Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 124 in total

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  1. Rosli MA, Mohd Nasir NA, Mustafa MZ, Othman MA, Zakaria Z, Halim AS
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2024 Feb;19(1):209-219.
    PMID: 38124990 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.11.003
    PURPOSE: Kelulut honey contains trehalulose and has high antioxidant content, such as phenolic and flavonoid substances, which can promote wound healing. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Kelulut honey in diabetic wound healing compared to a commercially available conventional gel dressing (Intrasite gel).

    METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded control trial was performed on eligible diabetic patients with full-thickness cavity wounds. Patients' demographics, size and site of wounds, and baseline routine blood investigations were recorded. The wounds were dressed every other day with Kelulut honey for the intervention group or gel for the control group. The wound size reduction and granulation tissue formation percentage were calculated every 6 days for 1 month.

    RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were randomized. After 30 days of follow-up, 62 participants were available for analysis: 30 from the control group and 32 from the treatment group. The control group had increased granulation tissue at baseline and more wounds on the lower limb and posterior trunk. Both groups showed an increasing mean and median percentage of wound epithelialization and granulation tissue over time, with significantly higher values at every timepoint in the honey group (p 

  2. Ab Razak A, Rahman NA, Zulkifly MFM, Sapiai NA, Phoa PKA, Mohamed Mustafar MF, et al.
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Oct;30(5):1-6.
    PMID: 37928788 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.5.1
    Improving healthcare and living conditions has led to an increase in life expectancies and challenges of population aging in Malaysia. The Advanced Memory and Cognitive Service builds on integrated healthcare among multidisciplinary specialists to provide holistic and patient-centred healthcare. The service treats older adults experiencing neurocognitive impairment as well as young individuals with complex neurocognitive disorders and thoroughly screens asymptomatic individuals at high risk of developing neurocognitive disorders. This early intervention strategy is a preventive effort in the hope of reducing disease burden and improving quality of life to prepare Malaysia for the forthcoming population aging.
  3. Al-Chalabi MMM, Wan Sulaiman WA, Halim AS
    Cureus, 2023 Jul;15(7):e41683.
    PMID: 37575768 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41683
    Introduction Modern treatments still aim to keep the impact of surgical intervention low and the outcome of surgeries as good as a surgeon can. Assessing the long-term nasolabial appearance of patients who underwent cleft lip (CL) repair surgery is one of the methods of evaluating the outcomes of cleft surgery. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of data records of unilateral CL patients. The data records of all patients who underwent unilateral CL repair by the reconstructive science unit at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) within the first two years of their lives and whose current age is 14 years or above were accessed and analyzed. Results The data records of 50 patients were analyzed, including 13 (26%) males and 37 (74%) females. The surgeons opined that 28% of the patients had an acceptable nasolabial appearance, while there were 10 (20%) patients whose nasolabial appearance was considered unacceptable by the reviewing surgeons. Fifteen (30%) patients were described as having an acceptable lip appearance with secondary nasal deformity, and 11 (22%) patients had an acceptable nasal appearance with secondary lip deformity. There were no surgical modifications or postoperative complications among the patients. None of our variables reported a significant association with long-term nasolabial appearance. Conclusion The long-term evaluation of the nasolabial appearance in individuals with CL following surgical correction significantly improves the service and care provided to patients to achieve optimum results. Although our results showed no relationship between gender, age at operation, type or diagnosis of cleft, and family history and long-term nasolabial appearance, frequent assessments will enhance surgical results.
  4. Mohd Said MT, Halim AS, Mat Zain MA, Koh KL
    Cureus, 2023 May;15(5):e39312.
    PMID: 37346202 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39312
