The potential effects of Ankaferd blood stopper and fibrin sealent on sleeve gastrectomy staple-line healing: An experimental study.

Staple-line bleeding and leakage is a life-threatening complication in obese patients following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effects of Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) and Fibrin Sealant (FS; Tisseel®) on sleeve gastrectomy staple-line healing in an experimental animal model. A total of 30 Wistar albino female rats were divided into three groups and were subjected to sleeve gastrectomy with linear stapling. Group A (control group) had nothing administered, Group B was administered FS on the staple-line, and Group C was administered ABS on the staple-line following sleeve gastrectomy. After sacrifice on postoperative day 5, anastomotic burst pressure, tissue hydroxyproline levels and histopathological parameters were measured. The results revealed that group C had the highest mean bursting pressure level. However, the values of this parameter were not found to differ significantly between the groups (P>0.05). Group B and C had a similar hydroxyproline levels but increased compared with group A (P<0.001). Histopathological parameters were similar between the groups, except macrophage scores in group C. In the present experimental study, ABS was demonstrated to improve gastric-sleeved staple-line healing compared with FS. ABS may be used as a novel reinforcement agent in bariatric surgery.

Metabolic Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy with Transit Bipartition in Obese Females with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results After 1-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To present the early metabolic effects of sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition (SG + TB) procedure in female obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This prospective clinical study was carried out between January 2016 and June 2017. Inclusion criteria were female participants under 60 years old with T2DM, body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2 and HbA1c level ≥ 8%. All patients underwent to SG + TB procedure. Primary outcomes were the glycemic control variables, and the secondary outcomes were weight loss and dyslipidemia levels up to the last follow-up point. RESULTS: A total of 35 female participants with an average age of 48.8 ± 6.0 years old and a mean preoperative BMI of 42.0 ± 1.3 kg/m2 were included during the study period. Diabetic remission was achieved in 88.6% of patients (n = 31) on the third month without any antidiabetic medications. The mean postoperative BMI of patients was 24.8 ± 1.6 kg/m2, and dyslipidemia levels were significiantly lower at the last follow-up point of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: SG + TB procedure may be a potent therapeutic option for the treatment of obese patients with T2DM.

Analysis of the publishing rate and the number of citations of general surgery dissertations.

OBJECTIVE: A dissertation is a scientific document. However, if it is not published in a scientific journal, it will gain access to only a limited audience and thus will be unable to achieve its objective. Nevertheless, the rate of publishing in journals is not high among dissertations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the publishing rates of general surgery dissertations in journals and the total number of citations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All medical dissertations that have been prepared at general surgery departments of university hospitals and presented between the years 2006 and 2008 were analyzed. The authors checked whether the dissertations were published in a journal or not, by searching the dissertation in 4 different resources with the name of their authors. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two dissertations were included. Half of those dissertations were experimental animal studies. Seventy dissertations were published in various journals. Fifty one (22%) of these were published in Science Citation Index Expanded journals, while 19 (8.1%) of them were published in Turkish non-Science Citation Index Expanded journals. There was no significant difference in terms of publishing rates between study types. The number of annual citations per article was 1.1. The writer of the dissertation was the first author in 35 (68,6%) articles. CONCLUSION: The publishing rates of dissertations in general surgery is low, with only 22% being published in Science Citation Index Expanded journals. The citation rate was also detected to be low in our study. Consequently, a dissertation should be considered as a scientific research study and planned as such, not as obligatory assignments. The publishing rates of dissertations should be increased, and authors should be led and encouraged to publish their dissertations.

Why scientists perform animal experiments, scientific or personal aim?

