Efficacy of vacuum assisted closure in management of open wounds as compared to moist wound dressing-experience at CMH Rawalpindi

Objective: To compare the efficacy of vacuum assisted closure [VAC] therapy against regular moist wound dressings in reducing the surface area of open chronic wounds by at least 5 mm2 in terms of early closure of wound

Study Design: Randomized controlled trail

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at general surgery department CMH/MH Rawalpindi from Jun 2011 to Dec 2011 over a period of 06 months

Material and Methods: A total of 278 patients [139 in each group] were included in this study. Group A received VAC therapy while moist wound dressings applied in group B

Results: Mean age was 54.9 +/- 7.2 and 53.4 +/- 8.9 years in group A and B, respectively [statistically insignificant [p=0.12]. In group A, 96 patients [69.0%] and in group B 92 patients [66.2%] were male while 43 patients [31.0%] in group A and 47 patients [33.8%] in group B were female the difference being statistically insignificant [p=0.608]. In group A, 63 [45.3%] patients showed significant reduction in the size of the wound while only 41 [29.5%] patients in group B had adequate wound healing at the end of 04 weeks, the difference being statistically significant [p=0.0064]

Conclusion: VAC therapy decreases wound size more effectively than moist wound dressing technique. It definitely reduces hospital stay and ensures early return to work

IS CO Q10 really valuable in shielding statin induced myopathy-an exploration

Objective: This study was designed to scrutinize the shielding effects of Co enzyme Q10 [Co Q10] supplementation in statin associated muscular adverse effects in rabbits

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacology dept Army Medical College Rawalpindi from Jan 2012 to Jun 2012

Material and Methods: Twenty two healthy rabbits were taken and divided into four equal groups randomly with six in each batch. The two groups [Gl and G2] were given toxic doses of simvastatin [60mg/kg/day] with and without Co Q10 [5mg/kg/day] orally for 14 days and rest of two groups [G3 and G4] were kept on therapeutic doses [Img/kg/day] of simvastatin with and without Co Q10 [5mg/kg/day] orally for 90 days. Blood samples were drawn and serum creatinine kinase [CK] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] were assessed before and after the drug therapy. Histopathological examination was done to observe the inflammatory changes under light microscope. The results were analyzed by applying paired [t] test, independent [t] test and ANOVA test for biochemical markers and 'Chi-Square test' for histopathologcal findings. The p-value < 0.05 was considered significant

Results: The biochemical markers went up sharply [Gl. CK=28899.5 +/- 874.09 IU/L and LDH = 4694.33 +/- 352 IU/L] and [G2. CK = 29191.33 +/- 3019.79 IU/L and LDH = 4334.83 +/- 143.44 IU/L] as compared to baseline values

They were given toxic doses of simvastatin with and without Co Q10. Histopathological examination of muscular tissue also revealed gross inflammatory changes in these groups. However histopathological examination of groups who were given therapeutic doses of simvastatin with and without Co Q10 for 90 days showed mild to moderate inflammatory changes but serum CK and LDH remained in the normal ranges in these groups

Conclusion: Our results suggest that Co Q10 supplementation could not produce any beneficial effects on the statin induced muscular adverse effects