Evaluating potential unexpected adverse events and mortality after oral analgesics administration in fracture care-a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Analgesic selection per individual's tolerance is essential to avoid risks. The study evaluated current oral analgesic prescription practice, analgesic adverse effects-related factors, unexpected events, and mortality post-fracture surgery. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The present prospective cohort study from June 2022 to July 2023 enrolled a total of 198 proximal femoral, ankle, and hindfoot trauma fracture patients. Stratification was done for oral analgesics prescribed at hospital discharge and 1 week with their accompanying toxicity assessed for 2 weeks. Analyzed Kaplan-Meier curve and the absolute risk for possible analgesics-related deaths. RESULTS: Following oral analgesic administration, 122 (62%) patients experienced adverse events. In seven expiries, five were possibly due to acetaminophen added tramadol combined with any of pregabalin, diclofenac, etoricoxib, or gabapentin (absolute risk 2.5%, 97.5% proportion 2 weeks survival). Three (2% of 122) patients taking acetaminophen added tramadol or diclofenac experienced unexpected serious adverse events. Elderly diabetic and hypertensive hip fracture patients expired or experienced unexpected events. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that oral acetaminophen added tramadol combined with any of pregabalin, diclofenac, etoricoxib, or gabapentin might increase the death risk or unexpected serious adverse events in elderly diabetic and hypertensives suffering from intertrochanteric/femoral neck fracture. Safe analgesic selection is necessitated for at-risk patients.

Role of tourniquet release timing on blood loss and functional outcomes in total knee arthroplasty: Insights from a low- and middle-income country.

Purpose: To identify the effect of releasing a tourniquet before versus after wound closure in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on blood loss, functional outcome and postoperative complications. Methodology: A prospective cohort study was conducted including 53 patients from May 2023 to September 2023. All patients underwent unilateral TKA and were divided into two groups based on surgeon preference of deflating tourniquet, Group A consisted of patients in whom the tourniquet was deflated before wound closure for haemostasis and Group B consisted of patients in which tourniquet was deflated after wound closure and compressive dressing. Blood loss was evaluated via intraoperative blood loss (the number of soaked sponges/gauzes, blood in a suction bottle, total output in a suction bottle-irrigation used) and on-field blood loss and calculated blood loss (Using Gross and Meunier's formula). The Functional outcome was evaluated using Knee injury and osteoarthritis score-42 questions. Early postoperative complications and differences in the requirement of blood transfusions were also assessed. Results: There was a significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups. The median intraoperative blood loss was 135 mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 90-149) in Group A and 56.2 mL (IQR: 45-68) in Group B (p value: 0.001). However, no difference was found between the groups in calculated blood loss using Gross and Meunier's formula. The median calculated blood loss was 439 mL (IQR: 450-813) in Group A and 508 mL (IQR: 226-671) in group B (p value: 0.981). There was no significant difference between the groups in blood transfusion requirements or functional outcomes. Conclusion: Based on our results, we conclude that the intraoperative blood loss in TKA is significantly different between the groups but only represents a fraction of true blood loss (23%). The timing of releasing the tourniquet does not affect functional outcomes, blood transfusion and postoperative morbidity; hence, any time can be opted as per surgeon preference. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Comparative analysis of dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from human exfoliated teeth in terms of growth kinetics, immunophenotype, self-renewal and multi lineage differentiation potential for future perspective of calcified tissue regeneration.

