Post-colonoscopy appendicitis: A systematic review.

Post-colonoscopy appendicitis is an infrequent complication of colonoscopy. This systematic review aimed to summarize the literature's current notions, clinical features, and management of post-colonoscopy appendicitis. PubMed and Embase were searched from inception until December 31, 2023. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full-text papers for any study design about post-colonoscopy appendicitis and abstracted data. 56 articles with a total of 67 patients were included in the systematic review. The median age was 54.9 years (range 24-84), with more male individuals affected (64.2 %). The main indication of colonoscopy was investigation (37.3 %). Forty-three patients had colonoscopy with additional procedures (64.2 %). Most patients (79.1 %) presented with symptoms within two days after the colonoscopy. The clinical manifestation was the same as acute appendicitis. The diagnosis of post-colonoscopy appendicitis was confirmed in 70.2 % of the cases, mainly with abdominal computed tomography or, alternatively, ultrasound. Most patients were successfully treated with surgery (88.1 %), either open (56.8 %) or laparoscopic appendectomy (31.3 %). The conversion rate of laparoscopic appendectomy was 19.2 %. Non-operative management with intravenous antibiotics was attempted in 17 patients with a success rate of 41.2 %. Histopathology revealed acute appendicitis in 30 cases (44.8 %) and complicated appendicitis in 29 (49.2 %). Fecalith was found in 21 cases (31.3 %). Post-colonoscopy appendicitis is an infrequent but potential complication of colonoscopy. The onset of symptoms, especially pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting after a colonoscopy, should raise suspicion of this entity. A satisfactory outcome depends on timely diagnosis and appropriate management.

Development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model for serious complications after emergency laparotomy.

PURPOSE: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a common operation with high risk for postoperative complications, thereby requiring accurate risk stratification to manage vulnerable patients optimally. We developed and internally validated a predictive model of serious complications after EL. METHODS: Data for eleven carefully selected candidate predictors of 30-day postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade > = 3) were extracted from the HELAS cohort of EL patients in 11 centres in Greece and Cyprus. Logistic regression with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was applied for model development. Discrimination and calibration measures were estimated and clinical utility was explored with decision curve analysis (DCA). Reproducibility and heterogeneity were examined with Bootstrap-based internal validation and Internal-External Cross-Validation. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (ACS-NSQIP) model was applied to the same cohort to establish a benchmark for the new model. RESULTS: From data on 633 eligible patients (175 complication events), the SErious complications After Laparotomy (SEAL) model was developed with 6 predictors (preoperative albumin, blood urea nitrogen, American Society of Anaesthesiology score, sepsis or septic shock, dependent functional status, and ascites). SEAL had good discriminative ability (optimism-corrected c-statistic: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.81), calibration (optimism-corrected calibration slope: 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.03) and overall fit (scaled Brier score: 25.1%, 95% CI 24.1-26.1%). SEAL compared favourably with ACS-NSQIP in all metrics, including DCA across multiple risk thresholds. CONCLUSION: SEAL is a simple and promising model for individualized risk predictions of serious complications after EL. Future external validations should appraise SEAL's transportability across diverse settings.

Colovesical Fistula due to Sigmoid Diverticulitis.

