Anterior decompression and fixation with webb-morley procedure in dorsolumbar spinal injury

To evaluate the neurological outcome of anterior decompression and fixation with Webb-Morley procedure in dorsolumbar spinal injuries. A case series study. The Neurosurgery Department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from May 2008 to July 2010. Patients with post-traumatic unstable dorsolumbar spine having compression of the spinal cord with bony fragments of the fractured vertebra were included in the study. Patients below the age of 15 years and patients with bed sores and unfit for anaesthesia were excluded. Plain X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] were done. All patients were treated for dorsolumbar fractures by anterior decompression and fixation with Webb-Morley procedure. All patients were assessed clinically by the Frankel's grading before and after surgery. Among 60 patients, 41 were males and 19 were females. Mean age was 37.2 +/- 4 years. Major cause of trauma was road traffic accident. The commonest level of the fracture was at the dorsolumbar junction i.e. 71.66% [n = 43]. About 19 [31.66%] patients improved to the Frankel's grade-E, while 41.66% [n = 25] improved to grade-D after surgery. There was no postoperative mortality. According to the current study, anterior decompression and fixation with Webb-Morley procedure is an effective and safe approach. Those patients who had complete motor deficit showed no improvement in power but those who had partial motor deficit, had excellent improvement

Effects of tobacco chewing on oral health status of patients visiting university college of dentistry, Lahore

This cross sectional study was designed to evaluate the effects of tobacco chewing on oral health status of patients visiting University College of Dentistry Hospital of the University of Lahore between October 2011 to March 2012. A purposive sampling of 200 individuals was selected and subjects were divided into 2 groups: tobacco chewers [n=100] and non-tobacco chewers [n=100] age ranged between 18 to 55 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect history by two calibrated dentists who later examined the oral conditions. A statistically significant difference was found between tobacco chewers and non tobacco chewers with respect to mean values of missing teeth [M] and overall DMFT [p=<0.01]. Thirty eight [38%] percent tobacco chewers had some kind of oral mucosal lesion compared to only 6% oral mucosal lesions of non-tobacco chewers. This association between tobacco chewing and oral mucosal lesions was found to be statistically significant with p=0.000. Tobacco chewers had more calculus, shallow pockets [<4mm] and deep pockets [>6mm] as compared to non-tobacco chewers p=0.000. There was however no significant difference found between tobacco chewers and non tobacco chewers with respect to bleeding on probing p=0.445. The results of study suggest that tobacco chewing causes deleterious effects on oral tissues, teeth and thus enhance the risk of periodontal disease. Strict policies based on common risk factor approach need to be adopted by the health authorities to reduce the burden of general and oral diseases

Comparison of fibroblastic proliferation and collagen deposition in response to CO[2] laser surgery and scalpel

CO2 laser is the advocated treatment for the removal of various soft tissue lesions in oral cavity in recent years. A number of clinical advantages are reported by CO2 laser as compared to scalpel. The objectives include oral tissue fibroblastic response after CO2 laser surgery and to compare advantages and disadvantages of CO2 laser and scalpel after an oral surgical procedure with special reference to fibrosis and collagen deposition. A comparative study, conducted at animal laboratory of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore for about three months. This study was conducted on 150 Sprague - Dawley Albino rats, which were divided into 3 equal groups of 50. Partial glossectomy was done with 3 watts CO2 laser for group [A], with 6 watts CO2 laser for group [B] and with scalpel for group [C]. The fibroblastic activity and collagen deposition was observed and compared histologically, 24 hours, 3[rd] day, 7[th] day, 14th day and 28[th] day after surgery. Histologically fibrosis and collagen deposition were highly significant in A and C groups as compared to group B. Six watts CO2 laser wound was much better as compared to scalpel in terms of lesser fibroblastic activity and collagen thickness hence having a good wound healing response

Relationship between periodontal disease, smoking and diabetes in coronary heart disease patients visiting University College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan

