Methemoglobinemia incidence after the application of lidocaine for small surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Methemoglobinemia (MetHb) is a rare condition that may have mortal consequences. Literature shows cases of methemoglobinemia due to the use of lidocaine and other local anesthetics. This is a cross-sectional study to determine the incidence of methemoglobinemia after the application of lidocaine. METHODS: In this study, 88 patients admitted to the emergency department of a university hospital between May 2014 and May 2015 and needed lidocaine application for small surgical procedures were included. When compared before and after the administration of lidocaine <2 mg/kg and >2 mg/kg, there was not a significant difference in the level of methemoglobin, hemoglobin, or in the hematocrit (p=0.604, p=0.502, and p=0.367, respectively). RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 33.85 (±17.58) years, and 83% of the patients were male. Methemoglobin levels were not significantly different before and after the procedures (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study were consistent with the literature; lidocaine associated methemoglobinemia is a rare complication.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio on Appendectomy of Geriatric and Nongeriatric Patients.

PURPOSE: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent emergency procedure that requires acute surgical intervention. The mortality risk is higher in geriatric patients. There is not a single parameter to diagnose it easily and negative appendectomy is traditionally accepted however the operation itself can cause morbidity and mortality especially in elderly patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of acute inflammation and was recently studied for the diagnosis of AA. The aim of this study is to analyze the diagnostic value of NLR on positive appendectomy rates amongst geriatric and nongeriatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 755 patients admitted to the emergency department, with abdominal pain who underwent urgent laparotomy after diagnosed as acute appendicitis. Patients' ages, genders, laboratory results, and intraoperative findings were collected. Geriatric patients were analyzed in group one, and nongeriatric patients were in group 2. Groups then sorted into subgroups by means of positive and negative appendectomies. RESULTS: Although NLR was higher in positive appendectomy subgroup in group 1 it was not statistically significant. NLR could not independently predict positive appendectomy in geriatric patients. In group 2, male gender was significantly higher in the positive appendectomy group (p < 0.001). NLR was also significantly higher in the positive appendectomy group (p < 0.001). In group 2 NLR could independently predict positive appendectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR could not predict positive appendectomy rates in the geriatric population but could in the nongeriatric patient group. To find the optimal NLR levels, prospective randomized studies are needed.

Traumatic laceration of the portal vein.

Despite its relatively protected position, the liver is the most frequently injured solid intra-abdominal organ. 1 Most liver injuries can be managed conservatively, but about 5% to 10% require urgent laparotomy, usually when the mechanism of injury involves a vehicle accident and hemodynamic instability persists, in spite of 40 mL/kg of blood transfusion. 2 , 3 In particular, grades IV and V liver injuries may pose a challenge to the surgeon trying to control hemorrhage, the leading cause of mortality. 4 Traumatic injuries to the portal vein are rare but devastating. The mortality rate for portal vein injury ranges from 50% to 70%. A recent study of portal triad injuries has highighted the higher mortality rates associated with combination injuries involving multiple portal triad components, especially those that include portal vein injury. 5 This case study describes a unique case of relatively minor trauma in a child resulting in portal triad injury, sudden demise, and surgical repair.