Influence of colonic mesenteric area on the number of lymph node retrieval for colon cancer: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The minimum harvested 12 lymph nodes (LNs) is regarded as the limit for accurate staging of nodal status in colorectal cancer patients. Besides the association of the lengths of resected intestinal segments and vascular pedicles, the mesocolic mesenteric area's impact on LN count has not been studied. We aimed to evaluate the associations between metric variables, including the mesocolic mesentery area on the nodal harvest. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent elective colectomy with a curative intention for colon adenocarcinoma were prospectively included. The metric variables included the lengths of resected intestinal segments, vascular pedicle, and colonic mesenteric area. The variables influencing the LN count and the correlation between the total LN count and the specimens' relevant metric measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 46 patients with a median age of 64 years. The median count for total LNs was 22, and the LN positivity was 59.2%. There was an inadequate LN yield (<12) in 3 patients (6.1%). No significant associations were found between the adequacy of nodal harvest and the demographic, clinical, and tumoral features (P>0.05). There were significant positive correlations between total LN number and length of vascular pedicle and mesenteric area (r=0.576, P<0.001 and r=0.566, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The length of the vascular pedicle and mesenteric area were significantly correlated with total LN counts. Although there was no significant impact on the length of resected segments, the colonic mesenteric area can be used alone as a measure for the assessment of the nodal yield in colon cancer.

The Characterization and Outcomes of Colorectal Malignancy in Patients ≤40 Years of Age: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of screening modalities has led to a decreased incidence of colorectal malignancies. Unfortunately, overall incidence has remained unchanged as cases have increased in patients below the suggested screening age. Therefore, we evaluated characteristics and oncological outcomes of malignancies in patients ≤40 years of age. METHODS: Single-center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of malignancies in patients ≤40 years evaluated in our institution between 2010 and 2016. Basic descriptors for demographic, clinical, histologic, and genetic data were collected. Disease-free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) were compared for patients between 30-40 years and <30 years. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients ≤40 years were identified, 44 of whom (96.5%) had adenocarcinomas. Most common malignancy location was the rectum (64.3%). Despite aggressive tumor characteristics such as moderate/poor differentiation (88.6%), lymphovascular invasion (26.8%), perineural invasion (21.4%), and advanced tumor stage T3/T4 (60.7%), OS rate was 94.6%. Both age groups had similar oncologic characteristics. There was a trend toward worse OS (2/11 and 1/45, P = .06) but not for DFS (7/11 and 15/43, P = .18) in patients <30 years of age compared to 30-40 years. There were no differences in OS (3/44 vs 0/88, P = .44) or DFS (17/42 vs 3/8, P = .80) between sporadic vs non-sporadic malignancies, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients ≤40 years of age with malignancy have advanced tumor stages and aggressive tumor characteristics at diagnosis. Although there is higher OS risk for patients <30 compared to those aged 30-40 years, no differences were found for DFS between these two groups.

Effect of glutamine use on the formation of intestinal neomucosa on peritoneal surface in rats.

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a clinical condition with high mortality and morbidity, which leads to the lack of absorption of fluids or nutrients necessary for the body due to the decrease in the length of the small bowel (SB). Glutamine is an amino acid essential for the nutrition and proliferation of intestinal mucosa cells. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glutamine on intestinal neomucosa formation in rats which developed SBS. METHODS: Sixteen Wistar Hannover rats were randomly divided into two groups of eight rats. Saline was applied to the rats in Group 1 (control) following the enteroperitoneal anastomosis between mucosal surface of the ileum and the parietal peritoneum surface (adherent to abdominal wall) while glutamine was applied to the rats in Group 2 following the same anastomosis. Fourteen days later, the rats were euthanatized and blood samples were taken. Simultaneously, en bloc resection of the anastomosis part was performed and histopathological examination was carried out to observe neomucosa formation. The effects of glutamine on anastomosis were determined by microscopic and biochemical evaluations. RESULTS: Biochemical analyses were performed by measuring serum oxidant (malondialdehyde [MDA] and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) parameters. Based on the biochemical evaluation results of the antioxidant values of the control and glutamine groups, it was found that while the serum antioxidant level (SOD and GPx activity) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the glutamine-administered rats compared to the control group, the oxidative damage (MDA and 8-OHdG) was lower (p<0.05). In terms of the histological evaluations made for the neomucosa formation, the number of neomucosa formation was higher in the glutamine group, but the difference was not significant (p=0.315). CONCLUSION: The use of glutamine in patients with SBS may increase surface absorption by increasing neomucosa formation. However, additional studies of large statistical power are needed.

