Comparison of recurrence rate of Pterygium, Conjunctival autograft versus Mitomycin-C adjuvant in pterygium surgery

Mitomycin-c [MMC] and Conjunctival autograft [CAG] are two well known adjuvants used during pterygium excision to decrease the risk of pterygium recurrence. This study was conducted to compare the recurrence rate of pterygium following intraoperative use of mitomycin-c and Conjunctivalautograft. This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Eye Unit-l, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from March 2010 to August 2010. One hundred and thirty patients participated in the study. They were randomized into two groups, one receiving intraoperative Mitomycin-c [n=65] and the other group underwent Conjunctivalautograft application [n=65]. Patients were followed monthly for six months, to see any signs of recurrence. Frequency of recurrences in two groups was calculated and compared by using Chi-square test. Results were considered significant at a p-value < 0.05. There were ten recurrences in Mitomycin-c group [15.3%] and only two recurrences in Conjunctivalautograft group [3%] over a six months follow up period. There was a statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups [p < 0.05].This implies that the Conjunctivalautograft has a better outcome in terms of its success rate as compared to the Mitomycin-c adjuvant. In patients having visually significant pterygium, pterygium surgery with conjunctivalautograft application has a lower recurrence rate as compared to the Mitomycin-c adjuvant

Effects of pterygium excision on corneal curvatures

To determine the difference in mean corneal curvatures before and after pterygium excision, by using automated refraction and keratometry. This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Eye Unit-1, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from March 2010 to August 2010. Thirty patients with primary pterygium were analyzed before and after pterygium surgery for corneal curvature changes. Automated refraction and Automated keratometry were used to calculate the cylindrical error and the corneal surface power respectively. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for the corneal curvatures and the refractive cylinder before and after the operation. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the corneal curvatures and refractive cylinder before and after pterygium excision. P-value<0.05 was considered significant. The preoperative cylindrical error decreased from 4.32+ 1.88 D to 2.11 +1.96D postoperatively. Similarly, before surgery, the keratometry readings were 43.71 + 1.12 D in horizontal meridian and 44.94+ 1.41 D in vertical meridian. One week after the pterygium surgery these values were 44.45+0.85 D in horizontal meridian and 45.23 + 0.78 D in vertical meridian. Pterygium excision brings a statistically significant change in corneal curvatures which leads to a decrease in cylindrical correction needed. This causes an improvement in subjective visual acuity in patients who have undergone pterygium surgery

Prevalence of hepatitis-B carriers among children in Bahawalpur urban slums

To find out the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B carriers among children in Bahawalpur urban slums. An observational descriptive cross-sectional study of 550 children between 6 months to 15 years age in Paediatric Unit-ll [DTU] of B.V. Hospital over a period of four months [Mid Sept. 1 999 to Mid Jan. 2000] Bahawalpur urban slums and Paediatric Unit-ll [DTU] of B.V. Hospital Bahawalpur. Five hundred fifty children admitted to Paediatric Unit-ll [DTU] and those in Bahowalpur urban slums. Main outcome measures: Seroprevalence of Hepatitis "B" carriers. Mean age of children in our study was 7.5 years. Males were 54%. The number of children detected as carriers of Hepatitis-B was 1 6 [2.9%]. None of the carriers of HB infection, had ever received vaccination against HB infection. Out of 16 carriers 7 cases had successfully completed their EPI schedule, 4 received incomplete vaccination while 5 carriers did not receive any EPI schedule vaccination. Just one seropositive case gave past history of jaundice in his early neonatal period for which he got exchange transfusion. None of the carriers got tattooing nor shared piercing of nose or ears by a common [contaminated] needle nor any history of bath in a swimming pool. There were no signs suggestive of chronic liver disease in any carrier. Overall seroprevalence of Hepatitis-B carriers in Bahawalpur is 2.9%. There is a large cohort of seronegative children. They need to be protected against HBV infection through active immunization