Effect of Mesoappendix Volume on Preoperative Pain of Acute Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between preoperative pain scores and the mesoappendix volume and the presence of complications in patients with acute appendicitis. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of General Surgery at Kutahya Health Sciences University, Kutahya, Turkey, from January to December 2021. METHODOLOGY: Pain degrees in patients with acute appendicitis were measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Wong-Baker Scale (WBS). Mesoappendix volume was calculated using the formula: mesoappendix length x width x height. Appendicitis type (as complicated or uncomplicated) was grouped. RESULTS: There was a positive and statistically significant correlation (17%) between the NRS and mesoappendix volume (p=0.065). In addition, there was a positive and statistically significant correlation (17%) between the WBS and mesoappendix volume (p=0.057). Additionally, there was a statistically significant relationship between the NRS, WBS, and complicated appendicitis (p=0.022, p=0.022, respectively). CONCLUSION: The mesoappendix volume might contribute to preoperative pain process in acute appendicitis patients. Specifically, there is a statistically significant correlation between complicated appendicitis and preoperative pain scores. KEY WORDS: Appendicitis, Pain, Mesentery, Complicated appendicitis.

The predictive value of computerized tomography-assessed sarcopenia for complicated appendicitis in geriatric patients.

Objective: Geriatric patients have more complicated appendicitis, which leads to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Sarcopenia has been shown to have a negative impact on patients undergoing surgery. This study aims to reveal the predictive value of computerized tomography-assessed (CT-assessed) sarcopenia for complicated appendicitis in geriatric patients. Methods: One-hundred fifty-four patients' with acute appendicitis age, gender, co-morbidities, appendicitis status, and body mass index (BMI) values were analyzed. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and related measurements were evaluated. Results: Fifty-two percent of the patients had complicated, and 48% had uncomplicated appendicitis. There was a statistically significant difference between uncomplicated and complicated cases regarding BMI, SMI, and muscle area values (P < 0.05). The cutoff point by Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve analysis was conducted for SMI and showed 71% sensitivity and 52% specificity (P = 0.042). Multivariate analysis has shown that comorbidities are significantly more associated with complicated appendicitis than sarcopenia. Conclusion: Geriatric patients with lower BMI, decreased muscle area, and CT-detected sarcopenia have an increased risk of complicated appendicitis. Comorbidities are also important risk factors. Surgeons should be aware of factors leading to complicated appendicitis, which may cause higher morbidity and mortality rates in elderly patients.

How did the general surgeons intend to treat acute calculous cholecystitis during COVID-19 era?Results of online survey.

BACKGROUND: Acute calculous cholecystitis is one of the most encountered surgical pathologies. While early cholecystectomy is the first treatment choice during the first index hospitalization, it may change during COVID-19 era when hospital resources are restricted, and health-care personnel try to overcome pandemic difficulties. In this survey, our aim is to investigate surgeons' preferences and possible changing paradigms for acute cholecystitis therapy during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An online survey was conducted on an internet site through private invitation by social media sent to general surgeons. The survey consisted of 13 questions, including surgeons' hospital properties, and it questioned treatment preferences against acute calculous cholecystitis during the pandemic. After 3 months of data collection, responded answers were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: About 56% of the surgeons stated that their treatment strategy changed during the COVID-19 pandemic partially or totally. About 48.8% of surgeons preferred early cholecystectomy for cases with acute cholecystitis before COVID-19 era; when only 23.2% of the surgeons preferred early surgery during COVID-19 era. However, patients who had received antibiotics as primary medical therapy had medical therapy failure with a range of 40.2%. Percutaneous cholecystostomy rate was raised to 20.7% from 4.9% before the COVID era. CONCLUSION: Although 96.3% of the surgeons did not have seen any unusual complication related to the COVID-19 disease, more than half of the surgeons who preferred early cholecystectomy changed their treatment strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the survey results, although the medical therapy failure rate is high, 48.8% of the surgeons may persist in this non-operative approach after the pandemic.

Comparison of Fenestrating and Reconstituting Subtotal Cholecystectomy Techniques in Difficult Cholecystectomy.

