University of Health Sciences Lahore

Cancer is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and in South Asian countries. Cancer treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and adjuvant therapy (Additional treatments after primary cancer treatment such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy are used to lower the chance of cancer recurrence or remove any remaining cancer cells). Chemotherapy poses serious adverse effects, including fatigue, hair loss, skin irritation, loss of appetite, change in bowel habits, weakened immune system, dry mouth, peripheral neuropathy, nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting cause fluid-electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, weight loss and physiological consequences due to inadequate medication absorption or compromised kidney clearance. Although anti-emetic drugs are given to reduce CINV but these drugs pose some serious adverse effects including heartburn, insomnia, headache, dizziness, constipation/diarrhea, loss of muscle control, pharyngeal itching, dry mouth and also increases economic burden on the patient and his/her family. The limited and hazardous side effects of these medications have led to a shift towards non-pharmacological and home remedies. Using natural remedies is a simple and low-risk measure in this regard. This study aims to evaluate the effects of peppermint oil inhalation on the intensity and frequency of Chemotherapy induced acute nausea and vomiting among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted using non-probability convenience sampling, followed by random assignment to intervention and control groups. The target population comprises patients receiving chemotherapy at the outpatient oncology department of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. A total of 106 patients will be enrolled. The intervention group will receive peppermint oil inhalation, while the control group will receive a placebo. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) will be used to summarize participant's characteristics. Chi-square test will be applied to compare demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, and RINV categories) between groups. An independent t-test will be used to compare the mean RINV scores post-intervention between intervention and control group. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant. It is anticipated that peppermint oil inhalation will significantly reduce the severity and frequency of Chemotherapy induced acute nausea and vomiting. If effective, this complementary intervention could offer a low-cost, safe alternative to supplement standard anti-emetic therapies, potentially easing the financial and physiological burden associated with pharmacological treatments.

This study is being conducted to compare two types of pain management techniques in patients undergoing open appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix through a traditional incision).
One group of patients will receive a Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block, a type of regional anesthesia given at the end of surgery to numb the abdominal area and reduce pain. The other group will undergo the same surgery without receiving the TAP block.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether adding the TAP block helps in:
Reducing postoperative pain
Shortening the hospital stay
Minimizing complications like nausea, vomiting, and delayed mobility
Improving patient satisfaction after surgery
Opioid medications are commonly used for pain control after surgery, but they come with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and risk of dependency. TAP block offers a promising alternative that may reduce or eliminate the need for opioids by targeting specific nerves in the abdominal wall.
This will be a randomized controlled trial (considered the gold standard in medical research), meaning patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups to ensure fair comparison. The study will enroll 136 adult patients who are diagnosed with appendicitis and are scheduled for open appendectomy at Jinnah Hospital Lahore.
By conducting this study, the researchers aim to provide strong scientific evidence on whether TAP block should be routinely used in appendectomy patients to enhance recovery and comfort. If proven effective, this could influence hospital protocols and improve post-surgery care both locally and internationally.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two treatments for children with acute otitis media (middle ear infection). The two treatments being compared are amoxicillin alone and a combination of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. The study will help determine which treatment works better in helping children recover faster and reduce the risk of treatment failure or recurrence. By providing clearer evidence, the research aims to guide better treatment choices for children suffering from this common infection.