The impact of community medical camps on medical students and graduates' education.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of volunteering at community medical camps on medical students' and graduates' clinical and soft skills, knowledge of community health, and future career goals. METHODS: The cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from July to October 2020, and comprised medical students or trainees who had attended at least one medical camp in a community-based setting organised by any of the two non-governmental organisations who collaborated in the study. Responses were obtained through a self-reported online survey from the participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 52 subjects, there were 25(48.9%) males and 27(51.9%) females with overall mean age 25.4±3.8 years. Majority of the participants 35(67.3%) had attended a private first-tier medical school while 17(32.7%) had attended other local medical schools. Overall, 40(76.9%) subjects reported improved community knowledge, , 44(84.6%) had experiential learning and confidence in outpatient management, and 49(94%) had improved soft skills. Besides, 21(40.4%) participants agreed to have been influenced to pursue a career in primary care, and 25(48.1%) reported a direct impact on their choice of career specialty. Compared to males, females reported improved awareness and alertness (p=0.016), increased confidence approaching communities (p=0.032), and increased compassion towards patient care (p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Community-based medical camps had an overall positive impact on volunteering medical students.

Leiomyoma Urinary Bladder, Mimicking Urothelial Cancer.

Leiomyoma of the urinary bladder is a rare bladder tumour, which is benign in nature. On presentation, it resembles urothelial cancer but it has an excellent prognosis. We reported two cases of urinary bladder leiomyoma. Both the patients presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the patient in the second case also had painless haematuria. Bladder mass was detected initially on ultrasound and confirmed on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Transurethral resection of bladder tumour was performed in both cases and no recurrence was found on initial follow-up. But the second case had haematuria and recurrence on subsequent follow-up and managed by performing a partial cystectomy. Endoscopic management of bladder leiomyoma is a safe treatment option for bladder leiomyoma and if multiple recurrences noted with symptoms, then partial cystectomy can be considered. Histopathology is the only definitive way of establishing the diagnosis. These patients can be followed up initially with cystoscopy, and if no recurrence is detected, subsequent follow-up can be carried out with ultrasound.

Gender discrimination against female surgeons: A cross-sectional study in a lower-middle-income country.

INTRODUCTION: Although gender discrimination and bias (GD/bias) experienced by female surgeons in the developed world has received much attention, GD/bias in lower-middle-income countries like Pakistan remains unexplored. Thus, our study explores how GD/bias is perceived and reported by surgeons in Pakistan. METHOD: A single-center cross-sectional anonymous online survey was sent to all surgeons practicing/training at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. The survey explored the frequency, source and impact of GD/bias among surgeons. RESULTS: 98/194 surgeons (52.4%) responded to the survey, of which 68.4% were males and 66.3% were trainees. Only 19.4% of women surgeons reported 'significant' frequency of GD/bias during residency. A higher percentage of women reported 'insignificant' frequency of GD/bias during residency, as compared to males (61.3% vs. 32.8%; p = 0.004). However, more women surgeons reported facing GD/bias in various aspects of their career/training, including differences in mentorship (80.6% vs. 26.9%; p < 0.005) and differences in operating room opportunities (77.4% vs. 32.8%; p < 0.005). The source was most frequently reported to be co-residents of the opposite gender. Additionally, a high percentage of female surgeons reported that their experience of GD/bias had had a significant negative impact on their career/training progression, respect/value in the surgical team, job satisfaction and selection of specialty. CONCLUSION: Although GD/bias has widespread impacts on the training/career of female surgeons in Pakistan, most females fail to recognize this GD/bias as "significant". Our results highlight a worrying lack of recognition of GD/bias by female surgeons, representing a major barrier to gender equity in surgery in Pakistan and emphasizing the need for future research.

