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INTRODUCTION: Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure commonly employed in the management of thyroid disorders. Complications include, but not limited to, postoperative hypocalcemia. In order to effectively manage hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy, a comprehensive approach is essential. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an intriguing case of a patient who developed severe transient hypocalcemia that was resistant to conventional therapeutic interventions following a total thyroidectomy. DISCUSSION: Hypocalcemia post total thyroidectomy is a well-established complication which can lead to devastating consequences. Some of the contributing factors include failure of pre-operative optimization, autoimmune disease, malignancy, and prolonged surgical time. A comprehensive approach to identify the contributors is essential in managing the risk factors associated with hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of pre-operative elevation and management as well as the close monitoring and individualized treatment plans for patients at risk for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. The successful management of severe hypocalcemia in this patient involved a multidisciplinary team approach and consideration of alternative treatment options.
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Background: The obesity pandemic in Saudi Arabia has led to a high demand for bariatric surgery (BS). Post-BS patients experience rapid and massive weight loss, with most patients experiencing redundant skin, leading to a desire for body contouring surgery (BCS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to May 2023 among patients who underwent BS in Saudi Arabia, using an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic data, weight, and BS-related questions, and the post-BS appearance questionnaire assessed the desire for BCS, excess skin satisfaction, and overall appearance. Results: A total of 410 of the patients electively enrolled. The mean perceived satisfaction of post-BS patients with the body's excess skin was rated as 4.28â ±â 1.69 out of 7 points. The overall desire for BCS among the post-BS population was equal to a collective mean desire of 2.10â ±â 0.92 out of 4 points. The desired body sites for BCS were focused on the abdomen/waist, followed by the lower back, then upper arms, buttocks, and thighs. Only 25.1% of the patients fulfilled their desires and recently underwent BCS. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of incorporating plastic and reconstructive surgery as an integral part of the multidisciplinary approach to morbidly obese patients after BS and the need for national guidelines on the referral pathway for post-BS BCS.
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Background The skin is the largest organ of the body. Burns are important health issues that significantly affect a variety of population groups. Skin grafting is still regarded as the gold standard in surgical burn treatment. The availability of skin for grafting is one of the main challenges in burn surgical therapies. Thus, this study aimed to assess the public perception and attitude regarding skin donation in Saudi Arabia. Method The study was a cross-sectional study that included the general population in Saudi Arabia (≥ 18 years old). A self-administered survey was distributed online. Statistical analysis was carried out using RStudio (R version 4.1.1). Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages, while continuous data were expressed as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Results A total of 8515 were included in the study. Most participants (71.5%) were females. Among the respondents, 64.9% were between the ages of 18 and 30. Females had a higher knowledge level of skin graft donation compared to males. Participants aged >30 years had lower knowledge levels compared to younger participants. Lower knowledge scores were also observed among married, widows, as well as uneducated participants. Five thousand two hundred and seven (61.1%) participants support skin donation. The most reported barrier to skin donation was religious reasons (52.4%), while the main motives for supporting skin donation were humane-related factors (73.2%). The influence of close relatives on participants' decisions to donate was evident in 52.6% of the instances. Conclusion It was found that most participants support skin donation in Saudi Arabia. Religious reasons were the most common hindering factors against skin donation. Females and young-aged groups were found to have a higher knowledge level. Further studies are recommended to shed light on this subject allowing for appropriate solutions implantation.