Diabetic hand; management

A case series study held at surgical unit 1. BV Hospital Bahawalpur. Study was conducted from June 2006 to May 2009, to evaluate various aspects of diabetic hand and to establish a protocol to manage it. All diabetic patients presented with hand infection to the unit during this time were included in the study but patients having classical diabetic hand syndrome were excluded. Total 48 patients were admitted during the period under review. Male to female ratio was 2:1 and age was ranged from 31 to 48 years. Data was collected on Performa and shifted to computer program SPSS version 12. All patients were manual workers or house wives and 40 patients gave history of minor trauma to the digits during work. All patients were either undiagnosed [16 patients] or had uncontrolled diabetes. Most of them delayed seeking advice for their trauma and infection of hand properly. During treatment, 30 patients [62.5%] required amputation of one or more digits of the dominant hand including amputation of thumb in 19. Only 4 patients [8.33%] ended up in amputation of hand, whereas, no patient required amputation of forearm. No mortality was seen during study period. It was concluded that diabetic hand involves persons in active life period relatively in younger age group. Undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes is major contributory factor. Health education, early diagnosis and prompt treatment in specialized units may be helpful

Role of distant flaps in soft tissue defects of the hand

To evaluate the role of different distant [groin, hypogastric] flaps in soft tissue defects of the hand. Design and Observational case series from Jan. 2002 to Jan. 2005.Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur.32 patients, 28 males and four females with large skin defects on hand due to agricultural machine injury 16], road traffic accidents [8], blast injuries [6] and electric burns [2].In 18 cases groin flap while in 14 cases hypogastric flaps were employed to cover the defects. Results: Two flaps were lost completely, partial flap loss occured in one, marginal necrosis in three, while infection was noted in one case.Distal flaps are useful for the coverage of the soft tissue defects of the hand when applied with proper. indications

Emergency haemorrhoidectomy for acute strangulated haemorrhoids

A prospective study was conducted on 20 patients with acute strangulated haemorrhoids, from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1996, to study the results of emergency haemorrhoidectomy. Diagnosis was made on history and physical examination. All patients underwent the standard technique of dissection, ligation and excision of the primary haemorrhoids. Two patients had reactionary haemorrhage while one developed anal stenosis which responded to repeated dilatations. It is concluded that emergency haemorrhoidectomy is a safe and effective treatment for acute strangulated haemorrhoids