Nadim Malibary

Background: Acute diverticulitis is considered one of the most common emergencies presenting with acute abdomen. There is a paucity of literature on the epidemiology and clinical picture of acute diverticulitis among the Middle Eastern population. Thus, this study aimed to describe the epidemiology, complications, and outcomes in addition to the management of acute diverticulitis in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2019, using data extracted from an electronic medical system. Data obtained included demographics, clinical presentation, and patient management. Quantitative variables were described as mean and standard deviation, whereas qualitative variables were described as numbers and percentages. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-parametric variables, and correlation analysis was done using Spearman’s test. Results: Forty-five patients with a median age of 53 years had acute diverticulitis. Twenty-eight patients (62.2%) were Saudi Arabians, and 27 (60%) were male. The majority of patients (n=32, 71.1%) had only left-sided disease, and abdominal pain was the most frequently reported symptom (n=35, 77.8%). Computed tomography revealed that 21 (72.4 %) patients had Hinchey classification stage IA disease. The recurrence rate was 24.4% (N =11). Four patients required 30-day readmission (8.9%). The most commonly used inpatient antibiotic was metronidazole, and the most common surgical procedure was Hartmann’s procedure. The 30-day mortality rate was 6.7% (n=3). Conclusion: This study found that acute diverticulitis is more prevalent in men, has a high recurrence rate, and is predominantly seen in the left colon. Most patients have an uncomplicated form of the disease. Given the lack of previous studies in Saudi Arabia, future research should include population-based studies to identify the prevalence, complications, and outcomes of acute diverticulitis in the country.

Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer as well as one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality in women. Human microbial dysbiosis, which has been related to a range of malignancies, is one of the variables that may impact the chance of developing breast disorders. In this review, we aimed to investigate the relationship between breast cancer and benign breast tumors with dysbiosis of the microbiome at different body sites. We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE, Scopus, Ovid, and Cochrane Library to identify original articles published until July 2020 that reported studies of breast disease and microbiota. Twenty-four original articles were included in the study, which looked at the features and changes in breast, gut, urine, lymph node, and sputum microbial diversity in patients with benign and malignant breast tumors. In breast cancer, the breast tissue microbiome demonstrated changes in terms of bacterial load and diversity; in benign breast tumors, the microbiome was more similar to a malignant tumor than to normal breast tissue. Triple-negative (TNBC) and triple-positive (TPBC) types of breast cancer have a distinct microbial pattern. Moreover, in breast cancer, gut microbiota displayed changes in the compositional abundance of some bacterial families and microbial metabolites synthesis. Our review concludes that breast carcinogenesis seems to be associated with microbial dysbiosis. This information can be further explored in larger-scale studies to guide new prophylactic, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures for breast cancer.

Currently, there are no studies conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) that have assessed the relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) flare-ups and smoking. The present study aims to assess the risk of UC flare-ups and evaluate the relationship between UC flare-ups and smoking in adult patients following up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, KSA. This was a retrospective study involving patients with confirmed UC between January 2015 and December 2020. Various information was examined, including demographic, clinical, endoscopic, radiologic, and laboratory data. Descriptive statistics were used for summarizing findings and a logistic regression analysis was applied to test for possible associations. Eighty-nine patients with UC were included in the study. Almost half (48.3%) had recurrent UC flare-ups during follow-up. A non-significant relationship was found between recurrent UC flares and all types of smoking habits (cigarette smoking, P = 0.15; shisha smoking, P = 0.88; and vape smoking, P = 0.09). Participants who were underweight (P = 0.041), had family history of UC (P = 0.013), depression (P = 0.033), fecal incontinence (P = 0.003), iron deficiency anemia (P = 0.009), or a malignancy (P = 0.039) had a significantly higher probability of experiencing recurrent flares. Binary logistic regressions revealed that family history of UC (OR = 5.3, P = 0.007) and fecal incontinence (OR = 4.7, P = 0.006) were associated significantly with recurrent flares. There was no clear association between smoking and recurrent UC flares identified in this cohort. Of the variables considered, UC patients with fecal incontinence or family history of UC were at the highest risk of developing recurrent flares.

Background: Mesh is beneficial in the repair of umbilical hernias. But it may cause chronic pain due to inflammatory reactions, which may impair the patient's quality of life. Objectives: To assess and compare the quality of life of patients following umbilical hernia repair with and without mesh. Methods: During the study period, 45 patients underwent umbilical hernia repair. The study was conducted at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH), KSA. Data were collected using medical records, and each patient was contacted by telephone, to fill the "Carolina Comfort Scale (CCS)" survey. The survey assesses the grade of pain, sensation of mesh, and movement limitation in different situations. Results: A non-significant difference was found between mean quality of life (QOL) scores of mesh and non mesh groups. The relationship between CCS and gender was not significant in both groups. However, males had significantly higher CCS scores in mesh-treated cases. There was no statistically significant relationship between CCS and comorbidity, nationality, or symptoms. The overall CCS score did not differ statistically between mesh-treated and non-mesh-treated cases. Conclusion: The CCS score did not differ between mesh-treated and non-mesh-treated cases. It is suggested that future multicentric studies with a larger sample size be conducted.

