The Effects of Ankaferd on Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Rats.

Background: In this study, we aim at investigating the effect of post partial hepatectomy Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) on liver regeneration in rats. Methods: Twenty-four rats were included in our study divided into three groups. (Group A = (Sham) 8 rats, Group B = (control) 8 rats, Group C = (experimental) 8 rats). Two-thirds hepatectomy was employed in all rats. Intraperitoneal 0.9% saline was administered to the rats in the control group, and intraperitoneal 1 ml Ankaferd was administered to the rats in the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed on the 7th day. Tissue samples were taken from the liver tissue for histopathological evaluation. Results: The number of mitosis and the cytoplasmic vacuolization/hdyropic degeneration scores were statistically different between the groups (Group A: 11.63 vs Group B: 17.00 vs Group C: 8.88 (p:0.028) and Group A: 8.56 vs Group B: 16.63 vs Group C: 12.31 (p:0.034), respectively). The presence of binuclear hepatocytes score was p: 0.258 and disorganized distribution in cell proliferation in the parenchyma score was :0.076; There was no statistical difference between the groups. The number of mitosis was p:0116 for Group A-B, p:1.00 for Group A-C and p:0.017 for Group B-C Conclusions: Positive results indicating an increase in liver regeneration due to Ankaferd were not obtained in our study.

Histopathological Analysis of 173 Consecutive Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma: A Pathologist's View.

BACKGROUND Worldwide, colorectal carcinomas are the third most common carcinomas in men and the second most common carcinomas in women. Pathological examination of rectum specimens requires special attention for correctly evaluating many prognostically important factors. In this study, we present pathological results of 173 lower anterior resection (LAR) and abdominoperineal resection (APR) specimens retrospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 173 LAR and APR specimens in this study. Patients were evaluated in the Istanbul Ekin Private Pathology Laboratory and underwent surgery at Çanakkale State Hospital, General Surgery Clinic. RESULTS Of the 173 specimens, 15 (8.7%) were APR and 158 (91.3%) were LAR specimens. Ninety-four patients (54.3%) were males and 79 patients (45.7%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 63.5 years (range 26-90 years). In the histopathological examination, malignant neoplasm was detected in 172 of the cases (99.4%) and benign endometriosis was detected in 1 of the cases (0.6%). There were 151 (87.2%), 8 (4.6%), 5 (2.9%), 1 (0.6%), 1 (0.6%), 1 (0.6%), 1 (0.6%), 1 (0.6%), and 4 (2.3%) patients with adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, intramucosal adenocarcinoma in the setting of a high-grade tubulovillous adenoma, synchronous colon/prostate adenocarcinoma, malignant melanoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, endometriosis, and adenocarcinoma diagnosed by the examination of colonoscopic biopsy specimens that showed complete regression with neoadjuvant therapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS When evaluating specimens from patients with colorectal carcinoma, pathological evaluation, which is one of the most fundamental pillars in managing patients with cancer, must be performed carefully and meticulously. Each pathological parameter should be evaluated carefully and clinicians and pathologists should evaluate these cases together.

Analysis of the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute expert decisions on recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries due to thyroidectomy between 2008-2012.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the approach of Forensic Medicine Institution for recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. In addition, parameters that were taken into consideration by Forensic Medicine Institution in the differentiation of complication and malpractice were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of 38 patients, with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury following thyroidectomy, that were referred to Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute with request of expert opinion between 2008-2012 were retrospectively investigated. Data regarding expert decisions, age, gender, diagnosis, hospital type, preoperative vocal cord examination, intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM), identification of nerve injury during operation, repair of nerve during operation, and type of injury were assessed. RESULTS: Surgeons were found to be faulty in all files with bilateral nerve injury, however, one-sided injury files were considered as a medical complication. Twenty-one (55.2%) patients were female, and 17 (44.8%) were male, with a mean age of 35,8 in women, and 34,1 in men. None of these patients had undergone preoperative vocal cord assessment. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was intraoperatively identified in 21 (55.2%) patients, while it was not seen in 17 (44.8%) patients. IONM was not applied in any patients. There was no attempt for nerve repair during any operation. Nineteen patients had unilateral, and 19 patients had bilateral nerve damage. CONCLUSION: Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries are considered as malpractice, when imaging or pathology reports fail to state a cause for difficulty in nerve identification.

Splenic abscess is extremely rare after amoebic dysentery. A case report and review of the literature.

Splenic abscess is a rare condition, which is often asymptomatic in the absence of comorbidity and is associated with high mortality rates. Given the importance of the differential diagnosis of patients who present to the emergency department with fever or septic shock, we report the case of a patient with amoebic splenic abscess who presented to our clinic with widespread skin rash and signs of septic shock following amoebic dysentery caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which is rarely reported in the literature. KEY WORDS: Amoebic Spleen Abscess, Amoebic Abscess, Entamoeba Histolytica, Splenic Abscess.

