Condom use among males [15-49 years] in Lower Egypt: knowledge, attitudes and patterns of use

We conducted a cross-sectional study on a randomly selected sample of 2304 males aged 15-49 years from 4 governorates in Lower Egypt to assess their condom use and knowledge and attitudes towards condom use. Condoms were considered an effective method of contraception and prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] by 60.5% and 60.0% respectively. Only 23.9% had ever used condoms, mainly for contraception, but 26.8% would consider using them in the future. A quarter reported knowing how to use condoms properly. Obstacles to condom use included perceived lack of need [75.7%], rejection by partner [57.6%] and hazards of condoms [31.9%]. The majority knew about HIV/AIDS [90.8%] but a few felt at risk of STIs [11.2%] or HIV infection [10.3%]

Liver regeneration following hepatectomy in cirrhotic and non cirrhotic patients

To evaluate the regenerative capacity of the cirrhotic liver, 20 patients undergoing hepatectomy, six of whom were cirrhotic in Child's A grading, were studied. The hepatic regeneration was evaluated in terms of function and volume by ultrasound. A mean hepatic volume of 72% and 64% of its preoperative value after six weeks and 89.91% and 69.80% after six months, were observed after a mean of 48.88% and 49.75% hepatectomy in the non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic group respectively. The liver function tests were little disturbed in the control patients, but showed obstructive and parenchymal type of changes in the cirrhotics which progressed to a fatal end in two patients. Proper selection, evaluation of the hepatic reserves and accordingly, the permissible volume of hepatectomy, good operative technique, avoiding all possible postoperative complications, and metabolic support of the patients are strongly advised for all cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy

Postsplenectomy portal vein thrombosis in liver fibrosis

Splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization is one of the surgical procedures for bleeding esophageal varices. The aim of the prospective investigation was to find out whether there is any correlation between postsplenectomy portal vein thrombosis and the preoperative and postoperative platelet count and aggregation and the clotting parameters. In the present study, 50 consecutive patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and esophageal varices and 15 control patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery, were investigated. Preoperatively, the platelet count and aggregation and the fibrin degradation products were highly different [P <0.001] while the prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were significantly different [P <0.05] from the control. In the schistosomal patients, portal vein thrombosis was found in 14% [n = 7] by ultrasonography and was significantly correlated to the patients age [P <0.05], preoperative portal vein diameter [P <0.05], postoperative thrombocytosis from the first postoperative week onwards [P <0.001] and the improved platelets aggregatability at the first and second postoperative weeks. It was concluded that the patients with the above criteria could be considered for prophylactic antiplatelets therapy following splenectomy