A rare cause of upper gastrointestinal system obstruction: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (Wilkie's syndrome); two different case reports.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is defined as a collection of clinical symptoms and findings that result from compression of the third part of the duodenum between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. Here, we describe two patients who were diagnosed with superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Two patients, 18 and 38 years old, respectively, presented to our clinic with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Computed tomography scans of both patients supported diagnoses of superior mesenteric artery syndrome. The 18-year-old patient recovered with conservative treatment. However, our 38-year-old patient did not recover with conservative treatment and required two surgeries. In the first operation, duodenal release with Treitz's ligament dissection and pyloroplasty were performed because of concomitant hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Because the patient exhibited gastroparesis and gastric ptosis after the first operation, subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-n-Y gastrojejunostomy were performed in the second operation. No complications were observed during follow-up after the second operation. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with nausea, vomiting, and weight loss of unknown cause. During treatment, weight-gaining conservative approaches should be attempted initially, but surgical treatment should not be excessively delayed in patients who do not respond to medical treatment.

Factors Affecting the Development of Gallstones Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a widely accepted procedure that has gained popularity among both bariatric surgeons and patients. There is still limited data in the literature on the formation of gallstones following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and so the present study determines the incidence of and potential risk factors related to the development of gallstones following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The data of patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a single center due to morbid obesity between January 2014 and December 2017 was retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups, as those with gallstones detected on ultrasound at 12 months and those without gallstones. Data of the two groups was compared. BMI did not differ significantly between patients with positive (+) and negative (-) ultrasound findings (p > 0.05). Aside from age, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, other preoperative parameters showed no significant association with the development of gallstones in USG (-) and USG (+) patients. The present study identified no significant relationship between a decrease in BMI following LSG and the postoperative development of gallstones. Preoperative hypertension and coronary artery disease were found to be significantly related to the development of gallstones after surgery. The authors suggest that patients with preexisting CAD and hypertension in the preoperative period must be followed-up with ultrasound more meticulously.

Findings in Appendectomies with Enterobius vermicularis Infection: Pinworm Is Not A Cause of Appendicitis

Objective: To evaluate the histopathological findings in appendectomy materials with E. vermicularis infection. Methods: Appendectomy materials with E. vermicularis infection of 24 cases were evaluated for the presence of acute inflammation, congestion, hemorrhage, perforation, lymphoid hyperplasia (LH), necrosis, granuloma, fecalith, obliteration, hyalinization, eosinophilic infiltration and mucosal architectural distortion. Results: The frequency of E. vermicularis among 3222 appendectomies that were scanned for the study was 0.74% (24/3222). Female: male ratio was 1:1 and the median age was 12±9.34 years. The most common findings were LH (100%), and congestion (91.7%) Acute inflammation was found in one third (n=8), with phlegmonous inflammation and/or periappendicitis in 4 of them. The patients with periappendicitis were significantly younger (mean age 4 vs. 14.2 years, p=0.008). Feces was present in the lumen in 79.1% of the patients (fecalith in 25%, soft feces in 29.1% and feces mixed with blood and/or suppuration in 25%). In 6 cases (25%), only E. vermicularis was observed in the lumen, with acute appendicitis in 2 of them. Appendiceal lumen was completely obstructed in 12.5% (n=3), while it seemed narrow due to extensive LH in 3 (12.5%) cases. Fibrous obliteration was seen in 4 patients and it was correlated with age and eosinophil count in lamina propria p<0.05. Conclusion: While E. vermicularis infection appears to be an incidental finding in appendectomies rather than being a cause of appendicitis, it probably stimulates LH which may mimic acute appendicitis clinically.

Influence of Obesity Surgery on Restless Leg Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms improved and treatment requirement decreased through weight loss on postoperative follow-ups of the patients who underwent laparoscopic sleave gastrectomy (LSG) due to obesity and who were started medical therapy due to RLS. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: General Surgery Outpatient Clinics of Research and Training Hospital of Medical School, Adiyaman, Turkey, from May 2014 to December 2017. METHODOLOGY: A total of 14 patients who underwent LSG due to morbid obesity and who received medical treatment due to RLS were retrospectively included in the study. The improvement of the symptoms and no need for medical treatment were considered as treatment or recovery criterion. Those who were not diagnosed with RLS before the operation or who did not receive medical treatment due to RLS were excluded. RESULTS: The study subjects comprised 6 females (42.9%) and 8 males (57.1%). Mean BMI was 46.50 ±3.43 Kg/m² before LSG and 28.28 ±2.26 Kg/m² on months 12 after LSG. Mean BMI values 12 months after LSG were significantly reduced compared to preoperative BMI (p=0.001). Out of the 14 patients who had been receiving medical therapy before LSG, 12 patients (85.7%) had discontinued medical therapy 12 months after LSG. A statistically significant difference was detected between the number of the patients who were receiving medical therapy due to RLS on month 12 after LSG and the number of the patients who were receiving medical therapy before LSG (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Treatment requirements of morbid obese patients who were receiving medical therapy due to RLS significantly decreased through weight loss following RLS.

