The effects of rectal cancer surgery on the anatomical localisation of ureters - a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Anatomical changes after surgery and fibrotic adhesions increase the organ laceration risk, including that of the ureter, in recurrent cases and secondary operations. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the anatomical localisations of the ureters via computed tomography urography in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved prospectively collected data on the changes of ureteral location preoperatively and postoperatively in patients with operated rectal cancer. Distances (mm) of ureters determined midline in the computed tomography urogram phase. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were included. The mean distances between the right (R1 ) and left (L1 ) ureters and the mid-vertebral line before the surgery were 30.9 ±5.4 mm and 34.5 ±9.9 mm, respectively. The postoperative distances between them (R2 and L2 ) were 26.4 ±9.1 mm and 29.5 ±9.9 mm, respectively. The R2 measurement showed that 83.3% (15/18) of the right ureters had deviated medially, whereas 16.7% (3/18) of them had deviated laterally. The L2 measurements showed that 88.8% (16/18) of the left ureters had deviated medially, whereas 11.2% (2/18) of them had deviated laterally. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative measurements of the right and left ureter positions were 4.5 ±9.2 mm and 4.9 ±4.6 mm, respectively, with the displacement in the left ureter being statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal cancer surgery causes medially deviated changes in the positions of the ureters.

Examination of anastomotic leak with aqueous contrast swallow after total gastrectomy: Should it be carried out routinely?

AIM OF THE STUDY: Examination of esophagojejunal (EJ) anastomosis with aqueous contrast swallow after total gastrectomy is still routinely conducted by many centres. The present study aimed to answer the question: Is it necessary to evaluate EJ anastomosis in terms of leakage by having every patient drink oral contrast agent before initiation of oral food intake after total gastrectomy (TG) performed due to gastric cancer? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and radiological results of patients on whom total gastrectomy was performed due to gastric cancer between January 2013 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnostic method used for patients in whom leak developed and therapeutic interventions were assessed. Evaluation results from aqueous contrast agent and clinical, laboratory, and tomographic findings were studied. RESULTS: Sixty of the 69 patients who underwent total gastrectomy with a diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma swallowed aqueous contrast agent on postoperative day 7 ±2 days and were evaluated in terms of anastomotic leak. Leak developed in 14 patients (20.2 %), 10 of whom ingested contrast agent. Leak was identified in 6 of those patients; however, diagnosis was made with multislice computed tomography (CT) in four patients (40%). The sensitivity of the examination with aqueous contrast agent was 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating anastomotic leak with aqueous contrast agent after TG has low sensitivity, and it would be wise to resort to this procedure in cases with clinical suspicion, rather than routinely performing it in every patient.

Effect of Robotic Inferior Mesenteric Artery Ligation Level on Low Anterior Resection Syndrome in Rectum Cancer.

Background: Life expectancy of patients with rectal cancer is increasing day by day with innovative treatments. Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), which disrupts the comfort of life in these patients, has become a serious problem. We aimed to evaluate the effect of high ligation (HL) and low ligation (LL) techniques on LARS in rectal cancer surgery performed with the robotic method. Materials and Methods: The data of patients diagnosed with mid-distal rectal cancer between 2016 and 2021 who underwent robotic low anterior resection by the same team in the same center with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups as those who underwent HL and LL procedures. Preoperative, 8 weeks after neoadjuvant treatment, 3 and 12 months after ileostomy closure were evaluated. Results: A total of 84 patients (41 HL, 43 LL) were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the demographic characteristics and pathology data of the patients. Although there was a decrease in LARS scores after neoadjuvant treatment, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 3 and 12 months after ileostomy closure (P: .001, P: .015). Conclusions: In patients who underwent robotic low anterior resection, there is a statistically significant difference in the LARS score in the first 1 year with the LL technique compared with that of the HL technique, and the LL technique has superiority in reducing the development of LARS between the two oncologically indistinguishable methods.

Investigation of the effect of weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on cobb angle, waist and back pain: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In many studies, it has been stated that obesity causes severe increases in the risks of disc degeneration, vertebral fracture, low back, and back pain. One of the most effective treatment options for obesity is bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effect of weight loss on these parameters was investigated by evaluating the Cobb angle, low back, and back pain. SETTING: University Hospital METHODS: A total of 89 patients were included in the study. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was performed on all patients. In addition, Cobb angle, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) measurements were recorded at each visit. Investigating the quality and quantity of low back pain and the loss of function caused by the patients; visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OLBPDQ), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF36) were administered. RESULTS: According to the preoperative Cobb angles, the decrease in the 6th month (P = .029) and 12th month (P = .007) measurements after the operation was found to be statistically significant (P < .05), but it was found to be clinically insignificant. When the changes in RMDQ, OLBPDQ, VAS, and SF-36 scores were examined, the decrease in the 6th month (P = .001) and 12th month (P = .001) scores after the operation was found to be significant compared to the preoperative scores (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, weight loss after SG improved for patients with chronic low back and back pain and significantly improved their quality of life.

