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Background:Acute poisoning is a common health-care problem requiring admission in the intensive care unit (ICU) in the developing countries. The study was conducted to assess the epidemiological parameters of acute poisoning and factors affecting clinical course and outcome of the patients in ICU in the eastern part of Nepal.Methodology:This was a prospective observational study conducted at ICU of tertiary care hospital in the eastern part of Nepal for the duration of 2 years. All the acute poisoning cases admitted in the ICU were studied for epidemiological profiles, poisoning characteristics, and various clinical factors affecting the outcome of the patients.Results:Eighty-five patients with acute poisoning were included in the study. Suicidal attempt leading to acute poisoning was seen in majority of the young population. Majority of the poisoning was due to the organophosphorous compounds (43.5%). Patients with organophosphorous poisoning had a significantly longer duration of ICU stay (P = 0.020). The survival of the patients was significantly affected by age, duration of presentation to the hospital, Glasgow Coma Scale, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, need for mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay, hepatic failure, coagulopathy, and need for vasoactive drugs (P < 0.05). The independent predictors of mortality observed in the study were age, delayed presentation to the hospital, hepatic failure, and need for mechanical ventilation.Conclusion:Organophosphorous poisoning was the most common acute poisoning in young population leading to the ICU admission. Older age, delayed initiation of the resuscitative measures, need for mechanical ventilation, and hepatic failure significantly affected the mortality.

Introduction:The clavicle has dual nerve supply from the brachial plexus and cervical plexus. The interscalene brachial plexus block combined with superior cervical plexus block is frequently used for the clavicle surgery. This study was conducted to compare ineterscalene approach with the supraclavicular approach for brachial plexus block used for clavicle surgery Methodology:This was prospective comparative study conducted for two years in tertiary care hospital. Sixty patients with clavicle fracture with ASA I and II were randomly divided into two equal groups; ISBPB (interscalene approach) and SCBPB (supraclavicular approach). Both of these blocks were combined with superior cervical plexus block.  Ultrasound was used to perform all the blocks. Primary outcome for the comparison was block characteristics, which included sensory and motor block onset, duration, and block satisfaction. The secondary variables used for comparison were analgesic properties and complications. Results: Supraclavicular brachial plexus had rapid onset of sensory and motor block and was statistically significant (P<0.05) as compared to interscalene approach. Similarly, SCBPB had significantly longer duration of sensory block (P=0.003). The duration of motor block was comparable between the blocks. The intraoperative pain score (VAS), requirement of rescue analgesia with in 24 hours of surgery and complications related with the procedures were comparable between the two groups. Majority of the patients were satisfied with either of the approach for brachial plexus block. Conclusion: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block combined with superior cervical plexus block provided equally effective and adequate anesthesia and analgesia for clavicle surgery with comparable complications as compared to interscalene approach.

Introduction: Stroke is life threatening & debilitating neurological disease, defined as focal neurological deficit of sudden onset lasting >24 hours & vascular in origin. Significant association between ischemic type of stroke with carotid artery disease seen, more prevalent with carotid artery stenosis.  Objectives: This study was done to show association between extracranial carotid artery disease & cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) with the help of Color Doppler Sonography (CDS). The association between carotid artery disease with associated risk factors were also assessed.  Methodology: In this ethically approved prospective study, carotid CDS was done in 79 consecutive patients with diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The various parameters studied included peak systolic velocity (PSV) of internal carotid artery (ICA) & common carotid artery (CCA), ICA/CCA PSV ratio & plaque characteristics. The data collected was analyzed with appropriate statistical test of significance was calculated.  Results: Total 79 patients with AIS included out of which 53 were males & 26 were females. The most common presenting complains were hemiparesis (30.4%) & most commonly associated risk factors included hypertension (62.02%). Right sided strokes were most common (44.3%) & middle cerebral artery was most commonly involved vascular territory. Significant stenosis (≥50%) of carotid artery was seen in 27 patients with ICA most common site (45.8%) for plaque formation. Bilateral carotid artery involvement (52.1%) with hypoechoic echotexture of atheromatous plaques (46.6%) was most responsible for significant stenosis & increased intima media thickness. Increased value of PSV & EDV was seen in the stenotic area in the proportion of stenosis with increased PSV ICA/CCA ratio of more than three indicates >60% stenosis.  Conclusion: The present study showed well documented role of carotid doppler in detection of site & extent of carotid artery stenosis due to atheromatous plaques of various characteristics playing critical role in thromboembolic phenomenon responsible for development of stroke.

