Mean platelet volume and total white blood cells as diagnostic biomarkers for acute appendicitis at Omdurman military hospital: a cross-sectional study - 2021.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is among the most common nontraumatic indications for emergent abdominal surgical procedures. However, accurately diagnosing all cases can be challenging, physical examination, biochemical markers, and imaging techniques can sometimes be insufficient. This study aimed to (a) compare the mean platelet volume (MPV) and total white blood cell count (TWBCs) in patients with or without histological evidence of an inflamed appendix and (b) determine the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of both MPV and TWBCs as diagnostic biomarkers in the diagnosis of AA. We conducted this research at Omdurman Military Hospital, focusing on patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of AA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study conducted at Omdurman Military Hospital from December 2020 - December 2021. The study population was patients who presented to our emergency department with symptoms and signs suggestive of AA. Participants were patients operated on as cases of AA. Data variables included sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentations, intraoperative appendix macroscopic findings, preoperative MPV and total white blood cell count (TWBCs), and postoperative histopathological findings. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were included in this study, with 75 (68.2%) males; half were 10-19 years old. Sixty-three patients (57.3%) had low (< 7.5 fL) MPV, whereas 47 (42.7%) had normal values. Comparing MPV to total white blood cells (TWBCs) revealed that MPV was more sensitive (84.6%) and specific (90%) than TWBCs during the first 24 h of inflammation. However, the TWBCs were more sensitive (97.2%) but less specific (94.7% vs. 100%) after 24 h of onset. CONCLUSION: In this study, MPV was lower in patients with AA, while there was an increase in TWBCs. The high sensitivity and specificity of TWBCs and MPV indicated that they form a promising diagnostic marker for AA.

A comparative study of polydioxanone (PDS) and polyglactin (Vicryl) in hypospadias repair.

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is a fairly common problem, and it is the most common genital congenital anomaly. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare polyglactin and polydioxanone in hypospadias repair by assessing the rate of complications, especially urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) formation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational cross-sectional hospital-based study carried out at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Ribat University Hospital, from June 2015 to November 2016. In Group A, there were 55 patients who underwent repair using polyglactin, and in Group B, there were 50 patients who underwent repair using polydioxanone. All patients were operated by the same surgeon. RESULTS: The mean age of Group A was 5.7 ± 4.3 years and 5.1 ± 3.9 years in Group B. Meatal advancement and glanuloplasty incorporated operation was done in 47.6%, Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in (31.4%), Theirsch-Duplay in 20% and Mathieu's repair in 1%. The complication rate was 34% in Group A and 10.9% in Group B. The most frequent complication was UCF, as 19 patients (18.1%) of the study candidates developed UCF; most of them were in Group A (14 patients) and 5 patients in Group B. Another significant complication was meatal stenosis, which occurred in 11 patients (10.5%): 9 in Group A and 2 in Group B. CONCLUSION: Polydioxanone (PDS) is satisfactory in hypospadias repair as it is associated with better outcome, especially UCF, which is most common and most difficult to treat complication.

Diabetic Septic Foot in Omdurman Teaching Hospital

Objective: To audit the management of diabetic septic foot [DSF] lesions in Omdurman Teaching Hospital, using Wagner classification. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study on 208 patients with DSF admitted to Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Sudan between June 2006 and May 2007. Data were analyzed manually Results: The male to female ratio was 2:1. The mean age± SD was 56 ± 12.35 year. 16.8% patients were grade 1. 33 (15.9%) patients were grade 2. grades 3, 4, 5 patients were 66 (37 %), 38 (18.3%) and 36 (17.3%) respectively. Major lower limb amputation and mortality were 19.2%, and 6.7% respectively. Conclusion: Preventive measures for patients at risk are highly needed as well early presentation is encouraged when ulcer develops in diabetic foot to avoid subsequent complications