Background and Objectives: Owing to high proliferation rate, multipotency and self-renewal capability, dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) and stem cells from human exfoliated teeth (SHED) have become stem cell source of choice for cell based regenerative therapies. We aimed to compare DPSC and SHED as stem cell sources with a future use in regeneration of calcified tissue. Methods: Explant derived human DPSC (n=9) and SHED (n=1) were cryopreserved, thawed and expanded for analysis of population doubling time, colony forming unit assay and efficiency. A growth curve was plotted to determine population doubling time, while colony forming numbers and efficiency was determined at plating cell densities of 5.6, 11.1 and 22.2 / cm2. The isolated cells were characterized for the presence of stem cell markers by immunophenotyping and immunofluorescence staining, and tri-lineage differentiation. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson correlation, Exponential regression and two way Anova with Tukey test at p<0.05. Results: DPSC and SHED exhibited spindle shaped fibroblast like morphology. SHED was found superior than DPSC in terms of proliferation and colony forming efficiency. Immunophenotypes showed that DPSC contain 62.6±26.3 %, 90.9±14.8% and 19.8±0.1%, while SHED contain 90.5%, 97.7% and 0.1% positive cells for CD90, CD73 and CD105. DPSC were strongly positive for vimentin, CD29, CD73, while reactivity was moderate to weak against CD44 and CD90. SHED expressed vimentin, CD29, CD105, CD90 and CD44. Both were negative for CD45. Upon induction, both cell types differentiated into bone, fat and cartilage like cells. Conclusion: Cultured DPSC and SHED were proliferative and exhibited self-renewal property. Both DPSC and SHED expressed stem cell markers and were able to differentiate into bone, fat and cartilage like cells. Thus, these could be a suitable stem cell sources for cell based regenerative therapies.

Microbiology of surgical site infection in closed upper limb fractures: Data from a prospective trauma registry.

The current study aims to determine the rate of surgical site infection, causal microorganism, and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in operated upper limb closed fractures at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Cases presenting between June 2015 to October 2019, were selected from a single-centre, longitudinal, prospective orthopaedic trauma registry. Infection rate, causal microorganism, and antibiotic sensitivity pattern were determined up to six months after surgery. From among a total of 376 closed fractures, 12 encountered surgical site infection with some having late onset, giving an infection rate of 3% which is 1% higher than the international benchmark. Microorganism culture was performed on 5 (42%) patients out of which 2 (40%) were positive. Frequently used prophylactic antibiotics were first generation Cephalosporin and Co-amoxiclav in 9 (75%) patients, but all other patients required other antibiotic categories. Five patients required implant removal with antibiotic coverage. K-wire insertion required prolonged antibiotic treatment. Most of the cultures were negative in spite of the presence of infection.

The mid-term and long-term effects of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty: systematic review.

PURPOSE: A tourniquet is routinely used during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce intra-operative hemorrhage, though surgery without a tourniquet is becoming popular. To address concerns about the effect of blood at cement interfaces on long-term implant stability, we conducted a systematic review among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty to determine if TKA with a tourniquet, compared to TKA without a tourniquet or with reduced tourniquet duration, is associated with better mid-term and long-term implant stability. METHODS: A literature search was conducted without language restriction in PubMed, Cochrane database and Web of Science from conception to 17th March, 2021. Prospective cohorts, randomized and observational, that compared tourniquet use with a control group, followed patients for 3 months or more and reported outcomes concerning implant stability, limb function, pain and inflammation. Article selection, quality assessment according to the Revised Cochrane risk assessment scale and Newcastle Ottawa Scale, and data extraction were conducted in duplicate. PROSPERO: CRD42020179020. RESULTS: The search yielded 4868 articles, from which 16 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and four prospective cohort studies, evaluating outcomes of 1884 knees, were included. Eleven RCTs were evaluated to be low overall risk of bias, five RCTs had some concerns and four cohort studies were good quality. Few studies showed benefits of tourniquet use in mid-term implant stability (1/6), pain (1/11) and limb inflammation (1/5), and long-term implant stability (1/1). One study reported a significantly improved range of motion (1/14) while another reported significantly reduced quadriceps strength (1/6) in the tourniquet group. The remaining studies reported non-significant effect of tourniquet use. CONCLUSION: Although few studies indicated benefits of tourniquet use in mid-term pain, limb inflammation, implant loosening and function, and long-term implant loosening, the majority of studies report no significant advantage of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty.

Is minimally invasive orthopedic surgery safer than open? A systematic review of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: To assess the safety of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for orthopedic spinal, upper limb and lower limb procedures, this systematic review of systematic reviews compared their complications with open procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted electronically (PubMed, Cochrane library and Web of Science; May 8, 2021) without language restriction in the past five years. Reviews that consulted at least two databases, compared MIS with open orthopedic surgery, and reported the following: intraoperative, post-operative or total complications, function, ambulation, pain, hospital stay, reoperation rate and operation time were included. Article selection, quality assessment using AMSTAR-2, and data extraction were conducted in duplicate on predesigned forms. In each review, a subset analysis focusing on prospective cohort and randomized studies was additionally performed. PROSPERO: CRD42020178171. RESULTS: The search yielded 531 articles from which 76 reviews consisting of 1104 primary studies were included. All reviews were assessed as being low quality. Compared to open surgery, MIS had fewer total, postoperative and intraoperative complications in 2/10, 2/11 and 2/5 reviews of spinal procedures respectively, 1/3, 1/4 and 1/2 reviews of upper limb procedures respectively, and 4/6, 2/7 and 0/2 reviews of lower limb procedures respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MIS had greater overall safety compared to open surgery in spinal procedures. In upper limb and lower limb procedures, MIS was not outright superior to open procedures in terms of safety hence a general preference of MIS is not justified on the premise of a better safety profile compared to open procedures.

Prevention of falls in hospital: Audit report from a Tertiary care hospital of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to assess the fall incidents in past 5 years and fall assessment practices at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective audit at Aga Khan University Hospital from October 2019 to December 2019. A list of all patients admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital under the Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Service Line was obtained using the Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) from Jan 2017 to June 2018. Data including fall assessment scores was collected retrospectively from medical record files. RESULTS: A total of 1499 patients were admitted during this time period, of whom 5 patients had a fall incident during their hospital stay. The mean Morse Scale scores of patients who had a fall was 50 ±16 whereas, patients with no fall incidence had mean score of 31±22. Fall assessment was documented in nursing notes for 100% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that fall policy is implemented strictly within our hospital. In order to reduce the risk of a fall further, more in-depth assessment of high risk patients with involvement of physicians and physiotherapists earlier on in the process for high risk patients may be beneficial.

Is Hypothyroidism Associated With Outcomes in Fracture Patients? Data From a Trauma Registry.

BACKGROUND: Previous research reports suggesting the susceptibility of patients with hypothyroidism to fragility fractures. The current study aimed to compare injury factors, patient factors, and outcomes of fractures in patients with and without hypothyroidism. METHODS: Study data were extracted from an ongoing single-center prospective orthopaedic trauma registry at a tertiary care hospital. Patients recruited between June 2015 and March 2020 were selected. Patients were grouped into those with and without hypothyroidism, and data on injury factors, management, clinical, and functional outcomes up to 6 mo were compared. Relation of fracture with TSH levels and age was analyzed, and prescription of bone-strengthening supplements was recorded in the hypothyroid group. RESULTS: Among 1347 patients recruited in the trauma registry, 35 patients had hypothyroidism of which 77% were females compared to 30% of euthyroid subjects (P = 0.0001). The most commonly involved anatomic sites identified were the proximal femur and proximal humerus. Low-energy trauma more likely occurred in hypothyroid (71%) compared to 32% of euthyroid subjects (P < 0.001). Osteoporosis was identified in 90% of hypothyroid subjects who underwent a DEXA scan. The clinical and functional outcomes of patients seem to be similar in both groups, possibly due to adequate control of hypothyroidism or the effect of bone-strengthening supplements given to hypothyroid patients. Serum TSH level and age were not related to low-energy trauma in hypothyroid patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified that patients with hypothyroidism presenting with fractures are more likely females with low-energy trauma, involving the proximal femoral, and humeral fractures. Thyroid status was not associated with post-management outcomes.

Functional outcomes in proximal humerus fractures: A prospective registry-based analysis.

The present study evaluated and compared functional outcomes of proximal humerus fractures of different categories and their management with different procedures. Data of this prospective cohort was obtained from the orthopaedic trauma registry at a tertiary care hospital for the period from June 2015 to October 2019. Sixty-eight adult patients with proximal humerus fracture were identified out of which 57 (84%) had been operated. Functional outcomes were assessed up to 12-month follow-ups and were compared with different treatment groups, fracture category, and between isolated versus proximal humerus with additional upper limb fractures. At 3-month follow-up, there was significantly better outcomes in Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (PHILOS) treatment group as compared to PHILOS with bone graft/BMP (p=0.041). PHILOS combined with bone graft/BMP was associated with delayed recovery compared to other management methods. There was non-significant difference in functional outcomes between isolated versus proximal humerus fractures associated with other upper limb fractures, among different fracture categories and between genders.

