To compare two techniques of human amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) following pterygium excision: (1) end to end suturing of the amniotic membrane graft (AMG) with the conjunctiva versus (2) a new technique of purse-string suturing of the AMG and tucking of AMG under the free edge of conjunctiva.

Pterygium surgery with human AMT was done in 42 eyes with primary pterygium. Twenty four eyes (group A) underwent end-to-end suturing of AMG with conjunctiva. Eighteen eyes (group B) underwent purse-string suturing of AMG with underlying sclera with free edge of AMG tucked under conjunctiva on three sides. The two groups were compared in terms of the outcome measures, i.e. complete epithelialization time of AMG and recurrence of pterygium within 1 year.

The complete epithelialization of AMG occurred in 21 days (range 14 to 28 days) and 14 days (range 7 to 21 days) in groups A and B respectively. In group A, 7 eyes (29.17%) developed recurrence. In group B, 2 eyes (11.11%) developed recurrence.

Purse string suturing and tucking of AMG resulted in faster epithelization of AMG and lower recurrences in comparison with end to end suturing of AMG in the management of primary pterygium.

Bansal R, Jain AK, Sehgal R. Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in the Treatment of Primary Pterygium: A Comparative Study of Two Techniques. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):1-7.

To find out prevalence and the associated predisposing etiologic conditions of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) amongst autopsied cases.

The present study was a retrospective analysis of 125 cases of ARDS obtained at autopsy over a span of 4 years from 2000-2003.

Data was retrieved from the postmortem record of the pathology department and the medical record department. A review of histology slides was done with diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) as the correlate of ARDS at histopathology.

Prevalence of ARDS amongst autopsied cases was 3.15%. There were 60% cases in adult age group and of male gender; whereas 40% were children and of female gender. Almost 90% of cases succumbed to ARDS within a week of admission. The most common presenting features were of the respiratory system. The most common predisposing etiologic association was leptospirosis, septicemia and pneumonia.

Systemic infections were the most common predisposing etiologic conditions of ARDS at autopsy.

Sachdev S, Pandit SP. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Autopsy Study. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):8-13.

Sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block is used for a variety of craniofacial pain syndromes either through the trans-nasal route or via the infrazygomatic approach. Intraoperative imaging can identify the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) but not the exact position of the SPG. Accurate localization of the PG requires knowledge of the relevant anatomical landmarks.

Thirty mid sagittal head and neck cadaveric sections were studied and the morphometric data was te correct SPG localization via trans-nasal roach and infrazygomatic approach.

The sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) was located at an average distance of 55 mm from the anterior nasal spine at a mean angle of 22°. It was at or just superior to the midpoint of a line joining the skull base and the hard palate. The SPG was located 4 mm posterior and 4.7 mm lateral to the SPF at a mean distance of 6.3 mm from the SPF at an inclination of about 50° in both the sagittal and coronal planes. In the infrazygomatic approach, the SPG was between 4.5 and 6.3 cm the skin and an angle of about 7° posterior and inferior.

These morphometric measurements will be of help to the clinician for accurate electrode or needle placement for SPG block and in avoiding complications related to inaccurate needle placement.

Gupta T, Aggarwal A, Sahni D. Anatomic Landmarks and Morphometric Measurements for Accurate Localization of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion via the Transnasal and Infrazygomatic Approaches: A Cadaveric Study. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):14-18.

A ‘healthy village’ concept as a healthy setting approach is lacking in India, where approximately 70% of population lives in villages. Despite various village development programs, the quality of life in Indian villages continues to be poor.

To evaluate some villages in district Ambala as healthy villages.

This cross-sectional study of seven villages under a sub center was conducted during January to April 2010. These villages were compared on the basis of scores obtained on a checklist developed for evaluating ‘healthy village’. The village headmen, committee members, various health workers, accredited social health activists and anganwadi workers were also interviewed.

The sub center headquarter, the largest village, scored maximum among seven villages (90/130; 69.2%). Lowest score was observed in the smallest village (49/130; 37.7%). Most villages faired poorly on intersectoral coordination, youth activities, and historical/cultural heritage. Performance of all villages on ‘availability of basic statistics’ and ‘animal shelter’ was excellent.

Apparently, population size of a village was linked with its being a healthy village. None of the village had an excellent score. Overall, an average rating can be assigned to these villages as healthy village.

Kalyanasundaram M, Singh A, Singh N. How ‘Healthy’ are Villages in District Ambala, Haryana: A Pilot Study? J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):19-23.

Handa S, Narang T. An Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study in Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque-Type Psoriasis treated with Mesalazine. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):24-26.

Singh A, Kulkarni K, Shenoy S, Sandhu J. Effect of 6 Weeks of Preseason Concurrent Muscular Strength and Plyometric Training in Professional Soccer Players. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):27-32.

This study compares the eficacy and safety of sublingual vs oral misoprostol for induction of labor.

160 women admitted for induction of labor at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh were randomized to receive 25 µg misoprostol orally 3 hourly or 25 µg sublingual misoprostol 4 hourly for labor induction.

The two groups were compared for number of women not delivered in 24 hours, misoprostol dose required, induction delivery interval, incidence of uterine contraction abnormalities, mode of delivery, side effects and neonatal outcomes.

Low dose of misoprostol is eficacious with both routes of administration. Majority women delivered vaginally and of them, comparable numbers in both vaginal and sublingual misoprostol groups delivered within 24 hours of induction (93.1 and 83.7%). The sublingual route is associated with a statistically signiicant lesser induction to delivery interval (14.8 ± 6.2 hours vs 17.67 ± 7.32 hours) and lesser requirement of oxytocin augmentation (62.5 vs 35%). The occurrence of uterine contraction abnormalities and neonatal outcome was similar in both groups.

The low dose of 25 µg is eficacious and safe by both sublingual and oral routes. Sublingual route has lesser induction to delivery interval and lesser requirement for oxytocin augmentation.

Siwatch S, Doke G, Kalra J Bagga R. Sublingual vs Oral Misoprostol for Labor Induction. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):33-36.

Kanojia R, Kumar V, Garg B, Dhillon MS. Implant-related Metal Hypersensitivity—A Cause for Concern: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):37-39.

Kasilingam SK, Jindal S. Unilateral Hypoplasia of Lung in Association with Dilated Stomach. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):40-42.

Singh SK, Gnanasekharan M, Kumar S, Ganesamoni R, Bal A. Metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Prostate: Is Androgen Deprivation Therapy Beneficial. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(1):43-45.