Comparative Study of Efficacay of Intrathecal Fentanyl and Intrathecal Tramadol Added as Adjuvant to 05% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine in Patients Undergoing Surgeries Under Spinal Anaesthesia

In view of the safety and limited duration of spinal anaesthesia, many adjuvants have been used to increase the duration of analgesia as well as quality of block. Aim: The study was undertaken to compare tramadol with the commonly used injection fentanyl when used as adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine on the spinal anaesthesia block characteristics. Design: Prospective, randomized, double blind study. Methods: 60 ASA grade I and II patients, undergoing infraumbilical and lower limb surgeries were randomly divided into two groups. All patients received 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine along with either 0.4ml (20mg) tramadol (group BT) or 0.4ml (20µg) fentanyl (group BF) intrathecally. The two groups had comparable results with respect to maximum sensory level achieved and the onset of sensory block. Results: The duration of block was 161.33±18.43 in group BT, while it was 267.8±556.7 in group BF (p=0.001). The duration of motor block was also prolonged (group BT: 155.83±13.96 versus group BF: 264.67±52.57; p=0.001). The side effects were comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: There was greater prolongation of both sensory and motor block when fentanyl was used as adjuvant intrathecally as compared to tramadol.

Impact of educational intervention on awareness of breast cancer among female students of Government College of Nursing, Nagpur

Background: The nurses have a major influence on the behavior of our women, they need to be knowledgeable themselves about breast cancer risk factors and the importance of early detection through screening, thereby improving a chance of longer life for the patient. The need of the hour is to create awareness about breast cancer for early management of this disease.Methods: The present pre-post test study was carried out among female students in a Government College of Nursing in Nagpur to assess the impact of educational intervention on awareness of breast cancer using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire.Results: The overall knowledge about risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment modalities of breast cancer of significantly increased from pre test to post test.Conclusions: The impact of intervention shows significant increase in knowledge of breast cancer.

Comparison of physical and mechanical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate and Biodentine.

Background: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) fulfills many of the ideal properties of the root‑end filling material. However, its low cohesive property often makes it difficult to handle. Biodentine, new calcium‑silicate‑based cement has been developed to improve some MTA drawbacks such as its difficult handling property and long‑setting time. Aim: The objective of this study was to compare at different times the microleakage of roots filled with Biodentine and white MTA (WMTA)‑Angelus and to investigate their setting time, handling properties and compressive strength. Materials and Methods: Root canals of single‑rooted teeth were instrumented, filled with either Biodentine or WMTA‑Angelus (n = 15 each) with two positive and two negative control roots and stored at 37°C. Sealing was assessed at 4, 24 h, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks by a fluid filtration method. The initial setting time, handling properties, and compressive strength of the test groups were investigated by a vicat needle, questionnaire of operational hand feel, and universal instron machine, respectively. Results: Significant differences in microleakage were found between two groups at 4‑h and 24 h (P < 0.05) and no difference at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. No significant difference was seen in the setting time of MTA‑Angelus and Biodentine, though latter was found to have better handling consistency. Compressive strength of Biodentine was significantly higher than MTA‑Angelus. Conclusions: The results suggest that the new calcium‑silicate‑based endodontic cement provides improvement in sealing ability as well as clinical manageability of dental filling materials.

Detection and comparison of fetal malnutrition by CANSCORE and other methods.

Background: Objective of current study was clinical assessment of nutritional status of neonate using CANSCORE and comparison with other methods of determining fetal malnutrition. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital. Study subjects: 384 live born singleton neonates with known gestational age and no major congenital malformation. Methods: Birth weight, length, midarm circumference and head circumference recorded in new-borns. Ponderal index and mid arm to head circumference ratio was calculated. Clinical assessment of nutritional status was done on the basis of CANSCORE and compared with other methods. Results: CANSCORE <25 separated 67.71% of the babies as well-nourished and 32.29% as malnourished. Weight for age and MAC/HC classified nearly 70% of babies as well-nourished and 30% as malnourished. Also Ponderal index classified 75.52% the babies as well-nourished and 24.48% as malnourished. Conclusion: CANSCORE may be a simple clinical index for identifying fetal malnutrition and for prediction of neonatal morbidity associated with it, without the aid of any sophisticated equipments.