Comparison of synechiae formation in patients with nasal polyps undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with and without microdebrider

To compare the frequency of synechiae formation in patients with nasal polyps undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with and without using microdebrider. This study was conducted at ENT department of Fatima Memorial College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore and Central Park Medical College, Lahore/Kasur between June 2008 and June 2009. One hundred patients with nasal polyps were included who, after thorough examination and investigations, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery with and without microdebrider. The mean age of patients in group A [Microdebrider endoscopic sinus surgery] was 32.6 +/- 10.43 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.08 in group A and 1.17:1 in group B. Synechiae formation after 4 weeks was 8% in group A and 10% in group B [p=0.5]. There is no difference between both groups after 2nd and 4th postoperative week of synechiae formation

Launching the first postgraduate diploma in medical entomology and disease vector control in Pakistan

The Health Services Academy has launched a 12-month postgraduate diploma course in medical entomology and disease vector control. The objective is to create a core of experts trained to prevent and control vector-borne diseases. The course is a response to the serious health and socioeconomic burden caused by a number of vector-borne diseases in Pakistan. The persistence, emergence and re-emergence of these diseases is mainly attributed to the scarcity of trained vector-control experts. The training course attempts to fill the gap in trained manpower and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality due to these diseases, resulting in incremental gains to public health. This paper aims to outline the steps taken to establish the course and the perceived challenges to be addressed in order to sustain its future implementation

Correlation among monovalent cations [Na[+], K[+]] and serum rennin in essential hypertensive subjects

To evaluate the changes in serum level of Monovalent cations [Na[+] and K[+]] in hypertensive patients in addition to observe correlation of cations with serum Renin in such patients. Study was conducted at the Biochemistry Department of Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi under the supervision of Khemomal A. Karira since June 2006 July 2007. A total of seventy-five subjects were included, out of which forty patients were suffering from essential hypertension and thirty-five were normal healthy subjects. The serum level of monovalent cations was measured by flame photometry, rennin by RIA, glucose, urea and creatinine by chemical methods. The results of our study show that there is definite cat ions derangement in essential hypertension; serum sodium is significantly high [p<0.001] while potassium is significantly low [p<0.001] in hypertensives. Similarly these cations showed significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure; sodium had significant positive correlation [r-value0.463 and 0.426] while potassium had significant negative correlation [r-value-0.781 and - 0.766]. The glucose, urea and creatinine show non-significant results when compared to normotensives. In addition rennin has positive correlation [r value 0.485 and 0.467] with systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. Our findings suggest that cat ions and rennin should be measured in hypertensives. Present study was performed on a small sample size and provides a baseline data of cations and rennin in hypertensive subjects, so we recommend that same type of study should be carried out on large sample size to assess the importance of above parameters of hypertensives

Incidence of salivary gland tumors: a morphological study at pathology department of king edward medical university / Mayo hospital, Lahore

This study was conducted to see the incidence of the lesions of Salivary Gland. All the cases of salivary tissues submitted to the Pathology Department of King Edward Medical University were taken at the end of year [Jan 2005-Dec2005] and reanalyzed. There were 42 cases of salivary glands, out of which 19[45%] were males and 23[55%] were females. Age range was 12-72 years. Major number of cases [17] were from parotid, whereas 15 were from submandibular, 04 and 06 were from sublingual and minor salivary glands like palate respectively. There were 25[59.52%] pleomorphic adenoma, 01[2.3%], 01[2.3%], 04[9.5%], 07[16.6%] were monomorphic adenoma, lymphoepithelioma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma respectively. Only 04[9.5%] cases showed chronic sialadenitis

Effect of placenta previa on fetal and maternal morbidity/mortality

To see the effect of placenta previa on fetal and maternal mortality/ morbidity. This was a case series study. Study was conducted in Gynecology unit BV Hospital Bahawalpur during year 2000 to 2003. All the patients presenting with or with out painless bleeding in antenatal clinic and proved to be due placenta previa were included in the study. Patients presenting with pain less bleeding in the antenatal clinic due to other reasons were excluded from the study. In all the patients' history along with the risk factors clinical and sonography finding, any intervention needed and final out come was recorded. SPSS was used for data collection and analysis. Total 50 patients were studied Out of these 84% of patients were symptomatic a t admission the symptoms found were Bleeding, shock and Pain. Strong associations o f risk factors like Age, Parity, ERCP, Smoking and previous C. Section was found in our study. Severe hemorrhage, prematurity, stillbirths and ENND was associated with Placenta Previa. Placenta previa is not an uncommon but underestimated, under reported and preventable condition. Prevention is possible in case of Known risk factors. Early diagnosis is necessary as the delay in some cases may end up in disaster

Study design and statistics

Soundly planned study may well lead to the findings that are of wide scientific application and interest. This paper is intended to provide a simple and systematic guideline pertinent to the design, analysis and interpretation of studies, especially in the health care. It emphases on the importance of 'Statistics' in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of the studies. It is pointed out that all the stages of research studies are vulnerable to statistical mismanagement. The most important thing is to balance the interests of the individuals in the study with those of the much larger number who may benefit in the long run. Concerning the proper use of statistics, the following things are recommended. [a] Statistical advice is needed at the planning stage of a project and not at its end; [b] statistical advice may be saught at almost every stage of a project; [c] the important aspects of logic and correctness of argument may be carefully looked before interpreting the results and [d] finally, before getting any work published, opinion of an expert statistician must be saught, so that erroneous conclusions may not become enshrined as the truth