Introduction: Many-a-time local anaesthesia appears as a very effective alternative of general one. Different additives have been used to prolong regional blockade. Objective: This prospective study designed to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone added to local anaesthetics on the onset and duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Methods: Sixty adult patients undergoing various orthopaedic surgeries on forearm and around the elbow under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were selected and divided into 2 groups of 30 each. In group-A patients received 35 ml of mixture of lignocaine 2%, bupivacaine 0.5% while in group-B patients received the same amount of local anaesthetics with dexamethasone (8 mg). The onset of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia in two groups were compared and development of complications were observed. Result: The two groups were comparable in demographic data. The mean onset time of sensory block was 11.64±2.19 minutes in group A and 9.89±1.97 minutes in group B and difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Onset of motor block was 13.32±0.98 minutes in group A and 11.09±1.28 minutes in group B and difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was markedly prolonged duration of analgesia in group-B, 11.87± 0.53 hours compared to group-A, 3.43±0.49 hours. The result was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Both the groups had high success rate (>90%). The incidence of complication was low in both the groups. Conclusion: Addition of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics in brachial plexus block results in significantly early onset and markedly prolonged duration of analgesia without any unwanted effects. Key words: Supraclavicular block; analgesia; local anaesthetics; dexamethasone DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i1.8619 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 7, No 1 (June) 2011; 11-14

The purpose of this study is to investigate the genotype and allelic frequencies of CYP3A in Bangladeshi Tuberculosis (TB) patients which may help for individualized drug dosing and improved therapeutics. Genotyping was done using the extracted genomic DNA from 90 TB patients followed by amplification of target alleles by PCR. Amplified alleles were then digested by restriction enzymes followed by gel electrophoresis & sequencing to identify the targeted alleles namely CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A4*2, CYP3A4*4, CY3A4*5, CYP3A4*6, CYP3A4*10, CYP3A4*18, and CYP3A5*3. In TB patients, no samples were positive for CYP3A4*2, CYP3A4*4, CYP3A4*5, CYP3A4*6, CYP3A4*10, and CYP3A4*18 alleles. One sample was found to be heterozygous for CYP3A4*1B (1.11%). The wild homozygous (CYP3A5*1/*1) genotype frequency was 7.78%, the heterozygous (CYP3A5*1/*3) frequency was 42.22% and the homozygous mutant (CYP3A5*3/*3) frequency was 50% in Bangladeshi TB patients. The absence of the common polymorphic gene suggests that there will be no impact of CYP3A drug metabolizing enzymes on antituberculosis drugs.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v38i1.6978Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2012; 38: 1-5

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v8i1.13534 JAFMC Vol.8(1) 2012 pp.20-24

Use of antimicrobials in caesarean section has become an accepted practice to minimize the incidence of postoperative complications. Not many studies are available in Bangladesh regarding the using pattern of antibiotics in caesarean section. The objectives of the study was to find out the pattern of use of antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean section and also the frequency of postoperative morbidity. The prospective cross-sectional study included 356 patients undergoing caesarean section in Prime Medical College Hospital, Rangpur and 10 different private clinics in Rangpur city. Patients demographics, perioperative data, antibiotic used with dosage and schedules were recorded. Investigations like pus, blood and urine culture and sensitivity were recorded for patients with postoperative complications. Change of antimicrobial following culture sensitivity report was noted. Most of the patients, 197 (55.3%), came from lower middle socioeconomic status. Major indication of cesarean section was emergency in 314 (88.2%) patients. The use of third generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone) in majority of the patients, 209 (58.7%), was observed. Two drugs combination commonly included third generation cephalosporin and metronidazole, and in addition gentamicin was added when three drugs combination was used. Fifty five (15.5%) patients had postoperative complications which included fever, wound infection, urinary tract infection and endometritis. The mean duration (SD) of antibiotic administration was 12.4 (3.5) days in infected patients and 8.0 (2.1) days in non-infected patients, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The mean duration (SD) of hospital stay was 15.4 (5.5) and 9.1 (3.9) days for infected and non-infected patients, respectively; and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Isolated micro-organisms from wound infection, urinary tract infection and lochia were gram-negative, and Escherichia coli, 16 (41.0%), was the common which was resistant to third generation cephalosporin and sensitive to amikacin. Obstetricians should utilize clinically effective antibiotics. Whenever possible, single drug rather than combination therapy should be used. Periodic surveillance of antimicrobial prophylaxis is essential to detect the emergence of antibiotic resistance.Mediscope Vol. 3, No. 1: January 2016, Pages 8-15

Background: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a potential sign of fetal hypoxia as well as a potential toxin if the fetus aspirates with a gasping breath in utero or when it takes its first breaths following birth. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the department of pediatrics of Gazi medical college Hospital, Khulna during one calendar year from 01 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Maternal risk factors for MSAF, modes of delivery of neonates were recorded. All neonates born with MSAF were included in this study: they were shifted to neonatal high dependency unit for observation and monitoring as per the pediatrician’s advice. Neonatal outcomes like birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice, aspiration pneumonia, septicemia, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and death were observed and recorded. Result: A total of 157 babies were included during the study period. Modes of delivery of babies were: normal delivery 86(54.78%), caesarean section 48(30.57%) and instrumental delivery 23(14.65%). Maternal risk factors were postdated pregnancy 51(32.48%), previous caesarian section 20(12.74%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) 20(12.74%), premature rupture of membranes 18(11.46%), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) 17(10.83%), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) 14 (8.92%), cephalopelvic disproportion 9(5.73%) and anemia 8(5.10%). Outcome of babies were: 118(75.16%) babies were discharged without any complications, 10(6.37%) developed neonatal jaundice, 10(6.37%) meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), 8(5.10%) birth asphyxia, 4(2.55%), aspiration pneumonia, 3(1.91%) hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), 2(1.27%) septicemia and 2(1.27%) baby died in early neonatal period. Mediscope Vol. 6, No. 2: Jul 2019, Page 65-71