Cultural Barriers for Women in Surgery: How Thick is the Glass Ceiling? An Analysis from a Low Middle-Income Country.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to highlight cultural barriers faced by surgeons pursuing a surgical career faced by surgeons at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. As more females opt for a surgical career, barriers faced by female surgeons are becoming increasingly evident, many of which are rooted in cultural norms. In Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim-majority, low middle-income country, certain societal expectations add additionally complexity and challenges to existing cultural barriers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered via e-mail to the full-time faculty and trainees in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from July 2019 to November 2019. RESULTS: In total, 100 participants were included in this study, with the majority being residents (55.6%) and consultants (33.3%). 71.9% of female surgeons felt that cultural barriers towards a surgical career existed for their gender, as compared to 25.4% of male surgeons (p < 0.001). 40.6% of females reported having been discouraged by family/close friends from pursuing surgery, as compared to only 9.0% of males (p < 0.001). Moreover, a greater percentage of females surgeons were responsible for household cooking, cleaning and laundry, as compared to male surgeons (all p < 0.001). Lastly, 71.4% of female surgeons felt that having children had hindered their surgical career, as compared to 4.8% of males (p < 0001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that significant cultural barriers exist for females pursuing a surgical career in our setting. Findings such as these emphasize the need for policy makers to work towards overcoming cultural barriers.

Urdu translation and validation of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) in women with urinary incontinence.

Objective: To provide an Urdu translation of the six-item version of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and its validation in patients with urinary incontinence (UI), as the UDI-6 is a recognised, useful disease-specific questionnaire for the evaluation of UI in women. Patients and methods: We used a multi-step linguistic translation of the UDI-6, which comprised backward and forward translations coordinated by clinical investigators, followed by a pre-test in 10 patients. The final version was completed by a larger sample of women (n = 200), of which 100 had UI for the last 3 months and 100 had no UI. To appraise test-retest reliability the patients with UI were re-tested after 2 weeks. To test the questionnaire's capacity to discriminate between women with or without UI, both cases (patients) and controls were included and assessed. The reliability of the UDI-6 was evaluated by internal consistency and was calculated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with P values, and test-retest reliability assessed by Spearman's coefficient with P values. Results: The reliability of the UDI-6 was assessed for internal consistency and test-retest reliability was evaluated by Spearman's coefficient, which showed significant P values. Conclusion: The present Urdu version of the UDI-6 is a linguistically valid instrument that can be reliably used in clinical practice and research. Abbreviations: IIQ-7: seven-item version of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire; IQR: interquartile ranges; QoL: quality of life; UDI-6: six-item version of the urogenital distress inventory; UI: urinary incontinence.

Intravesical Foreign Body: Tertiary care center experience from Pakistan.

Foreign body in bladder is relatively uncommon condition with variable presentations. Literature is limited to case reports and small series from region. Therefore, we planned this study to review our experience regarding intravesical foreign body. This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised 14 patients having intravesical foreign bodies from March 1989 to March 2013. Demographics, presentation, mode of insertion, type of foreign body and management were noted. Of the 11(78.6%) patients included in the study, 10(90.9%) patients were male and 1(9.1%) was female. The mean age was 51± 20 years. In 5(45.5%) patients, foreign bodies reached bladder by iatrogenic route followed by self-insertion in 4(36.4%) patients. Retrieved foreign bodes included piece of Foley\'s catheter, electric wire, ureteric stent, plastic material, double-J stent pusher, Endo gastrointestinal (GI) staples, sticks of broom and bomb shrapnel. All patients were managed successfully with endoscopic removal. However, 5(45.5%) patients required additional urological procedures. This could represent a urologic challenge. Careful history and symptoms could lead to further investigations.

Doctor! Will I be dry? Factors determining recurrence after vesicovaginal fistula repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various prognostic factors which determine outcome after surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistula. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Koohi Goth Fistula Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data related to patients having undergone vesicovaginal fistula repair from January 2007 to June 2012. Multivariate analysis of the record was done using SPSS 19 software determining odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Record of 640 patients were analysed with an overall success in 558(87.2%) cases. Multivariate analysis determined that the recurrence of vesicovaginal fistula was significantly related to multiplicity (9-fold recurrence risk), pre-operative size (10-fold recurrence risk for fistula >2cm compared to <1cm), secondary repair (5-fold risk) and duration of the fistula (3-fold risk).Interposition of flap and delayed reconstruction (between 6 weeks and 1 year) was related to successful surgical outcome. Age, parity, aetiology, route of repair and location of fistula were not significant (p>0.05 each) prognostic factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Successful surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistula require careful evaluation of various factors, including number, size, previous attempts to surgical repair and duration of fistula.

