This study aimed to compare the mean operative time, total analgesic required, and the mean number of drainage days in harmonic scalpel versus electrocautery in breast cancer patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). MethodologyThis retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC). The duration of the study was six months, from January 2018 until July 2018. A total of 194 females with biopsy-proven breast cancer undergoing MRM were included in the study. They were divided into two groups. In group 'A', a harmonic scalpel was used, and in group 'B', electrocautery was used for hemostasis. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 48.68 ±10.04 years. The mean operative time was 102.13 ±2.04 minutes. The mean number of days of drainage was 1.27 ±2.63. The mean analgesia amount was 30.72 ±3.25 mg. In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean operative time was 100.43 ±0.89 minutes, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was 103.86 ±1.12 minutes with a significant difference (p=0.001). In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean number of drainage days was 8.90 ±0.42, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was 13.58 ±1.26 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean analgesia amount was 1,800.5 ±353.55 mg, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was noted to be 2,006.25 ±289.43 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). ConclusionThis study concludes that compared with standard electrocautery, harmonic scalpel dissection is associated with significant benefits in decreasing postoperative drainage and blood loss during operations after MRM for breast cancer.

Objective: To determine the frequency of long scarf related injuries in female bike riders. Study Design: This is an observational study. Setting: This study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi and aims to calculate the type of injury due to long scarf in female bike riders. It was conducted during the period of Dec, 2020 to Nov, 2021. Materials & Methods: Participants visiting the emergency department due to motor bike accidents and female patients were screened for long scarf related injuries. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 21 and descriptive statistics were used. Results:  For one year time, we received 174 patients due to motor bike accidents and 20.6% injuries were due to long scarf in females. As 36 patients matched our inclusion criteria due to long scarf while riding a motor bike. The mean age of females was found to be 34 years (range 16-55 years). Majority of the patients had more than one site of injury and left leg fracture was the most common injury found in 44.6% of females. Out of 32 patients, 14 patients required admission urgently.  Conclusion: A considerable number of injuries and deaths can be prevented by simple interventions and carefulness while riding on motorcycle. We have identified this problem only in a small group of population but this issue needs to be highlighted at a higher place.

Aim: Effects of duration of biliary patenting on quality of life in patients suffering from obstructive jaundice. Methodology: A case control study in OPD of general surgery, Unit-1, Civil Hospital, Karachi, by using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. The sample size is 195 subjects with the age of 20-80 years for both the genders. Ethical approval was taken from the concerned department. 105 patients had a duration upto 12 months since biliary patenting whereas 90 patients had duration >12 months since biliary patenting. Results: Mean duration since biliary patenting was 11.9±3.7 months whereas 105 (53.8%) of them had biliary patenting within last one year while 90(46.2%) of them had biliary patenting over a year ago. Moreover, their mean total SF-36 quality of life score was 55.2±12.5. There was a statistically significant effect of duration since biliary patenting on quality of life of obstructive jaundice patients (p<0.01) where patients who had biliary patenting within the last year had significantly higher SF-36 QOL scores than patients who had biliary patenting >one year ago. Conclusion: In obstructive jaundice, quality of life was observed more better in those patients who had a duration upto 12 months than those who had duration >12 months since biliary patenting Keywords: Obstructive jaundice, Bile duct obstruction, malignant, polyp.

Aim: Effect of age and gender on quality of life in patients of obstructive jaundice. Methodology: This was a case control study conducted in OPD of General Surgery, Unit-1, Civil Hospital, Karachi. It is non-probability, consecutive sampling technique. The sample size was 195 subjects. 87 patients had an age between 18-60 years whereas 108 patients had >60 years of age. Either gender was included. QoL was measured by using SF-36 based on 8 domains. Data were analyzed through SPSS version-21 Results: Significant effect of age in obstructive jaundice patients on their QOL (p<0.01) where patients aged from 18 to 60 years had significantly higher SF-36 quality of life scores, both overall and in all eight individual domains than patients aged >60 years. Gender of the obstructive jaundice patients did not have a significant effect on their QOL, though the female patients had higher SF-36 quality of life scores, both overall and in all eight individual domains. Conclusion: Quality of life of obstructive jaundice patients were more improved with the age between 20-60 years than age >60 years, whereas gender had no significant impact on the quality of life. Keywords: Obstructive jaundice, age, gender, quality of life