Children with sickle cell disease: are they protected from serious COVID-19?

Background: COVID-19, the pandemic that hit the world in 2020, resulted in millions of deaths, with the elderly and adults succumbing to the disease more often than children. However, the presence of underlying morbidities increased the risk of death. Sickle cell disease (SCD) was previously classified as a major risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease.

Aesthetic monitoring-based assessment of oncological safety of oncoplastic management of breast cancer: a multi-center research study.

Background: Oncoplastic Breast surgeries (OBS) in breast cancer have evolved to preserve the cancerous breast rather than its amputation to improve postoperative cosmetic results. The lack of evidence to support the oncological safety and benefits of OBS is questionable. In this study, we evaluate various aspects of oncoplastic surgeries with a focused monitoring of aesthetic results and oncological safety.

Impact of laparoscopy on the perioperative outcomes of penetrating abdominal trauma.

Background: Penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) poses a significant challenge to trauma surgeons. Laparotomy is still the most popular procedure for managing PAT but has high morbidity and mortality rates. Presently, laparoscopy aims to provide equal or superior visualization compared to open approaches but with less morbidity, postoperative discomfort, and recovery time.

The assessment of perioperative risk factors of anastomotic leakage after intestinal surgeries; a prospective study.

Background: Anastomotic leaks (AL) are among the most serious complications due to the substantial impact on the quality of life and mortality. Inspite of the advance in diagnostic tools such as laboratory tests and radiological adjuncts, only moderate improvement has been recorded in the rate of detected leaks. The purpose of the research was to assess the perioperative risk factors for AL.

Cardiovascular risk factors among high-risk individuals attending the general practice at king Abdulaziz University hospital: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death worldwide, accounting for 31.0% of all deaths and more than 18 million deaths annually. The 2008 World Health Report indicated that 144 (35%) of the 413 deaths per 100,000 in 2002 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were due to CVD.

Routine Preoperative Coagulation Tests in Children Undergoing Elective Surgery or Invasive Procedures: Are They Still Necessary?

Introduction: Preoperative coagulation screening tests in pediatric patients was once routine clinical practice globally and still used as standard practice in some countries before surgical procedures to assess of perioperative bleeding risk.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate unselected routine preoperative coagulation testing in children undergoing elective or invasive surgery to predict abnormal perioperative bleeding. The study also aimed to provide a rational approach of determining bleeding and family history of coagulation disorders as a predictive risk for bleeding.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Single-Center Series of 12 Cases from Saudi Arabia.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but potentially fatal disease that commonly appears in infancy, although it has been reported in adults. Chemoimmunotherapy-based treatments have improved the survival of patients with HLH; however, overall survival is still poor. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 12 HLH patients who were admitted between 2005 and 2014.

Molecular characterization of novel splice site mutation causing protein C deficiency.

Congenital protein C deficiency is an inherited coagulation disorder associated with an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism. A Saudi Arabian male from a consanguineous family was admitted to neonatal intensive care unit in his first days of life because of transient tachypnea and hematuria. Laboratory investigations determined low platelet and protein C deficiency.

Regional consensus opinion for the management of Beta thalassemia major in the Arabian Gulf area.

Thalassemia syndrome has diverse clinical presentations and a global spread that has far exceeded the classical Mediterranean basin where the mutations arose. The mutations that give rise to either alpha or beta thalassemia are numerous, resulting in a wide spectrum of clinical severity ranging from carrier state to life-threatening, inherited hemolytic anemia that requires regular blood transfusion. Beta thalassemia major constitutes a remarkable challenge to health care providers.