Abdominal wall reconstruction for desmoid tumors following radical resection from the abdominoplasty incision: Case report.

Desmoid tumours are rare and locally invasive neoplasms that originate from the muscles and their aponeurosis. Incomplete excision causes recurrences; therefore, patients require aggressive resection that essentially entails tumour excision with a clear surgical margin. After radical resection, the resultant wide defect may lead to difficulty in closure of the anterior abdominal wall. Here, we report a case having surgery for large desmoid tumour of the anterior abdominal wall through an abdominoplasty incision followed by an abdominal wall reconstruction with a dual-sided composite mesh.

Non-invasive ductal carcinoma within malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast.

Phyllodes tumors are uncommon breast neoplasms that constitute of 1-2% of breast malignancies. The tumor can mimic fibroadenoma clinically, radiologically and histologically. Ductal carcinoma in-situ in the epithelial component of phyllodes tumor is very rare. When ductal carcinoma in-situ is detected within the specimen, the management of treatment changes completely. We report a rare case of low grade ductal carcinoma in-situ arising in a malignant phyllodes tumor in a 55-year-old female patient.

A different technique for the closure of trocar sites.

UNLABELLED: This study aims to present a different technique for the closure of trocar sites in laparoscopic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective records of cases who received the new closure technique were collected. Multifilament synthetic absorbable suture was used in this technique, with no additional tools. RESULTS: This technique was applied in a total of ten cases, which included myomectomy, hysterectomy, sacrocolpopexy, and ectopic pregnancy. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were seen in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: This new and relatively easy-to-use technique can be used as an alternative technique for the closure of trocar sites in laparoscopy.

Comparison of predictive factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of phyllodes tumours of the breast.

BACKGROUND: To compare predicting factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of benign and malign/ borderline phyllodes tumours (PT) of the breast, and to discuss treatment modalities. METHODS: Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients with histopathological diagnosis of phyllodes tumour were examined. Patients were divided into group 1 (benign PT) and group 2 (borderline/malignant PT). Groups were compared in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of the patients studied, 37 (68.5%) had benign, 7 (12.9%) had borderline and 10 (18.5) had malignant histopathology. A statistically significant relationship was detected between the incidence of malignancy and mass diameter (p = 0.001) and age (p = 0.030) when the two groups were compared. Wide surgical excision was performed on 46 (82.5%) patients, simple mastectomy on 7 (13%) patients and modified radical mastectomy on one (1.9%) patient. Ten (18.5%) patients were re-operated for surgical margin positivity. Local recurrence was determined only in one (1.9%) patient. Distant metastasis due to malignant PT developed in two (3.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients who were considered to have PT, malignancy was likely to be present, especially if the patient's age was over 40 and the diameter of the mass was above 33.5 mm. Therefore, in patients with similar characteristics, surgical margins should be kept slightly wider or wider excisions should be preferred with or without simultaneous reconstructive surgery in appropriate cases.

Comparison of Predictive Factors For the Diagnosis and Clinical Course of Phyllodes Tumours of the Breast.

BACKGROUND: To compare predicting factors for the diagnosis and clinical course of benign and malign/borderline phyllodes tumours (PT) of the breast, and to discuss treatment modalities. METHODS: Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients with histopathological diagnosis of phyllodes tumour were examined. Patients were divided into group 1 (benign PT) and group 2 (borderline/malignant PT). Groups were compared in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of the patients studied, 37 (68.5%) had benign, 7 (12.9%) had borderline and 10 (18.5) had malignant histopa-thology. A statistically significant relationship was detected between the incidence of malignancy and mass diameter (p = 0.001) and age (p = 0.030) when the two groups were compared. Wide surgical excision was performed on 46 (82.5%) patients, simple mastectomy on 7 (13%) patients and modified radical mastectomy on one (1.9%) patient. Ten (18.5%) patients were re-operated for surgical margin positivity. Local recurrence was determined only in one (1.9%) patient. Distant metastasis due to malignant PT developed in two (3.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: Among the patients who were considered to have PT, malignancy was likely to be present, especially if the patient's age was over 40 and the diameter of the mass was above 33.5 mm. Therefore, in patients with similar characteristics, surgical margins should be kept slightly wider or wider excisions should be preferred with or without simultaneous reconstructive surgery in appropriate cases.

Emergent surgical treatment of radiation-induced enteropathies for patients with urogynecological and colorectal carcinomas.