Introduction: The incidence of colonic diverticulosis has risen significantly. Diverticular disease is the most frequent cause of colovesical fistulas, which are uncommon complications of diverticulitis. Clinical signs, such as fecaluria and pneumaturia, are typically required to confirm its presence. Finding the cause of the disease so that the proper therapy can be started is the primary goal of a diagnostic workup rather than observing the fistula tract itself. Case Presentation. We present a 43-year-old man complaining of frequent urinary tract infections for six months. On CT abdomen and pelvis, a colovesical fistula was diagnosed. Surgery was performed, and after the division between the sigmoid colon and the bladder, a sigmoidectomy and an end-to-end colorectal anastomosis were performed. During the surgery, the fistula tract was not detected. The patient was discharged in excellent condition on day six, and the catheter was removed on day 10. Conclusion: In conclusion, as in our case, any patient with a urinary tract infection should be suspected of having this condition, especially if he has persistent symptoms that have not responded to standard medical care. Patients who present with fecaluria, pneumaturia, and other specific symptoms of a colovesicular fistula do not necessarily need a barium enema or cystography to confirm the presence of the fistula.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Evaluation of the Visual Evoked Potentials: A Review of the Literature.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by the progressive demyelination of peripheral nerves, resulting in motor and sensory deficits. While much research has focused on clinical and electrophysiological aspects of CIDP, there is an emerging interest in exploring its impact on the visual system through visual evoked potentials (VEPs). This comprehensive review synthesises existing literature on VEP findings in CIDP patients, shedding light on their potential diagnostic and prognostic value. The review thoroughly examines studies spanning the last two decades, exploring VEP abnormalities in CIDP patients. Notably, VEP studies have consistently revealed prolonged latencies and reduced amplitudes in CIDP patients compared to healthy controls. These alterations in VEP parameters suggest that the demyelinating process extends beyond the peripheral nervous system to affect the central nervous system, particularly the optic nerve and its connections. The correlation between VEP abnormalities and clinical manifestations of CIDP, such as visual impairment and sensory deficits, underscores the clinical relevance of VEP assessment in CIDP management. Furthermore, this review addresses the potential utility of VEPs in aiding CIDP diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. VEP abnormalities may serve as valuable biomarkers for disease activity, helping clinicians make timely therapeutic decisions. Moreover, this review discusses the limitations and challenges associated with VEP assessment in CIDP, including variability in recording techniques and the need for standardised protocols. In conclusion, this review highlights the evolving role of VEPs as a non-invasive tool in CIDP evaluation. The consistent VEP abnormalities observed in CIDP patients suggest the involvement of the central nervous system in this demyelinating disorder. As our understanding of CIDP and its pathophysiology continues to evolve, further research in this area may lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and monitoring strategies, ultimately enhancing the clinical management of CIDP patients.

The Role of Preoperative Chemotherapy in the Management of Synchronous Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The indications of preoperative chemotherapy, for initially resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastases, remain controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of preoperative chemotherapy in such patients. METHODS: Six retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis with 1036 patients. Some 554 patients were allocated to the preoperative group, and 482 others were allocated to the surgery group. RESULTS: Major hepatectomy was more common in the preoperative group than in the surgery group (43.1% vs. 28.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the percentage of patients with more than three liver metastases was higher in the preoperative group compared to the surgery group (12.6% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.002). Preoperative chemotherapy showed no statistically significant impact on overall survival. Combined disease free/relapse survival analysis of patients with high disease burden (liver metastases > 3, maximum diameter > 5 cm, clinical risk score ≥ 3) demonstrated that there is a 12% lower risk of recurrence in favor of preoperative chemotherapy. Combined analysis showed a statistically significant (77% higher probability) of postoperative morbidity in patients who received preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy should be suggested in patients with high disease burden. The number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy should be low (3-4) to avoid increased postoperative morbidity. However more prospective studies are needed to clarify the exact role of preoperative chemotherapy in patients with synchronous resectable colorectal liver metastases.

Anatomical variations of the great saphenous vein at the saphenofemoral junction. A cadaveric study and narrative review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: The great saphenous vein is the lower limb's longest and thickest-walled superficial vein. Its anatomy is complex, while its anatomical variations are widespread. This study aimed to illustrate the anatomy and variations of the great saphenous vein at the saphenofemoral junction. METHODS: The study was conducted on 75 fresh-frozen cadaveric lower limbs. Cadavers with evidence of prior leg surgery or trauma and any congenital abnormality or gross deformity were excluded. The saphenofemoral junction was studied in detail with emphasis on the number, incidence, draining pattern of tributaries, and duplication of the great saphenous vein. RESULTS: Out of the 75 cadaveric lower limbs, 57.3% were obtained from males, and 42.7% were obtained from females. The mean age of the cadaveric lower extremities was 66.6 years (range 42-91). The number of tributaries at the saphenofemoral junction varied from 0 to 7, with a mean of 3.8. The most frequent number of branches was 4-5 in 61.3% of cases. The most consistent tributary was the superficial external pudendal vein, while the posterior accessory great saphenous vein was the least frequent tributary. 80% of the branches drained into the saphenofemoral junction directly (53.3%) or by a common trunk (26.7%%). The most frequent common trunk was the superficial epigastric and superficial circumflex iliac vein (10.7%). The rest 20% of the tributaries drained directly into the common femoral vein. The commonest branch reaching the common femoral vein was the superficial external pudendal vein (10.7%). Duplication of the great saphenous vein was observed in 2.7% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant variation of tributaries at the saphenofemoral junction regarding the number, incidence, draining pattern of branches, and duplication of the great saphenous vein.

