Comparison of Albumin and Fresh Frozen Plasma as Colloid Therapy in Patients With Major Burns.

BACKGROUND: Burn injuries are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, and burn patients have higher chances of recovery if they are treated with effective fluid and colloid management. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and albumin suspension used as a colloid treatment agent are very useful for the treatment of severe burns. METHODS: This retrospective clinical trial was conducted at the Numune Education and Research Hospital Burn Center, Ankara, Turkey. Two hundred and nine patients who had severe burns that involved more than 30% of their total body surface area (TBSA) were studied. After the first 24 hours, 13 patients were deceased, leaving 196 patients remaining in the study, including 139 patients in the fresh frozen plasma group and 57 patients in the albumin group. Both the fresh frozen plasma and albumin groups received the standard therapy of the burn center, which was based on a standard protocol. Then, these patients were compared according to their clinical findings and mortality. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age, gender, and comorbidities. The laboratory findings, blood, urine, and wound culture results were also similar between groups. The mortality rate was higher in the group receiving albumin than in the group receiving fresh frozen plasma (78.9% and 33.8%, respectively; p=0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, there was a significant relationship between the improvement in mortality and the mode of colloid treatment in patients with major burns.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-related anti-inflammatory effects of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in experimental colitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase and bacterial translocation after the administration of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in the TNBS model of rat colitis. METHODS: The study group was divided into five categories as follows: group 1: (control), group 2: colitis+saline, group 3: colitis+3-aminobenzamide, group 4: colitis+infliximab, and group 5: colitis+3-aminobenzamide+infliximab. Intestinal mesenteric cultures were incubated on specific agar media plates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, bacterial translocation was evaluated and assessed as colony-forming units per gram of tissue. Colonic tissue samples were evaluated by Western blotting method to detect the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. RESULTS: The results obtained were as follows: group 1: normal gut flora; group 2: eight of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which six of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein; group 3: five of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; group 4: three of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; and group 5: only one sample had exact indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein. CONCLUSION: Altered expression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase results in a lower bacterial translocation via infliximab compared with 3-aminobenzamide treatment. Combined treatments emphasized different approaches for the new molecules related to indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-related anti-inflammatory effects of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in experimental colitis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase and bacterial translocation after the administration of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in the TNBS model of rat colitis. METHODS: The study group was divided into five categories as follows: group 1: (control), group 2: colitis+saline, group 3: colitis+3-aminobenzamide, group 4: colitis+infliximab, and group 5: colitis+3-aminobenzamide+infliximab. Intestinal mesenteric cultures were incubated on specific agar media plates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, bacterial translocation was evaluated and assessed as colony-forming units per gram of tissue. Colonic tissue samples were evaluated by Western blotting method to detect the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. RESULTS: The results obtained were as follows: group 1: normal gut flora; group 2: eight of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which six of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein; group 3: five of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; group 4: three of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; and group 5: only one sample had exact indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein. CONCLUSION: Altered expression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase results in a lower bacterial translocation via infliximab compared with 3-aminobenzamide treatment. Combined treatments emphasized different approaches for the new molecules related to indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase.

[Factors Influencing Pneumococcal Vaccination-Induced Total IgG, IgG2, and IgA Levels in Vaccinated Splenectomized Patients]. / Asili Splenektomili Hastalarda Pnömokok Asisi ile Indüklenmis Total IgG, IgG2 ve IgA Düzeylerini Etkileyen Faktörler.

