Predictors of knowledge level and awareness towards breast cancer among Turkish females.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most-common malignancy of women worldwide. Though there are differences among developed and developing countries, BC remains the most common cancer type of women in Turkey. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge, awareness, and their potential predictors towards BC in Ankara, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present descriptive study was conducted on 376 females attending a breast health outpatient clinic. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to evaluate knowledge level about BC and predictors effecting its level. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 46.2±9.93 (22-75). The majority (92.6 %) were married; 41.5% were educated less than nine years. Most of the women were housewives (82.7%) and, were living in an urban region (86.4%). Predictors of effecting responses to seven knowledge and awareness questions about BC varied from demographic features including older age groups, higher educational levels, being married, living in an urban area, being employee, smoking, having greater BMI to additional attributes associated breast health such as the increased number of births, applying for the purpose of control, positive family history of breast diseases, any diagnoses of breast diseases and performing BSE practice. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that females in Turkey have better knowledge of BC than other developing countries even though it is not at the desired level. These findings revealed that females should be more informed about BC risk factors, prognosis and treatments by primary health-care providers to counteract the ascending burden of this disease.

Predictors affecting breast self-examination practice among Turkish women.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among females in Turkey. Predictors affecting the breast self-examination (BSE) performance vary in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of BSE performance and predictors of self-reported BSEs among women in the capital city of Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 Turkish women using a self- administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables and BSE-related features. RESULTS: Of the participants, 78.7% (N=296) reported practicing BSE, whereas 9.5% (N=28) were implementing BSE regularly on a monthly basis, and only 5.7% (N=17) were performing BSE regularly within a week after each menstrual cycle. Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that BSE performance was more likely in younger age groups [20-39 years] (p=0.018, OR=3.215) and [40-49 years] (p=0.009, OR=3.162), women having a family history of breast disease (p=0.038, OR=2.028), and housewives (p=0.013, OR=0.353). CONCLUSIONS: Although it appears that the rates of BSE performers are high, the number of women conducting appropriate BSE on a regular time interval basis is lower than expected. Younger age groups, family history of breast diseases and not being employed were identified as significant predictors of practicing BSE appropriately. Older age and employment were risk factors for not performing BSE in this sample.

The value of serum fibrinogen level in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of serum fibrinogen level in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: This study was performed on 201 patients who admitted to our clinic. Symptoms, signs, duration of symptoms, and laboratory indicators of appendicitis were recorded, in keeping with the Alvarado score for acute appendicitis. The ultimate diagnosis was based on histopathological results. Serum fibrinogen levels were detected before surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of single test and test combinations were calculated at different cut-off levels. RESULTS: During the study period, 201 patients underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis. Appendicitis was confirmed in 179 (89%) patients. The mean age was 24.8±7.7 (range, 20-57) years, and 154 (76.6%) patients were male and 47 (23.4%) female. The best diagnostic cut-off point for fibrinogen was found at 245.5 mg/dl, for white blood cells (WBC) at 11,900x109/L and for Alvarado score at 7. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrinogen blood level may be a new diagnostic acute-phase reactant in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The formulation of a triple test is recommended as criteria in deciding emergency surgery or observation.

Combination of preoperative ultrasonographic mapping and radioguided occult lesion localization in patients with locally recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid carcinoma: a practical method for central compartment reoperations.

PURPOSE: To improve the surgical success and reduce the complication rates, we combine our routine preoperative ultrasound (US) mapping technique with radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer recurrences in central compartment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the morning of surgery, biopsy proven recurrent/persistent tumoral lesions were plotted on a sketch and injected with Tc-99m labeled macroaggregated albumin under US guidance. Thyroid bed exploration was carried out based on the location of biopsy proven lesion with the guidance of intraoperative gamma probe and neck map. The lymphoadipose tissues showing high count rates were resected and labeled separately for histopathologic study. RESULTS: Despite extensive scarring in some patients probe safely guided to lesions. Noninjected tumor foci were searched and successfully resected in the light of neck map that showing topographic relation of injected and noninjected lesions. Among total of 41 excised lesions, 28 metastatic foci ranging from 3 to 38 mm in largest diameter were recognized at final histologic examination. Combination of preoperative mapping with ROLL was found helpful by the operating surgeons in all patients, respectively. Except 2 patients with known distant metastases, undetectable thyroglobulin levels were reached 6 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of preoperative US-mapping with ROLL in patients with nonpalpable recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid cancer in central compartment is technically safe and effective method. Combination of techniques provides better information about topographical relations of recurrent/persistent lesions during surgery.

