MyMedR

Fulltext Conduct of body donation and cadaveric dissection training during the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges, impacts and mitigation

Wong LP, Alias H, Tan SL, Saw A

Anat Sci Int, 2023 Sep;98(4):558-565.

PMID: 37072599 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-023-00723-9

The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a substantial impact on the Silent Mentor Programme (SMP), a programme in which members of the public may pledge their bodies to be used for medical training and research after their death. This study aimed to explore the conduct of body donations and simulation surgery training during the COVID-19 pandemic from the viewpoints of the committee members of the SMP and the next-of-kin of body donor pledgers. This study utilised a qualitative exploration method to seek an in-depth understanding of this phenomenon. In-depth individual interviews were carried out. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of themes. The COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is compulsory before accepting a body donation, and this resulted in the turning down of several donations. Being a donor is the final wish of pledgers and this turning down led to a negative emotional remorseful feeling in the next-of-kin of pledgers. From the perspective of students, it is feared that the conduct of the programme, particularly the home visit session being held online, has impeded teaching of humanistic values, compassion, and empathy, which is the prime philosophy of the programme. Previous to the pandemic, the programme ceremonies were well-attended, denoting the utmost respect and recognition of the mentors; however, travel restrictions due to the pandemic limiting in-person attendance resulted in ceremonies becoming less impactful. Continuous postponements of cadaveric dissection training also resulted in students missing training opportunities, hence potentially impairing their professional practice and humanistic values in the medical profession. Counselling interventions should be directed at easing the negative psychological impact on the next-of-kin of pledgers. As the COVID-19 pandemic may pose a significant impediment to achieving the educational outcomes of cadaveric dissection training, efforts to make up for these gaps are essential.

Fulltext Correction to: Factors influencing childhood anaemia in Bangladesh: a two level logistic regression analysis

Yusuf A, Mamun ASMA, Kamruzzaman M, Saw A, Abo El-Fetoh NM, Lestrel PE, et al.

BMC Pediatr, 2019 Jul 26;19(1):258.

PMID: 31349810 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1607-3

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that name that appeared in published online version is incorrect.

Fulltext Factors influencing childhood anaemia in Bangladesh: a two level logistic regression analysis

Yusuf A, Mamun ASMA, Kamruzzaman M, Saw A, Abo El-Fetoh NM, Lestrel PE, et al.

BMC Pediatr, 2019 06 29;19(1):213.

PMID: 31255172 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1581-9

BACKGROUND: Anemia is not only a major public health problem among children in developing countries, it is also an important predictor for their future growth and development. The objective of this study was to identify possible factors associated with anemia among pre-school children in Bangladesh after removing a cluster effect of the population, and to determine the prevalence of this condition.

METHODS: Data for this study was extracted from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS-2011). In this survey, data was collected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling approach. The chi-square test and a two-level logistic regression model were used for further analysis.

RESULTS: Data from 2231 children aged 6-59 months were included for analysis. The prevalence of child anemia was noted to be 52.10%. Among these anemic children, 48.40% where from urban environment and 53.90% were from rural areas. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anemia among children was 57.10, 41.40 and 1.50% respectively. The two-level logistic regression model revealed that the following factors were associated with childhood anemia: children of anemic mothers (p

Fulltext Differentials in the prevalence of anemia among non-pregnant, ever-married women in Bangladesh: multilevel logistic regression analysis of data from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey

Kamruzzaman M, Rabbani MG, Saw A, Sayem MA, Hossain MG

BMC Womens Health, 2015;15:54.

PMID: 26219633 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-015-0211-4

Anemia is one of the most common public health problems globally, and high prevalence has been reported among women of reproductive age, especially in developing countries. This study was conducted to evaluate differentials in the prevalence of anemia among non-pregnant, ever-married women of reproductive age in Bangladesh, and to examine associations with demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors.

