Factors Influencing Specialty and Training Center Choices Among Saudi Medical Residents.

AIM: This cross-sectional study aims to identify and quantify the factors influencing Saudi medical residents in selecting their desired specialty and primary training center, while examining the associations between these factors. METHODS: The study received approval from an institutional ethical committee at King Abdulaziz University. An electronic questionnaire was designed and validated via content, face validity, and the Content Validity Index. The sample size was calculated based on a 95% CI and a 5% margin of error. The study targeted all current residents in the current Saudi Specialty Certificate Programs. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, training-related information, and factors influencing the selection of a specialty and training center. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 387 respondents completed the survey, with a 32.3% response rate. The majority of respondents were male (n = 232, 59.9%), and the majority were also married (n = 67.2%), with internal medicine (n = 92, 23.8%) and family medicine (n = 74, 19.1%) being the most prevalent specialties. Notably, 89.4% (n = 346) reported matching into their first-choice specialty, and 67.2% (n = 260) into their first-choice training center. Furthermore, 90.2% (n = 349) had prior training (elective/internship) in their chosen specialty, and 63% (n = 244) had previous training (elective/internship) at their primary training center. Prior exposure to both specialty and center significantly resulted in them being the resident's top choice (p < 0.01). Multiple factors influencing the choice of either the specialty or the center were found to have statistically significant associations with the gender, specialty, residency level, sector of the training center, and timing of the specialty decision (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the substantial influence of early experiences on Saudi medical residents' specialty and training center choices. It also uncovers gender disparities and variations in the influence of specialty-related factors. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the multifactorial decision-making processes, enabling the development of strategies to better meet the evolving needs and preferences of healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Endovascular repair of right-sided iliac vein aneurysm and iliac arteriovenous fistula.

A 72-year-old man receiving anticoagulation therapy for chronic bilateral deep vein thromboses presented with acute right leg swelling. Right-sided imaging showed deep femoral vein thrombosis, chronic partial femoral vein thrombosis, and 4.8-cm distal external iliac vein dilation with possible right iliac vein stenosis. Venography confirmed common iliac vein occlusion and an aneurysm, with a fistula to the right internal iliac artery found by angiography. Aneurysm obliteration was achieved via arterial embolization with coils and an Amplatzer plug (Abbott, Chicago, IL). The patient continued with anticoagulation therapy, with patent common and external iliac arteries and a stable right external iliac vein aneurysm without arterial waveforms found on follow-up. His clinical manifestations were improved.

Intraoperative fusion imaging during transcarotid artery revascularization.

Background: Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) with reverse-flow neuroprotection has emerged as an alternative to transfemoral carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy. However, it requires fluoroscopic guidance, exposing the patient and surgeon to radiation. Although fusion-guided endovascular aneurysm repair has been demonstrated to significantly decrease this radiation risk, not much is known about similar outcomes for TCAR. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes at a single institution using fusion-guided imaging during TCAR compared with regional TCAR cases in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry without fusion imaging. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of data collected from all patients undergoing TCAR with fusion-guided imaging (TCAR-F) at our hospital and patients undergoing TCAR alone within the VQI database. The primary outcomes included the total operative time, dose area product, fluoroscopy time, contrast usage, and flow-reversal time. The demographics and preoperative risk factors were also assessed in both groups. Continuous outcomes were compared using the Welch t test. Categorical outcomes were compared using the Fisher exact test. Results: A total of 30 TCAR-F cases (January 2019 to May 2022) at our institution were compared against the regional VQI dataset (n = 2535). The TCAR-F cases had a lower dose area product (5.67 vs 93.1 Gy cm2; P < .0001), shorter fluoroscopy time (8.07 vs 16.4 minutes; P < .0001), and less contrast usage (13.49 vs 76.7 mL; P < .0001) compared with the regional averages of the same. The TCAR-F cases had a longer total operative time (117.3 vs 80.9 minutes; P < .0001) and flow-reversal time (14.4 vs 11.7 minutes; P = .025) compared with the regional cases. Conclusions: The results from this pilot study comparing TCAR-F patients at a single institution with VQI regional TCAR patients suggest that TCAR-F cases use less radiation and contrast compared with TCAR without fusion imaging. Fusion-guided imaging might provide radiation protection to both patients and surgeons and decrease contrast usage for the patient.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm and bilateral pelvic kidneys.