Synergistic effects of hyperbaric oxygen and granulocytecolony stimulating factor on postoperative adhesion formation in a rat cecal abrasion model.

PURPOSE: We investigated the synergistic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on adhesion formation in rats. METHODS: 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g) were divided into 4 groups. In group-1, no further management was undertaken. Group-2 received HBO therapy, group-3 was treated with 50 ug/kg subcutaneous G-CSF once daily for 7 days following laparatomy and cecal abrasion and group-4 was given both G-CSF and HBO therapies. On the 7th day, all rats were sacrificed and adhesions were scored. Tissue samples from adhesions and peritonea and cecum wall were examined both pathologically and biochemically for tissue hydroxyproline content. RESULTS: No mortality occurred in study groups. When the groups were evaluated according to the adhesion numbers and grades, there was a statistically significant difference between the control and groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). HBO + G-CSF group was significantly different from control, HBO and G-CSF groups, regarding hydroxyproline contents (p = 0.005). Inflammation and fibrosis did not differ significantly among the groups (p = 0.248), (p = 0.213). CONCLUSION: HBO treatment could not reduce the adhesion formation alone. Combined use of HBO and G-CSF, has a markedly preventive effect on postoperative adhesion formation (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 57).

The effect of nurse-performed preoperative skin preparation on postoperative surgical site infections in abdominal surgery.

AIM: To determine the effect of preoperative skin preparation procedures performed by nurses on postoperative surgical site infection in abdominal surgery. BACKGROUND: Despite all interventions, postoperative SSIs still greatly affect mortality and morbidity. DESIGN: This is an experimental study. METHODS: Procedures developed for nurse application of preoperative skin preparations were tested on a control group (n = 39) and study group (n = 43). RESULTS: Only clinical routines for preoperative skin preparation were performed on the control group patients. Control group members' skins were mostly prepared by shaving with a razor blade (41%). For the study group members, the researchers used the preoperative skin preparation procedure. Clippers were used to prepare 55.8% of study group members while 44.2% of them were not treated with the clipper because their wounds were clean. As a requirement of the procedure, all members of the study group had a chlorhexidine bath at least twice after being hospitalised and at least once a night before the operation under controlled conditions. In the group where chlorhexidine bath was not applied, the infection risk was found to be 4.76 times (95%CI = 1.20-18.83) greater even after corrections for age and gender had been made. The difference between control group and study group with respect to surgical site infections was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative skin preparation using clipper on the nights before an operation and a 50 ml chlorhexidine bath excluding head area taken twice in the pre-operative period are useful to reduce SSI during postoperative period. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: We find that preoperative skin preparation using the procedures developed as a result of findings of this study is useful in reducing surgical site infection during the postoperative period.

