Chrome congestive heart failure: Study of low dosage prostaglandin--usages and complications

Low dosage intravenous (<0·01 µg. kg^–1.min^–1) and oral prostaglandin E have been reported toproduce fewer complications than higher intravenous doses inthe ductal manipulation of congenital heart disease. Over a3-year period 34 patients were treated with low dosage intravenousor oral prosraglandin. Eighteen (53%) had complications associatedwith this treatment with 14 having more than one complication.Major complications occurred in nine neonates: necrotising enterocolitis(7), apnoealbradycardia (5), convulsions (1), haemorrhage (1),and resulted in a change of management. This study thereforeconcludes that the high incidence of complications is similarwith both low and high dosages of intravenous and oral prostaglandmn.The use of prostaglandin in any form deserves caution.     

CHOLECYSTECTOMY THROUGH A MINI-LAPAROTOMY A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Cholecystectomy through a small subcostal incision (mini-lap cholecystectomy), has recently been introduced as an alternative to conventional cholecystectomy in an effort to reduce its attendant morbidity. A trial was conducted to assess the morbidity of cholecystectomy performed through a small subcostal incision. Eighteen consecutive patients posted for elective cholecystectomy were operated through such an incision. In 2 [11%], the incision had to be extended. The records of these patients were retrospectively compared with an equal number of consecutive cholecystectomies previously performed by the same surgeon through a conventional incision. There was no significant difference in the average operating time, incidence of wound infection or the number of post-operative complications between the conventional and the mini-laparotomy group. However, the number of doses of post operative analgesic required, the duration of post-operative ileus, hospitalisation and convalescence needed was nearly halved. Thus mini-lap cholecystectomy has much lesser morbidity and is considered to be a safe and viable alternative to conventional cholecystectomy.KEY WORDS: Cholecystectomy, Mini-laparotomy, Post-operative morbidity     

CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ALGORITHM FOR PREDICTING SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AT HIGH ALTITUDE THROUGH MATHEMATICAL MODELLING

A population based hybrid design combining element of cohort and cross-sectional approach was used to develop a simple clinical algorithm to predict individual probability of developing hypertension (systolic BP > 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg). 3615 soldiers initially normotensive at the time of induction into high altitude, were studied by systematic random sampling. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a high significant association between hypertension and age, body mass index (BMI), tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. Using the constant/coefficient values obtained from the logistic model and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, the following predictive rule was developed – To the age in years, add (BMIx 3.86); also add 5.53 if he is a smoker; and add 19.81 if he consumes alcohol. If the total exceeds 142, the individual is at high risk of developing hypertension. This algorithm carries a sensitivity of 68.2% and specificity of 78.5%.KEY WORDS: Hypertension, High altitude     

CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION IN NEONATAL AUTOPSIES

Of the 253 neonates admitted to a neonate intensive care unit during the period Jan 91 to Sep 93, 43 neonates died. Autopsy was done in 23 of these (53%). The mean duration of stay of the neonates in the intensive care unit prior to death was 5.6 days (range 2 hours to 10 days). Antemortem diagnoses included asphyxia neonatorum (4), meconium aspiration syndrome (2), septicemia (5), prematurity (3), birth trauma (2), congenital anomalies (2), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (1), and non-specific diagnosis (4). There were 6 major autopsy findings that, if known prior to death, would have altered clinical management and might have resulted in cure or prolonged survival. There were 8 additional major findings that, if known prior to death, would not have altered management There were 14 minor findings related to major diagnoses but unrelated to the primary cause of death.KEY WORDS: Autopsy, Cause of death, Perinatal mortality     

STRESS FRACTURES OF THE FEMORAL SHAFT IN MILITARY RECRUITS

Stress fractures amongst military recruits are limited to the lower extremities; yet involvement of the shaft of the femur is unusual. Seven such cases in a series of 352 stress fractures are presented. The importance of early recognition and management is emphasized with a view to prevent bony disruption in an otherwise easily treatable condition.KEY WORDS: Fractures stress, Femoral fractures     

STRESS FRACTURES: EFFECT OF PRIOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY,SPORTS PARTICIPATION AND MILITARY TRAINING

A study was carried out to find out the effects of prior physical activity, sports participation and prior military training on the incidence of stress fractures among Gentlemen Cadets (GC''s) undergoing military training at Indian Military Academy (IMA). One thousand and fourteen GC''s were followed up for a period of 12 weeks. Thirty-seven GC''s developed stress fractures during the study period. The incidence of stress fractures was significantly higher in GC''s without any prior military training (p=0.0009). They were compared with 100 healthy controls drawn from the study population to study the influence of the other mentioned factors. There was no significant association between prior physical activity and stress fractures (OR=0.74, 95% CL=0.26 to 2.05, p=0.688). There was also no significant relationship between sports participation and stress fractures (OR=0.79. 95% CCL=0.35 to 1.81, p=0.684).KEY WORDS: Risk factors, Stress fractures     

An unusual case of primary fallopian tube carcinoma in pregnancy

Abstract.   Batra S, Singh M, Wynn JS. An unusual case of primary fallopian tube carcinoma in pregnancy. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2006; 16(Suppl. 1): 365–368.
Fallopian tube carcinoma is the rarest of all female genital tract malignancies. It usually occurs in postmenopausal women and is associated with infertility. We present the first reported case of it occuring as a primary tumor in a young primigravida. It presented as a large, rapidly growing adnexal mass at 9 weeks of gestation which was removed and found to be a papillary serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube. The patient continued the pregnancy to term and delivered a live healthy infant by ventouse. A staging laparotomy in the postnatal period showed no spread of tumor, and in view of her age and desire for furthur pregnancies, her uterus and other ovary and tube were conserved. She remains tumor free 2 years following detection. We discuss the incidence, progress, management, and survival rates of this rare gynecological malignancy.