Evaluation of Antral Biopsies Obtained in Endoscopically Normal Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The requirement for routine biopsy sampling in esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with normal endoscopic findings is a subject of debate. In this study, patients who had normal endoscopic findings in EGD and underwent biopsy sampling were retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 671 patients who underwent EGD between 2021 and 2023 in the Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital Surgical Endoscopy Unit. All patients had normal endoscopic findings and a sampling biopsy was performed on all patients included. Patients were evaluated based on demographic and clinicopathologic findings. This study was registered to ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06269380). RESULTS: Two hundred sixty patients (38.7%) have abnormal histopathologic findings. Helicobacter pylori positivity was detected in 200 (29.8%) patients. Intestinal metaplasia (IM) was present in 80 of 260 patients (30.8%). The frequency of IM was higher in older age groups and cases with mild gastritis (P<0.001). The frequency and severity of gastritis were associated with increased H. pylori positivity and density (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The biopsy sampling may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment process in cases where normal endoscopic findings are observed during EGD.

Exploring the Personality Characteristics of Rhinoplasty Patients: Perfectionism, Rumination, and Self-Compassion.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates differences in personality characteristics, including perfectionism, ruminative thinking style, and self-compassion, between individuals who have undergone rhinoplasty and a control group without any history of cosmetic surgery. METHODS: The study included 33 adult patients who underwent rhinoplasty between 2021 and 2023 at Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Medicine Hospital and 33 adult patients who visited our centre for other complaints as a control group. The rhinoplasty group consisted of primary surgical patients with functional and cosmetic concerns, excluding those who sought revision surgery or had only functional problems. The control group consisted of individuals with no prior cosmetic surgery history and no expectations of aesthetic interventions. Psychiatric analysis was performed using Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale, ruminative thinking style questionnaire, and self-compassion scale. RESULTS: This research revealed that individuals who had rhinoplasty scored higher in perfectionism 109.3 (±23.3) and ruminative thinking 87.9 (±22) compared to those who did not undergo surgery 94.15 (±22.2) and 77.7 (±23), respectively. Additionally, the rhinoplasty group had lower self-compassion scores, 80.4 (±17.3), than the control group, 86.1 (±11.2). Statistically significant differences were observed in perfectionism between the groups (p = 0.009). In rhinoplasty patients, a notably positive correlation was found between perfectionism and ruminative thinking scores (r = 0.482; p = 0.005), while a moderately significant negative correlation was observed between self-compassion and ruminative thinking scores (r = - 0.465; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Individuals who undergo rhinoplasty generally show increased levels of perfectionism and are more prone to ruminative thinking. They also demonstrate reduced self-compassion compared to non-surgical control groups. Cosmetic surgeons should be aware of these psychological trends and consider using appropriate scales during pre-surgery consultations and follow-up visits. Adopting this informed approach can improve the surgeon-patient relationship and help overcome communication challenges. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Effects of glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids on intestinal neomucosa formation on colon serosa in rats.

Background/aim: Intestinal neomucosa formation is a technique defined for the treatment of short bowel syndrome. This study evaluates the effect of glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids on the growth of intestinal neomucosa on the colonic serosal surface has been evaluated. Materials and methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham, control, glutamine, and omega-3. Laparotomy was performed on all groups. For rats other than the sham group, a 1-cm full-thickness incision was made 4 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, and colonic serosal surface was sutured as a serosal patch over these openings. By using the oral gavage technique, the glutamine group was ingested with 200 mg/kg/day of glutamine, and the omega-3 group was ingested with 100 mg/kg/day of omega-3 fatty acids. At the end of 14 days, the rats were euthanized, blood specimens were collected, and intestinal segments, including serosal patches, were excised. Results: Transforming growth factor-beta was significantly lower in the glutamine group compared to the control group. Similarly, fibroblast growth factor-2 was significantly lower in the glutamine group compared to the sham group. Intestinal neomucosa formation was observed in 100% of rats in the glutamine group. In the control and omega-3 groups, intestinal neomucosa formation was observed in 57.1% and 60% of rats, respectively. The inflammatory response, granulation tissue formation, and fibroblastic activity were more severe in the rats of the glutamine and omega-3 groups. Conclusion: The intestinal neomucosa formation is an experimental technique, and both glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to positively affect inflammatory response, granulation tissue formation, and fibroblastic activity. Specifically, glutamine has a favorable effect on intestinal neomucosa formation.

