Distinctive features of early onset colorectal cancer. A tertiary hospital experience.

PURPOSE: The colorectal cancer rate under the age 50 years tends to increase, and we aimed to identify the general features of early-onset colorectal cancer and the differences between cancer in younger and older patients. METHODS: The patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery between 2016 and 2021 were included. The subjects were divided into two groups by age under and over 50. Demographic, clinical, and pathological features of early- onset colorectal cancer were identified retrospectively. RESULTS: 226 patients were included in our study, and 36 (15.9%) of them were under 50 years old. The mean age of the patients in the early-onset colorectal cancer group was 43.1±5.9 years. Most of the young patients were male, similar to the elderly CRC group. The tumors in the EOCRC group were significantly located left site (86.1% vs. 66.8%) compared to elderly CRC. Most of the tumors were medium or poorly differentiated (80.6%). The numbers of removed lymph nodes were significantly higher in the EOCRC group compared to the elderly CRC group (p<0.05), and postoperative complications were detected lower in EOCRC. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of EOCRC continues to increase. There is no information about the exact reason for this increase. Comprehensive studies are needed to reveal general characteristics, genetic background, and predisposing factors in cancer formation and figure out the increase in the incidence. KEY WORDS: Colorectal Cancer, Hereditary Colorectal Cancer, Early Onset, Young Adults.

Trocar Site Location in Laparoscopic Appendectomy-A Prospective Randomized Study.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic appendectomy has been used in the treatment of appendicitis, which is among the most common emergency pathologies worldwide. There is no consensus on the best trocar entry sites. The purpose of the present study was to compare various trocar entry sites in the literature and to find the localization with the optimal usage area. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between 2021 and 2022 were randomized into 4 groups and included in the study. The demographic data, perioperative, and postoperative findings of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients participated in the study and 73% were male. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of demographic data, preoperative findings, length of stay, and complications of the patients. However, when the mean surgery times of the groups were examined (47.2±26.9, 58.4±23.1, 54.5±18.3, 55.8±18.6 min), it was observed that this period was less in Group 1 ( P =0.02). When the postoperative Visual Analogue Scale values were analyzed (4.8±2.2, 6.2±1.7, 5.5±2.0, and 5.8±1.9), Group 1 was found to be less painful ( P =0.00001). CONCLUSION: When the surgical procedure is optimized and environmental factors are homogenized, Group 1 trocar entry sites seem advantageous for the procedure in terms of postoperative patient pain scale and operation times.

Evaluation of firearm injuries by trauma scoring systems in a secondary health care institution.

BACKGROUND: Scoring systems are widely used in trauma patients and are very important in the care of trauma patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of scoring systems in evaluating the patients who were brought to a hospital without a trauma center due to firearm injuries (FIs) using scoring systems, and the efficacy of these systems in identifying patients who should be treated in a trauma center. METHODS: Patients brought to Hakkari Yüksekova State Hospital due to FIs between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively investigated. Patients aged 16 and over were included in the study. Patients who were brought to the hospital while deceased and those who did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the hospital were excluded from the study. In addition, patients who underwent simple outpatient medical intervention were not included in the patient group. Patients were evaluated demographically. The mortality predictions of trauma scoring systems, which are widely used in the evaluation of trauma patients, were examined. In addition, the effectiveness of scoring systems in identifying patients who should be treated in trauma centers was investigated. RESULTS: In the study, 331 patients, 96.9% of whom were male, were evaluated. The patient group consisted of young patients and the median age was 27 (IQR, 24-29) years. A total of 74 (22.4%) patients were referred to trauma referral hospitals for diagnosis and treatment. Mortality occurred in 46 (13.9%) patients. Glasgow coma scale, injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score, new trauma score, and trauma revised ISS were found effective for predicting mortality in patients, and scoring systems were correlated with each other. However, scoring systems were not found effective in distinguishing patients who should be treated in a trauma center. CONCLUSION: Scoring systems are significant in predicting mortality of patients with gunshot wounds. However, trauma scoring systems have not been found to be effective in distinguishing patients who require referral to a trauma center.

