective thyroid and breast procedures are classified as clean surgery, yet prolonged postoperative antibiotic use remains common in many low- and middle-income settings despite guideline recommendations, contributing to unnecessary antimicrobial exposure. We conducted a randomised trial in a public tertiary-care hospital in central India, assigning adults undergoing elective clean thyroid or breast surgery to either three days of postoperative antibiotics or no antibiotics beyond a single pre-incision prophylactic dose. The primary outcome was 30-day surgical site infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261448966"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1177/00494755261449574
Carla A Scorza, Fulvio A Scorza, Josef Finsterer
{"title":"Guillain-Barre syndrome should not be considered to be caused by an acute Zika infections unless PCR test for viral RNA is positive.","authors":"Carla A Scorza, Fulvio A Scorza, Josef Finsterer","doi":"10.1177/00494755261449574","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261449574","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261449574"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1177/00494755261448960
Gunvanti Rathod, Pragnesh Parmar
{"title":"Microplastics in drinking water: A neglected public health risk in tropical settings.","authors":"Gunvanti Rathod, Pragnesh Parmar","doi":"10.1177/00494755261448960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261448960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The presence of microplastics in drinking water has gained recognition as an overlooked environmental and public health issue, especially in tropical regions characterized by rapid urbanization, improper waste management practices, and lack of adequate water treatment facilities. Microplastics refer to plastic fragments <5 mm in size and have been found in bottled water, tap water, and even groundwater. While the adverse health impacts of microplastics are yet to be fully established, scientific literature indicates potential links to oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Tropical nations may also experience additional risks due to insufficient waste management and increased usage of plastics. This article discusses the possible health consequences related to microplastics in drinking water and underscores the importance of efficient waste disposal, appropriate water purification technologies, enhanced public education, and future research on this issue.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261448960"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-05-06DOI: 10.1177/00494755261447340
Rafey A Rahman, Survesh K Gupta, Anshuma Kant, Muniba Alim, Vinay Kanaujia
{"title":"A low-cost pen-type neuromuscular electrical stimulator for intraoperative muscle complex localization in anorectal malformation surgery.","authors":"Rafey A Rahman, Survesh K Gupta, Anshuma Kant, Muniba Alim, Vinay Kanaujia","doi":"10.1177/00494755261447340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261447340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Accurate placement of the neo-anus within the sphincter complex is critical for continence in anorectal malformation (ARM) surgery. Intraoperative localization may be difficult, and dedicated stimulators are not always available. We describe the modification and clinical use of a low-cost pen-type neuromuscular electrical stimulator for intraoperative muscle complex localization, with successful localization achieved in all patients, enabling precise neo-anal placement without device-related complications or significant increase in operative time.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261447340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intravenous hypertonic dextrose in conservatively managed adhesive small bowel obstruction: An exploratory observational study.","authors":"Deepti B Sharma, Alok Deshmukh, Ravikant Mahant, Chandan Tiwari, Pawan Agarawal, Dhananjaya Sharma","doi":"10.1177/00494755261449090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261449090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is commonly managed conservatively, with adjuncts such as CT scan with per-oral water-soluble contrast, which are diagnostic and in some cases therapeutic. However, these may not be consistently available in low-resource settings. Hypertonic solutions have been shown to influence intestinal oedema and function, but the role of intravenous hypertonic dextrose is unclear. We describe an observational experience of adjunctive 25% dextrose (40 mL daily for 3 days) in selected patients with ASBO managed non-operatively at a tertiary centre in central India.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261449090"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a resource-limited setting: Diagnostic delays and surgical management in a 10-patient institutional series.","authors":"Harpyar Singh, Raj Kumar Chejara, Sahib Sarangal, Shivanand Hosamani, Sushila Choudhary","doi":"10.1177/00494755261447946","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261447946","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Delayed diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) remains a challenge in low- and middle-income settings, often leading to large tumours or inadequate primary excisions. Our case series describes ten patients with histologically confirmed DFSP treated at a tertiary care centre in India between 2022 and 2024. All patients underwent wide local excision, with reconstruction using split-thickness skin grafts, local or regional flaps, or mesh reinforcement for abdominal wall defects. Adjuvant radiotherapy was used in selected high-risk cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261447946"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bilateral necrotising retinitis caused by cytomegalovirus in an immunocompetent host: A case report.","authors":"Sivaraman Bala Murugan, Yuvraj Madhav, Prithiviraj Nagarajan","doi":"10.1177/00494755261445972","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261445972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Retinal necrosis (RN) is typically caused by herpesviridae, most commonly varicella-zoster virus (VZV), followed by HSV and occasionally cytomegalovirus (CMV). While RN is generally unilateral, bilateral cases are more common in immunocompromised individuals. We report a rare case of bilateral retinal necrosis caused by CMV in an immunocompetent 31-year old male. He initially presented with defective vision in both eyes and was diagnosed after PCR confirmed the CMV as the causative agent. Despite initial treatment with intravenous acyclovir, he showed persistent vitreous inflammation with membranes, leading to intravitreal ganciclovir injections. While the patient experienced significant improvement, complications such as a macular hole and epiretinal membrane developed. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider CMV as a possible cause of RN in immunocompetent adults, especially in non-responding cases, and underlines the importance of early etiological diagnosis and targeted treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261445972"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-04-30DOI: 10.1177/00494755261444100
Ram Arvind Viswanathan
{"title":"The paradox of rapid glycaemic control: Treatment-induced neuropathy triggered by oral hypoglycaemic agents and weight loss - A case report.","authors":"Ram Arvind Viswanathan","doi":"10.1177/00494755261444100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00494755261444100","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"494755261444100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}