AIM: The aim of this study is to describe our 10-year experience in patients with urogynecological and colorectal carcinomas with radiation enteropathy treated surgically as an emergency, and to reassess symptoms and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 17 patients receiving emergency surgery for complications of radiotherapy. Data about the patients and outcomes of the treatment alternatives used were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 17 patients, nine had colorectal cancer, six had gynecological cancer, and two had cancer of the urinary system. As an emergency, 12 patients had ileus only, one patient had intestinal fistulae and ileus, two patients had bleeding and ileus and two patients had perforation on admission. Seven patients underwent resection and anastomosis, two patients intestinal by-pass, four patients resection and ostomy and four patients bridectomy. Morbidity (75% for early complications and 100% for late complications) and mortality in the early postoperative period (25%) were higher in the patients undergoing bridectomy than in the patients undergoing other surgical methods. The rate of early and late complications (71.4% and 66.6%, respectively) was lower in the patients undergoing resection-anastomosis with a higher of quality life. Only 11 patients survived during a long follow-up period (64.7%). CONCLUSION: As the postoperative complication rate, overall and operative mortality of patients treated for radiation enteropaties as emergent surgery are high, specialists following this group of patients may favor removal of the pathologic tissue to avoid complications in the early and late postoperative period.

Infected tuboovarian hydatid cyst: a rare cause of tuboovarian abcess.

Pelvic hydatid cysts, although rare, must be considered when evaluating a pelvic mass in women living in an endemic area. The pelvis may become secondarily involved as a result of a rupture of the cyst in another location or be the only localization of the disease. If the cyst becomes secondarily infected, it may mimic a tuboovarian abscess. A 49-year-old multipara was admitted to the emergency department with the complaint of fever, generalized abdominal pain and distension. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a 4 cm cystic structure in the liver and the gynecological examination was normal. The patient's abdominal pain receded spontaneously, so she was prescribed albendazole and discharged from the hospital. Ten days later, she complained of pelvic pain, pressure and vaginal discharge. The uterus and adnexa were tender on pelvic examination. Ultrasound revealed an 8 cm uniloculated cyst with free floating internal echogenities located between the bladder and the uterus. At surgery a 10 cm right-sided tuboovarian mass was present. A germinative membrane was present inside the abscess and pericystectomy with unilateral salphingo-oophorectomy was performed.

Effects of different doses of statins on liver regeneration through angiogenesis and possible relation between these effects and acute phase responses.

BACKGROUND: We examined the effects of two doses of statins on liver regeneration through angiogenesis and its possible relation to acute phase responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into three groups: controls; low-dose atorvastatin (0.5 mg/kg/d); high-dose atorvastatin (2.5 mg/kg/d). Statin was administered daily by oral gavage for 7 days. After atorvastatin treatment, all animals in the three groups underwent 70% hepatectomy. Thereafter animals were subdivided into three subgroups, to evaluate the characteristics of liver regeneration proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), angiogenesis (KDR/Flk-1 [vascular endothelial growth factor-2]) and acute phase response (serum interleukin [IL]-6) at 12, 24, and 72 hours. RESULTS: At the 24 hours posthepatectomy, low-dose compared with high-dose atorvastatin increased liver regeneration (P = .004) and angiogenic responses compared also to controls (P = .026 and P = .059). However, there appeared no difference in IL-6 expression (P = .159). At the 72 hours posthepatectomy, low-dose atorvastatin treatment increased liver regeneration compared with controls (P = .047), but it showed no significant difference from the high-dose treatment (P = .109). Low doses of statin increased angiogenic responses compared with both control and high-dose animals (P = .016 and P = .002). Moreover, the high-dose group displayed decreased angiogenic responses compared with the control group (P = .044). Serum IL-6 expression was significantly greater among both low- and high-dose groups compared with controls (P = .005 and P = .003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose statin treatment increased KDR/Flk-1-dependent angiogenesis, which resulted in an increased regeneration response. In contrast, high-dose statin therapy decreased angiogenesis without affecting long-term regeneration responses. Finally, statin therapy may contribute to liver regeneration due to prolonged IL-6 expression independent of statin doses.

Diagnosis and treatment of mesenteric tumours.

