my $para = ..... # whatever. # so $para is ( possibly ) a multi-line parameter my $first_line_break = index( $para, "\n" ); if( $first_line_break > 0 ) { $lastHeading = substr( $para, 0, $first_line_break ); next; } if( $para =~ /mSOriginating/ && $para =~ /$msisdn/ ) { print $para; }