ABSTRACT
Background Renal calculi therapy has advanced significantly in recent years, with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) emerging as a minimally invasive treatment modality. Mini-PCNL has been subjected to several modifications to achieve the best possible outcomes and reduce morbidity. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of Swiss LithoClast Trilogy™ and pneumatic Swiss LithoClast™ in managing renal stones with mini-PCNL. Methodology This descriptive retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Urology, Lady Reading Hospital, from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. A record of male and female patients aged more than 18 years who underwent mini-PCNL for renal stones was retrieved. The following two groups of patients were created: group A (n = 25) mini-PCNL with Swiss LithoClast Trilogy™ and group B (n = 26) mini-PCNL with pneumatic Swiss LithoClast™. The efficacy and safety profile of both groups was compared. Results A total of 51 patients were enrolled, with 25 in group A and 26 in group B. Groups A and B had mean ages of 45.2 and 47.5 years, respectively. Male participants outnumbered females in both groups, 72% (n = 18) in group A and 77% (n = 20) in group B. Group A had a mean stone size of 15.8 mm, and group B had a mean stone size of 16.5 mm. Stone-free rate on postoperative day one was 88% (n = 22) in group A and 84.6% (n = 22) in group B, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). At the end of three months, 96% of participants in group A and 84.6% of patients in group B were found to be free of stones, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in 12% (n = 3) of group A and 15.4% (n = 4) of group B patients, with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusions There were no significant differences in stone-free rates, complication rates, or intraoperative/postoperative complications between mini-PCNL with Swiss LithoClast Trilogy™ or Pneumatic Swiss LithoClast™.
ABSTRACT
Various operational communication models are using Delay-Tolerant Network as a communication tool in recent times. In such a communication paradigm, sometimes there are disconnections and interferences as well as high delays like vehicle Ad hoc networks (VANETs). A new research mechanism, namely, the vehicle Delay-tolerant network (VDTN), is introduced due to several similar characteristics. The store-carry-forward mechanism in VDTNs is beneficial in forwarding the messages to the destination without end-to-end connectivity. To accomplish this task, the cooperation of nodes is needed to forward messages to the destination. However, we cannot be sure that all the nodes in the network will cooperate and contribute their computing resources for message forwarding without any reward. Furthermore, there are some selfish nodes in the network which may not cooperate to forward the messages, and are inclined to increase their own resources. This is one of the major challenges in VDTNs and incentive mechanisms are used as a major solution. This paper presents a detailed study of the recently proposed incentive schemes for VDTNs. This paper also gives some open challenges and future directions for interested researchers in the future.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is no systemic disease, which so frequently gives rise to disorders of the eye as leprosy does. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and gravity of ocular complications in institutionalized leprosy patients in NWFP. It is important to provide necessary information to leprosy health workers and general physicians in order to sensitize them to early detection and treatment or referral to appropriate centre. METHODS: A prospective study of ocular complications of leprosy patients was conducted at the leprosy centre of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and the Leprosy Hospital Balakot, district Mansehra. The study included a record of the name, age, sex, type, duration of disease and completion of multi-drug therapy (MDT). Classification of the patients was done according to Ridley and Jopling 5-group system. Visual acuity was tested by Snellen chart and those patients having a vision of less than 3/60 were labelled as blind. Ocular adnexa were examined by naked eye and lacrimal sac regurgitation test was done. Slit lamp biomicroscopy was done for anterior segment examination and direct ophthalmoscope was used for fundoscopy. RESULTS: The authors studied 143 patients in the above mentioned leprosy centres. Out of these, 59 had lepromatous leprosy, 39 borderline tuberculoid leprosy, 9 tuberculoid leprosy, 33 borderline lepromatous leprosy, and 33 borderline leprosy. The majority of patients came from the northern districts of NWFP, including Malakand division and district Mansehra. The male to female ratio was 4:1. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 80 years and the duration of the disease ranged from 1 year to 48 years. Ocular complications were found in 73% of the patients. These complications included loss of eyebrows in 57 patients, loss of eyelashes in 37, corneal changes (including opacity, ulceration, and/or anaesthesia) in 44, iridocyclitis in 31, lagophthalmos in 36, ectropion in 13, and chronic dacryocystitis in 3. Of the total of 15 (11%) patients who went blind from ocular complications, 16 eyes did so due to corneal opacities, 6 eyes due to cataract, 5 eyes due to chronic anterior uveitis and one eye due to corneal ulcer, panophthalmitis and phthisis bulbi each. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of leprosy patients (73%) have ocular complications. The frequency of ocular complications increases with the increasing age and duration of disease of the patients.
Subject(s)
Eye Diseases/etiology , Leprosy/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pakistan/epidemiology , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is no systemic disease, which so frequently gives rise to disorders of the eye as leprosy does. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and gravity of ocular complications in institutionalized leprosy patients in NWFP. It is important to provide necessary information to leprosy health workers and general physicians in order to sensitize them to early detection and treatment or referral to appropriate centre. METHODS: A prospective study of ocular complications of leprosy patients was conducted at the leprosy centre of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and the Leprosy Hospital Balakot, district Mansehra. The study included a record of the name, age, sex, type, duration of disease and completion of multi-drug therapy (MDT). Classification of the patients was done according to Ridley and Jopling 5-group system. Visual acuity was tested by Snellen chart and those patients having a vision of less than 3/60 were labelled as blind. Ocular adnexa were examined by naked eye and lacrimal sac regurgitation test was done. Slit lamp biomicroscopy was done for anterior segment examination and direct ophthalmoscope was used for fundoscopy. RESULTS: The authors studied 143 patients in the above mentioned leprosy centres. Out of these, 59 had lepromatous leprosy, 39 borderline tuberculoid leprosy, 9 tuberculoid leprosy, 33 borderline lepromatous leprosy, and 33 borderline leprosy. The majority of patients came from the northern districts of NWFP, including Malakand division and district Mansehra. The male to female ratio was 4:1. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 80 years and the duration of the disease ranged from 1 year to 48 years. Ocular complications were found in 73 per cent of the patients. These complications included loss of eyebrows in 57 patients, loss of eyelashes in 37, corneal changes (including opacity, ulceration, and/or anaesthesia) in 44, iridocyclitis in 31, lagophthalmos in 36, ectropion in 13, and chronic dacryocystitis in 3. Of the total of 15 (11 per cent) patients who went blind from ocular complications, 16 eyes did so due to corneal opacities, 6 eyes due to cataract, 5 eyes due to chronic anterior uveitis and one eye due to corneal ulcer, panophthalmitis and phthisis bulbi each. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of leprosy patients (73 per cent) have ocular complications. The frequency of ocular complications increases with the increasing age and duration of disease of the patients.