Positive lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients: Is it going to supersede positive lymph node number in guidelines?

Gastric malignancies constitute the sixth most common cancer with regards to incidence and have the fifth most mortality rates. Extended lymph-node dissection is the surgical modality of choice while treating advanced stage gastric cancer. It is yet a topic of debate, whether or not the amount of positive lymph nodes after a pathological examination following the surgical intervention is of prognostic value. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of positive lymph nodes following the surgery. A total of 193 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2011 and December 2015 have been considered for a retrospective data collection. The cases with R1-R2 resections, palliative or emergent surgeries are excluded. Metastatic to total number of lymph nodes, corresponded a ratio which was analyzed in this survey and practiced as a predictive parameter of disease outcome. This survey includes 138 male (71.5%) and 55 female (28.5%) patients treated between 2011 and 2015 in our clinic. The survey follow-up duration of the cases range between 0, 2, and 72 months, corresponding an average of 23.24 ± 16.99 months. We calculated cutoff value of 0.09 with, sensitivity is 76.32% for positive to total number of lymph nodes ratio, whereas specivity applies for 64.10%, positive predictive value for 58% and negative predictive value for 80.6%. Positive lymph node ratio has a prognostic value in terms of predicting the prognosis of the patients with gastric adenocarcinoma following a curative gastrectomy. This might in long term contribute to the prognostic analysis of patients if integrated in the current staging system.

Clinical significance of the largest histopathological metastatic lymph node size for postoperative course of patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the largest metastatic lymph node (MLN) size on postoperative outcomes of patients with stage II-III gastric cancer (GC). Methods: A total of 163 patients with stage II/III GC who underwent curative surgery were included in this single-center retrospective study. The lymph nodes were counted, each lymph node was analyzed for metastatic involvement by histopathological examination, and the diameter of the largest metastatic lymph node was recorded. The severity of postoperative complications was assessed by Clavien-Dindo classification system. Two groups of 163 patients were defined according to ROC analysis with cut-off value of histopathologically maximum MLN diameter. A comparative analysis of demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and their postoperative outcomes were performed. Results: The median hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with major complications compared to patients without major complications [18 days (IQR: 13-24) vs. 8 days (IQR: 7-11); (p < 0.001)]. The median MLN size was significantly larger in deceased patients compared to survived [1.3 cm (IQR: 0.8-1.6) vs. 0.9 cm (IQR: 0.6-1.2), respectively; (p < 0.001)]. The cut-off value of MLN size predicting mortality was found as 1.05 cm. MLN size ≥1.05 cm had nearly 3.5 times more negative impact on survival. Conclusions: The largest metastatic lymph node size had a significant association with survival outcomes. Particularly, MLN size over 1.05 cm was associated with worse survival outcomes. However, the largest MLN was not shown to have any effect on major complications. Further prospective and large-scale studies are required to draw more precise conclusions.

Management of Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Patients with Cardiac Failure.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the surgical procedures, outcomes, and prognostic factors in patients with ischemic heart disease who were operated on due to nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This research contains all patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure and NOMI between January 2011 to January 2020. The patients who had angiography or CT that showed occlusion of more than 50% in any of the main branches of the mesenteric artery or patients who presented with symptoms in correlation with a total occlusion were excluded from the study. Patients who underwent coronary heart surgery but were not diagnosed with congestive heart failure and those with atrial fibrillation also were excluded from the study. Patients divided into two groups, according to a medical database. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the surviving and non-survivor groups in minutes, in terms of median time to segmenter intestinal resection (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: An early diagnosis and surgical segmental intestinal resection before peritonitis worsens can be the key to better prognosis for NOMI patients.

