The efficacy and safety of using prophylactic abdominal drainage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized control trial.

Background: The use of prophylactic drainage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been a routine practice for many years. However, the debate surrounding using it stems from conflicting evidence regarding its potential benefits and risks. Methods: Patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from February 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022, at Aleppo University Hospital were enrolled according to our previously registered protocol (NCT05267860). Results: This study included 232 patients (117 in the drainage group [DG], and 115 in the non-drainage group [NDG]). There was no statistical difference in the patients' main characteristics, comorbidities, and laboratory findings. The duration of the surgical operation in NDG (mean = 44.92, SD = 1.85) was shorter than in DG (mean 55.14, SD = 2.14), with (p = 0.039) statistically significant, which indicates that the use of the drainage led to a prolongation of the surgical operation. The total number of complicated cases reached 22 (9.48%) cases (DG = 9 vs. NDG = 13, p = 0.348) as follows: bleeding (n = 1) (DG = 1 vs. NDG = 0; p = 0.320), bile leak with no established bile duct injury (n = 1) (DG = 1 vs. NDG = 0; p = 0.320), wound infection (n = 12) (DG = 4 vs. NDG = 8; p = 0.443), urinary tract infection (n = 3) (DG = 0 vs. NDG = 3; p = 0.079), prolonged shoulder pain (n = 2) (DG = 0 vs. NDG = 2; p = 0.152), and acute pancreatitis (n = 1) (DG = 1 vs. NDG = 0; p = 0.144). Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, the use of prophylactic drainage was safe, but ineffective, as it did not improve the outcomes statistically significantly or worsen them, which is consistent with previous studies highlighting the need for personalized patient care in this setting.

Unusual cause of chronic abdominal pain in a 17-year-old female: a case report of an epithelial adrenal cyst.

Adrenal cysts are rare lesions that make up 4% of all adrenal masses. They are often found incidentally during imaging or surgery and can vary in symptoms depending on their size and location; with cysts < 10 cm often being asymptomatic. These cysts are more common in adults in their 30s or 60s and can be divided into four histological subtypes, with epithelial cysts being less common. We present a case of a 17-year-old female who experienced recurrent right flank pain for a year. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic mass on the right kidney, and computerized tomography showed a well-defined suprarenal cyst measuring ~8 cm misdiagnosed as mesenteric cyst. However, during laparoscopy, an adrenal cyst was discovered, which was excised along with the right adrenal gland. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an epithelial adrenal cyst. This case highlights the occurrence of adrenal cysts in younger individuals and the uncertainty of preoperative diagnosis.

A giant chylolymphatic cyst of the retroperitoneum: a case report.

Chylolymphatic cysts are an extremely rare variant of mesenteric cysts and account for 7.3% of all abdominal cysts. They can develop anywhere along the mesentery of the gastrointestinal tract and present in a wide range of symptoms. A 46-year-old male presented with mild abdominal pain and intermittent claudication in his right leg for the last 2 months and a history of a retroperitoneal resection of a simple abdominal cyst 5 years ago. Abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography showed a fluid-filled cystic lesion measuring 17 × 11 × 10 cm in the right retroperitoneum. The cyst was surgically excised, and the histopathological examination was consistent with the chylolymphatic cyst. On a 1-year follow-up, the patient is recovered with no recurrence observed. Our report presents a case of a giant retroperitoneal chylolymphatic cyst with uncommon presenting symptoms and a rare etiology.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma: a rare case report from Syria.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare aggressive tumor manifesting in children and young adults. This tumor derives from mesenchymal elements of the Tunica vaginalis, epididymis, and spermatic cord. It is a very metastatic lesion that can spread by lymphatics to the iliac, para-aortic nodes, lung, and bone. Case presentation: In this paper, the authors report a case of a 6-year-old child who presented to the clinic with a painless mass in the right side of the scrotum. The mass was misdiagnosed and had evolved rapidly over 2 weeks. The mass measured 16×32 mm on ultrasound, and therefore, an orchiectomy was performed. The histological examination of the excised tissue confirmed the diagnosis of paratesticular RMS. Discussion: Paratesticular RMS mainly presented as a painless mass in the scrotum. It was a very metastatic lesion that required an immediate management. However, a lot of cases of paratesticular RMS misdiagnosed at first time, which worsens the overall prognosis. Conclusion: Eventually, paratesticular RMS should be always taken into consideration when a scrotal mass is suspected. Due to its extremely serious metastatic potential, this condition requires early diagnosis and management. The treatment is currently well codified combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

