Journal of Lumbini Medical College (JLMC)
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Minimal Local Analgesic Dose of Intrathecal Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section: A Comparative Study
Get PDFIntroduction: Spinal anesthesia is a reasonable option for cesarean section. Bupivacaine and ropivacaine have been used as intrathecal drugs alone or in combination with various opiods. Ropivacaine is considered a valid and safe alternative to bupivacaine for intrathecal anesthesia. This study aims to determine the median effective dose (ED50) of intrathecal bupivacaine and ropivacaine for cesarean section and defines this as the minimum local anesthetic dose (MLAD). Methods: Forty pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section were allocated and randomized into two groups. The initial dose was 13mg for both ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups and was increased or decreased of 0.3mg, using the up-down sequential allocation technique. Efficacy was accepted if adequate sensory dermatomal anesthesia to pinprick to T6 was attained within 20 minutes after intrathecal injection and required no supplemental epidural injection for procedure until at least 50 minutes after the intrathecal injection of test drugs. The MLAD for both bupivacaine and ropivacaine was calculated with 95% confidence interval using the formula of Dixon and Massey. Comparison of different variables between the groups was done using t-test with significant p value at < 0.05. Results: The two groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile and clinical characteristics. The MLAD of ropivacaine and bupivacaine were 11.63 mg (95% CI, 11.5-12.92) and 10.459 mg (95% CI, 10.12-10.87) respectively. The potency ratio between spinal ropivacaine and bupivacaine was 0.89. Conclusion: Ropivacaine provided clinically surgical anaesthesia of shorter duration without compromising neonatal outcome and can be used as a safe alternative to bupivacaine
Variations of Nutrient Foramen of Femur and its Clinical Implications
Get PDFIntroduction: Nutrient foramen is the largest opening on the shaft of the femur that conveys nutrient artery into the marrow cavity. Knowledge on locations of nutrient foramina is essential during surgical procedures as well as to rule out if the fracture line passes through the foramina. The purpose of the study was to determine the number and position of nutrient foramina in relation to length and topography of the femur. Methods: The study model was descriptive, cross-sectional study that included 151 femurs (71 right and 80 left side). The total number, location, and direction of nutrient foramina were investigated. Total length of femur and distance of foramen from the proximal end was measured with the 500mm 20" Digital Vernier Nib Jaw Caliper Metric/ Imperial Machine-DRO and finally Foraminal Index was calculated. Results: The analysis revealed 119(78.81%) of the femurs with single nutrient foramen, 31(20.52%) with double and 1(0.67%) with triple nutrient foramina. Foraminal Index II was found in 74(86.05%) on right side and 90(91.84%) on left side. The most common location of nutrient foramen was the medial lip of linea aspera (n= 77, 41.85%). All of the foramina were directed towards the proximal end. Conclusion: The present study has reported the majority of nutrient foramina located in the middle third of femur along the linea aspera. Thus, linea aspera should not be stripped off during surgical procedures to avoid damage to the nutrient arteries
Trend of Breastfeeding and its Impact on Morbidity in Children in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kathmandu
Get PDFIntroduction: WHO advocates for exclusive breastfeeding in infants till six months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding has been estimated to reduce 70% of infection related mortality in children. This study aims to elaborate the current trend of breastfeeding and its impact on common infectious morbidities in children.
Methods: This study was a prospective longitudinal study done at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital with a sample size of 103 infants. Detailed proforma including sociodemographic data, breastfeeding related data and morbidities were collected at one and half months of life. The patients were followed up at 6 months of age again and the same proforma was again filled up. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20.0 and various associations were elucidated.
Results: A total of 103 infants were analyzed. Males were 58 in numbers with mean birth weight of the infants being 3048±537 grams. Breast feeding was initiated within an hour in around 37%. At one and half months of age, 63% reported of exclusive breastfeeding which decreased to 23% at 6 months of age. Breastfeeding for at least 45 days decreased the incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections(ARI), Acute Otitis Media(AOM) and diarrheal diseases although statistically significant difference was found with only ARIs.
Conclusion: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is low in the study. The study has also shown that breastfeeding significantly reduces incidence of common infectious morbidities in infants. 
