Saudi Med J
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pain relief using continuous bupivacaine infusion in the paravertebral space after loin incision.
Continuous bupivacaine paravertebral nerve block after thoracotomy has been shown to reduce postoperative pain. This study was designed to determine whether paravertebral nerve block using bupivacaine infused through a catheter placed intraoperatively, can reduce postoperative pain, and analgesia requirements after loin incision. ⋯ Paravertebral blockade using bupivacaine is an effective and safe method for pain relief following renal surgery through loin incision.
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Comparative Study
High independence level in functional activities reduces hospital stay after total hip arthroplasty regardless of pain intensity.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between independence level in functional activities and pain, and length of hospital stay in the early postoperative period in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA). ⋯ The results of this study indicate that in patients with THA, pain does not affect the independence level in functional activities in the early postoperative period. In the same period as the independence level improves, the hospital stay length decreases. This is an important factor that may reduce both the hospital costs and the possible complications due to prolonged hospital stay.
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients with dyspepsia in South-Western Saudi Arabia.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of various upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori among patients with dyspepsia. ⋯ The well-described association of H. pylori with DU and non-ulcer dyspepsia was confirmed by our study. However, the rate of H. pylori in our patients was at the lower end of the range (50-80%), which was previously reported among largely urban populations in Saudi Arabia suggests differences in the prevalence of H. pylori-infections between urbanized and rural populations. Helicobacter pylori negative peptic ulcer disease remains an important entity that may be associated with the use of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and in our environment, the habitual chewing of qat leaves (catha edulis).
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Case Reports
Multidrug resistant miliary tuberculosis and Pott's disease in an immunocompetent patient.
In a high tuberculosis TB prevalence country, mortality due to miliary TB is not unknown but the treatment outcome in general is good. We describe a previously healthy man with miliary TB who did not respond to 2-months antituberculous therapy with 4 drugs. ⋯ Culture of bronchial aspirate yielded multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis that responded slowly to streptomycin, ethionamide, cycloserine, clofazimine, ofloxacin, paraaminosalicylic acid and isoniazid. The association of multidrug resistant miliary TB with Pott's disease in an immunocompetent patient is yet to be highlighted.
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To describe clinical characteristics, interventions required, and outcome of critically ill obstetric patients admitted to a general intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ In our survey, the 2 most common indications for admitting obstetric patients to ICU were hemorrhage and hypertension. Invasive hemodynamic monitoring and ventilatory support are the 2 main interventions. Improving quality of care before and after admission to ICU may reduce maternal morbidity.