Comparison of the effects and side-effects of sedation with propofol versus midazolam plus pethidine in patients undergoing endoscopy in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal endoscopy is an invasive and diagnostic procedure that causes the patients considerable pain, discomfort, and anxiety. Therefore, various types of sedation and analgesia techniques have been used during the procedure.

Aim: To compare the effects and side-effects of sedation with propofol versus midazolam plus pethidine in patients undergoing endoscopy.

Evaluation of argon plasma coagulation in healing of a solitary rectal ulcer in comparison with conventional therapy: a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS). However, it has not appeared to be effective in healing ulcers.

Aim: This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of APC in controlling rectal ulcer-induced bleeding, and at examining the ultimate effect of this approach in healing these lesions.

N-acetyl cysteine as an adjunct to standard anti-Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen in patients with dyspepsia: A prospective randomized, open-label trial.

Background: Increasing antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) which is associated with diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, has made alternative treatments necessary. This study compares the efficacy of adding N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to standard regimen for H.

Sequential Therapy Quadruple Therapy for Eradication in South West of Iran.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of quadruple and sequential therapy in eradication of in a randomized study.

Method: Three hundred positive patients were enrolled into the study. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: group I (n = 150) received quadruple therapy (20 mg omeprazole bid, 240 mg bismuth subcitrate bid, 1,000 mg tetracycline bid and 500 mg metronidazole bid) for 14 days, group II (n = 150) received sequential therapy (20 mg omeprazole bid, 1,000 mg amoxicillin bid for 5 days, followed by 20 mg omeprazole bid, 500 mg metronidazole bid, 500 mg clarithromycin for the other 5 days).

Prevention of post-spinal hypotension using crystalloid, colloid and ephedrine with three different combinations: A double blind randomized study.

Background: The benefit of prophylactic combination therapy using crystalloid and colloid preload with ephedrine has not been cleared to prevent maternal hypotension after spinal anesthesia at cesarean delivery. This study evaluated the efficacy of three combinational methods to prevent hypotension following spinal anesthesia.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective double blind trial, 150 candidates of elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to three treatment groups; 1---Ringer's Lactate (RL) solution (15 ml/kg) plus Hemaxel (7 ml/kg) preload, 2---RL solution (15 ml/kg) preload plus ephedrine (15 mg, IV, bolus), 3---Hemaxel (7 ml/kg) preload plus ephedrine (15 mg, IV, bolus).

Evaluation of N-acetyl Cysteine for the Prevention of Post-endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Prospective Double Blind Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is the most common serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) that can occasionally be fatal. Multiple drugs have been examined for the prevention of this side effect, with generally uncertain results. This study is an effort to prevent this complication by the use of oral N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).

A randomized comparative trial of combinational methods for preventing post-spinal hypotension at elective cesarean delivery.

Background: Various methods have been applied to prevent maternal hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. We compared the efficacy of three combinational methods in this regard in the current study.

Methods: In this randomized comparative trial, 150 candidates of elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were assigned to three groups: crystalloid preload and leg bandage, colloid preload and leg bandage, and ephedrine and leg bandage.

Comparison of the preventive analgesic effect of rectal ketamine and rectal acetaminophen after pediatric tonsillectomy.

Objectives: There is a little data about rectal administration of Ketamine as a postoperative analgesic, so we compared the efficacy of rectal ketamine with rectal acetaminophen, which is applied routinely for analgesia after painful surgeries like tonsillectomy.

Methods: In this single-blinded comparative trial, we enrolled 70 children undergoing elective tonsillectomy, and divided them randomly in two groups. Patients received rectal ketamine (2 mg / kg) or rectal acetaminophen (20 mg / kg) at the end of surgery.

Effect of cisatracurium versus atracurium on intraocular pressure in patients undergoing tracheal intubation for general anesthesia.

Background: Increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) following tracheal intubation during general anesthesia can be troublesome. We compared the influence of two muscle relaxants, cisatracurium and atracurium, on IOP in patients undergoing general anesthesia.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, comparative trial was conducted on 90 candidates for elective non-ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia.

Prevalence of celiac disease in Iranian children with idiopathic short stature.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) and the diagnostic value of immunoglobulin (Ig) A G antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and transglutaminase (TTG) antibodies for CD.

Methods: A total of 104 children (49 male, 55 female) with ISS without a specific etiology were studied. Extensive endocrine investigations had shown no abnormalities in any subject.

Hepatis C virus transmission and its risk factors within families of patients infected with hepatitis C virus in southern Iran: Khuzestan.

Aim: To determine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection of index cases increases intrafamilial transmission (sexual and nonsexual contacts) of HCV.

Methods: In a case-control descriptive study we enrolled 300-household contacts of 60 index cases (40 males and 20 females) of HCV infection and 360 pair-matched controls in Ahwaz JundiShapour University Hospitals from August 1, 1998 to September 1, 2003. The control group consisted of first time blood donors referred to the Regional Blood Transfusion Organization.

Application of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for the detection of Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Peptic ulceration following infection of the stomach with H. Pylori is a common disease. Accurate and rapid detection of the bacteria can lead to the implementation of appropriate treatment and recovery.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis C and its risk factors in Khuzestan Province, south-west of Iran: a case-control study.

Aim: To evaluate possible risk factors for the spread of hepatitis C infection and to analyze the characteristics of the epidemiological and clinical patterns among the patients with hepatitis C infection.

Methods: During a five-year period a cross-sectional study was conducted among HCV positive individuals referred to the Ahwaz JundiShapour University Hospitals (AJSUH) and Hepatitis Clinic from 1 Sept 1999 to 1 Sept 2003. The control group consisted of first time blood donors referred to the Regional Blood Transfusion organization.

Clinical profile of gastric cancer in Khuzestan, southwest of Iran.

Aim: To analyze the characteristics of epidemiological, clinical and survival patterns among patients with carcinoma of the stomach.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the characteristics of 186 gastric adenocarcinoma patients at Ahwaz Jundishapur University Hospitals (AJSUH) from September 1, 1996 to September 1, 2002. All the patients had histopathologically-confirmed malignancy.

Celiac disease in South-West of Iran.

Aim: Celiac disease is characterized by life-long gluten intolerance. Clinical features of patients with celiac disease are variable. Studies about the prevalence of celiac disease in our country are scarce and there is no study on the prevalence of celiac disease in southern Iran.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in Southern Iran.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Its etiology and incidence differ according to geographic area. In the present study, we sought to identify risk factors for HCC among a group of patients with HCC in Southern Iran.

Esophageal perforation after tracheal intubation, spontaneous or iatrogenic?--a case report.

Esophageal perforation is a rare but life-threatening complication associated with tracheal intubation, especially after difficult intubation. Esophageal perforation after anesthesia is rare and usually secondary to esophageal instrumentation. Spontaneous esophageal perforation following forceful vomiting (Boerhaave's syndrome) is also extremely rare and has some risk factors.