Pak J Med Sci
-
Objective : To evaluate the clinical outcome of emergency and elective operation of splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in treating upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulted from portal hypertension. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 219 patients of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulted from portal hypertension treated using emergency or elective operation between Jul 2002 and Aug 2010. The clinical data were collected and analyzed. ⋯ The complication rate in patients with Grade C is significantly higher than that in patients with Grade A or B in each group (p<0.05). The hospital stay and cost in group of elective operation are significantly higher than those in group of emergency operation (p<0.05). Conclusion : The patients with Grade A or B treated using emergency operation have similar clinical outcomes as those treated using elective operation, but emergency operation may result in higher rate of death and complication in patients with Grade C.
-
There is much concern about the capacity of the health system of Pakistan to meet its goals and obligations. Historically, the political thrust has been absent from the health policy formulation and this is reflected in the low and stagnant public allocations to health. Successive political leaderships have averred from considering healthcare is a common good rather than a market commodity and health has not been recognized as a constitutional right. ⋯ It is argued in this communication that missing from the calculations of policy formulation and agenda setting is the political benefits of providing health and other social services to underserved populations. Across the developing world, many examples are presented of governments undertaking progressive health reforms that bring services where none existed and subsequently reaping electoral benefit. The political determinant of healthcare will be realized when the political leaders of poorly performing countries can be convinced that embracing distributive policies and successfully bringing healthcare to the poor can be major factors in their re-elections.
-
At present, there exist a lot of violations of medical ethics in advertising and promotional activities, which have been infringing the rights of patients. Therefore, the ethical criteria should be established as soon as possible to regulate the hospital promotional activities, to regain the trust of people.
-
To investigate the relationship between family history of cancer, coping style and psychological distress. ⋯ The negative coping style will predispose to a more stronger psychological distress among the individuals with family history of cancer.
-
To report the frequency of common complications and their levels in metal-ceramic fixed dental prostheses (MC-FDPs). ⋯ Irrespective of the type of complications, level-1 complications were more common with de-cementation being the most common complication. One-quarter of all the complications occurred within the first-year service life of the FDPs highlighting concern over the quality of the provided MC-FDPs. .