Showing papers by "Chandka Medical College published in 2014"

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): Risk Assessment in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract: Objective: To determine the number of hospitalized patients at risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) / deep vein thrombosis (DVT), identifying the most common risk factor and to document the use of thromboprophylaxis. Study Design: Observational and cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana, from October to December 2011. Methodology: A total of 170 patients underwent this study and these included 51 (30%) from general medical, and 119 (70%) from surgical units. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and data was collected on printed format. VTE risk assessment was done according to Caprini Model and criteria defined by the American College of Chest PhysiciansACCP. Results: Out of 170 patients, 91 were male and 79 female with mean age of 39 ± 16 years. According to ACCP criteria for VTE risk assessment, 20% (n=34) patients were identified to be at low risk, 20% (n=34) at moderate risk, 47.65% (n=81) at high risk and 12.35% (n=21) at very high risk of developing VTE. The commonest risk factor significantly identified was immobility (54.7%, p < 0.005), followed by advancing age (41.17%, p < 0.005) and obesity (18.23%). The most common risk factor in all types of surgical patients was anaesthesia for more than 45 minutes 82.35% (n=98/119) and in medical patients advancing age 45% (n=23/51). Only 6 (3.5%) patients received thromboprophylaxis, all were surgical patients of very high-risk category. Conclusion: Majority of studied hospitalized patients were at high risk of developing VTE. Immobility was the commonest risk factor for developing VTE, followed by advancing age and obesity. Very few hospitalized patients actually received thromboprophylaxis.

Singing magnets ingestion: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in children.

Abstract: Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in children. Ingested foreign bodies include coins, needles, pins and button batteries. Ingestion of multiple magnets is very rare and poses a unique hazard of intestinal obstruction in children. The ingested magnets may reside in different loops of intestine and attract each other causing necrosis of the intervening wall of intestine. We present the case of a 7-year old child who presented with acute intestinal obstruction due to ingestion of multiple magnets. Patient underwent laparotomy. The loops of small intestine with necrotic walls were found to contain three oblong shaped magnets. Removal of magnets along with resection and anastomosis of affected segment of intestine was performed.