Hyaluronic acid gel application versus ovarian suspension for prevention of ovarian adhesions during laparoscopic surgery on endometrioma: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the effect of ovarian suspension and hyaluronic acid gel to prevent re-adhesions after laparoscopic endometrioma surgery. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Rasoul-e-Akram and Pars Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, 2016-18. Fifty patients with bilateral endometrioma and pelvic adhesions, the candidates of laparoscopic surgery, were included. In each patient, at the end of ovarian cystectomy and adhesiolysis, one of the ovaries was randomly sutured to the abdominal wall, and the HYAcorp Endogel covered the other; the adhesion rate was compared between the groups by ultrasonography, three-month after surgery. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 32.6 years. Presurgical variables were similar between right and left ovaries and the study groups (P > 0.05). Postsurgical ultrasonography showed that ovarian soft markers, including < 1/3 ovarian adhesions (minimal adhesions) in 80.5% of ovaries of the Endogel group and 35.5% of the ovarian suspension group (P < 0.001) with higher ovarian mobility in the Endogel group (65% vs. 22%) (P = 0.001). In addition, site-specific tenderness and ovarian fading margin were lower in the Endogel group (P < 0.001). Trial registration Clinical trial registry number: IRCT2015081723666N1, 12.19.2015, Date of registration: 01/02/2016; https://en.irct.ir/trial/20174?revision=20174 . Date and number of IRB: 2015, I.R.IUMS.REC.1394.24703. CONCLUSION: Hyaluronic acid gel can be more effective than ovarian suspension in preventing ovarian adhesions after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis.

The Antioxidative Effects of Picein and Its Neuroprotective Potential: A Review of the Literature.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the main cause of dementia in the elderly, having no cure to date, as the currently available therapies focus on symptom remission. Most NDDs will progress despite treatment and eventually result in the death of the patient after several years of a burden on both the patient and the caregivers. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate agents that tackle the disease pathogenesis and can efficiently slow down or halt disease progression, with the hope of curing the patients and preventing further burden and mortality. Accordingly, recent research has focused on disease-modifying treatments with neuroregenerative or neuroprotective effects. For this purpose, it is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of NDDs. It has been shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in the damage to the central nervous system and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction and the accumulation of unfolded proteins, including beta-amyloid (Aß), tau proteins, and α-synuclein, have been suggested. Accordingly, cellular and molecular studies have investigated the efficacy of several natural compounds (herbs and nutritional agents) for their neuroprotective and antioxidative properties. The most popular herbs suggested for the treatment and/or prevention of NDDs include Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), ginseng, curcumin, resveratrol, Baccopa monnieri, and Ginkgo biloba. In some herbs, such as ginseng, preclinical and clinical evidence are available for supporting its effectiveness; however, in some others, only cellular and animal studies are available. In line with the scant literature in terms of the effectiveness of herbal compounds on NDDs, there are also other herbal agents that have been disregarded. Picein is one of the herbal agents that has been investigated in only a few studies. Picein is the active ingredient of several herbs and can be thus extracted from different types of herbs, which makes it more available. It has shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in cellular and plant studies; however, to date, only one study has suggested its neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, some cellular studies have shown no anti-inflammatory effect of picein. Therefore, a review of the available literature is required to summarize the results of studies on picein. To date, no review study seems to have addressed this issue. Thus, in the present study, we gather the available information about the antioxidative and potential neuroprotective properties of picein and its possible effectiveness in treating NDDs. We also summarize the plants from which picein can be extracted in order to guide researchers for future investigations.

Does endometriosis increase susceptibility to COVID-19 infections? A case-control study in women of reproductive age.

BACKGROUND: In today's world, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most critical health problem and research is continued on studying the associated factors. But it is not clear whether endometriosis increases the risk of COVID-19. METHODS: Women who referred to the gynecology clinic were evaluated and 507 women with endometriosis (case group) were compared with 520 women without endometriosis (control group). COVID-19 infection, symptoms, exposure, hospitalization, isolation, H1N1 infection and vaccination, and past medical history of the participants were recorded and compared between the groups using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 21. RESULTS: Comparison between the groups represent COVID-19 infection in 3.2% of the case group and 3% of the control group (P = 0.942). The control group had a higher frequency of asymptomatic infection (95.7% vs. 94.5%; P < 0.001) and fever (1.6% vs. 0%; P = 0.004), while the frequency of rare symptoms was more common in the case group (P < 0.001). The average disease period was 14 days in both groups (P = 0.694). COVID-19 infection was correlated with close contact (r = 0.331; P < 0.001 in the case group and r = 0.244; P < 0.001 in the control group), but not with the history of thyroid disorders, H1N1 vaccination, traveling to high-risk areas, and social isolation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endometriosis does not increase the susceptibility to COVID-19 infections, but alters the manifestation of the disease. The prevalence of the disease may depend on the interaction between the virus and the individual's immune system but further studies are required in this regard.