Splenectomy is closely associated with a lifetime risk of pneumococcal and other encapsulated bacterial infections. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the change of antibody levels after vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae according to age, gender, years after splenectomy and the possible effect of splenectomy on IgG avidity. In addition the education and awareness levels of the participants about post-splenectomy vaccination and infectious diseases were also analyzed. In the first of the three phases of this study, 32 individuals with splenectomy were enrolled. The awareness of the patients about the possible risks after splenectomy was investigated with a simple questionnaire. Routine laboratory test results were obtained and clinical examinations were performed. In the second stage, total Ig values of 29 splenectomy patients were determined. In the third phase, 14 splenectomy and 5 healthy volunteers were vaccinated according to the Vaccination Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) guidelines. Pneumococcal-specific antibody levels and IgG avidity were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It was determined that 68.8% of the splenectomized patients were unaware of their vaccination status and 78.2% of them were unaware of the increased risk of infectious diseases in asplenic conditions. . According to the hospital information management system, all 31 (96.87%) patients, except one, were vaccinated with PPV23. As expected, vaccinated patients exhibited high levels of vaccine-specific antibody production with IgG, IgG2, and IgA antibody concentrations of 321 ± 76.68 mg/l, 73.07 ± 8.273 mg/l, and 117.8 ± 14.94 mg/l, respectively, but unvaccinated patients had very low antibody (IgG, IgG2 and IgA antibody concentrations were 11.5 mg/l, 1.3 mg/l and 1.2 mg/l, respectively) levels. Although there was no correlation between antibody titers and gender, age groups or presence of fever history, the decrease in total IgG, IgG2 and IgA titers were strongly correlated with the time since splenectomy. Antibody titers were found to be significantly lower in splenectomized patients vaccinated more than 10 years ago. Routine laboratory results were at normal levels except for low platelet count. On the other hand, both splenectomized and healthy control subjects displayed similar IgG avidity index values (%61.8 ve %64.4% inhibition in control and splenectomized subjects, respectively) after the vaccination schedule. It was shown that post-splenectomy vaccination with PPV23 induced high levels of pneumococcus-specific antibody production that can last for more than five years. It was determined that more efforts should be made to increase the level of knowledge about pneumococcal and other overwhelming post-splenectomy infections (OPSI) as the awareness of the patients about the risks of infection after splenectomy was poor. In particular, patients with splenectomy operation more than 10 years ago should be very careful about being asplenic as they were determined to have significantly lower level of vaccine-specific antibody production. Our study was also the first to show that splenectomy does not alter IgG avidity induced by pneumococcal vaccination.

Comparison of Primary Midline Closure, Limberg Flap, and Karydakis Flap Techniques in Pilonidal Sinus Surgery.

BACKGROUND Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a common disease of the sacrococcygeal-natal region. There are many treatment options, but there is still no consensus on the ideal treatment. We compared the results of our PS patients who were treated with primary midline closure (PMC), Limberg flap repair (LFR), and Karydakis flap (KF). MATERIAL AND METHODS The data for 924 PS patients from 2013 to 2017 were retrospectively examined. Demographic data, surgical procedures, schedules, and recurrence rates were examined. RESULTS The mean age was 28.4 years (14-77 years), 82.5% were male (n=762), and 17.5% were female (n=162). PMC was performed on 53.7% (n=496) of the patients, 32.5% (n=300) received LFR, and 13.9% (n=128) underwent KF. PMC was the first choice among females but LFR was the first choice in recurrent patients. The recurrence rate was 10.8% in the PMC group, 8% in the LFR group, and 3.1% in the KF group. In Short Form Survey-36 (SF-36) scores, the best cosmetic outcomes were observed in cases of PMC (p<0.05). Overall, wound dehiscence (WD) was observed in 7.5%, surgical site infection (SSI) in 2.4%, and seroma in 8.5% of all patients. The KF group had the lowest complication rates (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study, the reason for preferring PMC among women is cosmetic concerns. PMC still remains important for treatment, but it should be noted that the recurrence rates due to inadequate excision are mostly observed in cases of PMC. Considering their low recurrence rates, LFR or KF should be considered first. When low recurrence rates, patient comfort, and cosmetic results are evaluated together, KF in particular emerges as a method preferred by physicians and patients.

When should gallbladder polyps be treated surgically?

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to better understand the best surgery timing for gallbladder polyps (GP). OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the potential for malignant transformation and the best timing for surgery in GP, based on an assessment of the clinical symptomatology and on the results of the imaging and histopathological examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Age, gender, clinical symptoms, preoperative ultrasound findings, and the results of the postoperative histopathological examination were retrospectively assessed in a total of 2,656 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in Department of General Surgery, Hitit University School of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey, between 2008 and 2013. RESULTS: From a total of 2,656 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in our unit between 2008 and 2013, 96 subjects were found to have the following types of GP: 66.6% (n = 64) had cholesterol polyps, 13.54% (n = 13) had adenomyomatous polyps, 8.33% (n = 8) had adenocarcinoma, 7.2% (n = 7) had inflammatory polyps, and 4.16% (n = 4) had hyperplastic polyps. Also, 85.4% of these patients (n = 82) had a single polyp only, while 14.6% (n = 14) had 2 polyps. The polyp size in patients with adenocarcinoma was 9 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm in 2, 4 and 2 patients, respectively. The mean age of patients with adenocarcinoma was 60 years (55-74), all of whom had solitary polyps. CONCLUSIONS: In patients over 50 years of age with co-existent cholelithiasis and GP exceeding 10 mm, surgical treatment should be undertaken due to the risk of malignancy. Other patients with polyps less than 10 mm in size should be followed up in 6-month intervals using ultrasound examination.