Comparison of Treatment Outcomes Between Total and Near Total Glossectomy with Larynx Preservation and Flap Reconstruction: A Single Institution Experience with 23 Patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and oncological outcomes of total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation (TGLP) compared to near-total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation (nTGLP). Methods: In this retrospective study, the data of 23 patients who underwent either TGLP or nTGLP between January 2010 and December 2020 in a tertiary university hospital were analyzed. The data including demographic findings, tumor stage, extent of surgery and technique, method of reconstruction, complications, overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), and tracheostomy and gastric tube dependence during follow-up were assessed. Results: Of the 23 eligible patients, 15 had undergone nTGLP (Group 1) and 8 had undergone TGLP (Group 2). Tracheostomy dependence and gastric tube dependence rates at the sixth month were 3/19 (15.7%) and 12/19 (63.1%), respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups. OS and RFS at one year were 47.6% and 27.8%, respectively, for the study population. OS rate showed significance with nodal positivity and extranodal extension (p=0.004 for both) only, but not within patient groups (p=0.734). Conclusion: Both TGLP and nTGLP are feasible treatment options in patients with advanced tongue cancer with no differences in terms of functional and oncological results. Survival rates are still not satisfactory, and recurrences are high despite appropriate treatments. Proper selection of patients who are highly motivated and willing for long-term postoperative rehabilitation is essential.

Bladder stones in a herniated bladder: A rare case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder herniation (BH) into the inguinal canal is an extremely rare condition. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case we presented who an eighty-year- old male patient applied to our clinic with right inguinal swelling. The testes performed were found to be compatible with inguinoscrotal bladder hernia and bladder stone in herniated bladder. Then, we performed repair of inguinal hernia, cystolithotomy and transvesical prostatectomy. DISCUSSION: BH and accompanying herniated bladder stones are a rare pathology. Various strategies can be used in the diagnosis and treatment. With the development of technology, direct urinary system radiography has left its place to non-contrast CT in diagnosis. With the increase of the information in the literature, the diagnosis will be revealed with a clear strategy for follow-up and treatment. CONCLUSION: In our knowledge, it was seen that it was the eighth inguinoscrotal bladder hernia and bladder stone in the literature.

The Impact of Comorbid Diseases on Postoperative Complications in Children after Adenotonsillectomy: Is It a Myth?

OBJECTIVE: Adenotonsillar surgery remains the second most common surgical practice in pediatric otolaryngology. We aimed to evaluate whether a comorbid disease in children undergoing surgery has any impact on postoperative complication rate. METHODS: This study was conducted at a tertiary otolaryngology department with 643 children. The study included children with symptoms of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing and recurrent infection who underwent adenotonsillar surgery. Patients with a comorbid disease constituted the study group and otherwise healthy children constituted the control group. The data were evaluated to find out any association among clinical variables such as gender, age, tonsil grade, type and extent of surgery, indication for surgery, body mass index percentile, comorbid diseases and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were 245 (38.1%) patients with a comorbid disease. The most common comorbidity was cardiovascular diseases (n=68) followed by neurological diseases (n=48). We performed adenoidectomy in 319, tonsillectomy in 44, tonsillotomy in nine, adenotonsillectomy (AT) in 190 and adenoidectomy with tonsillotomy (ATT) in 81 patients. The overall rate of postoperative late complication was 17/643 (2.6%) with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage being the most common (n=10). There was no association between other clinical variables and the complication but older age (p=0.042) and type of surgery (p<0.001) revealed increased risk. The rates of complications in patients with or without comorbid disease were found 5/245 (2%) and 12/389 (3%), respectively, with no difference (p=0.621). CONCLUSION: The risk of postoperative complications was increased in older children and in patients undergoing AT and ATT, however, the presence of comorbid disease did not increase likelihood of postoperative complications.

