In contrast to closed Achilles tendon ruptures, open injuries are rarely reported in the literature. This paper provides information about open Achilles tendon wounds that are eventually seen in the Middle East. The reporting unit, Hamad Medical Corporation, is one of the biggest trauma centers in the Gulf area and the major health provider in Qatar. This is a retrospective study including patients admitted and operated for open Achilles tendon injuries between January 2011 and December 2013. Two hundred and five cases of open Achilles tendon lacerations were operated in Hamad General Hospital in this period. Forty-eight cases showed partial injuries, and the remaining are complete tendons cut. In the same period, fifty-one closed ruptured Achilles tendons were operated in the same trauma unit. In the majority of cases, the open injury resulted from a slip in the floor-leveled traditional toilette seats. Local damage to the toilette seats resulted in sharp edges causing the laceration of the heel if the patient was slipping over the wet floor. This occurrence is the cause in the vast majority of the cases. Wounds were located 1-5 cm proximal to tendon insertion. Standard treatment principles were applied. This included thorough irrigation in the emergency room, intravenous antibiotics, surgical debridement and primary repair within 24 h. Patients were kept in the hospital 1-7 days for intravenous antibiotics and possible dressing changes. Postoperatively below knee slabs were applied in the majority of patients and were kept for about 4 weeks followed by gradual weight bearing and range of motion exercises. Outpatients follow up in 1-2 weeks. Further follow-up visits at around 2-, 4-, 8- and 12-week intervals until complete wound healing and satisfactory rehabilitation outcome. Sixteen cases needed a second procedure. A high incidence of Achilles tendon open injuries is reported. This seems to be related to partially damaged floor-level toilettes in the typical Middle-East lavatory. The surgical treatment resulted in excellent outcome in the vast majority of the cases. Low incidence of complications resulted despite dramatic injury pattern.

HighlightsTraumatic shoulder injury resulting in arthritis with loss of the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles.Shoulder muscles reconstruction using a Lattisimus dorsi flap.Preoperative (Arthroplasty) assessment and examination.Preoperative planning prior to shoulder joint reconstruction.Post-operative physiotherapy and follow up.

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HighlightsSport injury led to lateral meniscal posterior horn flap tear.This flap tear displaced posteriorly in our reported patient in the popliteus hiatus.This displaced tear appeared as double popliteus tendon in the sagittal MRI.The patient underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and recovered very well in the later follow ups.

Background: During the COVID-19 outbreak, Qatar Biobank (QBB) adapted its services to collect, process, and store high-quality data and specimens. This transformation period brought opportunities, risks, and challenges. Methods: QBB holds College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for Quality Management (9001:2105) and Information Security Management Systems (27001: 2013). These standards helped to effectively convert its operations to facilitate the COVID-19 national project. The COVID-19 Biorepository is a National Disease-based study aiming to collect adequate health information and biological samples from Qatar residents infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus to enable evidence-based research towards the discovery and development of novel healthcare interventions and to facilitate research projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. QBB IT Department used open-source Onyx (ObiBa) software to newly develop a COVID-19 electronic system and interface for various clinical devices and Laboratory Information Management System. QBB operational services were adapted to accommodate the COVID-19 project by providing training to the personnel (n = 20; i.e. nurses, research assistants etc.) and developing work instructions (n>5) for the participants’ recruitment process, data and specimen collection in the different hospitals. A COVID-19 portal was also developed by QBB to facilitate data access for researchers from Qatar and worldwide. Results: Within 5 weeks QBB transformed to accommodate a disease/virus-based biorepository. At an operational level, multi-adjustments were implemented. QBB IT department developed an electronic system for the data collection and specimen traceability. Clinically trained staff were transferred to different healthcare facilities to recruit COVID-19 positive patients. QBB laboratory designed special collection kits. QBB Medical Review Office and Scientific and Education departments managed the recruitment process, set up of the study and provided training to the staff. The Communications and Participants Recruitment Department transformed its operations to fit the needs of the COVID-19 initiative. The Research Access Office designed the COVID-19 access portal and supported the project through purchasing of personal protective equipment and other administrative tasks. Conclusion: It is now time to consider lessons learned, as many countries have been affected by this pandemic, and to understand that biobanks are an asset for a country and there is a need to integrate them into a new standard with their sustainability in mind. Qatar Biobank is a good showcase of how a biobank can successfully assist in the collection of important data related to different health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.