The patient data in hospitals is prone to many errors during computerization because of the large human element involved during the processes concerned. A user-oriented validation method, which has been found to be practical and acceptable, is suggested. A non-statistical approach is adopted in this regard. The qualitative requirements of all users for validation have been taken as the guidelines to achieve maximum user acceptability. A user-oriented data code sheet, whose format changes for different disease groups, has been devised to prevent most of the typographical errors. These code sheets have also been found to be of considerable help to doctors in keeping a check on any missed or incomplete investigations, examinations and history recording. The validation program detects all errors of a typographical nature and all commonly possible logical errors. In addition, the program outputs data values, whose accuracy is doubtful, in the form of warning messages like WARNED DATA and ERRONEOUS DATA. The data fields which do not contain any data are also output to help the clinicians to take note of investigations and clinical tests not done or whose results are awaited. The logical errors, if any, also help them in detecting and identifying atypical cases in any given disease group at the earliest possible stage of a patient's hospitalization. In this paper, the need for a user-oriented and non-statistical approach to the validation of clinical data has been discussed in detail and its advantages enumerated.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we attempted to assess the change of perception of postgraduate students on objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in burns and plastic surgery after first five OSCE. METHODS: A prevalidated feedback questionnaire was used to assess and score the perception of postgraduate students on OSCE in burns and plastic surgery. The opinion of postgraduate students on the feedback questionnaire after first and fifth assessment tests based on OSCE was analyzed. The results were compiled on a data sheet and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and plotted as graphical interpretation. The statistical analysis was done using MedCalc software. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that there is a positive change in perception of students in favor of monthly assessment based on OSCE in burns and plastic surgery after fifth assessment. The mean students’ favorable perception score after the first assessment with was 30.2 ± 2.828 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) and after fifth assessment, 43 ± 2.828 (mean SD) with Student's test t = 10.119 and P < 0.0001 which is highly significant statistically in favor of OSCE after fifth assessment. CONCLUSIONS: We observed in our study that the monthly assessment based on OSCE is well accepted by the students of our subspecialty after few assessments; however, further studies are required to augment the evidence.

A twelve-year-old girl with classical features of Takayasu arteritis presented with scalp ulceration and osteomyelitis. Her computed tomography (CT) of the head revealed an extensive ulcerated lesion over the left high parietal region with lytic destruction of the outer and inner tables of the skull. Because of full-thickness calvarial bone involvement, chronic osteomyelitis, and ulcerated scalp lesion, she underwent debridement of involved bone along with the margin of normal skin. During surgery, underlying dura was found to be not involved, and a transposition flap was done for reconstruction. Histopathology did not reveal any evidence of bacterial infection or granulomas. Sterile osteomyelitis of the skull associated with alopecia and scalp necrosis has not been reported with typical Takayasu disease. Family physicians should be vigilant to keep this as a differential diagnosis in nonhealing osteomyelitis, not responding to antibiotics, or showing any evidence of infection.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to analyze and determine statistically significant impact of the COVID-19 on clinical load of plastic and reconstructive surgery practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis and comparison of the number of patients visiting to outpatient clinic, number of patients admitted, number of patients operated in the plastic and reconstructive surgery department during the COVID-19 pandemic months of January 2020–June 2020 with the same months of preceding non-COVID-19 year was done. The data obtained were tabulated in Microsoft Excel spread sheet and the statistical analysis done using MedCalc statistical software. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation of patients attended in outpatient department (OPD), admitted in inpatient department (IPD), emergency surgeries performed, and elective surgeries performed during -COVID-19 versus COVID-19 pandemic period is (651.167 ± 310.42 vs. 212.5 ± 307.591), (83.5 ± 16.263 vs. 34.333 ± 53.74), (5.167 ± 4.243 vs. 3.333 ± 4.95), and (74.333 ± 28.284 vs. 40.833 ± 60.811), respectively. The difference in means is highly significant statistically in the number of patients attended in OPD, admitted in IPD, and elective surgeries performed during pre-COVID versus COVID period; however, the difference in the means is not statistically significant in the number of emergency surgeries performed during pre-COVID versus COVID period. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of patients attended in OPD, admitted in IPD, and elective surgeries performed in the department of plastic surgery. However, there is a reduction in number of emergency surgeries but statistically insignificant. The strategy is to use telemedicine portal e-Sanjeevani services for OPD, encourage admission of patients with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction negative for COVID-19, and perform reconstructive and esthetic plastic surgery operative procedures using COVID-19 appropriate precautions.

Non-melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck region require optimal management encompassing oncological safety, minimal functional and cosmetic morbidity. The eyelid reconstruction poses a reconstructive challenge as it should include both anatomical and functional integrity. Full-thickness eyelid defects post resection can be managed with chondrocutaneous grafts. We present to you a case of a man in his 70s, who presented with left lower eyelid squamous cell carcinoma, who had a full-thickness eyelid defect, post ablative resection. Composite chondrocutaneous conchal graft with forehead flap was used to provide adequate functional and cosmetic outcomes. The patient has normal vision, with no exposure keratitis and complications.