90-day readmission rates after cholecystectomy: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Although readmission after surgical procedures has been recognized as a new problem, its association with cholecystectomy has not been solved. We aimed to investigate the rate of unplanned readmission after cholecystectomy and to evaluate the reasons and outcomes in these patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Hospital readmission within the post-operative first 90 days after the procedure was searched. The rate and reasons for hospital readmission were the primary outcomes. RESULTS: There were 601 patients with a mean age of 53.2 ± 12.4 years. The rate of readmission was 6.16%. Obesity (p = 0.001), number of coexisting disease (p = 0.039), conversion to open surgery (p = 0.002), development of intraoperative complications (p < 0.001), use of drain (p = 0.001), and length of hospital stay > 1 day (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with higher readmission rates. Biliary surgical causes were detected in five patients (12.8%). Non-biliary surgical causes were seen in 34 patients (87.2%). Among these, post-operative pain, nausea, and vomiting were the most common diagnoses in 25 (67.6%) and 5 patients (12.8%). CONCLUSION: The readmission rate after cholecystectomy is low. Significant predictive factors may help physicians to be alerted during the discharge of the patients. Post-operative pain, nausea, and vomiting were the most common diagnoses.

OBJETIVO: Aunque el reingreso hospitalario posterior a la cirugía se reconoció como un problema nuevo, su asociación con la colecistectomía no ha sido resuelta. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar la tasa de reingreso al hospital no planificado después de la colecistectomía y evaluar las razones y los resultados en estos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Todos los pacientes consecutivos que se sometieron a colecistectomía abierta y laparoscópica fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. Se investigó el reingreso al hospital dentro de los primeros 90 días postoperatorios. La tasa y las razones de la readmisión hospitalaria fueron los resultados primarios. RESULTADOS: Se examinaron 601 pacientes con una edad media de 53.2 ± 12.4 años. La tasa de reingreso fue del 6.16%. Obesidad (p = 0.001), número de enfermedades coexistentes (p = 0.039), conversión a cirugía abierta (p = 0.002), desarrollo de complicaciones intraoperatorias (p < 0.001), uso de drenaje (p = 0.001) y longitud de estancia hospitalaria > 1 día (p = 0.024) se asociaron significativamente con tasas más altas de reingreso. Se detectaron causas quirúrgicas biliares en cinco pacientes (12.8%). Se observaron causas quirúrgicas no biliares en 34 pacientes (87.2%). Entre estos, el dolor postoperatorio, las náuseas y los vómitos fueron los diagnósticos más comunes en 25 (67.6%) y 5 pacientes (12.8%). CONCLUSIÓN: La tasa de reingreso después de la colecistectomía es baja. Factores predictivos significativos pueden ayudar a los médicos a estar alertas durante el alta de los pacientes. El dolor postoperatorio, las náuseas y los vómitos fueron los diagnósticos más frecuentes.