Fulltext Antimicrobial gauze as a dressing reduces pin site infection: a randomized controlled trial

Lee CK, Chua YP, Saw A

Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2012 Feb;470(2):610-5.

PMID: 21842299 DOI: 10.1007/s11999-011-1990-z

Pin site infection is a common problem in external fixation. Plain gauze wetted with normal saline is commonly used for a pin site dressing owing to the simplicity and low cost. Evidence to support adding an antimicrobial agent in the dressing material is lacking.

Fulltext Paediatric orthopaedic expert system

Lau CF, Malek S, Gunalan R, Saw A, Milow P, Song C

Health Informatics J, 2023;29(4):14604582231218530.

PMID: 38019888 DOI: 10.1177/14604582231218530

The paediatric orthopaedic expert system analyses and predicts the healing time of limb fractures in children using machine learning. As far we know, no published research on the paediatric orthopaedic expert system that predicts paediatric fracture healing time using machine learning has been published. The University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) offers paediatric orthopaedic data, comprises children under the age of 12 radiographs limb fractures with ages recorded from the date and time of initial trauma. SVR algorithms are used to predict and discover variables associated with fracture healing time. This study developed an expert system capable of predicting healing time, which can assist general practitioners and healthcare practitioners during treatment and follow-up. The system is available online at https://kidsfractureexpert.com/.

Dislocation of cervico-thoracic spine with no neurological deficit--a case report

Saw A, Sengupta S

Injury, 2001 Jun;32(5):430-2.

PMID: 11382432

PREVALENCE OF CHILD MARRIAGE AMONG BANGLADESHI WOMEN AND TREND OF CHANGE OVER TIME

Hossain MG, Mahumud RA, Saw A

J Biosoc Sci, 2016 Aug;48(4):530-8.

PMID: 26286142 DOI: 10.1017/S0021932015000279

Many Bangladeshi women marry early, and many marry before the legal age of 18 years. This practice has been associated with a higher risk of health and medical morbidities, and also early pregnancy with higher pre- and postnatal complications. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, and factors associated with, child marriage among Bangladeshi women using multiple binary logistic regression analysis of data from the BDHS-2011. Further analysis on the trend of age at first marriage was performed with additional data sets from previous surveys. The mean and median of ages at first marriage of Bangladeshi women in 2011 were 15.69±2.97 and 15.00 years, respectively. A remarkably high percentage (78.2%) married before the age of 18; of these, 5.5% married at a very early age (before 13 years of age). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that uneducated women were more likely to be married early (p<0.001) than those with secondary and higher education. Child marriage was especially pronounced among women with uneducated husbands, Muslims, those with poor economic backgrounds and those living in rural areas. Further analysis including data from previous BDHS surveys showed that child marriage among Bangladeshi women had a decreasing trend from 1993-94 to 2011. These results show that child marriage was very common in Bangladesh, and closely associated with low level of education and low economic status. The decreasing trend in child marriage indicates an improvement over the past two decades but more effort is needed to further reduce and eventually eliminate the practice.

MULTILEVEL LINEAR REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING BODY MASS INDEX AMONG BANGLADESHI MARRIED NON-PREGNANT WOMEN

Kamruzzaman M, Mamun ASMA, Bakar SMA, Saw A, Kamarul T, Islam MN, et al.

J Biosoc Sci, 2017 Jul;49(4):498-508.

PMID: 27866490 DOI: 10.1017/S0021932016000572

The aim of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing the body mass index (BMI) of non-pregnant married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. Secondary (Hierarchy) data from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, collected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling, were used. Two-level linear regression analysis was performed to remove the cluster effect of the variables. The mean BMI of married non-pregnant Bangladeshi women was 21.60±3.86 kg/m2, and the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 22.8%, 14.9% and 3.2%, respectively. After removing the cluster effect, age and age at first marriage were found to be positively (p<0.01) related with BMI. Number of children was negatively related with women's BMI. Lower BMI was especially found among women from rural areas and poor families, with an uneducated husband, with no television at home and who were currently breast-feeding. Age, total children ever born, age at first marriage, type of residence, education level, level of husband's education, wealth index, having a television at home and practising breast-feeding were found to be important predictors for the BMI of married Bangladeshi non-pregnant women of reproductive age. This information could be used to identify sections of the Bangladeshi population that require special attention, and to develop more effective strategies to resolve the problem of malnutrition.