Comparison of Single-Dermatome Laparoscopic Appendectomy With Standard Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Terms of Postoperative Pain and Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), used since 1980, is a common surgical technique for acute appendicitis (AA) treatment. Laparoscopic surgical techniques can achieve higher patient satisfaction than conventional open surgery techniques. However, many patients complain of severe pain after laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. In this study, we compared single-dermatome laparoscopic appendectomy (SDLA), wherein all trocars were placed at the same dermatome field, with standard laparoscopic appendectomy (SLA), wherein trocars were placed at multiple dermatome sites, in terms of postoperative pain and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients who underwent LA for AA between May 2019 and December 2019 were included in the study and randomized into 2 groups, wherein patients were included sequentially. The first group was operated with SLA surgery, whereas the second group was operated with SDLA surgery. All patients were assessed in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) scores, hemodynamic parameters, and patient satisfaction at postoperative 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. RESULTS: In the SLA technique, VAS values at postoperative 1, 2, and 4 hours were significantly higher than in the SDLA ( P =0.009; P <0.05). No significant difference was observed between the surgical techniques in terms of VAS levels at postoperative 6, 12, and 24 hours ( P >0.05). In the SDLA group, patient satisfaction was significantly higher than in the SLA group ( P =0.024; P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, SDLA caused less pain in AA cases during postoperative period than SLA. Further, the SDLA method achieved higher patient satisfaction during the postoperative period than the SLA method.

Management of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: Inpatient or Outpatient.

Objectives: Diverticular disease is a highly frequent condition and affects 50% of the population in the 9th decade in Western society. Acute diverticulitis is the most prevalent complication. The patients who are clinically stable and tolerate fluid should be hospitalized if fluid intake tolerance worsens, fever occurs, or pain increases. Bowel rest, intravenous fluid therapy, and empiric antibiotic therapy are the traditional treatments for patients admitted to the hospital. This retrospective study aimed to determine the parameters that will affect the outpatient or inpatient treatment of patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Methods: Patients who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain between January 2018 and December 2020 and were diagnosed with uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a) on computed tomography (CT) taken after intravenous contrast material shoot up were included in the study. Patient records were recorded retrospectively in the Excel file. After being seen in the emergency department, a comparison was performed between the inpatient group (Group 1) and the outpatient follow-up group (Group 2). Results: The study comprised 172 patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a). While 110 (64.0%) patients were followed up and treated as inpatients (Group 1), 62 (36.0%) patients were followed up as outpatients (Group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patients readmitted to the hospital in the first 30 days after discharge (both for outpatient follow-up in the emergency department and after treatment in the inpatient group). Conclusion: In this retrospective study, in which we evaluated the hospitalization criteria in uncomplicated Modified Hinchey 1a patients, it was found that patients can be safely treated as an outpatient if they have poor physical examination findings. Although there was no difference between the two groups in terms of hospital readmission after discharge and it was thought that follow-up of patients with Modified Hinchey 1a diverticulitis with outpatient oral antibiotic therapy might be reliable, prospective studies with larger numbers of patients are needed.

A comparison of patients who have appendectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic period with the period before the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the waiting and operating times of the patients who applied to our hospital with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) during the pandemic, how the process was managed in terms of AA and other data of the patient compared to the pre-pandemic period. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed among patients who were hospitalized in the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital General Surgery Clinic with a pre-diagnosis of AA. For this purpose, two groups were formed. Group 1: It comprised patients who were operated between March 11 and June 1, 2020; Group 2: It comprised patients who were operated between March 11 and June 1, 2019, with a pre-diagnosis of AA. RESULTS: Forty-six patients in Group 1 and 79 patients in Group 2 were operated with the pre-diagnosis of AA. There was no difference between groups in terms of pre-operative symptom durations or surgery waiting times. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant decrease observed in the number of patients operated because of AA can be interpreted as the avoidance of patients from applying to the hospital with the concern of infection. Moreover, it may suggest that uncomplicated cases undergo spontaneous resolution; however, there is a requirement for further research to support this assumption and define the criteria for this condition by including a level of scientific evidence.

