Early closure compared to late closure of temporary ileostomy in rectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial study.

BACKGROUND: A temporary loop ileostomy is one of the most common methods for the prevention of anastomotic leakage in rectal cancer patients who underwent low anterior resection. However, the optimal timing of loop ileostomy reversal remains unknown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the debilitating complications caused by early closure of ileostomy in comparison with late closure in rectal cancer patients. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, unblinded, and monocentric trial. METHODS: A total of 104 rectal cancer patients were randomly assigned to the case group of early closure of ileostomy (n = 50) and the control group of late closure of ileostomy (n = 54). This trial was undertaken in a single colorectal institution, a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran. Randomization and allocation to the trial group were conducted by using variable block randomization based on quadruple numbers. The primary endpoint of this trial was determined by the complications of early ileostomy closure versus those of late closure in rectal cancer patients who had undergone low anterior resection. In early closure, loop ileostomy is reversed 2-3 weeks after the first two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, while in late closure, the ileostomy is reversed 2-3 weeks after the last course of adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Follow-up of 1 year demonstrated a reduction in the risk of complications and an improved quality of life in patients with rectal cancer following low anterior resection and chemotherapy (neoadjuvant and adjuvant) in the case group but did not reach a significant difference (p = 0.555). In addition, there was no significant difference in perioperative outcomes, such as blood loss, operative time, readmission, and reoperation; also, no statistically significant differences were reported between the groups in patients' quality of life or LARS score. CONCLUSION: In summary, it seems that early closure of ileostomy is not better than late closure in improving patients' quality of life with rectal cancer following low anterior resection and chemotherapy (neoadjuvant and adjuvant); no statistical difference was observed for reduction of risk of ostomy complications. Thus, neither of these methods (early closure versus late closure) is superior to the other, and controversy still exists. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION: IRCT20201113049373N1.

Distant Metastasis as the First Presentation of Thyroid Carcinoma.

Introduction: Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine cancer which may manifest with unusual presentations. We addressed distant metastases as the first presentations of thyroid carcinoma in several patients, though previously considered to occur rarely. Methods: In this case series, 10 patients are introduced with signs and symptoms of distant metastasis. Detailed history, physical examination, laboratory data, and histopathologic final report of thyroid cancer are presented. Conclusion: Although it seems unusual to discover a distant metastasis without abnormal thyroid examination, several reports of similar findings urge the need to improve screening process. It is prudent to bear in mind these presentations for early detection of thyroid carcinoma.

Introduction of a handmade vacuum-assisted sponge drain for the treatment of anastomotic leakage after low anterior rectal resection.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage, a known major postoperative complication, potentially leads to readmission, reoperation, and increased mortality rates in patients, such as rectal cancer patients following a low anterior resection (LAR). Currently, vacuum-assisted closure, as featured by B-Braun (B-Braun Medical B.V.), is already being used for the treatment of gastrointestinal leakages and fistulas. The main aim of this study was to introduce a novel method for creating a vacuum-assisted drain for the treatment of anastomotic leakage after LAR. METHODS: All 10 patients, who underwent LAR surgery from 2018 to 2019, were diagnosed with anastomotic leakage and had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery. Therefore, patients were treated with a handmade vacuum-assisted drain and were revisited every 5 to 7 days for further evaluations and drain replacement until leakage resolution. Physical features of cavity, time of diagnose, and duration of treatment were analyzed correspondingly. The handmade vacuum-assisted sponge drain was prepared for each patient in each session of follow-up. RESULTS: Eight out of 10 patients experienced complete closure of the defect. The mean delay time from the day of operation to the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage was 61.0±80.4 days while the mean time for leakage closure was 117.6±68.3 days. Eventually, 7 cases underwent ileostomy reversal with no complications during a 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this study, we evaluated the healing process of anastomotic leakage after the usage of a handmade vacuum-assisted sponge drain in a case series method. In our trial, we provided an innovative cost-benefit method easily applicable in the operating room.

Enterocutaneous fistula formation thirty years after a femoral neck fracture fixation with lag screws: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: As the population grows older, femoral neck fracture is becoming one of the prevalent cases in orthopedics, although this fracture can also happen in younger individuals following high energy traumas. Fixation with cancellous lag screws is one treatment option for femoral neck fractures, especially for young adults and relatively active older patients. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we describe a 52-year-old man referred with the formation of enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) in the surgery place for fixation of a femoral neck fracture 30 years prior to presentation. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Interpretation of CT scan images as well as findings of the performed laparotomy suggested that fixation procedure with screws was probably the main culprit for penetration of ileum. Subsequently, the removal of screws enabled the fistula to reach the surface of skin, which presented with fecal drainage. To eliminate fistula, we performed right hemicolectomy and ileocolic anastomosis for the case. CONCLUSION: Since management of ECF remains among the most challenging problems for surgeons, this unique case report indicates the possibility for formation of such fistula following a fixation procedure in the hip joint area, even after thirty years and stresses on taking measures in order to prevent fistula formation caused by the prevalent procedures performed on the hip joint.

