Determination of risk factors for conversion from laparoscopic to open appendectomy in patients with acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of surgical emergencies. It can be difficult to distinguish cases of acute appendicitis that should be managed by laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) from those that should be managed by open surgery. This study aimed to prevent the inappropriate choice of technique and associated complications by identifying potential risk factors for conversion from laparoscopic to open appendectomy (OA) at the time of initial surgical assessment. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic exploration for acute appendicitis. The study included patients over 18 years of age between January 2016 and July 2021. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical approach: those who underwent a LA and those who initially underwent laparoscopic exploration first and then converted to OA. Demographics, perioperative factors, and outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: The study included 634 adults undergoing laparoscopic exploration for an appendectomy. About 80.8% had LA, and 19.2% (n=122) required COA. COA patients' average age was significantly higher than LA patients' (48.5 years vs. 37.8 years, P<0.001). The conversion rate for patients over 65 was 63.8%, compared to 15.6% for those under 65 (P<0.001). COA patients had higher bilirubin levels (36.1% vs. 13.5%, P<0.001), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (ASA >2, COA 52.5% vs. LA 7.8%, P<0.001), and a higher need for CT imaging (84.4% vs. 67.6%, P<0.001) than LA patients. An Alvarado score >6 significantly differenti-ated LA from COA (62.6% vs. 39.4%, P< p<0.001). COA patients experienced significantly increased periods until starting oral intake (31.6 vs. 9.9 h, P<0.001) and higher rates of complicated appendicitis (40.9% vs. 0.6%, P<0.001). After surgery, COA had higher rates of complications compared to LA: surgical site infections (8.2% vs. 2.7%, P=0.004), reoperation (13.1% vs. 0%, P<0.001), hospital re-admission (14.7% vs. 2.3%, P<0.001), and mortality (1.6% vs. 0%, P<0.004). CONCLUSION: Advanced age, especially over 65 years, elevated bilirubin levels, an ASA >2 score, and an increased need for pre-operative diagnostics using CT scans were found to be significant predictors of conversion to OA. In the conversion group, operative time, time to oral intake, and the incidence of complicated appendicitis were significantly higher. The conversion group had significantly higher rates of postoperative complications, surgical site infections, hospital readmissions, and mortality. To avoid the increased rate of complications associated with conversion to open surgery, the initial evaluation of a patient with prospective risk factors may be beneficial.

Surgical approach to extensive hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic suppurative disease of skin with high recurrence. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors affecting complications and recurrence of HS in patients who underwent surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We operated on 15 patients with HS at 36 sites between 1999 and 2009. The affected areas were classified as groin, axilla, buttocks, nuchae, perianal, and perineal. All patients were treated using wide surgical excision under general anesthesia. The methods of reconstruction varied depending on the size and location of the defect. RESULTS: The female:male ratio of patients was 4:11. Mean age was 41.8 ± 10.6. Twenty-eight (77%) of the lesions were Stage III according to Hurley's staging system. Mean follow-up was 42 months. Radical excision was performed on all lesions; 20 were reconstructed with primary closure, nine with fasciocutaneous flaps, and five with split-thickness skin grafts. The overall complication rate was 25% (9/36) and complications occurred mostly in perineal, perianal, and buttocks sites. Two (5.5%) recurrences were seen only in buttocks site. CONCLUSION: To prevent complication, avoid recurrence of HS, and improve patients' quality of life, early and wide surgical excision is important and effective. The recurrence and complications are mostly related to the location of the disease. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

The effect of an intraperitoneal injection of melatonin on serum amylase levels in acute pancreatitis.

CONTEXT: Several experimental studies have been carried out to explain the physiopathological mechanisms and to introduce endocrinological, enzymatic, biochemical and histopathological changes in organisms during acute pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an intraperitoneal injection of melatonin on serum amylase levels. DESIGN: Experimental acute pancreatitis was experimentally caused through pancreatic duct ligation in 20 Winstar Albino rats. The rats were then divided into two groups: control and melatonin groups. INTERVENTION: The serum amylase level was measured on the 7th day after acute pancreatitis had developed. In the melatonin group, an intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (20 mg/kg/day) was performed starting from the 2(nd) day after pancreatic duct ligation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The levels of serum amylase were measured with an auto analyzer. RESULTS: It was found that the mean (+/-SD) level of serum amylase in the control group was 947+/-182 IU/mL while it was 358+/-177 IU/mL in the experimental group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal injection of melatonin which was carried out for one week attenuated the serum amylase levels to a statistically significant degree. The researchers believe that intraperitoneal injections of melatonin decrease the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Sentinel Lymph Node Detection by 3D Freehand Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Early Stage Breast Cancer.

We herein present our first experience obtained by 3D freehand single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (F-SPECT) guidance for sentinel lymph node detection (SLND) in two patients with early stage breast cancer. F-SPECT guidance was carried out using one-day protocol in one case and by the two-day protocol in the other one. SLND was performed successfully in both patients. Histopathologic evaluation showed that the excised nodes were tumor negative. Thus, patients underwent breast-conserving surgery alone.

