Pak J Med Sci
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To analyze our experiences in patients with traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma, and highlight the problems in diagnosis and treatment to facilitate the surgeons to make decision. ⋯ Traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma is life-threatening condition, early diagnosis and correct treatment is of upmost importance. Mandatory exploration should be performed in cases of retroperitoneal hematomas resulting from penetrating injury, but the selection of treatment mode in blunt injury depends on the anatomical position of hematoma, visceral injury and the hemodynamic status of the patients.
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To assess the accuracy of emergency physicians (EPs) in the interpretation of non-contrast CT Brain (NCCT Brain) by examining the inter rater reliability between EPs and radiology specialists. ⋯ A four months prospective cohort study was conducted at emergency department of King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We studied the daily performance of our EPs, and compared it to the radiological report issued within the week after. Data were analyzed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and agreement (kappa statistic), using radiology report as the reference standard. Results : Out of 241 cases eligible for the study, 210 (87.14%) were concordant, and 31 (12.86%) were discordant. The agreement (kappa) was to be 0.64. Conclusion : We concluded that our EPs are moderately accurate at interpreting NCCT Brain studies. Further education and training programs were necessary for all our EPs to improve the accuracy. Further studies are required to determine the most cost-effective method of minimizing consequential misinterpretations.
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Inadequate postoperative pain relief after cesarean section can increase complications. In this study, we evaluated the effect of intrathecal betamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine on postoperative pain in patients undergoing cesarean section. ⋯ Intrathecal betamethasone reduced pain and decreased the required dose of diclofenac in 24 hours after cesarean section.
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To summarize our experience in the anesthetic management of conjoined twins undergoing one-stage surgical separation. ⋯ Medical records of conjoined twins admitted to our hospital for treatment and considered for surgical separation from 1996 to present were retrospectively reviewed. Four cases of conjoined twins underwent one-stage surgical separation under general anesthesia. Preoperative evaluation was performed to determine the extent of anatomical conjunction and associated anomalies. Anesthesia was simultaneously induced in all conjoined twins. The intubation procedure was successfully performed with the head slightly rotated to each baby's side, followed by the administration of vecuronium. Anesthetic agents were administered according to the estimated weight of each baby. One case of conjoined twins underwent surgical separation with cardiopulmonary bypass due to shared hearts. Results : All conjoined twins were successfully separated. No significant respiratory or cardiac events occurred during surgery except for one twin, which died after separation because of complicated congenital heart disease. Conclusions : Accurate preoperative evaluation, respiratory and circulatory management, and close cooperation of the multidisciplinary team are important aspects of anesthetic management of conjoined twins surgery.
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Pakistan is among the countries having high prevalence of HCV infection in the population but there is dearth of proper epidemiological data regarding acquisition of HCV infection in the pregnant population. Our objective was to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies in healthy pregnant women and to assess the potential risk factors for HCV infection in HCV positive subjects and in the control group. ⋯ HCV seropositive pregnant women were more likely to have a history of blood transfusion, therapeutic injection use, surgery and sharing household items.