Should the severity of acute cholecystitis (Tokyo 2018 guideline) affect the decision of early or delayed cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND: In our study, we aimed to compare the complication rates of patients presenting with acute cholecystitis and undergoing surgery at the time of hospitalization (early cholecystectomy) and delayed cholecystectomy and also to examine whether the severity of cholecystitis has an effect on the timing of cholecystectomy. METHODS: The study was planned retrospectively and the approval of the ethics committee of our hospital was obtained. The patient files of the patients who were admitted to our tertiary hospital with acute cholecystitis were accessed through the hospital archive system. The patients were divided into two groups, those who were admitted to the emergency department for acute chole-cystitis and who underwent early cholecystectomy and delayed cholecystectomy. The Tokyo 2018 acute cholecystitis guideline was used to determine the severity of acute cholecystitis. Pre-operative and post-operative data of the patients were examined and their complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The data of 158 patients who met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Compared with delayed chole-cystectomy, complication rates increased in patients who underwent early cholecystectomy (8.1% and 32.2%, respectively, p<0.001). According to the Tokyo 2018 guideline, patients with acute cholecystitis were grouped as Tokyo 1, 2, and 3; and of Tokyo 1 patients, more complications were observed in those who underwent early cholecystectomy (22.6% and 4.2%, respectively, p=0.004). When the complications were examined, it was observed that pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, intra-abdominal abscess development, sepsis, and wound infection were significantly higher in those who were operated early. When the factors affecting complications are examined, having a Tokyo score of 2 and above (OR: 4.161), high creatinine levels (OR: 5.496), and presence of additional disease (OR: 4.238) increase the risk of developing complications. CONCLUSION: More complications occur after cholecystectomy in patients with Tokyo 2 and above, when compared with patients with Tokyo 1. It was observed that more complications developed in patients with Tokyo 1 cholecystitis who were operated in the early period. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of acute cholecystitis severity in determining the timing of cholecystectomy.

Comparison of complicated appendicitis rates between refugees and local patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine whether refugee patients are more likely to present with complicated appendicitis. METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized and treated with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a single center between 2018 and 2020 were evaluated within the scope of this study, and the included patients were divided into two groups as refugees (n=140) and local patients (n=386). The primary outcome was complicated appendicitis rate, and the duration of symptoms, time to appendectomy, operation time, diagnostic modality, and length of hospital stay were also analyzed. According to operational diagnosis and pathology reports, cases were categorized as either non-complicated or complicated. RESULTS: The complicated appendicitis rate, and the number of patients with symptoms lasting longer than 72 h were statistically more significant in refugee patients (p=0.009 and n: 186, p=0.000, respectively). The refugee patients had a younger mean age and a higher male patient rate which was statistically significant (p=0.000 for both). There was no significant difference between the groups concerning time to appendectomy, operation time, type of surgery, hospital length of stay, and diagnostic modality (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that refugee patients have a higher complicated appendicitis rate and late admission rate, even though refugee patients have equal access to healthcare in our country. Future research is needed to identify factors affecting outcomes of refugee patients.

Comparison of Patients with and Without Hiatal Hernia Repair during Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Single-centre Experience.

OBJECTIVE:  To evaluate whether the concomitant repair of hiatal hernias during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has an effect on the outcome of the surgery in patients with hiatal laxity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms during preoperative preparations. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of  General Surgery, Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Health Science University, Kayseri, Turkey, from 2016 to 2020. METHODOLOGY: Reflux symptom index questionnaire (RSI) is used in patients with GERD symptoms and in cases where hiatal hernia is detected in routine endoscopy. Preoperative and postoperative periods can be compared with this non-invasive and short-term test. RESULTS:  Thirty-five patients were included in the study. The mean age of the included patients was 36.0 ± 9.8 (range, 21- 54) years, 80% of them were female. The preoperative median BMI was 43.9 (IQR, 41-50.7), and the postoperative mean BMI was 31.3 ± 5.1 (range, 23.2-40.6) Kg/m2. The median calculated RSI of the patients in the preoperative period was 8 (IQR, 2-13), and the postoperative median was 5.1 (IQR, 0-8) (p = 0.028). It was observed that 24 (68.6%) of the patients had improvement in their symptoms, 7 (20%) patients had worsening, 3 (8.6%) patients did not experience a change, and only one (2.9%) patient developed de novo GERD symptoms.  Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was observed in individuals undergoing LSG and known to have GERD, hiatal hernia repair and cruroraphy in addition to LSG regarding reduction of  GERD symptoms. Key Words: Sleeve gastrectomy, Reflux symptom index score, Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Faecopneumothorax due to missing diaphragmatic hernia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernias may occur as either congenital or acquired. The most important cause of acquired diaphragmatic hernias is trauma, and the trauma can be due to blunt or penetrating injury. Diaphragmatic hernia may rarely be seen after thoracoabdominal trauma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Turkish male patient admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain and dyspnea ongoing for 2 days. He had general abdominal tenderness in all quadrants. He had a history of a stabbing incident in his left subcostal region 3 months ago without any pathological findings in thoracoabdominal computed tomography scan. New thoracoabdominal computed tomography showed a diaphragmatic hernia and fluid in the hernia sac. Due to respiratory distress and general abdominal tenderness, the decision to perform an emergency laparotomy was made. There was a 6 cm defect in the diaphragm. There were also necrotic fluids and stool in the hernia sac in the thorax colon resection, and an anastomosis was performed. The defect in the diaphragm was sutured. The oral regimen was started, and when it was tolerated, the regimen was gradually increased. The patient was discharged on the postoperative 11th day. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired diaphragmatic hernia may be asymptomatic or may present with complications leading to sepsis. In this report, acquired diaphragmatic hernia and associated colonic perforation of a patient with a history of stab wounds was presented.