AuraGain and i-Gel laryngeal masks in general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Performance characteristics and effects on hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVES:   To evaluate and compare the performances of new types of supraglottic airway devices (SADs) with endotracheal intubation regarding their ease of insertions, perioperative complications, and effects on hemodynamic parameters and peak airway pressures in laparascopic cholecystectomy (LC).  Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients with ASA 1-2 physical status scheduled for elective LC were recruited for this prospective randomized controlled trial. The study was completed between January  2016 and January 2017 in Adiyaman University Research and Educational Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey. The patients were divided into AuraGain(Ambu, Ballerup, Denmark) (n=38), i-Gel® (Intersurgical Ltd, UK) (n=35), and endotracheal tube (ETT)(n=32) groups. Ease of insertion, airway pressures, complications, and hemodynamic variables were compared. Results: The trial was completed with 105 patients. Ease of insertion for SADs which was evaluated with insertion procedure duration, attempts, first insertion success rates, and oropharyngeal leak pressures were similar between the groups. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressures, and peak airway pressures were significantly lower in the AuraGain and i-Gel® groups, compared with the ETT, p less than 0.017. Conclusion: Both AuraGain and i-Gel® SADs are comparable with ETT used for airway control in general anesthesia for LC, regarding application ease and perioperative complications. Favorable hemodynamic responses to AuraGain and i-Gel® SADs may put them in a better place than ETT.

Histopathological Findings in Morbid Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Does H. pylori Infection Effective on Pathological Changes?

AiM: To determine the prevalence of histopathological findings requiring clinical follow-up in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and evaluate the relationship between these findings and Helicobacter pylori as well as to add more data to the published literature in this regard. MATERiAL AND METHODS: Overall, 161 morbidly obese patients with body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2 who underwent LSG between May 1, 2014 and May 31, 2017 were retrospectively included in the study. The findings of the histopathological evaluation of the resected gastric material and the relationship between these findings and histopathologically detected H. pylori infection were investigated. RESULTS: The study included 114 women (70.8%) and 47 men (29.2%). The mean age of the patients was 36.82 ± 10.41 years, and the mean BMI was 46.05 ± 3.76 kg/m2. H. pylori infection was detected in 103 (64%), chronic gastritis in 156, chronic active gastritis in 47, intestinal metaplasia in eight, and atrophy in seven patients. The rate of H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis was 64%, that of chronic active gastritis was 24.2%, that of lymphoid aggregation was 62.2%, and that of intestinal metaplasia and atrophy was 3.1%. There was a significant relationship between H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis, chronic active gastritis, and lymphoid aggregation; however, no significant relationship was found between intestinal metaplasia and atrophy. CONCLUSiON: Clinicians should be aware of the histopathological findings requiring clinical follow-up for LSG-treated patients. Given the complications of H. pylori infection such as lymphoma and malignancy, periodic follow-up of patients and eradication therapy may be a suitable approach for treating intestinal metaplasia and atrophic changes.

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte and Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratios are Not Different among Breast Cancer Subtypes

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous complex of diseases comprising different subtypes that have different treatment responses and clinical outcomes. Systemic inflammation is known to be associated with poor prognosis in many types of cancer. The neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet / lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are factors used as indicators of inflammation. In this study, we evaluated NLR and PLR ratios in breast cancer subtypes. Methods: A total of 255 breast cancer patients were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were classified into three subtypes: estrogen receptor (ER)- or progesterone receptor (PR)-positive tumors were classified as luminal tumors; human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-overexpressed and ER-negative tumors were classified as HER2-positive tumors; and ER, PR, and HER2-negative tumors were classified as triple-negative tumors. The NLR and PLR were calculated. Results: The median NLR and PLR were 3 (0.37­37,1) and 137 (37.1­421.3), respectively. 66.7% of the patients were luminal type, 19.2% were HER2 positive, and 14.1% were triple negative. NLR was not associated with grade (p: 0.412), lymphovascular invasion (p: 0.326), tumor size (p: 0.232) and metastatic lymph node involvement (p: 0.406). PLR was higher in the patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without lymph node metastasis (p: 0.03). The NLR was 2 in the luminal group, 1.8 in the HER2-positive group, and 1.9 in the triple-negative group, but the differences were not significant(p: 0.051). PLR was 141 in the luminal group, 136 in the HER2-positive group, and 130 in the triple-negative group, but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: We could not find any significant differences for NLR and PLR according to breast cancer subtypes.