An international multi-institutional analysis of operative morbidity in patients undergoing elective diverticulitis surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated surgical complications of elective surgery for diverticulitis in international multi-institution to identify a prediction model for potential opportunities of quality improvement. METHODS: We identified 1225 patients who underwent elective surgery for diverticulitis between January 2010 and January 2018. The data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and the Turkish Diverticulitis Study Group Collaborative, retrospectively. RESULTS: We observed that the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 3.2, 95%CI 1.8-5.9, p<0.001) or abscess at the time of surgery (OR: 1.4, 95%CI 1.2-1.7, p£0.001) is associated with a higher rate of minor complications, while comorbidities such as dyspnea (OR: 2.8, 95%CI 1.6-4.9, p£0.001) and preoperative sepsis (OR: 4.1, 95%CI 2.3-7.3, p£0.001) are associated with major complications. The centers had similar findings in minor and major complications (OR: 0.8, 95%CI 0.5-1.4, p=0.395). The major independent predictors for complications were malnutrition (low albumin) (OR: 0.5, 95%CI 0.4-0.6, p<0.001) and the American Society of Anesthesiology score (OR: 1.7, 95%CI 1.2-2.4, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Regarding the major and minor complications of diverticulitis of elective surgery, the malnutrition and higher American Society of Anesthesiology score showed higher impact among the quality improvement initiatives.

An international multi-institutional analysis of operative morbidity in patients undergoing elective diverticulitis surgery

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We investigated surgical complications of elective surgery for diverticulitis in international multi-institution to identify a prediction model for potential opportunities of quality improvement. METHODS: We identified 1225 patients who underwent elective surgery for diverticulitis between January 2010 and January 2018. The data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and the Turkish Diverticulitis Study Group Collaborative, retrospectively. RESULTS: We observed that the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 3.2, 95%CI 1.8-5.9, p<0.001) or abscess at the time of surgery (OR: 1.4, 95%CI 1.2-1.7, p£0.001) is associated with a higher rate of minor complications, while comorbidities such as dyspnea (OR: 2.8, 95%CI 1.6-4.9, p£0.001) and preoperative sepsis (OR: 4.1, 95%CI 2.3-7.3, p£0.001) are associated with major complications. The centers had similar findings in minor and major complications (OR: 0.8, 95%CI 0.5-1.4, p=0.395). The major independent predictors for complications were malnutrition (low albumin) (OR: 0.5, 95%CI 0.4-0.6, p<0.001) and the American Society of Anesthesiology score (OR: 1.7, 95%CI 1.2-2.4, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Regarding the major and minor complications of diverticulitis of elective surgery, the malnutrition and higher American Society of Anesthesiology score showed higher impact among the quality improvement initiatives.

Association of Preoperative Risk Factors and Mortality in Older Patients following Emergency Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Older patients undergoing emergency laparotomy have high morbidity and mortality rates. Preoperative risk assessment with good predictors is an appropriate measure in this population. Frailty status is significantly associated with postoperative outcomes in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative risk factors and frailty on short-term outcomes following emergency surgery for acute abdomen in older patients. METHODS: This study included older patients (≥65 years of age) who underwent emergency abdominal surgery. We retrospectively analyzed their demographic and clinical variables and used the modified Frailty Index-11 to evaluate their frailty status. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate. We also analyzed risk factors of mortality in these patients. RESULTS: The study included 150 patients with a median age of 74 years. The mortality rate was 17.3% (n=26). We observed significantly higher mortality rates in patients who were obese and who had higher American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA grades) (p<0.05). Frailty status was worse in deceased group (p<0.001), when compared to individuals who survived. Septic shock was associated with the development of mortality (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that ASA grade was the only independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio=19.642; 95% confidence interval, 3.886-99.274; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Older patients with obesity and frailty presenting with higher ASA grades and septic shock had the worst survival following emergency abdominal surgery. The ASA grade was an independent risk factor for mortality.