A 61-year-old man presented with a 5.8-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm with bilateral pelvic kidneys incidentally discovered by computed tomography angiography. Given the complex anatomy, an open approach was favored over an endovascular approach to address the aneurysm and preserve renal function. Renal perfusion was achieved with a short clamp time of 29 minutes and intermittent boluses of cold renal perfusion solution delivered into each renal artery via a Fogarty infusion catheter. We describe a rare case of bilateral ectopic kidneys in the setting of open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using the described technique.

Effect of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin on Patency in High-Risk Bypass Patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of warfarin for anticoagulation in thromboembolic disease has been the mainstay of treatment. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have demonstrated equivalent anticoagulant effects, without increased bleeding risks or need for frequent monitoring. However, the role of DOACs remains unclear in the setting of replacing warfarin for high-risk peripheral artery disease (PAD) interventions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of DOACs compared to warfarin during the postoperative period in patients that underwent a lower extremity high-risk bypass (HRB). METHODS: The study is a single institution, retrospective review of all lower extremity HRBs between January 2012 and June 2021, who were previously placed on or started on anticoagulation with a DOAC or warfarin. The HRB group included all patients undergoing femoral to above or below knee bypass with an adjunct procedure, or below knee bypass with synthetic or composite vein conduit. All demographics, preoperative factors, and complications were evaluated with respect to DOAC versus warfarin. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients (28 males; average age 68.8 ± 10.9) underwent an HRB during the study period. There were no significant differences in demographics and preoperative characteristics between the 2 groups. Among patient comorbidities, coronary artery disease was found to be significantly higher in patients on DOACs (P = 0.03). The 12-month primary patency rate was 83.3% versus 57.1%, for DOAC versus warfarin respectively (P = 0.03). Multivariate analyses revealed that <30-day reinterventions contribute to 12-month patency (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent lower extremity HRB with postoperative DOAC appeared to exhibit higher graft patency rates than those who were placed on warfarin. Due to their low incidence of undesirable side effects and the lack of frequent monitoring, DOACs could be considered a safe alternative to warfarin in the postoperative period for patients with HRB.

Open abdominal aortic repair in the current era has more complications for occlusive disease than for aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular intervention has become the first-line treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) or aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). However, open abdominal aortic repair remains a valuable treatment option for patients who are younger, those with unfavorable anatomy, and patients for whom endovascular intervention has failed. The cohort of patients undergoing open repair has become highly selected; nevertheless, updated outcomes or patient selection recommendations have been unavailable. In the present study, we explored and compared the characteristics and postoperative outcomes of patients who had undergone open abdominal aortic repair from 2009 to 2018. METHODS: Patients who had undergone open AAA (n = 9481) or AIOD (n = 9257) repair were collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality. The secondary outcomes included 30-day return to the operating room, total operative time, total hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Unmatched and matched differences between the two groups and changes over time were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to assess the risk factors predicting for 30-day mortality. RESULTS: After propensity matching (n = 4980), those in the AIOD group had had a higher 30-day mortality rate (5.1% vs 4.1%; P = .021), a higher incidence of wound complications (7.4% vs 5.1%; P<.0001) and an increased 30-day return to the operating room (14.2% vs 9.1%; P < .0001). More open AIOD cases (P = .02) and fewer open AAA cases (P = .04) had been treated in the second half of the decade than in the first. The factors associated with an increased odds of 30-day mortality included advanced age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥III, functional dependence, blood transfusion <72 hours before surgery, weight loss in previous 6 months, and a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSIONS: From 2009 to 2018, the number of open AAA repairs decreased and the proportion of open abdominal AIOD cases increased. Open AIOD surgery was associated with higher 30-day mortality, increased return to the operating room, and increased wound complications vs open AAA repair. Multiple risk factors increased the odds for perioperative mortality. Thus, open abdominal aortic repair should be selectively applied to patients with fewer risk factors.