Management and mid- to long-term results of early referred bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bile duct injuries (BDI) usually need operative repair and remain as a challenge even for surgeons who specialize in hepatobiliary surgery. The objective of this study was to define the presentation, in-hospital management, and mid- to long-term outcome of BDIs during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) referred to a tertiary center in their early period. METHODOLOGY: From January 1996 to January 2006, 31 patients with BDI sustained during or after LC were treated at our institution. Patients were referred to our center from 18 community hospitals in their first 15 postoperative days. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed; presentation, management, and follow-up details recorded at the primary hospitals and at our institution were documented. RESULTS: There were 5 patients with type-A and one with type-C injury, according to Strasberg classification. The remainders had a major BDI. The mean time to referral was 3.45 (median 2) days. Treatment methods chosen after referral were as follows: drainage-observation in 2 patients (6.5%), nasobiliary drainage in 4 (12.9%), endoscopic sphincterotomy plus biliary stenting in 1 (3.2%), and surgical intervention (duct-to-duct anastomosis or biliary-enteric reconstruction) in 24 patients (77.4%). Although a success rate of 83.3% was achieved in the early period, 10 patients (32.3%) had late postoperative complications (stricture and cholangitis), and of these, 3 required endoscopic stent placement, and 7 patients underwent a biliary diversion with Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy. One out of 24 patients with long-term follow-up developed biliary cirrhosis, and one patient with malignancy expired. CONCLUSIONS: Minor BDIs can be satisfactorily treated with endoscopic interventions. Extended lateral injuries, complete CBD transsections, and long segment stenosis usually require surgical therapy. Duct-to-duct anastomosis may be an option as the first-line therapy in selected patients after early referral, though many patients eventually require a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

Ultrasonography accurately evaluates the dimension and shape of the pilonidal sinus.

PURPOSE: To study the benefits of ultrasonography for detecting the borders of pilonidal sinus tissue. The correlation between physical and ultrasonographic examination was used for surgical planning. METHOD: Between April and December 2004, 73 patients were recruited for this study. All patients were examined, and the borders of the sinus tissue were marked on the skin according to palpation before surgery. The surgeon also made a treatment plan considering the diseased tissue and marked a possible incision line. Patients were subsequently examined with ultrasonography. According to the ultrasonographic evaluation, the margins, extensions, and openings of pilonidal sinus tissue were determined and marked on the patient in a different color by a radiologist prior to surgery. The most suitable surgical treatment was decided according to the information obtained by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The average age was 23.03 +/- 3.05 (range 18-39) years. We found 81 lesions in 73 patients. Ultrasonographic borders of sinus tissue were similar to the borders marked by the surgeon in 56 patients (76.7%). In the remaining 17 patients (23.3%), ultrasonography detected branches or borders that distinctly exceeded the planned incision line. After ultrasonographic examination, the surgeon changed his incision line in 14 patients and the surgical intervention in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Palpation and methylene blue injection do not provide appropriate information in many patients. Our study revealed that pre-operative ultrasonography can improve the identification of the sinus tract and its branches when compared to palpation and methylene blue injection.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical and radiological features and treatment approaches in 14 patients diagnosed with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (GM). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical features, radiological findings, and treatment approaches in 14 patients with idiopathic GM in the General Surgery Department, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey between April 2000 and June 2006. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.5 years (range 27-41 years). The complaints at admission were a mass in the breast in 7 (50%) patients, an abscess and a mass in 6 (42.8%), and a skin fistula in one (7.2%). Granulomatous mastitis was unilateral in all subjects (on the right in 5 patients and on the left in 9). All of the patients underwent ultrasonographic evaluation. Mammography was performed in 8 and magnetic resonance imaging in 5 patients. Seven patients (50%) were suspected to have breast carcinoma according to radiological findings. We performed large excision in 11, incisional biopsy plus abscess drainage in one, and incisional biopsy plus abscess drainage plus medical treatment (prednisolone, methotrexate) in 2 patients. Due to the development of abscess after 9 months, drainage and large excision were also performed in one patient who received medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic GM is a disease that generally affects young women of reproductive age and may be mistaken for breast carcinoma in clinical and radiological evaluations. The gold standard for the diagnosis is histopathologic evaluation.