Comparison of Intra-operative Pressure-Controlled Ventilation and Volume-Controlled Ventilation in Bariatric Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation may be particularly challenging in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. The present study aimed to compare the effects of pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) with those of volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) on peripheral tissue oxygenation (PTO), respiratory function, hemodynamic status, and ventilation-related complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with obesity who underwent gastric plication or sleeve gastrectomy were recruited for the study, and 60 patients (n=32, in group PCV; n=28, in group VCV) were ultimately enrolled. Data on peri-operative PTO (arterial blood gas [ABG] analysis and tissue oxygen saturation [StO2]) and respiratory functions were recorded for each patient, along with post-operative hemodynamic status, fluid intake, urinary output, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score , and complications. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in pH, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation, and lactate values at baseline, intra-operative and post-operative periods. The peri-operative StO2 values were also similar between the two groups at all times. The two groups were identical in terms of preoperative values for respiratory function tests and post-operative hemodynamic status, fluid intake, urinary output, pain scores, and complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the choice of the mechanical ventilation mode did not appear to influence oxygen delivery, respiratory function, hemodynamic status, post-operative pain, or ventilation-related complications in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Impact of Ultrasonographic Features for Thyroid Malignancy in Patients With Bethesda Categories III, IV, and V: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Center.

INTRODUCTION: Although fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with cytologic interpretation using the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology has been widely used for thyroid nodules, its efficiency in Bethesda categories of III, IV, and V has been questioned due to variable risk of malignancy. We aimed to evaluate the impact of radiological parameters in Bethesda category III, IV, and V for thyroid malignancy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with Bethesda category III, IV, and V, and subsequent thyroidectomy. Demographic, ultrasonographic, and clinical variables were recorded. Independent variables for thyroid malignancy and the predictive power of imaging findings were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 159 patients with a mean age of 48.1±13.4 years. Hypoechogenicity of the index nodule was the most common finding in 87 patients (54.7%). There were 74 (46.5%), 34 (21.4%), and 51 patients (32.1%) with Bethesda III, IV, and V categories, respectively. There were 91 patients (57.2%) with a diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. Overall malignant pathology was detected in 18 (24.3%), 25 (73.5%), and 48 patients (94.1%) in Bethesda III, IV, and V categories, respectively (p=0.001). The presence of solitary nodule, hypoechogenicity, and solid structure of index nodule and Bethesda category IV and V were significant variables for final malignant pathology (p<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Hypoechogenicity and solid structure in a solitary index nodule should be regarded as significant ultrasonographic findings for thyroid malignancy. Bethesda category IV and V were also significantly associated with malignancy.

Reinforcement Learning in Neurocritical and Neurosurgical Care: Principles and Possible Applications.

Dynamic decision-making was essential in the clinical care of surgical patients. Reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm is a computational method to find sequential optimal decisions among multiple suboptimal options. This review is aimed at introducing RL's basic concepts, including three basic components: the state, the action, and the reward. Most medical studies using reinforcement learning methods were trained on a fixed observational dataset. This paper also reviews the literature of existing practical applications using reinforcement learning methods, which can be further categorized as a statistical RL study and a computational RL study. The review proposes several potential aspects where reinforcement learning can be applied in neurocritical and neurosurgical care. These include sequential treatment strategies of intracranial tumors and traumatic brain injury and intraoperative endoscope motion control. Several limitations of reinforcement learning are representations of basic components, the positivity violation, and validation methods.

Cordycepin prevents the esophageal stricture formation in the alkali-burn rat model by exerting anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of cordycepin, an adenosine analogue, on prevention of esophageal damage and stricture formation due to esophageal caustic burns in rat model comparing with prednisolone. METHODS: Caustic esophageal burn was introduced by 37.5% of NaOH to distal esophagus. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided in four groups: sham rats undergone laparotomy, treated with 0.9% NaCl; control rats injured with NaOH without cordycepin treatment; cordycepin group injured with NaOH, treated with 20 mg/kg cordycepin; prednisolone group injured with NaOH, treated with 1 mg/kg prednisolone for 28 days. Efficacy was assessed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of esophageal tissues. RESULTS: Cordycepin treatment significantly decreased inflammation, granulation tissue and fibrous tissue formation and prevented formation of esophageal strictures shown by histopathological damage score and stenosis indexes compared to control group (p < 0.01). These effects are relatively more substantial than prednisolone, probably based on attenuation of elevation of proinflammatory cytokines hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1?), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?), proliferative and fibrotic factor fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that cordycepin has a complex multifactorial healing process in alkali-burned tissue, more successful than prednisolone in preventing the formation of esophageal strictures and may be used as a therapeutic agent in the acute phase of esophageal alkali-burn.

