Prospective Observational Study on acute Appendicitis Worldwide (POSAW).

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical disease, and appendectomy is the treatment of choice in the majority of cases. A correct diagnosis is key for decreasing the negative appendectomy rate. The management can become difficult in case of complicated appendicitis. The aim of this study is to describe the worldwide clinical and diagnostic work-up and management of AA in surgical departments. Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study was performed in 116 worldwide surgical departments from 44 countries over a 6-month period (April 1, 2016-September 30, 2016). All consecutive patients admitted to surgical departments with a clinical diagnosis of AA were included in the study. Results: A total of 4282 patients were enrolled in the POSAW study, 1928 (45%) women and 2354 (55%) men, with a median age of 29 years. Nine hundred and seven (21.2%) patients underwent an abdominal CT scan, 1856 (43.3%) patients an US, and 285 (6.7%) patients both CT scan and US. A total of 4097 (95.7%) patients underwent surgery; 1809 (42.2%) underwent open appendectomy and 2215 (51.7%) had laparoscopic appendectomy. One hundred eighty-five (4.3%) patients were managed conservatively. Major complications occurred in 199 patients (4.6%). The overall mortality rate was 0.28%. Conclusions: The results of the present study confirm the clinical value of imaging techniques and prognostic scores. Appendectomy remains the most effective treatment of acute appendicitis. Mortality rate is low.

Where should the damage control surgery be performed, at the nearest health center or at a fully equipped hospital?

BACKGROUND: Transport of casualties from a combat area to a fully equipped hospital where all techniques of damage control surgery (DCS) can be performed requires a great deal of time. Therefore, prior to transport, prompt control of hemorrhage and contamination should be achieved, and resuscitative procedures should be performed at the nearest health center. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the location at which DCS was performed on rates of mortality. METHODS: The present retrospective study included 51 combat casualties who underwent DCS at the present clinic or at hospitals nearest the combat area due to high kinetic energy gunshot injuries to the abdomen between 2010 and 2015. Patients were evaluated in terms of acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy, and mortality. RESULTS: Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the location where the first step of DCS was performed: (1) at the present hospital or (2) at other hospitals. Group 1 comprised 26 patients (51%), and Group 2 comprised 25 (49%). Total mortality occurred in 23 (45.1%) patients, including 15 (57.7%) patients in Group 1 and 8 (32%) in Group 2. In Group 1, mean time from injury to hospital admission was longer, and deep acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy were more marked. CONCLUSION: Initial surgical control of hemorrhage and contamination in patients injured by high kinetic gunshots should be promptly achieved at the nearest health center. In this way, acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy can be prevented, and the risk of mortality can be reduced.

Left Inguinal Bladder Hernia that Causes Dilatation in the Ureter.

The scrotal bladder hernia is a rare condition that may present as scrotal swelling and urinary system obstruction or infection symptoms. Diagnosis of this condition before the operation decreases the severe complications like bladder injury during operation. In this article, a 75-year-old man presented to our clinic with right inguinal swelling and lower urinary system infection. Inguinal bladder hernia was diagnosed after performing a computed tomography. The hernia was repaired without any complications.

Surgical outcomes of a civil war in a neighbouring country.

OBJECTIVES: The civil war in Syria began on 15 March 2011, and many of the injured were treated in the neighbouring country of Turkey. This study reports the surgical outcomes of this war, in a tertiary centre in Turkey. METHODS: 159 patients with civilian war injuries in Syria who were admitted to the General Surgery Department in the Research and Training Hospital of the Medical School of Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey, between 2011 and 2012 were analysed regarding the age, sex, injury type, history of previous surgery for the injury, types of abdominal injuries (solid or luminal organ), the status of isolated abdominal injuries or multiple injuries, mortality, length of hospital stay and injury severity scoring. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 30.05 (18-66 years) years. Most of the injuries were gunshot wounds (99 of 116 patients, 85.3%). Primary and previously operated patients were transferred to our clinic in a median time of 6.28±4.44 h and 58.11±44.08 h, respectively. Most of the patients had intestinal injuries; although a limited number of patients with colorectal injuries were treated with primary repair, stoma was the major surgical option due to the gross peritoneal contamination secondary to prolonged transport time. Two women and 21 men died. The major cause of death was multiorgan failure secondary to sepsis (18 patients). CONCLUSIONS: In the case of civil war in the bordering countries, it is recommended that precautions are taken, such as transformation of nearby civilian hospitals into military ones and employment of experienced trauma surgeons in these hospitals to provide effective medical care. Damage control procedures can avoid fatalities especially before the lethal triad of physiological demise occurs. Rapid transport of the wounded to the nearest medical centre is the key point in countries neighbouring a civil war.

