Surgery, Gastroenterology and Oncology

Background: Ulcerative Colitis is chronic, progressive disease affecting large intestine. Cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme is an inducible enzyme that has important role in the process of inflammation. Ulcerative Colitis  pathogenesis is comprising chronic inflammation; any

alteration in the gene responsible for cuclooxygenase-2 expression such as -765G>C (rs20417)  polymorphism may affect risk of having the disease. Objectives: To record and evaluate the prevalence of -765G>C (rs20417) polymorphism in group of Ulcerative Colitis Iraqi patients and ....[more]

Introduction: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has been used as a surgical technique for rectal cancer treatment for over a decade now. The bottom-up dissection

provides a better view of the pelvic sensory nerve fibers, which theoretically could lead to better nerve preservation, hence better functional outcomes. Nevertheless, concerns about worsening of the functional results due to low anastomosis and sphincter damage caused by the platform have been raised. There is no clear data showing advantage or disadvantage of TaTME compared to robotic ....[more]

Introduction: One frequently diagnosed malignancy is colorectal cancer, and this study aimed to determine the incidence of colorectal cancer in seven important areas of Najaf, Iraq.

Methods: Data were collected from the statistical records of the Middle Euphrates Cancer Center (MECC) from 2016 to 2021 for some areas of Najaf province. The age of the subjects ranged from 30 to 76 years. The total number of colon cancer cases in this period were recorded for the districts of middle Al-Madina, Al-Kufa, Al-Razawi, Al-Mishkhab, Al-Haydariya, Al....[more]

Background: Baclofen has been tried in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) with liver cirrhosis and is considered safe and efficacious. Acamprosate is another option available to treat AUD, however  currently there are no trials comparing baclofen & acamprosate in patients with liver cirrhosis. Hence this study was undertaken to compare the two drugs in maintaining alcohol abstinence in patients with ethanol related liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Patients with cirrhosis of liver secondary to alcohol and actively consuming alcohol were randomize....[more]

Background: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the pancreas is an organ targeted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Acute pancreatitis has been demonstrated to be a presenting feature of COVID-19 in observational studies and case series. However, none of those studies examined the correlation between COVID-19 severity and acute pancreatitis. Purpose: This study investigates the association between acute pancreatitis and severe cases of COVID-19.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited COVID-19 patients who presented with acute....[more]

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine if post-operative administration of dexamethasone reduces the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia and low parathyroid hormone levels.

Methods: We compared 2 groups of patients (group A and group B). Group A received post operative dexamethasone post operatively and group B didn’t receive any glucocorticoids post operatively. Calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were measured pre and post

operatively, patients were followed up for 30 days post operatively. Symptomatic hypo....[more]

Background: Benign thyroid nodules are the most common thyroid disorders in the world. Ninety percent of thyroid nodule cases found in the hospital are benign nodules. In the case of benign thyroid nodules, it is difficult to determine the appropriate balance between the risks and benefits of surgical therapy as a curative approach, whereas an approach with suppressive therapy reports unsatisfactory results and requires a long treatment time. Another alternative therapy for benign thyroid nodules is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy, which is used for benign t....[more]

Introduction: Volvulus of the ascending colon is a rare cause of large bowel obstruction and presents because of its mesentery with excessive mobility allowing it to rotate on its axis. It is usually due to a congenital or acquired anatomical variation. Objective: To describe volvulus of the ascending colon as a rare complication in a young patient, whose diagnosis was mistaken for sigmoid volvulus and diaphragmatic hernia.

Case report: We present the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with periumbilical abdominal pain, nausea, vomi....[more]

Background/Aims: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder that affect the skin, joints, blood vessels and internal organs. Patients with EDS are at a higher risk of experiencing different surgical complications depending on the type and severity of the disease. We describe here a case of a patient with EDS Type III who underwent a successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Case report: A 42 year old woman was evaluated for a long lasting and recurrent epigastric pain with a negative Murphy sign. Magnetic Resonan....[more]