COVID-19 Outbreak and Oncological Surgery Practice.

The emergence of COVID-19 has caused a global public health emergency. With the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, the focus is needed on the influence of this rapidly spreading viral infection on cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to address cancer-related operations during the COVID-19 outbreak. We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who had undergone cancer surgeries admitted from March 13 to May 13, 2020, during the COVID-19 epidemic at Istanbul Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, as a pandemic hospital. A total of 26 cases of COVID-19 were enrolled in the study. Seventeen (65%) were female, and 9 (35%) were male. The mean age was 52.4 (range 28-74). The mean body mass index (BMI) is 27.8 kg/m2 (range 17.6-34.0). Eight of them had comorbidities. 7 patients needed an intensive care unit (ICU). Only one patient was COVID-19 positive in the PCR test, while the others were negative. In addition to this patient, 3 other patients were COVID-19 positive on computed tomography (CT). The patients included in this study underwent various oncologic surgery procedures. While 24 patients were discharged without any problems, 2 patients developed complications. Due to respiratory problems, the patient could not get out of intensive care and died on the sixth postoperative day. It is the obligation of the institutions and the medical staff to reassure patients by creating safe postoperative surgical environments free of COVID-19. Surgeon leaders need to synthesize actual data to make the best decisions for their cancer patients.

Systemic Amelioration via Curcumin in Rats following Splenectomy: Lipid Profile, Endothelial and Oxidative Damage.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the postsurgical effects of splenectomy with additional curcumin therapy, as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory substance among the lipid profile and histopathological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (L): laparotomy, sham group: splenectomy (S), splenectomy group treated with curcumin (SC) and splenectomy group treated with corn oil (SCO) for 28 days. The primary outcomes; total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1), secondary outcomes: nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Histopathological changes were examined in vascular, intestinal and lung tissues. The analysis was performed by ANOVA. RESULTS: TG, LDL, ox-LDL, and LOX-1 elevated in S group while reduced by curcumin compared with L group (p < 0.05). Serum and tissue levels of NF-кB and MDA were higher in S group and lower in SC group than L group (p < 0.05). Serum and intestinal levels of SOD and GPx increased in L group while reduced by curcumin (p < 0.05). Total histopathological scores of intestinal tissues were higher in S and SCO groups compared to L and SC groups (p < 0.05). No major changes in vascular and lung tissues were observed except the lymphoid follicles which was higher in S and SCO groups compared to L and SC groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin partially improved the lipid profile dysfunction by modulating NF-кB, MDA, SOD, and GPx in splenectomized rats while less likely improving any vascular and alveolar regeneration.

Cordycepin prevents the esophageal stricture formation in the alkali-burn rat model by exerting anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the efficacy of cordycepin, an adenosine analogue, on prevention of esophageal damage and stricture formation due to esophageal caustic burns in rat model comparing with prednisolone. Methods Caustic esophageal burn was introduced by 37.5% of NaOH to distal esophagus. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided in four groups: sham rats undergone laparotomy, treated with 0.9% NaCl; control rats injured with NaOH without cordycepin treatment; cordycepin group injured with NaOH, treated with 20 mg/kg cordycepin; prednisolone group injured with NaOH, treated with 1 mg/kg prednisolone for 28 days. Efficacy was assessed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of esophageal tissues. Results Cordycepin treatment significantly decreased inflammation, granulation tissue and fibrous tissue formation and prevented formation of esophageal strictures shown by histopathological damage score and stenosis indexes compared to control group (p < 0.01). These effects are relatively more substantial than prednisolone, probably based on attenuation of elevation of proinflammatory cytokines hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1?), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?), proliferative and fibrotic factor fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings suggest that cordycepin has a complex multifactorial healing process in alkali-burned tissue, more successful than prednisolone in preventing the formation of esophageal strictures and may be used as a therapeutic agent in the acute phase of esophageal alkali-burn.