Effective use of CT by surgeons in acute appendicitis diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) still maintains its prominence among general surgical emergencies, and the risk of developing AA is 8.6% for men and 6.7% for women. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis has a rate of approximately 20% false positive and false-negative. Ultrasound (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) are the imaging methods most utilized in this field. The present study aims to determine the relationship between the evaluation results of the clinician who examined the patient and the radiologist's evaluation in the evaluation of cross-sectional imaging tests for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: In this study, the records of 1891 patients who underwent an appendectomy in the General Surgery Clinic of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital between January 2010 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. From the file of the patients who underwent appendectomy with acute appendicitis and whose appendix was reported as normal in CT results, clinical examination findings of the patient in the emergency department and CT evaluation results of the relevant surgeon (Compatible with acute appendicitis, normal appendix or appendix could not be visualised) were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 1891 patients, who underwent appendectomy on suspicion of acute appendicitis, 1478 had CT scans for diagnosis and 145 were reported as normal by radiologists. In the evaluations by surgeons of these CT results all reported as normal by radiologists, 105 (%) 72,4) were compatible with acute appendicitis, while 18 (12.4%) were considered normal. In 22 (15.2%) patients, appendix could not be the visualized by surgeons. 70.0% of the cases with Lymphoid hyperplasia - fibrous obliteration pathology result; 73.8% of the cases with acute appendicitis; 75.6% of those with phlegmonousappendicitis and 64.0% of those with gangrenous/perforated appendicitis were diagnosed as appendicitis by CT evaluation performed by a general surgeon. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic accuracy rates increase significantly when the CT results are interpreted by the physician performing the clinical evaluation of the patient. The chance of reaching the correct diagnosis will increase with gaining the ability to interpret abdominal cross-sectional imaging techniques during general surgery specialty training.

Comparison of the Pretzelflex Retractor and Nathanson Retractor in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery.

PURPOSE: Retraction of the left lobe of the liver is an important step in most bariatric surgical procedures. The left lobe of the liver may be enlarged, and laceration, hematoma, or necrosis may develop in the liver due to retraction. In this study, the results of use of the Nathanson retractor (NR) and PretzelFlex retractor (PFR) in the patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent LSG were divided into three groups based on the type of liver retraction device used. Group 1: NR was used fixed during the operation; Group 2: PF retractor was used; Group 3: NR were used only for fundus dissection and when necessary. All groups were evaluated in terms of demographic characteristics, liver function tests, and developing complications. RESULTS: The study was conducted with a total of 120 consecutive patients. Operation time in the second group was found to be significantly lower than the other two groups (p = 0.009; p = 0.001; p < 0.01). The duration of retractor use in the first group was significantly higher than the other two groups (p = 0.001; p = 0.001; p < 0.01). While aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values were found to be high in Group 1, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were found to be high in Groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSION: PFR has shorter operating and retraction times. It causes less measurable liver damage. Although the NR will be used, intermittent use causes less damage to the liver as in PFR.

Clinical approach to patients admitted to the emergency room due to acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic and percutaneous cholecystostomy experience.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis (AC), a common complication of gallstones, is responsible for a significant part of emergency applications, and cholecystectomy is the only definitive treatment method for AC. Early cholecystectomy has many reported advantages. Operation-related morbidity and mortality have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, our aim is to present our general clinical approach to patients who were diagnosed with AC during the pandemic and our percutaneous cholecystostomy experience during this period. METHODS: This study included 72 patients who were presented to our hospital's emergency room between March 11 and May 31, 2020, with AC. Patients were divided into three groups based on their treatment: outpatients (Group 1), inpatients (Group 2) and patients undergoing percutaneous cholecystostomy (Group 3). These three groups were compared by their demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: There were 36 (50%) patients in Group 1, 25 (34.7%) patients in Group 2, and 11 (15.3%) patients in Group 3. The demographic characteristics of the patients were similar. The CRP and WBC levels of the patients in Group 3 were significantly higher compared to the other groups. Moreover, the wall of the gallbladder was thicker and the size of the gallbladder was larger in Group 3. Patients had percutaneous cholecystostomy at the median of 3.5 days and the length of hospital stay was longer compared to Group 2 (3.9 days versus 9.2 days, p=0.00). The rate of re-hospitalization after discharge was similar in Group 2 and Group 3, but none of the patients in Group 1 required hospitalization. None of 72 patients developed an emergency condition requiring surgery, and there was no death. CONCLUSION: Although many publications emphasize that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) can be performed with low morbidity at the first admission in acute cholecystitis, it is a clinical condition that can be delayed in the COVID-19 pandemic and other similar emergencies. Thus, percutaneous cholecystostomy should be effectively employed, and its indications should be extended if necessary (e.g., younger patients, patients with lower CCI or ASA). This approach may enable us to protect both patients and healthcare professionals that perform the operation from the risk of COVID-19.

