Treatment of hyperkalaemia using intravenous and nebulised salbutamol

In 11 children (aged 5-18 years) with end stage chronic renal failure, the effect on plasma potassium of two doses of salbutamol (separated by two hours) given intravenously (4 micrograms/kg) and on a separate date, of salbutamol administered by nebuliser (2.5 mg if the child weighed below 25 kg, 5 mg if above) was observed. Within 30 minutes of the first dose, the mean plasma potassium concentration fell significantly by 0.87 and 0.61 mmol/l after intravenous and nebulised administration respectively. Sixty minutes after the second dose the plasma potassium was significantly reduced by a further 0.28 and 0.53 mmol/l respectively. There was a significant difference between the two methods of administration at 300 minutes after the first dose favouring nebulisation. No major side effects were observed. Nebulised salbutamol should be the first choice emergency treatment of hyperkalaemia.     

Circumcision : A Time to Rethink

Background

Circumcision is one of the most routinely done surgery world over but has no scientific basis to enforce it on all patients. Of late, the operation has been criticized, non-operative methods have been tried and operations preserving the skin of prepuce have been recommended. The presence of physiological phimosis, which is self-correcting by the age of 15 years in children, needs to be differentiated from the pathological variety.

Method

The child population reporting to Surgery OPD was taken as sectional representative of the Indian communities and socioeconomic strata. A simple protocol was adapted to differentiate true phimosis from the physiological one and data collected. An observational study was done and data collected for last six years.

Result

566 children were referred to the hospital and only 212 were subjected to circumcision. Of these, 169 were cases of true phimosis, 7 had paraphimosis and the rest included 9 ritual circumcisions.

Conclusion

The incidence in this study is much less as compared to the series from the west. Though rare, this simple surgery is often fraught with complications. A refined approach has been planned for referring cases and selection for surgery thereby reducing unnecessary referrals and circumcisions.Key Words: Circumcision, Phimosis     

Pathogenesis of recurrences of acute gastroduodenal ulcerous bleedings

Based on analysis of morphologic data, oxygen regime and redox potential it is demonstrated that progressive ischemic necrosis in periulcerous zone is the basis of recurrence of gastroduodenal ulcerous bleedings. Systemic hemostatic therapy, antisecretion drugs, endoscopic methods of hemostasis don't guarantee absence of bleeding recurrence. Prognosis of recurrence of gastroduodenal ulcerous bleedings must be based on evaluation of clinical and endoscopic data. Partial pressure of oxygen and redox potential in ulcer's crater are the objective criteria of threat of bleeding's recurrence.     

NEED FOR PRECISE PROTOCOL IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE POST OPERATIVE SPINE

Gadolinium enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of the post operative lumbo-sacral spine is a sensitive and specific imaging technique. A need for establishing a specific protocol for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) for use in the service hospitals is highlighted for convenience of patient management and preservation of active manpower. The MR scan of 50 patients performed over a span of six months, who complained of persistent low backache even after surgery, were retrospectively analysed. The specificity of this series using MRI in indicating the exact cause of FBSS was clocked at only 30%. The conditions diagnosed were rectifiable. The balance of the patients who could not be offered any specific diagnosis towards the cause, were being managed conservatively / placed in low medical category for a considerable period. It was noted with concern that there was non prevalence of sequence like the fast spin echo with gadolinium enhancement as a routine.KEY WORDS: Gadolinium, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Post-operative spine     

Basic principles of the treatment of chronic pelvic osteomyelitis

The results of treatment in 177 patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the pelvis are reported. The diagnosis was clarified and the patients' general status was assessed by comprehensive examination (roentgenography, tomography, fistulography, scintigraphy, bacteriological, immunological, and laboratory studies). A procedure of complex preoperative preparation, rational detoxication and immunocorrection, intraoperative blood loss replenishment (autohemotransfusion) and volemic disturbances correction was developed. This permits expansion of indications for surgery, whose basis is bone resection. Taking into account the localization of a pathologic process, the authors consider bone resection within the normal tissue limits to be a main component of surgical treatment of chronic pelvic osteomyelitis.     

Trypsin, immobilized on a textile cellulose matrix, in the treatment of suppurative wounds of soft tissue

In the treatment of 328 patients trypsin immobilized on cellulose matrix was used in 110 patients, native enzymes were used in 148 patients and 70 patients were given means of physical antiseptics. The results have shown advantages of immobilized trypsin for the treatment of the wound process.     

Antisecretory therapy as a component of hemostasis in acute gastroduodenal ulcer bleedings

Results of antisecretory therapy (pyrenzepin, H(2)-blockers, inhibitors of proton pump, octreotid) in 962 patients with acute gastroduodenal ulcer bleedings (AGDUB) were analyzed over 14-years period. Antisecretory treatment in AGDUB has principally different goals and potential depending on risk of bleeding's recurrence and morphological changes in tissue of gastroduodenal ulcer. Antisecretory therapy is the main treatment in high risk of AGDUB recurrence or before urgent surgery. Intravenous infusion of omeprazol has demonstrated the highest clinical efficacy due to maximal inhibition of gastric secretion and absence of negative influences on oxygen regimen in tissue of ulcer.     

Japanese Encephalitis : Is Routine Immunization Required?

Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. In endemic areas annual incidence ranges from 10-100 per 100000 population. Case fatality averages 30% and a high percentage of the survivors are left with permanent neuropshychiatric sequelae. There is no effective drug treatment for this disease. In recent decades, Japanese encephalitis virus has caused epidemics in previously unaffected countries like India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. No effective environmental control is known. Although socioeconomic improvement and changes in agricultural practices are likely to reduce viral transmission, large-scale vaccination of affected populations with an effective and affordable vaccine appears logical at least in the short term. The impact of large-scale Japanese Encephalitis vaccination is documented in some regions of China and systematic vaccination has contributed to significant decline in incidence in Japan, Republic of Korea and Thailand.Key Words: Japanese encephalitis, vaccination