Physicians' belief about organ donation

Several studies have suggested that knowledge, attitudes and determinants concerning organ donation are influenced by many factors including gender, educational level, occupation, sociodemographic status, income level, culture and religion. To highlight the awareness of cardiopulmonary and brain death [CD and BD] among the physicians and their belief about the organ donation. In a cross-sectional study, 15% of 1700 physicians working under the auspices of Ministry of Health in Makkah region, were selected randomly from two hospitals of Makkah city, i.e., Alnoor Specialist Hospital and King Abdalaziz Hospital. A self-administered questionnaire with dichotomous answers was distributed to them. Out of 185 respondents, 174 [94.1%] identified the right definition of BD and CD and 155 [83.3%] agreed organ donation. The difference among physicians to differentiate CD from BD was not significant [p=0.2]. Physicians had enough knowledge to differentiate CD from BD; most of them are highly positive regarding the concept of organ donation

Chest wall defects and their reconstruction

Chest wall reconstruction remains one of the most challenging areas of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The purpose of this study is to report our 4 year experience with chest wall reconstruction. A review of 62 patients who had chest wall reconstruction from 2001 to 2004, is included in the paper. Indications include, defects secondary to congenital deformity correction, post neoplastic reconstructions, post burn defects and sternotomy wounds. Procedures performed included direct closure after debridement, vacuum assisted closure with and without skin grafting, pectoralis major flap, rectus abdominis flap, omental flap and free flaps including latissmus dorsi flap. The average hospital stay was 13 days. The uneventful recovery was seen in 50 patients. Minor complications were seen in 12 patients whereas major complications were not seen in any patient. Chest wall reconstruction can be performed with satisfactory outcome provided that reconstruction ladder is followed