Effectiveness of local anesthetic application methods in postoperative pain control in laparoscopic cholecystectomies; a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that causes pain originating from parietal and visceral peritoneum. Many studies have been conducted to improve postoperative pain management and comfort of patients. Various methods such as local anesthetic injection (LAI) at trocar access points, intraperitoneal local anesthetic injection (IPLA), pneumoperitoneum pressure reduction, transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB), and reducing the number of trocars used during the operation were attempted to reduce postoperative pain. METHODS: In this study, we compared LAI, TAPB and IPLA methods with the control group in which no local anesthetic was applied to reduce postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We also demonstrated the effect of these methods on postoperative pain, need for additional analgesics, length of hospitalization, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Overall, 160 patients aged 18-74 years who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis between October 2018 and August 2019 were included in the study and divided into four groups as follows: LAI group, TAPB group, IPLA group, and the control group without any intervention. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) values at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h in the control group were significantly higher than in the LAI, TAPB, and IPLA groups. Further, VAS values at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h in the IPLA group were significantly higher than in the LAI and TAPB groups. No significant difference was observed between the LAI and TAPB groups in terms of VAS values at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h. VAS values at 12 h in the LAI group were significantly higher than in the TAPB group. CONCLUSIONS: Peroperative local anesthetic administration methods were more effective in preventing pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to the control group. In addition to reducing postoperative pain, these methods reduced the need for postoperative analgesics and increased patient satisfaction.

The Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on Gastric Wall Thickness in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: The most important cause affecting the thickness of the gastric wall other than the tumor is chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori (Hp), which is most frequently detected in the antrum. This study aims to investigate the effect of bismuth-based treatment (BBT) combined with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on wall thicknesses measured in the postoperative gastric specimen and early postoperative complications in patients with Hp-positive pre-LSG endoscopic gastric biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent LSG procedure for morbid obesity were divided into three groups as follows: Hp-negative, Hp-positive without eradication treatment, and Hp-positive, and LSG was performed after eradication treatment. Macroscopic and microscopic gastric wall thickness measurements were made at a distance of 1 cm from the proximal surgical margin, from the middle part of the specimen, and 1 cm from the distal surgical margin in the gastric specimen and the results were compared. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included in the study, 44 patients in each group. Microscopically measured antrum mucosal thickness was found to be statistically significantly higher in group 2 compared to other groups (groups 1.15, 1.35, 1.16 mm, respectively, p = 0.000). There was no difference between the groups in terms of early complications such as bleeding, wound site infection, or leakage from the staple line within the first 28 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: This study found that LSG had no effect on early complications due to Hp positivity or eradication of Hp. KEY POINTS: • The presence of HP increases the wall thickness of the gastric antrum mucosa. • After HP eradication, stomach antrum wall thickness returns to normal. • HP eradication before LSG reduces the wall thickness of the gastric antrum mucosa. • It was determined that HP scanning and eradication before LSG had no effect on postoperative complications.

Risk factors and laboratory markers used to predict leakage in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages, which occur in the reconstruction procedures performed after total or proximal gastrectomy, still account for one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in spite of the developments seen in perioperative management and surgical techniques in gastric cancer surgery. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with gastric cancer, who had total gastrectomy +D2 lymph node dissection and Esophagojejunal anastomotic between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who did not have anastomotic leakages during their clinical follow-ups were allocated to Group 1, whereas those who had anastomotic leakages were allocated to Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 58 (72.5%) out of 80 patients were males, whereas 22 (27.5%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 61.2 ± 11.2 years. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Postoperative recurrent fever (p= 0.001), C-reactive protein values on postoperative days 3 and 5 (p= 0.01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on postoperative day 5 (p= 0.022) were found to be statistically significant with regard to Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages and other postoperative complications. The duration of operation (p= 0.032) and combined organ resection (p= 0.008) were ascertained as risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be careful about Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages which are significant postoperative complications seen especially in cases where the duration of operation is prolonged, and additional organ resections are performed. Recurrent fever, high C-reactive protein levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may serve as warnings for complications in postoperative follow-ups.