    Webbed neck deformity is a congenital anomaly that exists in several syndromes. Various techniques for surgically correcting the webbed neck deformity have been described in the literature, each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. The aim of surgery is to achieve normal neck contour and symmetrical hairline, avoid excessive scarring over the anterior and lateral neck, and limit recurrence. In this report, we described our experience in managing a case of Turner syndrome with bilateral webbed neck deformity using the modified five-flap Z-plasty technique.
  5. Lam HY, Sulaiman WAW, Ismail WFW, Halim AS
    Arch Plast Surg, 2023 Mar;50(2):188-193.
    PMID: 36999154 DOI: 10.1055/a-1962-6009
    Vascular injury following traumatic knee injury quoted in the literature ranges from 3.3 to 65%, depending on the magnitude and pattern of the injury. Timely recognition is crucial to ensure the revascularization is done within 6 to 8 hours from the time of injury to avoid significant morbidity, amputation, and medicolegal ramifications. We present a case of an ischemic limb following delayed diagnosis of popliteal artery injury after knee dislocation. Even though we have successfully repaired the popliteal artery, the evolving ischemia over the distal limb poses a reconstruction challenge. Multiple surgical debridement procedures were performed to control the local tissue infection. Free tissue transfer with chimeric latissimus dorsi flap was done to resurface the defect. However, the forefoot became gangrenous despite a free muscle flap transfer. His limb appeared destined for amputation in the vicinity of tissue and recipient vessels, but we chose to use a cross-leg free flap as an option for limb salvage.
  6. Nasir NAM, Saad AZM, Bachok NS, Rashid AHA, Ujang Z, Noorsal K, et al.
    Indian J Plast Surg, 2023 Feb;56(1):44-52.
    PMID: 36998939 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1759503
    Background  This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of chitosan derivative hydrogel paste (CDHP) as a wound bed preparation for wounds with cavities. Methods  This study enrolled 287 patients, with 143 patients randomized into the CDHP group (treatment) and 144 patients randomized into the commercial hydroactive gel (CHG) group (control). The granulation tissue, necrotic tissue, patient comfort, clinical signs, symptoms, and patient convenience during the application and removal of the dressing were assessed. Results  The study was completed by 111 and 105 patients from the treatment and control groups, respectively. Both groups showed an increasing mean percentage of wound granulation over time when the initial wound size and comorbidity were adjusted (F(10,198) = 4.61; p  
  7. Halim AS, Ramasenderan N
    Asian J Surg, 2023 Jan;46(1):47-51.
    PMID: 35545474 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2022.04.079
    Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a common type of skin malignancy that affects people who have been exposed to sunlight for a long time. It has been associated to a high mutational load, making treatment problematic, especially for individuals with high-risk CSCC characteristics. Patients with high-risk CSCC are difficult to define since definitions are still imprecise. Firstly, we review the evidence to see how relevant locoregional involvement is in terms of patient survival and recurrence risk. Second, we go through the difficulties and obstacles that come with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and their importance in the management of locally progressed CSCC. Methods and findings from a variety of lymph node investigations are described. There is yet no empirical evidence for the involvement of SLNB in CSCC. Finally, we discussed the most recent developments in the treatment of CSCC. The mainstays of treatment are surgery and radiation. To slow the disease progression, cancer medicines have switched to disrupting particular signaling pathways. Advanced nations have more easily accessible drugs like Cetuximab (epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor) and Cemiplimab (anti-programme receptor-1 antibodies), which are utilized in advanced CSCC. The response rate varies based on the patient, although there is still a lack of proof. This article discusses the misconception that CSCC is a tumor with a favorable prognosis, as well as the difficulties in treating high-risk CSCC.
  8. Hussin I, Halim AS, Ibrahim MI, Markos ZO, Effendie ESAB
    Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 2022 02;59(2):209-215.
    PMID: 33813904 DOI: 10.1177/10556656211003797
    OBJECTIVE: To identify the cultural beliefs about the causes of cleft among parents of patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate in a multiethnic society in Malaysia and the difficulties encountered in receiving cleft treatment.

    DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study based on a study questionnaire was conducted of parents of patients with cleft lip and/or palate.