The Role of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: To investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on HbA1c and serum cortisol levels in morbidly obese patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and whose body mass index was> 40 were included in the present study. Patients' files were reviewed retrospectively. Those with diabetes mellitus and those with age <18 were excluded from the study. Pre-operative and 1-year post operative data were documented. The obtained data were analysed by SPSS statistical program. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 27.4 ± 8.4. 5 of the patients were male, and 24 were female. The mean body mass index of the patients was 44 ± 2.3. 1 patient [3.4%] had hypertension. Four patients [13.7%] had gastroesophageal reflux disease. The number of smokers was 7 [24.1%], and the number of alcohol users was 3 [10.3%]. There was a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c, body mass index values after operation [p value <0.01], but cortisol was not different [p value = 0.72]. CONCLUSION: In this present study we found that bariatric surgery caused a significant decrease in HbA1c levels in non-diabetic patients, suggesting that bariatric surgery may prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in obese patients.

The effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on morbid obesity and obesity-related comorbidities: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery with multidisciplinary management is a more effective method to treat morbid obesity and obesity-related comorbidities compared with nonsurgical treatments. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) was initially performed as the first stage of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in the super-obese population. In the past few years, however, LSG has been performed as a definitive procedure because of its promising early and midterm results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of our initial LSG series of 73 patients on excess weight loss (EWL) and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities in short-term follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 2013 to May 2014, 78 morbid obese patients with an average body mass index (BMI) of 46.3 kg/m(2) underwent LSG. There is a 9-month follow-up period on average. Five patients were excluded from the study, because they could not be contacted. Comorbidities, preintervention BMI, glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profiles were recorded at 1, 6, and 12 months postintervention. RESULTS: After the surgery, the percent EWL was 58%. The mean serum glucose level, HbA1c level, LDL-cholesterol level, triglyceride level, insulin, and insulin resistance decreased significantly and the mean HDL-cholesterol level increased. CONCLUSION: For the resolution of comorbidities, LSG may be used as an effective bariatric and metabolic surgery.

Comparison of APACHE II, P-POSSUM and SAPS II scoring systems in patients underwent planned laparotomies due to secondary peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: The first aim of this study was to discuss the factors affecting mortality rate in patients with severe intraabdominal sepsis treated with planned relaparotomy. The second aim was to compare APACHEE II, P-POSSUM and SAPS II scoring systems to allow identification of high-risk patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 34 patients who had intra-abdominal sepsis and treated with planned relaparotomy between January 2009 and January 2012 were included the study. The source of the peritonitis, type and number of surgical procedures, number of planned relaparatomies, microbiology surveillance, total intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay duration, number of intubated days, morbidity and mortality were analyzed. APACHEE II, SAPS II, P-POSSUM scores and estimated mortality ranges at admission were compared. RESULTS: The mean age was 46 (16-76 years) and 73.5 % (n=25) were male. A total of 119 operations and 50 surgical procedures were performed. The overall mortality rate was 20.6% (n=7). Complications developed in %53 (n=18) of the patients. Mortality was higher in upper GIS leaks (6/20 versus 1/14 patients). Areas under the curve calculated by ROC curve analysis for APACHE II, SAPS II and P-POSSUM were 0.958, 0.955 and 0.931, respectively. The highest values for sensitivity (100%) and specivity (85.2%) together were reached in APACHE II, when cut off value for it was set to 20.5. The SAPS II and P-POSSUM physiology scores were correlated with overall hospital stay (p=0.022 r=0.438 and p=0.001 r=0.609 respectively), but this correlation was not found for APACHEE II score (p=0.085 r=0.337). However, all three scoring systems provided clear estimation of ICU stay duration. CONCLUSION: We suggest that, in secondary peritonitis patients reserved for planned relaparotomy, APACHE II is more reliable for prediction of mortality and P-POSSUM scoring system is more reliable for prediction of overall hospital stay duration.