Safe electrosurgery use: knowledge, attitudes and practices of surgical trainees

To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of general surgical trainees regarding safe use of diathermy. In this cross-sectional Survey, 47 surgical trainees of the Civil Hospital Karachi, comprising PGY 1 through 4, were interviewed by questionnaires made up of five close-ended and three open-ended items. Majority of the trainees belonged to the first two years of training. More than 80% had no formal training in diathermy use. Most of them were found lacking in core knowledge and evidence-based practice of electrosurgery. There was a high level of ignorance regarding current and established principles of diathermy use among surgical trainees at the Civil Hospital Karachi

Unani concept of jaundice and its management

Jaundice is a disease, which is characterized by yellow staining of the skin and sclera by abnormally high blood levels of the bile pigment bilirubin. The yellowing extends to other tissues and body fluids. Bilirubin, a tetrapyrrole pigment, is a brokendown product of heme [ferroprotoporphyrin IX]. About 70 to 80% of the 250 to 300 mg of bilirubin produced each day is derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin in senescent red blood cells. The remainder comes from prematurely destroyed erythroid cells in bone marrow and from the turnover of hemoproteins such as myoglobin and crytochromes found in tissues throughout the body

The philosophy of Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory. The theory was central theme to the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen and it became the dominant theory in Europe for many centuries. As per the Unani system of medicine, the cause of jaundice is the accumulation of yellow or black humours in the cutaneous tissue and its nearby tissues. Based upon the nature of discoloration jaundice is classified into two types: Yellow Jaundice and Black Jaundice

In the allopathic system there lack of effective drugs for jaundice. Some hepatoprotective drugs are available but many side effects are associated with them due to their chemical composition. In Unani system of medicine, this disease can be cured with completely natural and noninvasive methods

Present study was conducted in MIJ Tibbia Unani Medical College, Mumbai in the year 2007. Nine patients suffering from sciatica due to lumbar spine osteoarthritis were selected. Their clinical examinations were conducted to diagnose the sciatica. The X-ray of the lumbar spine was also taken to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of lumbar spines. Massage with Roghan-e-Surkh on the lower back and affected lower limb for 8-10 minutes daily for 14 days caused a significant reduction in the symptoms and signs of sciatica after the completion of study

Theft of Unani formulations for the treatment of various diseases is not new but it is a matter of concern since last couple of decades. However, information regarding Unani Medicine exists in Arabic, Urdu, Persian and other regional languages. The examiners of different national/ international patent offices are unable to understand this information as prior art, before granting patents due to language barrier

Some of the examples of case studies of misappropriation of Pistacia lentiscus Linn is discussed in which the indication of Pistacia lentiscus Linn i.e. anti-inflammatory [mentioned in Unani classical texts] has been claimed for wrong patent

Review on Artemisia absinthium and Tamarindus indica in the management of jaundice

The selected drugs reviewed have cholagogue, carminative, febrifuge, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antihelminthic, antibilious, antinauseant and antiemetic properties. Further detailed scientific trials of Afsanteen and Tamare-Hindi are required to know the exact mechanism of action in reduction of serum bilirubin level. At the end it may be added that Unani treatment is not only effective and safe but also cost effective, easily available and convenient for all