Open conversion after failed endovascular aneurysm repair is increasing and its 30-day mortality is higher than that after primary open repair.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the preferred treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Recent studies have demonstrated that cases of EVAR failure repair and subsequent open conversion have increased. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the national trend of annual cases and assess the 30-day outcomes of conversion to open repair after failed EVAR compared with primary open repair. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for relevant Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision, codes to identify patients who had undergone conversion to open repair or primary open repair of nonruptured AAAs from 2009 to 2018. The annual trend of cases was assessed, and the perioperative outcomes of both procedures were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent perioperative factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Of the 9635 patients with nonruptured AAAs included in the present analysis, 9250 had undergone primary repair and 385 had required open conversion. During the 10-year period, the annual number of cases of open conversion had steadily increased and that of primary repair had decreased. The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between both groups, except for cardiac arrest, which had occurred more frequently in the open conversion group. The 30-day mortality was higher in the open conversion group than in the primary group (9.6% vs 3.9%; P < .0001). Open conversion was also independently associated with higher odds of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-2.4; P < .0001). When the average mortality in both groups was compared between the first and last 5 years, no difference was found (open conversion: 9.8% vs 9.5% [P = 1.00]; primary repair: 3.6% vs 4.2% [P = .19]). Other perioperative factors independently associated with mortality included increased age (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1; P < .0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥III (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.6; P = .029), insulin-dependent diabetes (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.3; P = .005), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8; P = .006), the presence of dyspnea at rest (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.8-6.1; P < .0001), and a high preoperative hematocrit (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93-0.97; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Open conversion to treat nonruptured AAAs after failed EVAR was independently associated with higher mortality. Also, the annual cases of open conversion have continued to increase without any significant changes in postoperative mortality. This highlights the danger of open conversion and stresses the need for better solutions to prevent and manage EVAR failure.

Contained abdominal aortic rupture secondary to follicular lymphoma invasion.

An 87-year-old woman with grade IIIb follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab had presented with nausea, emesis, and chest pain of 1 day duration. She was found to have a contained abdominal aortic rupture secondary to follicular lymphoma invasion. She safely and successfully underwent emergent endovascular aortic repair. We have described a rare case of extranodal disease in follicular lymphoma associated with abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysms, likely due to a combination of malignancy-induced chronic inflammation and radiation therapy and chemotherapy side effects.

Compartment syndrome secondary to viral myositis as initial presentation in COVID-19 patient.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease typically manifested as a respiratory infection with a range of symptoms from a mild viral illness to a severe acute respiratory syndrome with multiorgan failure and death. We report a case of a young man presenting with compartment syndrome secondary to COVID-19 viral myositis, with a protracted hospital course further complicated by extensive venous and arterial thrombosis. As the coronavirus pandemic evolves, our understanding of the virus continues to improve; however, a host of unanswered questions remain about atypical presentation and management and treatment options.

Perforation of appendiceal adenocarcinoma ex goblet cell carcinoid: a rare case.

Goblet cell carcinoid tumor is a rare form of carcinoid tumor of the appendix. It behaves more aggressively than classical carcinoid tumor of the appendix. Thus, special attention must be given to its disease course and treatment. Our case presentation is of a 68-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain. Computed tomography of her abdomen and pelvis showed a perforated appendicitis. She underwent an ileocectomy with pathological report showing a goblet cell carcinoid tumor of the appendix with negative lymph nodes. A subsequent colonoscopy done 5 months later showed no synchronous lesions and a healthy anastomosis. Given the limited amount of data available about goblet cell carcinoid tumors of the appendix, it is important to report all findings in an effort to improve our understanding and treatment approaches of this rare disease.

Efficacy of First-Time Intragastric Balloon in Weight Loss: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The intragastric balloon (IGB) is an adjunctive treatment for obesity. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IGB treatment by reviewing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: A total of 20 RCTs involving 1195 patients were identified. Weight loss results before and after 3 months were analyzed separately. The weight loss results of patients with and without IGB treatment were compared. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis calculated the following significant effect sizes: 1.59 and 1.34 kg/m2 for overall and 3-month BMI loss, respectively; 14.25 and 11.16 % for overall and >3-month percentage of excess weight loss, respectively; 4.6 and 4.77 kg for overall and 3-month weight loss, respectively; and 2.81, 1.62, and 4.09 % for overall, 3-month, and >3-month percent of weight loss, respectively. A significant effect size was calculated that favored fluid-filled IGBs over air-filled IGBs. Flatulence (8.75 vs. 3.89 %, p = 0.0006), abdominal fullness (6.32 vs. 0.55 %, p = 0.001), abdominal pain (13.86 vs. 7.2 %, p = 0.0001), abdominal discomfort (4.37 vs. 0.55 %, p = 0.006), and gastric ulcer (12.5 vs. 1.2 %, p < 0.0001) were significantly more prevalent among IGB patients than among non-IGB control patients. No mortality was reported from IGB treatment. CONCLUSION: IGB treatment, in addition to lifestyle modification, is an effective short-term modality for weight loss. However, there is not sufficient evidence confirming its safety or long-term efficacy.