Does the afferent tubular segment in an orthotopic bladder substitution compromise ureteric antireflux properties? An experimental study in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of a short ureter on renal function and histology in an orthotopic bladder substitution model using a long afferent limb, in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included nine adult mongrel dogs. A 40-cm segment of ileum was isolated, the distal half detubularized, configured into a U-shape and sutured to form a flat plate; this was then used to augment the bladder. The proximal half of the isolated ileum remained in continuity with the enterocystoplasty to form an isoperistaltic ileal 'chimney'. The left ureter was divided at its lumbar part and anastomosed to the chimney using a refluxing end-to-side Nesbit technique. The contralateral ureter was divided at its lower end and then anastomosed directly to the augmented segment of the bladder in a similarly refluxing manner to act as a control. The assessment after surgery included biochemical studies, ascending cystography, intravenous urography (IVU) and radioisotope renography at 6 weeks. The last two methods were repeated at intervals of 3 and 6 months after surgery. Urine culture was obtained and both kidneys were examined histopathologically at 6 months. RESULTS: The biochemical values assessed in all dogs were comparable to those before surgery. The urine culture obtained from the augmented bladders showed significant bacterial growth in all dogs. IVU at all follow-up sample times showed a normal configuration of both kidneys. Ascending cystography showed reflux in four of nine dogs on the right and six on the left side. There was a progressive decrease in the mean selective renographic clearance values of each of the right and left kidneys at intervals of 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months. The mean percentage reduction of renographic clearance was significantly higher in the left kidneys at 6 weeks and 3 months. Histopathological examination showed evidence of interstitial nephritis in all nine dogs and pyelonephritis in four of the left kidneys, while none of the right kidneys showed evidence of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Adequate peristalsis in a healthy long ureter is superior to the ileal segment substitution for protecting the kidney tissue against inflammation in the absence of an anatomical antireflux mechanism.

Differential profile analysis of urinary cytokines in patients with overactive bladder.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that overactive bladder (OAB) can produce inflammatory cytokines due to afferent neural plasticity or urothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to detect abnormal cytokine levels in urine of patients with OAB compared to urinary tract infections (UTI) and controls. METHODS: This was a prospective, single blind study including 20 premenopausal women (control), 20 with OAB and 16 with UTI. Urine samples were collected, centrifuged, and stored (-80°C). Urinary total proteins were quantified and detected by antibody-based array chip for release of 120 human cytokines in the two groups relative to the controls. RESULTS: Majority of cytokines showed the same expression in the OAB compared with the controls. Cytokines exclusively expressed in OAB were: monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) 1, TARC, PARC, and Fas/TNFRSF6. MCP-2, MCP-3, tumor necrosis factor-ß, GCSF and eotaxin-3 showed a shared expression in UTI and OAB. Conversely, few of the cytokines were downregulated in OAB (IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, and GM-CSF). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results suggest that a subset of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines provides a framework for development of highly optimized urinary biomarker assay for differential diagnosis and treatment of OAB.