Treatment Outcomes for Primary Retromolar Trigone Carcinoma: A Single Institution Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Retromolar trigone (RMT) is a rare location for oral cavity cancers. RMT cancers are aggressive malignancies that mostly present at an advanced stage. In this study, we aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients who underwent initial radical surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with a diagnosis of primary RMT squamous cell carcinoma in our institution. METHODS: The study included 20 primary RMT tumor patients out of 191 oral cavity cancer cases treated from January 2010 through December 2019. We retrospectively analyzed treatment details, histopathology reports, postoperative clinical course and survival outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 59.4 years. Eighty percent of all patients were either stage 3 or stage 4. We performed mandibular resection in 14 patients (70%) and partial maxillectomy in eight patients (40%). Nineteen patients (95%) underwent unilateral neck dissection. The incidence of metastatic cervical lymph node was 13/20 (65%). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates during follow-up (mean 26.3 months) were 60% and 75%, respectively. There was statistical significance between presence of multilevel metastatic lymph nodes and OS (p=0.013). DFS and OS of early stage and advanced stage groups were 100% vs 75% and 100% vs 50%, respectively, with no statistical significance (p=0.189 and p=0.084). CONCLUSION: The survival of advanced stage RMT cancer is poor despite appropriate treatment. Bone involvement that necessitates resection is common due to the proximity of the tumor to the mandible and the maxilla. Multilevel positive cervical lymph nodes and advanced stage are poor prognostic factors.

A Novel Approach to Crooked Nose in Rhinoplasty: Asymmetric Level Osteotomy Combined With Unilateral Spreader Graft.

The crooked nose is certainly among the most difficult to treat deformities for rhinoplasty surgeons. This deformity is a complex problem because each structural nasal component can be effected and they may be asymmetric bilaterally. Despite the use of sophisticated techniques and an additional effort, unfortunately the long-term aesthetic results may not be perfect with some minor flaws. Here in this study, the authors introduce a new technique that is used to correct crooked nose deformity. Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent open approach rhinoplasty by the same senior author between January 2015 and January 2018 with the diagnosis of C-shaped, reverse C-shaped, and I-shaped crooked nose deformity were included. The authors performed low-to-low lateral osteotomy with transverse root osteotomy to concave side (wider side) and low-to-high osteotomy to convex side (narrower side) combined with a unilateral spreader graft to concave side. Frontal images were taken preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively to use for further assessments. The authors compared the preoperative deviation angle values at rhinion (RDA) and at nasal tip (tip deviation angle) with postoperative values. In the study group, RDA value showed significant decrease after surgery; the preoperative RDA value was 6.2° (1.66°-16.39°) and it was calculated as 2.44° (0.7°-5.77°) with P < 0.001 postoperatively. The changes at tip deviation angle were also significant (P < 0.001) and tip deviation was successfully decreased from a value of 5.08° (2.8°-10.62°) to 2.13° (0.5°-6.6°) postoperatively. In conclusion, this study offers a new and effective technique to correct crooked nose deformity that can be used safely with satisfying aesthetic results.

How does the extent of antral resection affect the residual gastric volume and excessive weight loss?

AIM: To identify the effect of the extent of antral resection on the residual gastric volume (RdGV) and excess weight loss (EWL) among patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG) due to the obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The demographical data, operative details, postoperative morbidity, mortality and the percentages of EWL in the postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months of the patients who underwent LSG between January 2014 and August 2015 were analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups regarding the antral resection margin (ARM): Group 1(n=80): ARM≤3cm; Group2 (n=35): 3 6cm from pylorus) resulted in reduced operating cost and decelerated reach to optimal EWL% with similar postoperative outcomes. KEY WORDS: Antral resection margin, Excess weight loss, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Residual gastric volume, Surgical technique.

