Factors influencing research productivity among Syrian medical professionals amidst conflict: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Medical research productivity is globally increasing, with a lagging progress in third-world countries due to significant challenges, including inadequate training and brain drain. Syria had been showing a slow upward trend until the war broke out and severely hindered academic growth and productivity. A deeper understanding of the factors influencing research productivity in this context are fundamental to guide educational policies and resource allocation. Previous cross-sectional studies that evaluated the perspectives of Syrian academics on the issue were limited by the small sample size of published healthcare workers, making it difficult to identify the factors that enabled them to pursue research. METHODS: To address this challenge, we employed a case-control design. We isolated published early-career Syrian healthcare workers and compared their characteristics and perceptions to unpublished matched controls. Authors in the fields of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy affiliated with any Syrian University were identified through an extensive search of PubMed and Google Scholar.These authors were invited to complete a questionnaire that covered participants' research contributions, alongside their self-assessed knowledge, attitudes, and barriers towards research. The questionnaire was publicly published to recruit an equal sample of matching controls, with half consisting of unpublished researchers and the other half of participants without prior research contributions. RESULTS: Six-hundred-sixteen participants were recruited. Their knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers explained 46% and 34% of the variability in research involvement and publication, respectively (P < 0.001). Getting involved in and publishing research studies associated with higher research-related knowledge and attitudes (P < 0.001). Respondents' assessment of research-related barriers and their academic scores did not differ between cases and controls. Superior research-related knowledge and attitudes were associated with male gender, higher English competency, and better internet connectivity. Meanwhile, extracurricular training and mentors' support were associated with more positive research-related attitudes and less perceived barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Research productivity of medical professionals in Syria exhibits a positive correlation with their knowledge and favorable attitudes towards medical research. Noteworthy, the demographic variations are linked to disparities in research-related knowledge and motivation. In conclusion, these results suggest a potential avenue for enhancement through concentrated efforts on improving extracurricular training interventions and mentors' support.

The dilemma of incidental findings in abdominal surgery: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Despite the recent development in diagnostic techniques, many surgeons experience unexpected findings during the course of surgery. We aim to examine the incidence of all IFs in abdominal surgery -laparoscopy or laparotomy- and identify possible associations. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in Aleppo University Hospital - Department of Surgery. We collected patients' data who underwent abdominal surgery during the period of the two-consecutive years 2018-2019. Results: The data revealed detection of incidental findings during abdominal surgery -which included proper inspection of peritoneal cavity-in 6 out 543 cases (1.1%), whereas only one case included a misdiagnosis event (0.2%). Conclusion: Epidemiological information about IFs in abdominal surgery can be extremely useful for the surgeons on various aspects, and can assist them with being more prepared for the surgery and the possible unexpected lesions that might be encountered. We strongly recommend that further studies with larger numbers of participants are conducted as they can provide more generalizable data.

Conservative management of a large brain abscess in a child with severe manifestations: A case report from Syria.

Otogenic brain abscesses are rare but usually life-threatening conditions particularly in developing countries. Our patient attended to the emergency department with extremely serious manifestations due to a large brain abscess. The borderline dimensions of the abscess (2.4 cm) with (GCS <12) as well as the lack of surgical capabilities were the factors that addressed to treat her with the available medication only. Fortunately, 2-year follow-up did not show any recurrence. This case sheds a light on unusual management of large abscesses in imperfect circumstances, which makes it high educational value.

Acute abdomen due to an infarction of wandering spleen: case report.

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of one or all spleen ligaments that fixate the spleen in the left upper quadrant. Many different terms refer to wandering spleen like dislocated spleen, ectopic spleen and displaced spleen. We report in this case a 13-year-old Syrian girl presented to the emergency department complaining of acute generalized abdominal pain with fever, anorexia and vomiting started 2 days prior to presentation. A splenectomy was performed, with uneventful postsurgical follow-up. Wandering spleen is prone to torsion and infarction resulting in acute abdomen and a life-threatening condition with high mortality rate reaching 50%. We advise the investigation of any recurrent episodes of chronic pain keeping up within mind this diagnosis.

Penile reconstruction using scrotal flap after usage of monopolar electrocautery in a 2-month-old Syrian child: a case report.

Circumcision is regarded as one of the most common procedures in pediatrics. We present a case of a newborn, who has undergone circumcision using monopolar electrocautery. He admitted to the hospital with glans necrosis and was treated with antibiotics and surgical debridement. Four months later, phalloplasty was performed for the newborn using scrotal flap. The result is satisfactory, and the penis is esthetically acceptable with effective urination. Our case suggests the use of scrotal flap for penile reconstruction due to feasibility of procedure and anatomic privilege. It would also support usage of bipolar electrocautery for circumcision to avoid possible unwanted complications of monopolar electrocautery.

Bloom syndrome with myelodysplastic syndrome that was converted into acute myeloid leukaemia, with new ophthalmologic manifestations: the first report from Syria.

Bloom syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease, in which BLM gene is mutated, leading to genome instability and proneness to malignancy. It is characterized by short stature, sun-sensitive rash and immunodeficiency. We present a case of bloom syndrome with myelodysplasia complicated by acute myeloid leukaemia. This case has new ophthalmologic manifestations. We confirmed the diagnosis by detection of high rate of sister chromatid exchange. The patient received chemotherapy but did not tolerate it well and developed fungal pneumonia.