    SETTING: Three centers providing cleft care from different regions in Malaysia: the national capital of Kuala Lumpur, east coast of peninsular Malaysia, and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo.

    PARTICIPANTS: Parents/primary caregivers of patients with cleft lip and/or palate.

    RESULTS: There were 295 respondents from different ethnic groups: Malays (58.3%), indigenous Sabah (30.5%), Chinese (7.1%), Indian (2.4%), and indigenous Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak (1.7%). Malay participants reported that attributing causes of cleft to God's will, superstitious beliefs that the child's father went fishing when the mother was pregnant or inheritance. Sabahans parents reported that clefts are caused by maternal antenatal trauma, fruit picking, or carpentry. The Chinese attribute clefts to cleaning house drains, sewing, or using scissors. Cultural background was reported by 98.3% of participants to pose no barrier in cleft treatment. Those from lower socioeconomic and educational backgrounds were more likely to encounter difficulties while receiving treatment, which included financial constraints and transportation barriers.

    CONCLUSION: There is a wide range of cultural beliefs in the multiethnic society of Malaysia. These beliefs do not prevent treatment for children with cleft. However, they face challenges while receiving cleft treatment, particularly financial constraints and transportation barriers. Such barriers are more likely experienced by parents from lower income and lower education backgrounds.

  9. Othman Z, Abdul Halim AS, Azman KF, Ahmad AH, Zakaria R, Sirajudeen KNS, et al.
    Front Aging Neurosci, 2022;14:876159.
    PMID: 35572132 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.876159
    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to profile the cognitive aging research landscape from 1956 to 2021.

    METHODS: A total of 3,779 documents were retrieved from the Scopus database for the bibliometric analysis and network visualization. By comparing each keyword's overall connection strength (centrality), frequency (density), and average year of publication (novelty) to the calculated median values acquired from the overlay view of the VOSviewer map, the enhanced strategic diagrams (ESDs) were constructed.

    RESULTS: The findings showed an increasing trend in the number of publications. The United States leads the contributing countries in cognitive aging research. The scientific productivity pattern obeyed Lotka's law. The most productive researcher was Deary, I. J., with the highest number of publications. The collaborative index showed an increasing trend from 1980 onwards. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience is the most prestigious journal in the field of cognitive aging research. In Bradford core journals zone 1, the top 10 core journals of cognitive aging research provided more than half of the total articles (697, or 55.36 percent).

    CONCLUSIONS: For the next decades, the trending topics in cognitive aging research include neuropsychological assessment, functional connectivity, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), decision-making, gender, compensation, default mode network, learning and memory, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), obesity, D-galactose, epigenetics, frailty, mortality, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), anxiety, and gait speed.

  10. Rosli MA, Wan Ismail WF, Wan Sulaiman WA, Mat Zin NA, Abdul Halim S, Mat Johar F, et al.
    Foot Ankle Int, 2021 Dec;42(12):1570-1578.
    PMID: 34286617 DOI: 10.1177/10711007211025280
    BACKGROUND: Advances in limb-salvage techniques have made total calcanectomy and primary reconstruction possible in managing calcaneal aggressive benign tumors and selected cases of intraosseous malignant tumors. However, there is still no consensus on the operative approach, oncologic margin, and the best reconstruction method to date. These 2 cases describe our experience in calcaneal reconstruction with the free deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) osseocutaneous flap in benign aggressive calcaneal tumors.

    METHODS: We reported 2 consecutive male and female patients, with an average age of 25 years (age 19 and 31, respectively), who underwent total calcanectomy and primary calcaneal reconstruction with the free DCIA osseocutaneous flaps for calcaneal chondroblastoma and giant cell tumor. A marginal resection of the entire calcaneus through the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints (intra-articular approach) was performed in the first case and a wide local resection leaving 1 cm normal calcaneal bone margin anterosuperiorly (intraosseous approach) was performed in the second case.