Prognostic significance of soft tissue deposits in laryngeal carcinoma / Importância prognóstica de depósitos de tecido mole no carcinoma laríngeo

Abstract Introduction: Soft tissue deposits is tumorous islands apart from lymph nodes and occasionally diagnosed in neck dissection specimens. Their importance has begun to be recognized, however, their value has not been investigated in laryngeal cancer as a single tumor site. Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of soft tissue deposits in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Methods: Medical records of 194 patients with laryngeal carcinoma who were treated primarily by surgery and neck dissection were reviewed. Prognostic significance of soft tissue deposits was assessed along with other clinical and pathological findings. Recurrence rates, overall and disease-specific survival rates were examined. Results: The incidence of soft tissue deposits was found to be 7.2% in laryngeal carcinoma. N stage was more advanced in patients who had soft tissue deposits. Regional recurrence rate was higher and disease specific and overall survivals rates were significantly lower in patients with soft tissue deposits in univariate analysis. However, in multivariate analysis, soft tissue deposits were not found as an independent risk factor. Conclusion: In laryngeal carcinoma, soft tissue deposits was diagnosed in patients with more advanced neck disease and their significance was lesser than other factors including extranodal extension.

Resumo Introdução: Depósitos de tecido mole são ilhas tumorais diferente dos linfonodos e ocasionalmente diagnosticados em amostras de esvaziamento cervical. Sua importância começou a ser reconhecida, mas seu valor não foi investigado no câncer de laringe como um único local de tumor. Objetivo: Investigar o valor prognóstico do depósito de tecido mole em pacientes com carcinoma laríngeo. Método: Os prontuários de 194 pacientes com carcinoma laríngeo tratados principalmente por cirurgia e esvaziamento cervical foram analisados. O significado prognóstico dos depósitos de tecido mole foi avaliado juntamente com outros achados clínicos e histopatológicos. As taxas de recidiva, as taxas de sobrevida geral e específicas da doença foram avaliadas. Resultados: Observou-se uma incidência de depósitos de tecido mole de 7,2% no carcinoma laríngeo. O estágio N foi mais avançado em pacientes com depósitos de tecido mole. A taxa de recorrência regional foi maior e as taxas de sobrevida geral e específica da doença foram significativamente menores nesses pacientes na análise univariada. No entanto, na análise multivariada, o depósito de tecido mole não foi observado como um fator de risco independente. Conclusão: No carcinoma laríngeo, o depósito de tecido mole foi diagnosticado em pacientes com doença cervical mais avançada, mas sua significância foi menor do que outros fatores, inclusive a extensão extranodal.

Comparative analysis of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been considered as the most efficient method in bariatric surgery. Indeed, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) which is easier to do, has been increasingly used in the recent years. The aim of the present study was to compare short-and mid-term outcomes of RYGB and LSG. METHODS: Medical records of 62 patients who underwent either RYGB (GroupR) or LSG (GroupL) in our General Surgery Department between 2010 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded. During follow-up in the postoperative period, body-mass-index (BMI), excess weight loss (EWL), triglyceride levels (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were recorded at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. RESULTS: Mean length of hospital stay was significantly higher in GroupR (p = 0.001), which was also correlated with BMI. EWL at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months was significantly higher in GroupR. Hair loss was significantly higher in GroupR (p < 0.05). The rates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the preoperative period and at 6th and 12th months did not significantly differ between the groups. Preoperative TG and LDL values were significantly higher in GroupR (p < 0.05). CONCLUS ONS: This study indicated, that RYGB is statistically more effective than LSG, but LSG has clinically almost the same effect as RYGB, and also hospital stay, postoperative complications as hair loss are decreased in LSG. KEY WORDS: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Morbid Obesity, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Is There a Change in the Treatment of T1 Glottic Cancer After CO2 Laser? A Comparative Study with Cold Steel.

