A Robust Finger Knuckle Print Authentication using Topothesy and fractal dimension

This paper presents the finger knuckle based biometric authentication system using the approaches like structure entropy, GSHP (Gaussian smoothed High pass), GSOD (Gaussian Smoothed Oriented Directives) and also the well known method for surface roughness measurement called the fractal profiles represented by Topothesy and fractal dimension which describe  not only the roughness but also the affine self similarity. We have also implemented Daisy descriptor for the representation of texture. The results of fractal parameters along with the refined scores are comparable to those of the compcode and impcompcode

M sub-shell X-ray fluorescence cross-section measurements in high Z elements with X-ray tube photon source

X-ray tube has been used for selective M sub-shell excitations in a single reflection set-up for Pt, Au, Pb, Th and U required for M sub-shell fluorescence cross-sections measurements. Weighted photon energy and total intensity of the incident flux between EM5 edge and tube anode voltage were evaluated following a specific procedure. Comparison of measured cross-sections with the calculated ones from existing DHS/DF model based theoretical data on atomic parameters lend support to the present findings

Functional outcome of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated by minimally invasive microdiscectomy

Background: The disorder lumbosacral radiculopathy affects the function of one or more lumbosacral nerve roots. The aim of this research is to understand the clinical and epidemiological features of patients diagnosed with disc herniation and treated at our facility using minimally invasive microdisectomy. Methods: From August 2021 to August 2022, we conducted a prospective research in the Department of Orthopedics at a tertiary care hospital in Pathankot. During the study period, all patients over the age of 18 who presented with complaints of leg or back pain, or other neurological symptoms supported by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suggestive of disc herniation, were included. All patients were operated using a minimally invasive micro lumbar discectomy method. Results: The majority of patients had less than 100 mL of blood loss (75%) and 72% underwent surgery in less than an hour. Only one patient had an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak and no patient had post-operative infection. It was observed that 81% were admitted for 5 to 8 days. Immediately post-operatively, we observed that 50% had good outcome on MacNab score and 9% had excellent functional outcome. At the final outcome at 6 months, 44% had good functional outcome and 47% had an excellent functional outcome. At the final outcome at 6 months, 44% had good and 50% had excellent functional outcomes. Conclusions: The findings of our study can aid us in budgeting and infrastructure planning for disc herniation patients. Long-term clinical outcomes in these individuals should be the focus of future study

Effect of iodine impregnated plastic adhesive drapes in preventing surgical site infection post spine surgeries

Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) complicates roughly 1-3% of orthopaedic surgeries. This study aimed to assess the effect of iodine impregnated plastic adhesive drapes (PAD) in preventing surgical site infection post spine surgeries. Methods: This non-randomized experimental study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, of a tertiary care hospital in Pathankot, Punjab, from January 1, 2022 till July 31, 2022, in which adult patients who underwent elective spine surgeries involving cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and requiring post-operative care of at least 3 days were included. Every alternate patient received iodine impregnated surgical incise plastic adhesive drape (3M ioban 2) for draping before the skin incision. The patients were followed up on for six months after surgery. Results: It was observed a significantly higher duration of surgery in the PAD group, as compared to those without PAD (140.4±45.6 vs 112.5±36.7 mins, p value <0.05). Furthermore, length of incision was not significantly different between the two patient groups (15.4±6.6 vs 17.3±8.5 cm, p value = 0.71). It was observed that overall infection rate in our study population was 3.85% (n=3). It was found to be 3% in the patients with iodine impregnated PAD and 5% in patients without iodine impregnated PAD, with no significant difference between them (p value = 0.88). Conclusions: We found no data supporting or denying the use of iodine impregnated PAD for lowering the incidence of SSI in patients having elective spine surgery cases

Interlocking nailing for treating comminuted fractures of the shaft of femur

Background: The fracture of the femoral shaft is one of the most frequent fractures seen in orthopaedic practise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the operative procedure for managing communited fractures of the femoral shaft using interlocking fixation. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Pathankot, Punjab, with patients who presented to our emergency department as participants. We included all patients over the age of 18 who presented to our emergency department with a comminuted femoral shaft fracture. All patients underwent interlocking nailing. Results: During the study period, 62 patients fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria, 79% of which were males. In the present study, 50% of the patients demonstrated clinical union of the fracture in 12 to 14 weeks, 24% had clinical union in 10 to 12 weeks, while 26% had clinical union in 14 to 16 weeks. Similarly, majority of the patients showed radiological union of the fracture in 16 to 18 weeks (48%). Radiological union occurred in 23% in 14 to 16 weeks and in 29% in 18 to 20 weeks. Majority (77%) of the patients stayed in hospital for 10 to 14 days and the functional outcome as measured by Klemm and Borner criteria was excellent in 63% patients. Infection (5%) and limb length discrepancy less than 5 mm (3%) were the only complications observed in our patient population. Conclusions: Our results show that Interlocking nailing results in good functional outcome with minimal complications

Dynamic hip screw versus proximal femoral nail in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of femur

Background: As the elderly population grows, the number of hip fractures continues to increase. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of dyanamic hip screw and proximal femoral nail in the fixation of intertrochanteric fracture of femur. Methods: After obtaining approval of the ethics committee, a prospective study was conducted in the department of orthopedics, SKR Hospital, Pathankot from January 2021 till December 2022. Informed consent was taken from patients who fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria and relevant clinical information was collected, including intra and post-operative details. Results: During the study period, 65 patients with intertrochanteric fracture were included in the study, of which 33 were treated with PFN and 32 with DHS. It was observed that 91% of the patients who underwent PFN had blood loss less than 100 ml, while 72% of the patients who had DHS had blood loss between 100-300 ml. Mobilization started on the first postoperative day in 67% of PFN patients while as compared to 13% of DHS patients (p value <0.01). Among late complications, there was one case of implant failure among PFN cases, while there were two cases of non-union, two cases of implant failure and one case of late infection among DHS group of patients. It was observed that 91% of PFN group patients had excellent outcomes, while outcome was excellent in 66% of DHS group patients. Conclusions: Our study showed that PFN is a superior method of osteosynthesis as compared to DHS in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures