Awareness of First-Aid Management of Epistaxis Among Individuals in Al-Ahsa Region.

Introduction Epistaxis is among the most common emergencies in the Ear, Nose, and Throat department. The vast majority of these patients are treated with basic first-aid management. Our study aims to assess the awareness of first­aid management of epistaxis among individuals in the Al-Ahsa region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the male and female population in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, during March 2023, and it included all participants available at the time of the study. All the data were obtained using an online questionnaire. Results The study included 385 participants; 213 (55.3%) were females and 172 (44.7%) were males. Based on the correlation between our variables, 235 (61%) of the participants had a good awareness score while only 150 (39%) had a poor score. Our findings show that 113 (65.7%) of males had a good level of awareness and 122 (57.3%) of females had a good level of awareness regarding epistaxis. Participants who had gone through an experience of the treatment of any patients with epistaxis had better awareness about first-aid management of epistaxis than participants who had never gone through the experience. Conclusion The knowledge and awareness regarding first-aid management of epistaxis among the general population was satisfactory. However, we should increase the level of knowledge of individuals who did not treat any people with epistaxis because there are many cases of epistaxis in Al-Ahsa However, more integrated educational materials should be available to the general population to improve their overall knowledge. Social campaigns in public areas will enhance the level of knowledge regarding epistaxis management among the general population.

Laparoscopic Umbilical Hernia repair in male patients with abdominal obesity.

Objective: Obesity is a global health problem, and obese patients are subject to developing abdominal wall hernias. There are few prospective studies comparing the laparoscopic method of umbilical hernia mesh repair between abdominal obesity patients and normal abdominal waist patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes (operative time, early complications and hospital stay) in the patients having laparoscopic hernia repair with abdominal obesity. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at King Fahad Hospital Hofuf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from June 2014 to June 2021. Fifty four (54) adult male patients with umbilical hernia were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: Group-A: Patients with abdominal obesity (n=26), and Group-B: Patients without abdominal obesity (n=28). All the patients underwent laparoscopic repair of umbilical hernia. The patients with abdominal obesity were defined as those having an abdominal girth more than 102 centimeters. Results: No significant differences were observed as related to age, co-morbidity and risk factors between the two groups. The statistically significant difference between the two groups observed was related to the mean operative time and the mean hospital stay. Conclusion: Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair can be safely performed in abdominal obesity in male patients without an additional risk of complications.