PURPOSE: To reveal clinical and diagnostic findings in patients with mesenteric tumours and to give an insight into the follow-up of these patients. BACKGROUND: Primary tumours of the mesentery are very infrequent. These tumours are cystic or solid and show benign or malignant clinical behaviour. In this article, we report clinical and radiological findings from eight cases of mesenteric tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included eight patients with mesenteric tumours who underwent computed tomography in the Department of General Surgery, Baskent University, between December 2003 and April 2007. RESULTS: Three mesenteric tumours were solid and five had cystic patterns. Seven were excised totally on laparotomy and one was excised on laparoscopy. None of the patients showed malignant progression. CT showed mesenteric cysts in only two cases, but failed to show solid tumours: the pre-operative diagnosis was made accurately in just (2/8) 25% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that pre-operative CT is generally helpful, but inconclusive in an accurate diagnosis of mesenteric tumours. Surgery is required to make a definitive diagnosis of mesenteric tumours and to avoid complications.

A method for the reduction of chronic pain after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia: iliohypogastric neurectomy and subcutaneous transposition of the spermatic cord.

PURPOSE: We assessed the efficacy of iliohypogastric neurectomy and subcutaneous transposition of the spermatic cord and ilioinguinal and genital nerves on the incidence of postoperative chronic pain (PCP) after open inguinal hernia repair with polypropylene mesh. METHODS: Between October 2006 and November 2006, 54 adult male patients with primary inguinal hernia were randomised into two groups. In group A, we performed Lichtenstein hernia repair, neurectomy and the new procedure; in group B, only Lichtenstein's operation was performed. RESULTS: One month after operation, the incidence rate of PCP was significantly lower in group A. At 6 months, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding PCP at rest and coughing. However, there were no patients who complained of PCP after walking and climbing up stairs in group A. The sensorial changes in the groin region were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: This procedure decreases the incidence of physical activity-induced PCP, without increasing the risks of sensory changes.

Morgagni hernia: diagnosis with multidetector computed tomography and treatment.

PURPOSE: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate morbidity, mortality and treatment outcomes in 12 cases of Morgagni hernia diagnosed with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and treated appropriately. METHODS: This is a retrospective study and data on the demographics, presenting symptoms, MDCT images, operative approach, morbidity and mortality were collected from hospital records. RESULTS: Of 12 patients with a mean age of 60 years, ten were female. The diagnosis was made with MDCT before surgery. All hernias were unilateral and located in the right part of the thorax. The contents of the hernias were omentum and colon in the majority of the patients, and the contents of the hernia as diagnosed with CT was confirmed at surgery. Six patients had surgery. Of these, one had emergency surgery for hernia, two laparoscopic hernia repair, three transabdominal repair and one transthoracic repair. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT is a good imaging technique to be used before surgery in that it is fast and non-invasive, helps to make an accurate diagnosis of Morgagni hernias and provides detailed information about the contents of the hernia and accompanying complications. Modern surgical techniques, including laparoscopy, help to achieve the repair of Morgagni hernias safely with short hospital stay and with little morbidity and mortality.

Nine years' experience of needle localized breast biopsy in a university hospital: results and evaluation of the role of the surgeon in decision making.

BACKGROUND: Needle localized breast biopsy is an effective means of detecting breast cancer in its early stages. We analysed the indications for needle localized biopsies, evaluated the results, and determined the surgeon's role in the decision-making process. METHODS: The needle localized open biopsy results of 350 patients were assessed. RESULTS: Malignancy was encountered in 7 of 56 patients in whom the radiologist suggested follow-up due to mammographical images, although a surgeon performed a biopsy with the assessment of the patient's historical and clinical findings (12.5%). Biopsy failure rates were higher for office-based ambulatory patients (9.1%) than for those patients who underwent biopsies in an operating theatre (1.9%; P < .05). Patients undergoing operating theatre biopsies under local anaesthesia showed statistically significant failure rates compared with those under general anaesthesia (p = .04). The rate of malignancy of micro-calcification was highest in patients younger than 40 years of age (64.3%), while spicular lesions were commonly malignant in patients over 50 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: From our experience, we suggest that needle localized biopsies should be performed in the operating theatre with the patient under general anaesthesia. Although both micro-calcifications and spicular lesions have a high rate of malignancy in all decades, micro-calcifications are more prevalent in younger patients while spicular lesions prevail in older patients. The final decision, to follow-up or biopsy, should be based on a patient's clinical and historical perspective and not only on the guidance of the mammography report.

An unusual cause of chemical peritonitis.

We report a case of chemical peritonitis associated with a bispyridine derivate used for abdominal lavage.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy after aspirin intake.

Acute fatty liver is a rare but fatal complication of pregnancy. Here we describe a patient presenting with stupor and jaundice after aspirin intake at 35 weeks of gestation. Supportive management and delivery resulted in uneventful discharge of the patient and the newborn. Differential diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed.