Irfan Ali Shaikh, Syed Ashraf Hussain Zaidi, Abdullah, Syed Hussain Mehdi, Muhammad Farooq Umer, Aun Ali, Syed Maaz Salahuddin.
Syncope in medical students att ending operation theatre: a cross sectional study at Jinnah Medical & Dental College.
Pak J Surg Jan ;28(4):297-300.

Objective: To assess the incidence of syncopal events among medical students during surgery in operation theatre and reveal the predicting factors. Study Design: a cross sectional study Sett ing and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, Jinnah Medical & Dental College Hospital, Karachi. Methodology: Students in the3rd year, 4th yea fi nal year MBBS and 3rd BDS at the Jinnah Medical and Dental College were invited to take part in this study in December 2012. Th ere were a total of 330 students participating, comprising of 220 females and 110 male students. A questionnaire was designed to explore students’ views and experience of operating theatre related syncope. Consideration to the ethical dimensions was identifi ed. Results: Out of the 330 students invited to participate, a total of 52 reported details of near or actual operating theatre related syncope, with no response from the remainder. Two of these students reported actual loss of consciousness. Th e mean age of reactors was 20-years-old. 45 reactors were female, with 7 males. Th e gender diff erence was statistically signifi cant. Of the 52 students who replied with at least one near or actual syncopal episode majority reported an intention to pursue a surgical career. Reactors were invited to comment on preventative measures they had taken (if any) to prevent syncopal episodes reoccurring. Majority of the students were satisfi ed with the eff ectiveness of the measures they took to prevent syncopal episodes. Conclusion: Operating theatre related syncope among medical students is common, and it is important to analyze the discouraging eff ect of syncopal episodes on students interested in pursuing a surgical career. Preventative measures are eff ective and we establish useful risk factors and practical steps to avoid its occurrence. Our results suggest that dedicated time should be saved in surgical teaching to address this issue prior to students att ending the operating theatre.

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