Retroperitoneal approach for ilio-superior mesenteric artery bypass: Technique and case series.

In patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia, options for revascularization include endovascular angioplasty, stenting and open surgery, with the latter typically favored in patients who have failed or who are not candidates for endovascular intervention. Here we describe a retroperitoneal approach for open surgical revascularization in patients with a hostile abdomen. We present a case series of five patients from our institution. The median age was 72 years, the mean operative time was 143.6 minutes and 90-day mortality rate was 0. This case series demonstrates the technical feasibility, success, and safety of this approach in patients with anatomic factors that would render a traditional open surgical approach for revascularization technically difficult.

Low Grade Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Right Atrium: Promising Survival with Complete Surgical Resection.

Primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma has an extremely low incidence with overall median survival of approximately 6 months. Here, We report the case of a 60-year-old man who underwent complete surgical excision of right atrial mass. Histologic examination revealed leiomyosarcoma. The patient made a full recovery with no evidence of recurrence at 24 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case or primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma in the Middle East.

To what extent are Arab pilgrims to Makkah aware of the middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus and the precautions against it?

BACKGROUND: Approximately, 80% of the many cases of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) confirmed worldwide were diagnosed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The risk of the disease spreading internationally is especially worrying given the role of KSA as the home of the most important Islamic pilgrimage sites. This means the need to assess Arab pilgrims' awareness of MERS-CoV is of paramount importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out during Ramadan 2015 in the Holy Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 417 Arab participants at King Fahad Extension, King Abdullah Prayer Extension and, King Abdullah Piazza Extension after Taraweeh and Fajr prayers. RESULTS: The mean MERS-CoV knowledge score was 52.56. Majority of the respondents (91.3%) were familiar with MERS-CoV. Saudis had significantly higher knowledge of MERS-CoV than non-Saudis (56.92 ± 18.55 vs. 44.91 ± 25.46, p = 0.001). Females had significantly more knowledge about consanguineous MERS-CoV than males (55.82 ± 19.35 vs. 49.93 ± 23.66, p = 0.006). The average knowledge was significantly higher in respondents who had received health advice on MERS-CoV (56.08 ± 20.86 vs. 50.65 ± 22.51, p = 0.024). With respect to stepwise linear regression, knowledge of MERS-CoV tended to increase by 14.23 (B = 14.23%, p = 0.001) in participants who were familiar with MERS-CoV, and by 8.50 (B = 8.50, p = 0.001) in those who perceived MERS-CoV as a very serious disease. CONCLUSION: There is a great need for educational programs to increase awareness about MERS-CoV.