Efficacy of needle aspiration as primary treatment of amoebic liver abscess

To describe the efficacy of needle aspiration of amoebic liver abscess and to assess its morbidity and mortality rates. A descriptive case series is designed. This study was conducted on 46 patients admitted to surgical ward 5 of Civil Hospital Karachi during a period of 2 years from December 2004 to November 2006. The success rate of percutaneous needle aspiraion was found to be 98%. Only one case came with recurrence. Four cases did not respond and were treated through laparotomic drainage. Reason of failure was found to be the more posterior location of the abscess. Treatment of amoebic liver abscess by aspiration with a wide bore needle is a very satisfactory method. It is accompanied by very low morbidity and mortality. In developing countries like Pakistan needle aspiration should be recommended as a standard procedure to treat amoebic liver abscess

Pattern of malignant tumours in general surgical practice

To study the pattern of malignant tumours in relation to various variables like age, sex, histology, anatomical involvement, etc. A retrospective study from June 2001 to May 2007. Surgical Unit V of Civil Hospital, Karachi. All patients who presented with malignant tumours were included. The data of all the patients was collected from case sheets and analyzed. A total of 217 patients, 96 males and 121 females were included in this study. The most common tumour was carcinoma of the oespophagus [23 males, 32 females], followed by carcinoma of the breast in 42 females. There were no case of male breast cancer. Malignant tumours are commonly seen in surgical units. It is important to increase public awareness about them so that patients can present at an early stage for a better outcome