Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation of acupuncture points improves tolerance in adults undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) is the most common diagnostic procedure for upper gastrointestinal diseases. It often causes discomfort and anxiety, which are only mitigated by systemic sedation. However, sedation poses additional risks of adverse cardiopulmonary events, increased medical costs, and prolonged recovery.

A comparative analysis of Charlson's weighted index of comorbidity and perforated peptic ulcer scores in predicting postoperative mortality and high comprehensive complication index.

Background: Limited data exists on Charlson's weighted index of comorbidity (WIC) predictability for postoperative outcomes following perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) surgery. This study assesses the utility of WIC and other predictive scores in forecasting both postoperative mortality and morbidity in PPU.

Materials & Methods: Patients with PPUs operated between 2018 and 2021 in a Malaysian tertiary referral center were included.

A comparative study of anxiety and depression among healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers in Johor, Malaysia during the Covid-19 era.

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has a significant impact on the mental health of the global population. Updates are needed regarding the mental health status among the local population since limited studies were done so far. This research compared the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among HCWs and non-HCWs.

Predictors for success of non-operative management of adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Background: Majority of adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) cases can be managed non-operatively. However, a proportion of patients failed non-operative management.

Aim: To evaluate the predictors of successful non-operative management in adhesive SBO.

COVID-19 related acute limb ischaemia: A case series.

COVID-19 infection or vaccination is rarely associated with arterial occlusive disease of the extremities. The surgical department of a hospital in Johor, Malaysia, recorded a significant increase in the number of COVID-19-related acute limb ischaemia when the rates of COVID-19 were high both locally and internationally. The clinical presentation and management of acute limb ischaemia associated with COVID-19 infection or vaccination are largely underreported in Johor.

Non-operative management of solid organ injuries in a middle-income country, how does it stack up?

Introduction: The first trauma surgery unit in Malaysia was established in 2011. After 10 years, we examine our experience in the management, and outcomes of blunt liver, spleen, and kidney injuries.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of patients with blunt liver, spleen, and kidney injuries in a level 1 trauma centre in Malaysia between January 2018 to June 2021.

Case series of gallstone ileus with one- or two-stage surgery.

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. It may present with typical symptoms of intestinal obstruction with or without biliary sepsis. Its management strategies vary depending on the patient and operative factors.

Emergency repair of blunt traumatic bronchus injury presenting with massive air leak.

Blunt traumatic tracheobronchial injury is rare, but can be potentially life-threatening. It accounts for only 0.5%-2% of all trauma cases.

Case series of retained rectal foreign body. A Malaysian experience.

Retained rectal foreign body, with its associated social stigma, is a medical condition that is infrequently reported in Malaysia. We report the surgical management of five cases of retained foreign objects in the rectum seen over a one-year period. There were three young and two elderly male patients.

Pinch-off syndrome from a chemoport catheter successfully managed with endovascular retrieval.

Introduction And Importance: A totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD), also referred to as 'chemoport', is frequently used for oncology patients. Chemoport insertion via the subclavian vein access may compress the catheter between the first rib and the clavicle, resulting in pinch-off syndrome (POS). The sequela includes catheter transection and subsequent embolization.

Smartphone-controlled patch electro-acupuncture versus conventional pain relief during colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Smartphone-controlled patch electro-acupuncture (SCEA) is a novel device which gives the same analgesic effect as with conventional acupuncture. There are no published articles in the English literature on the use of this device as a primary mode of pain relief during colonoscopy. Primary aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of SCEA as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy.

Post-colonoscopy diverticulitis: A systematic review.

Background: Post-colonoscopy diverticulitis is increasingly recognized as a potential complication. However, the evidence is sparse in the literature.

Aim: To systematically review all available evidence to describe the incidence, clinical course with management and propose a definition.

Outcomes of Early Simultaneous Removal of Ureteric Stent With Indwelling Urethral Catheter After Kidney Transplant in Pediatric Recipients: A 10-Year Review.

Objectives: A ureteric stent is routinely placed to minimize urological complications during kidney transplant. However, some complications may occur in association with the ureteric stent, such as urinary tract infections, and the optimal duration for stent placement is unclear. We reviewed the outcomes following early simultaneous removal of the ureteric stent with the urethral catheter in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Opportunistic use of radiological measures of visceral adiposity for assessment of risk of colorectal adenoma.

Background: Recent evidence suggested that radiological measures of visceral adiposity are a better tool for risk assessment of colorectal adenomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of visceral adiposity with the development of colorectal adenomas.

Methods: A retrospective review of all cases of computed tomography-confirmed acute diverticulitis from November 2015 to April 2018 was performed.

First Feasibility Study and Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted Anterior Resection in Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic-assisted anterior resection (LAAR) for colorectal cancer in a local Asian population.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients with colorectal cancer operated from November 2017 to October 2018. Main variables of interest were demography, type and surgery, length of stay (LOS), and the involvement of proximal and distal doughnut.

The role of quantitative radiological measures of visceral adiposity in diverticulitis.

Background: Diverticular disease has been linked to obesity. Recent studies have assessed the role of visceral adiposity with diverticulitis and its complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of quantitative radiological measures of visceral adiposity in patients with diverticulitis with vital signs, biochemistry results, uncomplicated versus complicated diverticulitis and its interventions.

Rare morbidity of permanent quadriplegia caused by neurenteric cyst of the cervical cord.

The incidence of neurenteric cyst (NC) is rare, accounting for 0.3%-1.3% of all spine tumors.

Survival analysis and mortality predictors of hospitalized severe burn victims in a Malaysian burns intensive care unit.

Background: Prognostic measures to determine burn mortality are essential in evaluating the severity of individual burn victims. This is an important process of triaging patients with high risk of mortality that may be nursed in the acute care setting. Malaysian burn research is lacking with only one publication identified which describes the epidemiology of burn victims.

Development and validation of a new simplified anatomic trauma mortality score.

Background: Most trauma mortality prediction scores are complex in nature. GAP (Glasgow Coma Scale, Age, Systolic blood pressure) and mGAP (mechanism, Glasgow Coma Scale, Age, Systolic blood pressure) scores are relatively simple scoring tools. However, these scores were not validated in low and middle income countries including Malaysia and its accuracies are influenced by the fluctuating physiologic parameters.