Preoperative administration of oral carbohydrate-rich solutions: Comparison of glucometabolic responses and tolerability between patients with and without insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative carbohydrate loading with clear fluids is thought to reduce surgery-related insulin resistance (IR). However, IR per se is already present in some patients scheduled for elective surgery. Data on the safety of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading in patients with IR undergoing surgery is lacking. We aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading on the glucometabolic state and gastric content of patients with and without IR. METHODS: Thirty-four non-diabetics received 800 mL of a special carbohydrate-containing drink on the evening before the operation and then 400 mL 2 h before surgery. Blood samples for glucose, insulin, and cortisol levels were taken immediately before the second dose, at 40 and 90 min after intake of the drink, and at the onset of surgery. Patients with a homeostasis model assessment IR score >2.5 were considered to have IR. The differences between patients with and without IR were then evaluated. RESULTS: Eight of the 34 patients had IR and the remaining 26 did not. Glucose levels in the IR group were higher than those in the non-IR group, but the differences did not reach significance. The initially elevated insulin concentrations then tended to decrease to the corresponding levels detected in the non-IR group. The cortisol concentrations were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with IR receiving a carbohydrate-rich drink before surgery appear not to be affected adversely by the beverage. Furthermore, they also obtain the probable beneficial effects related to these drinks and, like patients without IR, can undergo surgery safely.

Ultrasonography accurately evaluates the dimension and shape of the pilonidal sinus

PURPOSE: To study the benefits of ultrasonography for detecting the borders of pilonidal sinus tissue. The correlation between physical and ultrasonographic examination was used for surgical planning. METHOD: Between April and December 2004, 73 patients were recruited for this study. All patients were examined, and the borders of the sinus tissue were marked on the skin according to palpation before surgery. The surgeon also made a treatment plan considering the diseased tissue and marked a possible incision line. Patients were subsequently examined with ultrasonography. According to the ultrasonographic evaluation, the margins, extensions, and openings of pilonidal sinus tissue were determined and marked on the patient in a different color by a radiologist prior to surgery. The most suitable surgical treatment was decided according to the information obtained by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The average age was 23.03 ± 3.05 (range 18-39) years. We found 81 lesions in 73 patients. Ultrasonographic borders of sinus tissue were similar to the borders marked by the surgeon in 56 patients (76.7 percent). In the remaining 17 patients (23.3 percent), ultrasonography detected branches or borders that distinctly exceeded the planned incision line. After ultrasonographic examination, the surgeon changed his incision line in 14 patients and the surgical intervention in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Palpation and methylene blue injection do not provide appropriate information in many patients. Our study revealed that pre-operative ultrasonography can improve the identification of the sinus tract and its branches when compared to palpation and methylene blue injection.

Stump appendicitis, rare complication after appendectomy: report of a case.

Appendectomy is one of the most common procedures in surgical practice. Stump appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the residual part of the appendix and a rare complication of incomplete appendectomy. It may present clinically as acute abdomen. We report a case of stump appendicitis 12 years after open appendectomy. After the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, the patient was operated and discharged from the hospital four days after operation without any complications. Stump appendicitis is a rare cause of acute abdomen and should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis.

A comparison of different hemorrhoidectomy procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pain level, analgesic consumption, operation time, bleeding and early complications after open and closed hemorrhoidectomy using a harmonic scalpel (HS) and classical methods. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2006, 87 patients with grade III-IV hemorrhoids, admitted in General Surgery Clinic, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey were enrolled in the study. They were randomized into open HS (n=22), closed HS (n=22), Miligan Morgan (n=22), and Ferguson (n=21) hemorrhoidectomy. Patients were evaluated for postoperative pain, painkiller consumption, bleeding and operation time. RESULTS: Bleeding volume was significantly lower in Groups I-II (p<0.001). Operation time was significantly shorter in Group I (p<0.001). Postoperative pain and pain at the time of first defecation, was significantly lower in Groups I-III (p<0.001) compared with the other 2 groups and lower during days 2-6 in Group I compared to the Group III (p<0.004). Visual Analogue Scale results were similar in Groups II and IV. Analgesic consumption in Groups I-III was significantly lower than Groups II-IV (p<0.001). Oral analgesic consumption during 2-5 postoperative days was lower in Group I than in Group III (p<0.007) and similar in closed hemorrhoidectomy group. CONCLUSION: The use of HS in hemorrhoidectomy reduces postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, operation time, and bleeding. Harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy is an effective, comfortable, and safe procedure. Use of suture in hemorrhoidectomy is a major cause of postoperative pain.