OBJECTIVE: Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser provides high local control and disease-specific survival rates with minor morbidity and good quality of life in transoral cordectomy. We aimed to compare the oncological outcome and survival between cold steel and CO2 laser in the treatment of early glottic cancer. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the participants were divided into two groups. The first group comprised patients who were operated upon between 2001 and 2007 using cold steel (group 1, n=38), and the second group comprised patients who were operated upon between 2008 and 2016 using CO2 laser (group 2, n=88). Both groups were compared regarding age, gender, pathological grade, T stage, type of cordectomy, margin status, anterior commissure involvement, follow-up, locoregional recurrence, and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: The overall survival rate and DFS were similar between the two groups (94.7% vs. 98.9% and 100% vs. 98.9%, respectively), and no association was found between surgical margin positivity and local recurrence. However, a significant association between the presence of anterior commissure involvement and recurrence was found in all 126 patients (p=0.016). Local recurrence was significantly higher in the group 2 (p=0.024), but it did not affect overall survival and DFS in these patients (100% vs. 94.1%). CONCLUSION: Although CO2 laser excision is considered to be superior to cold steel regarding surgical time and bleeding control, the local recurrence rates were found to be higher with the laser than the cold steel. Thus, we argue that cases should be selected more carefully concerning the anterior commissure, depth of tumor invasion lateral to vocal muscle, difficulty at endoscopic exposure for lesions with anterior commissure involvement, and reliability of surgical margins at frozen sections.

Comparison of the effectiveness of Brandt-Daroff Vestibular training and Epley Canalith repositioning maneuver in benign Paroxysmal positional vertigo long term result: A randomized prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral cause of vertigo. It can be defined as transient vertigo induced by rapid change in head position, associated with a characteristic paroxysmal positional nystagmus. Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most frequent form of BPPV. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of Epley maneuver and Brand-Daroff home exercises for the treatment of posterior canal BPPV. METHODS: A total of 50 patients between 27 and 76 years of age who were diagnosed with unilateral posterior canal into BPPV were randomized prospectively into two groups. In Group-1, modified particle repositioning maneuver and in Group-2 Brandt-Daroff exercises were utilized as treatment. Patients were followed weekly. Cure weeks were recorded. The patients were followed for 12 to 24 months for recurrence. RESULTS: The recovery rates at the first, second and third week controls were 76%, 96% and 100% for Group-1 (modified Epley maneuver) and 64%, 88% and 100% for Group-2 (Brandt-Daroff exercises) respectively. The recovery rates were similar for both groups. The average follow-up duration was 18 months. In Group 1, 7 patients (28%) and in Group 2, 5 patients (20%) had recurrence, which was also similar with no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that both Brandt-Daroff Exercises and Modified Epley maneuvers were almost equally effective in the treatment of BPPV.

Management of iatrogenic injuries due to endoscopic sphincterotomy: Surgical or conservative approaches.

OBJECTIVE: The best therapeutic approach for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related perforations remains controversial; while some authors suggest routine conservative management, others advocate mandatory surgical exploration. We aimed to evaluate our clinical experience of perforations during endoscopic sphincterotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review from January 2010 to October 2015 identified 20 patients with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related perforations. Data collection included demographics, time to diagnosis, type of perforation, treatment strategy, surgical procedure, complications, hospital stay, and outcome. All patients were classified into two groups on the basis of radiological and operative findings. RESULTS: Only five patients underwent surgical treatment, whereas 15 patients were managed conservatively. The mean time to diagnosis was 7.8 hrs (range: 1 to 36 hrs). In patients who underwent surgical treatment, the types of perforations included type I and III in one patient each and type II in three patients. Surgical procedures included laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy with t-tube drainage in two patients each and primary repair of duodenal injury with hepaticojejunostomy in one patient. Among conservatively managed patients, eight, four, and three had type II, type III, and type IV injuries, respectively. Of these 15 patients, 60% (n=9) underwent percutaneous procedures. The mean length of hospital stay was similar for conservatively and surgically treated patients (12 vs. 12.4 days, respectively, p=0.790). One patient (5%) with type I injury died of multiorgan deficiency. CONCLUSION: With close close clinical follow-up, medical treatment can be beneficial for most patients, and surgical procedures should be reserved for patients with type I (definite) and type II/III injuries; in patients with these clinical parameters, conservative management will likely be unsuccessful.

Comparison of Tongue-in-Groove and Columellar Strut on Rotation and Projection in Droopy Nasal Tip: Contribution of a Cap Graft.

