Effectiveness of ultrasonography-guided caudal epidural steroid injection compared to the fluoroscopic application.

BACKGROUND: Caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) has been increasingly used for treating lower back pain. However, there is still significant controversy about the efficacy and safety of different imaging techniques used to guide CESI. In this context, the objective of this study is to compare the efficacies of fluoroscopy- and ultrasonography-guided CESI in patients with chronic lower back pain. METHODS: The population of this retrospective, observational study consisted of all consecutive patients who underwent CESI for lower back pain between 2018 and 2020. Of the 371 patients included in the study sample, 192 had undergone fluoroscopyguided CESI (Group F) and 179 ultrasonography-guided CESI (Group U). Patients' pain and functional statuses were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) immediately before (baseline) and after the procedure (postintervention day 0-D0), during the second week (D15), the first month (D30), and the third month (D90) after the procedure. RESULTS: The mean age of Group F was significantly higher than that of Group U (p < 0.001). The number of patients with lumbar dischernia was significantly higher in Group U, whereas the number of patients with spinal stenosis and lumbar disc hernia + spinal/lumbar stenosis was significantly higher in Group F (p = 0.001). The baseline and D0 ODI scores were significantly lower in Group U than in Group F (p = 0.006 and p = 0.017, respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups in other VAS and ODI scores (p > 0.05). Intragroup analyses revealed significant reductions in VAS and ODI scores over the follow-up period till D30 compared to the baseline scores in each group (p < 0.001). The decrease recorded in the ODI score between the D15 and baseline measurements was significantly higher in Group F than in Group U (p = 0.006). DISCUSSION: The study findings indicated that ultrasound-guided CESI was as effective as fluoroscopy-guided CESI in treating chroniclower back pain.

The management of children aged 0-5 years with suspected foreign body aspiration: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: A simple algorithm for bronchoscopy was prepared in very young children. METHODS: The patients aged 0-5 years who were applied with bronchoscopy because of suspected foreign body aspiration (FBA) analysed. RESULTS: Evaluations were made of 89 patients, as 55 (61.7%) in the FBA (+) group and 34 (38.3%) in the FBA (-) group. FBA was determined most in the 1-2 years age group (28 patients, 50.9%, p = 0.04) due to organic hard foodstuffs (94.5%, p < 0.001). The parameters found to be significant were witnessing the event (OR 12.133, 95% CI 3.147-46.774, p < 0.001) and not obtaining unilateral respiratory sounds (OR 7.556, 95% CI 2.681-21.292, p < 0.001). The most significant diagnostic finding was the determination of unilateral hyperventilation on X-ray (OR 16.730, 95% CI 4.541-61.632, p < 0.001). The operating time and length of stay in hospital was significantly shorter in the FBA (-) patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of a witness, not obtaining unilateral respiratory sounds, and unilateral hyperventilation seen on X-ray are indications for bronchoscopy. In FBA (-) patients applied with bronchoscopy, the complication rate associated with the procedure is low, and the operating time and length of stay in hospital are short.

Delta Neutrophil Index and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in the Differentiation of Thyroid Malignancy and Nodular Goiter.

BACKGROUND: It was aimed to evaluate the relationship between delta neutrophil index (DNI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the preoperative differentiation of nodular goiter and thyroid malignancy. METHODS: Patients over the age of 18 who underwent thyroid surgery between November 2014 and November 2019 were evaluated in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their pathology results: malignant (Group M) and benign (Group B) thyroid disorders. White blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, IG count and DNI were measured using an automated hematological analyzer from blood samples obtained at the preoperative period and postoperative 6th month of the follow-up. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values were manually calculated. Numerical data are expressed as means ± standard deviations (minimum-maximum values) or medians (minimum-maximum values) according to the normal distribution. Categorical values are expressed as percentages (%). RESULTS: A total of 243 patients (190 patients in Group B and 53 patients in Group M) who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. The male/female ratio was 49/194. A statistically significant difference between Group M and Group B in terms of preoperative NLR, DNI and IG count was observed (p = 0.001, < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the control values performed in the postoperative period in terms of the NLR, DNI and IG count (p = 0.711, 0.333 and 0.714, respectively). A significant decrease was observed in the preoperative and postoperative DNIs, IG counts and NLRs in Group M (p = 0.009, < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). For the diagnosis of malignant thyroid diseases, the cut-off value of DNIs was ≥0.35%, and DNI sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 79.2%, 78.9%, 79.2% and 77.9%, respectively (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.847; confidence interval [CI]: 0.784-0.911). The cut-off value of the IG count was ≥25/mm3, and its sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 83%, 72.1%, 83%, and 72.1%, respectively (AUC: 0.847; CI: 0.784-0.911). CONCLUSION: DNI and IG counts are cheap and easily accessible tests that can be automatically calculated from automated systems without additional cost in differentiation of thyroid malignancies from benign disorders in the preoperative period.

