African journal of medicine and medical sciences
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We conducted this study in order to determine whether suturing the scalp wound prior to referral for definitive surgery reduces the rate of wound infection in patients with compound depressed skull fracture and to propose guidelines for the initial management of the wound. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 79 patients with compound depressed skull fractures treated surgically in our unit between January, 1987 and August, 1998 and compared the rate of infection in patients who presented with open wounds with the rate in patients whose scalps were sutured prior to presentation to us. Adults and children were nearly equally represented in this study group. ⋯ In compound depressed skull fractures, suturing the scalp laceration alone prior to referral for definitive surgery did not reduce the rate of infection of the cranial wound. We recommend haemostasis, thorough irrigation of the scalp wound and application of sterile dressings prior to transfer for definitive management, in patients who do not have immediate access to neurosurgical care. Prospective studies are required to validate these findings.
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Comparative Study
A comparative study of students' performance in preclinical physiology assessed by multiple choice and short essay questions.
This study was designed to compare the performance of medical students in physiology when assessed by multiple choice questions (MCQs) and short essay questions (SEQs). The study also examined the influence of factors such as age, sex, O/level grades and JAMB scores on performance in the MCQs and SEQs. A structured questionnaire was administered to 264 medical students' four months before the Part I MBBS examination. ⋯ However O' level grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics had significant effects on performance in MCQs and SEQs. Inadequate knowledge of physiology and inability to present information in a logical sequence are believed to be major factors contributing to the poorer performance in the SEQs compared with MCQs. In view of the finding of significant association between performance in MCQs and SEQs and GCE O/level grades in science subjects and mathematics, it was recommended that both JAMB results and the GCE results in the four O/level subjects above may be considered when selecting candidates for admission into the medical schools.
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We study the pattern of hand injuries in children presenting to a university hospital in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective study evaluating all pediatric patients 12 years old or less with hand injuries excluding burns that attended the plastic surgery clinic at King Fahd Hospital of the University between January 1989-December 1991. One hundred and one cases were identified. ⋯ Familiarity with such injuries by the healthcare providers in emergency situations is of diagnostic and therapeutic importance. This attitude will lead to the best possible outcome functionally and cosmetically. Furthermore, such a practice will go along way in improving the morbidity and mortality pattern of these surgical casualties among innocent children.