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Biomedical subjects

J Shankar

Publications and source records attributed to J Shankar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Referrals for cataract surgery: variations between different geographic areas within a Welsh Health Authority.

AIM: The aim of the study was to identify variations in cataract presentation within three different eye units in a single health authority and to identify any correlation between cataract presentation and social deprivation indices. We also compared our patient profile and results with the UK National Cataract Audit Statistics. METHODS: It was a prospective multicentre questionnaire-based project involving three hospitals: Cardiff Eye Unit--University Hospital of Wales (UHW), Royal Glamorgan Hospital--Llantristant (RGH), and Prince Charles Hospital--Merthyr Tydfil (PCH). Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic data were collected in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients were also asked to fill in the questionnaire based on Berth-Petersen Visual Function Index (VF-14) indicating difficulty in performing daily living activities. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were recruited in the study. Demographics were similar to National Cataract Audit. However, the percentage of patients with poor visual acuity (less than 6/60) at the time of surgery was greater at all the three hospitals compared to the national statistics. Among the three hospitals at South Wales, PCH had the lowest visual acuity in both listed and fellow eye and the lowest VF-index. Both the outpatient and surgery waiting times were longest at PCH. The population at PCH also visited their optician least frequently. CONCLUSION: Our results show significant variation in cataract presentation between the three eye units within a single Health Authority. These variations correlate well with social deprivation indices and poor use of Optometric services. Local policies are needed to redress these inequalities and raise public and professional awareness of causes of poor sight in the elderly population.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

The subjective experience of early postoperative pain following retrobulbar anaesthesia for enucleation and primary orbital implant.

INTRODUCTION: We performed a prospective audit of the level of postoperative pain experienced by patients following enucleation with insertion of a primary orbital implant after preincisional regional retrobulbar anaesthesia using bupivacaine 0.75% with 1:100,000 adrenaline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An 11-point numerical ranking box scale was used to measure the subjective experience of postoperative pain following enucleation with insertion of a primary orbital implant in 40 patients with uveal melanoma. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia with a supplementary peroperative retrobulbar injection of bupivacaine 0.75%/adrenaline 1:100,000. Pain scores were measured for the first 8 hours following administration of the block. RESULTS: The sample included 19 female and 21 male patients with a mean age of 66.7 years (31-87). At four hours post block, 80% were still pain free with 17% experiencing only mild to moderate pain (BS-11 = 1-4). Thirty-four (85%), twenty-eight (70%) and twenty-seven (67%) patients remained pain free at 2, 3 and 4 hours, respectively with no additional analgesia. The remainder scored BS-11 of 1-4 in 92% of cases. Twenty percent required supplementary analgesia (paracetemol in 78% cases) by 5 hours and 57% by 8 hours. BS-11 at 8 hours were 0 in 50%, 1-4 in 22% and 5-10 in 10% of patients (17% asleep). No complications using this technique were recorded. DISCUSSION: Using a preincisional retrobulbar injection of bupivacaine with adrenaline, BS-11 pain scores remained low with no or minimal additional analgesia for up to 4 hours post surgery. In combination with oral analgesia, effective pain control was provided in most cases for up to 8 hours post block.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Assessment of basic surgical trainees: can we do more?

INTRODUCTION: Changes to surgical training and reduction of junior doctors' working hours has resulted in trainees spending less time in surgical specialties before becoming eligible to apply for specialist registrar posts. A high quality basic surgical training programme is needed to improve the competence of trainees during their shortened period, an essential part of which is to conduct a formal assessment at the end of each training post and regular appraisals during their period of training. AIMS: To analyse the existing practice with regard to conducting assessment and appraisals for basic surgical trainees in the South East Wales region. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all the basic surgical trainees in the South East Wales region. RESULTS: A total of 52 questionnaires were sent out and 44 (84%) were returned. Four candidates were in the first post of their rotation, and were therefore excluded from the study. Nine of the 40 trainees (23%) did not have an assessment in one or more of their posts. There are 17 senior house officer posts available in general surgery in the rotation. Of the 31 "six month" episodes spent in these 17 posts, 27 (87%) underwent an assessment, 12 of the 17 (70%) episodes in trauma and orthopaedics (12 available posts) were assessed, and 31 of the 35 (88%) episodes in accident and emergency (eight available posts) underwent an assessment. Twenty eight of the 40 trainees (70%) did not undergo regular appraisals during the majority of their posts. Only 30%-50% of episodes spent in general surgery, orthopaedics, and accident and emergency underwent appraisals. The majority of the episodes spent in the other surgical specialties (12 posts available in total) had formal assessment and regular appraisals except for urology in which two of seven episodes underwent assessment and one underwent an appraisal. Twelve candidates (30%) expressed the view that operative experience and technical skills must form part of their assessment. Eight trainees (20%) felt that they needed more help from tutors with regard to career advice, preparation of curriculum vitae, and interview techniques for specialist registrar posts. Eight trainees mentioned that they had discussed unsatisfactory posts with their tutors but were not aware of any changes made to these posts. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the formal assessment of basic surgical trainees at the end of each training post has to improve further. The existing practice of conducting regular appraisals for the trainees is grossly inadequate. There appears to be a need for formulating guidelines for conducting such appraisals, which would help to improve practice in the future.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗
PubMed2002

Management of peri-ocular skin tumours by laissez-faire technique: analysis of functional and cosmetic results.

