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Background: Calculus disease of biliary tract is a major public health problem in north Kashmir and pigment gall stones form a significant portion of gall stones in our region. In this study we prospectively studied 84 cases of pigment gall stones to examine the role of bacteria in the formation of these stones. Objective: To study the bacterial aetiology of pigment gall stones. Methods: A hospital based prospective study of 84 consecutive cases of pigment gall stones was done from December 2012 to November 2019 and the results of stone culture and bile culture were statistically analysed. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients in the study group. Results: A total of 84 cases studied included 32 (38.09%) male patients and 52(61.91%) females patients. The median age was 48.5 years and mean age was 46.2 years. Of 84 patients, 21(25.00%) had black pigment stones and 63 (75.00%) had brown pigment stones. 61 (72.62%) patients presented with biliary colic and 24(28.57%) patients had chronic cholecystitis . Bile culture was positive in 46 (54.76%) patients and stone culture was positive in 70(83.33%) patients. Conlusion: A strong association was observed between stone culture and bile culture results (showing similar beta-glucronidase producing bacteria) and pigment stone formation.

Background: Cryptorchidism or undescended testis is a commonly observed congenital anomaly of male children seen in patients presenting in general and pediatric surgical practice of our region. In this study, we prospectively studied 146 cases of undescended testis to statistically observe gross and microscopic changes in different such cases. Objective: To study the gross and microscopic changes in cryptorchid testis at varied locations. Methods: A hospital-based prospective study of 146 cases of undescended testis was done from November 2014 to December 2019 and the results of gross and microscopic changes in biopsy specimens were statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 146 cases studied included 45.19% presenting at the age of 4 to 8 years and 25.34% presenting at the age of 8 to 14 years. The study revealed mild testicular atrophy in 6.16% of the cases and moderate to severe atrophy in 36.97%. Epididymal and vassal anomalies were very rare in suprascrotal testis but common in high cryptorchid testis. Biopsy specimens showed the incidence of seminomas in 4.79% of intra-abdominal testis but the incidence was lesser in undescended testis at locations lower down. Conclusion: A strong association was observed between the location of cryptorchid testis and observed gross and microscopic changes including malignant transformation.