Conference Papers
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This collection contains abstracts of conference papers, presented at local and international conferences by the staff of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item 6542 Clinical profiles of children less than 5 years presenting with or high risk of cerebral palsy in the Western Province of Sri Lanka(BMJ, 2024) Sumanasena, S.; Heiyanthuduwage, T.M.; Fernando, R.; Sheedy, H.S.; Jagoda, J.; Wijesekara, S.; Wanigasinghe, J.; Muttiah, N.; Rathnayake, P.; Kitnasamy, G.; Khandaker, G.OBJECTIVES Cerebral palsy (CP) is the commonest physical disability in children globally.1 It is a clinical diagnosis based on clinical and neurological findings. International clinical practice guidelines recommend early diagnosis and CP specific interventions to invest in neural plasticity and achieve optimal functional levels.2 In the past diagnosis was confirmed at 12–24 months but now it is advanced to confirm or identify as high risk for CP before the age of six months.3 4 Sri Lanka is one of the few Asian countries that initiated a CP register and National Guidelines on management of CP.5 The objective of this paper is to describe the clinical profiles of children less than 5 years presenting to Western Province hospitals in Sri Lanka based on the data from the Sri Lanka Cerebral Palsy Register (SLCPR).METHODS A cross sectional hospital-based study was conducted in the Western Province from September 2018 – October 2021 in three teaching hospitals to collect a minimum data set for the Sri Lanka SLCPR. Data of children less than 60 months was extracted with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of CP or identified formally as ‘high risk’ of CP.Information on sociodemographic, pre/peri/neonatal, and post neonatal risk factors, and associated impairments were collected using hospital records and clinic notes. Clinical motor type, topography, and associated impairments were evaluated.RESULTS Data of 431 children were extracted, 254 (58.9%) were males. Mean age at diagnosis was 28.73 months (median 27, SD 14.98). Most children (n= 422, 97.9%) acquired CP in the pre/peri/neonatal period. The mean birth weight was 2304.4 g (median 37, SD 825.58g) and the mean POA was 35.82 months (median 37, SD 4.88). Main risk factors identified were prematurity (n=190, 44.1%), hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) (n= 234, 54.3%), jaundice (n=31, 7.2%) and sepsis (n= 13, 3.0%). While 183 children (42.5%) showed evidence of definitive spastic motor type, 184 (42.7%) showed predominant dyskinesia.CONCLUSION The age at diagnosis of this population from Sri Lanka is significantly lower than from other LMICs. HIE and prematurity, both preventable conditions remain the highest risk factors. Longitudinal follow up will ascertain the final motor outcomes as a higher proportion of children showed dyskinesia. The SLCPR is an important resource which will support new research towards investigating opportunities for prevention and service planning for children.Item 6503 Using anthropometric data to investigate the nutritional status of children included on the Sri Lankan cerebral palsy register.(BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2024) Sumanasena, S.; Fernando, R.; Kurukulaarachchi, S.; Heiyanthuduwage, T.M.; Sheedy, H.S.; Wijesekara, S.; Jagoda, J.; Muttiah, N.OBJECTIVES The nutritional data from children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low and middle income countries (LMIC) is sparse. In high income countries (HICs) well established nutritional care plans, commercial products and good psycho-social support are available.1 A multitude of complications arise due to malnutrition leading to poor quality of life.2 Here we investigated the nutritional status of children included in the Sri Lankan Cerebral Palsy Register (SLCPR).METHODS The study included 768 children aged 0–18 years with CP, attending three teaching hospitals in the Western Province, from September 2018 to November 2021. Data included clinical profile and anthropometry [weight (Kg), height (cm), BMI, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) (cm), and OFC (cm)] based on WHO. Average was calculated using three repeated measurements. Children who could not stand independently (GMFCS level 4/5) underwent height estimations with the knee height equation: height = (2.69 X Knee height) + 24.2.Indicators used to measure the nutritional status were: weight for age Z score (WAZ), height for age Z score (HAZ), weight for height Z score (WHZ), BMI for age Z score (BAZ), and MUAC for age Z score (MUACZ). WHO Anthro and WHO AnthroPlus software calculated all Z scores.4 HAZ and BAZ were calculated for children aged <18 years, WAZ was calculated for children aged <10.1 years, and WHZ and MUACZ were calculated for children aged <5.1 years. The z scores < -2.0 SD were categorized as underweight (WAZ), stunted (HAZ), wasted (WHZ or MUAC), thin (BAZ).RESULTS Total of 768 children (mean age 59.6 months, SD 44.9, 62.5% males) participated. There were (n=431) children under 61 months and (n=520) from 0–10 years. Of them, 51.3% (n = 267/520) were underweight, 59.8% (n = 258/431) were stunted and 27.3% (n = 210/768) were thin. Among children aged < 5 years, 26.7% (n = 115/431) had severe wasting and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) according to MUACZ < -3SD. Both underweight and stunting were significantly higher among children with spastic CP compared with others (p<0.05). In the 5–19 year group 16.9% (n= 57/337) were obese (BAZ > + 2SD).CONCLUSION Predominant stunting and underweight in this population calls for urgent action to minimize chronic malnutrition. It is imperative to further explore nutritional intake and feeding difficulties in this group and offer structured nutritional care plans. The trend observed in older children towards obesity possibly indicates the need for coordinated nutrition and exercise programmes. It is recommended to regularly monitor growth and nutritional status of all children with CP as there may be serious implications for their activity levels.Item Elective cholecystectomy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with severe Thalassemia: A retrospective case control study.(Ferrata Storti Foundation, 2015) Premawardhena, A.; Fernando, R.; Kumarage, S.; Nishad, N.; de Silva, I.BACKGROUND: Haemoglobin disorders including thalassemia and sickle cell disease are often complicated with gall stone formation. The co-existence of Gilbert's syndrome together with these diseases further increases the risk of gall bladder disease. Some of these patients develop symptomatic disease which necessitates surgical intervention. At present the timing of cholecystectomy for thalassemia is no different from that of the general population with the exception of removal of the gall bladder at the time of splenectomy. This is no longer the case in sickle cell disease where, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended even in asymptomatic patients. This practice however has not been extended to other types of haemoglobin disorders. AIM(S): 1.To assess the perioperative complications of patients with thalassaemia during cholecytetomy and to compare it with non thalassaemics who undergo the procedure. 2. To see if there is enough evidence to recommend elective cholecystectomy for thalassaemics. METHOD(S): We retrospectively studied case notes of thalassemia patients who had cholecystectomy (cases) in two of the biggest thalassaemia centres in Sri Lanka and also of 62 non-thalassaemics (controls) with gall bladder disease who had been scheduled to have gall bladder surgery in the same hospitals and looked at their peri-operative complications. RESULT(S): 98 out of 540 (18%) thalassaemics in the two centres had gall stones. Mean age of cases was 26.8 (SD 10.9) years and of controls 47.5 (SD 19.7) years. 19 (19%) thalassaemics with gall stones had undergone cholecystectomy. Ten patients had cholecystectomy simultaneously with splenectomy. The majority of non-thalassaemic "controls" had laparoscopic cholecystectomy 53/55 (96.3%) whilst the patients with thalassaemia were mostly operated with laparotomy 13/19 (68%). There was a significant excess complications occurring in both early (42.11 vs. 18.1%) and late (31.5 vs. 12.7%) phases in the thalassaemic patients compared with the controls. Among the early complications, sepsis (10.5% vs. 1.8%) and liver abscess formation (5.2 vs. 0%) was significantly different in the groups, adversely affecting the thalassaemics. Recurrent abdominal pain was more common among the thalassaemics as a late complication (P<0.05). Six thalassaemic patients with gall stone disease died during this study, 5(5%) while awaiting surgery and 1(1%) after surgery. There were no deaths among the controls. Out of the deaths, 3 (50%) were directly attributable to gallstone disease. In all three septicemia precipitated heart failure. We found a significant increase of both early and late post-surgical complications in the thalassemia group and also increased mortality most of which was related to severe sepsis. Higher perioperative mortality and morbidity were seen among symptomatic thalassaemic patients with gall stone disease undergoing cholecystectomy. This seems to suggest a strong case for supporting elective cholecystectomy in thalassemics before they develop symptoms. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION(S): We suggest that laparoscopic elective cholecystectomy be considered for non-sickle, thalassemia patients too who have asymptomatic gall bladder disease, in an attempt to reduce this morbidity and mortality.Item Awareness regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among service users at a tertiary care hospital(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Hapangama, A.; Gunasekera, T.; Pieris, M.U.P.K.; Fernando, R.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: ECT saves lives and is extremely effective in treatment resistant psychiatric conditions. Despite this there appear to be an unease and stigma attached to ECT. Exploration about the awareness regarding ECT among service users can improve the practice of ECT. Objective was to demonstrate awareness about ECT among services users at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried among all consenting service users at a tertiary care Hospital in Sri Lanka using an interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 221 participants, 54% were careers. 65% thought ECT is a treatment for psychiatric conditions while 58% and 19% thought ECT is used to violence in the absence of a mental illness and to punish opponents respectively. There was no-significant association between educational level and awareness about ECT (p>0.05). The commonest source of ECT was doctors (43%). Cognitive side effects (46%) and headache (59%) were the commonly feared side effects. 5% thought ECT doesn’t 't have a scientific basis-and 20% felt it is an inhuman mode of treatment. 38% felt they would receive ECT if recommended. CONCLUSION: Doctors were the commonest source of information regarding ECT and more than half of the participants knew it was used to treat a psychiatric condition. Surprisingly only a minority thought ECT didn't have scientific basis however 20% felt it was an inhumane mode of treatment. However, a considerable proportion were willing to undergo ECT if recommended. Despite popular beliefs this cohort of participants appeared to have a more favourable awareness about ECT.Item Awareness and usage patterns of substances among pre-clinical phase students at a Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2019) Hapangama, A.; Fernando, R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Availability and usage patterns of psychoactive substances have changed worldwide. Knowledge about new trends of substance use is important for future generation of medical professionals to deliver appropriate treatment. Objective of the study was to determine the awareness and prevalence of substance use among pre- clinical phase medical students in a university in the Western Province, Sri Lanka. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 162 students, 61.7% were female, 97.5% were between 20-25 years. 99% were aware of alcohol being a substance of abuse. 34% and 30% were not aware that heroin and cannabis were substances of abuse. Less than half of participants were aware of corex-D (44.4%), volatile substances (39.5%), and methamphetamines (32.7%). Figures for awareness about Psilocybin (9.9%), MDMA (8.6%), LSD (8%), GHB (4.3%), DXM (2.5%). Main sources of information regarding substances were peers and internet. 21% and 18 % of participants had used alcohol and betel respectively at least once while tobacco and corex-D was used among 7.4% and 6.2% respectively. 69% of substance users were male. Use of substances was significantly associated with male gender. CONCLUSION: Alarmingly majority of the participating pre-clinical phase students were not aware of the abuse potential of heroin and cannabis as well as of newer generation recreational drugs. Awareness regarding current trends and misuse potential of psychoactive substances and their consequences should be enhanced among medical students.Item Dietary goitrogens and prevalence of goitre in Sri Lanka(The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, 2011) Pinto, M. D. P.; Fernando, R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Premathilake, M.; Fernando, T.; Edirisinghe, D.; Bandara, D.; Athulugama, N.; Abeysinghe, S.OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between dietary goitrogens and the prevalence of goiter. METHODS:A descriptive cross-sectional study on the prevalence of goitre was conducted involving all areas of the country, except North and Batticaloa district from December 2006 to June 2007. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used on all participants as a screening tool. Consumption of 6 possible dietary goitrogens was assessed. Sufficient frequency of consumption was taken as consumption >3 times a week. Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the significance of dietary goitrogens to the prevalence of goiter. RESULTS: 5200 participants were assessed (n=5200) island wide and 426 were detected with goitre. Mean age for occurrence of goitre was 36.3(+_17.3) years. Frequency of consumption of these food items was low, none being higher than 10% among the 5200 participants. Consumption of each goitrogen was as follows; Cabbage "[2.9%], Lima beans [9.9%], Kurakkan (Millet) [4%], Turnip [2.9%], Manioc(Cassava) [2.2%] and Peanuts [5.5%]. All six dietary goitrogens showed no significant association with the occurrence of goitre (p<0 05).CONCLUSION:Dietary goitrogens do not appear to have an association with prevalence of goitre in this cohort. As this cohort is a representative sample, dietary goitrogens are unlikely to be associated with prevalence of goitre in Sri Lanka.Item Thyroidectomy: no place for routine drainage- experience of two centres(The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka and SAARC Surgical Care Society, 2003) Fernando, R.; Esufali, S. T.INTRODUCTION: Insertion of drains following thyroidectomy is considered a 'hallowed' practice. This practice has remained unchallenged because of fear and tradition. There is sufficient scientific evidence to show that routine drainage following thyroidectomy is not necessary. METHODS: Twosimultaneousprospective studieswere undertaken at University Surgical uriits of'Kelaniya and Peradeniya 150 patients undergoing elective thyroidectomy from 1999to 2002 were included in thestudy, The researcher in Kelaniya had NOT undertaken routine drainage for several years arid 100 consecutivepatientsundergoingthyroidectomywithout drainage were included in the study In Peradeniya 25 patients underwent thyroidectomy with drains and 25 patients underwent thyroidectomy without drains. All types of thyroidectomies were included in the study. Total- Thyroidectomy - 23 (Kelaniya) ,- 03 (Peradeniya) Subtoal - thyroidectomy - IO (Kelaniya),- 29 (Peradeniya) Thyroid- Lobectomy - 55 (Kelaniya) ,- 18 (Peradeniya) Redo- Thyroidectomies - 12 (Kelaniya) Parameters assessed: 1. Prospective complications - Wound infection, Haematoma, Hypocalcaernia and Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury 2 Re-exploration and indications RESULTS: Wound infection rate:With drains-8% Hypocalcaemia-1%(permanent) Without drains-0% (both groups) Wound Haematoma: With drains-6% Nerve injury-2% (transient) Without drains-2%(Seroma) (both groups) No patient required re-exploration for a life threatening complication in either group. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Thyroidectomy without drainage can be done safely. 2. Routine drainage in thyroidectomy is NOT indicatedItem Do common arishta preparations manufactured in Sri Lanka contain anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), stimulants or ethanol?(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2018) Fernando, P.N.J.; Pigera, S.; Rashani, S.A.N.; Fernando, R.; Weerasinghe, D.P.P.; Godakumbura, K.K.D.T.D.; Niriella, M.A.; Jayawickreme, S.; de Silva, A.P.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The common arishta preparations which are available in the local market are .'Ashwagandharishta', 'Balarishta' and 'Dashamoolarishta'. These contain a wide range of chemical constituents including alkaloids and steroidal lactones. Moreover, fermented decoctions and infusions are also used in ayurveda therapeutics and the fermentation process as well generates alcohol. The possible presence of substances prohibited within the world anti-doping agency (WADA) code in the arishta preparations may threaten the careers of athletes who consume herbal supplements. The objective of this study is to analyse commonly available arishta samples for the presence of prohibited AAS, stimulants as per