Prevalence and risk factors of phlebosclerosis in the great saphenous vein.

OBJECTIVES: Phlebosclerosis is a fibrous degeneration of the vein wall, predominantly the intima, with or without calcification. The prevalence and etiology of phlebosclerosis of the great saphenous vein are not well documented. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and define the risk factors of phlebosclerosis of the great saphenous vein. METHODS: The study was conducted on 300 volunteers who underwent duplex ultrasound. Volunteers with symptoms and signs of acute or chronic venous disease or known varicose veins, thrombosis, chronic vein insufficiency, and any operation in the lower extremities were excluded. The imaging hallmarks of phlebosclerosis include wall brightness, calcification, and increased wall thickness. Demographics of the volunteers (sex, age, weight, and height), Body Mass Index (BMI) and the presence of smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were recorded. Data obtained were consolidated and statistically evaluated using SPSS Version 16. RESULTS: Of the 300 volunteers who underwent duplex ultrasound, 60.3% were females, and 39.7% were males. The mean age was 60 ± 13, while the mean BMI was 26.01 ± 4.76. Moreover, 66.3% were non-smokers, and 62.3%, 81.3%, and 58.7% did not suffer from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, respectively. The prevalence of phlebosclerosis was found to be 2.3%. Hypertension was a risk factor for the development of phlebosclerosis (p = 0.045). Moreover, there was a link between phlebosclerosis and age, as volunteers with phlebosclerosis were older than volunteers without phlebosclerosis (74.2 vs 59.11 years, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of phlebosclerosis of the great saphenous vein is low, specifically 2.3%. Hypertension and increased age are risk factors for the development of phlebosclerosis. Both sexes are equally affected, while BMI, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia do not contribute to the development of phlebosclerosis.

Prospective multicenter external validation of postoperative mortality prediction tools in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Accurate preoperative risk assessment in emergency laparotomy (EL) is valuable for informed decision making and rational use of resources. Available risk prediction tools have not been validated adequately across diverse health care settings. Herein, we report a comparative external validation of four widely cited prognostic models. METHODS: A multicenter cohort was prospectively composed of consecutive patients undergoing EL in 11 Greek hospitals from January 2020 to May 2021 using the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) inclusion criteria. Thirty-day mortality risk predictions were calculated using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), NELA, Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (P-POSSUM), and Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk tools. Surgeons' assessment of postoperative mortality using predefined cutoffs was recorded, and a surgeon-adjusted ACS-NSQIP prediction was calculated when the original model's prediction was relatively low. Predictive performances were compared using scaled Brier scores, discrimination and calibration measures and plots, and decision curve analysis. Heterogeneity across hospitals was assessed by random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 631 patients were included, and 30-day mortality was 16.3%. The ACS-NSQIP and its surgeon-adjusted version had the highest scaled Brier scores. All models presented high discriminative ability, with concordance statistics ranging from 0.79 for P-POSSUM to 0.85 for NELA. However, except the surgeon-adjusted ACS-NSQIP (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p = 0.742), all other models were poorly calibrated ( p < 0.001). Decision curve analysis revealed superior clinical utility of the ACS-NSQIP. Following recalibrations, predictive accuracy improved for all models, but ACS-NSQIP retained the lead. Between-hospital heterogeneity was minimum for the ACS-NSQIP model and maximum for P-POSSUM. CONCLUSION: The ACS-NSQIP tool was most accurate for mortality predictions after EL in a broad external validation cohort, demonstrating utility for facilitating preoperative risk management in the Greek health care system. Subjective surgeon assessments of patient prognosis may optimize ACS-NSQIP predictions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Test/Criteria; Level II.

