Gut barrier protein levels in serial blood samples from critically ill trauma patients during and after intensive care unit stay.

PURPOSE: In an effort to better manage critically ill patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) after experiencing multiple traumas, the present study aimed to assess whether plasma levels of intestinal epithelial cell barrier proteins, including occludin, claudin-1, junctional adhesion molecule (JAM-1), tricellulin and zonulin, could be used as novel biomarkers. Additional potential markers such as intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), D-lactate, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and citrulline were also evaluated. We also aimed to determine the possible relationships between the clinical, laboratory, and nutritional status of patients and the measured marker levels. METHODS: Plasma samples from 29 patients (first, second, fifth and tenth days in the ICU and on days 7, 30 and 60 after hospital discharge) and 23 controls were subjected to commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. RESULTS: On first day (admission) and on the second day, plasma I-FABP, D-lactate, citrulline, occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin and zonulin levels were high in trauma patients and positively correlated with lactate, C-reactive protein (CRP), number of days of ICU hospitalisation, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and daily Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin and zonulin proteins, as well as I-FABP, D-lactate and citrulline, may be used as promising biomarkers for the evaluation of disease severity in critically ill trauma patients, despite the complexity of the analysis of various barrier markers. However, our results should be supported by future studies.

Predictors of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula (POPF) After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Clinical Significance of the Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)/Platelet Count Ratio as a New Predictor.

PURPOSE: In this study, it was aimed to determine the predictors of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and clinical significance of mean platelet volume (MPV)/total platelet count ratio (MPR) as a new predictor for CR-POPF. METHODS: A total of 105 patients who underwent PD consecutively due to periampullary located diseases were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as CR-POPF and no postoperative pancreatic fistula (No-POPF). Demographic parameters, preoperative serum-based inflammatory indicators, surgical procedures, intraoperative findings, and histopathological parameters were recorded retrospectively from prospectively recorded patient files and compared between the groups. RESULTS: CR-POPF occurred in 16 (15.2%) patients: 8 (7.6%) were grade B and 8 (7.6%) were grade C according to the ISGPF classification. In univariate analysis, intraoperative blood loss > 580 mL (OR: 5.25, p = 0.001), intraoperative blood transfusion (OR: 5.96, p = 0.002), intraoperative vasoconstrictor medication (OR: 4.17, p = 0.014), benign histopathology (OR: 3.51, p = 0.036), and poor differentiation in malignant tumors (OR: 4.07, p = 0.044) were significantly higher in the CR-POPF group, but not significant in multivariate analysis. Soft pancreatic consistency (OR: 6.08, p = 0.013), pancreatic duct diameter < 2.5 mm (OR: 17.15, p < 0.001), and MPR < 28.9 (OR: 13.91, p < 0.001) were the independent predictors of CR-POPF according to multivariate analysis. Neoadjuvant treatment history and simultaneous vascular resection were less likely to cause CR-POPF development; however, they were insignificant. CONCLUSION: Soft pancreatic consistency, pancreatic duct diameter, and preoperative MPR were the independent predictors of CR-POPF following PD. Decreased MPR is a strong predictor for CR-POPF and should be considered when deciding treatment strategies.

Surgical treatment and outcome for primary duodenal adenocarcinoma. Single center experience.

AIM: In this study, we aimed to evaluate patients who underwent curative surgical treatment for primary duodenal adenocarcinoma and to present our experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary duodenal adenocarcinoma between 2006 and 2018 participated in the study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, details of the operation, pathological features of the tumors, short- and long-term follow-up results, and mean survival were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Nine patients with a mean age of 54.7 participated in the study. 55% of the patients were male. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (n: 6; 67%). The most common tumor localization was D2-3 (n: 7; 78%), and the most common surgical operation was pancreaticoduodenectomy (n: 7; 78%). There were no intraoperative complications in any patient. The mean tumor diameter was 3.5 cm. The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 8.3 and the mean number of metastatic lymph nodes was 2. The most common postoperative complication was pancreatic fistula (n: 3; 33%). The mean length of stay was 21.8 days. One patient developed septic shock and mortality happened within the 30-day period. The most common cause of unplanned admission to the hospital within 90 days was wound infection (n: 2; 22%). One patient developed local recurrence and two patients had systemic metastasis. We found an average survival of 40 months. DISCUSSION: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the most common approach in its curative surgery and it has a long survival despite the high postoperative complication rate. We recommend radical resection in the surgical treatment of primary duodenal adenocarcinoma. KEY WORDS: Adenocarcinoma, Duodenum, Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Is Histopathological Evaluation of Hernia Sacs Necessary?