Necrotizing fasciitis after intramuscular self-injection A case report.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, life-threatening soft tissue infection that affects the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle, and is characterized by rapid spread and invasion of pathogens. Treatment is possible with early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and quick surgical intervention. Nevertheless, despite all interventions, it is sometimes difficult to manage NF. The Authors present the case of a patient with extensive NF caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) that developed following an intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium administered at home by someone who was not a healthcare professional. Wound sample culture revealed multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. The patient was treated using negative-pressure wound therapy along with antibiotic treatment and extensive surgical debridement. KEY WORDS: Multidrug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii, Necrotizing fasciitis, Negative-pressurelf-injection, Wound therapy.

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma mimicking hepatic adenoma.

Hepatocellular adenomas (HA) are benign naturally occurring masses that are rarely reported, and rarely reaching tumor size up to 30 cm. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver and usually caused by cirrhosis and more commonly reported tumors in males. It has been reported that presentations may occur with masses that are often less than 5 cm or rarely more than 10 cm. We aimed to present a case of hepatocellular carcinoma 72-years old man with fatigue and pain spread on the right upper quadrant; a histopathologic image similar to both telangiectatic variant hepatic adenoma and false diagnosis as "cavernous hemangioma" in the first biopsy specimen. KEY WORDS: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Liver Adenoma.

Evaluation of risk factors for complications after colostomy closure.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study is to describe postoperative complications observed after colostomy reversal and to define possible risk factor(s) for complication.s after colostomy closure PATIENTS-METHODS: Patients who underwent colostomy closure in Department of General Surgery, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital between January 2007 and January 2015 were enrolled. Patients with double-barrel ileo-colostomy, Devine's colostomy and tube cecostomy were excluded from study. Demographics, data regarding the first operation and those regarding the reversal operation were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Total 168 patients [118 (70.1%) male, average age=52.8±15.6] were included. Most common reasons for stoma formation were malignancy [n=63 (37.5%)] and diverticular perforation [40 (23.8%)]. Index operation was performed under emergency conditions in 142 (84.5%) patients. End colostomy was the most common stoma type in emergent cases and loop sigmoidostomy in elective cases. Postoperative complication was observed in 36 (21.4%) patients. Nine (5.3%) patients developed anastomotic leak. Of those, 8 (4.8%) was necessitated reoperation and 1 (0.6%) was treated conservatively. Postoperative mortality was 5 (2.9%). At multivariate analysis, DM was the independent risk factor for surgical site infection and evisceration (p<0.01). DM was present in 6 (66.7%) cases who had had an anastomotic leak and leak was more common compared to non-diabetics (p<0.05). Patients waiting more than 3 months before stoma reversal had experienced more anastomotic leak compared to those waiting less (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Closure of colostomy has a significant morbidity and mortality, and the physician should be more careful in postoperative follow-up in patients who had comorbidities, especially diabetes mellitus. KEY WORDS: Anastomotic leak, Colostomy, Postoperative complication.

The effect of Allium sativum in experimental peritoneal adhesion model in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of garlic on formation of postoperative adhesions in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague dawley rats were divided into three groups. In Group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In Group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and 2 cc of saline was intraperitoneally administered to each rat. In Group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Allium sativum derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum. RESULTS: In Group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: No positive outcomes indicating that Allium sativum reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, allium sativum increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.

The effect of pycnogenol on lymphatic nodes and adhesion during in a peritoneal adhesion model in rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pycnogenol on peritoneal adhesions and additionally to investigate the immunohistochemical effects of free oxygen radicals and reactive lymph nodes detected in the adhesive tissue that was sampled surrounding the cecum on intra-abdominal adhesions. METHODS: Twenty-seven Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. In group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered 2 cc of saline. In group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Pycnogenol derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum, and the rats were sacrificed. RESULTS: In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: No positive outcomes indicating that pycnogenol reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Moreover, a significant increase in lymph node size was detected secondary to inflammation. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, pycnogenol increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.

Diagnosing between papillary carcinoma and reactive papillary changes in an infarcted thyroid nodule after fine needle aspiration and accompanied by a synchronous brain stem astrocytoma.

A 22-year-old patient underwent fine needle aspiration of a nodule at the outer center of the right lobe of the thyroid, and it was reported to be Bethesda system category IV, Hurthle cell follicular neoplasia. The patient, who persented to Onsekiz Mart University Research and Application Hospital, underwent surgery. During right total thyroidectomy, an almost totally infarcted nodule and papillary structures around these infarcted areas were detected. Herein, we report on diagnostic challenges faced in confirming whether the infarcted nodule was a case of reactive papillary changes or an underdiagnosed papillary carcinoma and how the challenges were overcome using immunohistochemistry analysis and molecular genetic testing. In addition, we examined the case along with a literature review because an accompanying synchronous brain stem astrocytoma was detected in the patient after thyroidectomy.

A remnant suture can mimic malignancy after total thyroidectomy.

Foreign body reactions may develop against exogenous or certain endogenous materials. Cases of suture granuloma that develop against nonabsorbable suture material are rare complications of thyroid surgery. Because of these postoperative complications, a history of cancer prior to the operation suggests recurrence of cancer. Appropriate clinical, radiological, and pathological evaluation is highly important in such cases. Postoperative foreign bodies may remain undetected for years, but they sometimes cause lethal complications. KEY WORDS: Cancer mimicking, Foreign body, Suture granuloma, Thyroid surgery.