Global validation of the WSES Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections: a prospective multicentre study (WISS Study).

BACKGROUND: To validate a new practical Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) including the clinical conditions at the admission (severe sepsis/septic shock), the origin of the cIAIs, the delay in source control, the setting of acquisition and any risk factors such as age and immunosuppression. METHODS: The WISS study (WSES cIAIs Score Study) is a multicenter observational study underwent in 132 medical institutions worldwide during a four-month study period (October 2014-February 2015). Four thousand five hundred thirty-three patients with a mean age of 51.2 years (range 18-99) were enrolled in the WISS study. RESULTS: Univariate analysis has shown that all factors that were previously included in the WSES Sepsis Severity Score were highly statistically significant between those who died and those who survived (p < 0.0001). The multivariate logistic regression model was highly significant (p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.54) and showed that all these factors were independent in predicting mortality of sepsis. Receiver Operator Curve has shown that the WSES Severity Sepsis Score had an excellent prediction for mortality. A score above 5.5 was the best predictor of mortality having a sensitivity of 89.2 %, a specificity of 83.5 % and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.4. CONCLUSIONS: WSES Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated Intra-abdominal infections can be used on global level. It has shown high sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio that may help us in making clinical decisions.

Mortal quintet of sickle cell diseases.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell diseases (SCDs) are chronic inflammatory processes on capillary level. We tried to understand some possible correlations between stroke and severity of SCDs. METHODS: All patients with SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 343 patients (174 males and 169 females). There were 30 cases (8.7%) with stroke. The mean ages were similar in both groups (32.5 versus 29.1 years in the stroke group and other, respectively, P>0.05). The female ratios were similar in both groups, too (43.3% versus 49.8%, respectively, P>0.05). Prevalences of associated thalassemia minors were also similar in them (73.3% versus 65.1%, respectively, P>0.05). Smoking was higher among the stroke cases, significantly (26.6% versus 13.0%, P<0.05). Mean white blood cell count, hematocrit value, and mean platelet count of the peripheric blood were similar in both groups (P>0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the painful crises per year, tonsilectomy, priapism, ileus, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, chronic renal disease, rheumatic heart disease, avascular necrosis of bones, cirrhosis, and mortality were all higher in the stroke group, the differences were only significant for acute chest syndrome (ACS), digital clubbing, and leg ulcers (P<0.05 for all), probably due to the small sample size of the stroke group. CONCLUSION: SCDs and smoking are chronic destructive processes on endothelium, and both terminate with early organ failures in life. Probably smoking, digital clubbing, leg ulcers, ACS, and stroke are mortal quintet of the SCDs that may indicate shortened survival in such patients.

Tonsilectomy in sickle cell diseases.

BACKGROUND: We tried to understand whether or not there are lowered prevalences of terminal consequences of sickle cell diseases (SCDs) with tonsilectomy. METHODS: All cases with SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 334 patients (164 females). There were 27 cases with tonsilectomy and 307 cases without. The mean ages, female ratios, and prevalences of associated thalassemia minors and smoking were similar in both groups (P>0.05 for all). Although the white blood cell and platelet counts of peripheric blood were higher in patients without tonsilectomy, the mean hematocrit value was lower in them, but the differences were nonsignificant probably due to the small sample size of the tonsilectomy group (P>0.05 for all). Similarly, although the painful crises per year, digital clubbing, leg ulcers, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatic heart disease, avascular necrosis of bone, cirrhosis, stroke, and mortality were higher in cases without tonsilectomy, the differences were nonsignificant probably due to the same reason again (P>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: There may be an inverse relationship between prevalence of tonsilectomy and severity of SCDs, and the tonsils may act as chronic inflammatory foci accelerating the chronic endothelial damage all over the body in such patients.

