To evaluate the self-apprehension of dental students about their own smile aesthetics

Objective: This cross-sectional observational study was accomplished at Isra University to evaluate the self-apprehension of dental students related to their own smile

Material and Methods: This study was comprised of 166 dental students belonging to both genders. A structured selfadministered questionnaire was used to conduct a survey among undergraduate dental students at all study levels in Isra University. Questionnaire was designed to observe the self-apprehension and satisfaction of students with reference to their dental appearance. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics via 21st version of SPSS. 0.05% was established as the level of significance

Results: 166 students [32 males and 134 females] participated in this survey. 32.5% students were shy as against 91.6% students who were bold at smiling in public. 55.4% students preferred to be photographed from side pose while 69.9% were inspired by other's smile. In terms of teeth dimensions, 60.2%, 54.8% and 46.4% students were gratified with the length, breadth and form of their teeth respectively

Conclusion: This study concludes that greater number of dental student were self-assured regarding their apprehension on their own dental appearance. Majority of the females though contented with the dimensions and contour of their teeth, urged to have lighter teeth

Splenectomy: does it help in patients with thalassemia major

Objective: To determine the benefits of elective splenectomy in selected patients with thalassemia major

Study Design: Prospective descriptive study

Place of Study: Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro

Duration of Study: July 2014 to June 2015

Patients and Methods: 27 selected patients of Thalassemia major were evaluated after open elective splenectomy via midline incision for the benefits achieved post operatively

Results: Out of 27 patients 19 [70.3%] were male and 08[29.6%] were female, age ranges from 5-10 years with a mean age of 7 years. Out of 27 patients, 25 patients [81.48%] had a uneventful recovery, only 2 patients [7.4%] developed post-operative complications. No mortality was observed in this series. Post-operative long term maintenance of adequate hemoglobin and improved quality of life was observed in 26[96.29%] patients. Only 1[3.7%] patient who developed postoperative incisional hernia was not satisfied with the procedure

Conclusion: We conclude that splenectomy is a safe and beneficial procedure in selected patients of thalassemia major

Deep venous thrombosis; mean platelet volume, D-Dimer and doppler sonography. patients of surgical wards of liaquat university hospital

Objectives: To study mean platelet volume [MPV] in deep venous thrombosis [DVT] as evaluated by D-Dimmer and Doppler sonography. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Duration: Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro/Hyderabad from May 2013 to April 2014

Subjects and Methods: A sample of 106 subjects; 50 controls and 53 diagnosed patients of DVT were studied. DVT patients were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and after results of Sonography and D-Dimer were available. The Blood samples were collected in bottles containing sodium citrate as anticoagulant. MPV was generated by Sysmex KX 21 hematology analyzer. Informed consent was sought from the volunteer subjects. The Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Statistically significance was defined at p-value of

Results: Mean platelet volume was elevated in deep venous thrombosis patients which were confirmed by clinical examination, sonography and D-Dimer. MPV was elevated in cases; 10.0 +/- 0.7fl compared to controls; 9.55 +/- 0.63fl [p=0.001]. D-Dimmer was elevated in deep venous thrombosis patients [p=0.0001]. Age, gender and platelet counts did not revealed any significant differences between cases and controls [p>0.0.05]

Conclusion: The present study reports elevated MPV in patients suffering from deep venous thrombosis and it is concluded that MPV may be considered as a risk factor for DVT

Acute appendicitis mean platelet volume

Objectives: To study mean platelet volume [MPV] in acute appendicitis and its correlation with leukocyte count

Study Design: Case control study

Place and Duration: Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro/Hyderabad from January 2013 to February 2014

Subjects and Methods: Subjects with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis were selected according inclusion and exclusion criteria. A sample of 49 acute appendicitis patients and 37 controls were studied. The Blood samples were collected in sodium citrate vacutainers and processed on Sysmex KX 21 analyzers. The main analysis was the comparison of the difference of MPV between acute appendicitis and controls. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 21.0 by student's t-test, Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation [r] was used to evaluate association of MPV with platelet counts and leukocytes. A p-value of

Results: The mean platelet volume and leukocytes were significantly elevated in patients with acute appendicitis. MPV and leukocytosis in controls and cases were noted as 7.93 +/- 2.1 vs. 9.10 +/- 2.9fl [p=0.0001] and 6980 +/- 120 vs. 13980 +/- 340 micro L[-1] respectively. MPV was positively correlated with leukocytosis [r=0.419] [p=0.0001], while Platelets showed a negative correlation

Conclusion: Elevated MPV and leukocytosis are observed in acute appendicitis. MPV may be exploited for clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis but in a proper clinical context along with leukocytosis