Purpose Cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgeries. Although laparoscopy is considered the gold standard approach, it cannot prevent biliary injuries. Subtotal cholecystectomy has been performed mainly to prevent biliary injuries during difficult cholecystectomies. This study aimed to analyse our subtotal cholecystectomy results for difficult cholecystectomy cases and to evaluate the fenestrating and reconstituting techniques. Methods Retrospective data were collected and analysed statistically for cases that underwent subtotal cholecystectomy in a single referral centre between 2015 and 2020. Comparisons were made of the patients' age, gender, preoperative American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, comorbidities, surgical timing, surgical procedure choice, postoperative complications, and mortality. Results The number of patients who underwent subtotal cholecystectomy was 46; 30.4% underwent emergent surgery and 69.6% underwent elective surgery. Twelve patients had subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy and 34 had subtotal reconstituting cholecystectomy. Wound issues were noted in 17.4% of the patients, while 10.9% had temporary biliary fistulas that resolved spontaneously. Reoperation was performed in one patient due to high-output biliary drainage. Patients with postoperative complications had significantly higher co-morbid conditions (p=0.000), but surgery timing (p=0.192) and type of subtotal cholecystectomy (p=0.409) had no statistically significant effect on complications. Mortality showed a statistically significant correlation with patient comorbidities, surgery timing, and the type of procedure (p<0.05). Postoperative complications showed a statistically significant correlation with mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion Subtotal cholecystectomy prevents major biliary complications after cholecystectomy. Yet, the frequency of postoperative complications after subtotal cholecystectomy is incontrovertible. Intraoperative characteristics and the surgeon's expertise decide the optimal choice of the subtotal cholecystectomy technique.

Comparison of open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy with laparoscopic intracorporeal knotting and glove endobag techniques: A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the recent increase in the use of laparoscopic appendectomy procedures to treat acute appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy is not necessarily the best treatment modality. The aim of this study is to examine the value of laparoscopic intracorporeal knotting and glove endobag in terms of various parameters and in terms of reducing the costs related to laparoscopic appendectomy procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-two acute appendicitis patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy and open appendectomy surgery were enrolled in the study and were evaluated prospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 was treated with laparoscopic appendectomy using laparoscopic intracorpreal knotting and glove endobag (n=36) and group 2 was treated with open appendectomy (n=36). The two groups were statistically compared in terms of preoperative symptoms and signs, laboratory and imaging findings, operation time and technique, pain score, gas and stool outputs, duration of hospital stay, return to normal activity, and complications. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in relation to gender, age, body mass index, or pre-operation findings, which included loss of appetite, vomiting, time when pain started, displacement of pain, defense, rebound, imaging methods, and laboratory and pathology examinations (p>0.05). Moreover, there were no differences between the groups with respect to drain usage, hospital stay time, or complications (p>0.05). In contrast, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of operation time, pain scores, gas-stool outputs, and return to normal activity in the laparoscopic appendectomy group (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy can be performed in a facile, safe, and cost-effective manner with laparoscopic intracorporeal knotting and glove endobag. By using these techniques, the use of expensive instruments can be avoided when performing laparoscopic appendectomy.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio on Appendectomy of Geriatric and Nongeriatric Patients.

PURPOSE: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent emergency procedure that requires acute surgical intervention. The mortality risk is higher in geriatric patients. There is not a single parameter to diagnose it easily and negative appendectomy is traditionally accepted however the operation itself can cause morbidity and mortality especially in elderly patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of acute inflammation and was recently studied for the diagnosis of AA. The aim of this study is to analyze the diagnostic value of NLR on positive appendectomy rates amongst geriatric and nongeriatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 755 patients admitted to the emergency department, with abdominal pain who underwent urgent laparotomy after diagnosed as acute appendicitis. Patients' ages, genders, laboratory results, and intraoperative findings were collected. Geriatric patients were analyzed in group one, and nongeriatric patients were in group 2. Groups then sorted into subgroups by means of positive and negative appendectomies. RESULTS: Although NLR was higher in positive appendectomy subgroup in group 1 it was not statistically significant. NLR could not independently predict positive appendectomy in geriatric patients. In group 2, male gender was significantly higher in the positive appendectomy group (p < 0.001). NLR was also significantly higher in the positive appendectomy group (p < 0.001). In group 2 NLR could independently predict positive appendectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR could not predict positive appendectomy rates in the geriatric population but could in the nongeriatric patient group. To find the optimal NLR levels, prospective randomized studies are needed.