The Hellenic Emergency Laparotomy Study (HELAS): A Prospective Multicentre Study on the Outcomes of Emergency Laparotomy in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is accompanied by high post-operative morbidity and mortality which varies significantly between countries and populations. The aim of this study is to report outcomes of emergency laparotomy in Greece and to compare them with the results of the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA). METHODS: This is a multicentre prospective cohort study undertaken between 01.2019 and 05.2020 including consecutive patients subjected to EL in 11 Greek hospitals. EL was defined according to NELA criteria. Demographics, clinical variables, and post-operative outcomes were prospectively registered in an online database. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of post-operative mortality. RESULTS: There were 633 patients, 53.9% males, ASA class III/IV 43.6%, older than 65 years 58.6%. The most common operations were small bowel resection (20.5%), peptic ulcer repair (12.0%), adhesiolysis (11.8%) and Hartmann's procedure (11.5%). 30-day post-operative mortality reached 16.3% and serious complications occurred in 10.9%. Factors associated with post-operative mortality were increasing age and ASA class, dependent functional status, ascites, severe sepsis, septic shock, and diabetes. HELAS cohort showed similarities with NELA patients in terms of demographics and preoperative risk. Post-operative utilisation of ICU was significantly lower in the Greek cohort (25.8% vs 56.8%) whereas 30-day post-operative mortality was significantly higher (16.3% vs 8.7%). CONCLUSION: In this study, Greek patients experienced markedly worse mortality after emergency laparotomy compared with their British counterparts. This can be at least partly explained by underutilisation of critical care by surgical patients who are at high risk for death.

Thyroid surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: difficulties - how to improve.

In December 2019, the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization after rapidly spreading over the world in just a few months. All elective operations and nonemergency treatments have been postponed worldwide. However, some patients require surgical therapy as well, and the time spent waiting should not have a negative impact on the surgical outcome or disease course. Following the initial onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, instructions for proper and safe surgery for healthcare staff and patients should develop. Thyroid surgeries have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them can be postponed for a long time. Assessment of thyroid nodules recommends clinical examination, imaging studies, fine needle aspiration (FNA) and vocal cord examination. All these procedures are necessary, and sometimes they cannot be postponed. To determine the best timing, a thorough preoperative assessment should be undertaken, taking into account both oncological and anatomical features. Furthermore, COVID-19 status must be negative prior to any intervention, and hospital infrastructure must be ready to deal with the demanding situation.

Surgical tips and techniques to avoid complications of thyroid surgery.

Objectives: Surgery of the thyroid takes place in a body part with complicated anatomy and several vital physiologic functions. Thyroidectomy is rarely associated with mortality but can be followed by significant complications, (i.e. hypoparathyroidism, hemorrhage, upper airway obstruction, laryngeal nerve injuries and thyrotoxic storm). This review aims to indicate surgical tips and techniques to sustain a low level of complications. Content: MEDLINE database (PubMed) platform was used as a search engine and the articles related to the topic were selected using the keywords combination "thyroid surgery and complications". Summary and Outlook: The most common complication of total thyroidectomy with an occurrence ranging between 0.5 and 65% is hypoparathyroidism. Damage to recurrent laryngeal nerves can be temporary or permanent, unilateral or bilateral; bilateral lesion is associated with severe episodes of breathlessness. Thus, intraoperative monitoring of nerve function is essential to prevent damage. Ιn addition, hematoma formation can lead to breathing difficulties due to airway obstruction; preventive hemostasis during surgery is essential. The surgeon must have a complete anatomical understanding of not only the normal anatomy of the central visceral compartment of the neck, but also the common variations of the laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands in order to keep the complication rate at a very low level.

A case report of partial bowel obstruction as the first symptom of a sizeable adnexal mucinous cystadenoma.

Objectives: Mucinous cystadenomas are among the most common benign adnexal masses. The peak incidence of mucinous cystadenoma appears between the third and fifth decades of life, but rare cases in younger and older women have also been reported. Ovarian cystic formations are usually asymptomatic at early stages, until they grow in size and various compression symptoms appear, such as abdominal discomfort, distention, nausea, vomiting, and increased urination. Case presentation: This is a case of an 86-year-old woman with partial bowel obstruction due to a sizeable adnexal mass. The patient was submitted to exploratory laparotomy due to intestinal obstruction symptoms, the mass was removed and the final histopathological report indicated a benign mucinous cystadenoma (maximum diameter 25 cm). Physical examination was remarkable due to the large size of the mass. Computed tomography revealed the sizeable abdominal mass in contact with the uterus and the ovaries resulting in bowel compression. Exploratory laparotomy due to bowel obstruction symptoms confirmed the imaging results. The abdominal mass was removed without being ruptured, and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were done. Conclusions: Our case report highlights the clinical suspicion that is required for the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this clinical entity. These tumors are uncommon in postmenopausal women, and when they do appear, they can be difficult to differentiate from cancer.