AIM: The role of wound healing by secondary intention in the treatment of peri-ocular skin tumours is not well established. The object of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the functional and cosmetic outcome of patients treated by the Laissez-faire technique in situations where primary closure would not have been possible. METHODS: Skin defects following excision of lid and peri-ocular tumours in 24 Caucasian patients were allowed to heal by granulation. The locations included lower eyelid (n = 10), upper lid (n = 6), medial canthus (n = 5), nasojugal fold (n = 2), lateral canthus (n = 1) and brow (n = 1). Four patients had lid margin involvement. The size of the initial defect, time taken to heal, discomfort during healing, the functional and cosmetic results-both from the surgeon and patient perspective, complications, secondary intervention if any and patient satisfaction were studied. RESULTS: A good functional and cosmetic result was obtained in 23 of the 25 lesions (92%). Of these 23 patients, two patients had slightly hypertrophied scars, which responded well to massage and two patients had some degree of ectropion. Of the two patients who did not have a good cosmetic result, only one needed secondary intervention. One had an exuberant granulation tissue, which responded to topical steroids and massage, but left behind a distorted lateral canthus. CONCLUSION: Healing by secondary intention of large defects following excision of peri-ocular tumours is an effective alternative to primary or staged reconstruction in selected cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Randomised controlled trial of ketorolac in the management of corneal abrasions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) in the management of corneal abrasions with respect to symptoms and healing. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective, single center, randomised, placebo controlled, double-blinded trial. Eighty-eight consecutive patients with non-infective, non-contact lens related traumatic or foreign body removal related corneal abrasions were recruited to this study. They were randomised into two groups. Both groups were given a single instillation of Gutt. cyclopentolate 0.5% followed by chloramphenicol eye ointment four times a day until the following day. In addition, the treatment group received topical Ketorolac trometamol 0.5% ophthalmic solution while the control group received placebo Liquifilm tears. Patients were assessed at presentation and about twenty-four hours later for subjective symptoms, abrasion size and any associated complications. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the two groups at base line and twenty-four hour follow-up when assessed for five subjective symptoms of pain, photophobia, grittiness, watering and blurring of vision. However, those receiving topical ketorolac required significantly less additional oral analgesics (p=0.001). There was no difference in the rate of healing. CONCLUSION: Use of topical ketorolac may be a useful adjunct in the management of corneal abrasions.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Dermatoglyphics in 46, XY females.

Dermatoglyphics is known to be one of the best available diagnostic tools in genetic disorders. This paper aims to find out the diagnostic characteristic dermatoglyphic features in cytogenetically confirmed 46, XY female patients. The total number of patients studied (46, XY females) were 31 and the control consisted of 30 males and 30 females. Dermatoglyphic features, studied and tabulated, were: (a) Finger pattern frequency, (b) total finger ridge count (TFRC), absolute finger ridge count (AFRC), a-b ridge count, 'atd' angle and (c) palmar patterns eg, simian crease, Sydney line, hypothenar pattern, interdigital patterns. Results confirmed significant differences between the 46, XY females and the control groups: (i) 46, XY females had increased ulnar loops but decreased whorls as compared to control males (overall finger pattern frequency). (ii) The right thumb in 46, XY females had less whorls and more ulnar loops than both male and female control groups (individual finger pattern frequency). (iii) 46, XY females had lowered TFRC, AFRC, a-b ridge count than corresponding control groups (both control males and females). Significant differences were not observed for the 'atd' angle, interdigital patterns, hypothenar pattern, simian crease and Sydney line.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

Contralateral hip fractures - can predisposing factors be determined?

A case control study was carried out in the Orthopaedic Department of Bradford Royal Infirmary in an attempt to see if certain medical conditions, which can affect balance and stability, are more common in those who sustain a second proximal femoral fracture. Medical conditions included in the study were: late effects of cerebro-vascular accident, blindness, syncope and collapse, alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinsonism, ischaemic heart disease and senile dementia. The study group comprised 53 patients admitted to hospital between 1992 and 1998 with two separate proximal femoral fractures each on a different side. The control group comprised 530 patients selected from a general pool of 2080 proximal femoral fracture patients admitted to hospital during the same period. The control group patients were matched to the study group for age, sex, and time of occurrence of the first fracture. Results show significantly higher association of late effects of cerebro-vascular accident, blindness, syncope and collapse, and Alzheimer's disease with subsequent contralateral proximal femoral fractures. This study supports a causal relationship between the above medical conditions and subsequent contralateral proximal femoral fractures. It may therefore be possible to identify patients who are at risk of returning with a second fracture.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Dilatation and stenting for naso-lacrimal duct obstruction: a pilot project.

PURPOSE: Obstruction of the naso-lacrimal duct has traditionally been treated by dacryocystorhinostomy. This pilot project aimed to evaluate the use of stents as an alternative approach to the treatment of naso-lacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: Six patients with naso-lacrimal duct obstruction underwent a pre-procedural dacryocystogram to confirm the site of obstruction. Under local anaesthesia, they subsequently underwent dilatation of the naso-lacrimal duct using a guide wire and a plastic dilator aided by fluoroscopy and digital subtraction imaging. The stent was then placed with its head in the lacrimal sac and tail protruding out of the naso-lacrimal duct into the inferior meatus. Dacryocystography was repeated to confirm patency. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully completed in four of the six patients. In one patient, we failed to negotiate the guide wire and in one, a false passage was created. All four successful cases were rendered asymptomatic and their lacrimal passages remained patent at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Naso-lacrimal duct dilatation and stenting is a viable alternative to conventional dacryocystorhinostomy in the treatment of naso-lacrimal duct obstruction and merits a larger trial.

Aged↗