The dilemma of incidental findings in abdominal surgery: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Despite the recent development in diagnostic techniques, many surgeons experience unexpected findings during the course of surgery. We aim to examine the incidence of all IFs in abdominal surgery -laparoscopy or laparotomy- and identify possible associations. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in Aleppo University Hospital - Department of Surgery. We collected patients' data who underwent abdominal surgery during the period of the two-consecutive years 2018-2019. Results: The data revealed detection of incidental findings during abdominal surgery -which included proper inspection of peritoneal cavity-in 6 out 543 cases (1.1%), whereas only one case included a misdiagnosis event (0.2%). Conclusion: Epidemiological information about IFs in abdominal surgery can be extremely useful for the surgeons on various aspects, and can assist them with being more prepared for the surgery and the possible unexpected lesions that might be encountered. We strongly recommend that further studies with larger numbers of participants are conducted as they can provide more generalizable data.

Aggressive angiomayxoma in men: Case report and systematic review.

Introduction: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor and occurs rarely in males. This study aimed to review all the cases of AAM in men in the English literature up to September 2020 and investigate the clinical, histochemical, and radiological characteristics of AAM and discuss the best treatment choices according to available data. Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases up to September 2020 was performed looking for reported cases of male patients with AAM. The search excluded articles in languages other than English, reported female cases, and superficial angiomyxoma cases. Results: Among the 97 patients, the mean age was 48.2 years with an incidence peak between 40 and 60 years. The sites commonly involved were the scrotum (42.3%). On ultrasound, the tumor was hypoechoic (85.7%) with a well-defined margin (100%), whereas on MRI, most cases were isointense on T1-weighted images (53.8%), and hyperintense on T2-weighted images (85.7%). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor tended to be positive for vimentin (100%), CD34 (63.4%), ER (50%), and PR (53.3%) while S-100 showed 91% negativity. Wide and complete surgical excision was conducted in most cases (72%), and follow-up duration ranged from 1 month to 144 months with a recurrence rate of 11.8%. Conclusion: Although the occurrence of AAM is rare in men, consideration should be taken in the differential diagnosis of a mass in the genitourinary region. According to our review, the most decisive immunohistochemistry profile is the positivity of Vimentin and CD34 with the negativity of S-100. Although hormonal treatment is controversial, we suggest a novel algorithm for the management of aggressive angiomyxoma.

Acute abdomen with gastric volvulus revealing an underlying pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis intestinalis is an abnormal presence of free air outside the lumen of the intestines in many shapes. It is classified based on its etiology to primary or secondary, it affects adults as well as infants and can involve any part of the GI tract. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 55-year-old man with a past medical history of a surgically repaired perforated duodenal ulcer who presented with an acute abdominal pain, Flatulence and constipation. On examination of the abdomen; severe distension, tenderness and tympanicity on percussion were noted. An erect CXR was performed and showed bilateral sub-diaphragmatic air levels. We performed an abdominal Paracentesis under the right subcostal margin which led to evacuation of large amounts of air. Next, an investigational laparotomy showed that the reason was a gastric volvulus associated with an anterior and posterior gastric wall lacerations. The suitable surgical repair approach was taken, but another lesion was detected incidentally. A pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) was extended along large length of the intestines in many shapes and without any symptoms or signs. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis has been reported continuously in relation to peptic ulcer disease (PUD). We aim to report a new association of a gastric volvulus and PCI secondary to pyloric stenosis caused by a duodenal ulcer; which we believe can aid in the diagnosing of dangerous complications, of a rare disease.

An asymptomatic giant extra-renal retroperitoneal angiomyolipoma: Case report.