Plasma VEGF and Leptin Values in Patients With Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia and Metabolic Syndrome.

Intestinal metaplasia of the stomach (IM) is considered a pre-cancerous lesion and is a potential precursor to adenocarcinoma. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with lesions to the gastrointestinal tract such as the risk of developing Barett esophagus. Vascular endothelial growth factor and leptin have been associated with either gastrointestinal tract carcinogenesis or MetS. In this context, this study was designed to analyze plasma levels of VEGF and leptin in patients with IM and MetS. Four groups of 137 participants (a control group and three patient groups, IM, MetS and IM- MetS) were created. Inclusion criteria for the presence of IM were endoscopic findings and histological confirmation, while for MetS the ATP III and IDF guidelines. Levels of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and leptin (Leptin) were determined. VEGF levels were increased in IM (IM vs Control, p=0,011) and IM-MetS groups (IM-MetS vs Control, p <0.001 and IM-MetS vs MetS, p=0.001). Leptin levels were found to be increased in the MetS group (MetS vs. Control, p <0.001 and MetS vs IM, p <0.001) and in IM-MetS (IM-MetS vs Control, p = 0.002, IM-MetS vs IM, p=0.033). Patients with intestinal metaplasia and metabolic syndrome (I M - Me t S g r o u p) have elevated levels of VEGF, while leptin levels were associated predominantly with MetS and not with IM.

Medical, Endoscopic and Surgical Management of Stricturing Crohn's Disease: Current Clinical Practice.

The development of fibrostenotic intestinal disease occurs in approximately one-third of patients with Crohn's disease and is associated with increased morbidity. Despite introducing new biologic agents, stricturing Crohn's disease remains a significant clinical challenge. Medical treatment is considered the first-line treatment for inflammatory strictures, and anti-TNF agents appear to provide the most considerable benefit among the available medical treatments. However, medical therapy is ineffective on strictures with a mainly fibrotic component, and a high proportion of patients under anti-TNF will require surgery. In fibrotic strictures or cases refractory to medical treatment, an endoscopic or surgical approach should be considered depending on the location, length, and severity of the stricture. Both endoscopic balloon dilatation and endoscopic stricturoplasty are minimally invasive and safe, associated with a small risk of complications. On the other hand, the surgical approach is indicated in patients not suitable for endoscopic therapy. This review aimed to present and analyze the currently available medical, endoscopic, and surgical management of stricturing Crohn's disease.

The Implication of Gastric Microbiome in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and deadly malignancies worldwide. Helicobacter pylori have been documented as a risk factor for GC. The development of sequencing technology has broadened the knowledge of the gastric microbiome, which is essential in maintaining homeostasis. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of the gastric microbiome in the development of GC. Therefore, the elucidation of the mechanism by which the gastric microbiome contributes to the development and progression of GC may improve GC's prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about changes in gastric microbial composition in GC patients, their role in carcinogenesis, the possible therapeutic role of the gastric microbiome, and its implications for current GC therapy.

Gastric metastasis from breast cancer presenting as dysphagia.

Gastric metastasis from breast cancer occurs infrequently and causes non-specific symptoms, usually attributed to the underlying disease. Furthermore, endoscopic findings are almost identical to primary gastric cancer, making the immunohistochemical examination of biopsies necessary for diagnosis. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman who was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer 3 years ago and received chemotherapy with evidence of remission. The patient presented with dyspepsia and progressive dysphagia for the last 6 months, not responsive to PPI treatment. Upper endoscopy revealed partial occlusion of the cardio-esophageal junction and thickened gastric folds resembling linitis plastica. However, immunohistochemical analysis of endoscopic biopsies showed infiltration of gastric mucosa by lobular breast cancer cells, making the diagnosis of gastric metastasis. Therefore, clinicians' awareness of possible gastric metastasis is warranted in patients with a history of advanced breast cancer and severe gastric symptoms.