Investigation of the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver with histological and biochemical methods.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the present study, the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver was investigated with histological and biochemical methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (n = 8), cyclosporine (n = 8, 20 mg kg(-1) day(-1) i.p.), cyclosporine + erdosteine (n = 8, erdosteine 12 mg kg(-1) day(-1) orally), and erdosteine (n = 8). At the end of day 12, liver tissues were removed for histological and biochemical analysis. After liver tissues were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, routine histological processes were applied and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and elastic fiber stain methods. One hundred lobules of liver were examined for each group and evaluated statistically. The levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, were determined. RESULTS: The cyclosporine group showed significant histopathological changes compared to the control. In the cyclosporine + erdosteine group, histopathological changes of hepatic damage were markedly reduced. Histological findings were supported by biochemical results. CONCLUSION: Erdosteine could attenuate cyclosporine-induced liver injury.

The Analysis of Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width Levels in Appendicitis.

We aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width, which are also known as the markers of platelet count, in acute and perforated appendicitis. The data of 202 patients who applied to general surgery clinic in Mustafa Kemal University Hospital from 2007 to 2012 with acute appendicitis were analyzed retrospectively. The findings were separated to two groups due to the perforation status (perforated vs. non-perforated). Age, sex, leukocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were examined. The mean age of the patients was 35.8. Twenty-one of all cases were perforated appendicitis (10.4 %), and the rest was acute appendicitis (non-perforated) (n = 181, 89.6 %). The mean platelet volume value was 9.8 ± 2.1 fL; mean thrombocyte count, 340.9 × 10(9)/L; and mean platelet distribution width value, 18.3 %. There were statistically significant differences between sex and age, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width. There was a positive correlation between mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet. Age, leukocyte, platelet, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were higher in cases with perforation as a comparison with non-perforated cases. We think that mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width may be valuable markers to detect the risk of perforation in early periods of acute appendicitis.

Sickle cell diseases and ileus.

BACKGROUND: We tried to understand whether or not there is an increased incidence of ileus in patients with sickle cell diseases (SCDs). METHODS: All cases with SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 325 patients (160 females). The mean ages were similar in both sexes (29.3 versus 29.8 years in females and males, respectively, p > 0.05). Incidence of ileus was higher in males, significantly (3.6% versus 1.2%, p < 0.01). All of the ileus cases were able to be treated with simple and repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions without any surgical procedure. Smoking was higher in males, too (21.8% versus 6.2%, p < 0.001). The mean hematocrit value was also higher in males, significantly (24.4% versus 23.0%, p = 0.016). RBC units transfused, digital clubbing, leg ulcers, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and chronic renal disease were all higher in males, too (p < 0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the general mortality, white blood cell and platelet counts of peripheric blood, painful crises per year, rheumatic heart disease, avascular necrosis of bone, cirrhosis, and stroke were all higher in males, the differences were nonsignificant probably due to the small sample sizes of the groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Although the relatively young mean ages of the patients with SCDs, the very high incidences of ileus are probably due to the strong atherosclerotic and obstructive natures of the two pathologies, and ileus should be treated with simple and repeated RBC transfusions to restore bowel perfusion in such patients.

Comparison of surgical procedures and percutaneous drainage in the treatment of liver hydatide cysts: a retrospective study in an endemic area.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical procedures are still the golden standard option in the treatment of liver cystic echinococcosis. However, minimal invasive technics like percutaneous drainage are rising trends. We aimed to compare the efficacy of surgical and percutaneous options in the treatment of liver hydatidosis in an endemic area. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical or percutaneous procedures for hydatid disease between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Recurrence rates, hospital stay time, and related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 44 (35.5%) male and 80 (64.5%) female patients in this study. Eighty two patients (Group I) had undergone surgery (66.1%) and 42 patients (Group II) had undergone percutaneous drainage (33.9%). The mean cyst size was 7.28 ± 2.51 cm in Group I and 8.76 ± 3.30 cm in Group II. Nine recurrences (7.3%) were detected during study. Five of the recurrences were in Group II (11.9%) and four (4.9%) of them were in Group I. The mean length of hospital stay of all patients was 5.42 ± 3.16 days. DISCUSSION: Percutaneous drainage techniques can be a good alternative to surgery in selected patients. In complicated cases like cystobiliary fistula, surgery is superior to percutaneous approaches. The hospital stay time, recurrence rate and postoperative complications were not enhanced when compared to percutaneous treatment in our study. Despite all controversy about the low morbidity after percutaneous treatment, surgical approach is still a preferable option in patients with liver hydatidosis when it is performed by experienced surgeons.