Effects of intraabdominal pressure on mean platelet volume during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intraabdominal hypertension is a common occurrence, especially in intensive care unit patients, and it has high mortality and morbidity rates. The onset is commonly insidious and the poor prognosis is attributed to the long delay in diagnosis. Unfortunately, diagnosis is often delayed until loss of function in the affected tissues has already occurred. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of mean platelet volume (MPV) in assessing the risk of intraabdominal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pneumoperitoneum during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy was used as a model for intraabdominal hypertension. The study included 103 patients who met the inclusion criteria. MPV evaluations were made at 3 distinct times during laparoscopic cholecystectomy based on the actual intraabdominal pressure. RESULTS: MPV values during preinsufflation, insufflation, and desufflation were 8.483 fL (range: 6.7 to 11.1), 8.901 fL (range: 6.8 to 11.9), and 8.538 fl (range: 5.8 to 10.9), respectively. A statistically significant increase in MPV values was found during high intraabdominal pressures (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in MPV values was also detected with desufflation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing MPV values may reflect increased intraabdominal pressures, which may have a clinical implementation in intraabdominal hypertension.

The false-positive radioiodine I-131 uptake in the foreign body granuloma located in gluteal adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of using a whole-body scanning after the radioactive I-131 treatment is to screen functional residual or metastatic thyroid tissues. In whole-body scanning of some patients, false positive radioiodine I-131 uptakes may be seen in physiological uptake regions or atypical localizations. CASE REPORT: A 54 year-old woman underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. A positive appearance seen in the upper postero-lateral part of the right gluteal region was determined by a post-therapy I-131 whole body scan. The colour Doppler ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging features and histopathological characteristics of the excised lesion were presented. The lesion was demonstrated to be a foreign body granuloma. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpected positive findings in the post-therapy I-131 whole body scan should be confirmed with other imaging modalities in order to avoid unnecessary treatments. In uncertain situations, the diagnosis should be established histopathologically.

The association between thyroid malignancy and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis: should it alter the surgical approach?

BACKGROUND: The relation between thyroid neoplasms and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) is controversial. While it is accepted that focal lymphocytic thyroiditis develops secondarily to malignancy, it is not clear whether diffuse lymphocytic thyroiditis has a tendency to develop into thyroid cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between CLT and malignant tumours of the thyroid and evaluate the surgical approach to CLT cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 917 patients operated on for thyroid diseases were investigated retrospectively. Seventy-seven (8.4%) patients histopathologically diagnosed as having CLT (either non-specific or Hashimoto's thyroiditis) were investigated for any concurrent malignant neoplasm. Fifteen patients in whom CLT and thyroid malignancy were coexisting were included in the study. RESULTS: In the pathological evaluation of 917 cases, malignancy in the thyroid was found in 97 (10.6%) cases. Seventy-seven cases were categorised as CLT. Of these 77, 16 (20.8%) were Hashimoto's thyroiditis (specific CLT) and the other 61 (79.2%) were non-specific CLT. In 15 cases, thyroid malignancy was found to be concurrent with CLT. Of the malignities, nine (60%) were papillary carcinoma, three (20%) medullar carcinoma, one (6.6%) follicular carcinoma, one (6.6%) Hurthle cell carcinoma, and one (6.6%) lymphoma. In our series, the rate of the development of malignancy against the background of CLT was 19.48%, while the rate in the groups without CLT was 9.76%, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: CLT cases should be evaluated more carefully in terms of malignancy. If a nodule is detected on thyroiditis, the minimal surgical intervention should be lobectomy. Total thyroidectomy should be considered as preferable to subtotal thyroidectomy because of its many advantages such as controlling thyroiditis, removing the probability of reoperation, and hormonal stability.

Second primary cancers in patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The risk of developing a second primary tumour in patients with gastric carcinoma is higher than among the general population. The aim was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of the second primary cancers in patients with gastric cancer in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the retrospective study, patients with gastric cancers were evaluated between 1995 and 2005 for primary tumours according to Warren and Gates' criteria related with the second primary cancers. RESULTS: Nine of the 112 patients with gastric cancer had second primary cancers. Seven of the patients were males and two females. Six patients with gastric cancers had synchronous, and three had metachronous tumours. The age of the patients ranged from 53 to 78 years, and the mean age was 61 ± 8.3 years. The most frequent site of occurrence of the second tumours was the colo-rectum (33%) followed by the upper respiratory system (22%), and the urogenital system (22%) in descending order of frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of the second primary cancer in gastric cancer patients was 8% in the current report. It is recommended that careful preoperative and postoperative examinations for other primary cancers, as well as for the extent of the primary gastric carcinoma, are carried out. Because colorectal cancer was the most common carcinoma combined with gastric carcinoma, the surveillance for this carcinoma (e.g., colonoscopy, abdominopelvic CT) would be appropriate after the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma.

The clinical characteristics of female patients with Fournier's gangrene.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to review our experience with Fournier's gangrene in female patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of ten consecutive female patients with Fournier's gangrene was performed. Etiological and predisposing factors, causative microbiological organisms, and clinical outcome were investigated. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 52.7 years, and the mean duration of hospitalization was 17.6 days. The etiologic origin of the gangrene was anorectal, dermatological, and urogenital infection in 50%, 20%, and 10% of patients, respectively. All patients underwent aggressive surgical debridement and a diverting colostomy. Nine patients survived, and one patient died for an overall mortality rate of 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Fournier's gangrene occurred in females with a pattern similar to that in males. We believe that a colostomy is an integral part of management for patients requiring extensive debridement, especially if the infection arises in the anorectal region.