Endoscopic and histopathological features of the upper gastrointestinal system polyps: evaluation of 12.563 procedures.

OBJECTIVES: With the widespread use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in recent years, upper gastrointestinal system polyps have started to be encountered more often. Although most patients with gastric polyps are asymptomatic, these are important due to their malign potential, and gastric cancer may develop if left untreated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of 12.563 patients who underwent EGD at Kartal Kosuyolu High Specialization Health Application and Research Center for any reason between January 2013 and June 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with at least 1 histopathologically proven polyp were included in this study. RESULTS: A total of 12.563 endoscopic procedures of the upper gastrointestinal system were investigated and 353 (2.8%) polypoid lesions were detected. Mean age of these patients was 56.3 years and 241 (68.3%) of the patients were female. Gastric polyps were found most commonly in the antrum (50.1%) and of all gastric polyps, 245 (69.5%) were less than 1 cm. Histopathological evaluation showed that hyperplastic polyp (HP) (n= 151, 42.8%) was the most common polyp type, followed by fundic gastric polyp (FGP) (n= 51, 14.4%). Non-polyp gastric mucosa evaluation of 298 patients revealed that 34.9% of the cases were Helicobacter pylori positive, 19.4% had intestinal metaplasia, and 11.4% had atrophic gastritis. CONCLUSION: Polyps of the upper gastrointestinal system are generally detected coincidentally as they have no specific symptoms. Polypectomy is required for gastric polyps because of their potential for malign transformation according to medical evidence.

Spontaneous splenic rupture related to anticoagulant and antiaggregant treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is the most frequent cause of splenic rupture. In contrast to traumatic rupture of the spleen, spontaneous splenic rupture (SSR) is a rare and life-threatening condition. AIM: To present the cases of patients with SSR, who had no history of trauma, and who had been receiving anticoagulant and/or antiaggregant treatment while hospitalised for cardiac reasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cases of 6 patients with SSR at Gastroenterological Surgery Department, Kartal Kosuyolu High Speciality and Training Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The clinicodemographic factors and the diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilised for these patients with SSR while hospitalised were investigated as well. RESULTS: Five (83.3%) of the patients were male and 1 (16.6%) was female. The median age of the patients was 71 (61-73) years. Three of the patients had only been receiving antiaggregant treatment, while 2 had only been receiving anticoagulant treatment; only 1 patient had been receiving both anticoagulant and antiaggregant treatments. The decrease in haematocrit (HCT) levels ascertained on the day of SSR diagnosis and the HCT levels ascertained on the day of hospitalisation were statistically significant. All the patients received a blood transfusion. While 5 (83.33%) of the 6 patients had splenectomy, 1 (16.66%) patient received conservative treatment. Mortality was seen in 4 (66.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous splenic rupture is a condition that should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of patients hospitalised for cardiac reasons, who are receiving anticoagulant and/or antiaggregant treatment in cases of newly developed abdominal pain and low HCT levels.

Risk factors and laboratory markers used to predict leakage in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages, which occur in the reconstruction procedures performed after total or proximal gastrectomy, still account for one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in spite of the developments seen in the perioperative management and surgical techniques in gastric cancer surgery. The aim of the presentstudy was to ascertain the risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. MATERIALAND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with gastric cancer, who had total gastrectomy + D2 lymph node dissection and Esophagojejunal anastomotic between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who did not have anastomotic leakages during their clinical follow-ups were allocated to Group 1, whereasthose who had anastomotic leakages were allocated to Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 58 (72.5%) out of 80 patients were males, whereas 22 (27.5%) were females.The mean age of the patients was 61.2±11.2 years. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Postoperative recurrent fever (p=0.001), C-reactive protein values on postoperative days 3 and 5 (p=0.01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on postoperative day 5 (p=0.022) were found to be statistically significant with regardto Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages and other postoperative complications. The duration of operation (p=0.032) and combined organ resection (p=0.008) were ascertained as risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be careful about Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages thatare significant postoperative complications seen especially in cases where the duration of operation is prolonged, and additional organ resections are performed. Recurrent fever, high C-reactive protein levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may serve as warnings for complications in postoperative follow-ups.

