The diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography in patients with and without previous coronary interventions.

Background: Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the gold standard for imaging coronary arteries and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has undergone remarkable progress in the diagnosis of CAD.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of prior vs no previous coronary interventions on the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA as an alternative to ICA to improve health outcomes for patients with suspected CAD.

Knowledge and Practices of Female Nurses at Primary Health Care Clinics in Gaza Strip-Palestine Regarding Early Detection of Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among females in Palestine. Female nurses play a vital role in increasing women's awareness of BC early detection.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of female nurses at Primary Health Care Clinics (PHCCs) in the Gaza Strip regarding early detection of BC.

Consensus statement on the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and management of cow's milk protein allergy in the Middle East: a modified Delphi-based study.

Background: This study aimed to develop an expert consensus regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in the Middle East.

Methods: A three-step modified Delphi method was utilized to develop the consensus. Fifteen specialized pediatricians participated in the development of this consensus.

Direct Consequences of Cranioplasty to the Brain: Intracranial Pressure Study.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) is a crucial factor that we need to take into account in all major pathophysiological changes of the brain after decompressive craniectomy (DC) and cranioplasty (CP). The purpose of our study was to check ICP values before and after cranioplasty and its relation to various parameters (imaging, demographics, time of cranioplasty, and type of graft) as well as its possible relation to postsurgical complications. The authors performed a prospective study in which they selected as participants adults who had undergone unilateral frontotemporoparietal DC and were planned to have cranioplasty.

Pain management in adults during long-bone fracture reduction in the Gaza Strip: a clinical audit.

Background: Ongoing protests in Gaza have led to numerous injuries, including long-bone fractures. We investigated assessment of pain severity and strategies for pain management in the emergency department. As no local guidelines exist, delivered care was compared with the guidance of the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Quality of Early Essential Newborn Care in hospitals in Gaza: a pre-intervention and post-intervention study.

Background: In 2017, the Ministry of Health in Gaza introduced Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) as its primary maternal and neonatal care strategy. EENC comprises a package of simple evidence-based interventions that are delivered during labour and delivery, and in the early post-partum period, to prevent or treat the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in newborn babies. Four public maternity hospitals in Gaza, responsible for approximately 75% of all deliveries, began implementation of EENC in June, 2017.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the Palestinian family: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The current study aims to understand and assess the consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on Palestinian families.

Methods: This online community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between 19 April 2020 and 5 June 2020, using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of three sections: sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions, and impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Post-Cranioplasty Complications: Lessons From a Prospective Study Assessing Risk Factors.

Complication rate related with cranioplasty is described as very high in most of relevant studies. The aim of our study was to try to identify possible factors, that could predict complications following cranioplasty. The authors hypothesized that some physical characteristics on the preoperative brain computed tomography (CT) scan can be predictive for complications.

Phaco-UCP; combined phacoemulsification and ultrasound ciliary plasty versus phacoemulsification alone for management of coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Various surgical techniques have been described, to be combined with cataract surgery in glaucoma patients, aiming for an additional reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), hence minimizing the burden of anti-glaucoma medication (AGM). Ultrasound ciliary plasty (UCP) is a recent microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) recommended for primary and refractory glaucoma. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique; combined phacoemulsification and ultrasound ciliary plasty (Phaco-UCP) as a primary surgical treatment for coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma.

Coronary computed tomography angiography versus invasive coronary angiography: medical staff perceptions and diagnostic interest in Gaza-Palestine.

Background: Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) are used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The medical benefits, as well as the ethical and logistical implications, should be explored, particularly in the scarcity of medical resources. We explore the perception of medical staff toward the interest of CCTA and ICA in diagnosis CAD to maximize the utility of both procedures.

Functional evaluation of early tendon transfer for thumb opposition in median nerve palsy.

Background: There is paucity of literature on early tendon transfer in surgical rehabilitation of hands with median nerve injuries. Since the single most important functional deficit in median nerve palsy is the loss of thumb opposition, we evaluated the results of early tendon transfer in restoration of thumb opposition.

Methods: This prospective study involved 10 cases of isolated median nerve paralysis (axonotmesis or neurotmesis) that underwent early tendon transfer for restoration of thumb opposition.

Induction Of Labor Among Singleton Pregnancies In Six Palestinian Governmental Hospitals: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: To explore rates and review practices regarding induction of labor (IOL) among singleton pregnancies in Palestine.

Design: A prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting: Six secondary and tertiary governmental hospitals located in the two regions of Palestine: West Bank and Gaza.

GOFlow: Smartwatch app to deliver laboratory results in emergency departments - A feasibility study.

Purpose: Information Technology (IT) plays a critical role in supporting emergency physicians' (EPs) routines. Pagers, personal computers, and smartphones offer fast access to patient data, such as laboratory results. However, due to the inherent features of specimen processing and laboratory instruments, the turnaround time from test ordering to availability of results can be long.

Next generation HLA typing and haplotypes by descent in Gaza individuals.

Forty-two individuals from the Gaza Strip were typed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1. Haplotypes were established by descent and only one haplotype was found to occur more than once; HLA-A*23:01 ~ B*41:01 ~ DRB1*07:01. The allele and haplotype frequencies and the individual genotypes are deposited at www.

Functional Outcome of Bell Tawse Procedure for the Management of Chronic Unreduced Monteggia Fracture-Dislocation in Children.

Aim Of Study: Unreduced or missed Monteggia fracture-dislocation after 4 weeks is a common presentation in a tertiary care center. The aim of this study is to study the functional outcome of Bell Tawse procedure for the management of chronic unreduced Monteggia fracture-dislocation in children.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study with prospective data collection, 17 children were treated with open reduction of the radial head and annular ligament reconstruction (Bell Tawse) combined with ulnar osteotomy.

Does pain, psychological distress and deteriorated family economy follow traumatic amputation among war casualties? A retrospective, cross-sectional study from Gaza.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore determinants of psychosocial distress and pain in patients who have survived severe extremity amputation in Gaza.

Setting: This study was conducted in a secondary care rehabilitation centre in Gaza, Palestine. The clinic is Gaza's sole provider of artificial limbs.

Hospital centered surveillance of births in Gaza, Palestine, 2011-2017 and heavy metal contamination of the mothers reveals long-term impact of wars.

Prevalence of preterm, low birth weight and birth defects increased significantly since 2011 in Gaza, Palestine. No change in known co-factors of reproductive health justified this rise. Two military attacks in 2012 and 2014 introduced novel risk factors for outcomes at birth: contamination by teratogenic and carcinogenic heavy metals weapon-remnants, ongoing impoverishment, and impaired rehabilitation of waste management.

Outcome of Closed Wedge Varus Derotation Osteotomy with Trochanteric Apophysiodesis in Perthes Disease.

Background: Perthes disease is a condition in which a self-limiting avascular event affects the capital epiphysis of the femur with a very variable course. It has been shown frequently, however, that there is a group of patients who definitely benefit from containment, either surgical or nonsurgical, better with surgical. We studied midterm to long term outcome of closed wedge varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO) with trochanteric apophysiodesis in Perthes disease.

Evaluation of Accuracy of Episiotomy Incision in a Governmental Maternity Unit in Palestine: An Observational Study.

Episiotomy should be cut at certain internationally set criteria to minimize risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and anal incontinence. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of cutting right mediolateral episiotomy (RMLE). An institution-based prospective cohort study was undertaken in a Palestinian maternity unit from February 1, to December 31, 2016.

Impact of electronic and blended learning programs for manual perineal support on incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries: a prospective interventional study.

Background: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are associated with anal incontinence, dyspareunia and perineal pain. Bimanual perineal support technique (bPST) prevents OASIS. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of two different bPST training-methods on OASIS incidence.

Caesarean section in Palestine using the Robson Ten Group Classification System: a population-based birth cohort study.

Objective: To analyse the current situation of caesarean section in Palestine using the Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS).

Design: A population-based birth cohort study.

Setting: Obstetrical departments in three governmental hospitals in Gaza.