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BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered a gold standard management of gall stones. Some cases are still converted into open cholecystectomy. Among many other factors, the most important factor is dense adhesions due to previous abdominal surgery. Surgical skills and experience of an operating surgeon plays a vital role in reducing the conversion rates. OBJECTIVE: We aim to determine the relation of surgeons experience with the conversion rate of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in patients of previous abdominal surgery. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted from December 2011 to December 2015. We included patients with previous abdominal surgery who were admitted with gall stone disease and planned to be operated by laparoscopic method. Those patients who have other factors responsible for conversion beside previous abdominal surgery were excluded from the study. A routine preoperative assessment, including biochemical liver assessment and abdominal ultra-sonography was performed for all patients before surgery. The preoperative data collected was age, gender, location and history of previous abdominal surgery. RESULTS: Total conversion was 11.7%(35/298) which was significantly low with p-value <0.001. Conversion based on gender was found to be insignificant with p-value =0.07. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion rate of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy in patients of previous abdominal surgery can be markedly reduced if laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed by high volume surgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To report the frequency of common complications and their levels in metal-ceramic fixed dental prostheses (MC-FDPs). Methods:A Descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted at the Prosthodontics Department, Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar from January 2011 to October 2012. Using a structured proforma, data from 139 subjects fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study and reporting complications in their MC- FDPs were collected using the method of interview, clinical & radiographic examination. Results: Of 139 subjects (Mean age = 34±6.4 Years), 81 (58.3%) were males and 58 (41.7%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. De-cementation was the most common complication (41.7%). Least common complication was secondary caries (6.5%). Level-1 complications were more prevalent (77.7%) than level-2 complications (22.3%). In 91.4% cases, complications occurred before the FDP completed their fifth-years' service life with 25.2% of these occurring within the first years' service life. Conclusion:Irrespective of the type of complications, level-1 complications were more common with decementation being the most common complication. One-quarter of all the complications occurred within the first-year service life of the FDPs highlighting concern over the quality of the provided MC-FDPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effect of denture wearing on oral candidal activity through candida selective medium inoculated with standardized dilution salivary samples obtained from denture wearers. Methodology: A cross sectional, comparative study during March-September 2007 was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar. Using a structured proforma, data were collected from 50 subjects (50 Denture wearers). Stimulated salivary samples were collected from each subject. One ml of standard dilution saliva was mixed with 4ml sterile liquid candida -selective medium. The extent of candida activity was then determined, biochemically, through change in pH of the medium 24hrs after inoculation and incubation at 37°°C. Results: Pathological candidal activity was seen in denture wearers. However, the association between the denture wearing habit and candidal activity was found significant, meaning that continuous denture wearing always showed a high pH change (t- value of 0.01) and mean pH decrease of 2.2 in continuous denture wearers as compare to 1.6 in only day time wearers. Beside this denture plaque score, type of dentures and denture hygiene maintenance was found to have insignificant association with the candidal activity. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, denture wearing significantly enhanced the pathogenic activity of oral candida. The importance of rest to denture supporting tissue is re-emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]