Evaluation of procalcitonin as a biomarker of diagnosis, severity and postoperative complications in adult patients with acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis (AA) results in an increased rate of perforation, postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay. Several biochemical parameters including white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6) and Procalcitonin (PCT) have been used to further improve the clinical diagnosis of AA. The aim of this study was to assess the value of procalcitonin as a predictor of diagnosis and severity of appendicitis in order to improve the clinical decision making, since other studies have been unable to demonstrate a diagnostic value for PCT elevation in acute appendicitis. METHODS: One-hundred patients who underwent open appendectomy, including 75 men and 25 women with a mean age of 28 years were included in this study. Procalcitonin values were measured by an immunofluorescent method). Serum PCT>0.5 ng/ml was considered positive. The PCT serum values were measured in four different categories, including ˂0.5ng/ml, 0.5-2 ng/ml, 2-10ng/ml and more than 10ng/ml. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of PCT level measurement for acute appendicitis diagnosis were 44% and 100% respectively. The value of PCT increased with the severity of appendicitis and also with the presence of peritonitis and infection, at the site of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin measurement cannot be used as a diagnostic test for adult patients with acute appendicitis and its routine use in such patients is not cost effective and conclusive. Procalcitonin values can be used as a prognostic marker and predictor of infectious complications following surgery and it can help to carry out timely surgical intervention which is highly recommended in patients with PCT values more than 0.5ng/ml.

Quality of Life Changes in Iranian Patients Undergoing Female-to-Male Transsexual Surgery: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Gender identity disorder (GID) is associated with various adverse health outcomes as well as psychiatric problems. Quality of life (QOL) in patients after surgery is an important issue, as some cases report dissatisfaction and regret after surgery. The present study compared QOL in female-to-male (FTM) GID patients before and after gender reassignment surgery (GRS) in an Iranian population. In the present study, 42 natal female patients with Gender Disorder diagnosis, who were referred to the Fertility Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for GRS from December 2014 to December 2015, were prospectively recruited. METHODS: The demographic characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), occupational and marital status, educational level, and family support were recorded. Then, participants were asked to complete the Persian version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire under supervision of the researcher, once at baseline and once 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The changes in SF-36 scores and association with the demographic variables were then evaluated using SPSS 16 at significance level of 0.05. Mean age of patients was 34.17 ± 5.58 years with a mean BMI of 43.14 ± 6.91 kg/m2 . Most were single (54.8%), had primary school education (50.5%), and acceptable family support (59.5%). Total mean score of QOL significantly improved from 26.43±6.81 to 37.52 ± 8.67 (P < 0.001), 6 months after surgery and also in all domains (P < 0.001), although the increase in emotional problem was not statistically significant (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, as the results of the present study highlight, FTM GD patients have a low QOL before surgery that is significantly improved after surgery.

The Nomogram of Penile Length and Circumference in Iranian Term and Preterm Neonates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The normal length of penis in preterm and term neonates is different among different nations, and is affected by various factors. The present study aimed to determine stretched penile length (SPL) values and cutoff level of micropenis in term and preterm Iranian neonates, for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All male neonates born in two general hospitals of Tehran (Akbarabadi, and Rasoul hospitals), center of Iran, with gestational age of 28-42 weeks were included and their SPL and penile circumference (PC) were examined on the first 3 days after birth by the same physician. Birth weight (BW), and height, gestational age, type of delivery, mother's age, twin/multiple pregnancy, drug, and medical history of mother during pregnancy were recorded and cutoff levels of two variables were calculated based on the collected variables for different gestational ages. RESULTS: Among a total of 587 neonates, 203 neonates were born term and 384 preterm. Mean ± SD of neonates' BW were 2,682.51 ± 739.30 (850-4800) gr. Mean ± SD of their SPL was 22.48 ± 3.34 mm; 25.92 ± 1.54 mm in term and 20.66 ± 2.50 mm in preterm infants (P = 0.001). Mean ± SD of PC was 6.71 ± 1.31 mm; 8.14 ± 0.48 in term and 5.96 ± 0.92 in preterm infants (P = 0.001). SPL and PC were significantly correlated with type of delivery, number of parity, gestational age, BW, and crown-heel length, head circumference (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that SPL in male neonates was 22.48 mm and PC was 6.71 mm, both correlated with gestational age and BW. Due to the ethnical variety of this cutoff points and lack of an appropriate study in Iran, these cutoff points can be used by all physicians as a reference for Iranian newborns (term and preterm), in order to prevent misdiagnosis of micropenis and genital disorders.