RATIONALE: Angiomyolipoma is a benign mesenchymal tumor that consists of adipose tissue, muscle cells and blood vessel. Renal angiomyolipomas represent almost one percent of all renal tumors. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a case of a 42-year-old woman complaining of mild abdominal pain with no other symptoms and no remarkable medical history. DIAGNOSIS: Clinical examination was inconclusive and revealed a large, smooth, non-tender, and immovable mass in the right abdomen. Ultrasound examination confirmed the existence of a large, homogeneous, hyperechoic tissue mass. Abdominal multi-slice computed tomography (CT) scans also confirmed the presence of a well-rounded mass in the right abdomen. The histopathology tests confirmed the diagnosis of a large retroperitoneal mass. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent a traditional laparotomy without complications to remove the tumor. OUTCOMES: The open surgery was the best option, and the patient's condition improved due to the following-up. LESSONS: Retroperitoneal extra-renal angiomyolipomas are extremely rare, and in this case, we document a case of retroperitoneal angiomyolipoma manifested with only mild abdominal pain in Syrian women.

Gastrogastric herniation: An unusual complication following greater curve plication for the treatment of morbid obesity: Case report.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obese patients. Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is a good, effective and feasible surgical option for the treatment of obese patients. But it has some complications that should be considered such as gastric remnant distention, stomal stenosis and marginal ulcers. Here, we reported an extremely rare complication "gastro-gastric herniation". This condition was diagnosed through upper gastrointestinal contrast imaging and treated through laparoscopy. The hernia was invaginated and firm continuous sutures were placed. We followed the patient for one year and the results were great. Thus, we can add gastro-gastric hernia to the medical literature as a rare complication of laparoscopic greater curvature gastric plication, and It is considered a serious condition that requires immediate treatment and follow-up.

Delay in diagnosis of intestinal obstruction in a 17 year-old female with Familial Mediterranean fever: The first case report from Syria.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive auto-inflammatory disorder characterized mainly by brief recurrent episodes of peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis, usually with accompanying fever. Almost all patients with FMF experience abdominal episodes. Abdominal pain develops, and may progress to peritonitis. Intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesions may be observed in FMF patients but this is the first case from Syria. A 17-year-old Syrian female patient presented to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, weight loss and absolute constipation in the past ten days, with a confirmation of her infecting by FMF 3 years ago. The obstruction was treated conservatively and after 6 months we had to treat the obstruction by laparoscopic releasing of abdominal bands as a result of recurrence. The patient was discharged and followed up for 6 months with excellent results. We herein report the first known case of FMF with small bowel obstruction in Syria with delayed in diagnosis. Physicians should be alert to this possible complication when FMF patients arrive at the emergency room.

An atypical presentation of a strangulated bochdalek hernia in a 60-year-old woman.

Bochdalek hernia (BH), resulting from the failure of posterolateral diaphragmatic foramina to fuse, is the most common congenital diaphragmatic hernia and usually manifests in pediatric age with life-threatening complications. Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old female with a left-sided Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia, who presented with abdominal pain and dyspnea. The patient was successfully treated by open surgery approach but the patient died due to the lung doesnt expand after atelectasis in the third day after surgery. We know that a few cases of bochdalek hernia have been reported in the elderly by the medical literature, but what distinguishes our case is that the hernia was strangulated and the patient died as a result of non-expansion of the lung after its atelectasis following surgical repair.

Secondary aneurysmal bone cyst with benign fibro-osseous lesions: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Aneurysmal bone cyst is a controversial osteolytic benign expansive lesions which occur more frequently in the metaphysis of long bones and spine. They are classified as primary or secondary lesions depending on the presence or absence of an associated bone pathology. CASE PRESENTATION: An uncommon case has proven histological of benign fibro-osseous lesions (fibrous dysplasia and juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma) with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst formation inferior and lateral to the knee for a 7-year-old female patient. The lesion was surgically removed and the patient was followed up for 6 months with excellent results without any complications. DISCUSSION: There are many cases that have previously documented a bone aneurysm cyst, but what distinguishes this case is that it is a secondary type and its association with a benign bony fibrosis. CONCLUSION: The combination of the two lesions constitutes a unique and rare case that can add to the medical literature within the orthopedic department.

Unicentric Castleman disease in the mesentery with ambiguous symptoms: a rare case report.