Comparison of modified darn repair and Lichtenstein repair of primary inguinal hernias.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the results of the Modified Darn Repair through Lichtenstein procedure in inguinal hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 322 patients with inguinal hernia, operated in General Surgery Departments of Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Sirnak Military Hospital between 1998 and 2004. The durations of operation time, hospitalization, and time to return to daily activities and postoperative complication and recurrence rates were evaluated. Lichtenstein procedure was applied on 170 patients (Group 1), and modified darn repair was applied on 152 patients (Group 2). RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 56 months. For the Lichtenstein procedure, the average duration of operation was 56 min; the average time to return to routine activities was 20 days. The number of patients with postoperative complications was 20 (11.7%), and the number of patients with recurrence was 1 (0.6%). For modified darn repair, the average duration of operation was 48 min; the time to return to daily activities was 20 days. The number of patients with postoperative complication was three (1.9%), and no recurrences were noted. The hospitalization time of the groups was similar. DISCUSSION: Modified darn repair is a reliable method for inguinal hernia repair with short hospitalization time, low rate of postoperative complications, and recurrence.

Can SAPS II predict operative mortality more accurately than POSSUM and P-POSSUM in patients with colorectal carcinoma undergoing resection?

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II), SAPS II (Simplified Acute Physiology Score-II), POSSUM (Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for Enumeration of Morbidity and Mortality), and P-POSSUM (Portsmouth-POSSUM) in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative or palliative resection. METHODS: Predicted mortality rates and the observed/expected mortality ratio were computed by means of each scoring system. The results were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors and between elective and emergency operations. Each model was assessed for its accuracy to predict the risk of death using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and risk stratification was generated as well. RESULTS: Some 224 patients were enrolled in the study. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 3.6% (n = 8). Predicted mortality rates generated by APACHE II, SAPS II, POSSUM, and P-POSSUM were 9.1%, 3.7%, 13.4%, and 5.2%, respectively. All the scoring systems assigned higher scores to those patients who died than to those who survived. Areas under the curve calculated by ROC curve analysis for APACHE II, SAPS II, POSSUM, and P-POSSUM were 0.786, 0.854, 0.793, and 0.831, respectively. Best stratification was achieved by the SAPS II score. CONCLUSIONS: SAPS II and P-POSSUM were determined to be better predictors for patients with colorectal cancer undergoing resection. SAPS II also was found to have a higher degree of discriminatory power in colorectal resection for carcinoma. The predictive value of this useful severity score in several surgical subgroups must be examined to evaluate its routine use in risk-adjusted audit.

Effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading on glucose metabolism and gastric contents in patients undergoing moderate surgery: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Despite contrary evidence, the practice of overnight fasting before elective surgery maintains its place in tradition. However, prolonged starvation, by its catabolic action, may increase the detrimental effects of surgery. In this study, we evaluated the effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading on the gastric contents of patients and perioperative metabolism. METHODS: Seventy patients scheduled for cholecystectomy or thyroidectomy randomly were assigned to the treatment or control group. Patients in the treatment group (n = 34) received 800 mL of a carbohydrate-rich fluid on the evening before surgery and 400 mL of the same fluid 2 h preoperatively. Conversely, control patients (n = 36) underwent overnight fasting. Plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were obtained across the perioperative period and during anesthesia induction. The volume and pH of preoperative residual gastric contents also were measured. RESULTS: Preoperative plasma glucose levels were found to remain significantly higher in patients who had received the carbohydrate-rich fluid. Serum insulin levels that were elevated initially in the study group returned to control levels by the time of anesthesia induction. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to gastric residue contents or gastric fluid pH. CONCLUSION: The preoperative intake of carbohydrate-rich fluids does not appear to alter the amount or pH of gastric contents, suggesting that this is a safe procedure, in terms of aspiration risk. Furthermore, the intake of such fluid might prevent energy malnutrition.

