Normal values of key pinch strength in a healthy Nigerian population

Background: With the severity of machine hand injuries in our environment, the need to determine the normal values for key pinch strength with which to compare restorative surgeries was justified.Methods: A cross sectional survey of participants who had no previous hand injuries limiting hand function. Data obtained included age, gender, body mass index, hand dominance and hand span. The Baseline Hydraulic Pinch Gauge was used to obtain key pinch strength. The influence of the above variables on measured pinch strength was analyzed using independent sample t-tests and Pearson’s correlation.Results: Of the 242 recruited participants, age range between 20 and 80 years, 163(67.4%) were male and 79 (32.6%) were female. Males had higher pinch strength (right-8.3±2.7kg, left-7.6±2.5kg) than females (right-6.3±1.5kg, left-5.8±1.5kg). Pinch strength varied with age peaking in the fifth decade in males and females. Interestingly, the left handed dominant female had higher right pinch strength than her right handed counterpart (p<0.009). Height, and hand span correlated with pinch strength in females.Conclusion: Normal values for key pinch strength in this Nigerian population are lower than that of Caucasians.Keywords: Key pinch, Nigerians, Normal value

Ambulatory Cleft Lip surgery in a developing Country

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Kinetics of the reduction of Rasaniline hydrochloride with sulphite ion in aqueous perchloric acid

The kinetics of the reduction of rosaniline hydrochloride (RH) in perchloric acid has been investigated under pseudo-first order condition of an excess [SO32-] at ionic strength of 1.0 mol dm-3 (CH3COONa), T = 30 0.1 oC and λmax = 540nm. The stoichiometry of the reaction was observed to be 1:1in terms of mole ratio of RH and SO32

Rare craniofacial clefts in Ibadan

Introduction: Congenital craniofacial clefts are anatomical distortions of the face and cranium with deficiencies of excess of tissue in a linear pattern. The exact incidence of craniofacial clefts is unknown because cases are rare and series tend to be small. The aim of this study is to document our experience with congenital craniofacial clefts at Ibadan.Method: This is a retrospective review of patients with rare craniofacial clefts seen by the cleft team in University College Hospital, Ibadan from August 2006 to April 2010. A summary of the patients with craniofacial clefts is presented.Results: Eight patients presented with a total of 13 clefts. The commonest cleft was Tessier no.7. The multidisciplinary approach to the management of the patients is discussed and limitations to optimal care are highlighted.Conclusions: Rare craniofacial cleft constitute a management challenge in a tertiary hospital in a developing country. There is a need for the creation of craniofacial centres for the management of these patients.Keywords: Craniofacial cleft, multidisciplinar

Normal values for hand grip strength in healthy Nigerian adults

Background: Assessment of hand grip strength is used in a wide range of clinical settings particularly during management of hand injuries and diseases affecting hand function. This study aimed to determine age and gender specific normal values of hand grip strength in healthy adults in Nigeria and compare values obtained with those in the Western population.Materials and methods: Hand grip strength was measured using the Baseline Hydraulic Dynamometer. Results were analyzed with SPSS version 15.Results: Two hundred and forty two participants comprising 163 males and 79 females were recruited. Mean values for hand grip strength on the right and left hands were 32.1±7.6kg and 30.7±7.7kg in males and 20.3±5.3kg and 18.7±5.3kg in females. Males showed significantly higher grip strength on the right and left hands (p=0.000, p=0.000) than in females. Grip strength peaked in the 30-39 year age group in males and females. In females a positive correlation was found between the grip strengths in both hands with weight, height and body mass index. Normal grip strength in the Western population is at least 1.6 times higher than in this study.Conclusion: The study has been able to establish normal values for  handgrip strength among healthy adults in Nigeria, which differ from that in the Western population. There is the need for further studies in other regions of Nigeria in order to establish national values.Keywords: Handedness, hand injury, hand assessment

Great saphenous vein stripping using nasogastric tube

Background; Crossectomy and Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) stripping remains the gold standard of treatment for great saphenous varicose vein. Many techniques of GSV stripping have been described. However, very few hospitals in developing countries are equipped with a vein stripper.Method and result: We describe the use of nasogastric tube in the stripping of GSV. This simple technique has been successfully applied in three patients.Conclusion: There is a need to carry out a prospective study regarding the application of this technique of GSV stripping. Keywords: Great saphenous vein, crossectomy, vein stripper, nasogastric tub