Strengthening Orthopaedic care at national level: Output of a structured residency programme at Aga Khan University.

This descriptive review of the output of the orthopaedic residency programme of Aga Khan University, Karachi, comprised information regarding the number of graduated residents and their educational background which was retrieved from departmental records. Information about their work location, subspecialty, current working status, participation in medical camps and national disaster relief efforts were obtained from various sources, including fellow surgeons, and social media profiles. From 1989 to 2017, a total of 48 residents graduated from the programme, with only 2(4.2%) of them being females. Overall, 19(39.6%) residents hailed from areas outside Karachi; 28(58.3%) belonged to Karachi; 1(2%) came from Kenya; 41(85.4%) remained to serve in Pakistan working mostly in tertiary healthcare centres; and 7(14.6%) moved abroad on consultancy and teaching assignments. Subspecialty training had a general trend towards general orthopaedics and trauma 21(43.7%), followed by arthroplasty surgery 13(27%).

Patient outcomes association with patient factors and care provided: trauma registry derived cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of delay in treatment with injury-specific patient outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-center, longitudinal cohort study on orthopaedic trauma registry. Data on patients enrolled between June 2015 and June 2018 were analyzed. Data was collected from admitted consenting patients' medical records. Definitive surgical care provided after 24 hours was considered as 'delayed surgical treatment'. Outcomes of patients were serially assessed on follow-up visits up to 12 months using injury-specific scoring system. RESULTS: A total of 789 patients, were enrolled with 856 upper or lower extremity injuries altogether; in 67 cases both extremities were involved. Surgery was done in 90% while 10% were managed conservatively. A delay in the surgical procedure was experienced by 185(23%) patients. Mortality was 3.28% (6 of 185) in the delayed treatment group and 1% (6 of 603 patients) in the early treatment group (p=0.046). In proximal femur there was a nonsignificant trend towards better outcomes in the early treatment group at 3 and 12 months (p=0.06), while in Tibial shaft fractures, there was a non-significant trend towards better outcomes in the delayed treatment group at 3 and 6-months (p=0.09). There was no association between treatment delay for distal radius and proximal humerus fractures and their outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our trauma registry model provides outcomes data enabling identification of patient subsets who did not achieve good outcome, and suggests possible role of delay in surgical treatment beyond 24 hours in the outcomes..

Functional and clinical outcomes of open versus closed radius and ulna shaft fractures in adults: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare functional and clinical outcomes of open versus closed radius ulna shaft fractures in adults treated by internal fixation. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on patients presenting with traumatic radius and ulna shaft fractures to Aga Khan University and undergoing internal fixation between July 2015 to June 2019. Data was extracted from an ongoing orthopaedic trauma registry. Functional and clinical outcomes were assessed by Price et al. criteria at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Outcome scores of open versus closed fractures were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-nine adult patients with isolated radius and ulna shaft fracture were identified. Cause of injury was road traffic accident in 18 (62%) and fall in 11 (38%) patients. Seventeen (59%) were closed and 12 (41%) were open fractures. At 6week follow-up, better outcomes were observed in closed fracture group (p=0.01) with near-full range of motion and activity in 10(83%) patients as compared to 3(27%) in the open fracture group. No significant difference in outcomes was observed at 3 months and thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier recovery of function at 6 weeks was observed in majority of patients in the closed fracture group. Our data shows that good-excellent functional and clinical results are achievable by internal fixation in both open as well as closed fractures of the shaft of radius and ulna in adults.

Iatrogenic trauma following percutaneous and minimally invasive surgical interventions.

Technological progress has changed the landscape of surgical practice. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and percutaneous interventions (PC) are constantly replacing open procedures. This reduces hospital stay and allows quicker recovery. The application of MIS should follow the good medical practice dictum by Hippocrates i.e. "First do no harm". To remain abreast with new procedures, the medical personnel are required to update and enhance their knowledge and skill. To ensure safety, the innovations are rigorously tested and tried. The learning curve of MIS is shortened by simulator training and proctorship. Credentialing processes are in place to enhance safe delivery of care. Despite of all these measures MIS and PCI are associated with adverse effects. The purpose of this article is to overview the iatrogenic trauma associated with MIS and PCI in major surgical subspecialties.

