Attitudes and practices of tobacco cessation counseling among Saudi dental professionals: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Background: Dental professionals can play a pivotal role in educating the public about the harmful effects of smoking and encouraging them to quit the habit. Aim: This study assesses the attitudes and practices of tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study targeted dentists and dental interns working in government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a descriptive analysis by using SPSS Statistics, version 25.0. Results: A total of 895 respondents (314 interns and 581 dentists) participated in this survey. Although the majority of respondents (93%) reported that they always ask patients about tobacco habits, only 59% reported recording tobacco habits in patients' files, and only 55% of the respondents reported explaining to patients the harmful effects of tobacco. Around 91% of the participants believe that a dental clinic is an appropriate place for TCC, and 22% believe that TCC has a negative impact on dental practice. Smoking status, work setting, and the number of years since graduation were found to be significantly associated with the respondents' attitudes and practices. Lack of training, time limitations, and lack of confidence were barriers for TCC. Conclusions: Dental professionals in Saudi Arabia demonstrated relatively positive attitudes but weak practices of TCC. Continuous education and motivation are needed to improve dentists' confidence, attitudes, and willingness for TCC. Integration of tobacco control education in undergraduate curricula is recommended.

[The excluded jejunal loop in the shape of a question mark. A simplified technic]. / Anse jéjunale exclue en point d'interrogation. Une simplification technique.

The question mark-shaped loop is a simplified excluded loop which combines the advantages of being prepared as rapidly as the Tomoda procedure modified by Hivet and of having the same functional benefits as Roux's Y-shaped loop. It is essentially an omega-shaped loop the afferent segment of which is severed a few centimetres upstream of its higher point. The two sections can be sutured manually or with mechanical staplers. The loop can be brought up through the mesocolon as easily as the Y-shaped loop without dissection of the mesentery and can be used to re-establish continuity after total gastectomy. It can also be passed through the mesocolon and behind the stomach to perform hepato-jejunal anastomoses. Finally, it can be used for double or triple derivations in the conservative treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

[Indications and future of the Hartmann operation. Cooperative study of 126 cases (author's transl)]. / Indications et devenir de l'intervention de Hartmann. Etude coopérative de 128 cas.

The main indications for the Hartmann operation are cancer and sigmoiditis. It is done as an emergency in 70% of the time, more often for peritonitis, generally from diverticulitis. (45% of the time) than for occlusion usually due to cancer (30% of the time). The high mortality (33%) is due to the precarious condition of the patients, and only 25% are due to the operation, usually from disruption of the rectal stump. The reestablishment of the intestinal continuity, now facilitated by the clip forceps, was possible in 37 cases with no mortality. This represents 28.9% of the group, but only 52.1% were alive six months later. Only 6.8% of the cancer cases were benefited; however, 51% of the sigmoiditis cases and 87.5% of the cases of traumatic perforation were benefited. These results plus the advantages furnished by the autosuturing forceps justify renewal of interest in this operation first described 60 years ago.