Online learning resources and social media platforms used by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to medical students' education. It imposed challenges that required rapid adaptation to enforced lockdowns and remote learning and changed curriculum delivery from in-person to online learning and virtual technology. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the trends and ratings of using Internet resources and social media platforms by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A validated questionnaire was used to explore preferences for Internet resources and social media platforms among undergraduate medical students (years 1, 3, and 5) at King Saud University. The questionnaire comprised three sections- (i) demographic information, (ii) access and use of Internet resources/social media platforms, and (iii) students' ratings and reasons for using technology-enabled learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 320 undergraduate medical students responded to the online questionnaire. The difference in the number of students using the Internet daily across academic years increased significantly as they progressed in the medical course (p = 0.025). For learning, YouTube and Videoconferencing (e.g. Zoom) were used by 83.1% and 73.4% of students, respectively, followed by WhatsApp 198 (61.9%). For social interaction, WhatsApp, 310 (96.6%); YouTube, 296 (92.8%); Twitter, 288 (90%); and Zoom, 269 (84.1%) were the platforms used by most students. Regarding concerns about the impact of COVID-19 and social isolation, 250 (78.1%) agreed that technology helped them gain a sense of connectedness to their peers. Over half of students, 187 (58.4%) wished that technologies be integrated more often in their courses, as 245 (76.7%) agreed that it helped engage them with classes. CONCLUSION: The study shows that the use of the Internet and social media resources is increasing at all levels to fill the gap in learning and social interaction because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical institutions should embrace the effective use of Internet resources and use the experience gained and lessons learned in guiding educators on what type of online resources should be created to add value to students learning even post-pandemic.

Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (A-TVSQ) for Assessing Post-Thyroidectomy Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Post-thyroidectomy patients commonly experience voice changes, swallowing symptoms, and neck discomfort, a condition known as post-thyroidectomy syndrome. The Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ) is a validated tool showing strong correlations with established tools with a potential predictive value for post-thyroidectomy voice outcomes. Our study aims to translate and validate the TVSQ into Arabic. METHODS: This validation study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital and King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Forward and backward translations ensured the conceptual equivalence of the Arabic TVSQ (A-TVSQ) and were reviewed by an expert panel. A pilot test assessed the A-TVSQ's face validity and clarity, leading to necessary cultural adjustments. The final A-TVSQ was preoperatively and postoperatively administered to thyroidectomy patients to evaluate its test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Data were collected from 116 participants (53 cases [45.6%] and 63 controls [54.3%]). The internal consistency analysis showed strong intercorrelation among the A-TVSQ items, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.951) indicating excellent estimated internal consistency within both domains. Test-retest reliability showed a moderate level of reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.696. A-TVSQ item discrimination analysis showed significant associations between the total and domain scores pre- and post-thyroidectomy. External validity analysis showed significant changes in A-TVSQ voice change (P < 0.010) and neck discomfort (P = 0.011) domains and total scores (P < 0.010) between before and 2 weeks after thyroidectomy. However, no significant changes were observed between 2 and 4 weeks after thyroidectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The translated and validated A-TVSQ showed excellent internal consistency and moderate test-retest reliability, comparable to the original version. Voice change significantly worsened after thyroidectomy, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management strategies for this complication.

Selective anterior annuloplasty during inguinal herniotomy in boys: an approach to further reduce hernia recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Hernia recurrence is one of the most common complications after inguinal herniotomy (IH) in children. We describe a novel approach that involves adding anterior annuloplasty (AAP) during IH for selective high recurrence-risk children. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the initial safety and effectiveness of selective AAP during IH in boys. DESIGN: Retrospective SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included boys younger than 15 who were selected to undergo either IH with or without AAP between January 2011 and January 2022. The preoperative recurrence risks were compared for the two groups. Cases who underwent other forms of hernia repair were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of recurrence and other postoperative complications and the distribution of high recurrence-risks. SAMPLE SIZE: 315 boys; 143 underwent IH and AAP, while 172 had IH only. RESULTS: Among all the cases, only one recurrence was reported (0.3%). Other complications were hydrocele in 29 (9.2%), scrotal hematoma/inflammation in 9 (2.9%), and wound infection in 8 (2.6%), which resolved spontaneously in all cases. Compared to IH only, those selected for an additional AAP were significantly younger (3 [16%] vs. 12 [46%] months, P=.038) and more likely to be premature (35 [24.5%] vs. 15 [8.7%], P<.0001), frequently had extensive cremasteric adhesions (39.2% versus 3.5%, P<.0001) and had a higher rate of incarcerated hernia at presentation (6.3% versus 1.2%, P=.026). The high-recurrence risk group was almost twice as likely to be selected for an additional AAP compared to the low-risk group (143 vs. 75, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: Adding simple AAP to conventional hernia repair for high-recurrence risk boys can be a safe and effective step to reduce the overall risk of recurrence without increasing the incidence of other postoperative complications. LIMITATIONS: The study lacked a control group of patients to whom selective AAP would not be offered despite a high-recurrence risk. A prospective, controlled trial with a longer follow-up would lead to a stronger conclusion.

Use of Tranexamic Acid in Aesthetic Surgery: A Retrospective Comparative Study of Outcomes and Complications.