Congenital Malformations in Infants of Mothers Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Study.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate congenital malformations in infants conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART), compared with infants conceived spontaneously. METHODS: In this study, available resources searched to find relevant articles included PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane, ProQuest, Iranmedex, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database. After extracting the necessary information from evaluated articles, meta-analysis on the articles' data was performed using Stata version 11.2. RESULTS: In this study, from a total of 339 articles, extracted from the initial investigation, ultimately 30 articles were selected for meta-analysis that assessed the use of ART on the risk of congenital abnormalities and some birth complications on 5 470 181 infants (315 402 cases and 5 154 779 controls). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for low birth weight was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.36 to 2.62), preterm labor 1.79 (95% CI, 1.21 to 2.63), cardiac abnormalities 1.43 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.62), central nervous system abnormalities 1.36 (95% CI, 1.10 to 1.70), urogenital system abnormalities 1.58 (95% CI, 1.28 to 1.94), musculoskeletal disorders 1.35 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.64), and chromosomal abnormalities in infants conceived by ART was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.44), which were all statistically significant, except chromosomal abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of congenital abnormalities and some birth complications were significantly higher in ART than normal conception, while chromosomal abnormalities were not; therefore, the application of ART should be selected individually for patients by detailed assessment to reduce such risks in the population.

Configuring a Better Estimation of Kidney Size in Obese Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Obesity ignites numerous health and psychosocial problems and is associated with various comorbidities. Body mass index (BMI) is also independently associated with improved risk for numerous kidney disorders. As renal length is considered a vital parameter in the clinical assessment of renal patients, normal renal length has to be defined in accordance to BMI. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define normal kidney length in obese children, comparing ultrasound measurements of the kidney length in obese and non-obese children and adolescents, in order to reduce unnecessary evaluations for nephromegaly. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty obese children and adolescents and 50 non-obese children and adolescents, aged 1-19 years, were selected from patients of pediatric clinics in two hospitals (Rasoul-e-Akram and Shahid Fahmideh) in Tehran between June 2010 and 2012. After the nephrologist's and endocrinologist's approval, the largest longitudinal renal dimension was measured in deep inspiration position by abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography in both groups. RESULTS: It was revealed that both kidneys in obese group were significantly larger than in control group (P = 0.044 and 0.040, respectively). Obesity status, height and age were proven to be significant and independent predictors of length of both kidneys. In both groups length of left kidney was significantly larger than that of right kidney (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A specific standard cut-point limit or norm gram has to be formulated for obese children and adolescents in order to facilitate the diagnosis of kidney diseases, including organomegaly, in these patients.

First report of inherited thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency in Iran caused by a known de novo mutation in SERPINA7.

BACKGROUND: Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) is the main transporter of thyroid hormones in human serum, encoded by the gene TBG (SERPINA7), located in long arm of X-chromosome (Xq21-q22). Deficiency of SERPINA7 (serum protease inhibitor, clade A [alpha-1 antiproteinase, antitrypsin], member 7) leads to inherited TBG deficiency. Several mutations have been reported in the coding and noncoding regions of SERPINA7 in association with TGB deficiency. METHODS: Automated chemiluminescence immunoassays were used to determine TSH, free and total T4 and T3 (fT4, TT4, TT3) and TBG. Direct DNA sequencing identified the mutation in SERPINA7. RESULTS: We present a 3 and 4/12 year old boy, born premature, who was mismanaged as hypothyroidism before referral to our center, and was diagnosed with TBG deficiency at our center with a hemizygous substitution in exon 1, position c.347T > A, leading to replacement of isoleucine for arginine in position 96 (considering the first 20 amino acid signal peptide). CONCLUSION: This known mutation, reported as the first SERPINA7 mutation in Iran, emphasizes the point that endocrinologists should pay more attention to inherited TBG to prevent unnecessary treatment.