Prophylactic postoperative condom sheet placement: A randomized clinical trial to test a new concept.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is one of the most common complications after surgery with several risk factors. However, its precise etiology is not completely understood. So far, the effect of prophylactic condom sheet placement on the prevention of POUR has not been addressed. This study was designed to understand whether preventive condom sheet decreases the rate of POUR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was carried out in an educational hospital during 2018-2019. All male patients, who underwent anorectal surgery with spinal anesthesia, were included and randomly allocated into two groups (with and without postoperative condom sheet placement). RESULTS: A total of 172 patients were included in this study (86 patients per group). Twenty-three (13.4%) patients developed POUR. The incidence of POUR was 15.1% among patients with condom sheets and 11.6% in patients without condom sheets, which was not significantly different (P > 0.5). POUR development had a significant correlation with the use of morphine and history of hypertension in both univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Based on the present results, it seems that condom sheet placement did not effectively prevent POUR in patients; therefore, ambulation of patients after surgery is a more effective strategy for these patients.

Management of a Penetrating Thoracic Injury with Thoracoscopy; A Case Study.

INTRODUCTION: Various strategies could be considered dealing with penetrating thoracic injuries. Thoracoscopy is much less invasive than routine thoracotomy approach for managing such cases in which the sharp object remains in the body. The case presented in this article was managed with thoracoscopy for a penetrating dorsolateral thoracic injury. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old man with a penetrating dorsolateral thoracic injury referred to the emergency department. Despite an elevated pulse rate, the patient has proper blood pressure and O2 saturation. Considering the patient's stability and the results of imaging which did not show any massive vascular injury, the patient was taken to the operation room for thoracoscopy. At thoracoscopy, we saw 4 cm of the blade in the thoracic cavity between the third and fourth intercostal space. There was a mild laceration of lung tissue without any active bleeding. Considering the position of the blade and the absence of active bleeding and vascular injury at the trauma site, we successfully removed the blade by the thoracoscope without any complications. CONCLUSION: Our experience of removing a retained knife by thoracoscopy showed that it can be an appropriate alternative for patients with penetrating thoracic injury who are hemodynamically stable and have appropriate conditions for thoracoscopy.

Functional and quality of life outcomes after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in short versus long ileal J-pouch configuration in ulcerative colitis patients: a cohort study.

Advances in the pharmacological treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) have enormously decreased the frequency of emergent surgeries. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the procedure of choice in surgical treatment of refractive UC and J-pouch configuration is by far the most preferred pouch design by surgeons. Pouch configuration probably influences the outcomes of the surgery. In this study, we compared the impact of J-pouch size on the functional and quality of life (QoL) outcomes of patients. In this prospective cohort study, we recruited patients who underwent IPAA in two referral centers of our university with two different J-pouch sizes. Demographic data of patients were collected using the patients' medical files. To assess the QoL and bowel function status, SF-36 and Öresland scores were used to evaluate patients 6 and 12 months after the operation. Data analysis was performed with SPSS ver 21. 62 patients were evaluated in the study (31 subjects in each group). The mean age of patients was 40.85 ± 12.98. Thirty-nine patients (60.0%) were males and 23 (35.9%) were females. The mean of SF-36 and Öresland score was 84.30 ± 13.39 and 3.33 ± 2.45, respectively. The mean of SF-36 was significantly higher in patients with shorter J-pouch (P value 0.00). The mean of Öresland score was relatively lower in patients with shorter J-pouch but the difference was not statistically significant (P value 0.06). QoL was correlated with bowel functional outcomes and shorter length of the J-pouch. The only demographic parameter that was correlated with QoL was body mass index.

Midgut volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in adults: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of midgut vovulus is rare in adults. However, a significant number of cases were seen in infant and children. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 34-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with persistent periumbilical abdominal pain without any other symptoms. Contrast-enhanced CT showed clearly the typical finding of midgut volvulus like whirlpool sign, corkscrew sign, and the superior mesenteric vein to the left of superior mesenteric artery. The patient was planned for Ladd's procedure and emergency laparotomy performed successfully with an uneventful postoperative recovery. DISCUSSION: Managing midgut volvulus is based on presentation. In symptomatic cases surgery is the treatment, but in asymptomatic cases, treatment is controversial. CONCLUSION: Although midgut volvulus is rare in adults, it should be considered as an intestinal obstruction.