The development of ventricular fibrillation due to etomidate for anesthetic induction: a very rare side effect, case report / Desenvolvimento de fibrilação ventricular por causa de etomidato para indução anestésica: um efeito colateral muito raro, relato de caso / Desarrollo de fibrilación ventricular debido al etomidato para la inducción anestésica: un efecto colateral muy raro, relato de caso

Background and objectives: Ventricular fibrillation occurring in a patient can result in unexpected complications. Here, our aim is to present a case of ventricular fibrillation occurring immediately after anesthesia induction with etomidate administration. Case report: A fifty-six-year-old female patient with a pre-diagnosis of gallstones was admitted to the operating room for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The induction was performed by etomidate with a bolus dose of 0.3 mg/kg. Severe and fast adduction appeared in the patient's arms immediately after induction. A tachycardia with wide QRS and ventricular rate 188 beat/min was detected on the monitor. The rhythm turned to VF during the preparation of cardioversion. Immediately we performed defibrillation to the patient. Sinus rhythm was obtained. It was decided to postpone the operation due to the patient's unstable condition. Conclusion: In addition to other known side effects of etomidate, very rarely, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation can be also seen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case regarding etomidate causing VF in the literature. .

Justificativa e objetivos: A ocorrência de fibrilação ventricular em um paciente pode resultar em complicações inesperadas. Nosso objetivo é apresentar um caso de fibrilação ventricular que ocorreu após a indução anestésica com administração de etomidato. Relato de caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, 56 anos, com pré-diagnóstico de cálculos biliares, foi admitida na sala de cirurgia para colecistectomia laparoscópica. A anestesia foi induzida com a administração de etomidato com uma dose em bolus de 0,3 mg/kg. A paciente apresentou uma grave e rápida adução dos braços logo após a indução. Taquicardia com QRS largo e frequência ventricular de 188 bpm foram detectadas no monitor. O ritmo converteu-se em fibrilação ventricular (FV) durante a preparação para a cardioversão. A paciente foi imediatamente submetida a desfibrilação. O ritmo sinusal foi obtido. Decidimos adiar a cirurgia por causa da condição de instabilidade da paciente. Conclusão: Além dos efeitos secundários conhecidos de etomidato, taquicardia ventricular e fibrilação, embora muito raramente, também podem ser observadas. Até onde sabemos, esse é o primeiro caso na literatura de FV causado por etomidato. .

Justificación y objetivos: La aparición de fibrilación ventricular en un paciente puede originar complicaciones inesperadas. Nuestro objetivo es presentar un caso de fibrilación ventricular que ocurrió después de la inducción anestésica con administración de etomidato. Caso clínico: Paciente del sexo femenino, 56 años, con prediagnóstico de cálculos biliares que entró en quirófano para colecistectomía laparoscópica. La inducción de la anestesia fue realizada con administración de etomidato con una dosis en bolo de 0,3 mg/kg. La paciente presentó una grave y rápida aducción de los brazos inmediatamente después de la inducción. En el monitor se detectó taquicardia con QRS ancho y frecuencia ventricular de 188lpm. El ritmo se convirtió en fibrilación ventricular durante la preparación para la cardioversión. La pacientefue inmediatamente sometida a la desfibrilación. Se logró el ritmo sinusal. Decidimos postergar la cirugía debido a la condición de inestabilidad del paciente. Conclusión: Además de los efectos secundarios conocidos del etomidato también se pueden observar taquicardia ventricular y fibrilación (aunque sea algo muy raro). Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer caso de fibrilación ventricular causado por etomidato en la literatura. .