Effects of erythropoietin on bacterial translocation in a rat model of experimental colitis.

OBJECTIVES: In this experimental study, it was aimed to assess the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on bacterial translocation in a rat model of colitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rats were randomly assigned into control, colitis and EPO-treated groups (n= 8 in each group). Saline solution (NS) was administered to control rats via rectal route. A trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and ethanol mixture (TNBS-E) was used to induce colitis in the experiment groups. No treatment was administered to colitis group after induction. Starting at one day after induction of colitis with TNBS-E, EPO (1000 IU/kg) was administered subcutaneously for three days to the rats in the EPO-treated group. Colonic inflammation was assessed by gross and microscopic examination on day five. Blood samples were obtained to evaluate bacterial translocation while hepatic, mesenteric tissue samples and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) samples were collected for tissue culture. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) and endotoxin levels in the sera were studied. RESULTS: Significant gross and microscopic differences were found in the comparison between colitis and EPO-treated groups (p <0.05). MPO level was significantly lower when compared to the colitis group (p <0.05). Serum TNF-α and plasma endotoxin levels were significantly lower in the EPO-treated group than the colitis group (p <0.05). Bacterial translocation was lower in the liver, spleen, MLNs and systemic blood in the EPO-treated group when compared to the colitis group (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: In TNBS-E-induced rat model of colitis, EPO significantly decreased inflammation and bacterial translocation based on histopathological, biochemical and microbiological parameters.

Effects of quercitrin on bacterial translocation in a rat model of experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the effects of quercitrin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, on bacterial translocation in inflammatory bowel diseases by using an experimental colitis model. METHODS: Forty male Wistar-Albino rats were used in the study. Rats were divided into 4 groups (control, colitis, treatment 1 and 2 groups). The rats in the control group were given normal drinking water. In the colitis group, colitis was induced by 5% DSS in drinking water. The control and colitis groups underwent operation on Day 7. In the 2 treatment groups, 5% DSS was added to drinking water for the first 7 days and the groups were treated with quercitrin at the doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg/day for the following 10 days. Treatment groups operated on Day 18. Blood samples were taken for blood culture and left colectomy was performed. The inflammation in the colon was macroscopically and microscopically evaluated and graded. Tissue samples were taken (liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN)) for tissue culturing in order to assess bacterial translocation. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO), serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and plasma endotoxin levels were measured. RESULTS: When the control and colitis groups were compared, observed that colitis was induced by DSS (p < 0.05). When the colitis and treatment groups were compared, it was found that quercitrin had a significant therapeutic effect (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the experimental colitis model established by using DSS, treatment with quercitrin resulted in a histopathological improvement and reduction in biochemical parameters, inflammation and in bacterial translocation (p < 0.05).

Ileus due to Meckel's diverticulum: case reports.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1-3% in the general population. Intestinal obstruction is the most common complication in adult patients. Since accurate diagnosis before the operation is difficult, decision for surgery is delayed, and serious problems may be encountered. Here in, we present the diagnosis and management of our patients with intestinal obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum.