A Comparative Study of Laparoscopic Skills Between Novices and Experts: How to Steepen the Learning Curve.

Introduction and aim Laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the field of surgery over the past few decades. The learning curve in laparoscopy is known to be slow, flat, and complex. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of laparoscopic skills, specifically focusing on suturing, knot tying, and needle handling, between novices and experts.

Immunotherapy in thymic epithelial tumors: an attractive dilemma.

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are the most prevalent tumors that develop in the thymus's epithelial tissue. Thymomas are malignant tumors that develop from the epithelial cells of the thymus and frequently include mixed populations of lymphocytes. In contrast, thymic carcinomas are also tumors of the thymic epithelium, but they are characterized by a lack of lymphocytes, exhibit more aggressive behavior, and are associated with a poorer prognosis.

Opioid use and poisoning in hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Identifying factors associated with uncomplicated and complicated opioid use is essential, especially with regard to safety concerns in impaired kidney function. Literature about opioid prescription and their potential complications in patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is scarce. This study describes opioid use and poisoning in hospitalized CKD patients.

Locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in Lebanon: focus on ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Treatment of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) has evolved over the last decade. According to studies, the use of targeted therapies has significantly increased the life expectancy of patients. Moreover, ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) have improved clinical outcomes.

Endo-Bag Retrieval Using the "Fishing Technique".

In minimally invasive procedures, one of the surgeon's goals is finalizing the surgery safely while using the minimum number and size of trocars. In this article, we present the "fishing technique" which helps to avoid using an extra 10mm trocar in order to deploy specimen retrieval bags.

Reconstruction of Extensive Scalp and Skull Defects with Dural Exposure: Report of a Series of Cases and Literature Review.

Background: Large scalp and calvarial defects pose significant challenges for reconstruction. Successful reconstruction necessitates soft tissue restoration capable of withstanding radiation following tumor resection. Free flaps allow preserving and maintaining the structural and functional status of the reconstructed area.

Cardiac toxicity of HER-2 targeting antibody-drug conjugates: overview and clinical implications.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic option that combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies and the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy. With numerous ADCs approved and on the market, a particular concern of ADCs that target HER-2 has been their cardiac side effects, in view of the crucial role of HER-2 in cardiac development and physiology. While rarely toxic and generally safe, numerous publications have outlined the consistent association of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) with the development of cardiac toxicity.

Quantifying upper lip height difference between two young male and female populations by direct surface measurement: Implications for gender-affirming upper lip shortening surgery.

The female upper lip is shorter than its male counterpart. We have recently described a precise direct surface measurement technique of the philtral height. In this study we aim to quantify the difference in philtral height using this same measuring technique between two groups of young male and female Lebanese subjects.

Radiomic study of antenatal prediction of severe placenta accreta spectrum from MRI.

Objectives: We previously demonstrated the potential of radiomics for the prediction of severe histological placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) subtypes using T2-weighted MRI. We aim to validate our model using an additional dataset. Secondly, we explore whether the performance is improved using a new approach to develop a new multivariate radiomics model.

The Buccal Mask: Safe Positive Airway Pressure Delivery for Patients with a Paramedian Forehead Flap.

The paramedian forehead flap is commonly performed for the reconstruction of complex nasal defects. It typically requires two separate procedures: flap elevation and inset, and then, 2-3 weeks later, pedicle division. In patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome, the use of positive airway pressure is often mandatory, especially in the postoperative period.

Liquid biopsy as a tool for KRAS/NRAS/BRAF baseline testing in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: The absence of KRAS and NRAS gene mutations (RAS wild type) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), is associated with a good response to targeted therapy with anti-EGFR receptor antibodies. The current gold standard for RAS mutational status identification is genetic testing on tissue biopsy samples.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relevance of liquid biopsy as a less invasive alternative to tissue biopsy for detecting KRAS/NRAS and BRAF mutations in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Insights Into the Emerging Entity of HER2-Low Breast Cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer (BC) is a subtype of BC that has been recently recognized as a separate clinical entity with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. It is defined by a low level of HER2 protein expression, which distinguishes it from other more aggressive BC subtypes. Early studies suggest that it may have a more favorable prognosis than HER2-positive BC, as it is less likely to spread to other parts of the body and may be more responsive to standard BC treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.

Impact of the economic crisis and drug shortage on Lebanese cancer patients' care.

Background: As a consequence of the economic crisis, the sociopolitical instability and the advent of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, nested challenges faced the Lebanese healthcare system. These have resulted in critical shortages of essential resources, including medications vital for oncologic patients.

Aim: To assess the ramifications of the ongoing economic crisis on oncology patient care focusing on our outpatient oncology department.

Prostate cancer across four countries in the Middle East: a multi-centre, observational, retrospective and prognostic study.

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most prevalent cancer in males, with a steadily increasing incidence in the Middle East (ME). The aim of this study was to capture real-world data on the characteristics, disease progression, and treatment patterns among PC patients in the ME. This was a retrospective, observational, multi-centre study conducted across ten hospitals/research centers in Lebanon, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait.

Unlocking Hope: Anti-VEGFR inhibitors and their potential in glioblastoma treatment.

Purpose: This systematic review summarizes evidence of VEGFR gene mutations and VEGF/VEGFR protein expression in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients, alongside the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for GBM treatment.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed up to August 2023. Boolean operators and MeSH term "glioma," along with specific VEGFR-related keywords, were utilized following thorough examination of existing literature.

Quantifying female upper lip lengthening with age by direct surface measurement: A guide for the lip lifting procedure.

Upper lip lifting is a very popular procedure but there is no objective guidelines on how much skin has to be removed to obtain an optimal result. We have measured and compared the philtral height in two groups of young and old female Lebanese subjects. We have found a mean philtral height of 14.

Cardiovascular Safety of Febuxostat in Patients With Gout or Hyperuricemia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: To this date, a causal relationship between febuxostat and cardiovascular disease remains controversial as comparison between trials can be challenging and may lead to misleading conclusions, especially when facing heterogeneous cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to compare the cardiovascular outcomes in the most pertinent trials of febuxostat compared with controls.

Methods: We searched electronic databases using a PICOS-style approach search strategy of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on cardiovascular outcomes of febuxostat in patients with gout or hyperuricemia.