Castleman disease (CD) is a rare clinical entity characterized by enlarged lymph nodes. It may affect a single lymph node (unicentric) or multiple lymph nodes in the body (multicentric). However, it is exceptionally uncommon for unicentric Castleman disease (UCD) to present in the mesentery. Herein, we report a case of 38-year-old female complaining of polymenorrhea and abdominal discomfort for 4 months. Her past medical history was unremarkable; however, she has started smoking recently. The physical examination and radiography indicated a large, well-defined mass in the right hypochondrium. Eventually, the patient underwent laparotomy and the mass was excised totally. The Pathologic study confirmed the diagnosis as mesenteric CD, hyaline-vascular type. After 5 months of follow-up, the patient showed no evidence of recurrence. In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of taking mesenteric CD into consideration in each patient who presents with solid abdominal mass or ambiguous abdominal discomfort.

A case report of multiple bilateral breast metastases after colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Although primary breast cancer is the most common tumor in women, breast metastases are rare findings. We report the first case in English literature with CRC metastases to the breast and adrenal gland concurrently. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old Caucasian female complained of abdominal pain over the last 3 days. Her history was remarkable for stage 2 colon cancer and she was free of disease for 2 years before the presentation, due to receiving Surgical-chemotherapy. The radiologic investigation showed a well-defined cystic mass in the left adrenal gland and left breast nodule. After adrenalectomy, the diagnosis of the mass was metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma. During the surgical preparation, bilateral breast lumps were noticed. Histopathology of breast mass showed mucinous adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the neoplastic gland was positive for CDX2, CK20, and P53 mutation and negative for CK7, PR, ER, and HER2. Overall, the diagnosis was metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma to the breast. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Metastatic lesions in the adrenal gland tend to be bilateral with irregular shape. Breast metastases are singular unilateral lesions with predominance in the left breast. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry make the final diagnosis. The management plan is complex and depends on many factors like the general condition of the patient and the presence of other metastases. However, breast metastases may be a clinical clue to disseminated disease. CONCLUSION: Breast metastases should be in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of colorectal adenocarcinoma, in order to provide the appropriate clinical care.

Trichobezoar from bristles brush and Carpet yarn requiring emergency laparotomy. Case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: When hair accumulates inside the stomach, it causes what is called a Trichobezoar, which leads to a stomach blockage, this condition is rare and more common in women and in patients with psychiatric disorders. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report an unusual case of a 16-year-old girl who has trichobezoar not only by ingestion of hair, it is also by bristle clothes brush and Carpet yarn. she presented with acute abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms-like watery diarrhea, vomiting, hypercoria and weight loss attributed to Anorexia. With an upper gastroscopy, the condition was diagnosed as a huge Trichobezoar that occupied the stomach. The patient was managed by surgical removal of the intra gastric mass. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Affected patients infrequently remain asymptomatic for several years. Symptoms begin while the bezoar increases in size to the point of obstruction, these symptoms are nonspecific like vomiting, nausea, anorexia, asymptomatic abdominal mass and digestive bleeding. CONCLUSION: Trichobezoar considers as a differential diagnosis for any patient with psychological disorders, like trichotillomania and trichophagia and has gastrointestinal symptoms.

Gluteal muscles primary hydatid cyst after cortical bone destruction in the sacrum.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid disease is caused by infection of Echinococcus Granulosus. Usually Hydatid Cysts occur in the liver and lungs. Presenting hydatid cysts in bone without hepatic affectation is rare and occurs in 0.5-2% of cases. Hence, this rare case makes the diagnosis difficult for the clinicians and, as a result, misdiagnosis of sacral Echinococcosis is common. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The authors report on a 47-year male with primary sacral hydatidosis and 34 years of recurrence. He was admitted with compressive neurological symptoms like tingling pain, numbness, sciatica and foot drop. He has undergone 8 operations and has been treated with Albendazole. He has developed a Sacro-cutaneous fistula. DISCUSSION: When assessing sciatica, low back pain or lower limb weakness the pelvic cavity should be examined for hidden disease that might explain the neurological symptoms. CONCLUSION: A missed diagnosis of osseous Hydatidosis could be devastating. Accordingly, the sacral Hydatid cyst must be included as a differential diagnosis for compressive neurological symptoms. In clinical practice, surgery remains the gold standard for treating osseous Hydatidosis.