The effect of splenectomy on the levels of PCV-13-induced memory B- and T cells.

AIM: Splenectomised patients are associated with lifelong risk of fatal overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), which is mostly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Today OPSI cases can still be reported even in patients with appropriate vaccination. In our study, the levels of vaccine-specific memory B- and T cells were compared between control and splenectomised patients to enlighten the underlying reason. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five healthy and 14 post-traumatic splenectomised individuals were vaccinated with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) followed by 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23). The levels of memory B- and T cells were compared by ELISPOT analysis. RESULTS: Splenectomised patients generated reduced levels of memory IgG B cells in response to PCV-13 vaccination, while the memory IFN-γ T-cell levels were undetectable in asplenic patients. This was despite the detection of vaccine-induced memory T-cell levels in control patients, which were analysed simultaneously following the same experimental protocol. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that spleen is important, but not essential, for survival and/or generation of memory IgG B cells. In contrast, it seems to be indispensable for PCV-13-specific memory TH 1-cell levels. Studies enhancing the levels of vaccine-induced memory cells and further enlightening the immune responses in asplenic individuals are required to develop more effective vaccination strategies against OPSI.

Anti-Pneumococcal Vaccine-Induced Cellular Immune Responses in Post-Traumatic Splenectomized Individuals.

PURPOSE: Splenectomy is associated with increased risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infections despite proper anti-pneumococcal vaccination. As most studies concentrated on vaccination-induced humoral immunity, the cellular immune responses triggered in splenectomized patients are not yet well studied. The present study aims to investigate this area as it can contribute to the development of more effective vaccination strategies. METHODS: Five healthy and 14 splenectomized patients were vaccinated with pneumococcal conjugate polysaccharide vaccine (PCV) followed by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine according to the guidelines established by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. PBMC samples collected 0, 8, and 12 weeks after PCV immunization were in vitro stimulated with PCV. Levels of lymphoproliferation, TH cell differentiation, and cytokine release were assessed by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester labeling, intracellular cytokine staining, and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: While TH1-dominated immune response was detected in both groups, asplenic individuals generated significantly lower levels of TH1 cells following in vitro stimulation. Similarly, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 release and lymphoproliferation were significantly lower in asplenic patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, splenectomy negatively influences the levels of PCV-induced lymphoproliferation, TH1 differentiation, and cytokine release. Besides, PCV failed to induce TH17-dominant immune response which is crucial for protection against extracellular pathogens.

Early results with the Mutaf technique: a novel off-midline approach in pilonidal sinus surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to compare different off-midline techniques in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: A total of 81 patients were included in this prospective, controlled, randomized study. Patients in group 1 were treated with the Limberg flap, and patients in group 2 were treated with Mutaf technique. Patients were followed up for 9 months postsurgically and assessed at regular intervals. RESULTS: A total of 41 and 40 patients received surgical treatment with Limberg or Mutaf techniques, respectively. The 2 groups were similar in terms of age, gender, body mass index, and Tezel pilonidal sinus classification. Also, the 2 groups were comparable with regard to the frequency of preoperative discharge from the wound site, history of abscess formation, and the resultant antibiotic use. Early results showed similar recurrence rates and surgical-site complications between the 2 groups. Although a lower visual analogue scale score was found in group 2 at postoperative day 1, seroma persistence, time to withdrawal of surgical drains, and wound healing were more prolonged. CONCLUSION: In this study, Mutaf technique was comparable to Limberg flap in the treatment of pilonidal sinus. Therefore, Mutaf technique may be offered as a viable surgical therapeutic option among off-midline closure approaches.

A rare case of paratubal cystadenoma during pregnancy.