Fulltext Comparing the mechanical strength of hip spica cast between a conventional and a new method of application

Wan KL, Shanmugam R, Lee KY, Saw A

J Child Orthop, 2016 Oct;10(5):387-94.

PMID: 27614766 DOI: 10.1007/s11832-016-0770-4

The current technique of hip spica application is mostly based on a publication by Kumar (J Pediatr Orthop 1(1):97-99, 1981). We modified the technique of hip spica application in order to reduce the rate of breakage across the hip joint and designed this study to compare the strength between hip spica applied according to Kumar's technique and the new technique.

Rates of pin site infection during distraction osteogenesis based on monthly observations: a pilot study

Saw A, Chua YP, Hossain G, Sengupta S

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2012 Aug;20(2):181-4.

PMID: 22933675

To assess the monthly rates of infection of individual pin sites in 7 patients during distraction osteogenesis.

Diluted povidone-iodine versus saline for dressing metal-skin interfaces in external fixation

Chan CK, Saw A, Kwan MK, Karina R

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2009 Apr;17(1):19-22.

PMID: 19398787

To compare infection rates associated with 2 dressing solutions for metal-skin interfaces.

Giant cell tumour of bone with late presentation: review of treatment and outcome

Ng ES, Saw A, Sengupta S, Nazarina AR, Path M

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2002 Dec;10(2):120-8.

PMID: 12493923

To review cases of giant cell tumour of bone or osteoclastoma managed at the University Malaya Medical Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, from January 1990 to December 1999.

Comparison of two methods of percutaneous pin fixation in displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

Foead A, Penafort R, Saw A, Sengupta S

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2004 Jun;12(1):76-82.

PMID: 15237126

To conduct a prospective randomised controlled study to compare the stability and risk of nerve injury between fractures treated by medial-lateral pin fixation and those treated by 2-lateral pin fixation.

Supracondylar nailing for difficult distal femur fractures

Saw A, Lau CP

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2003 Dec;11(2):141-7.

PMID: 14676338

To evaluate outcome following supracondylar nailing for distal femur fractures.

Fulltext Gradual correction of proximal tibia deformity for Blount disease in adolescent and young adults

Saw A, Phang ZH, Alrasheed MK, Gunalan R, Albaker MZ, Shanmugam R

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2019 9 19;27(3):2309499019873987.

PMID: 31530084 DOI: 10.1177/2309499019873987

PURPOSE: Management of Blount disease in adolescents and young adults is complex and associated with high risk of morbidities. Gradual correction with external fixator can minimize soft tissue injury and allow subsequent adjustment in degree of correction. This study investigates the surgical outcome and complication rate of gradual correction of neglected Blount disease through single-level extra-articular corticotomy.

METHODS: Patients treated for Blount disease using external fixator from 2002 to 2016 were recruited for the study. We used Ilizarov and Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) external fixator to perform simultaneous correction of all the metaphyseal deformities without elevating the tibia plateau. Surgical outcome was evaluated using mechanical axis deviation (MAD), tibial femoral angle (TFA), and femoral condyle tibial shaft angle (FCTSA).

RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with 32 tibias have been recruited for the study. The mean MAD improved from 95 ± 51.4 mm to 9.0 ± 37.7 mm (medial to midpoint of the knee), mean TFA improved from 31 ± 15° varus to 2 ± 14° valgus, and mean FCTSA improved from 53 ± 14° to 86 ± 14°. Mean duration of frame application is 9.4 months. Two patients developed pathological fractures over the distracted bones, one developed delayed consolidation and other developed overcorrection.

