Assessing the quality of ChatGPT's responses to questions related to radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of information provided by ChatGPT, in response to frequently asked questions about radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for varicose veins.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A set of 18 frequently asked questions regarding RFA for varicose veins were compiled from credible online sources and presented to ChatGPT twice, separately, using the new chat option.

Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and hemodialysis access failure in patients with end stage renal disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with an elevated risk of vascular access failure in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis. A comprehensive database search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Central was performed. Studies reporting the values of NLR in both functional and non-functional AVF groups in ESRD patients were selected.

Aetiologies of Leg Pain among Patients Presenting to a Vascular Surgery Clinic.

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of different aetiologies of leg pain among patients visiting vascular surgery clinics.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Vascular Surgery Clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, between February 2021 and June 2023.

A short report on the current landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vascular surgery in Pakistan.

This study focuses on the current applications, potential, and challenges to Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in vascular surgery with specific emphasis on its relevance in Pakistan. Despite the benefits of AI in vascular surgery, there is a substantial gap in its adoption in Pakistan compared to global standards. In our context with limited resources and a scarcity of vascular surgeons, AI can serve as a promising solution.

Development and content validation of a financial and functional outcomes tool for diabetes-related foot disease in patients undergoing major lower limb amputation: a prospective observational study from Pakistan.

Objective: To develop and content validate a questionnaire to assess the financial and functional impact of major lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes-related foot disease.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: This study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.

A systematic review of simulation training for lower extremity bypass procedures.

Objectives: Simulation is used across surgical specialties for skill enhancement. The choice and assessment method of a simulator varies across literature. In the age of endovascular approach, trainees have limited exposure to open lower limb bypass procedures which needs attention.

Axillary synovial sarcoma recurrence involving brachial plexus, a rare case report from Pakistan.

Introduction: Synovial sarcomas are rare tumors, and the incidence of axillary synovial sarcoma involving the brachial plexus has been reported as 2.9 % among all axillary soft tissue tumors. However, the recurrence of axillary synovial sarcomas has not been reported in literature.

Role of stem cells in arteriovenous access: perspective from Lower Middle Income Countries.

Adequately created well functional haemodialysis access is an important part for the physical and mental wellbeing of renal failure patients. Every effort should be made to enhance the patency of these accesses. Recently, stem cell treatment modalities have opened new avenues in the better patency of arteriovenous fistula.

Autologous vein graft repair of mycotic innominate artery aneurysm: A case report.

Introduction: Innominate artery aneurysm (IAA) is an extremely rare fatal condition with an overall prevalence of less than 3 % of all supra-aortic artery aneurysms. These infrequent lesions usually present as an emergency and require challenging surgical procedures.

Case Presentation: We report an interesting case of mycotic IAA in a 25 years old male patient.

Role of Simulated Training for Carotid Endarterectomy: A Systematic Review.

Vascular surgery trainees often do not get to perform carotid endarterectomy (CEA) directly on the patients as it requires meticulous surgical technique and has a high risk of procedure-related complications. Hence, the role of simulation in training future vascular surgeons becomes essential. This review aims to assess the types and utility of simulators available for CEA.

Validation of Task-Specific Rating Scale for Open Balloon Catheter Arterial Embolectomy: An Assessor-Blinded Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

To develop and validate a task-specific rating scale (TSRS) by comparing with the Global Rating Scale (GRS) for the evaluation of brachial artery embolectomy (BAE). Participants were divided into expert and novice groups who were oriented on the locally developed simulator model. The following day, an embolectomy procedure was performed independently by the participants and graded by two independent assessors using the GRS and TSRS.

The Use of Formative Assessment in Postgraduate Urology Training: A Systematic Review.

Formative assessment is an essential component of surgical training. However, it is not usually a mandatory component in postgraduate curricula. The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate how formative assessments are integrated into postgraduate urology training in programs across the globe.

The evolving role of digital media in medical education.

Within the last decade, social media has progressed from a form of mere entertainment to a medium for solution of complex issues in our daily lives. During the last few years, social media has gained value in medical education and the diversity in the use of digital media has given new dimensions to medical education while facing the Covid pandemic. Digital media helps in creating virtual communities which not only bring more harmony between teachers and students but has also shown to have reduced anxiety and stress among students.

Clinicians as Leaders: Impact and Challenges.

Healthcare has always been a complex system phenomenon which needs accountability from the leading clinical and management roles. Adequate and competent leadership is recognized as a driving point for a successful healthcare division. Medical professionals taking charge for quality improvement are well placed yet the style to deliver their leadership qualities bears a massive significance.

Barriers in surgical research: A perspective from the developing world.

Research in surgery has led to significant advances over the last century in terms of how medicine is practised in and outside the operating rooms today. Surgical research in the developed countries is responsible for most of this advancement, but it is often inapplicable in resource-limited settings in the developing world. Lower- and middle-income countries are in a unique position to take this work further, but they are limited by certain barriers.

Role of simulation in open varicose veins surgery: A systematic review.

Objective: To assess the types and effectiveness of simulators present for open varicose vein surgery.

Methods: The systematic review was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi and comprised studies published from 1st January 2000 to 30th June 2020 related to open varicose vein surgical procedures done on simulators. Databases searched were PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Scopus using appropriate key words.

Outcomes of tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheters: An experience from a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction: Tunneled cuffed catheters (TCC) are generally used as a temporary means to provide hemodialysis (HD) until permanent arteriovenous access is established. However, certain complications are associated with use of TCCs such as infections, catheter malfunction/malposition or venous stenosis. Limited data is available on outcomes and long term complications associated with TCCs in our country.

Predictors of Poor Quality of Life after Primary Lower Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Perspective from a Developing Nation.

: We aimed to determine predictors of poor long term quality of life, using the VEINES Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire, in patients with lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT). : This study included adult patients with primary lower limb DVT between January 2007 and December 2017. Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) was assessed using the Villalta score and Quality of Life (QoL) by the VEINES quality of life questionnaire.

May-Thurner Syndrome: A Cause of Acute Left Iliac Vein Obstruction in Early Postpartum Period: A Case Report.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a rare disease common in middle aged females, characterised by left-sided lower limb Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to compression of the left iliac vein by the overriding right iliac artery. Pregnanc y and puerperal phases are one of the hypercoagulable states further predisposing towards th rombu s format io n. Treatme nt in c lu de s both conservative and interventional (venous thrombectomy with or without stenting).

Changing face of trauma and surgical training in a developing country: A literature review.

Trauma continues to be the major cause of disability and death globally and surgeons are often involved in immediate care. However there has been an exponential decrease in the number of the trained trauma surgeons. The purpose of the current review article is to summarize the published literature pertaining to trauma education in postgraduate surgical training programmes internationally and in a developing country as Pakistan.

Non-operative treatment of hepatic trauma: A changing paradigm. A Six year review of liver trauma patient in a single institute.

Objective: To review the managing strategies of adult patients with liver trauma in a tertiary care hospital during a six years period.

Methods: The medical records of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of liver trauma from January 2012 to December 2017 in the Aga Khan University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The details of demographic, clinical, and outcome variables including morbidity and mortality rates were noted.

Why do patients with limb ischaemia present late to a vascular surgeon? A prospective cohort study from the developing world.

Objective: To look into the factors responsible for delay in presentation of Iimb ischemia patients to a vascular surgeon.

Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from October 01, 2016, to August 10, 2018. Patients coming with delayed presentation of both acute and chronic limb ischemia were included.