Objective: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of thyroidectomy using Ultrasonically Activated Scalpel (UAS) in comparison to the conventional thyroidectomy. Patients and Methods: This study comprised 40 patients with mean age 41.4 ± 9 years, divided into two groups: Group A comprised 25 patients underwent thyroidectomy using UAS and 15 patients underwent conventional thyroidectomy (Group B). Both groups were compared as regards operating time, operative blood loss, postoperative seroma formation and surgeons' satisfaction regarding the ease of dissection, need of blood vessel ligation and dryness of the surgical field. Results: Mean operative time was significantly shorter in group A (77 ± 5.8 minutes) compared to group B, (105.7 ± 6.5 minutes). Intraoperative blood loss showed a significant reduction in group A, (85 ± 5.4 gm) compared to group B (125.3 ± 7.8 gm). There was a positive significant correlation between the reduction of intraoperative blood loss and operating time in both groups despite being more significant in group B. Mean total surgeons' satisfaction scores showed a significant difference in favor of satisfaction by using UAS. Conclusion: The use of UAS for thyroidectomy is feasible and could minimize intraoperative bleeding with shorter duration of surgery and had achieved significant surgeons' satisfaction.

Background: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves the administration of pure oxygen under high pressure conditions. HBOT is used as an adjuvant therapy for a variety of conditions; including chronic wounds, infections, stroke, tissue transplantation, anemia, cancer management, skin flaps & grafts, CO poisoning, air or gas embolism, decompression thickness, necrotizing fasciitis, crush injury, compartment syndrome, gas gangrene and autism.Objective: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of HBOT as adjuvant treatment for diabetic foot ulcers in comparison to the conventional treatment. Patients and methods:This study comprised 82 diabetic patients, aged 38 to 72 years. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A assigned to receive HBOT in combination with conventional wound care & group B received conventional wound care only for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Outcomes were measured every week for 1 st two months during the treatment period and then at three-month intervals for one year. Ulcers were graded using Wagner classification system. Both groups were compared as regards healing time, need of amputation, quality of life. Results:The demographic characteristics of the 82 patients were 28 women (34%) and 54 men (65.9%), age range from 32 to 72 years. The median ulcer duration for both groups was 7.2 months, and the median ulcer area was 3.5 cm2. There was non-significant difference between both groups as regard demographic characteristics. Complete healing of the index ulcer was significantly faster in hyperbaric group 50% in comparison to 29% in group B. 2 major amputation were performed in HBOT group as compared to 3 cases in group B; all of them were Wagner grade IV. Five minor amputations were performed in each group during the 1st year of follow up. 63% of group A were satisfied as regard the management of their ulcers in comparison to 41% in group B.