    RESULTS: The follow-up period averaged 48 months. Negative oncologic margins were achieved in both cases. The first case was complicated with venous thrombosis; however, the graft remained viable after emergency reexploration. Normal foot function was restored with good solid osseous union and bony hypertrophy observed. Both patients achieved good short-term functional and aesthetic outcomes with no donor site pain or disability. No local recurrence was reported either.

    CONCLUSION: Primary calcaneal reconstruction with the free DCIA osseocutaneous flap can lead to good short-term functional and aesthetic outcomes.

    LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

  11. Airuddin SS, Halim AS, Wan Sulaiman WA, Kadir R, Nasir NAM
    Biomedicines, 2021 Nov 05;9(11).
    PMID: 34829853 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111624
    Stem cells have been widely used for treating disease due to the various benefits they offer in the curing process. Several treatments using stem cells have undergone clinical trials, such as cell-based therapies for heart disease, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, etc. Adipose-derived stem cells are some of the many mesenchymal stem cells that exist in our body that can be harvested from the abdomen, thighs, etc. Adipose tissue is easy to harvest, and its stem cells can be obtained in higher volumes compared to stem cells harvested from bone marrow, for which a more invasive technique is required with a smaller volume obtained. Many scientists have expressed interest in investigating the role of adipose-derived stem cells in treating disease since their use was first described. This is due to these stem cells' ability to differentiate into multiple lineages and secrete a variety of growth factors and proteins. Previous studies have found that the hormones, cytokines, and growth factors contained in adipose tissue play major roles in the metabolic regulation of adipose tissue, as well as in energy balance and whole-body homeostasis through their endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine functions. These are thought to be important contributors to the process of tissue repair and regeneration. However, it remains unclear how effective and safe ADSCs are in treating diseases. The research that has been carried out to date is in order to investigate the impact of ADSCs in disease treatment, as described in this review, to highlight its "trick or treat" effect in medical treatment.
  12. Mat Johar F, Halim AS, Wan Sulaiman WA, Muhamad H
    Burns, 2021 11;47(7):1683-1687.
    PMID: 33715940 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.007
    INTRODUCTION: Health campaigns include physical campaigns in schools, community halls, or community malls. They can also be broadcast via television, newspaper, and radio. We launched a health campaign on social media platforms that have a powerful impact in this digital era.

    METHODS: A three-dimensional short animation was developed for the Burn and Blast Injury Awareness campaign. It was launched during the fasting month and Eid 2020 when firecracker-related injuries are highly incident in Malaysia. The video was launched primarily on Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Wau Animation Sdn Bhd social media platforms. Each party shared the video on the top 3 social media platforms, which are Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The numbers of viewers, reaches, and shares, and demographic data were captured at 1 month after the release.

    RESULTS: We recorded 29,585 views, 60,920 reach, and 874 shares from the USM and Wau Animation platforms alone. The USM Facebook platform showed predominant female viewership (60%), whereas the Wau Facebook platform showed predominant male viewership (66%). In both platforms, the viewers were aged 18-34 years.

    CONCLUSION: Health awareness campaigns on digital platforms are powerful because the message spreads faster, and it is also safe during the pandemic.

  13. Rosli MA, Sulaiman WAW, Ismail WFW, Yahaya S, Saad AZM, Wan Z, et al.
    PMID: 34756555 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.09.032
    BACKGROUND: With the advent of new techniques, foot salvage is feasible following talus oncological resection. As the reconstruction aims to achieve a pain-free, stable ankle for ambulation, biological limb reconstruction is the best option. This case series will evaluate the primary indications, complications, and functional outcomes of the reconstructed talus and highlighting the technical aspects of the surgery with a novel technique of triangular double-barrel free fibula flap.