[The development of ventricular fibrillation due to etomidate for anesthetic induction: a very rare side effect, case report]. / Desenvolvimento de fibrilação ventricular por causa de etomidato para indução anestésica: um efeito colateral muito raro, relato de caso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ventricular fibrillation occurring in a patient can result in unexpected complications. Here, our aim is to present a case of ventricular fibrillation occurring immediately after anesthesia induction with etomidate administration. CASE REPORT: A fifty-six-year-old female patient with a pre-diagnosis of gallstones was admitted to the operating room for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The induction was performed by etomidate with a bolus dose of 0.3mg/kg. Severe and fast adduction appeared in the patient's arms immediately after induction. A tachycardia with wide QRS and ventricular rate 188beat/min was detected on the monitor. The rhythm turned to VF during the preparation of cardioversion. Immediately we performed defibrillation to the patient. Sinus rhythm was obtained. It was decided to postpone the operation due to the patient's unstable condition. CONCLUSION: In addition to other known side effects of etomidate, very rarely, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation can be also seen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case regarding etomidate causing VF in the literature.

Acute chest syndrome in severity of sickle cell diseases.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell diseases (SCDs) are chronic inflammatory processes on capillary level. We tried to understand whether or not there are some positive correlations between acute chest syndrome (ACS) and severity of SCDs. METHODS: All patients with the SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 337 cases (167 females). There were 15 patients (4.4%) with the ACS. The mean ages were similar in both groups (29.4 versus 29.7 years in the ACS group and other, respectively, P > 0.05). The female ratios were similar in both groups, too (60.0% versus 49.0%, respectively, P > 0.05). Additionally, prevalences of associated thalassemia minors were similar in them (66.6% versus 65.5%, respectively, P > 0.05). Smoking was higher in the ACS group (20.0% versus 13.9%), but the difference was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Although the mean white blood cell count and hematocrit value of peripheric blood were higher in the ACS group, the mean platelet count was lower in them, but the differences were nonsignificant again (P > 0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the painful crises per year, tonsilectomy, priapism, ileus, digital clubbing, pulmonary hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, cirrhosis, stroke, and mortality were higher in the ACS group, the difference was only significant for the stroke (P < 0.05), probably due to the small sample size of the ACS group. CONCLUSION: SCDs are chronic destructive processes on capillaries iniatiating at birth, and terminate with early organ failures in life. Probably ACS is one of the terminal consequences of the inflammatory processes that may indicate shortened survival in such patients.

Diffuse idiopathic varices in the colon characterized by lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Colon varices are very rare lesions that usually present as secondary to portal hypertension. Idiopathic colon varices are even rarer, and should be considered especially in the etiology of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Forty-five year old male presented to our hospital with complaints of recurrent rectal bleeding for one week and severe anemia. The patient was transfused with 4 units of blood. His colonoscopy revealed diffuse submucosal varices. The tests performed for investigation of etiology did not reveal any portal pathology. The patient did not experience another episode of active bleeding during follow-up and was discharged with conservative recommendations. Idiopathic colon varices are rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with massive rectal bleeding. Conservative approach is first line of treatment, reserving segmental or total colectomy only for ongoing hemorrhage.

Perioperative Anaesthetic Approach in a Homozygous Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient with Frequent Pain Crises.

Sickle cell disease (HbS) is a haemolytic anaemia characterized by the formation of abnormal haemoglobin. In patients with sickle cell disease, high rates of erythrocyte generation, degradation, and hyperbilirubinemia increase the risk for cholelithiasis. Previous studies have found that the incidence of cholelithiasis is 70% in adult patients. In sickle cell disease, decreased oxygen concentration leads to the sickling of erythrocytes by causing aggregation and polymerization. Sickle erythrocytes can have devastating effects on many vital organs by causing microvascular occlusion. In patients with sickle cell anaemia, anaesthetic technique, anaesthetic agents, and surgical trauma may cause additional risk. In this case report, we present a perioperative anaesthetic approach in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy of a patient with HbS, elevated liver function tests, and frequent pain crises.

