Background: The aim of this post hoc analysis of a large cohort study was to evaluate the association between night-time surgery and the occurrence of intraoperative adverse events (AEs) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Methods: LAS VEGAS (Local Assessment of Ventilatory Management During General Anesthesia for Surgery) was a prospective international 1-week study that enrolled adult patients undergoing surgical procedures with general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. Surgeries were defined as occurring during 'daytime' when induction of anaesthesia was between 8:00 AM and 7:59 PM, and as 'night-time' when induction was between 8:00 PM and 7:59 AM. Results: Of 9861 included patients, 555 (5.6%) underwent surgery during night-time. The proportion of patients who developed intraoperative AEs was higher during night-time surgery in unmatched (43.6% vs 34.1%; P<0.001) and propensity-matched analyses (43.7% vs 36.8%; P¼0.029). PPCs also occurred more often in patients who underwent night-time surgery (14% vs 10%; P¼0.004) in an unmatched cohort analysis, although not in a propensity-matched analysis (13.8% vs 11.8%; P¼0.39). In a multivariable regression model, including patient characteristics and types of surgery and anaesthesia, night-time surgery was independently associated with a higher incidence of intraoperative AEs (odds ratio: 1.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.09e1.90; P¼0.01), but not with a higher incidence of PPCs (odds ratio: 1.32; 95% confidence interval: 0.89e1.90; P¼0.15). Conclusions: Intraoperative adverse events and postoperative pulmonary complications occurred more often in patients undergoing night-time surgery. Imbalances in patients' clinical characteristics, types of surgery, and intraoperative management at night-time partially explained the higher incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, but not the higher incidence of adverse events. Clinical trial registration: NCT01601223.

Ascariasis is a common public health problem of preschool and primary school children in developing countries like Pakistan. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of Ascaris lumbericoides (A. lumbricoides) infection among children residing in urban areas of Lahore, to provide information on ascariasis to promote awareness and prevention programs between the participants specially on the months or season of higher prevalence. To investigate the prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricoides in the contaminated faecal samples of children residing in urban areas of Lahore, a study was conducted from November 2010 to October 2012 and we collected 3600 stratified faecal samples from six urban study areas. Overall 32/3600 (0.88%) prevalence of fecal samples was found positive for eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides. Area wise highest presence positivity 1.67% was observed in Allama Iqbal Town followed by 1.17% in Samanabad, 1.00% in Wapda Town, 1.00% in Gulberg, 0.50% in Cantt, and the lowest 0.00% in Valencia Town respectively (p < 0.001) The highest month wise positivity prevalence 3/300 (3.33%) (p < 0.001) was observed in the month of September that gradually declined up to 0/300 (0.00%) in the month of March. The results reveal that urban areas of Lahore are susceptible to Ascaris Lubricoides infection and the highest prevalence were observed autumn on the month of September.

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Objective:  The goal of this study was to see how transpedicular fixation for degenerative spondylolisthesis affected lumbago. Methodology:  A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar between May 2018 and February 2020. Degenerative spondylolisthesis was diagnosed using static and dynamic spinal X-rays. The research excluded the patients with grade 5 spondylolisthesis, congenital anomalies, or prior spinal surgery. The visual rating scale was used to assess pain alleviation (GRS). Dynamic or static lumbosacral X-rays and 3D CT scans were used to assess union. Results:  In total 70 patients, 38 (54.3%) were male and 32 (45.7%) were female. L5–S1 was impacted in most of the cases (68%). 40% of patients were having Meyerding grade II. All patients had pedicle screw fixation. Following surgery, 44 (63%) patients reported no pain, and 12 (17%) patients reported mild discomfort. 8 (11%) patients reported moderate pain and 6(9%) patients experienced severe pain. There existed a significant difference between pre/postoperative moderate-severe GRS scores (p-value: 0.000336). After surgery, we were able to negotiate surgical unions with 91.4% of the patients. Conclusion:  For individuals with spondylolisthesis who need pain relief, transpedicular fixation is a safe, straightforward, and effective treatment. It also aids with the surgical union and the improvement of the neurological condition. Keywords:  Spondylolisthesis, Meyerding grading, Transpedicular fixation.

Background: Perinatal mortality rate indicates quality of care provided during pregnancy and delivery to the mother and to the neonate in its early neonatal period. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and causes of perinatal mortality in a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016. The inclusion criteria was all singleton gestation with gestational age of at least 24 weeks presenting with perinatal mortality. Data was collected for the following variables; age groups (up to 20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years and > 40 years), booking status (yes/ no), period of gestation (24-31+6, 32-36+6, 37-39+6 and > 40 weeks), Foetal weight ( 3.5 kg) and cause of perinatal mortality. Results: Out of 4508 deliveries there were 288 perinatal deaths, including 228 stillbirths and 60 neonatal deaths, so perinatal mortality rate was 63.8/1000 births. 90.28% women were unbooked. Most common cause was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (27.78%) followed by antepartum haemorrhage (25.71%) and then mechanical causes (13.88%). Congenital anomalies comprised 11.8% cases, neonatal problems 10.07% and maternal medical disorders for 4.16% cases. Cause of 4.16% cases remained unexplained. Conclusion: Appropriate strategies like control of identifiable causes, proper antenatal and postnatal care, healthy delivery practices and availability of emergency neonatal care facilities can bring down perinatal mortality rates.