    METHODS: We performed a retrospective case note review of patients undergoing foot salvage surgeries and primary talus reconstruction with double-barrel free fibula flaps between 2009 and 2019. Patient demographics, aetiologies, operative details, complications, and outcomes were analysed. All patients underwent the same talar reconstruction technique whereby a wide-based triangular framework was created from two bony struts of the osteotomized fibula. The Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) scoring system was used to analyse the short- to mid-term functional outcomes.

    RESULTS: Four consecutive patients with aggressive benign and malignant tumours were identified. They consist of three males and one female, with a median age of 32 (range 27-39). Patients were followed up for a median duration of 60 months (range 24-132). Two flaps were complicated with venous thromboses; however, all were salvageable following re-explorations. All patients achieved solid bony fusion with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. The median MSTS score was 74.5% (range 66-76). No donor site morbidity and local recurrence were reported.

    CONCLUSION: The triangular double-barrel free fibular flap is a good option for limb salvage following total talus resection, with good short- to mid-term functional and aesthetic outcomes.

  14. Ho HL, Halim AS, Mat Saadk AZ, Sulaiman WAW, Ilias MI
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 Sep;76(5):737-740.
    PMID: 34508385
    Renal transplant is the first-line therapy in paediatric patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Wong HS and Goh BL reported up to 79% of 1061 paediatric patients still require long-term haemodialysis (HD).1 The lack of deceased and living donors is attributable to the poor awareness, cultural and religious grounds. Permanent vascular access (PVA) in paediatrics therefore, serves more as a long term treatment rather than a bridging therapy. We observed 5 children and an adolescent, all with previous indwelling catheters, who underwent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation and report the outcomes. The aim of this report is to determine the factors that influence the longterm patency of paediatric AVF. Factors such as body weight, vessel diameter, preoperative preparations, microsurgical technique and postoperative maintenance are discussed. In addition, considerations on the choice and timing of PVA is highlighted.
  15. Seow SN, Halim AS, Wan Sulaiman WA, Mat Saad AZ, Mat Johar SFN
    J Burn Care Res, 2020 Jul 03;41(4):905-907.
    PMID: 32166315 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/iraa025
    Burns are a devastating public health problem that result in 10 million disability-adjusted life-years lost in low- and middle-income countries. Adequate first aid for burn injuries reduces morbidity and mortality. The rate of proper first aid practices in other countries is 12% to 22%.1,2 A 5-year retrospective audit was performed on the database of the Burn Unit in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia for 2012-2016; this involved 485 patients from the east coast of Malaysia. The mean age of the patients is 17.3 years old. The audit on first aid practices for burn injury showed poor practice. Out of 485 burned patients, 261 patients (53.8%) claimed that they practiced first aid. However, only 24 out of 485 patients (5%) practiced the correct first aid technique where they run their burn wound under cool water for more than 20 minutes. Two hundred and twenty-two patients had not received any first aid. Two patients did not respond to the question on the first aid usage after burn injury. The mean age of patients who practiced first aid was 15.6 years old. Out of the 261 patients who practiced first aid, 167 (64%) run their wound under tap water for different durations. Others practiced traditional remedies such as the application of "Minyak Gamat" (6.5%), soy sauce (5.5%), other ointments (3.6%), milk (1.8%), and eggs (0.7%), as well as honey, butter, and cooking oil (0.4% each). First aid practices for burn injuries in the population of east coast Malaysia are still inadequate. The knowledge and awareness of school children and the general Malaysian population must be enhanced.
  16. Hamzan MI, Hamid AR, Halim AS, Mat Saad AZ
    Hemodial Int, 2020 04;24(2):E33-E36.
    PMID: 32141217 DOI: 10.1111/hdi.12832
    A young lady with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula on hemodialysis was referred for surgical management following a failed endovascular approach to relieve central venous occlusion. She had an obstructed left brachiocephalic vein with a history of numerous central vein catheter placements. Alternative routes for new arteriovenous fistula creation had been exhausted due to previous contralateral upper limb fistula rupture and ligation. To the best of our knowledge, no similar cases of airway obstruction in central venous occlusion occurring in hemodialysis patients with AV fistula have been reported. The importance of identifying the possible emergency red flags in hemodialysis patients with central venous occlusion is important to prevent unwanted consequences.
  17. Wen APY, Jusoh MH, Saad AZM, Halim AS, Faisham NWIW, Azman WSW
    Arch Plast Surg, 2020 Mar;47(2):182-186.
    PMID: 31462030 DOI: 10.5999/aps.2018.00514
    We report our experience of treating two patients with ankle amputation with different presentations. The first case was a clean-cut sharp amputation. The second case was an avulsion injury following a motor vehicle accident in a patient who arrived 8 hours after the injury. Replantation was successful in both cases. In avulsion injuries, a secondary operation for wound coverage is required at a later stage. With good strategy and a support team, encouraging limb survival outcomes are possible post-replantation.
  18. Mat Saad AZ, Chai KS, Wan Sulaiman WA, Mat Johar SFN, Halim AS
    Arch Plast Surg, 2019 Nov;46(6):518-524.
    PMID: 31775204 DOI: 10.5999/aps.2019.00227
    BACKGROUND: Anterior palatal repair performed during cleft lip repair using a vomerine flap may assist in recruiting additional soft tissue for subsequent completion of palatoplasty, especially in patients with a wide cleft. We present our early.

    RESULTS: in the hope of triggering a re-evaluation of this technique regarding its advantages for maxillary growth through further studies of patients with a wide cleft.

    METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate was performed, including cleft and palatal measurements taken during initial surgery (lip repair together with anterior palate repair) and upon completion of palatoplasty.

    RESULTS: In total, 14 patients were included in this study, of whom nine (63.3%) had unilateral cleft lip and palate and five (37.5%) had bilateral cleft. All patients had a wide cleft palate. Lip and anterior palate repair was done at a median age of 3 months, while completion of palatoplasty was done at a median age of 10.5 months. Measurements taken upon completion of palatoplasty showed significant cleft width reduction in the mid-palate and intertubercle regions; however, the palatal arch distances at nearby landmarks showed non-significant marginal changes.

    CONCLUSIONS: Anterior palate repair using a vomerine flap significantly reduced the remaining cleft width, while the palatal width remained. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of this technique in wide cleft patients in terms of facial growth.

  19. Chai KS, Omar FH, Mat Saad AZ, Wan Sulaiman WA, Halim AS
    Arch Plast Surg, 2019 Sep;46(5):426-432.
    PMID: 31550747 DOI: 10.5999/aps.2018.01487
    BACKGROUND: The mandible is an important structure that is located in the lower third of the face. Large mandibular defects after tumor resection cause loss of its function. This study assessed the outcomes and tumor recurrence after immediate mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula osteocutaneous flap following radical resection of ameloblastoma.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective non-randomized study of outcomes and tumor recurrence of all patients diagnosed with mandibular ameloblastoma from August 1997 until August 2017 (20 years) requiring free fibula osteocutaneous flap reconstruction at a single institution. The patients were identified through an electronic operative database; subsequently, their medical records and photo documentation were retrieved.

    RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included in this study. Eighteen patients were male, while nine were female. The majority of the patients (48.1%) were in their third decade of life when they were diagnosed with ameloblastoma. All of them underwent radical resection of the tumor with a surgical margin of 2 cm (hemimandibulectomy in cases with a large tumor) and immediate mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap. Two patients required revision of a vascular anastomosis due to venous thrombosis postoperatively, while one patient developed a flap recipient site infection. The flap success rate was 100%. There was no tumor recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 5.6 years.

    CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular ameloblastoma should be treated with segmental mandibulectomy (with a surgical margin of 2 cm) to reduce the risk of recurrence. Subsequent mandibular and adjacent soft tissue defects should be reconstructed immediately with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap.

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