CONCLUSIONS: Correction of Blount disease can be achieved by gradual correction using Ilizarov or TSF external fixator with low risk of soft tissue complication. Longer duration of frame application should be considered to reduce the risk of pathological fracture or subsequent deformation of the corrected bone.

Fulltext Aberrant left brachiocephalic vein is a contraindication for anterior cervicothoracic approach

Ong EKS, Wong TS, Chung WH, Chiu CK, Saw A, Hasan MS, et al.

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2019 10 17;27(3):2309499019879213.

PMID: 31615339 DOI: 10.1177/2309499019879213

Aberrant left brachiocephalic vein is a rare condition. Its occurrence in patients requiring anterior cervicothoracic approach for severe kyphoscoliosis has not been described. A 16-year-old male with neurofibromatosis and severe upper thoracic kyphoscoliosis presented to us with curve progression. Halo gravity traction was attempted but failed to achieve significant correction. Subsequently, he underwent halo-pelvic traction and later Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) from C2 to T10. Second-stage anterior cervicothoracic approach with anterior fibula strut grafting was planned; however, preoperative computed tomography angiography revealed an aberrant left brachiocephalic vein with an anomalous retrotracheal and retroesophageal course, directly anterior to the T5/T6 vertebrae (planned anchor site for fibula strut graft) before draining into superior vena cava. Therefore, surgery was abandoned due to the risks associated with this anomaly. Aberrant left brachiocephalic vein is rare, the presence of which could be a contraindication for anterior cervicothoracic approach. Assessment of the anterior neurovascular structures is crucial in preoperative planning.

Reply

Saw A, Phang ZH

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2020 1 4;28(1):2309499019889902.

PMID: 31898473 DOI: 10.1177/2309499019889902

Fulltext Prevalence of underweight and effect of nutritional status on academic performance of primary school children in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh

Md Galam, H., Md Saimul, I., Kazi Enamul, H., Md Ashraful, I., Asma, Mamun, Kamruzzaman, M., et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2014;20(1):71-81.

MyJurnal

Introduction: The high prevalence of underweight among children is a serious health concern in Bangladesh. Nutritional status influences students' academic performance directly or indirectly. This study aimed to determine factors that affect the academic performance of students in primary schools. Methods: Data were collected from several schools and madrasahs in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh using multistage stratified sampling with proportional allocation technique. Results: The prevalence of underweight children was 32.3%, with 43.0% of them being girls and 21.4% boys. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that normal weight children were more likely (p

Fulltext A Biomechanical Comparison between Taylor's Spatial Frame and Ilizarov External Fixator

Tan B, Shanmugam R, Gunalan R, Chua Y, Hossain G, Saw A

Malays Orthop J, 2014 Jul;8(2):35-9.

PMID: 25279090 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1407.012

Taylor's spatial frame (TSF) and Ilizarov external fixators (IEF) are two circular external fixator commonly used to address complex deformity and fractures. There is currently no data available comparing the biomechanical properties of these two external fixators. This study looks into the mechanical characteristics of each system. TSF rings with 6 oblique struts, 4 tube connectors, 4 threaded rods, and 6 threaded rods were compared to a standard IEF rings with 4 threaded rods. Compression and torsional loading was performed to the frame as well as construct with Polyvinylchloride tubes. TSF rings with 4 tube connectors had the highest stiffness (3288 N/mm) while TSF rings with 6 struts was the least stiff. The situation was reversed for torsion where TSF rings with 6 oblique struts had the highest torsional stiffness (82.01 Nm/Degree) and frame Ilizarov rings with 4 threaded rods the least. Standard TSF construct of two ring with 6 oblique struts have better torsional stiffness and lower axial stiffness compared to the standard IEF.

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 58 in total