Comparing the Excessive Daytime Sleepiness of Obese and Non-obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, particularly morbid obesity, has various physical and mental complications. Excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) is a sleep disorder that reduces individuals' performance capability and the accuracy of their short-term memory and causes learning problems. This retrospective study aimed to document the presence of EDS in a sample of obese patients in comparison to patients with a normal weight. OBJECTIVES: This article compares the excessive daytime sleepiness of obese and non-obese patients in the minimally invasive surgery research center in Tehran, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, we compared excessive daytime sleepiness in 55 obese patients who were candidates for laparoscopic surgery, with a body mass index (BMI) of equal to or greater than 30 kg/ m2, with 55 controls with a normal BMI (19.5 - 24.9 kg/ m2). The process of selecting the control group in our case-control study is matching in group levels, so that the controls are similar to the case group with regard to certain key characteristics, such as age, sex, and race. The sleep assessment was based on the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaire. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of quantitative data, such as the ESS score of groups. RESULTS: Sleepiness was not affected by gender in cases or controls. The sleepiness prevalence was 29 (52.7%) in the cases group and 17 (30.9%) in the control group (OR = 2.493 (95% CI 1.144 -5.435)). The mean ESS scores in cases and controls were 7.82 ± 3.86 and 10.54 ± 6.15, respectively (P = 0.007). Moreover, the prevalence of sleepiness and the mean ESS scores in class III of obesity differed significantly from the controls (16 (57.1%) vs. 17 (30.9%)) (OR = 2.980 (95% CI 1.162 - 7.645)) and (11.04 ± 5.93 vs. 7.82 ± 3.86) (P = 0.013), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a strong relationship between EDS and obesity, particularly morbid obesity. Therefore, physicians must be familiar with EDS as a mixed clinical entity indicating careful assessment and specific treatment planning.

Comparison Between Marital Satisfaction and Self-Esteem Before and After Bariatric Surgery in Patients With Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the most common chronic diseases with important medical effects, as well as mental and social health problems. Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments of morbid obesity. OBJECTIVES: Because of the possible psychological changes, and its effects on weight loss after surgery, the current study aimed to compare marital satisfaction and self-confidence in patients with obesity before and after bariatric surgery in Rasoul-e-Akram hospital in 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted on 69 candidates for bariatric surgery. Marital satisfaction and self-confidence were assessed before and six months after the surgery by Enrich marital satisfaction scale and Coopersmith self-esteem inventory. Descriptive statistics and T-tests were utilized to analyze data. Values of P ≤ 0.01 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Despite the improvement of sexual relationship, marital satisfaction scores significantly decreased from141.26 ± 12.75 to 139.42 ± 12.52 six months after the surgery (P = 0.002). Satisfaction in scales of conflict resolution and communication showed a descending pattern (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between self-esteem before and after the surgery (P = 0.321). CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss after bariatric surgery did not improve self-esteem and marital satisfaction six months post operatively; therefore, psychiatric assessment of patients before and after the surgery is crucial; since even if they are not associated with prognosis of the surgery, it is important to provide treatment for psychiatric problems. Prospective studies are recommended to assess post-operative changes of other psychological aspects.

The Controversy of the Most Proper Time for Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery: a Review of Ten Cases.

BACKGROUND: Many infertile obese women conceive after bariatric surgery after many years, while guidelines prohibit them from pregnancy for at least 12-18 months after surgery, due to complications. METHODS: We hereby present 11 cases in our research center, pregnant in less than 12 months after surgery from 2011 to 2015, to evaluate their pregnancy outcome and complications. RESULTS: The mean conception time was 3.6 months after surgery and mean birth weight was 2695 g. Regarding neonatal/fetal complications, there was one case of intrauterine growth retardation and one NICU hospitalization. Among pregnancy complications, eight patients had hyperemesis gravidarum and one had pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest revising setting a contraindication for conception for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Broad Ligament With Fever Presentation: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Leiomyosarcoma is a rare gynecologic malignancy that accounts for less than 1% of gynecological malignancies. Leiomyosarcoma of the broad ligament is an even rarer condition. According to Gardner's criteria, the diagnosis is made when the mass is completely separated from the uterus and adnexa. So far, 23 cases of primary leiomyosarcoma of the broad ligament have been reported in the literature published in English. CASE PRESENTATION: In September 2014, a 55-year-old, gravida 3, para 3 woman with a BMI of 30 and a chief complaint of fever and dizziness was admitted to the infectious-diseases ward of the Pars general hospital affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Her symptoms had begun two weeks before. The results of a fever workup and examination for infectious, metabolic, and immunologic problems were all negative. Imaging modalities revealed an endometrial polyp, two calcified myoma in the body of the uterus, and a solid, heterogeneous 70-mm mass in the right para-cervical space, posterior to the broad ligament, and far from the ovary. After surgery, a histologic report revealed leiomyosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although a leiomyosarcoma of the broad ligament is rare, practitioners should consider it when dealing with masses in the region of the broad ligament. If there is any suspicion of malignancy, especially in the presence of fever, it is recommended to avoid morcellation during laparoscopy.