Intraoperative Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in patients with complex benign biliary tract pathologies A case series.

INTRODUCTION: This study presents data about the intraoperative performance of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for different types of cases with acute, complex pathologies of the biliary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled cases with intraoperative ERCP performed for different acute complex bile duct pathologies (including injury and cystic stump leak). All patients were analyzed according to demographic findings, etiologies, management and results. RESULTS: Intraoperative ERCP was performed in 4 patients of whom 2 (50%) were female and 2 (50%) were male with different diagnoses. The median age of patients was 46.8 (range of 28-75) years. The diagnosis was bile duct injury in three patients and one had a complicated hydatid cyst with jaundice (T Bil: 18 mg dl-1). All patients were in septic condition. Patients underwent laparotomy and intraoperative ERCP was performed successfully by using the Rendezvous technique. For the last patient, intraoperative ERCP was used for diagnosis and management of bile leak in the cavity. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a safe and effective method for treatment of acute complex bile duct pathologies. KEY WORDS: Bile Duct Injury, Intraoperative ERCP, Rendezvous Technique.

Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration biopsy in non-thyroidal head and neck lesions: a retrospective study of 866 aspiration materials.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and compared our FNAB results of non-thyroidal head and neck lesions with excisional biopsy results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 866 aspiration material taken from different parts of head and neck region out of thyroid were evaluated at Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital Pathology Laboratory, between January 2002 and May 2013 and 248 of which has histopathologic response were included in the study. Patients depending on origin of the masses were divided into three categories as; salivary gland, lymph nodes and soft tissue/cystic lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy values of fine needle aspiration biopsies have been investigated for all the series and individually for each category. FINDINGS: Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of non-thyroidal head and neck masses were respectively; For all of the series; 94.6%, 97.9%, 96.7%, 95.9%, 97.2%, Salivary gland: 88.9%, 100%, 98.8%, 100%, 98.7%, Lymph nodes: 94.7%, 89.3%, 92.9%, 94.7%, 89.2%, Soft tissue/cystic lesions: 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%. For all of the series; there were 4 false negative (FN) cases; and 3 false positive (FP) cases. CONCLUSION: FNAB in the diagnosis of head and neck masses; it is an easy, cheap and usefull procedure.

Evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy with excisional biopsy: six-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Lymphadenopathy (LAP) may be the first symptom of many diseases. We aimed to investigate peripheral LAP results taken by excisional biopsy. METHODS: Histopathological examination of 185 lymph node biopsy specimens were evaluated between January 2009 and April 2015 in Istanbul Private Ekin Pathology Laboratory, retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of patients ranged from 1 to 86 was 41.01 ± 20.62 years. 87 of were female, 98 of male. 62 (33.5%) of excisional biopsy materials were benign lesions and 123 (66.5%) of malignant. Benign lesions were consisted of reactive hyperplasia, cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, necrotizing/non-necrotizing granulomatous. Of these patients, 40 had nodes with reactive hyperplasia (15 female/25 male, mean age: 27.35 y), 14 had necrotizing granulomatous disease (9 female/5 male, mean age: 39.86 y), 2 non-necrotizing granulomatous disease (1 female/1 male mean age: 43 y), 4 had cat-scratch disease (1 female/3 male mean age: 54.25 y), 1 toxoplasmosis (26 y, female), 1 Kikuchi disease (25 y, female). In the evaluation of malign lesions; 38 were Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (20.5%, 17 female/21 male, mean age: 34.89 y) 77 had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (41.6%, 37 female/40 male, mean age: 52.26 y), 8 metastasis (4.3%, 5 female/3 male, mean age: 53.5 y). Reactive LAP observed most common in cervical region, NHL in axillary-abdomen-inguinal-mediastinum and HL in the supraclavicular region. CONCLUSION: Excisional biopsy can be applied safely with minimal morbidity and mortality and a gold standard diagnostic method for LAP. Although LAP is mostly related with benign lesions, malignancy should be kept in mind in differential diagnosis.

The effect of Allium sativum in experimental peritoneal adhesion model in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of garlic on formation of postoperative adhesions in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague dawley rats were divided into three groups. In Group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In Group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and 2 cc of saline was intraperitoneally administered to each rat. In Group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Allium sativum derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum Results: In Group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. Conclusions: No positive outcomes indicating that Allium sativum reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, allium sativum increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.

The effect of pycnogenol on lymphatic nodes and adhesion during in a peritoneal adhesion model in rats

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of pycnogenol on peritoneal adhesions and additionally to investigate the immunohistochemical effects of free oxygen radicals and reactive lymph nodes detected in the adhesive tissue that was sampled surrounding the cecum on intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: Twenty-seven Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. In group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered 2 cc of saline. In group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Pycnogenol derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum, and the rats were sacrificed. Results: In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. Conclusions: No positive outcomes indicating that pycnogenol reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Moreover, a significant increase in lymph node size was detected secondary to inflammation. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, pycnogenol increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.