Teaching anatomy at undergraduate level -- a survey amongst students comparing use of powerpoint and blackboard

To find out a more effective method for teaching anatomy at undergraduate level by comparing PowerPoint and Blackboard-Chalk modes. Comparative study. This study was conducted at the departments of anatomy at Army Medical College, Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad Medical and Dental College in Rawalpindi/Islamabad from March to May 2010. 130 students who were exposed to both the PowerPoint and Blackboard-Chalk based lectures in three medical and dental colleges, were selected at random from class nominal roll. A specially designed questionnaire was sent to them. 82% [106] of the students returned the survey form with the response. Various advantages and disadvantages of both the PowerPoint and Blackboard-Chalk method were highlighted in the students' response. 65%, 62% and 60% of the students recommended that a combination based upon Blackboard as main format, and supplemented by PowerPoint should be used in lectures [embryology, histology and gross anatomy], gross anatomy demonstrations and histology practical respectively. The PowerPoint was recommended to be used in the beginning to outline the lecture and summarize the things at the end with picture showing wherever needed. A strategy based upon mixing PowerPoint with Blackboard as main format is preferred by undergraduate students in anatomy

Blind extrathoracic subclavian venipuncture for temporary pacing lead insertion: a 4 year experience in 760 patients

Seven hundred and sixty patients admitted in Cardiology Dept. Mayo Hospital, Lahore from Feb.1994 to Jan 1998 were inserted temporary pacing lead for different indications. Modification of the percutaneous technique for extrathoracic subclavian venipuncture proposed by Magney and colleagues for permanent pacing lead placement was used. Before puncturing bony landmarks were marked on the skin according to Magney's description to identify the needle entry point. Then the venipuncture was accomplished by inserting the needle through a standard infraclavicular land mark. 760 patients were approached with this technique with in a span period of four years. This technique was successful in 684 [90%] cases with first puncture, additional 35 [5%] with second attempt, while additional 14 [2%] patients required multiple attempts or the change of the site. In rest 3% the procedure was completed using other routes. Patients were followed till the removal of temporary pacing wire or implantation with permanent pacing system. In the present study the blind approach to the extrathoracic portion of the subclavian vein proved to be safe and effective for pacing lead insertion. Further observations are required to establish whether this method decreases the complication rate

Vaginal delivery after previous cesarean section

A prospective study was performed on 128 patients who had lower segment Cesarean section [elective or emergency] performed in their first pregnancy for a non-recurrent indication at Liaquat Medical College Hospital during the years 1992-1994. Eighty-four [65.62%] women delivered vaginally [SVD 73, vacuum 7, and forceps delivery 4]. The patients who went into spontaneous labour had a better chance of delivering vaginally than those who were induced

Perioperative knowledge and anxiety score of patients undergoing surgery

Perioperative anxiety is related to several factors. Some of which were investigated in Al-Ain Hospital in a multi-national and multi-cultural population. Identification of such factors would make anesthetic, surgical and nursing personnel more effective in reducing patient anxiety. In the present study, there were 200 multi-cultural subjects. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit the perioperative knowledge. The Hospital Anxienty and Depression [HAD] Scale was used to assess anxiety in the subjects. A very poor or no perioperative knowledge was elicited from subjects regarding anesthesia, time spent in the operation theatre, duration in hospital or back to fitness and possibility of postponemeant of operation. Literacy, nationality, type of surgery, previous experience of surgery and family presence and support were found to be significantly related to perioperative anxiety. Results from the present study support the hypothesis that subject who were educated, have family support, previous surgical experience and better perioperative knowledge have a low anxiety and depression level. National bad a significantly lower HAD score than non-national subjects

Abdominal tuberculosis the surgical audit of its presentations

Two hundred and thirty cases of abdominal Tuberculosis were studied to evaluate the mode of presentation of the disease at surgical department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. The main clinical features were pain abdomen, weight loss, fever with night sweats, vomiting, alternating diarrhoea and constipation and intestinal obstruction. Clinical diagnosis of the disease could be made in 72 patients. Twenty percent patients had mass in right iliac fossa and 28% had radiographic evidence of Intestinal obstruction. Laparotomy was performed in 170 cases and hislopathological examination of resected intestine or lymphnodes was undertaken to confirm the diagnosis. 142 cases were diagnosed at Laparotomy and 20 cases turned out as histopathological surprise. Ileocaecal tuberculosis was the commonest finding on laparotomy in 93 cases, 38 cases had miltiple ileal strictures and 32 patients had tuberculous peritonitis. Laparotomy is recommended as safe and effective procedure for diagnosing and managing tuberculous abdomen particularly when more sophisticated facilities are not available. The prominent features different from Western studies are : 1. Tuberculosis is more prevalent in young females. 2. The intestinal tuberculosis is more common than peritonitis. 3. Due to late presentation major surgical procedures are more commonly performed. 4. A proportion of the patients responding to A.T.T gets fibrosing strictures and presents with acute intestinal obstructions

Role of colposcopy in the diagnosis and outpatient treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

One hundred and seventy nine women with abnormal smears referred for colposcopy to the Samaritan Hospital were studied. After confirming CIN on repeat smear, colposcopy and histology, cone biopsy was carried out. One hundred and twenty one patients [68%] had treatment either with electrical loop diathermy under local anaesthesia [105 patients, 59%] or laser excision of transformation zone under general anaesthesia as a day case [16 patients, 9%]. Cone biopsy was done in 121 patients [32%]. We conclude that colposcopy is a valuable tool in combination with cytology and histology for diagnosis and delineating the extent of CIN, thus avoiding unnecessary cone biopsies particularly in women of child bearing age. The majority of patients were treated by an outpatient procedure, which is easy to learn, safe, effective and inexpensive

Culdocentesis in diagnosis of disturbed ectopic pregnancy still a useful procedure in developing countries

Over a period of 5 years culdocentesis was carried out in 156 cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy using needle aspiration through the pouch of Douglas. The result was positive in 134 cases, with 131 being true positive and 3 false positive. In 22 cases the result was negative, 6 of which were false negative. It is concluded that culdocentesis is an effective method of diagnosing disturbed ectopic pregnancy

Review of fifty cases of hepatocellular carcinoma

Data regarding fifty cases of hepatocellular carcinoma was analyzed to study the mode of presentation, role of diagnostic modalities, association of the Hepatitis B virus antigen and to compare the results of management by chemotherapy and surgery. Sixty eight percent patients of hepato-cellular carcinoma were positive for Hepatitis B virus [HBV] antigen. Ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning and needle or open biopsy established the diagnosis. Alpha Feto Protein [AFP] levels were of diagnostic and prognostic importance. The results of the chemotherapy were not satisfactory. Surgical resection produced excellent results by increasing the survival rate and improving the quality of life. This mode of management is strongly recommended