Sacral neuromodulation outcomes in patients with urge urinary incontinence and concomitant urge fecal incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: : To study the efficacy and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in women with dual urge incontinence (DUI). METHODS: : Women with simultaneous urge urinary and urge fecal incontinence (FI) were prospectively identified and tested to determine eligibility for SNM. Those who experienced at least 50% improvement in their urinary symptoms were offered a full implant. Changes in FI were not considered. Validated questionnaires were administered at baseline and during follow-up. Preimplant urodynamic data were collected. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: : A total of 11 women had DUI. All had greater than 50% improvement in their urinary symptoms and underwent full implantation. Average age was 76 years. Median follow-up was 14 months. There were statistically significant improvements in validated questionnaire scores. No women were able to achieve complete simultaneous urinary and fecal continence. Six women (54%) were able to achieve at least a 50% improvement simultaneously in both their urinary and fecal symptoms. Two women (18%) only experienced a significant improvement in their urinary symptoms. One (9%) only experienced significant improvement in her FI. Two (18%) experienced no significant improvement in either their urinary or fecal symptoms. The urodynamic findings did not correlate with outcome. Two patients had transient implant pain. One implant was removed due to lack of efficacy at patient's request. CONCLUSIONS: : SNM is a safe and effective treatment for DUI. In patients with DUI, complete continence rates may be lower than with either type of incontinence alone. DUI may be the end-organ manifestations of a common neurologic pathway-overactive stimulation or underactive inhibition.

Objective cure of urinary retention following laparoscopic hysterectomy for a large uterine fibroid.

Acute urinary retention (AUR) in women is not uncommon. Many reports have been published discussing the possible theories and pathogeneses of this condition. AUR induced by uterine fibroid is a rare entity that has been mentioned only in case reports. All the reported cases focused mainly on the different approaches for fibroid management. In this study, we present a 52-year-old female with recurrent episodes of urinary retention that was related to periods of menstruation. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed a markedly enlarged uterus with multiple fibroids. The patient had laparoscopic hysterectomy with postoperative resolution of patient's symptoms and improved uroflow studies. This is the first article that proves the cure of AUR following hysterectomy using an objective tool.

Correlation of three immunohistochemically detected markers of neuroendocrine differentiation with clinical predictors of disease progression in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The importance of immuno-histological detection of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic adenocarcinoma with respect to disease at presentation and Gleason grade is gaining acceptance. There is limited literature on the relative significance of three commonly used markers of NE differentiation i.e. Chromogranin A (CgA), Neuron specific enolase (NSE) and Synaptophysin (Syn). In the current work we have assessed the correlation of immuno-histological detection of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic adenocarcinoma with respect to disease at presentation and Gleason grade and to determine the relative value of various markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive samples of malignant prostatic specimens (Transurethral resection of prostate or radical retropubic prostatectomy) from 84 patients between January 1991 and December 1998 were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining (PAP technique) using selected neuroendocrine tumor markers i.e. Chromogranin A (CgA), Neuron specific enolase (NSE), and Synaptophysin (Syn). According to the stage at diagnosis, patients were divided into three groups. Group (i) included patients who had organ confined disease, group (ii) included patients with locally invasive disease, and group (iii) with distant metastasis. NE expression was correlated with Gleason sum and clinical stage at presentation and analyzed using Chi-Square test and one way ANNOVA. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 70 +/- 9.2 years. Group I had 14 patients, group II had 31 patients and group III had 39 patients. CgA was detected in 33 cases, Syn in 8 cases, and NSE in 44 cases. Expression of CgA was seen in 7% of group I, 37% in group II and 35% of group III patients (p 0.059). CgA (p 0.024) and NSE (p 0.006) had a significantly higher expression with worsening Gleason grade. CONCLUSION: CgA has a better correlation with disease at presentation than other markers used. Both NSE and CgA had increasing expression with worsening histological grade this correlation has a potential for use as a prognostic indicator. Limitations in the current work included small number and retrospective nature of work. The findings of this work needs validation in a larger cohort.

Expression of pS2 in prostate cancer correlates with grade and Chromogranin A expression but not with stage.

BACKGROUND: The biological potential of prostate cancer is extremely variable. Particular interest is focused on markers not expressed in normal prostatic tissues. pS2 protein expression has been demonstrated in a range of malignant tissues in an oestrogen-independent pathway. Recently, it has been demonstrated that pS2, in prostate cancer, is closely associated with neuro-endocrine differentiation. In the present study, we have analyzed, the potential of Neuro-endocrine and pS2 (TFF1) expression in human prostate cancer determined by immunohistochemistry, in primary adenocarcinoma of the prostate and attempted to correlate this with the clinico-pathologic features of the patient and neuroendocrine expression. METHODS: Ninety-five malignant prostatic specimens from primary adenocarcinoma, obtained from either transurethral resection of prostate or radical retropubic prostatectomy, from 84 patients between January 1991 and December 1998 were evaluated by immuno-histochemical staining using selected neuroendocrine tumor markers i.e. chromogranin A (CgA) and estrogen inducible pS2 protein. The relationship between the expressions of pS2 was studied with CgA expression, clinical stage (TNM) and tumour grade (Gleason system). Fischer exact test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 70 + /- 9.2 years. The pS2 expression was seen in 10% of primary prostate cancers. Worsening histological grade was associated with greater expression of pS2 (p < 0.001). The expression of CgA was noted in 31% of malignant prostatic tissue. In pS2, positive cases 2/3rd of patients were also CgA +ve. However, there was no significant correlation between pS2 expression and the stage of disease. CONCLUSION: pS2 expression in prostate cancer significantly correlates with histological grade and the neuroendocrine differentiation, as demonstrated by Chromogranin A expression but not with the clinical stage of the disease. However, the overall expression was low consequently; no definitive conclusions can be drawn. We feel further work is required in a larger series, both in primary and metastatic cancer.

Is an excretory urogram mandatory in patients with small to medium-sized renal and ureteric stones treated by extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy?

BACKGROUND: An intravenous urogram (IVU) has traditionally been considered mandatory before treating renal and ureteric stones by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). This study was designed to see whether there is a difference in complications and the need for ancillary procedures in patients managed by ESWL for renal and ureteric calculi, according to preoperative imaging technique. METHODS: This retrospective study compared 133 patients undergoing ESWL from January 2001 to July 2002. Patients were divided into three groups according to the preoperative imaging technique used: i) IVU; ii) non-contrast enhanced helical computed tomography (UHCT); and iii) ultrasound (US) + X-ray kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB). The groups were matched in terms of age and gender, as well as location, side and size of stones. RESULTS: There was no statistically significantly difference for number of ESWL sessions, number of shock waves and use of ancillary procedures between the three groups. The stone-free rate was 98% for the IVU and UHCT groups, and 97% for the US + X-ray KUB group. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate and need for ancillary procedures was comparable across the three groups. Patients imaged by UHCT or US + X-ray KUB prior to ESWL for uncomplicated renal and ureteric stones do not require IVU.

Is there a difference in early perioperative morbidity in transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) versus TURP with cystolitholapaxy and TURP with inguinal herniorrhaphy?

Objective of this study is to determine the difference in early peri-operative morbidity of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and if it is combined with inguinal hernia repair and mechanical and/or pneumatic fragmentation of bladder calculus. All patients undergoing TURP, cystolitholapaxy (CLL), inguinal hernia repair (IHR) or any combination between January 1997 and December 1999 were identified using ICD 9CM coding and indexing system. Overall 1273 patients were identified, charts were reviewed for demographics, pre-operative parameter, intra-operative data and early peri-operative morbidity. In the three year period, 19 patients had TURP and inguinal herniorrhapy (IHR), 17 patients had TURP and cystolitholapaxy (CLL), 2 patients had TURP+IHR+CLL performed simultaneously; in the same period 346, 815, 74 patients had TURP, IHR, and CLL alone respectively. All the groups were matched for age, presentation and Co-morbidities. There was significant difference in the operating time between the different groups. Complications were not significantly different in the TURP, IHR, CLL, TURP+IHR, and TURP+CLL. In conclusion, mean operative time for TURP+IHR is increased by a fraction of 168.3 for TURP+CLL by 109.8 and TURP+IHR+CLL is 202.1 over TURP alone, with no significant difference in morbidity between TURP and TURP+IHR and TURP+CLL.