The role of alginate dressings in wound healing and quality of life after pilonidal sinus resection: A randomised controlled trial.

In this trial, we evaluated the role of alginate dressings in the secondary intention wound healing and quality of life (QoL) after pilonidal sinus resection. The study was designed as a prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT). In the experimental group, alginate dressings with silver and high-G cellulose were introduced after elective pilonidal cyst excision, whereas in the control group, simple gauges were used. The primary end point was the difference in terms of the wound healing period. Blinding existed at the level of the investigator. Overall, 65 patients were included during the study period. Wound healing duration was comparable between the two groups (P = .381). No difference in postoperative pain scores or recovery outcomes was found. The experimental group was associated with reduced wound secretions at specific time end points. Similarly, no effect was identified, on overall Wound-QoL or SF-36 scores. Alginate dressings do not accelerate wound healing or improve QoL. Due to suboptimal sample size and several study limitations, further RCTs are required to confirm our findings.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in men: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopic treatment in acute appendicitis still is unclear. Although some evidence in the literature suggests diagnostic benefits from laparoscopy for young women with suspected acute appendicitis, there is scepticism about the utility of this approach for men. This study aimed to compare open and laparoscopic appendectomy performed for men with suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: All male patients older than 15 years with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification of 3 or less, no previous abdominal surgery, and no contraindication for pneumoperitoneum were prospectively randomized to undergo either open appendectomy (OA) or laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). The primary end point was a detected difference in postoperative hospital length of stay, and the secondary end points were detected differences in postoperative analgesia, morbidity, and length of the recovery period. RESULTS: In this study, 147 men with suspected acute appendicitis were randomized to either OA (n = 75) or LA (n = 72). It took longer to perform LA (60 min; range, 20-120 min vs. 45 min; range, 20-90 min; p = 0.0027), and LA did not result in any significant difference for the parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: The postoperative length of hospital stay did not differ significantly between OA and LA for men. Laparoscopic appendectomy required more time and did not offer any advantages compared with OA.

Use of albumin polymers during breast cancer surgery improves postoperative seroma outcome.

The effect of an albumin polymer instillation (Bioglue® Cryolife, Inc., Kenneaw, GA, USA) during breast cancer surgery on postoperative seroma formation was evaluated. Two groups of 34 consecutive patients, treated during operation with and without polymer, were followed postoperatively by weekly ultrasound and clinical evaluation. Seroma was aspirated when the volume exceeded 250 mL. Statistical comparison between 33 of the patients with adhesive- and 32 with non-adhesive-treated patients showed that the former patient group clearly outperformed the latter in production (p<0.001) and duration (p<0.01) of seroma. Seroma outcome depended on body mass index (BMI) (>30 & <30, p<0.007), not on patient age (p<0.240) or nodes ratio (p<0.613). Repeated aspirations were made in 37.5% non-polymer treated- and 21.21% polymer-treated patients. The findings demonstrated that use of albumin polymers during breast cancer surgery lowers postoperative seroma outcome significantly.

Liposarcoma of the stomach: a rare case report.

Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma and accounts for 15%-20% of all mesenchymal malignancies. The tumor occurs most frequently in the limbs, retroperitoneum and rarely has a visceral location. We report a case of a gastric liposarcoma in a male patient. A 68 years old male patient was admitted to hospital for abdominal discomfort and fullness lasting for a month. He reported rare episodes of vomiting. The CT examination revealed a large epigastric mass (8 cm x 4 cm) involving the lesser curvature of the stomach, in contact with the pancreas and gallbladder. Fatty areas within the mass were evident. A total gastrectomy together with cholecystectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was a well differentiated liposarcoma. The patient did not undergo any adjuvant treatment, he is under close follow up and two years later he is disease free. We report this case due to the rarity of this tumor in the stomach (nine cases reported in the literature).

An Appendiceal Carcinoid Tumor within an Amyand's Hernia Mimicking an Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia.

Introduction. We report the case of an appendiceal carcinoid tumor within an Amyand's hernia, presenting as an incarcerated right inguinal hernia. Presentation of Case. A 52-year-old male presented in the emergency department due to a persistent right inguinal pain. Clinical examination revealed a tender right groin mass. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and an increased serum CRP. Under the diagnosis of an incarcerated right inguinal hernia, an emergency operation was taken. Intraoperatively, an inflamed appendix and a part of the cecum were found in the hernia sac. The operation was completed with an appendectomy and a modified Bassini hernia repair. Histological examination revealed a carcinoid tumor, resulting in the performance of a right hemicolectomy. Discussion. Amyand's hernia is estimated to account for 0.4% to 0.6% of all inguinal hernias. Coexistence of an Amyand's hernia and a neoplasia is quite rare. Carcinoids are the most frequent tumors found in the appendix, with the size of the primary tumor to be considered the most important prognostic factor and the basis upon which the operative plan is decided. Conclusion. A malignancy of the appendix should always be in the differential diagnosis of a right inguinal mass, in order to provide optimum surgical treatment.

One trocar laparoscopic placement of peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus: A simplified technique.

Peritoneal catheter placement for the treatment of hydrocephalus can nowadays be performed laparoscopically. We report our experience using a single trocar technique, with emphasis to a modification applied especially for the obese patients.

A giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernia as a cause of chronic renal failure: A rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernias are very rare and require surgical intervention. They usually do not cause any specific symptoms and thus, they are often misdiagnosed. If left untreated though, they might lead to severe medical conditions, such as renal failure. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 71-year-old male patient suffering from a giant inguinoscrotal mass, accompanied by symptoms of the lower urinary track (LUTS) and chronic renal failure. DISCUSSION: In our case, the patient presented with bladder hernia causing non specific symptoms of renal failure. In contrast to acute renal failure, a chronic renal impairment most often comes with no specific symptoms and thus, it can be present for many years before the diagnosis is made. It is evident that such serious conditions should be suspected and treated. CONCLUSION: Inguinoscrotal bladder hernias may be associated with severe medical conditions, such as renal deterioration, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure, when accompanied by any inguinal, scrotal, or low abdominal wall hernia.

Laparoscopic appendectomy: differences between male and female patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopy in the management of patients with suspected acute appendicitis remains controversial. It has been suggested that laparoscopy is useful mainly in young women of reproductive age because of the high incidence of wrong diagnosis in these patients. METHODS: Different management protocols for patients with suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively used in male and female patients; women of reproductive age were treated laparoscopically, while men were randomised to open or laparoscopic appendectomy. RESULTS: From September 2002 to September 2005, 132 patients-54 women and 78 men-with suspected acute appendicitis were treated according to the protocol. The incidence of wrong diagnosis in female patients was high (26% and the conversion rate low (5.5%). In contrast, in the laparoscopic male subgroup, these rates showed a reverse relationship (5.2% and 18.5%, respectively). Morbidity did not differ between female and male patients or between the 2 arms of the male group. Laparoscopic appendectomy took longer to perform without affecting significantly the needs for postoperative analgesia, the duration of hospital stay and the time to return to normal activities when compared with open appendectomy in men. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is at least as safe as the open procedure in the male population, although it does not appear to offer any obvious advantage over the open procedure. The diagnostic advantage that laparoscopy offers to fertile women makes the procedure attractive for this population.