"The psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical education of final year students in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study".

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a strong impact on students' wellbeing, with associated uncertainty about the future. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the psychological effects of COVID-19 on the medical education of final year students in Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted prospective, cross-sectional survey, as a snapshot, from June 07, 2020 till June 16, 2020, among final year medical and dental students. The 20-questions survey questionnaire was based on rating-scale items to focus on psychological symptoms, institutional preparedness for such crisis and confidence in becoming a future doctor. Descriptive statistics were calculated using Multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Majority of participants (n = 1753/2661, 65.9%) were female. Despite timely closure of institutes, delay in the start of the online teaching (beta coefficient 0.08, P-value 0.02) was significantly correlated with the depressive symptoms. A significant percentage of students (n = 1594, 59.9%) wanted a delay in exit exams due to intimidation. A similar proportion of students also lost confidence to be a competent doctor in future which was positively associated with male gender (beta coefficient 0.21, P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant psychological influence on the medical education of final year students. Despite a stressful crisis, final year medical and dental students are still willing to serve the community. In addition to supporting their emotions and psychological wellbeing, stress counselling, and transforming current medical curricula is crucial to pursue ceaseless medical education and to become a safe future doctor.

Laparoscopic Management of Primary Segmental Omental Infarction Mimicking Acute Appendicitis.

Primary Segmental Infarction (PSI) of the greater omentum is rare. It usually presents as acute appendicitis and the diagnosis is made per operatively. We report a case of 22 years male who presented with history and clinical features suggestive of acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was planned but during diagnostic laparoscopic phase, omentum was found infarcted in the right lower abdomen and the appendix was normal. Laparoscopic omentectomy of the infarcted segment was done and the patient had smooth recovery.

Parietolith: A Late Complication of Spilled Gallstones.

Sub-costal port site abscess and sinus formation secondary to spilled gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is extremely rare, however such complications at umbilical port site has been described in literature. We present one such case in an elderly diabetic female. Spilled stones migrating to the port site should be kept in mind in a patient presenting with chronic discharging sinus at any of the laparoscopic port sites after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abdominal cocoon (sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis): a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

A 24 years old lady presented with classical history of acute intestinal obstruction. There was a background history of chronic abdomen for 9 years. There was asymmetrical abdominal distension. On laparotomy, the entire small intestine was cocooned and enclosed in a yellowish white thick fibrotic membrane resulting in obstruction of the small intestine. When the membrane was carefully peeled off the small intestine, the underlying small gut was found to be absolutely healthy. The histopathology report was consistent with non-specific dense fibrosis. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of abdominal cocoon or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis was made which is an extremely rare cause of small bowel obstruction.