Jejunal intussusception due to an atypical lipomatous tumor: a rare case report.

Intussusception in adults is rare, and the clinical symptoms of intussusception are subtle, making the diagnosis quite challenging. Gastrointestinal lipomas are rare benign tumors and are essentially adipose growths, most frequently found within the small intestine wall or mesentery. Limited up-to-date evidence exists regarding such lipomas. Intussusception due to a gastrointestinal lipoma constitutes an infrequent clinical entity, and the diagnosis of duodenal lipoma mainly depends on endoscopy examination, supplemented by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The present report describes a case of jejunal intussusception in an adult with a history of intermittent colicky abdominal pain located in the left upper quadrant over the last month. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed the typical target sign of a small intestinal intussusception along the left upper quadrant and a well-defined, low-density tumor in the intussusception. Exploratory laparotomy revealed jejuno-jejunal intussusception secondary to a lipoma, which was successfully treated with segmental intestinal resection.

Urine 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.

PURPOSE: Cellular RNA is less compact than DNA, more easily accessible to ROS and therefore could be more susceptible to oxidative damage. This study was conceived in order to analyze the RNA oxidative damage in the urine of patients undergoing operation for colorectal cancer (CRC), to compare with healthy controls, and correlate with the stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was constituted by a group of 147 patients and a group of 128 healthy controls. Urine and blood samples were collected before the colonoscopy in all participants and 24 hours post-operatively for those who underwent surgery. Urine 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) was determined as marker of RNA oxidation, and serum uric acid (UA) as antioxidant marker. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 8-OHG (ng/ml) values of CRC patients were found to be significantly higher than those of controls (p = 0.001). More specifically, stages II/III had significantly higher 8-OHG values (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007) than stages 0/I. Post-operatively, 8-OHG values were similar to controls (p = 0.053). Preoperatively, UA values (mg/dl) were significantly lower (p = 0.001), while postoperatively were similar to controls (p = 0.069). CONCLUSION: Oxidative RNA damage occurs in CRC patients. Stages II/III are associated with higher values of 8-OHG than stages 0/I. 8-OHG could act as a marker for the identification of patients with advanced disease.

Tissue dissection with saline injection: application in thyroid surgery.

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a thyroidectomy complication. The effect of this complication cannot be accurately quantified. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy has high variability in the literature, between 7 and 37%. Data from 78 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with Tissue Dissection with Solution Injection (TDSI group) from December 2018 to August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were compared with 78 patients to whom the technique was not applied (non-TDSI group), and they were treated from January 2018 to September 2018. All thyroidectomies were performed by the same surgeon. The mean duration of a thyroidectomy was 1 hour. The reduction of the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in the group of patients was applied in respect of the technique of tissue dissection with saline injection. TDSI technique paves the way for further application to other tissues and surgeries.

Metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular cancer: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Metronomic chemotherapy entails chronic, equally spaced administration of low doses of various chemotherapeutic drugs without extended rest periods. Its use as a second-line treatment in advanced or metastatic hepatocellular cancer remains under investigation. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 49-year-old Caucasian female patient with an enlarged (∼14 cm) hepatocellular cancer. In July 2016, she underwent right hepatectomy (after preceding TACE). During the follow-up period, she presented early disease recurrence with lung and peritoneal metastasis. Initially, she received an inhibitor of protein kinase (sorafenib) for six months without response. Afterwards, cyclophosphamide administration at low doses as metronomic chemotherapy provided complete regression of the metastatic lesions. The patient remains in good performance status almost 4 years after initial treatment, without signs of recurrence in her recent follow-up. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Using cyclophosphamide as metronomic chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular cancer may have a promising antiangiogenic antitumor effect. Future clinical trials need to demonstrate this effect in terms of tumor suppression and increased disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: Large multi-centered clinical trials have to be planned to investigate the precise role of cyclophosphamide in the therapy of hepatocellular cancer while defining the patients' profile that will benefit most from cyclophosphamide.