Use and Influence of Social Media on the Private Practice of Plastic Surgeons in Saudi Arabia.

Today, social media platforms are more popular than ever in Saudi Arabia. Despite the influence of social media on patients' decisions to undergo cosmetic surgery, it is still unclear how social media platforms affect the private practice of plastic surgeons around Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess Saudi plastic surgeons' use of social media and its impact on their practices. Methods: The study was based on a self-administered questionnaire that was built on previous literature and distributed to practicing Saudi plastic surgeons. A survey consisting of 12 items was conducted to assess patterns of social media use and its impact on plastic surgery practice. Results: This study included 61 participants. Thirty-four surgeons (55.7%) were using social media platforms in their practice. The use of social media was significantly different among surgeons with different levels of practice in cosmetic surgery (P = 0.004) and reconstructive surgery (P = 0.049). Social media presence was significantly more prevalent among surgeons in private practice (70.6%, P = 0.034). The use of social media in plastic surgery is overall positive for the field (60.7%). Conclusions: Despite plastic surgeons' differing views on social media, its role within the field of plastic surgery is evidently on the rise. The use of social media is not equal across all practice types. Surgeons practicing in private hospitals and specializing in aesthetic surgery are more likely to view social media favorably and use it in their practice.

Determining the correlation between Cobb angle severity and bone mineral density in women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between Cobb angle severity and varying bone mineral density (BMD) and measure the prevalence of low BMD in women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in KSA. METHODS: The sample included 54 women with AIS between 10 and 20 years of age. Data regarding Cobb angles and femoral and lumbar Z-scores according to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans performed between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients recruited, 41 exhibited Cobb angles of 40-70° and 13 had Cobb angles >70°. The mean lumbar bone, right femur, and left femur BMDs were markedly higher in those with Cobb angles ≤70° compared with BMDs in those with Cobb angles >70°. Of the group with Cobb angles ≤70°, six (14.6%) and nine (22.0%) exhibited low BMD according to their lumbar and femoral Z-scores, respectively. Of the group with Cobb angles >70°, eight (61.5%) and nine (69.2%) exhibited low BMD according to their lumbar and femoral Z-scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Female AIS patients with greater higher Cobb angles exhibited a significantly higher frequency of low BMDs.