Rainfall-Induced Debris Flows Case History Along Al-Hada Descent Highway West of Saudi Arabia

Al-Hada descent lies at the western region of Saudi Arabia at elevation of about 2000m, characterized by sharp cliff. Al-Hada descent road was constructed with an elevation difference of 1500m between the highest and lowest heights along the road. The road alignment is intersected by 8 very steep gullies of almost 60 to 80 degrees. The gullies contain large quantity of mud, old levees and large rock blocks. Al-Hada descent road hit two weeks ago with heavy rainfall last about 2 hours. The rainstorm initiates 11 debris flows on steep gullies, and caused them to travel rapidly down along the gully channel. Once the flow reaches a less confined area at the retaining wall, it partially destroy the gabions above it, and edges of the retaining walls across the gullies and overflow them, as they received more rolling, sliding and bouncing rocks from higher steep elevations. The moving debris flows spread out, loose speed and deposited beyond the highway opposite side. Temporary solution is made by removing almost 100.000m3, of the debris flow in one gully and scaling the remaining debris body to an angle of more than 35°. A permanent solution for this case history is under intensive study

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

Modernisation and social development in Saudi Arabia : an exploratory study of the attitudes of students at King Abdul Aziz University towards individual modernity

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Refractive Surgery Population

Objective. This study examined the prevalence of keratoconus among patients who were interested in undergoing refractive surgery. Corneal tomography measurements were used to help detect keratoconus. Methods. Adult subjects who presented to the private hospital Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit (Abha, Saudi Arabia) for refractive surgery evaluation were considered for inclusion in this cross-sectional, retrospective study. All subjects were from the Aseer province, a southern, high-altitude region in Saudi Arabia, and presented between January and December 2017. The incidence of keratoconus and other refractive surgery contraindications were examined. Results. A total of 2931 patients were considered for inclusion in analyses. Of these, 2280 patients (77.8%) were not candidates for refractive surgery. These 2280 patients had a mean age of 24.1 ± 6.6 years and 1231 patients (54.0%) were male. Of the subjects who did not undergo refractive surgery, 548 (24%) had keratoconus, 400 (17.5%) were keratoconus suspects, 344 (15.1%) had thin corneas, 321 (14.1%) had high myopia, and 52 (2.3%) had a high astigmatism. An additional 479 subjects (21%) were candidates for refractive surgery, but chose not to undergo a procedure. Conclusion. The incidence of keratoconus in Saudi Arabian refractive surgery prospects was 18.7%. Keratoconus was the most common reason for not performing refractive surgery and accounted for 24.0% of cases in which surgery was not performed

5-year follow-up of combined non-topography guided photorefractive keratectomy and corneal collagen cross linking for keratoconus

AIM: To evaluate the visual outcomes of simultaneous non-topography guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in eyes with keratoconus 5y after the procedure. METHODS: Prospective, interventional, non-randomized, and non-controlled case series design was used. Sixty eyes of 30 patients (16 males and 14 females; age: 21-41y) with mild, non-progressive (stages 1-2) keratoconus were enrolled. Refraction, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) , flat and steep keratometry readings, and adverse events were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 3mo, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5y follow-up visits after combined non-topography-guided PRK with CXL was performed. All patients had at least 5y of follow-up. RESULTS: All study parameters showed a statistically significant improvement at 5y over baseline values. The mean follow-up time was 68.20±4.71mo (range: 60-106mo). Patients showed a significant improvement in UDVA from 1.24±0.79 logMAR prior to combined non-TG-PRK+CXL to 0.06±0.15 logMAR postoperatively at the time of their last follow-up visit. CDVA significantly increased from 0.06±0.19 logMAR preoperatively to 0.03±0.12 logMAR postoperatively. A significant decrease in the mean spherical equivalent (SE) refraction was observed from -2.28±1.8 to -0.79±0.93 diopters (D) (P<0.05), and the manifest sphere decreased from -1.62±1.23 to -0.27±0.21 D (P=0.001). The manifest cylinder significantly decreased from -1.73±0.86 to -0.29±0.34 D postoperatively (P=0.001). The mean steep keratometry was 45.13±1.32 vs 47.28±2.12 D preoperatively (P<0.05), and the preoperative mean steepest keratometry (Kmax) 48.6±3.1 was reduced significantly to 46.8±2.9 postoperatively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined non-TG-PRK with 15min CXL is an effective and safe option for correcting mild refractive error and improving visual acuity in patients with mild stable keratoconus

Long-term use of 0.003% tacrolimus suspension for treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 0.003% tacrolimus suspension for the treatment of refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 40 eyes of 20 patients with severe VKC. After discontinuing all other medications, patients were treated with varying doses of 0.003% tacrolimus suspension. All were followed for at least 24 months. Changes in signs and symptoms after treatment were evaluated; adverse events were assessed. The clinical response to the treatment was the most important measurement to achieve the conclusion. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 15.7 ± 1.4 years. Two patients discontinued treatment due to severe burning sensation and were excluded from the study. Significant improvements in all signs and symptoms, including itching, foreign body sensation, papillae, and Trantas dots, were seen in all patients 6 weeks after starting topical tacrolimus. Itching was the first symptom to improve. Treatment was gradually reduced, and intervals were increasing between applications. Recurrence occurred in all patients who attempted to discontinue treatment. No additional medications were required to provide relief, and no significant changes in visual acuity or refraction were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy of 0.003% Tacrolimus suspension treatment for refractory VKC were achieved and it can be considered a useful option instead of steroids, despite the poor compliance in few patients due its adverse effects