Background: Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is the commonest form of neuropathy. Loss of sensations in sole leads to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and its complications. Surgical decompression has been used in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, however; its effectiveness has been questioned. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensory recovery in sole after tarsal tunnel decompression (TTD) in patients having DSPN. Methods: Thirteen patients (Age28-70 years, average 35.57 years; 7 Males, 6 Females; 20 feet) with DSPN and positive Tinel's sign over the tarsal tunnel were included in the study. Pre and post-operative sensory tests performed on the sole included tests for touch, pain, temperature, pressure, vibration perception threshold (VPT) and two-point discrimination (2-PD). Results were classified as per British Medical Research Council (MRC) scoring system. Results: eSixteen feet were followed-up for 6 months. In all feet perception of touch, pain and pressure recovered. Temperature perception recovered in 75% feet. VPT came to normal range (16.81V) from 40.37 V and 2-PD came down to average of 6.0 mm from preoperative average of11.2 mm.MRC scale improved from S0 in 5 feet and S2 in 15 feet to S 3þ in all 16 feet.There were no ulcers or amputation in operated limbs during follow up period of 6 months. Conclusions: TTD improves plantar sensations in diabetic neuropathy and prevents ulcers and its related complications.

Transsexualism is a condition wherein an individual's psychological gender is the opposite of his or her anatomic sex. The general belief now among behavioral scientists and physicians is that it is an identifiable and incapacitating disease, which can be diagnosed and successfully treated by reassignment surgery in carefully selected patients. Although many advances have been made in the reassignment surgery techniques, phalloplasty still remains a major challenge; to date, no ideal technique has been developed. The new gender created by the reassignment surgery has, in turn, led to many legal complications for postoperative transsexuals because states and the judiciary have not recognized the new gender. However, with wider acceptance of transsexuals by society, this outlook has changed for the better, with many states amending their laws in accordance with the advances in medical sciences. But in many developed and the developing countries, transsexuals are not given a legal identity, thereby adding to their agonies and miseries.