OBJECTIVE: Although all animal studies are conducted in line with a specific purpose, we think that not all animal studies are performed for a scientific purpose but for personal curiosity or to fulfill a requirement. The aim of the present study is to reveal the purposes of experimental studies conducted on animals. MATHERIAL AND METHODS: We searched for experimental studies performed on rats in general surgery clinics via PubMed, and obtained the e-mail addresses of the corresponding authors for each study. Afterwards, we sent a 7-item questionnaire to the authors and awaited their responses. RESULTS: Seventy-three (22.2%) of 329 authors responded to the questionnaire. Within these studies, 31 (42.5%) were conducted as part of a dissertation, while the remaining 19 (26.0%) were conducted to meet the academic promotion criteria. Only 23 (31.5%) were conducted for scientific purposes. The cost of 41% of those studies was higher than 2500 $. CONCLUSION: As shown in this study, the main objective of carrying out animal studies in Turkey is usually to prepare a dissertation or to be entitled to academic promotion. Animal experiments must be planned and performed as scientific studies to support related clinical studies. Additionally, animal studies must have well-defined objectives and be carried out in line with scientific purposes that may lead to useful developments in medicine, rather than personal interests.

Methods for closure of appendix stump during laparoscopic appendectomy procedure.

The most frequent abdominal pathology requiring emergent surgery is acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy has been performed for the treatment of acute appendicitis since 1983. Closure of the appendix stump is vital to prevent severe postoperative complications. Different methods are described for closure such as stapler, endoloop, titanium clips, non-absorbable polymer clips (hem-o-lok clip), handmade loops, transsection by Ligasure or with bipolar cautery. The ideal method should be safe, applicable and cheap. The most appropriate method remains to be controversial. All methods are reported as safe, but some have higher costs, and some prolong the operation. In this article, we reviewed clinical and experimental studies on different methods of stump closure, and we tried to compare the benefit of these methods over others.

Does Sacrococcygeal Angle Play a Role on Pilonidal Sinus Etiology?

The predisposing factors for the development of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD) still remain undetermined. Here, we investigate the sacrococcygeal angle as a possible predisposing factor for the development of disease. Consecutive male patients admitted to our clinic with the diagnosis of SPD were included. Sex, age and BMI matched healthy controls without SPD were enrolled to the study. The predefined sacrococcygeal angles of patients and controls were measured on lateral pelvic radiographs by a single experienced radiologist. Thirty patients were included in each group. Sacrococcygeal angles of patients and control group were measured as 37.3±14.5 and 36.81±10.23 in patients and controls, respectively. The difference with respect to sacrococcygeal angle was not statistically significant between two groups. Sacrococcygeal angle which is the main skeletal determinant of intergluteal sulcus is not a predisposing factor for the development of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

Most cited articles in general surgery from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The citation number of an article gives us information about its quality and contribution to science. In this article, we aimed to find the most frequently cited article in general surgery from Turkey, and evaluate how these articles in general surgery contributed to the world literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used the science citation index expanded database to find the most frequently cited articles in general surgery from Turkey. RESULTS: Among the 52 articles found, the most common subjects were as follows: hydatid cyst (21.1%), pilonidal disease (15.4%), laparoscopic operations (15.4%), breast diseases (11.5%), and inguinal hernia (7.7%). Two articles were cited in more than 100 articles. Furthermore, 48.8% of the articles were published from three major cities. Most articles were published between 2000 and 2004, and 65.4% of articles were case series. CONCLUSION: Most of the cited articles were about hydatid cyst and pilonidal disease, which are more common in the Turkish population compared with other countries. Evaluation of most cited articles is important to identify the fields in which Turkey contributes to the world literature.

Safety and effectiveness of three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

UNLABELLED: Most commonly performed laparoscopic surgery is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although cholecystectomy through three port is not commonly preferred, researches have shown that it is a safe and feasible way of surgery. Material and Methods. We evaluate 100 patient that have undergone elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy through three port (group one). These patients were compared with 50 patients that have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy through four port (group two). Complications, lenght of stay in hospital, operation time, conversion to open surgery rate were compared in two group. RESULTS: In group one, fourth port was necessary for nine (9%) patients. Duration of operation in group one was in average 31 min and in group two, 31, 3 min. Operation time, lenght of stay in hospital, complication rate, conversion to open surgery rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Three port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safer method when performed by experienced surgeons. Laparoscopic cholecyctectomy can be tried through three ports firstly and can be continued with addition of fourth port if necessary.

