Retrospective analysis mandibular fractures at abbasi shaheed hospital, Karachi

Objectives of this study were to assess the presentation and management of mandibular fractures. This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi. Sample size was 263. Male: female ratio 15:1. Audit period was from Jan 2010 to Dec 2012. The road traffic accident was leading cause 80%, while fall 7%, assault represented 7%, fire arm injuries 5% and sports injuries were 1%. Site distribution of mandibular fractures 11.78% occurred in the condyle, 19.39% at angle of jaw. In 23.95% or the body, 27.96% parasymphysis, 8.36% Symphysis, 2.28% ramus and in 6.0% dento-alveolar areas were involved. Different treatment modalities were used for the proper reduction and fixation of the fracture. Majority of the patients were treated with open reduction with miniplates fixation. It was concluded that majority of patients belonged to 2nd decade of life with male predominance, parasymphysis and body were the commonest sites of mandibular fractures and road traffic accident was the leading cause of trauma in the studied subjects

Needle stick injuries among dental health care providers: a survey done at Hyderabad and Karachi

The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of needle stick injury [NSI] among dental health care providers including dental technicians. A cross sectional survey was conducted among dental health care providers running independent dental clinics at Hyderabad and Karachi during the month of April 2013 and a total of 166 qualified dentists and 88 dental technicians were interviewed. Ninety [54.2%] out of 166 qualified dentists and 45 [51.1%] out of 88 dental technicians had been the victims of NSI at least once in preceding 12 months. 104 [62.6%] dentists knew about universal guidelines for prevention of needle stick injury, whereas only 7 [8%] technicians knew about safety guidelines. Only 67 [40.4%] dentists out of 166 and 7 [8.0%] technicians out of 88 reported about the needle stick injury to health authorities [or seniors]. Common reasons for non-reporting among qualified dentists were: 55 [33.1%] believed that there was no benefit to report, 45 [27.1%] did not know where to report and 32 [19.3%] assumed that needle was new. In the category of technicians, 52[59.1%] did not want to report. 03[3.4%] believed needles were used for first time and 5 [5.7%] believed nothing will happen. The risk of blood borne viral infections due to needle stick injury among dental health care providers, especially dental technicians is very high. Based on local studies and international guidelines, national guidelines for Pakistan should be developed by experts to minimize the chances of needle stick injury