Evaluation of Medical Students' Satisfaction With Using a Simulation-Based Learning Program as a Method for Clinical Teaching.

Objectives This cross-sectional analytical study aims to evaluate medical students' awareness and satisfaction regarding the utilization of simulation-based learning (SBL) as a method for clinical teaching at King Saud University (KSU) over the past 12 months. It seeks to understand how such learning methods enhance students' self-satisfaction and clinical skills, facilitate the application of learned knowledge, and assess the role of instructors in providing ample practice opportunities in the skills laboratory. Furthermore, the study aims to assess the satisfaction levels of students in both preclinical and clinical years regarding the time allocated for skills laboratory sessions and the integration of high-fidelity technology in simulation-based training programs at KSU. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 306 male and female medical students from the College of Medicine at KSU participated, comprising 196 preclinical students (first, second, and third years) and 110 clinical students (fourth and fifth years). Quantitative data was collected through a structured questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale that showed degrees of satisfaction. The satisfaction was measured based on a 5-point Likert scale that shows the degree of satisfaction from (very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, neither dissatisfied nor satisfied, satisfied, and very satisfied), and we calculated the p-value based on an independent t-test, and the percentage represented the percentage of students who chose satisfied and very satisfied. Results The results showed overall satisfaction with SBL (mean: 3.98, 71.10%), and it was recognized as a useful and effective method of learning skills. It is reported that it helped the students implement what they learned. At the same time, lower satisfaction was identified in areas with less allocated time for skill labs. Moreover, lack of accessibility and lack of trained staff were reported, and they should be addressed by providing staff with proper training. Conclusion The results of the study will help to understand how students' learning needs should be addressed. Moreover, providing simulation-based training is a pathway compliant with the best educational standards that should be adapted according to each institution's singularities. Besides offering further results, the study presents suggestions for further research.

Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection for Clinically Node-Negative Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that scrutinized the oncological benefits and postsurgical complications of total thyroidectomy (TT) plus prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) versus TT alone among clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. METHODS: We screened five databases from inception to September 4, 2021 and evaluated the risk of bias of the eligible studies. We pooled dichotomous outcomes using the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Overall, we included 5 RCTs with low risk of bias comprising 795 patients (TT plus pCND = 410 and TT alone = 385). With regard to efficacy endpoint, the rate of structural loco-regional recurrence did not significantly differ between both groups (n = 4 RCTs, RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.19, 1.27], P = .14). With regard to safety endpoints, the rates of hypoparathyroidism (n = 5 RCTs, RR = 1.48, 95% CI [0.73, 2.97], P = .27), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (n = 5 RCTs, RR = 1.34, 95% CI [0.59, 3.03], P = .48), and bleeding (n = 3 RCTs, RR = 1.75, 95% CI [0.42, 7.26], P = .44) did not significantly differ between both groups. CONCLUSION: For cN0 PTC patients, there was no significant difference between TT plus pCND and TT alone with regard to the rate of structural loco-regional recurrence or frequency of postsurgical complications. Adaptation of pCND in cN0 PTC patients should be contemplated by taking into consideration the clinical oncological benefits and rate of postsurgical adverse events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Laryngoscope, 132:1320-1328, 2022.

Glutamine for prevention and alleviation of radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated glutamine efficacy in preventing and alleviating radiation-induced oral mucositis (OM) among patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. We screened five databases from inception till February 4, 2021 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included 11 RCTs, comprising 922 patients (458 and 464 patients were assigned to glutamine and control group, respectively). The incidence and onset of radiation-induced OM of any grade did not substantially differ between both groups. However, glutamine substantially reduced the severity of radiation-induced OM, as reflected by the reduced incidence of severe OM and reduced mean maximal OM grade score. Additionally, glutamine significantly decreased the rates of analgesic opioid use, nasogastric tube feeding, and therapy interruptions. Oral glutamine supplementation demonstrated various therapeutic benefits in preventing and ameliorating radiation-induced OM among patients with H&N cancer.

Giant pulmonary teratoma with huge splenic lymphangiomatosis: a very rare case.

Teratomas are tumors composed of tissues derived from more than one germ cell line. They manifested with a great variety of clinical and radiological features. We report a case of a giant left hemithorax teratoma in a female with huge spleen tumor and review the relevant literature. A 38-year-old female with progressively aggravating dyspnea at rest from a mild trauma. Absent breath sounds on the left side. There was splenomegaly. Computed tomography scan revealed a huge mass (20 × 15 × 18 cm), containing elements of heterogeneous density in the left hemithorax. The spleen tumor was occupying most of the spleen without any other abdominal manifestations. The patient underwent left thoracotomy and laparoscopic splenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a benign mature teratoma and cystic lymphangiomatosis of the spleen. To the best of our knowledge and after reviewing the available literature this is the first case of huge mature pulmonary teratoma with large cystic spleen lymphangiomatosis.