WADA code and determination of ethanol content. METHODS: Compounds were segregated by adjusting pH after dissolving in methanol. Organic layer was evaporated and residue was reconstituted with derivatizing agent. The derivatized solutions were utilized for gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In addition to that ethanol content of arishta samples was quantified by using gas chromatography. RESULTS: The GC-MS studies showed the absence of prohibited AAS and stimulants in the arishta samples analysed. Moreover, glycerol and ethanol were identified to be present in all samples and ethanol content of the all arishta samples was (5.80 - 8.35 ±0.5) % (v/v) and the limit of detection was about 2 g/ml. CONCLUSION: This study showed the absence of any AAS or stimulants as per the WADA code in the arishta samples analysed. However, alcohol content below 8.35±0.5% (v/v) was detected. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study showing these findings.Item Incidence of carcinoma among THY3 lesions of the thyroid(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Kumarasinghe, K.A.P.R.; Pinto, M.D.P.; Munasinghe, B.N.L.; Dissanayake, D.M.C.D.; Abeyrathne, I.G.K.P.; Amaraweera, P.C.; Fernando, R.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Ultra Sound Scan (USS) and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of thyroid nodules are carried out in patients with goitre. THY3 lesions cause diagnostic difficulty and risk of malignancy in such lesions is 20%. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of carcinoma among THY3 lesions and to relate the findings to the size of the nodule. METHOD: All the patients who underwent thyroidectomy at the University Surgical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital from November 2002 to December 2015 were analysed retrospectively. Histological and ultrasonic data in patients with THY3 lesions were analysed. RESULTS: There were 29 (5.68%) THY3 patients among 510 patients who had thyroidectomy. Only 6 (20.7%) patients were histologically proven to be malignant (follicular carcinoma – 3, papillary carcinoma - follicular variant- 2, mixed medullary papillary carcinoma - 1). All patients were females (age range 17y -52y). Pre-operative USS nodule size in the malignant group ranged from 2.6 cm to 6.8 cm (average - 4.25cm). 20 patients (68.9%) had benign histology (MNG - 18, thyroiditis-2). USS nodule size in the benign group ranged from 2.3 cm to 2.5 cm. Three patients (8.7%) were lost to follow up. CONCLUSIONS: About 20.7% of THY3 lesions had thyroid carcinoma. Lesions larger than 4.25 cm were more likely to harbour a malignancy.Item Does the retrosternal extension of a goitre and its relationghip to the aortic arch determines the surgical approach(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Kumarasinghe, K.A.P.R.; Pinto, M.D.P.; Munasinghe, B.N.L.; Dissanayake, D.M.C.D.; Abeyrathne, I.G.K.P.; Amaraweera, P.C.; Fernando, R.INTRODUCTION: Retrosternal extension (RSE) is defined as the enlargement of the thyroid below the thoracic inlet. The greatest challenge in embarking on surgery in RSE is to decide whether to involve an intra-thoracic approach (sternotomy or thoracotomy) or not, as this approach accounts for added morbidity & mortality. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyse whether the relationship of the retrosternal component of a goitre to the aortic arch decides the surgical approach of total thyroidectomy. METHOD: A total of 527 thyroidectomies were performed at Colombo North Teaching Hospital professorial unit during the period from November, 2002 to February, 2016. There were 51 patients with radiological evidence of retrosternal goitre (6.27%). These patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the degree of RSE. Groups were defined as extension of goitre above the arch of aorta (AA) and below AA. RESULTS: 50 (98%) patients had RSE above the AA and 1 patient had RSE below the AA. RSE was seen on the right side of the mediastinum in 3 (5.88%) patients, on the left in 8 (15.68%) patients and bilaterally in 40 (78.43%). Total thyroidectomy was undertaken in all 50 patients with RSE above the AA, through cervical approach without an added morbidity. The patient with RSE beyond the AA underwent total thyroidectomy with axillary thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the RSE is above the AA, which can be dealt with a cervical approach and extension below the AA may need an intra-thoracic approach.