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the pathologies in the hernia sac in adults, and the frequency of malignancy as well as to confirm the necessity of maintaining the current applications in histological examination of the hernia sac. METHODS: Patients who were operated for hernia in our clinic from 2013 to 2019 were included in the study. Patient data were evaluated retrospectively. We divided the patients into four groups, according to the type of hernia. We evaluated the demographic characteristics of the patients, the pathologies within the hernia sac, histopathological examination outcomes of the hernia sac and clinical features of malignancy in patients with malignancy. RESULTS: A total number of 556 adult patients underwent inguinal, femoral, umbilical or incisional hernia repair in our hospital. Nine patients (0.61%) had malignancy in the hernia sac. Three out of nine patients (33%) had no preoperative diagnosis of malignancy. Six patients (67%) had a known history of malignancy. Two tumors were located in the inguinal (22.0%), six tumors in the incisional (67%), and one in the umbilical (11%) hernia sacs. Among these, 56% were of gastrointestinal, 22% of gynecological, 11% of breast and 11% of epididymis origin. Most of the other pathologies found in the hernia sac were herniated bowel segments, lipomas and omentum. CONCLUSION: Since the hernia sac might be the first clue for an underlying cancer, if abnormal pathological findings are detected during surgery, histopathological examination should be performed to exclude malignancy. The purpose of histological examination is to detect a hidden malignancy.

Predictors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in clinical early stage (cT1-2N0) breast cancer patients with 1-2 metastatic sentinel lymph nodes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors that caused non-sentinel lymph nodes (nonSLNs) metastasis by considering the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who have 1-2 sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in the clinical early stage (T1-2, N0) breast cancer. METHODS: The demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were recorded retrospectively. Among these, age, size of the primary breast tumor, tumor localization and multifocality/multicentricity status, preoperative serum Neutrophil/Lymphocyte rate (NLR), c-erbB2/HER2-neu status, Estrogen Receptor (ER) and Progesterone Receptor (PR) status, primary tumor proliferation index (Ki-67), histopathological grade, molecular subtypes, histopathological subtypes, nipple/areola infiltration, Lymphatic Invasion (LI), Vascular Invasion (VI), Perineural Invasion (PNI), number of metastatic SLN m(SLN), mSLN diameter, SLN Extranodal Extension (ENE) status, and number of metastatic nonSLNs were recorded. RESULTS: According to the univariate analysis, the HER2 positivity, Ki-67≥%20, mSLN diameter, LI, VI, PNI, ENE and molecular subtypes were found to be significant. However, the age, tumor localization, multifocality/multicentricity, T stage, ER and PR status, tumor size, histopathological grade and subtypes, nipple/areola infiltration and NLR were not found to be significant. In the multivariate analysis, significant independent predictors in nonSLN metastasis development were found to be HER2 positivity, PNI, mSLN diameter ≥10,5 mm and ENE. CONCLUSION: The HER2 positivity, ENE, PNI and mSLN diameter ≥10,5 mm were found to be very strong predictors in nonSLN metastasis development. The findings of this study have the potential to be a guideline for surgeons and oncologists when determining their patients' treatment plan. These components are candidates for inclusion among the clinicopathological factors that may be used in the new nomograms due to their higher sensitivity and specificity.

Sigmoid colon cancer presenting as complete prolapse.

BACKROUND: The association of rectal prolapse and colorectal cancer is quite rare and only a few cases have been reported previously in the literature. It is unclear whether colorectal cancer triggers rectal prolapse. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department with complete rectal prolapse, and an anterior resection was performed after rectal digital examination revealed a mass. The pathology result came back as mucinous adenocarcinoma in the sigmoid colon and the postoperative period was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the age group in which rectal prolapse is most commonly seen, and the change in bowel habits, chronic constipation and irritation chronic seen in rectal prolapse may be responsible for the development of rectum cancer, therefore endoscopic screening should not be overlooked in rectal prolapse cases. KEY WORDS: Anorectal emergencies, Colon cancer, Rectal prolapse.

Determination of risk factors causing hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The most common complication after thyroid surgery is hypocalcaemia and it sometimes leads to problems that are difficult to correct in patients. The present study was aimed to determine the risk factors causing the development of hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery. METHODS: 818 adult patients were included in the study. The data were recorded by examining the hospital automation system and patient files retrospectively. Patients' demographic characteristics, radiological imaging findings, serum biochemical parameters, extent of the performed surgery, histopathological diagnoses were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of hypocalcaemia was 28.4% (1.7% permanent). In multivariate analysis: the female gender (p = 0.002), heavier thyroid gland (p = 0.084), substernal location (p = 0.004) and cervical lymph nodes dissection (CLND) (p < 0.001) were found to be significantly. Malignant thyroid pathology (p = 0.006) and total thyroidectomy (p = 0.025) increased the risk of hypocalcaemia significantly in univariate analysis. However, this increase in risk was not found to be statistically significant in regression analysis. Significant statistical result was not found on postoperative hypocalcaemia in terms of advanced age, hyperthyroidism and re-operation. The duration of hospitalization was higher in patients with postoperative hypocalcaemia (m = 2 days) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our analyses CLND, female gender, substernal location and heavier thyroid gland was found to be the independent risk factors in the development of postoperative hypocalcaemia. The development of postoperative hypocalcaemia may be predicted and measures may be taken to prevent clinical findings.