Changes in the frequencies of abdominal wall hernias and the preferences for their repair: a multicenter national study from Turkey.

Abdominal wall hernias are a common problem in the general population. A Western estimate reveals that the lifetime risk of developing a hernia is about 2%. As a result, hernia repairs likely comprise the most frequent general surgery operations. More than 20 million hernias are estimated to be repaired every year around the world. Numerous repair techniques have been described to date however tension-free mesh repairs are widely used today because of their low hernia recurrence rates. Nevertheless, there are some ongoing debates regarding the ideal approach (open or laparoscopic), the ideal anesthesia (general, local, or regional), and the ideal mesh (standard polypropylene or newer meshes).

Laparoscopic appendectomy with hand-made loop.

INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal pathology requiring emergent surgical procedure. For treatment, laparoscopic surgery is commonly performed. For appendix stump closure different procedures are used. AIM: Evaluation of the results of patients in whom the stump of the appendix was closed with a hand-made loop during laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients in whom the stump of the appendix was closed with a hand-made loop during LA were included in the study. Reports of patients were collected from patient files retrospectively. Laparoscopic appendectomy was applied through 3 ports. Two loops were placed in the stump of the appendix. Loop was a modification of the Roeder loop that has been described in the literature and has been shown to be safe. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were included in the study. Twenty-four of them (39%) were female, 37 of them (61%) were male. The age range is from 13 to 60 (average age is 30) years. During the postoperative period, one surgical wound infection and two intraabdominal abscesses were detected. There was no leakage from the stump of the appendix in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: One of the most important components of cost of LA is the technique of closure of the stump. Stapler, endoloop, various clips or a hand-made loop could be used for closure. We recommend using a hand-made loop for closure as an easy, safe and cheap method.

A pilot study investigating early postoperative changes of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine early postoperative changes of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: Ten obese patients (mean BMI: 51.10 ± 11.59 kg/m²) underwent LSG and eleven normal weight control patients (mean BMI: 24.37 ± 2.33 kg/m²) underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Fasting blood samples were collected prior to surgery, at day 1 after surgery and after postoperation oral feeding. Plasma levels of arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n6), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, C20:3n6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) were determined by an optimized multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method using ultra fast-liquid chromatography (UFLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was measured in serum samples by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in insulin and HOMA IR levels in sleeve gastrectomy patients after postoperation oral feeding compared to preoperation. Plasma AA levels and AA/EPA ratio were significantly increased in sleeve gastrectomy patients after postoperation oral feeding compared to postoperation day 1. Serum PGE2 levels and AA/DHA ratio was significantly higher in sleeve gastrectomy patients at preoperation, postoperation day 1 and after postoperation oral feeding when compared to control group patients. CONCLUSION: Increased peripheral insulin sensitivity associated with LSG may play a role in the significant increase of plasma AA levels in sleeve gastrectomy patients following postoperation oral feeding. The significant increase in PGE2 levels and AA/DHA ratio in sleeve gastrectomy group patients also confirms the presence of a proinflammatory state in obesity.

SILS hepatectomy for hepatic hydatid disease: a case report.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of many conditions requiring surgery. Experience with SILS for hepatectomy is limited. This is one of the first reports of SILS hepatectomy in the treatment of hepatic hydatid disease. A 17-years-old female who has 89 × 59-mm cystic mass in the left lobe of the liver was admitted with abdominal pain persisting for several months. For treatment of the mass, SILS hepatectomy performed. Although complexity of the liver structure and the technical difficulties of SILS restrict its applications in hepatic surgery, the treatment of liver hydatid disease with SILS in selected patients is safe and efficient. Moreover, it allows a better cosmetic result and rapid recovery.

Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma arising in a neglected pilonidal sinus: report of a case and literature review.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare complication observed mainly in chronic, recurrent and untreated primary pilonidal disease. It is associated with poor prognosis, and its recurrence rate after surgery is high. Here we present a patient diagnosed with SCC arising from a neglected pilonidal sinus. A 44-year-old male, who is a heavy truck driver, applied to the hospital with chronic discharge from sacrococcygeal region. He had symptoms of the disease with multiple recurrent abscesses and spontaneous drainage for 10 years. The patient underwent cyst excision and the defect was left open for secondary healing. One year later, the patient was admitted to the hospital with a mass of 3 x 3 cm in the same area. Re-excision and a sigmoid colostomy were performed. The patient died after two years. This case study illustrates that since SCC is a fatal complication of recurrent and long-standing pilonidal sinus, the proper treatment of this disease should be carried out as soon as the diagnosis is established. To this end, we believe, that all pilonidal sinus lesions should be sent for pathologic examination.

The approach of general surgeons to the use of vessel sealing device in thyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular sealing devices (VSD) can be safely used in thyroid surgery. The purpose of this survey was to investigate general surgeons' approach to the use of VSD in thyroid surgery in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire containing 10 items was prepared and announced via the Dialogue in Endocrinology Society website. The results were then analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty surgeons (65.8%) stated that they always use VSD, 20 (26.3%) stated that they sometimes use these devices and six (7.9%) declared that they never use VSD. Thirty-six surgeons (47.4%) reported that they use ligation all the time, and 42 (55.3%) stated that upper pole vessels should be ligated at least once. Twenty two point four percent of the responders stated that they faced a complication, which they thought was related to VSD. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of surgeons routinely uses VSD and accepts it as a safe tool. However, the observed complication rate was very high.

Carcinosarcoma of the Breast: Case Report.

Carcinosarcoma of the breast represents less than 1% of primary breast mailgnancies. Both malign epithelial and malign mesenchymal elements exist together in the breast. A 59 year old postmenopausal women presents with a bloody nipple discharge and mass in breast. In left breast 2×1 cm mss detected and excisied. At pathological examination breast carcinosarcoma was detected. Then modified radical mastectomy was performed. Tumor measured 4×4×3.5 cm. Tumor cells were negative for estrogen, progesteron. C-erb-B2 was negative. There was no metastasis in axillary lymph node metastasis. Carcinosarcoma of breast is rare tumor. It mass be consider in diagnosis of patients with large breast mass.

Early postoperative changes of HDL subfraction profile and HDL-associated enzymes after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

This study aimed to determine early postoperative changes of LDL/HDL subfraction profile and HDL-associated enzymes following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Thirteen obese patients (mean body mass index (BMI) 52.74 ± 10.97 kg/m(2)) underwent LSG and normal weight control patients (mean BMI 23.56 ± 1.92 kg/m(2)) underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Fasting blood samples were collected prior to surgery, at day 1 after surgery, and after postoperation oral feeding. LDL and HDL subfraction analysis was done by continuous disk polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Plasma levels of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), and apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-I) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Measurement of CETP and LCAT activity was performed via fluorometric analysis. LDL subfraction profile showed no change in both LSG and control group patients. No significant difference was observed in HDL cholesterol, HDL-subfraction distribution, and apoA-I levels in the control group. LSG patients showed a significant increase in HDL-large and a significant decrease in HDL-small fractions at postoperation day 1 compared to preoperation. HDL cholesterol significantly decreased and apoA-I significantly increased in LSG patients after postoperation oral feeding compared to both preoperation and postoperation day 1. Changes in HDL subfraction profile at postoperation day 1 after LSG were accompanied by a significant decrease in CETP protein, LCAT protein, and LCAT activity as compared to preoperation levels. Early changes in HDL subfraction profile and HDL-associated enzymes following LSG suggest that the surgical procedure, irrespective of changes in body weight, affects reverse cholesterol transport.