Omentoplasty in deep sternal wound infection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the results of reconstructing infected post-sternotomy incisions with pedicled omentoplasty. METHODS: Between March 2009 and December 2012, 15 females (37.5%) and 25 males (62.5%) with an average age of 63 y (range 51-72 y) who were suffering from deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after coronary artery bypass grafting underwent reconstructive surgery. We evaluated their pre-operative characteristics and post-operative courses. RESULTS: Thirty-four of the patients (85%) were found to have DSWI within 1 mo of their cardiac surgery. The mean operative time for the omental flap (OF) procedure was 90±16.8 min (range 70-135 min). There were three intra-operative complications (7.5%), and post-operative complications occurred in 10 patients (25%). No patient developed any sign of OF necrosis. The median lengths of the post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays were 4 d (range 1-6 d) and 7 d (range 5-14 d), respectively. At the time of discharge, all patients had normal cardiac and mental status. CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory outcomes when treating the patients with DSWI by a single-stage OF transposition. On the basis of our experience, we recommend this procedure as an option for patients with DSWI, especially those who are not in a severe low cardiac output state or malnourished.

Evaluating the Effect of Drain Site on Abdominal Pain after Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery for Morbid Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Most morbidly obese patients complain of abdominal pain after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) surgery. In this study, the relationship between the prevalence and severity of pain and the drain site was assessed. Methods: Fifty morbidly obese patients undergoing LGBP surgery were selected, and a drain was randomly inserted postoperatively to the left 5 mm port in 25 cases and to the right in the other 25. All patients filled out a questionnaire, including a visual analog scale for the quality and quantity of pain, exacerbating and alleviating factors and its relation to patient's positioning, in the first 24 hours, first week, and first month after the operation. Result: In both groups, all patients had abdominal pain 24 hours after the operation. However, in the right-sided drain group, most patients (52%) experienced mild pain, whereas most patients (56%) in the left-sided drain group had severe pain (p=0.028). At weeks 1 and 4, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of severity of pain (p=0.068 and 0.875, respectively, for both times). After the first 24 hours and first week, the mean pain score was significantly lower in the right-sited drain group compared to the left-sited drain group (p=0.012 and 0.006). Conclusion: Early abdominal pain after LGBP surgery is significantly reduced in the right-sided drain group.

Minimally invasive surgical interventions in the treatment of primary persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy.

Hyperinsulinemia, diagnosed by laboratory tests, should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent fatal complications such as neurological damage. Patients who are resistant to medical therapy should be treated surgically. Minimally invasive surgery, a newly developed approach, is a good choice among surgical procedures to avoid unnecessary extensive pancreatectomy. Here, a 12-year-old boy is presented with diagnosis of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia who had recurrent attacks of hypoglycemia and seizures from infancy. Because of his unresponsiveness to medical therapy and his family's preference, he underwent laparoscopic pancreatectomy to reduce morbidity and hospital stay. Two years postsurgical follow-up revealed a normo-glycemic state.