A novel coenzyme-Q approach for the prevention of postsurgical adhesion.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions are an unsolved and important problem in abdominal surgery. In the present study, the probable preventive role of coenzyme-Q in the development of peritoneal adhesions was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen Wistar Hannover male rats weighing 300-350 g were randomly separated into two groups of 8 rats each. The cecum was abraded with a sterile gauze until sub-serosal hemorrhage developed. A patch of peritoneum located opposite to the cecal abrasion was completely dissected. No treatment was given to Group 1. Group 2 received 30 mg/kg coenzyme-Q, which was injected 2 mL intraperitoneally. All the rats were sacrificed on the postoperative 21st day, and after adhesions were scored macroscopically, tissue specimens of the peritoneum and bowel were subjected to histopathological investigation. Tissue and blood specimens were also taken for biochemical analysis to investigate antioxidant efficiency. RESULTS: Adhesion scores were significantly different between the control group and the coenzyme-Q group (p= 0.001). According to the tissue levels of GSH-Px, MDA, and SOD levels, there was no significant difference between the study groups (p= 0.074, p= 0.208, p= 0.526). According to the plasma GSH-Px and SOD levels, there was significant difference between the groups (p= 0.002, p= 0.001), but the difference was not significant at MDA levels (p= 0.793). The differences between the pathological scores of the control and coenzyme-Q (p= 0.028 for fibrosis; p= 0.025 for inflammation) groups were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that coenzyme-Q is the potential application in the prevention of early postoperative adhesions.

The value of inflammatory markers in diagnosing acute appendicitis in pregnant patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common extra-obstetric condition requiring surgery during pregnancy. AA diagnosis is made by laboratory tests along with anamnesis and physical examination findings. Due to the physiological and anatomical changes during the pregnancy, AA diagnosis is more challenging in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant patients. The present study evaluated the significance of white blood cell counts (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) and lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) to diagnose acute appendicitis during pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant patients admitted to General Surgery Inpatient Clinic with AA pre-diagnosis in September 2015-December 2019 period were screened using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10 (ICD-10) diagnosis code (K35= acute appendicitis, Z33= pregnancy), and AA patients were identified retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. The Group I included the patients who had appendectomy due to AA and had a suppurative appendicitis diagnosis based on the pathological evaluation. On the other hand, Group II had the patients admitted as an inpatient with AA pre-diagnosis, but discharged from the hospital with full recovery without operation. Group III, i.e., the control group, on the other hand, was constituted by 32 randomly and prospectively recruited healthy pregnant women who were willing to participate in the study and who had matching study criteria among the patients followed in Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic of our hospital. RESULTS: This study included 96 pregnant women with an average age of 29.20±4.47 years (32 healthy pregnant women, 32 pregnant women followed for acute abdominal observation and 32 pregnant women who underwent appendectomy). Of these patients, three cases who turned out not to have suppurative appendicitis (negative appendectomy) and two cases found to have perforated appendicitis based on intraoperative and histopathological evaluations were excluded from this study. The results showed that Group I patients had significantly higher WBC (p=0.001), CAR (p=0.001) and NLR (p=0.001), but significantly lower LCR values (p=0.001) compared to the Groups II and III. Besides, based on logistic regression analysis, it was revealed that higher WBC, CAR and NLR values and lower LCR values were independent variables that could be used for the diagnosis of AA in pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Considering WBC, NLR, CAR and LCR parameters in addition to medical history, physical examination and imaging techniques could help clinicians diagnose acute appendicitis in pregnant women.

