A limb amputation is a traumatic experience for the amputee but it is also a challenge for the recipient to get used to a new situation and reach her/his greatest level of independence. Two patients are presented who had undergone a total calcanectomy. In the first case, a woman with spina bifida aperta L4-L5, calcanectomy was performed to excise a non-healing ulcer and osteomyelitis of the rig...

A year-long prospective study conducted in the obstetrical service of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi for the year 2002, observed 9892 deliveries (312 still-born). Amongst these, there were 34 births with various NTDs of whom there were 16 live births. Anencephaly was the commonest of the neural abnormalities (19 cases with only 3 live births) followed by 11 myelomeningocoele...

The results of a policy of "selection" in treating infants with spina bifida cystica over 21 months are presented. Of 37 newborn infants referred on the first day of life 25 were not treated because of the severity of their condition, as defined by exact criteria. All died under 9 months of age. In contrast, only one treated infant died and the rest are either normal or moderately handicapped. ...