Depression and its Associated Risk Factors among Residents of a Geriatric Home in Western Nepal
Get PDFIntroduction: Elderly people suffer from many acute and chronic illnesses and also show higher prevalence of depression. The trend of old age homes is rising in Nepal. The aim of this study was to assess depression in the residents of a geriatric home and compare it to that in the elderly population living in their own homes. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study in which residents of a geriatric home above 60 years of age were selected as cases, and those living in their own homes were selected from the local community as a comparison group. Depression was measured with Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) comprising 30 questions. Chi-square (or Fisher Exact) test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: There were 52 participants in both groups. Thirty-six (69.2%) participants from the study group had depression whereas only 10 (19.2%) from the comparison group had depression. This difference was statistically significant, the odds ratio being 9.45. Conclusion: Depression is significantly high in elderly population living in a geriatric home as compared to those living in their own homes
Correlation between C - Reactive Protein and Blood Culture in Neonatal Sepsis at a Tertiary Care Centre in Western Nepal
Get PDF Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a serious problem that needs to be addressed for a better outcome of the neonates. This study was conducted to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in neonates with sepsis in comparison with blood culture. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in clinically suspected neonates with sepsis in a tertiary hospital. Association between C-reactive protein and blood culture positivity in neonatal sepsis was studied. Results: Out of 245 patients admitted with clinical suspicion of sepsis, 104 (42.45%, 95% CI: 36.18-48.90%) were blood culture-proven sepsis. CRP was reactive in 92 cases (88.5%, 95% CI: 80.71 % - 93.89%) of blood culture-proven sepsis. Gram-negative organisms were predominant, 58 (57.55%) seen from the isolates of blood culture while gram-positive organisms were found to be 46 (43.23%). Early-onset sepsis was seen in 194 (79.18%) cases, while late-onset sepsis accounted for 51(20.82%). The sensitivity and specificity of CRP in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis was 88.5% and 46.1% respectively with the positive predictive value of 54.8% and negative predictive value of 84.1% and diagnostic accuracy of 64.1%. Conclusion: Neonatal sepsis is still an important cause of hospital admission in the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital. This study highlights the high sensitivity and negative predictive value but lower specificity and positive predictive value of CRP in relation to blood culture. The present study depicts a significant correlation between culture positivity and CRP
Drug Utilization Pattern by Using WHO Core Prescribing Indicators in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology Departments of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Get PDFIntroduction: Drug utilization research is an important tool to facilitate rational use of drugs. In low income countries irrational use of drugs is a common problem like overuse of drugs and inappropriate use of antibiotics, leading to poor treatment outcome and increased burden of treatment. This study was conducted to provide understanding of drug utilization pattern by using WHO Core Prescribing Indicator. Methods: This study was conducted in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology departments. Patients visiting these Out Patient Departments with at least one drug on prescription form were included in the study. Further, information related to WHO Core Prescribing Indicators were collected in pre-designed proforma. Results: Average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.6. Means of number of drugs prescribed in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology departments were 2.9 and 2.3 respectively (p < 0.001). Drugs prescribed in generic name and from essential drug list was 41.4% and 34.3% respectively. Prescription forms with generic name in Orthopedics department were significantly more compared to Obstetrics / Gynecology department (p = 0.00002). However, there was an increased tendency to prescribe drugs from essential drug list in Obstetrics / Gynecology department compared to Orthopedics department (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Drugs were prescribed by generic name and from essential drug list, but this was not sufficient to meet the ideal values of WHO Core Prescribing Indicator. Therefore, prioritization on prescribing drugs by generic name and from essential drug list by respective departments to achieve the standards of WHO needs to be encouraged
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Associated with Atrial Septal Defect: A Case Report
Get PDFIntroduction: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is characterized by sudden obstruction of the arterial blood flow in the retinal circulation with consequent ischemic damage to the retina resulting in vision loss. An interesting case of unilateral CRAO associated with atrial septal defect (ASD) in a young female is reported here. Case: A young female presented to emergency department with history of sudden and painless loss of vision in her right eye for one day. Her visual acuity at the time of presentation was perception of light in right eye and 6/6 in left eye. On examination, anterior segments of both the eyes were normal. However, relative afferent pupillary defect was positive in her right eye. On fundus examination, right eye showed pale retina and cherry red spot whereas left eye was unremarkable. Findings were suggestive of right eye CRAO. Ocular massage was done and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor was given. Patient was referred to a cardiologist for further evaluation and establishment of the etiology. All tests were within reference limit except a large ASD (secundum type with left to right shunt) with a diameter of 28 mm was revealed on transthoracic echocardiogram. Conclusion: The association between ASD and CRAO is rare. Intracardiac shunts through defect may predispose the disease. Detailed cardiac evaluation is mandatory to rule out possible causes to prevent ocular or systemic embolic events and associated morbidity
Role of Ultrasound Scan in Non-Traumatic Acute Abdomen Presenting in Surgery Department of a Tertiary Care Center
Get PDFIntroduction: An acute abdomen is defined as a clinical condition characterized by severe abdominal pain developing suddenly over several hours or less. Ultrasonography (USG) helps the managing surgeons arrive at early diagnosis and rule out alternative diseases, thus reducing negative laparotomy rate. This study analyzed the diagnostic yield of USG in patients with non-traumatic acute abdomen presenting to Surgery department via Emergency department/outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 110 patients with non-traumatic acute abdominal pain who were sent for USG examination. The percentage concordance of USG diagnosis with the final diagnosis at discharge was determined in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for acute abdomen. Results: Of 110 patients, correct clinical diagnosis was made in 83 patients (75%) while USG made a correct diagnosis in 101 patients (91%). Hence, with the help of USG, accuracy of diagnosing cause of acute abdomen increased by 16 %. The sensitivity and specificity of USG in diagnosis of acute appendicitis were 87.7% and 98.3% respectively. Conclusion: USG is easily available and non-invasive modality without radiation exposure and requiring minimal patient preparation. USG should, therefore, be an important routine diagnostic investigation in patients presenting with acute abdomen
Factors associated with pre-hospital delay before reperfusion therapy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Get PDFIntroduction: Cardiovascular disease remains the main cause of death in the world, and myocardial infarction represents the main contributor to this mortality. Timely restoration of myocardial blood flow with reperfusion therapy is crucial. Pre-hospital delay is a major obstacle for early reperfusion therapy and has negative impact on mortality and left ventricle function.
Methods: A prospective study was carried in cardiology unit of a medical college from August 2013 to December 2017. Cases of acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction that have undergone thrombolysis were recruited.
Results: Out of 450 patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infection (STEMI), delayed presentation was seen in 288 (64%) for >6 hrs and 108 (24%) patients for >12 hrs. The duration from onset of symptoms to the presentation in the emergency room (pre-hospital delay) was 12.66 hrs (SD=14.19, range = 30 min to 72 hrs). The door to needle time was 54 min (SD=24) The major factors for pre-hospital delay were misinterpretation of symptoms (59%) and transportation problems (31%).
Conclusion: Misinterpretation of symptoms remain the most common cause of delayed presentation. Health education for public awareness can reduce the delay. Extension of thrombolytic therapy to district hospital and primary health center level after basic training for medical officer with checklist and collaboration in form of telemedicine with referral cardiac center may have major impact on morbidity and mortality reduction in acute STEMI patients with early reperfusion therapy