Ileostomy stoma wound; purse-string closure

The objective of the study was to compare the frequency of infection in stoma site skin wound closure done by purse string suture and linear suturing techniques. Randomized control trial. Surgical Unit-I, Allied Hospital, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. From 1st Jan, 2014 to 31st March, 2015 [15 Months]. Total number of sixty patients of both sexes with benign disease were included using non-probability consecutive sampling technique after approval from hospital ethics committee. All patients were admitted through OPD and a written informed consent was taken. They were divided into two groups [30 each]. The two techniques of ileostomy stoma wound closure used were linear closure and purse-string closure. Data was analyzed using SPSS v10. Chi-square test was used to compare the outcome [wound infection] in both groups. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Comparison of infection in stoma site skin wound closure done by purse string suture and linear suturing techniques was done which shows presence of infection in 36.67%[n=11] in Linear closure and 10%[n=3] in Purse-string closure group while remaining 63.33% [n=19] and 90%[n=27] respectively case had no infection, p value was calculated as 0.01 which shows a significant difference. The frequency of infection in stoma site skin wound closure done by purse-string suturing technique is significantly less than linear suturing technique

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire for assessing macronutrient and calcium intake in adult Pakistani population

To develop and validate a food frequency table [FFQ] for use in urban Pakistani population. A validation study. The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from June to November 2008. Healthy adult females, aged >/= 18 years who consented to be included in the study were inducted, while males, unhealthy females, aged below 18 years or who did not consent were excluded. The FFQ was administered once while 4, 24 hours recalls spread over a period of one year were administered as the reference method. Daily intakes for energy, protein, fat, and calcium intake were estimated for both the tools. Crude and energy adjusted correlations for nutrient intakes were computed for the FFQ and mean of 4, 24 hours recalls and serum N-telopeptide of type-I collagen [NTx]. The correlation coefficients for the FFQ with mean of 4, 24 hours recall ranged from 0.21 for protein to 0.36 for calcium, while the correlation for nutrient estimates from the FFQ with NTx ranged from -0.07 for calcium to 0.01 for energy. Highly significant correlations were found for nutrient intakes estimated from the FFQ vs. those estimated from the mean of 4, 24 hours recalls but no correlations was found between nutrient estimates from the FFQ and serum NTx levels. FFQ was concluded to be a valid tool for assessing dietary intake of adult females in Pakistan.

Pattern of drugs of abuse identified in chemical samples

To determine the pattern of drugs of abuse in urine and blood samples processed at referral laboratory in Pakistan so that information on the type of drugs used can be identified and used for ready reference for future strategy. Observational study. Clinical Laboratory of The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July 2006 to March 2008. Retrospective review of records were done for the common drugs that are used for screening at the Clinical Laboratory include alcohol, amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine and opiates. Alcohol was tested in blood and others were identified using urine. Percentages of tests screened positive and negative for individual drugs were computed by using SPSS 16.0. The ratio between male and female users was also established. A total of 17,714 tests were performed for drugs. The mean age of the patients whose samples were processed was 30 +/- 14.84 years. Majority used benzodiazepines 520/1317 [39.5%] among the samples tested for drug of abuse, followed by cannabinoids 423/5450 [7.8%], alcohol 75/1302 [5.8%], barbiturates 32/1148 [2.8%], opiates 137/5640 [2.4%], cocaine 5/1655 [0.3%] and amphetamine 3/1 202 [0.2%]. In all, males 15411 [87%] were tested more frequently as compared to females 2303 [13%]. Males were more frequently tested for drug abuse; however, drug abuse is increasingly seen among females. Benzodiazepines are the most frequently used. The same pattern of drugs abuse existed in different gender and age group. There is a need to explore the pattern and type of drug abuse on national scale

Comparison of serum zinc levels between healthy and malnourished children

To compare serum zinc levels of healthy and malnourished children. Prospective study. Department of Pediatrics and Dermatology Allied/DHQ Hospital Punjab Medical College Faisalabad between July 2006 to September 2006. Serum zinc levels of 150 children between the ages of 2 months to 14 years of either sex were studied, out of which 75 hospitalized children were suffering from malnutrition while 75 healthy children were taken as control from the outdoor. Both groups were further divided into three age groups 2 months to 4 years, 5-10 years and 11-14 years. Verbal consent was taken from all the parents. All the details of children were enrolled on a specific proforma designed for the study. No ethical issue was involved. Malnourished children were classified and sub-grouped according to modified Gomez classification. Serum zinc levels were measured at HiTech Laboratory, Agriculture University, Faisalabad by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, the most widely used and reliable method. The mean serum zinc level of 75 healthy children was found to be 99.97 micro g/dl [Standard Error +/- 10.2] while mean serum zinc level of 75 malnourished children was 51.2 micro g/dl [ +/- 1.14]. The children suffering from 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree malnutrition were 22, 27 and 26 in number with a mean level of 56.36 micro g/dl [ +/- 2.26], 51.56 micro g/dl [ +/- 1.89] and 46.46 micro g/dl [ +/- 1.36] respectively. Statistical analysis of data was done by calculating P-value with analysis of variance of serum zinc level for degree of malnutrition, age and sex. It showed that serum zinc level of malnourished children is significantly low [P-value = 0.001]. There is a significant difference of serum zinc levels between healthy and malnourished children especially in children with diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. This signifies a proper replacement of zinc as part of management of malnutrition and also during disease process

Infections in pre-term babies; role of intravenous immunoglobulins

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of I/V immunoglobulins for prophylaxis against sepsis in preterm newborn. Design of study: Prospective study Setting: Department of Pediatrics at Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: From October 1999 to August 2001

Material and Methods: Seventy newborns of either sex, weighing 1000 gms to 2000 gms [mean 1450 gms] with gestational age 28 to 35 weeks [mean 31 weeks] were included and assigned into 2 groups [35 babies in each group]. On alternate basis one group [study group] was given I/V immunoglobulins 500 mg/kg on day 1, 3 and 10 and the other was not [control group]. The serum level of Immunoglobulins was not determined

Results: Maternal and neonatal risk factors for infection did not differ between the two groups. There was a significant difference in development of sepsis [both culture positive and negative] as well as mortality in the study group as compared to control group. The drug was well tolerated without any significant adverse reactions

Conclusion: It is recommended to give intravenous immunoglobulins to preterm babies, for prophylaxis against infections especially in high risk group