Ischemic colitis following infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment: Results from a tertiary medical center.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ruptured aneurysm on morbidity and mortality in patients with ischemic colitis (IC) and resection following infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) surgery. METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2016, patients who underwent resection for ischemic colitis in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the ruptured condition of the aneurysm, the emergency or elective form of aneurysm surgery, treatment method for the aneurysm (EVAR-open) were obtained. The patients were compared and divided into two groups as those with ruptured aneurysm and those without. RESULTS: A total of 275 infrarenal AAA cases were treated by the cardiovascular surgery clinic between January 2012 and December 2016. Fourteen patients (5%) developed ischemic colitis requiring resection. Four (1.8%) patients with EVAR and 10 (17.5%) patients with open surgery were operated because of IC. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of demographic data and surgical procedures. The intergroup comparison did not reveal any statistically significant difference among gastrointestinal (GIS) symptoms, the time period until surgery, the involved colon segment, and the surgical procedures performed. The mortality rate in ruptured AAA group was 83.3%, while it was 62.5% in the non-ruptured AAA group. In spite of the fact that the mortality rate was high in the ruptured group, it was not statistically significant (p=0.393). CONCLUSION: IC is a complication of AAA surgery with a high mortality rate. Rupture in abdominal aortic aneurysm increasing mortality in IC patients. This complication with a high mortality rate following open AAA surgery should be noted by surgeons and we believe that the liberal utilization of laparotomy and early intervention in suspected cases will decrease mortality rates.

Gastric cancer with situs inversus totalis: does it really create difficulties for surgeons?

INTRODUCTION: Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a very rare condition that is seen at a rate of one in about 6000-8000 births. AIM: To offer a general view on the coexistence of SIT and gastric cancer, accompanied by a literature review. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the scope of this study, the case of a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma and SIT has been presented. Previous research on gastric cancer cases with SIT was reviewed through a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords used to conduct this research were "situs inversus totalis and gastric cancer," "situs inversus totalis and gastric malignant," and "situs inversus totalis and gastric resection." The database search covered English studies published between 2000 and 2016. RESULTS: The results of our literature review revealed 20 studies of patients with gastric cancer and SIT, and 21 related cases. Overall, 12 of the patients were male, 9 were female, and their mean age was 61.8 ±10.97 years. The vascular assessment data showed that three out of the 13 mentioned cases had vascular anomalies. Eleven of the patients had laparoscopic resections, and one of the patients that had a surgical procedure exhibiting a postoperative mechanical obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of SIT and gastric cancer is a very rare condition, and a careful preoperative radiological assessment should be conducted because there can be accompanying vascular anomalies. Laparoscopies and robotic surgeries can be performed for suitable patients at experienced centres, consistent with oncological principles.

A rare cause of ileus: late jejunal stricture following blunt abdominal trauma.

Small intestinal stricture forming in the late phase following nonpenetrating abdominal trauma is rare cause of ileus. It has often been suggested that it is result of localized feeding deficiency on the intestinal wall related to minor trauma in the mesentery. Laparoscopy has been increasingly used for diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis should be supported by pathological analyses in case of intestinal stenosis related to blunt abdominal traumas.

Emergency abdominal surgery in patients with left ventricular assist device: short- and long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency abdominal surgery (EAS) in patients with long-term mechanical circulatory support and strong anticoagulation is very difficult. AIM: To present our experiences regarding the short- and long-term results of patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) who underwent emergency abdominal surgery under general anesthesia at a large tertiary healthcare center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The electronic medical records of 7 patients with LVAD who underwent EAS between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016 were retrospectively investigated in order to evaluate perioperative management and outcomes. The patients were divided into two groups based on the need for EAS procedures. RESULTS: Seven (9.2%) of 76 patients with LVAD underwent EAS an average of 79.1 ±79.4 days after implantation. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups with and without EAS with regard to demographic characteristics, type of device, and rate of perioperative mortality (p > 0.05). The indications for surgery, retroperitoneal hematoma in 2 patients and in 5 other patients; ileus, iatrogenic splenic injury associated with thoracentesis, splenic abscess, acute abdominal pain and rectal cancer surgery was a pelvic abscess in a patient who is connected to the stump. In all cases laparotomy was performed with median incision. The perioperative mortality rate was 28.6% (n = 2). Two patients underwent orthotopic heart transplant during long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The EAS is not rare during LVAD treatment but is a rather complex procedure. General surgeons will be increasingly likely to encounter such patients as their numbers rise and their life expectancies are prolonged.