Comparison of intraarticular distal humerus fracture outcomes treated with or without olecranon osteotomy - A case series.

A case series was extracted from the trauma registry at Aga Khan University Hospital from the period June 2015 to June 2019. Included were 16 adult patients who presented with intra-articular distal humerus fracture type C2. The functional, clinical and radiological outcomes of fractures treated with or without olecranon osteotomy up to 12 months follow-up were compared. Outcomes were assessed at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months re-visits. Among the 16 studied patients, 9 (56%) were males and 7 (44%) were females. In the group without osteotomy, there was a good functional and clinical outcome with a mean Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 32±30 at 3 months post-procedure. Bone healing was noticed at 6 months after surgery. In the osteotomy group, 50%-70% bone union was seen at 3 months post-surgery while fair functional and clinical outcome was achieved at 6 months after surgery.

Wellness Services: A Need Assessment Survey for Post Graduate Medical Education Trainees at Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the need of mental wellbeing services for post graduate medical (PGME) trainees working at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all PGME trainees working at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The study questionnaire was developed by the team of investigators. The data collection was done through online survey from April 2019 to May 2019 and it was analyzed using descriptive and inferential analyses. RESULTS: Out of total 623 PGME trainees, 334 trainees completed the online survey (response rate of 53.61%). A total of 292 participants (87.4%) perceived a need for mental health services. The major stressors identified were increase work hours (77.8%), excessive workload (75.1%), and difficulty balancing between work and personal life (72.8%). The perceived obstacles of utilizing mental services included lack of protected time (69.8%), fear of consequences (36.8%), lack of confidentiality (36.5%), and stigma (32.9%). The study participants indicated various suggestions to reduce their stressors such as separate relaxation space in hospital (91.3%), appreciation gestures like encouraging emails (65%), mentoring programs (43.4%), and regular surveys about resident needs (39.8%). CONCLUSION: It is evident that innovative strategies to address trainees' mental health needs, looking at limitations of developing countries like Pakistan with large population and limited resources, need to be explored.

Workplace violence against doctors involved in clinical care at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

A study was conducted to determine perceptions, attitudes and experience of workplace violence among residents and faculty at a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan. An anonymous, electronic, self-administered questionnaire was circulated among all residents and faculty members working at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. A standard questionnaire was devised and used, and workplace violence and its types were defined as per World Health Organization (WHO) definitions. An overall response rate of 44.9% was achieved. A total of 53.4% of the respondents reported being victims of some form of workplace violence with verbal abuse being the most prevalent (41.6%) followed by bullying and threat. Most frequent perpetrators were found to be faculty members followed by patients or their attendants. Specialty of respondents was found to be significantly associated with verbal abuse and significantly more females were subjected to sexual harassment, while ethnicity was found to be significantly associated with racial harassment. The results correspond to previously available literature, while they also highlight some findings unique to our culture. We suggest that measures should be taken as per WHO and Joint Commission International Accreditation ( J CIA) recommendations to prevent workplace violence across the country.

Isolation and culture of dental pulp stem cells from permanent and deciduous teeth.

OBJECTIVE: To isolate dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from non-infected human permanent and deciduous teeth. METHODS: It was an in-vitro experimental study. Human teeth were collected from 13 apparently healthy subjects including nine adults and four children. After decoronation dental pulps were extirpated from teeth and cultured via explant method in a stem cell defined media. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: As above MSCs emerged exhibiting fibroblast-like morphology. In vitro culture was positive for 100% (9/9) and 75% (3/4) of the permanent and deciduous teeth respectively. First cell appeared from deciduous teeth pulp in 10±6.2 days while permanent teeth pulp took 12.4±3.7 days. Together, 26.6±3.6 and 24.5±3.5 days were required for permanent and deciduous tooth pulp stem cells to be ready for further assays. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol we developed is easy and consistent and can be used to generate reliable source of MScs for engineering of calcified and non-calcified tissue for regenerative medicine approaches.

