Page 313 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Major Operations.
The most outstanding necessary operation at the present time seems to be for haemorrhoids;
86 eases were dealt in the eight months. Many of them were severe, and a few had to be done
twice. The method of cauterisation after excision works very successfully, and the average
number of days in hospital necessary is about eight or nine. Patients will continue to come for
this ailment in large numbers, until they can eradicate their chronic constipation by a more
balanced diet and by living a more active life.

Pone disease, especially osteomyelitis, is rare. Some interesting major fractures came in.
One man in particular with a comminuted compound tibia fibula, and simple fracture femur in
one limb, gave a surprisingly satisfactory result after six months’ immobilisation. Two Kirschner
wires were inserted, one in the Os. Calcis and the other in the lower femur and union in true
alignment took place with only one inch shortening, which was unavoidable because the com­
minuted fragments had been removed at the outset of treatment. The patient was last seen walk­
ing comfortably with a stick a month after leaving hospital. The Braun fracture frame is proving
more convenient than the Thomas’ Splint.
Other operations of note were in the Rye Section, where cataracts and Icucomas predominated.
The extraction of cataract by capsulotomy or in the capsule is always a bone of contention
abroad. Capsulotoinics were more favoured as being a safer operation as regards complications,
particularly concerning vitreous loss. Results on the whole were satisfactory, but the real test
is how permanently the restored sight remains.

Iridectomies are commonly done for leucomata, with good results, and the small coloboma
is favoured. As an adjuvant towards restoration of sight in staphyloma, it is distinctly disappoint­
ing and practically useless. Many chronic staphylomatous eyes were removed and glass eyes
inserted two months later. One noteworthy factor in operating on the eye of an Arab is the
smallness of the inter-marginal aperture between the two lids even when fully stretched with a
speculum. When this is further complicated by fibrosis, due to chronic trachoma, it hampers the
manoeuvrability of an operation considerably, and particularly for cataract.
At Naim.
/.—Eye.—
For Trichiasis and Entropion 7*
(Anagnostiki) 7
Cauterisation 16
Curettage 16
Excision of Pterygium 5
Sub Conjunctival saline injections 279
Removal foreign bodies 3
//.—Teeth (Extractions).— *93
III. —Abscess.—
Boil
53
Cyst
IV. —Fractures (Setting) 6
V.—Removal of Foreign Bodies 5
VI.—Circumcision 3
VII.—Stitches 57
VII/. —Miscellaneous 47
Total ... 755