Paratubal cysts (PTCs) are generally incidentally detected in pregnancy. However, paratubal cystadenomas in pregnant women are very rare cases who are reported individually. An unusually giant case of paratubal cystadenoma in a pregnant woman is presented here. A 27-year-old woman presented to our department for a routine pregnancy checkup. A giant cystic mass accompanying a 17-week gestation was detected on examination. During laparotomy, a huge right-sided PTC was resected. Histopathological evaluation revealed a benign cystadenoma originating in the ipsilateral paratubal space. PTCs are often denoted as being benign. Neoplastic transformation or malign potential will change the course of follow-up and the patients' prognosis. Treatment with surgical excision in the second trimester can safely prevent such associated adverse conditions. In conclusion, gynecologists should be careful for causes of adnexal masses in a woman with an intrauterine pregnancy. PTCs also tend to show accelerated growth patterns during pregnancy.

Blastocystosis in post-traumatic splenectomized patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and significance of intestinal protozoa, specially Blastocystis spp., and to perform PCR-based subtype classification for understanding the importance of Blastocystis spp. in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders in post-traumatic splenectomized patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 stool samples were obtained from 30 post-traumatic splenectomized patients and 30 healthy controls. Wet mounts, trichrome and Kinyoun acid-fast stained slides were prepared from the stool specimens. PCR was used for detecting the presence of Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis spp. Genotyping was realized by using Blastocystis hominis STS primers. RESULTS: In both study groups, any helminth eggs and other protozoa except Blastocystis spp. were not detected by microscopy and PCR, and also bacterial cultures were negative. Only stool microscopy was positive for Blastocystis spp. in 30% (9 of 30) of splenectomized patients and in 13% (4/30) of healthy controls. PCR for Blastocystis spp. was positive in 40% (12 of 30), B. hominis genotypes were 20% (6/30): STS1 in 10% (3/30) and STS3 in 10% (3/30) of splenectomized patients. In healthy controls Blastocystis spp. was 13% (4/30) by PCR and genotypes of B. hominis was not detected. The difference between the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. infection in splenectomized patients and control groups was statistically significant (p=0.020). Abdominal pain was the most frequent gastrointestinal symptom (p=0.019) among splenectomized patients positive for Blastocystis spp. CONCLUSION: In post-traumatic healthy splenectomized patients, Blastocystis spp. were found to be the most prevalent protozoa and may be responsible for the gastrointestinal disorders.

Effect of 3-aminobenzamide on perforation an experimental colitis model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The anti-inflammatory activity of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) has been shown via histopathology and immunohistochemistry in various colitis models. We aimed to study the effects of 3-AB on tissue mechanical endurance and, associatively, preventing perforation in colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Rectal saline was administered to Group 1 (sham+saline). Rectal trinitrobenzensulphonic acid was applied to induce colitis in Group 2 (colitis+saline) and Group 3 (colitis+3-AB). Groups 1 and 2 were treated intraperitoneally with saline (1 ml every 12 hours) and Group 3 was treated with 3-AB (10 mg/kg every 12 hours). After seven days, rats were sacrificed and colon lipid peroxidation levels, the serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level, bowel bursting pressures, and bowel wall tensions were measured. RESULTS: Bowel bursting pressure in Group 2 was significantly lower than in Groups 1 and 3 (p<0.001 for both groups). Bowel wall tension in Group 2 was significantly lower than in Groups 1 and 3 (p<0.001 for both groups). There were no significant differences between groups for serum TNF-α levels. For lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. CONCLUSION: 3-AB may aid prevention of perforations that develop in inflammatory bowel disease, requiring surgical treatment.

The effects of habitual negligence among families with respect to pediatric burns.