Leaving Against Medical Advice From In-patients Departments Rate, Reasons and Predicting Risk Factors for Re-visiting Hospital Retrospective Cohort From a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 1% to 2% of hospitalized patients get discharged or leave from the hospital against medical advice and up to 26% in some centers. They have higher readmission rate and risk of complications than patients who receive complete care. In this study we aimed to determine the rate of leave against medical advice (LAMA) and reasons for the same across different in-patient departments of a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study on patients admitted in all departments at our institute over a 1-year period. All patients who were admitted to an in-patient ward at the hospital and who left against medical advice by submitting a duly filled LAMA form were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models with forward selection methods were employed. Revisit to hospital within 30 days; to clinic or emergency department was outcome variable for regression. RESULTS: From June 2015 to May 2016 there were 429 LAMA patients, accounting for 0.7% of total admissions. Females were 223 (52%) compared to males 206 (48%). Finances were quoted as the most common reason for LAMA by 174 (41%) patients followed by domestic problems 78 (18%). Internal medicine was the service with the highest number of LAMA patients ie, 153 (36%) followed by Pediatric medicine with 73 (17%). Of the 429 patients, 147 (34%) patients revisited the hospital within 30 days. Sixty-one percent of these 'bounced-back' LAMA patients had worsening or persistence of same problem, or new problem/s had developed. In unadjusted bivariate logistic model, patients who were advised for follow-up during discharge against medical advice were four times more likely to revisit the hospital. Patients who were married had an increased odd of revisiting the hospital. CONCLUSION: Financial reasons are the most common stated reasons to LAMA. Patients who LAMA are at a high risk of clinical worsening and 'bouncing back.' This is the first study from our region on in-patient LAMA rates, to our knowledge. The results can be used for planning measures to reduce LAMA rates and its consequences.

Injury specific trauma registry: Outcomes of a prospective cohort with proximal femur fractures.

BACKGROUND: The elderly population is prone to hip fractures, and treating such patients to achieve good outcomes can be challenging. Collection of outcomes data can support clinicians to modify their treatment protocols and improve outcomes over time. The aim of this study is to compare different surgical procedures in patients with neck of femur and intertrochanteric fractures in terms of clinical, functional and radiological outcomes using injury-specific outcome scores. METHODS: The study data was derived from the existing single-center, prospective orthopaedic trauma registry initiated from July 2015. Functional, clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed using Modified Harris Hip Score and The Radiographic Union Score for Hip. Mean radiological outcome scores was compared by Mann-Whitney U test and deaths by Chi-square and Odds ratio. RESULTS: Of the total 138 patients, 53 (38%) were neck of femur and 85 (62%) Intertrochanteric fractures with fall as leading cause of injury. At 12 months follow-up, modified Harris Hip Score showed 67% excellent-good results in both dynamic hip screw (N = 6) and total hip replacement (N = 3) followed by 50% in intramedullary nail (N = 2). Hemiarthroplasty has fair-poor outcomes with significantly higher deaths as compared to other procedure groups (p = 0.016). Radiological outcomes showed non-significant trend towards better outcomes in dynamic hip screw as compared to intramedullary nail (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Our 12 months follow-up data suggest that dynamic hip screw and total hip replacement have better clinical, functional outcomes followed by intramedullary nail. Hemiarthroplasty has fair-poor clinical and functional outcomes with significantly higher deaths as compared to other procedure groups.

Can alternate-day Statin regimen minimize its adverse effects on muscle and tendon? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To review evidence-based data with respect to safety and efficacy of alternate-day statin therapy in dyslipidaemia compared to the standard daily dose. METHODS: The literature review was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from July, 2016 to August, 2017. Electronic database search was carried out to compile available literature using PubMed, Excerpta Medica database and Google Scholar. The most relevant evidence-based research articles published over 10 years were selected. The latest search was dated August 03, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 2,074 articles were initially located. Alternate day statin regimen was reported in 53% of articles. Adverse effects on muscle and tendon were reported in 69% of articles. After scrutiny, 19(0.9%) studies covering alternate-day statin-mediated muscle and tendon disorders and 9(0.4%) studies encompassing the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of statin-associated muscle and tendon injury were selected. Except pravastatin and lovastatin, alternate-day statin therapy was almost as effective in lowering total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides as the daily dosing with low incidence of muscle toxicity and tends in opathy. CONCLUSIONS: Alternate-day statin regimen was found to be very well tolerated and might be an effective and safe remedy in clinical practice.