Laparoscopy: A Better Approach for Perforated Duodenal Ulcer.

Background Laparoscopic surgery is becoming the gold standard for most abdominal surgeries in recent times. Laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenal ulcer (PDU), however, is still an area of debate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic repair of PDU versus open repair.

Teleoncology: improving patient outcome through coordinated care.

Introduction: There are few specialized oncology centers in Pakistan. Teleoncology was introduced for weekly tumor case meetings between the surgery departments of Holy Family Hospital and NORI Hospital using videoconferencing. The team of surgeons, radiologists, and histopathologists of Holy Family Hospital and the oncologists from NORI Hospital are now conducting joint regular multidisciplinary meetings weekly for the well-being of patients of the area.

The impact of curriculum on a national telehealth program.

Pakistan developed a curriculum for training in telemedicine based upon international experience and regional needs. The curriculum was offered to selected specialists across the spectrum of medicine, policymakers, and engineer experts. The curriculum was experience based and hands-on.

Complications in patients with spinal cord injuries sustained in an earthquake in Northern Pakistan.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating trauma suffered by many of the victims of an earthquake that struck Northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005. It rendered approximately 600 patients paraplegic, which is the highest number ever reported in any disaster. This study was conducted to evaluate the risk of complications.

Comparison of store and forward method of teledermatology with face-to-face consultation.

Background: To compare the accuracy of store and forward method of teledermatology with the traditional face-to-face consultation.

Methods: The comparison was done between Institute of Dermatology King Edward Medical College Lahore that served as teledermatology center and Dermatology Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad from where patients were selected. Telmedpak provided the technical support.