Background: Bleeding is a potential complication of aesthetic surgery. Surgeons have adhered to the principle of minimizing blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic medication capable of reducing bleeding. This study aimed to investigate TXA and its effect on complications and overall outcomes in aesthetic surgery patients. Methods: This retrospective chart review of patients undergoing various aesthetic procedures between 2019 and 2022 was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, blood transfusions, and complications were the primary outcomes. Furthermore, the predictors of giving TXA were studied. Results: In total, 435 patients were included in the study. TXA was administered to 181 patients (41.6%). Significantly higher proportions of patients who received TXA underwent trunk aesthetic surgery (P < 0.001), and those who received TXA underwent combined procedures more frequently than non-users (P < 0.001). The mean operative time and length of hospital stay were significantly longer among patients who did not receive TXA (P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Most predictors for using TXA were significantly associated with performing liposuction (OR = 5.5), trunk aesthetic surgery (OR = 4.9), and undergoing combined procedures (OR = 2.7). No significant difference was noted in the rate of complications between the two cohorts. Conclusions: Although our data show improvement in patient outcomes in multiple aspects, the heterogeneity of our cohort makes us unable to draw definite conclusions to recommend the use of TXA in aesthetic surgery. Thus, a randomized controlled trial is necessary to support the findings of this study.

Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols for gastrostomy tube insertion in patients younger than 14 years of age: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have improved treatment outcomes and have standardized patient care. OBJECTIVES: Identify the benefit of introducing the ERAS protocol for feeding after gastrostomy insertion with or without Nissen fundoplication, the effects on the time of reaching the full feeds the length of stay single-center experience, and complications associated with early feeding protocols. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study SETTING: Tertiary hospital METHODS: The study review included cases performed between 2015 and 2021 by four surgeons, and cases performed in 2022 by all surgeons using ERAS feeding protocol (P) in a tertiary hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison the mean and mode of the length of stay (LOS) and the time until the patient reached full feed (TFF). SAMPLE SIZE: 224 patients; 181 by the four surgeons and 43 cases by the ERAS protocol group. RESULTS: The difference in the ERAS protocol from the four surgeons in TFF and LOS was statistically significant (P<.001). There was no noticeable difference in postoperative complications after introducing the ERAS protocol. CONCLUSION: ERAS improved the TFF and decreased the LOS without any increase in procedure complications. Increasing bed utilization and reducing costs were two benefits of reducing LOS at our hospital. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study, which may not be generalizable. Multiple comorbidities. Travel time from different parts of the country could impact LOS. Retrospective and thus dependent on the accuracy of the information in file notes. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Tibialis Anterior Muscle Hernia in a Young Woman.

Muscle herniation is defined as a myofascial defect resulting in protruding of the muscle through the fascia covering it. It can present anywhere in the body, the most common is the lower limbs. Tibialis muscle herniation is considered a rare entity with few reported cases. Here, we present the case of a 24-year-old Saudi female patient who complained of swelling and pain in the anterior aspect of the left leg for three months. She underwent surgical repair of the fascia with a good outcome. This case presentation aims to contribute to the literature on myofascial herniation by specifically addressing tibialis anterior herniation of the leg and emphasizing the importance of considering it a differential diagnosis in similar presentations. This report highlights the excellent surgical outcomes and satisfactory results in patients with muscle herniation.

The management of perioperative pain in craniosynostosis repair: a systematic literature review of the current practices and guidelines for the future.

BACKGROUND: Craniosynostosis is a condition characterized by a premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. The surgical repair of craniosynostosis causes significant pain for the child. A key focus of craniosynostosis repair is developing effective strategies to manage perioperative pain. This study aimed to review perioperative pain control strategies for craniosynostosis repair systematically. METHODS: Guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used in the design of this review. In May 2022, the following databases were used to conduct the literature search: MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. A search was performed using MeSH terms "craniosynostosis," "pain management," and "cranioplasty." RESULTS: The literature review yielded 718 publications. After applying our inclusion criteria, 17 articles were included, accounting for a total of 893 patients. During the postoperative period, most studies used multimodal analgesia, primarily opioids, and acetaminophen. In the postoperative period, oral ibuprofen was the most commonly used NSAID, rectal codeine, and acetaminophen were the most commonly used weak opioids, and continuous remifentanil infusion was the most commonly used potent opioid. CONCLUSION: The authors determined the best pain management options for pediatric patients undergoing cranioplasty by analyzing the most commonly used analgesics. A high-quality clinical trial comparing different types of analgesic combinations would be a valuable addition to the present literature.

Morbidity of the Donor Site and Complication Rates of Breast Reconstruction with Autologous Abdominal Flaps: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Numerous studies have evaluated the use of autologous abdominal tissue for breast reconstruction; nevertheless, complications and donor site morbidity rates vary significantly. The study aims to compare the literature regarding morbidity of the donor site and complication rates of breast reconstruction with autologous abdominal flaps. Methods: The databases of MEDLINE, EBSCO, Scopus, Wiley Library, and Web of Sciences were searched for studies that compared different flaps in terms of complications and donor site morbidity. The procedures studied included pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (pTRAM), free TRAM (fTRAM), deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), and superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator (SIEA) flaps. A total of 34 studies were included. Of these, 28 were retrospective studies and 9 were prospective cohort studies. Results: When compared to DIEP, fTRAM flaps were found to have a decreased incidence of flap fat necrosis, hematoma, and total thrombotic events, yet a higher risk of donor site hernia/bulging. pTRAM flaps were also associated with an increased risk of hernia/bulging at the donor site, as well as wound infection, yet flap hematoma was less common. On the other hand, SIEA flaps showed the lowest risk of donor site hernia/bulging while still having a high risk of wound infection. Conclusion: fTRAM procedures comparatively had the least complications. However, regarding flap choice, patients would benefit most from a case-by-case analysis, taking into consideration individual risk factors and preferences.