The Effects of Direct Oxygen Supply During Static Cold Preservation of Rat Livers: An Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the biochemical and histopathologic effects of direct oxygen supply to the preservation fluid of static cold storage system with a simple method on rat livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group, which contained Ringer's lactate as preservation fluid; and the oxygen group, which contained oxygen and Ringer's lactate for preservation. Each liver was placed in a bag containing 50 mL Ringer's lactate and placed in ice-filled storage containers. One hundred percent oxygen supplies were given via a simple, inexpensive system created in our laboratory, to the livers in oxygen group. We obtained samples for histopathologic evaluation in the 12th hour. In addition, 3 mL of preservation fluid was subjected to biochemical analysis at 0, sixth, and twelfth hours. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and pH levels were measured from the preservation fluid. RESULTS: In oxygen-supplemented group, the acceleration speed of increase in alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels at sixth hour and lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels at 12th hour were statistically significantly reduced. In histopathologic examination, all parameters except ballooning were statistically significantly better in the oxygen-supplemented group. CONCLUSIONS: This simple system for oxygenation of liver tissues during static cold storage was shown to be effective with good results in biochemical and histopathologic assessments. Because this is a simple, inexpensive, and easily available method, larger studies are warranted to evaluate its effects (especially in humans).

Parameters predicting follicular carcinoma in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology.

AIM: To determine the parameters supporting the malignancy by comparing demographic features of patients and nodule features in malign and benign nodules according to the pathology results after thyroidectomy in patients with the suspicious fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results for follicular neoplasia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thyroidectomy performed 152 cases with the suspicion of follicular carcinoma owing to the FNAB results were included in the study. Age, radiation exposure history, and serum TSH levels of patients were recorded as well as the ultrasound findings of nodules as nodule count, diameter, internal structure, echogenicity, border features, presence of peripheral halo, and presence of internal micro calcifications. Scintigram findings of nodules were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48,14 years (range: 20-71 years). Twenty five (16,5%) of the patients were male while 127 (83,5%) were female. Among patients with higher than normal TSH levels, malignancy was more common compared with the patients with normal or lower TSH levels. Presence of intranodular calcifications [Odd's Ratio: 3,1; 95 % Confidence Interval: 1,3-7,4], increase in intranodular vascularization [Odd's Ratio: 14,7; 95% Confidence Interval: 1,4-147,7], absence of halo sign [Odd's Ratio: 0,1; 95% Confidence Interval: 0,04-0,8], and ill-defined margins [Odd's Ratio: 0,1; 95% Confidence Interval: 0,49-0,3] were statistically significantly more common in malignant cases. CONCLUSION: The ability of clinical features, and sonographic parameters to predict malignancy in indeterminate thyroid nodules should be kept in mind since ultrasound is a simple, easy and inexpensive tool in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

ULTRAPRO Hernia System versus lichtenstein repair in treatment of primary inguinal hernias: a prospective randomized controlled study.

The Lichtenstein repair has been recommended as the gold standard for inguinal hernia repair. However, postoperative discomfort still constitutes a concern and an area for improvement. New mesh materials have been continuously introduced to achieve this goal. The goal of the present study was to investigate the outcomes of ULTRAPRO Hernia System (UHS) compared with Lichtenstein mesh repair. A total of 99 male patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia were included in the study during the period of September 2010-January 2012. Patients with body mass index>30, comorbid diseases, and anesthetic risk of ASA-III and ASA-IV were excluded. The patients were randomly allocated to operation with the Lichtenstein technique (group L) or UHS. Demographics, operative and postoperative/recovery data, and short- and medium-term outcomes of the patients were recorded. A total of 50 patients in group L and 49 patients in group UHS were analyzed. The median follow-up time for the study was 33 months. There were no significant differences regarding demographics, complications, and rehabilitation between the groups. Overall, there was a prolonged operation time in the UHS group compared with the L group (UHS: 53.7±5.7 minutes; L: 44.5±5.5 minutes; P<0.001). UHS may provide results similar to those for the Lichtenstein technique in open repair of inguinal hernias regarding perioperative course, complications, recovery, and recurrence rates. However, because of reduced costs and the lack of need for the exploration of the preperitoneal space, we conclude that the Lichtenstein technique should be recommended as the first choice.