This cross sectional study was done to find out the association of periodontal disease, smoking and diabetes in Coronary Heart Disease [CHD] patients. Sixty eligible coronary heart disease male patients with periodontitis visiting the University College of Dentistry between October 2011 to April 2012 were divided into 4 groups i.e. A [smoker-diabetic], B [nonsmoker-diabetic], C [smoker-non diabetic] and D [non smoker - non diabetic]. Bleeding on probing, periodonetal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were noted as measures of periodontal status. Differences of periodontal parameters between groups A, B, C and D were analyzed using K-test of proportions and one-way ANOVA. Levels of bleeding on probing, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were comparatively higher in group A [smoker - diabetic]. Mean levels of bleeding on probing, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were significant [<0.05] between groups. Forty five percent subjects of group A [smoker-diabetic] had periodontal pocket depth >4 mm and clinical attachment loss >3mm at more than 30% sites [p=0.01]. This study showed that periodontal disease is significantly associated with coronary heart disease patients and the levels of periodontal parameters were higher in smoker-diabetic coronary heart disease patients suggesting an association between periodontal disease, smoking, diabetes and coronary heart disease

Prevalence of dental caries among 5-14 years old poor locality school children of Lahore

The aim of study was to investigate the Prevalence of dental caries among 5-14 years old poor locality school children of Lahore Pakistan. Sixteen hundred and seventy three poor locality school children aged 5-14 years: 1113,5-11 years old and 560, 12-14 years old were examined for dental caries and oral hygiene status using the World Health Organization criteria for diagnosis of caries and oral hygiene status. The overall caries prevalence among the study group was 71%. The mean df [decayed and filled primary teeth] score in the 5-11 years age group was 2.98. The mean DMFT [decayed, missing and filled teeth] score among 12-14 years old age group it was 3.70. Only 14% of the poor locality school children had good oral hygiene with corresponding mean df of 1.33 and mean DMFT score of 1.97, followed by 31% having fairly good oral hygiene, 26% having poor oral hygiene. 29% of children had a very poor oral hygiene with corresponding mean of score of 2.96 and mean DMFT score of 3.31. The results of the study emphasize the need for re-orientation of oral health services and programs to a more preventive approach. Serious efforts need to be made by focusing on this neglected group of population

Outcome of modified open surgery in tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a common disorder of upper extremity. It can be treated conservatively in majority of the patients but some resistant cases eventually need surgery. This descriptive study was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from January 2002 to June 2006. Sixteen patients had surgical release of the extensor tendon origin along with excision of the lateral epicondyle ridge. These patients did not respond to conservative treatment i.e. rest, non- steroidal anti inflammatory drugs [NSAIDS], local steroid injections and physiotherapy. Patients were followed up to six months. Outcome was graded as excellent, good and poor according to pain relief and function of the hand. Sixteen patients [17 elbows] were studied, Thirteen were female [81.25%] and three were male [18.75%]. Fifteen patients [93.75%] had unilateral Tennis Elbow, while one had bilateral involvement [6.25%]. In unilateral disease, right side was affected in eleven patients [68.75%] and left side in four [25%]. Excellent outcome was noticed in eleven patients [68.75%] and good result in five patient [31.25%]. Open surgical technique of releasing extensor tendon origin along with excision of lateral condylar ridge of the humerus is new and simple procedure and yields excellent and good result in patients with resistant Tennis Elbow

Malaria in children: study of 160 cases at a private clinic in mansehra

This Study was conducted in a private clinic to report frequency, presentation and management of malaria in children presenting with fever. 160 Children of age varying from 42 days to 15 years were included in this study, during a period of 1999-2004. Malaria was confirmed in 154 cases, including 114 male and 46 female children. In 6 cases malarial parasite was not seen on microscopic examination of their blood films. 142 cases were found to be suffering from vivax and 12 were suffering from falciparum malaria. Most of the cases were treated with amodiaquine and some of them were treated with other antimalarial drugs