Early stage ingrown toe nail and role of conservative treatment- an experience at Sukkur

To find out the frequency, causes and role of conservative treatment in early stage ingrown toe nail. Descriptive, observational, case series study. This study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College [GMC] ,Teaching Hospital, Sukkur from March 2011 to February 2012. Detailed history and physical examination especially local examination of the affected toe was made in OPD, to stage the disease. Only patients with early stage [Stage-I] ingrown toe nail were included in this study. Patients in advanced stages [stages-II and III], with history of diabetes, trauma, vascular diseases and all recurrent cases, which were operated upon in past excluded from this study. The patients were treated conservatively by advising for good foot hygiene and cutting the nails properly. Selected patients required wicking technique. This procedure was taught to patients so that they could do it once or twice daily at their homes. Patients were kept on antibiotics where required and simple pain killers. The patients were advised to visit the OPD regularly at defined time. 86 patients participated in this study, 54 [62.7%] were males and 32 [37.2%] were females with male: female ratio of 1.68: 1. Age ranged from 17-66 years, majority of patients were in between 21 to 40 years of age [44.1%] with mean age of 36 years. In majority of patients the right big toe was affected [n=56, 65.1%], in 22 [25.5%] left big toe and in 08 patients [09.3%] there was bilateral involvement of both big toes. Lateral nail fold was affected more [n=38, 44.1%] than medial fold [n=12, 13.9%]. In 36 [41.8%] patients both nail folds were affected. Various causative factors were identified with most important was improper nail trimming [n= 17, 19.7%] followed by tight fitting shoes [n=14, 16.2%] and idiopathic [n=02, 2.3%]. Majority of the patients [n=52, 60.4%] were only required antibiotic, pain killer and advice on foot care while 34 [39.5%] patients were advised for wicking. In our study, the success rate of conservative treatment remained 92.85% [n=65] at one year follow up. Ingrown toe nail is quite common condition. In early stage, it can be safely treated by conservative methods, if applied properly, which avoid disfigurement and train the patients to care for their own toes

Etiological factors and treatment outcome of genital and perineal necrotizing fascitis [Fournier's gangrene]

To analyze clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with Fournier's gangrene [FG] and to assess factors that determine mortality. A retrospective review of 82 patients with FG from January 2007 to December 2011 was made. They were divided into two groups: those who survived [survivors] and those who did not [non survivors]. We analyzed clinical and laboratory data. The mortality rate remained 36.6% [30/82 patients]. Increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated serum creatinine, pre-existing kidney disease, and higher extent of affected body surface were associated with higher mortality. Severe sepsis on admission and hypotension < 90 mm Hg] were also predictive for higher mortality. The median FG severity index [FGSI] score was higher in non survivors [22 vs 12, p < 0.0001]. Besides standard clinical and laboratory parameters included in the FGSI calculation, higher extent of affected body surface area and presence of hypotension on admission were positively associated with mortality. Early clinical identification and prompt aggressive treatment are essential for reducing mortality and morbidity in patients

Treatment outcome of enteric fever in children at tertiary care hospital Sukkur Pakistan

Enteric fever [Typhoid fever] is widely recognized as a major public health problem in developing countries. To evaluate the treatment outcome of enteric fever in children. Retrospective descriptive study. This study was conducted at the Paediatric department, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital Sukkur from January 2009 to December 2011. This was a retrospective study, included all patients of enteric fever, of both sex and age ranged from 6m to 13 years. All enteric patients were confirmed by serological test Typhidot IgM or IgM and IgG positive. The data was collected from case record for demography and treatment outcome. A total of 360 patients were diagnosed to have enteric fever during this period. Mean age of presentation was 6.47 years and 166 [46.12%] patients were <5 years whereas 194 [53.88%] were > 5 years of age. Male: Female ratio was 2:1. Serological test typhidot IgM was positive in 290 [80.5%] and both [IgM + IgG] were positive in 70 [19.45%] of cases. Raised ALT was seen in 90[25%] of cases. Complications were seen in 52 [14.4%] of cases, hepatitis 10 [2.77%], hepatic abscess 3 [0.83%] intestinal hemorrhage 8 [2.22%], peritonitis 4 [1.11%] intestinal perforation 4 [1.11%], cholecystitis 6 [1.66%], paralytic ileus 3 [0.83%] enteric encephalopathy 3 [0.83%], meningitis 1 [0.27%]. Two patients expired [0.55%], one was enteric encephalopathy and other intestinal perforation with peritonitis. enteric fever remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our part of country. Major complications found in our cases were hepatitis, hepatic abscess, intestinal hemorrhage, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, cholecystitis, enteric encephalopathy, meningitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis

When to operate and abdominal gunshot wounds

Violence has become part and parcel of the daily routine of living, the prospective study of 86 patients, sustaining abdominal gunshot wounds was designed to evaluate the pattern, presentation and treatment outcome. Descriptive study. This study was conducted at the department of Surgery, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Sukkur from January 2011 to January 2012. patients presenting with abdominal firearm wounds at accident and emergency department were included in this study, clinically all were evaluated, resuscitated and their findings were recorded on proforma. Patients with signs of acute abdomen [peritonitis]/ shock underwent midline emergency laparotomy, others having minimal or equivocal abdominal signs were selected for observation [non-operative management] group. Total number of patients included was 86, all were males, they belonged to age varying from 15-70 years. 54 [62.8%] were below the 40 years of age, in 44 [51.1%] cases instrument of attack used by assailant was pistol/shotgun, 45[52.3%] cases were victims of armed robbery, in 75 [87.2%] entrance wounds were present in anterior abdominal wall where as in 11[12.1%] were present posterirly, 67 [77.9%] underwent emergency laparotomy and 19 [22%] were observed initially. Two patients belonging to observation group showed failure, needed delayed laparotomy and both had positive laparotomy. Gunshot wounds of abdomen can be safely managed non-operatively, in the absence of abdominal tenderness haemodynamic instability or inevaluable factors as head injury and heavy intoxication. Success of non operative management depends upon continuous monitoring and frequent clinical examination