Introduction: Knowledge and awareness of sepsis among various health care professionals is essential for prompt diagnosis and appropriate initial resuscitation and management of patient with sepsis. Objective: To assess and compare the knowledge and awareness of sepsis among health care professionals working at Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Methodology This was a questionnaire-based survey with comparative study in 200 health care professionals conducted at Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital from July– September, 2019. Questions were designed to assess the knowledge on diagnosis, initial resuscitation and management of sepsis. The knowledge level of the participants was assessed with scoring system as good, average and poor which was finally compared between the various health care professionals. Result Out of 200, only 180 health care professionals were included for statistical analysis. While assessing the knowledge on diagnosis of sepsis, 55.6% consultant doctors, 42.8% medical officers and 21.5% nursing/paramedics answered correctly on an average. Similarly, 51.7 % consultant doctors, 33.7% medical officers and 26.6% nursing/ paramedics gave correct answers while assessing knowledge on initial resuscitation and management. The nursing/paramedics had comparatively lower knowledge level on sepsis than the doctors. Around 31.7%, 51.2% and 17% of health care professionals working in Emergency, ICU and Anesthesiology departments had good, average and poor knowledge on sepsis respectively as compared to 14.2%, 28.5% and 57.1% of participants working in other departments. Conclusion: The nursing/paramedics had lower knowledge level on sepsis as compared to the doctors while health care professionals working in Emergency,ICU and Anesthesiology departments had better knowledge on sepsis as compared to staffs working in other departments.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to carry out the comparative study of variations in blood glucose levels intra operatively in patients undergoing surgical procedures in Spinal Anesthesia and General Anesthesia by capillary blood glucose level.Objective: To compare intra operative blood glucose level in Spinal and General Anesthesia.Methodology: Sixty non diabetic patients (30 in each group) aged between 20 – 60 years belonging to ASA I and ASA II status were enrolled for this prospective comparative study. Capillary blood glucose was measured preoperatively and thereafter at 15 minutes interval after incision in Spinal Anesthesia and after induction of General Anesthesia till one hour of surgery. For statistical analysis paired sample t – test was used for comparing mean of quantitative data. Difference was considered statistically significant if p < 0.05.Results: Blood sugar level was well controlled in patients receiving spinal anesthesia. General anesthesia produced more increase in blood sugar level compared to base line value which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Similarly, Glycaemia was significantly higher in the General anesthesia group (p < 0.05) when compared with Spinal Anesthesia group suggesting poor control of stress response during general anesthesia.Conclusion: Based on capillary blood glucose level, spinal anesthesia proved more effective in suppressing stress response as compared to general anesthesia in elective surgical patients. BJHS 2018;3(2)6: 458-462

Acute pesticide poisoning is a common mode of intentional self harm. Oral ingestion is the usual mode of poisoning. However, inhalation, accidental or occupational transdermal exposure leading to acute or chronic poisoning can be the other route of poisoning. It has been seen that the purpose of poising is suicidal intensity in most of the cases. We report an unusual case where the victim had acute pesticide poisoning through transdermal route that was intended for non suicidal purpose. The patient was managed successfully with immediate decontamination and adequate antidote.

Introduction: Central venous catheterization is a routine procedure for long-term infusion therapy and central venous pressure measurement. Sometimes, the catheter tip may be unintentionally placed at the position other than the junction of superior vena cava and right atrium. This is called malposition and can lead to erroneous pressure measurement, increase risk of thrombosis, venous obstruction or other life threatening complications like pneumothorax, cardiac temponade.Objectives: This study aimed to observe the incidence of the malposition and compare the same between ultrasound guided catheterization and blind anatomical landmark technique.Methodology: This study was a prospective comparative study conducted at the intensive care unit of Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital for two-year duration. All the catheterizations were done either with the use of real time ultrasound or blind anatomical landmark technique. The total numbers of central venous catheterization, the total incidences of malposition were observed. Finally the incidences were compared between real time ultrasound guided technique and blind anatomical landmark technique.Results: In two-year duration of the study, a total of 422 central venous cannulations were successfully done. The real time ultrasound was used for 280 cannulations while blind anatomical landmark technique was used for 162 patients. The study observed various malposition in 36 cases (8.5%). The most common malposition was observed for subclavian vein to ipsilateral internal jugular vein (33.3%) followed by subclavian to subclavian vein (27.8%) and internal jugular to ipsilateral subclavian vein (16.7%). In four patients the catheter had a reverse course in the internal jugular vein while the tip was placed in pleural cavity in three cannulations. There was coiling of the catheter inside left subclavian vein in one patient. The malposition was significantly reduced with the use of the real time ultrasound (P< 0.001). However there is no significant difference in the incidence of the various malposition between ultrasound guidance technique and blind anatomical landmark technique when compared individually.Conclusion: The malposition of the central venous catheter tip was common complication with the overall incidence of 8.5%. The most common malposition was subclavian vein to internal jugular vein. The use of real time ultrasound during the catheterization procedure can significantly reduced the risk of malposition.Birat Journal of Health SciencesVol.2/No.3/Issue 4/Sep- Dec 2017, Page: 277-281