ABSTRACT
To describe a technique for conducting Quantitative bacteriology in burn wounds, which is a very important tool in the management of burn wound sepsis. Technique was used in 21 patients with burn wound injury. Biopsy for the bacteriology was taken with the help of punch forceps. Then it was directly put into sterilized pre weighed homogenizer bag containing 1ml normal saline. This bag was re-weighed. Weight of the tissue was obtained and bag was homogenized in homogenizer [Stomacher Lab Blender-80]. Four fold dilutions were made of homogenate specimen. From each dilution tube, 0.01ml was then inoculated on blood agar plates, incubated for 24 hours and number of colonies counted by formula. Four specimens were taken each day and repeated on alternate days for up to 6 days. Out of twenty one patients there were 10 male and 11 female with mean age of 25.95 years. Total body surface area burnt was from 9-41%. Bacterial counts obtained varied from 1.45-8.89. Quantitative bacteriology is simple by the above method and should be employed in every public and private sector burn center
ABSTRACT
To study patients coming for surgical removal of their tattoos with regard to treatment outcome. It is a descriptive and observational study, conducted at Plastic, Reconstructive and Micro-Surgery Department of Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi over a period of one year. Twenty four patient, 18 males and 6 females, who came for tattoo removal and were found to be psychologically fit, were included in the study. After explaining the treatment consequences they were subjected to either simple excision, serial excision, Dermabrasion or excision and skin grafting. Fourteen cases underwent serial excision, four had simple excisions and closure, three had dermabrasion and three cases excision and over grafting. Infection occurred in one case, dehiscence in one case and incomplete removal of tattoo by dermabrasion in one case. The long term follow up, of up to six months was available only in eight out of twenty four patients. Out of these eight, five developed hypertrophic scars. Though tattoo removal is a simple procedure in the hands of experienced plastic surgeon, it is not free form complications. Though scar is inevitable, patient's satisfaction was quite high as they got rid of stigmas, which was haunting them
ABSTRACT
To study the health and needs of geriatric patients. A questionnaire based survey of patients visiting the out-patient department of Aga Khan University was carried out. Ethical requirements were met and included administration of informed consent and provision of confidentiality to patients. Convenience sampling was used without any randomization for interviews. Epi-info and SPSS software were used for data management. Four hundred and two [402] subjects above the age of 65 were surveyed. Most of the subjects were retired [40.5%] married [76.4%] men [69.7%]. Ages ranged from 65 to 90 years, the mean being 70.57 years and 291 [72.4%] had five or more health problems. Mobility impairment, urinary incontinence, dyspnoea, fatigue and visual impairment had the worst impact on the life of the individual. Hypertension [42.5%], diabetes mellitus [28.1%] and arthritis [26.6%] were the most commonly reported chronic ailments. Two hundred and three [50.5%] respondents were taking three or more different medications daily. A large number of people had religion [61.4%], reading [36.1%], socializing [53%] and watching television [49.5%] as a regular activity. Eighty five [21.1%] respondents reported having financial problems. Three hundred and sixty five [90.8%] respondents had spiritual needs and 264 [72.3%] reported that their spiritual needs increased with aging