HEALTH

New surgical technique at Command Hospital
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 30
The Army's Command Hospital at Chandimandir has introduced a new surgical technique to check the loss of protective fluid surrounding the brain in the aftermath of a serious head injury. The new procedure not only significantly cuts down on surgery time, but also reduces the possibility of complications.

The first such surgery to be undertaken at this hospital was performed on an accident victim a few days ago. Sources at the hospital said that this type of surgery, called "Transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebro-spinal fluid rhinorihorea", has so far not been performed even at the Delhi-based Army Research and Referral Hospital, considered to the Armed Forces premier hospital.

Doctors said that in case of a serious head injury, which may damage the forehead area near the bridge of the nose, the protective fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord, called cerebro-spinal fluid, starts dripping through the nose. To repair the damage, conventional method required opening up of the skull by making an incision across the forehead and lifting out the brain to get to the damaged portion.

The new method involves approaching the damaged area through the nasal passage to fill in tissue and block the flow of fluid. This method gives doctors a "direct approach" to the affected area. "Surgery by this method took less than an hour, where as the conventional method would have taken about four hours," a source said. It involved specialists from neurosurgery as well as the ENT departments.

Transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebro-spinal fluid rhinorihorea is relatively new to the country, with doctors maintaining that it was introduced here about three years ago. "It is now picking up in civilian institutions," a doctor at the hospital said.

The introduction of this method comes close on the heels of a similar procedure adopted at the hospital to treat brain tumour.

MoS for Health visits PGI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 30
Union Minister of State for Health, Ms P. Lakshmi, visited the PGI here yesterday and took a round of the institute and the emergency ward. She talked to the patients and listened to their problems.

She also visited the National Institute of Nursing Education, besides going round ongoing projects of the PGI which were likely to be completed soon. She also addressed members of the faculty.

According to a press note issued from the PGI, she was satisfied at her visit and appreciated the contribution of the PGI in medical education, patient care and research. The PGI assured her that it would continue to provide quality patient care and quality medicines.

Swami Ram Dev to hold yoga camp
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, May 30
All arrangements have been completed for the smooth conduct of the mega yoga camp to be organised under the guidance of eminent yoga expert, Swami Ram Dev, at the cricket ground in Sector 5 here from June 2 to 9.

According to the media in charge of the organising committee, Mr Kusum Kumar Gupta, a meeting of the committee was held here today to review the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the camp. Close circuit TVs, and public address system, besides the provision of the basic amenities such as electricity and water have been made for the visitors.

Over 15,000 persons are expected to participate in the camp, which is aimed at curing various diseases through various yoga techniques. The proceeds of the camp will be used for the completion of the Yoga University at Kankhel (Hardwar), Mr Gupta adds.

SPORTS

National badminton meet from Oct 10
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 30
Chandigarh will hold the national sub-junior Badminton championship from October 10 to 16. The Chandigarh Badminton Association had already begun preparations for the smooth conduct of the tournament, said Mr M.C. Sethi, President of the association. Mr Sethi said the city had earlier played host to the junior national badminton meet in 2000. The forthcoming sub- junior meet will have events in under-13 and under-16 sections for both boys and girls sections and more than 300 players from all affiliated units of the Badminton Association of India will vie for top honours at the meet. Mr Sethi said this meet would be organised at indoor badminton hall in Sector 42 and the preliminary accommodation arrangements for the participating players and officials have been made.

In this seven-day meet, first two days will be devoted to qualifying rounds and the main round matches to begin from October 12.

Cricket meet

Umesh Khera scored an unbeaten 100 runs and Sumit Puri who claimed five wickets for 31 runs enabled JJS XI in beating Stadium XI by 55 runs in the ‘A’ division tie of the 8th UT League Cricket Tournament played here yesterday at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium. In other matches of the day, BBMB XI defeated Mohali Gymkhana XI by seven wickets in the tie played here today at the PEC grounds.

Selected

Ritu Anthani, a city-based gymnast who is attending the national aerobics camp in Shimla, has been selected for the 8th World Aerobics Championship to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria from June 1 to 7. This is a great achievement for the city gymnast, said Mr S.S. Budhwar, secretary of the Chandigarh Gymnastics Association. He said earlier the CGA played host to the senior national gymnastics meet held in December last year. Mr Inderjit Singh an International qualified judge and gymnastics coach, SAI, will accompany the Indian aerobics team as manager-cum-coach at the meet.

Mohali win by 10 wickets in Dhruv Pandov semifinal
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 30
Patiala batsmen made a formidable 285 runs and were all out in the under-15 final being played for Sushil Bali Trophy in the Punjab inter-district cricket tournament. Kunwar Raina scored 81 runs, Gunjot made 68 runs while Amandeep scored an unbeaten 34 runs. Shushant Kohli bagged five wickets for 88 runs followed by Atul Kohli who claimed two wickets for 32 runs.Earlier Patiala won the toss and elected to bat first.

In the first semifinal of the under-19 tie for Dhruv Pandove Trophy, a swashbuckling knock of unbeaten 153 runs by Simranjit Singh Balthana, helped by Gauravjeet Singh’s 131 runs, enabled the Mohali Cricket Association to win by 10 wickets against Zone A in the Punjab state Inter-district under-19 Dhruv Pandove cricket tournament played here at the PCA Stadium, Mohali. MCA Xi were at no loss for 297 runs in 73 overs. Earlier Zone A were all out for 296 runs.

In the second semi-final held at Patiala, played between Chandigarh and Patiala, the former beat the latter by 68 runs. Patiala were bundled out for 216 runs in reply to Chandigarh’s total of 284 runs.