Underrotation of the nasal tip with narrow nasolabial angle is a common nasal deformity that leads to a long nose appearance, named drooping nose. In these patients, there are various techniques described to correct droopy tip and to achieve a desirable nasal tip rotation such as lateral crural steal, lateral crural overlay, tongue-ingroove, columellar strut graft, tip rotation sutures, cephalic trimming, and others. In this study, the effects of tongue-in-groove (TIG) and columellar strut graft (CS) and the contribution of cap graft on nasal tip rotation and projection were evaluated. Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent open approach rhinoplasty by the same senior author (ULD) between January 2015 and December 2016 with the diagnosis of septonasal deformity and droopy nasal tip were included. In 9 of these patients nasal tip was constructed with strut graft, in 6 patients with both strut and cap grafts, in 6 patients with TIG technique and in 7 patients with both TIG and cap graft. Standardized right lateral images were taken preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively to use for further assessments. The nasal tip rotation was evaluated by measuring nasolabial angle (NLA) and the nasal projection (NP) was evaluated by using the Goode method. Finally, the postoperative values of NLA and NP at the 6th month were compared with preoperative recorded values in between groups. Each group showed increase at nasal projection; however, significance was present only in CS graft and TIG groups (P=0.011 and P=0.027 relatively). Each 4 groups showed significant increase in nasal tip rotation. In addition, the comparison of percent changes between preoperative and postoperative NP and NLA revealed no difference (P=0.56 and P=0.431 relatively). In conclusion, the authors argued that TIG and CS graft techniques are both reliable methods to correct droopy nasal tip and using additional cap graft over dome area when required is safe and useful.

Prognostic significance of soft tissue deposits in laryngeal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue deposits is tumorous islands apart from lymph nodes and occasionally diagnosed in neck dissection specimens. Their importance has begun to be recognized, however, their value has not been investigated in laryngeal cancer as a single tumor site. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of soft tissue deposits in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Medical records of 194 patients with laryngeal carcinoma who were treated primarily by surgery and neck dissection were reviewed. Prognostic significance of soft tissue deposits was assessed along with other clinical and pathological findings. Recurrence rates, overall and disease-specific survival rates were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of soft tissue deposits was found to be 7.2% in laryngeal carcinoma. N stage was more advanced in patients who had soft tissue deposits. Regional recurrence rate was higher and disease specific and overall survivals rates were significantly lower in patients with soft tissue deposits in univariate analysis. However, in multivariate analysis, soft tissue deposits were not found as an independent risk factor. CONCLUSION: In laryngeal carcinoma, soft tissue deposits was diagnosed in patients with more advanced neck disease and their significance was lesser than other factors including extranodal extension.

Should Nasal Function be Considered Prior to Tympanoplasty?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between nasal airway function and Eustachian tube (ET) functions and their impact on tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group (CSOM group) consisted of 33 patients scheduled to undergo tympanoplasty for CSOM. Two control groups were formed: a nasal septal deviation (NSD) group of 25 patients scheduled to undergo nasal surgery for NSD, and a control group of 25 healthy individuals with no otologic or rhinologic symptoms. ET functions were assessed tympanometrically with automatic Williams test (ETF1) and modified pressure equalization inflation-deflation test (ETF2) and nasal functions were analyzed using acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. The patients in the CSOM group underwent tympanoplasty, and tests were repeated at the end of the 3rd postoperative month. RESULTS: Both acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry revealed similar nasal function in the CSOM and NSD groups, which was inferior to that of the control group. The CSOM group had the worst ET function. Dysfunctional ETs in the CSOM group improved at 3 months postsurgery, and all groups had a similar outcome regarding ET functions. The outcome of ear surgery was not affected by nasal function, and the graft take rate was 90%. CONCLUSION: Patients with NSD had generally poor ET function; however, this did not affect the outcomes of tympanoplasty. The preoperative ET function results were inconsistent with the results following tympanoplasty; therefore, they were not predictive of need for septoplasty. Thus, we do not universally recommend surgical correction of NSD prior to ear surgery; however, this decision should be made on an individual basis.