Aim: Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication after colorectal surgery. Different models have been studied in an attempt to detect anastomotic leak (AL) early, in order to reduce its morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the Dutch Leakage (DULK) and modified DULK scores to detect AL after elective colorectal surgery with colocolic or colorectal anastomosis.Methods: A total of 101 consecutive patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery with colocolic or colorectal anastomosis were retrospectively reviewed from May 2015 to October 2016. DULK and modified DULK scores were applied for each patient retrospectively. The main outcome measure is to match DULK score results with the clinical diagnosis or exclusion of an anastomotic leakage.Results: Of the 101 patients who underwent colorectal operations, eight had AL (7.9%), of which three had protective stomas. The DULK score had a sensitivity of 62.5%, specificity of 86.32%, positive predictive value of 27.78% and negative predictive value of 96.39%. Modified DULK score had a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 76.43%, positive predictive value of 21.43% and negative predictive value of 97.26%. The DULK and modified DULK scores were able to detect AL on average 2 and 1.7 days, earlier than the clinical diagnosis, respectively.Conclusion: The DULK and modified DULK scores were an excellent tool for excluding AL after colorectal surgery. They are easily calculated and do not require sophisticated laboratory or radiological tests. A limitation is that this is a single‐centre study concentrated on evaluating a score with no long‐term outcomes.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. About 40% of BC in KSA is locally advanced BC (LABC), which has been associated with poorer survival compared with early diagnosed BC. To review the presentation and outcomes of LABC, including the characteristics of the disease, different treatment modalities, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local recurrence in relation to different radiotherapy (RT) techniques. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 153 female patients with pathologically proven LABC diagnosed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, KSA, between 2009 and 2017. We obtained data on patient demographics, stage of cancer at diagnosis, tumor characteristics (subtype and receptor status), type of surgery, systemic treatments received (hormonal, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy), RT variables, and recurrence and death dates. Data were analyzed to assess OS and DFS by using Kaplan-Meier analyses and the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to explore and identify factors associated with survival. The median survival time in the study population was 9.16 years. Older age (65+ years) was associated with worse OS and DFS than was younger age (<65 years) (hazard ratio (HR) 3.20, 95% CI 1.48-6.90, P = 0.003 and HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.12-4.36, P = 0.022, respectively). Regarding the type of surgery, having a mastectomy was associated with worse OS and DFS than was having a lumpectomy (HR 2.44, 95% CI 0.97-6.12, P = 0.05 and HR 2.41, 95% CI 1.13-5.14, P = 0.023, respectively). Positive estrogen and progesterone receptor status was associated with better OS and DFS than was a negative estrogen or progesterone receptor status (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05-0.30, P < 0.001 and HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.11-0.41, P < 0.001, respectively). Patients who received RT had a lower risk of recurrence than did those who did not receive RT (P = 0.011). Moreover, three-dimensional conformal RT was associated with lower local recurrence than intensity-modulated RT or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (P = 0.003). Multiple factors can affect the OS and DFS in LABC. Younger patients, having hormone-positive disease, and undergoing lumpectomy were associated with better outcomes. Adjuvant RT may improve local control and the use of three-dimensional conformal RT was superior for local control. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further highlight these findings and to assess the role of chemotherapy and targeted therapy in patients with LABC.

Background: Postoperative complications are a major concern after colorectal surgery, and can lead to an increased burden on patients and the healthcare system. Complications include postoperative ileus (POI) and prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI). There are well-established risk factors and potential modifiable risk factors that affect the incidence of POI and PPOI, including invasive techniques, operative difficulty, perioperative blood loss, and delayed mobilization. We compared the incidence of POI, PPOI, and other postoperative complications between laparoscopic colectomy and open colectomy. Methods: This retrospective review investigates 120 patients who underwent either laparoscopic or open colectomy in King AbdulAziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between January 2016 and June 2019. Data were collected from patients’ electronic medical records. Patients were classified into laparoscopic and open colectomy groups. The main outcomes of interest were POI, PPOI and the overall complication rate. These outcomes were calculated and compared between the two groups. Results: The overall incidence of POI and PPOI was 4.2% and 15%, respectively. There was a higher incidence of POI in the laparoscopic approach group (7.2% vs. 1.5%, P=0.03); however, the incidence of PPOI was higher in the open approach group (20% vs. 9.1%, P=0.03). The open surgery group showed a higher rate of overall complications (P=0.001). The mean estimated blood loss was lower in the laparoscopy group (139.09±145.83 vs. 343.85±307.78 mL; P<0.001). Significant earlier mobilization was observed in the laparoscopic group (3.12±1.77 vs. 5.39±3.48 days; P<0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of PPOI was significantly different depending on the surgical approach; however, the laparoscopy group tolerated regular diet earlier and had better outcomes regarding postoperative complications. The laparoscopic approach was associated with earlier ambulation and was more cost-effective based on the length of the hospital stay. Further randomized studies are required to confirm superiority of the laparoscopic approach in terms of postoperative recovery.