Frequency of malignancy in clinically benign open transvesical prostatectomy- a study of 100 cases

Enlargement of prostate can be benign and malignant. Though differentiation between the two can be made on clinical grounds and surgery but still some cases can be missed if not subjected to histopathology. To find out the frequency of malignancy in patients operated for clinically benign open transvesical prostatectomy. Study type settings and duration: It was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of surgery [Surgical Unit-I], Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College and Hospital, Sukkur from January 2011 to December 2011. Patients presented with the history of prostatic symptoms were evaluated in surgical out-patient's department using digital rectal examination and ultrasound. The findings were recorded in a proforma and those having enlarged prostate weighing above 40gm underwent prostate specific antigen testing. Patients having no malignant findings on history, digital rectal examination and whose prostate specific antigen levels were below 10 ng/dl underwent open transvesical prostatectomy and all specimens were sent for histopathology. Those with suspicion of malignancy either on history or digital rectal examination or high prostate specific antigen were excluded from the study, also the glands below 40 gm in volume were excluded and referred for transurethral resection. All specimens were sent for hisopathology. Out of 100 cases, 41 were between 56 to 65 years of age. The mean age was 58 years. Acute urinary retention requiring catheterization was seen in 36 cases while 18 patients had symptoms suggestive of inguinal hernia but on examination had enlarged prostate. Prostate specific antigen was done in 07 patients with suspicion of malignancy but its value was below 10 ng/dl therefore they were included in the study. On ultrasound the gland volume ranged from 40 to 85 gm and residual post-voidal urinary volume ranged from 100 to 450ml. On histology 06 patients were found to have adenocarcinoma of prostate including 01 patient in whom mucosa of the gland was fixed but as the prostate specific antigen was below 10 ng/dl so the patient was kept in study group. Gleason score ranged from 4 to 9. Direct rectal examination is not a reliable test to detect early malignant changes in prostate and all specimens should be subjected to histopathology. Policy message: Histopathology of all operated and biopsied materials should be done to complete diagnosis

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: an experience of 550 cases at Sukkur

To see the results and complication rate of Laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Sukkur. Prospective Study. This study was conducted at Ghulam Mohammad Mahar medical College Hospital Sukkur and Sukkur Blood Bank Hospital from December 2004 to December 2009. The study comprises of 550 case. All were admitted from OPD of both hospitals. All patients had routine investigations, Liver function tests and ultrasound abdomen. The patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy whether successful or converted were included in study. The procedure was carried out by standard four port technique. Clinical examination, investigations, operative time, postoperative complications, reasons for conversion and hospital stay were recorded on proforma and results were drawn. The male patients were 100 and female patients were 450, male to female ratio was 1:4.5. Mean age of patients were 47.63 years ranging from 25 years to 75 years there were 127 [23.09%] obese, 72 [13.90] controlled hypertensive. Anatomical obstacle noted in 40 [7.27%] patients. Adhesions in 52 [9.45%] and acute cholecystitis in 22 [3.75%] patients. Overall conversion rate was 4%. In total of 22 patients which were converted, causes were slipped clip, 2 hemorrhage from falciform ligament 1, severe hemorrhage 3, unclear anatomy 6, common bile duct injury 4, intra abdominal adhesions 4, gangrene gall bladder 1, and advance carcinoma 1. mean hospital stay was 1.8, ranges from 1 day to 10 days. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has a gold standard procedure. It is safe and effective and becoming cost effective day by day. Incidence of complication is low, morbidity and mortality are low. The pain free postoperative period and early ambulation lead to saving of value able working hours

Effectiveness of ablative partial nail excision with phenolization in advanced stage onychocryptosis [ingrown toe nail]

To determine the effectiveness of ablative partial nail excision with phenolization in advanced stage onychocryptosis [ingrown toe nail]. Study type, settings and duration: An interventional study carried out at Department of Surgery, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Sukkur from January 2009 to December 2009. Patients coming to the surgical department with advanced stage [stage-II and III] or recurrence of ingrown toe nail were included in the study. Patients with stage-I disease, diabetics, with trauma and vascular causes were excluded. All patients were operated as day cases with partial nail excision and chemical ablation with phenol. Results: A total of 56 patients underwent the procedure. There were 44[78.5%] males and 12[21.4%] females. Forty six patients were operated for the first time while 8[14.2%] patients were recurrent cases who were operated previously elsewhere. Post operatively and after chemical ablation, 41[73.2%] patients showed improvement with quite good pain relief and reduced swelling on third day, 15[26.7%] patients improved in two weeks. At 2 months 22[39.2%] patients were lost to follow up. Recurrence was observed only in 7[12.5%] patients after four and a half months. Delayed wound healing for upto three weeks was noticed in 3[5.3%] patients while moderate to severe pain requiring strong analgesics for one month was seen in 6[10.7%] patients. Majority of patients n=36 [64.2%] became symptoms free in 10 days. Partial nail excision with phenolization is a simple and effective procedure with low recurrence rates for patients with advanced ingrown toe nail