BACKGROUND: In this study, scald burns in a Turkish population (0-16 years of age) were studied with reference to their occurrence and common causes. METHODS: Of the burn victims hospitalized at the Burns Unit of Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital between April 2001 and December 2003, 354 patients were aged 3 months to 16 years and 228 (64.4%) were male. RESULTS: When burn causes were examined, scald burns were the primary type, reported in 77.7% (275) of the patients (p < 0.001). Scalds were the most frequent burn agents in the pediatric population. Tea is a traditional beverage in Turkey. It is consumed especially at breakfast and throughout the day until late at night. Tea in Turkey is steeped and brewed for consumption. As brewing and steeping is a time-consuming process and the tea is served hot, the appropriate level of care regarding the hot tea is neglected. Consequently, tea carries a serious potential to cause burns in this country. Of the scalded children, 93 scald burns (33.8%) were due to the tea itself or to the boiling water used in steeping tea, and 87.1% of these children were preschoolers. The mortality rate was 7.1% in the hospitalized children group. CONCLUSION: Traditional behaviors may sometimes have some serious unexpected consequences. In households where family members tend to ignore an ongoing problem, governmental and non-governmental organizations should consider taking preventive measures to protect the children from the devastating consequences of such negligence.

The protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on lung injury after burn in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of administered ethyl pyruvate (EP), a novel anti-inflammatory agent, on oxidoinflammatory and apoptotic pathways in the lung tissue of rats in a full-thickness burn model. METHODS: The study took place in Ankara Research and Training Hospital Animal Laboratory, Turkey in June 2006. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups in equal numbers as sham, burn, sham+EP, and burn+EP. The burn model, used produced a full thickness burn of the 30-35% of the total body surface area. Ethyl pyruvate was administered as 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Rats were sacrificed after 24 hours, acute lung injury (ALI) was evaluated by direct light microscopy and apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 staining. Oxidoinflammatory events were evaluated by determining the tissue levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lipid peroxidation products, and nitrite. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in lung tissue nitrite and malondialdehyde levels among the study groups. Histopathological results revealed that ALI and apoptosis were significantly higher in the burn group and EP prevented this effect. Similar results were obtained in tissue MPO levels. CONCLUSION: Ethyl pyruvate is a novel, potent anti-inflammatory agent. This agent prevented leukocyte infiltration, ALI, and apoptotic loss of the lung tissue in thermal injury.

Factors affecting mortality and morbidity in patients with peptic ulcer perforation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: With the introduction of H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, the incidence of elective surgery for peptic ulcer (PU) diseases has decreased, although complications of PU such as perforation and bleeding have remained fairly constant. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors that predict morbidity and mortality in patients with perforated PU. METHODS: The records of 269 patients who were operated on for perforated PU were reviewed retrospectively. The following factors were analyzed in terms of morbidity and mortality: age >65 years; gender; associated medical illness; chronic ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants; alcohol ingestion and smoking habits; American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) status; season; delayed operation; site of ulcer perforation; and shock on admission and type of operation. RESULTS: There were 30 female (11.16%) and 239 male (88.84%) patients. Seventy-one (26.4%) patients had associated diseases. Simple closure was performed in 257 (95.5%) patients; 12 patients (4.5%) underwent definitive operations. A total of 108 postoperative complications were present in 65 (24.2%) patients. Twenty-three patients died (8.55%). Multivariate analysis showed that only age, ASA score, treatment delay, presence of shock and definitive operation were independent predictors of mortality. Significant risk factors that led to morbidity were ASA status, time of surgery, season, presence of shock and type of surgery. There was a significant difference concerning morbidity and mortality between simple closure of the perforation and definitive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Age, delayed surgery, presence of shock, ASA risk and definitive surgery are factors significantly associated with fatal outcomes in patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated PU. Therefore, proper resuscitation from shock, improving ASA grade, decreasing delay and reserving definitive surgery for selected patients is needed to improve overall results.