Chyle Fistula after Neck Dissection for an Unusual Breast Cancer Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Chyle fistula is one of the rare complications of neck dissections. Even though no consented algorithm for the management of this entity has been established yet, conservative treatment options including somatostatin analogues have been suggested as an adequate modality for low output fistulas. CASE REPORT: Here we present a patient with a right-sided neck fistula which was resistant to conventional treatment, and was finally treated by surgery. The neck dissection was performed for a malignant right neck mass that was accepted as the lymph node metastasis of formerly treated papillary thyroid carcinoma. The pathology of the specimen revealed a contralateral neck metastasis of previously treated breast carcinoma. CONCLUSION: We assume that consecutive surgeries on axillary and neck lymph pathways resulted in such a complicated and exceptional case.

Appropriate approach to bronchobiliary fistulas: a case series with hydatid disease and algorithm of case-based management.

Bronchobiliary fistula caused by liver echinococcosis is a relatively unusual but severe complication of hydatid disease. Optimal management of cases is crucially important in establishing rapid recovery and avoiding additional complications. The use of an algorithmic guide is essential because of an ongoing dilemma that involves a large variety of therapeutic options. We present four patients with bronchobiliary fistulas caused by liver hydatid disease to discuss the management of therapeutic options through a case-based approach and an extent review to finally generate an algorithm. In this series, two patients were treated surgically, and the remaining were treated with conservative methods. To date, they have developed neither recurrence nor need for additional intervention. Although treatment of bronchobiliary fistulas is traditionally thought to be surgical, most of the less severe cases can be treated nonoperatively. Making an accurate selection among less invasive methods and/or open surgical interventions seems to be a key component of management.

Extracapsular extension is associated with increased ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes in axillary node-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Extracapsular extension of nodal tumor cells, although it is not a parameter of staging, has recently been shown to be correlated with the high number of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with axillary-positive breast cancer. It is suggested that the use of involved/examined lymph node ratio instead of the number of metastatic lymph nodes in axillary evaluation would obtain standardized prognostic data for patient management. This study investigated the association of the extracapsular extension with the lymph node ratio in a node-positive group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of 170 patients with positive axillary status were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 54 were extracapsular extension positive, and the remaining were extracapsular extension negative. A comparison was made between extracapsular extension-positive and extracapsular extension-negative groups with respect to some potential prognostic indicators. RESULTS: Number of metastatic lymph nodes, number of examined lymph nodes, and involved/examined lymph node ratio were found to be significantly higher in patients with a presence of extracapsular extension. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the presence of extracapsular extension might force physicians to perform more aggressive adjuvant therapies and that the extracapsular extension could be a valuable parameter in the management of breast cancer because it has a strong relationship with the proven prognostic factors.

The factors affecting length of stay of the patients undergoing appendectomy surgery in a military teaching hospital.

The principal objectives of this study were to identify the main predictors of the length of postoperative hospital stay for patients undergoing appendectomy in a military training hospital in Turkey, to examine the effects of each significant predictor, and to justify to hospital health care managers the reasons why an increase in effective use of hospital utilization resources is needed and so important. This study gives the results of a 2-year retrospective study conducted at Gulhane Military Medical Academy between January 2003 and January 2005. The medical files of 417 patients undergoing appendectomy during this 2-year period were reviewed. A number of demographic and clinical patient characteristics were examined to determine their significance in lengthening the post-operative and total hospital stay. After taking all demographic and clinical patient characteristics into account, it was determined that those patients who were temporary or short-term service members and whose medical complications were more severe were more likely to stay in the hospital for longer periods. Despite its limitations, the study reveals that factors affecting variations in resource utilization can be minimized by following very simple administrative procedures. Furthermore, the results could increase awareness among hospital managers of the significant factors involved for health care providers in modifying their behavior concerning resource utilization decisions.