A rare case of pelvic primitive neuroectodermal tumor with misleading symptoms: A case report.

Peripheral Primitive NeuroEctodermal Tumors (pPNETs) are rare highly malignant tumors; originating from the neuroectoderm. Although PNETs may arise in various locations (most commonly in the extremities), very few cases have been reported in the pelvis. There is still poor evidence about the management of these tumors in the literature. We present a rare case of pelvic PNET in a 20-year-old male. The patient presented with symptoms mimicking a lumbar disk hernia, which delayed the diagnosis. He was managed with a combination of a debulking procedure, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy; and has been in remission for 2 years upon follow-up. This case highlights the importance of diagnosing such aggressive tumors as early as possible (as prognosis may vary significantly), and the challenge in the management of PNETs due to poor evidence.

Primary Tuberculous Mastitis: The first report from Syria.

INTRODUCTION: Primary breast tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis even in endemic regions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Primary breast tuberculosis from Syria. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 37-year-old female who admitted to the surgical clinic with a 4-month history of gradually growing mass in the breast. On physical examination there were a palpable mass, painful superficial abscess in her left lateral upper quarter of breast, redness and nipple retraction and ulceration. The patient history and physical examination were clear except for uncontrolled hypothyroidism. Radiological tests including mammography, echography and laboratory investigations were performed. The patient underwent lumpectomy. Histopathologic examination showed caseating Tuberculous Mastitis and a large tuberculous abscess, with no malignancy. Patient was put on anti-tubercular chemotherapy, but recurred after three months with three masses in the same area because she did not adhere to the treatment. Lumpectomy and Anti-tuberculous therapy were repeated again with close follow-up, and the patient recovered. DISCUSSION: Primary breast tuberculosis forms about 0.025-0.1 % of all surgically treated breast diseases. Diagnosis is based on bacteriological and histological examination. We can get higher accuracy in diagnosis by biopsy such as a core needle or surgical biopsy, surgical biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculous mastitis. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous mastitis is extremely rare variant of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. However, it should be kept in the mind of physicians and pathologists while approaching a breast mass, especially in endemic area.

A rare complication of gallstones ended with spontaneous cholecystocutaneus fistula in an old man: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystocutaneous fistula is an extremely rare complication of gallstones. The majority of the fistulae localize into the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Diagnosis is not easy because the symptoms are nonspecific. External biliary fistula is more common in females between the 5th-7th decades because in this age group the frequency of cholecystitis is increased. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old man presented with a swelling in the right hypochondrium. He had not complained of any serious symptoms. Laboratory investigations were normal. Both abdominal ultrasound and Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) showed that the gallbladder contained stones, in addition to a cystic mass in the abdominal wall. The previous findings suggested that there was an abscess. So, the patient underwent laparoscopic procedure, and we found a fistula between the gallbladder and the abdominal wall causing the abscess. The greater omentum was adherent to the inflamed gallbladder. So that we transformed into open procedure to perform cholecystectomy and resect the fistula. DISCUSSION: Biliary fistulae have two types, external and internal. The most common type is internal. External biliary fistulae emerge like a complication of cholecystolithiasis in general. Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistulae occur due to acute inflammation caused by cholecystitis or chronic gallstones disease. The most common clinical manifestation is an abscess in the abdominal wall that discharges bile to the outside. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography is considered the gold standard in diagnosing a spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula, and it should be considered as a differential diagnosis for any abscess that is evident in the abdominal wall.

Acute abdomen due to an infarction of wandering spleen: case report.

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of one or all spleen ligaments that fixate the spleen in the left upper quadrant. Many different terms refer to wandering spleen like dislocated spleen, ectopic spleen and displaced spleen. We report in this case a 13-year-old Syrian girl presented to the emergency department complaining of acute generalized abdominal pain with fever, anorexia and vomiting started 2 days prior to presentation. A splenectomy was performed, with uneventful postsurgical follow-up. Wandering spleen is prone to torsion and infarction resulting in acute abdomen and a life-threatening condition with high mortality rate reaching 50%. We advise the investigation of any recurrent episodes of chronic pain keeping up within mind this diagnosis.