The efficacy of curcumin on PDGF expression and NF-kappa B pathway: TNBS-induced colitis.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule known to be a potent inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin on colitis induced by a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). METHODS: After the induction of colitis under anesthesia, 42 rats were divided into six groups as follows; the curcumin oral group, curcumin (20 mg/kg); the corn oil oral group, corn oil (20 mg/kg) using gastric gavage, the curcumin rectal group, curcumin; the corn oil rectal group, corn oil; the control group, 1 mL saline solution (0.9% NaCl) were administered using the rectal route. In the sham group, only rectal catheterization was performed. At the end of the seven day, the blood and intestinal tissue samples were obtained for histopathological examination and for MPO, MDA, NO, PDGF, IL-6, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaB. RESULTS: The macroscopic damage score was significantly higher in curcumin oral, corn oil oral and saline groups when compared to the sham group (p<0.05). The significant differences between groups were evaluated using the biochemical analysis of intestinal tissue for IL-6, NO, NF-κB, PDGF, TNF-α, MDA, MPO (p<0.05). NF-κB levels of blood in curcumin oral, curcumin rectal, sham, corn oil oral, corn oil rectal groups were significantly increased when compared to saline rectal group (p≤0.001). NF-κB serum levels of corn oil rectal and control group (p≤0.001) were lower than the sham group (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: The effects of curcumin improved possibly by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway should be considered against colitis alone or in combination with the conventional anti-colitic therapies in future studies.

Assessment of Evidence Regarding Minimally Invasive Surgery vs. Conservative Treatment on Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: The recent publication of a trial failed to prove the efficacy of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to answer the question: Do we need more trials to compare MIS vs. conservative treatment in these patients? Methods: Databases were searched for relevant randomized trials on MIS (endoscopic surgery or stereotactic evacuation) vs. conservative treatment. The primary outcome was significant neurological debilitation or death at the follow-up, and the secondary outcome was death. Both conventional meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed. Results: Twelve trials with 2,049 patients were included. In the conventional meta-analysis, the risk ratios of MIS vs. conservative treatment were 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.94] and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.62-0.88) for the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. In TSA, the cumulative z curve crossed the superiority boundary, which confirmed an 18.8% relative risk reduction of MIS vs. conservative treatment for the primary outcome. It was also highly likely that MIS would reduce mortality by 24.3%. Several sensitivity analyses suggested the robustness of our results, including different prior settings, including only trials with blind outcome assessment, and the assumption of future trials to be futile. Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery seems to be more effective than conservative treatment in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in reducing both morbidity and mortality. Repeating a clinical trial with similar devices, design, and outcomes is unlikely to change the current evidence.

Diverting Ileostomy Duration Is the Main Determinant of Ileostomy-Related Complications after Surgical Treatment of Rectum Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the development of ileostomy complications in rectal cancer patients, including those who received neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: This retrospective trial included 133 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer with temporary diverting ileostomy. Patients' demographic characteristics as well as the pre- and postclosure outcomes and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: In logistic regression analysis, longer duration of ileostomy emerged as a significant independent predictor of any complication during ileostomy. The respective odds ratios for 3-6 months and >6 months vs. <3 months of ileostomy duration were as follows: OR, 4.5 (95% CI, 1.2-16.7), p=0.023; and OR, 15.2 (95% CI, 3.1-75.2), p=0.001. An additional stepwise model also identified hypertension as a significant predictor. In stepwise logistic regression model, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy emerged as significant independent predictor of "any ileostomy-related complication after ileostomy closure": OR, 4.5 (2.0-10.2), p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Duration of ileostomy appears to be the main determinant of ileostomy-related complications. Patients who had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy had longer ileostomy duration, which may be attributed to the concerns of the surgeon or to the complications themselves.

Two Different Clinical Approaches with Mortality Assessment of Four Cases: Complete and Incomplete Type of Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), also called sclerosing encapsulated peritonitis, is a condition characterized by encapsulation of all or some of small bowel loops by a thick fibrous membrane. Etiologic cause is not fully known. It is among the rare causes of intestinal obstruction in adults. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and high suspicion is required. Diagnosis is generally made during laparotomy performed due to mechanical obstruction. In treatment of the condition, large scale surgical resections should be avoided. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate all clinical and radiological characteristics and surgical treatment of ACS in light of the literature through four patients operated in our clinic.