Pre-operative rectal indomethacin for reduction of postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pre-operative indomethacin suppository on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A double blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from February 2010 to September 2012. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and thirty patients, scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were randomly divided into case and control groups. Sixty-five patients received indomethacin suppository and 70 patients received rectal placebo in the case and control groups respectively. All patients underwent the same protocol in laparoscopic surgery and anesthesia, then nausea and vomiting was recorded after 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively and compared between the two groups. Independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. Level of statistical significance was set at P ² 0.05. RESULTS: Patients' nausea was statistically lower in the case group at the 1st hour (43.1 vs. 92.9%), 6th hour (20.0 vs. 68.6%) and 12th hour (7.7 vs. 24.3%) after surgery (for all periods, P < 0.001). Fewer patients in the case group experienced vomiting at the first (13.8 vs. 51.4%) and 6th hour (0 vs. 20%) after surgery (for both P < 0.001). The use of pethidine was also statistically less in the case group in the same hours after surgery (for all of them, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Rectal indomethacin before laparoscopic cholecystectomy led to lower postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Efficacy of a Modified Bier's Block in Patients Undergoing Upper Limb Bone Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous regional block, called the Bier's block, refers to an analgesic technique applied for soft tissue surgeries and closed bone manipulations of the limbs. There are a number of complications in traditional method of block, including pain in tourniquet site, immediate return of pain after tourniquet deflation, wound hemostasis and some others. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes and complications of our new method of blockage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, twenty-five patients undergoing hand surgery were prospectively studied. Induced anesthesia was a modification of the Bier's block with two concurrent changes including insertion of the intravenous cannula at the antecubital region rather than distal and the proximal anesthetic direction by an elastic band wrapped tightly around the proximal forearm distal to the cannulation site. The pain relief was measured by the verbal descriptive scale at intervals after block, during the operation, after deflation of the tourniquet and one hour after the operation. RESULTS: This study showed the presence of analgesia at surgical and tourniquet sites during the operation in 96% of patients, as well as considerable pain relief at surgical site during one hour after deflation of the tourniquet. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated advantages of this modified Bier's block compared to the traditional one including ability to perform surgery on upper limb bones and considerable pain relief at surgical and tourniquet sites during the operation until one hour thereafter.

Functional abdominal pain syndrome in morbidly obese patients following laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGBP) is one of the most common bariatric surgeries, which is being performed using various techniques like gastrojejunostomy by hand swen, linear or circular stapler. Abdominal pain is a common complaint following laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure (LGBP), which has different aetiologies, such as overeating, adhesion, internal herniation, bile reflux and many more. In this study LGBP was performed in an ante-colic ante-gastric pattern in a double loop manner and the prevalence and distribution of pain in morbidly obese patients undergoing LGBP was assessed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution and frequency of post LGBP pain in morbidly obese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 190 morbidly obese patients referred to Hazrat Rasoul Hospital in Tehran. After LGBP, pain was measured in the following intervals: 24 hours, one week and one month after the operation. Before the operation onset, 2 mg Keflin and 5000 IU subcutaneous heparin were administered as prophylaxis. LGBP was performed using five ports including: one 11 mm port was placed 15-20 cm far from the xiphoid, one 12-mm port in mid-clavicular line at the level of camera port, one 5-mm port in subcostal area in ante-axillary region in the left, another 5-mm port in the right mid-clavicular area and a 5-mm port in sub-xyphoid. All operations were done by the same team. Staple was used for all anastomoses and hand sewn technique to close the staple insertion site. The mesenteric defect was left open and no effort was made to repair it. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that 99.94 % of the patients had complains of pain in the first 24 hours of post operation, about 60% after one week and 29.5 % still had pain after one month. In addition, left upper quadrant (LUQ) was found to be the most prevalent site for the pain in 53.7% of the patients in the first 24 hours, 59.6% after one week and 16.8% after one month (except for obscure pain) with a significance of < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the authors analyzed the location and disturbance level of pain after LGBP, which could serve as a cornerstone for further researches. The authors suggest that long-term follow-up (for more than a year after operation) should be considered in future studies and also the relationship between the drainage site and pain should be investigated.

Minimally invasive surgical interventions in the treatment of primary persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy

Hyperinsulinemia, diagnosed by laboratory tests, should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent fatal complications such as neurological damage. Patients who are resistant to medical therapy should be treated surgically. Minimally invasive surgery, a newly developed approach, is a good choice among surgical procedures to avoid unnecessary extensive pancreatectomy. Here, a 12-year-old boy is presented with diagnosis of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia who had recurrent attacks of hypoglycemia and seizures from infancy. Because of his unresponsiveness to medical therapy and his family’s preference, he underwent laparoscopic pancreatectomy to reduce morbidity and hospital stay. Two years postsurgical follow-up revealed a normo-glycemic state.