Various surgical options in the management of basal cell carcinoma in Nishtar hospital, Multan

To describe the prevalence, mode of presentation and various surgical options of reconstruction in the management of basal cell carcinoma [BCC] with a local perspective. The present descriptive study was conducted at Nishtar Hospital, Multan from 2006 to 2009. A separate file was maintained for each patient. A thorough history and full physical examination was conducted, relevant investigations were carried out. All this was recorded in data collection for and data analysed to find frequencies and percentages using SPSS-10. Out of sixty cases, 50 [83%] were male and 10 [17%] were female. Majority of the patients presented to us above the age of 45 years and the incidence of BCC increases with the age. The male to female ratio was 5:1. Out of 60 cases 26 [20 male, 6 female] 43.3% were farmer, 16 [all male] 26.6% wee construction workers, 10 [8 male, 2 female] 16.6% were unemployed and 8 [all female] 13.3% were household. No patient presented before 5 years after the development of the lesion. 34 [30 male, 4 female] 56.6% for the last 6-10 years, 20 [16 male, 4 female] 33.3% for the last 11-15 years, 2 [all male] 3.3% for 16-20 years and 4 [2 male, 2 female] 6.6% had lesions for> 20 years. All the lesions encountered in present study occurred on exposed head and neck region as. Most of the patients had the nodular pigmented type of BCC and majority of them were male. None of them have Gorlin's syndrome. Delay in presentation has an overall negative effect on the outcome. A simple excisional biopsy technique ensure margins clearance and give surgeon more freedom for reconstruction

Role of chelating agents in thalassaemia major patients

To evaluate current chelation in thalassaemia major patients. It is a retrospective study. This study was conducted at Sundus Foundation, Shadman, Lahore Pakistan from March 2006 to August 2006. One hundred and seventy patients with transfusion dependent thalassaemia major were evaluated for chelation practice and iron overload. 98.2% were found to be either non-chelators or inadequate chelators whereas 82.3% patients had serum ferritin levels above 2500 ng/ml. Growth failure and hepatosplenomegaly were also common. Survival appears to be limited as only 6 patients were older than 20 years. Patients face risks and complications during treatment of thalassaemia major. Urgent and effective measures should be taken to remove the obstacles for improvement in quality of life in these patients. Involvement of physicians about current concepts in treatment of thalassaemia major can produce promising results