Injuries associated with landmines and unexploded ordnances in Iran

Although in the last few years there has been increasing awareness of the problem of landmines, there are still an increasing number of people especially children, illed and injured by landmine every week in the world including Iran which is estimated to have the second rank for landmine injuries. Eighteen years after cessation of Iraq-Iran war, the provinces located near the west border of Iran still suffer from the burden of vast areas highly infested with Landmines. This study aims to gather more information on the particulars of mine associated incidents and victims. This is a retrospective study of people with documented deaths or injuries due to landmine and/or unexploded ordnances [UXO] explosions, as documented in their medical files between Jul 1988 [after ceasefire] and Feb 2003. 3713 victims from 3 main organizations in charge of providing health care services for them were included in this study. Of these, 3461 [93.2] were male, and 252 [6.8%] were female. Most of the victims were civilians and the majority of them [40.4%] had one or more amputations. Most of the patients were injured in the period between1994 and 1998. The majority of them were young, and 41.8% were children. The occurrence of death and injuries due to landmine in Iran is regrettably high; this places a significant burden on the health care system, rendering increased commitment of the government a must. Collecting data on accident particulars and landmine victims can provide meaningful information on the risk factors

Women pose innocent victims of landmines in postwar Iran

Although in the last few years there has been an increasing attention to the problem of landmines, to date, the implications of women being victims of landmine has not been duly dealt with in the world including Iran, which is estimated to be the second most landmine infested country in the world. Still, provinces by the west border of Iran, 18 years after cessation of Iraq-Iran war suffer from the burden of vast areas, highly infested with landmines. This study aimed to provide a gender focused insight into landmine accidents in. In this retrospective study, women with documented deaths or injuries due to landmine and/or unexplodeda ordnances [UXO] explosions as documented in their medical records between Jul 1988 [after ceasefire] and Feb 2003 were studied in 5 western provinces of Iran. Data was analyzed by SPSS for Windows Version II.P value under 0.05 was considered statistically significant During the 14-year study period, 252 women from 5 western provinces of Iran were reported to have injuries or death due to landmine and UXOs. All of the victims were civilians and the majority of them [47.6%] had one or more amputations. Most of them were injured in the period between 1994 and 1998. The majority of the patients were young. Women who should take care of themselves as well as their families are more prone to sufferings inflicted by landmines and UXO

Assessment of sleep deprivation and fatigue among general surgery residen's: Is it necessary to reduce residents' work hours?

General surgery residents are in chronic partial sleep deprivation during their training years at hospital. Chronic sleep deprivation adversely affects their mood, behavior, social relationship, learning ability, decision making, and patient care. Adverse effects of sleep deprivation on carefulness and precision, promptitude, hand skills, and dexterity of surgeons have been shown in different studies. The aim of present study was to estimate the degree of sleepiness among general surgery residents and obtaining their views about consequences of sleep deprivation and fatigue. This cross sectional study was performed on general surgery resiaents in Sina, Imam Khomeini, and Shariati Hospitals in Tehran, using a 38-item quantitative structured questionnaire. Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] was used for assessment of sleepiness degree. Forty eight general surgery residents were entered to the study. Average weekly work hours were/40-160 for first and second year residents and 100-120 for third and fourth year residents. Mean ESS score was 11.6 +/- 0.69 [range, 3-21], which indicated moderate sleepiness. Twenty percent of residents were in the severe range of sleepiness. From the studied residents, 52.1% believed that sleep deprivation anti fatigue had a major impact on their personal life, and 3 1.3% of them believed these 6ictors had major impact on their work, Extended work hours, sleep deprivation, and fatigue lead to sleepiness of general surgery residents and this problem adversely affects their quality of 4fe and performance. Based on the results of this study, revision and modification of general surgery residents' work hours are suggested

[Drug abuse in hospitalized trauma patients in a university trauma care center: an explorative study]

Drug abuse has been known as a growing contributing factor to all types of trauma in the world. The goal of this article is to provide insight into demographic and substance use factors associated with trauma and to determine the prevalence of drug abuse in trauma patients. Evidence of substance abuse was assessed in trauma patients presenting to Sina trauma hospital over a 3-month period. They were interviewed and provided urine samples to detect the presence of drug/metabolites of opium, morphine, cannabis and heroin by 'Morphine Check' kits. Demographic data, mechanisms of injury, history of smoking and drug abuse were recorded. A total of 358 patients with a mean age of 28.4 years were studied. The Patients were predominantly male [94.7%]. There was a history of smoking in 136 cases [38%]. 58 cases [16.2%] reported to abuse drugs [91.5% opium]. The commonest route of administration was smoke inhalation [37.2%]. Screening by Morphine Check test revealed 95 samples to be positive [26.5%]. The preponderance of test-positive cases was among young people [of 20-30 years of age] with a history of smoking. Victims of violence and those with penetrating injuries also showed a higher percentage of positive screens [P=0.038 and P<0.001, respectively]. These results suggest that drug abuse is a contributing factor to trauma especially in violent injuries and among the young. Regarding the considerable prevalence of drug abuse among trauma patients, it's highly recommended that all trauma patients be screened for illicit drugs

[Evaluating the applicability of post thyroidectomy drainage in the prevention of respiratory distress sencondary to hematoma formation of the surgical site]

Hematoma is a rare but potentially dangerous complication of thyroidectomy that can lead to airway obstruction and respiratory distress.The use of drain age tube for prevention of hematoma has met with reservations. In a randomaized controlled trial, thyroidectomized patients treated as groups with and without drains were assessed and compared with regard to hematoma formation, respiratory distress and duration of admission. 48 pts without drains [51.1% male, mean age 37 yrs] and 52 pts with drains [52% male, mean age 41.5 yrs] were studied. Two patients who had drainage tubes developed hematoma and respiratory distress [p<0.005]. There was no hematoma formation and respiratory distress in the group] without drains. Duration of hospitalization in the group without drain age tube was 2.9 days [SD 1.3 days], and in the group with drain age tube 4.1 days [SD 1.5 days] with a p>0.05