Fournier gangrene. Approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors associated with patients with Fournier's gangrene, and to clarify the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) as a comorbid disease on morbidity and mortality of patients with Fournier's gangrene. METHODS: Twenty-six Fournier's gangrene patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department of Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey from 1997 to 2003 were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.8 years. There were 8 female (30.8%) and 18 male (69.2%) patients. The etiological causes were as follows: diseases of the perianal region, history of operations, trauma and injections. Major comorbid disease states were diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. The lesions in Fournier's gangrene were most commonly located in the perineum and genital region. Female patients with diabetes mellitus had significantly unusual extensive involvement, especially abdominal wall involvement. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Escherichia coli, while staphylococcal infection was most commonly seen in the presence of DM. Colostomy was performed on 53.8% of the patients, and cystostomy on 7.6% of the patients. Average time of staying at the hospital was 25 days with a mortality rate of 34.6%. Patients with DM had high mortality rates and stayed longer at the hospital than the non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: In addition to early diagnosis, early and aggressive debridement and administration of multiple wide spectrum antibiotics chosen for the causative agent are the golden standard for decreasing the mortality and morbidity. Diabetes mellitus has been found to be an important factor to increase mortality rates of patients with Fournier's gangrene.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury augments intestinal mucosal injury and bacterial translocation in jaundiced rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate local effects and degree of bacterial translocation related with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat obstructive jaundice model. METHODOLOGY: Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were divided into three groups; including Group 1 (jaundice group), Group 2 (jaundice-ischemia group) and Group 3 (ischemia group). All rats had 2 laparotomies. After experimental interventions, tissue samples for translocation; liver and ileum samples for histopathological examination, 25 cm of small intestine for mucosal myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels and blood samples for biochemical analysis were obtained. RESULTS: Jaundiced rats had increased liver enzyme levels and total and direct bilirubin levels (p<0.05). Intestinal mucosal myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels were found to be high in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion groups (p<0.05). Intestinal mucosal damage was more severe in rats with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion after bile duct ligation (p<0.05). Degree of bacterial translocation was also found to be significantly high in these rats (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal mucosa is disturbed more severely in obstructive jaundice with the development of ischemia and reperfusion. Development of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion in obstructive jaundice increases bacterial translocation.

A prognostic score for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Scoring systems are generally used for predicting prognosis in critically ill patients, but not frequently for predicting prognosis in cancer. Our aim was to develop a prognostic score for colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiologic, histopathologic and operative data of 112 patients who had resection for colorectal cancer, were analyzed for their effect on survival. Eight variables (invasion depth of tumor, nodal status, presence of metastasis, CEA level, differentiation, resectability, tumor location, presence of blood transfusion), which have the most significant effect on survival in univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, were chosen. Coefficients were calculated and the Prognostic Score for Colorectal Cancer (PSCRC) was designed. All patients were scored using this system and staged according to TNM, Dukes and Astler-Coller systems. RESULTS: The score range is between -49 and 80. Patients were grouped as Group 1 (score < -30), Group 2 (score -30 to -6), Group 3 (score -5 to 19), Group 4 (score > 19). Survival rates decreased and recurrence rates increased significantly with increasing scores. The associations of PSCRC and staging systems with survival and recurrence rates were determined by logistic and Cox regression analyses. PSCRC was proved to have the most significant association with survival and recurrence rates. Furthermore, PSCRC had better correlation with survival and recurrence rates when compared with staging systems according to Pearson correlation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of more variables in PSCRC seems to make it superior to the staging systems. PSCRC may be a practical and useful scoring system in clinical practice and is easily adapted to different patient populations.

Hepatic artery aneurysm.

Hepatic artery aneurysms are rare. It is also very uncommon to diagnose a hepatic artery aneurysm prior to rupture. We report a 53-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of gallstones, and was later diagnosed as having hepatic artery aneurysm. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography showed two cystic lesions located at the hepatoduodenal ligament. Color Doppler and arteriography identified two aneurysms situated at the common hepatic artery and at the bifurcation of gastroduodenal artery, respectively. A saphenous vein graft was interposed between the origin of the common hepatic artery and the bifurcation of the right and left hepatic arteries. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day.

Long-term survival is improved by an extended lymph node dissection in potentially curable gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was planned to investigate the therapeutic value of performing an extended lymphadenectomy in potentially curable gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: A prospective gastric cancer database was used. In total 114 gastric cancer patients (85 male, 29 female) who underwent a gastrectomy for curative intent from 1992 through 1999 were included to this study. Morbidity and mortality, survival rates and factors affecting survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-six (58%) patients had limited (D1) and 48 (42%) patients had extended (D2) gastric resections. The operative mortality rates were 12% and 8% and the postoperative complication rates were 33% and 25% in the D1 and D2 lymphadenectomy patients, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 34 (range: 8-94) months. The overall mean survival was 32 months (25 months in D1 group, 46 months in D2 group) (P < 0.05). The duration of symptoms, the presence of postoperative complications, the extent of lymphadenectomy, the operative curability and the site of the tumor were all found to be independent prognostic factors based on a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that an extended lymph node dissection improves long-term survival without increasing postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with potentially curable gastric cancer.