Traumatic laceration of the portal vein.

Despite its relatively protected position, the liver is the most frequently injured solid intra-abdominal organ. 1 Most liver injuries can be managed conservatively, but about 5% to 10% require urgent laparotomy, usually when the mechanism of injury involves a vehicle accident and hemodynamic instability persists, in spite of 40 mL/kg of blood transfusion. 2 , 3 In particular, grades IV and V liver injuries may pose a challenge to the surgeon trying to control hemorrhage, the leading cause of mortality. 4 Traumatic injuries to the portal vein are rare but devastating. The mortality rate for portal vein injury ranges from 50% to 70%. A recent study of portal triad injuries has highighted the higher mortality rates associated with combination injuries involving multiple portal triad components, especially those that include portal vein injury. 5 This case study describes a unique case of relatively minor trauma in a child resulting in portal triad injury, sudden demise, and surgical repair.

Mastalgia-Cancer Relationship: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Mastalgia is an important symptom affecting approximately 70% of women and it disrupts the quality of life especially due to the worry of having cancer. In our study, the type and severity of mastalgia symptom of patients who presented to the outpatient clinic with mastalgia complaint were assessed along with their physical examination findings and radiology results. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the relationship between mastalgia and malignity when assessed in combination with the risk factors of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The age, family history, menopausal status, age at the first childbirth, menarche, presence/absence of hormone replacement therapy, type of mastalgia, comorbidities and examination findings of 104 patients, who presented to the General Surgery outpatient clinic with mastalgia symptom, were recorded and assessed in the light of radiological study results. RESULTS: With respect to the mastalgia types of the patients, 38.5% had cyclic pain, 57.7% non-cyclic pain and 3.8% other types of pain. Mild mastalgia was present in 46.2% of the patients, moderate mastalgia in 24% and severe mastalgia in 29.8% of them. According to the BIRADS category, 48.1% of the patients were identified to have BIRADS 1 mass lesions, 39.4% BIRADS 2, 9.6% BIRADS 3 and 2.9% BIRADS 5 mass lesions. The patients who were identified to have BIRADS 5 mass lesions described non-cyclic and severe pain in the post-menopausal period. They had palpable masses along with the pain symptom. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that mastalgia symptom does not per se result in suspicion of malignancy, but physical examination and radiological imaging should also be used as needed for confirmation. Studies with a larger patient population are needed to shed light on the mastalgia epidemiology and its relationship with cancer.

Toxoplasma lymphadenitis mimicking malign axillary lymphadenopathy of a left breast mass.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Immunocompetent persons with primary infection are usually asymptomatic, but latent infection can persist for the life of the host. There is a risk of reactivating infection at a later time should the individual become immunocompromised, even if infection was asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic initially. Axillary lymph nodes receive 85% of the lymphatic drainage from the breast. Lymph node metastases are relatively common even with invasive breast cancers ≤1 cm in size. Here, we report a case of toxoplasma lymphadenitis in a female adult patient mimicking a malign breast lymphadenopathy of a left breast mass.

Giant serous microcystic pancreas adenoma.

Serous cystadenomas are rare tumors comprising 1-2% of exocrine pancreas tumors. They are mostly known as benign conditions but malign transformation as serous cystadenocarcinoma is also reported. It is usually seen in females. Non-specific symptoms, such as abdominal pain or symptoms due to mass affect, are usually seen. A 64-year old female patient was investigated for abdominal pain. Physical and laboratory findings were normal. Abdomen ultrasonography confirmed an 11×9.5 cm solid cystic lesion and abdomen computed tomography scan confirmed a 12×11 cm lobulated cystic solid lesion which had central cystic necrotic areas extending from liver hilus inferiorly. Fine needle biopsy confirmed benign cytology and trucut biopsy of the pancreatic mass reported chronic inflamation. Nevertheless, this mass could have malignant contents and transformation potential. A laparatomy was decided due to patient's symptoms and mass effect. Due to vascular invasion of the tumor, Whipple procedure was performed. The pathology report confirmed serous microcystic adenoma. These rare tumors are usually benign but pre-operative malignity criterias are not identified. There are few differential diagnostic tools for excluding malignity. We suggest surgical resection as best treatment approach for selected cases.