Effect of radioactive iodine therapy on lacrimal gland functions in patients with hyperthyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is preferred in the treatment of hyperthyroidism because of its effectiveness, noninvasiveness, and low costs. I has been detected in extrathyroidal tissues, such as in gastric mucosa, salivary glands, and lacrimal glands. To the best of our knowledge, there is no publication concerning the effects of RAI therapy for hyperthyroidism on tear production. In the present study, we evaluated whether or not the lacrimal glands are affected after RAI therapy when compared with pretreatment period. METHODS: The Schirmer and tear break-up time (TBUT) tests were used to assess 32 eyes of 16 patients with conditions that were diagnosed as hyperthyroidism before and at 3 and 6 months after RAI treatment. In addition, pretreatment values of patients were compared with that of controls. It was evaluated whether or not a correlation exists between the results and the dose or iodine uptake values. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between pretreatment values of Schirmer and TBUT tests obtained in the patient group and those of the control group (P > 0.05). In the patient group, there was a significant difference between the posttreatment and pretreatment values (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between uptake values obtained at 24 hours and the values obtained by TBUT and Schirmer tests on both eyes at 3 and 6 months. At 6 months, the uptake value at 24 hours was 28.83 ± 60 for both eyes in patients with TBUT test values less than 10, whereas it was 39.25 ± 7.88 for the right eye and 39.00 ± 6.85 for the left eyes in patients with TBUT test values greater than 10. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we concluded that the decrease in mucin and aqueous production occurs due to affected lacrimal glands by RAI therapy; however, this effect is not dose dependent.

The reflection of the Syrian civil war on the emergency department and assessment of hospital costs.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, it was aimed to assess the demographics, clinical features, and treatment costs of cases referred to our hospital after the Syrian civil war. METHODS: Of 1355 Syrian civil war victims referred to our hospital during the 14-month period between June 2011 and July 2012, 482 cases presenting to the emergency department were included in the study. The electronic data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 482 cases, 428 were male (88.8%) and 54 (11.2%) were female, with a mean age of 30.4±14.9 years (1-79 years). The mean age was 30.8±17.2 years (1-79 years) in males and 27.3±16.9 years (1.5-66 years) in females. There was a significant difference in terms of sex (p=0.007). It was found that the majority of the cases (41.1%) were aged 21-30 years. The highest number of admissions was recorded in June 2011 (159 patients, 33%), whereas the lowest number of admissions was in September 2011 (5 patients, 1%). All cases were transported to our hospital from nearby district hospitals and camps by emergency medical services. The most frequent presenting complaint was gunshot injury (338 cases, 70.1%). The most common diagnosis was extremity injury (153 cases, 31.7%). The number of forensic cases was found as 364 (75.5%). Of all the cases, 136 cases (28.2%) were managed in the emergency service, and the remaining cases were admitted to other services. They were most frequently admitted to the orthopedics ward (146 cases, 30.3%). The mean length of the hospital stay was 9.9 days (1-141).Overall, 456 cases (94.6%) were discharged, 22 cases died, and 4 cases were transferred to other facilities. The mean cost per case was estimated as 3723Turkish lira (TL) (15-69556). A positive correlation was found between cost and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Among all Syrian cases, the majorities of young males and gunshot injuries was striking. Most of the cases were discharged after appropriate management. Preventive measures can avoid these negative outcomes and so avoidable costs will not occur, and this can preclude the damage to the budgets of the countries.

Cholethorax (bilious effusion in the thorax): an unusual complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Cholethorax or bilious effusion in the thorax, is a rare condition in which bile passes into the pleural space from the abdominal cavity, necessitating urgent treatment. In this article, we present a case of cholethorax as a complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The patient underwent a LC due to the presence of a gallbladder polyp. The clip attached to the Hartman opened, and the abdominal cavity became contaminated with biliary fluid. Postoperatively, the patient experienced severe right upper quadrant pain and dyspnea. Both the posteroanterior (PA) chest radiography and thoracic computed tomography (CT) were remarkable for marked effusion in the right hemithorax. The patient underwent thoracentesis which resulted in the removal of 250 cc bilious pleural effusion. The bilirubin level of the pleural fluid was 9.1 mg/dL. Following thoracentesis, the patient experienced significant improvement in dyspnea and pain. The patient was discharged without any complications on the seventh day postoperatively. Cholethorax may occur as a result of diaphragmatic injuries secondary to a laparoscopic instrument and can be successfully treated by a thoracenftesis.