Preoperative Delta Neutrophil Index, Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio and Immature Granulocyte Count for Differentiating Metastatic Colon Cancer from Non-Metastatic Colon Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

AIM: Immature granulocytes show bone marrow activation before neutrophil response and there are studies in the literature showing that the number of immature granulocytes is an auxiliary marker in the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. The Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI), Immature Granulocyte Count (IGC) have previously been studied as markers in thyroid and breast cancers. The aim of this study was to determine whether immature granulocyte IGC and DNI values measured in preoperative blood parameters have a diagnostic benefit for the detection of advanced colon cancer. METHODS: A study was conducted on patients who had undergone selective operation for colon cancer in our clinic from February 2015 to February 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: early stage (stage I-III) and advanced stage (stage IV) colon cancer. The IGC and DNI values as well as other hematological parameters, demographic parameters (sex, age) in these two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients with mean age 67.47 (35-96) years were included in the study. Eighteen of the patients were male and 25 were female. When the early stage and advanced stage colon cancer groups were compared, no statistically significant difference was found between age, sex, white blood cell count, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, eosinophil count, basophil count, mean platelet volume and: systemic immune-inflammation index score. It was observed that platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, IGC and DNI or Immature Granulocyte Percentage (IGP) values were statistically significantly higher in the metastatic colon cancer group compared to the non-metastatic group. When the specificity and sensitivity of laboratory markers in metastatic colon cancer were examined, it was observed that the specificity and sensitivity of DNI or IGP and IGC were statistically higher than other values. CONCLUSIONS: DNI, IGC and PLR values, which are the parameters measured in the preoperative period are easily measurable laboratory parameters and do not involve additional costs in differentiating metastatic from non-metastatic colon cancer in the preoperative period.

The effect of transversus abdominis plane block application on postoperative analgesia quality and patient satisfaction after varicocele surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Postoperative pain management is an important aspect of anesthesia care and multimodal analgesic techniques are generally recommended. Objective: To compare the effect of spinal anesthesia + transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block application on postoperative analgesia quality and patient satisfaction with spinal anesthesia + intrathecal morphine (ITM) application. Methods: A total of 70 patients were randomly separated into 2 groups as spinal anesthesia + TAP block (TAP block group, n = 34) and spinal anesthesia + ITM group (ITM group, n = 36). The groups were compared in respect of age, body mass index values, and visual analog scale (VAS) values at 0 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 18 h, and patient satisfaction was scored by Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Management at 24 h. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32.52 ± 6.50 years in the TAP block group and 30.11 ± 5.62 years in the ITM group, with no statistically significant difference determined. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of VAS values at 0 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 18 h. When the factors affecting postoperative patient satisfaction were evaluated, feeling fatigue after the surgery (r = -0.811, P = 0.001) and postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, and itching (r = -0.831, P = 0.001) were found to have a negative effect on patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Due to low complication rates, TAP block is an effective application for postoperative analgesia management in varicocele operations that increases patient satisfaction postoperatively.

Are the immature granulocyte count and percentage important in continue medical treatment in acute appendicitis? A prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Although appendectomy is still a curative therapy for acute appendicitis, medical treatment has come to the fore in uncomplicated cases. This study aimed to determine the importance of immature granulocyte (IG) count and percentage for the role of medical treatment success in uncomplicated acute appendicitis. METHODS: Acute appendicitis cases were prospectively registered between July 2019 and April 2020. Using ball drawing, patients were divided into two groups as medical treatment (Group M) and undergo appendectomy (Group A). Group M was divided into two subgroups as those who responded to medical treatment medically responded (MR) and failed medical treatment (MF) within 24 h of follow-up. Changes in IG count and percentage, C-reactive protein levels, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and white blood cell count between initial administration and 24th h of follow-up were examined. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients who met the inclusion criteria were followed as 31 patients in Group A and 33 in Group M. At Sub-group MF 11 patients and Subgroup MR 22 patients were followed up. At the 24th h of the follow-up, the IG count and percentage were higher in the Group MF (for IG count: Between Group A and MF, p=0.002; between Group A and Group MR, p=0.111; and between Group MR and MF, p<0.001) (for IG percentage: Between Group A and MF, p=0.001; between Group A and MR, p=0.809; and between Group MF and MR, p=0.001). This decrease in the IG count and percentage suggests that the response to medical treatment was effective [for IG count: F (148.862) = 61, p≤0.001, η2=0.707] [for IG percentage: F (10.157) = 0.252, p≤0.001, η2=0.504]. CONCLUSION: IG count and percentage are effective for evaluating the success of medical treatment of uncomplicated acute ap-pendicitis and they guide in the decision to continue medical treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

Immature Granulocyte Count and Delta Neutrophil Index as New Predictive Factors for Axillary Metastasis of Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of preoperative immature granulocyte (IG) count and delta neutrophil index (DNI) level before clinical detection of axillary lymph node metastasis. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Onikisubat, Turkey from February 2015 to February 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients older than 18 years and operated for breast pathologies in the study period were evaluated retrospectively. Patients without axillary or distant organ metastasis, and who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy were examined by dividing them into two groups as pathologically non-metastatic axilla (Group NM) and metastatic axilla (Group M). They were retrospectively evaluated for DNI, IG, white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volumes (MPV). RESULTS: All of the 83 patients, who met the inclusion criteria, were females (100%). Forty-six patients (55.42%) were in the Group-NM and 37 (44.58%) were in Group-M. Statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of WBC, NLR, PLR, MPV, DNI and IG count (p<0.05), while there was no difference in age (p = 0.862). As a result of the univariate and multivariate analysis, WBC, NLR, PLR, MPV, DNI and IG count were determined as predictive factors. The discriminatory power of the DNI for diagnosing clinically negative pathologically positive axillary metastasis of breast cancer at the cut-off value ≥0.35% (ARUC:0.903; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84-0.967) showed 86.5% sensitivity, 80.4% specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) 86.5%, negative predictive value (NPV) 80.4%. The discriminatory power of the IG count for diagnosing clinically negative pathologically positive axillary metastasis of breast cancer, at the cut-off value ≥25/mm3 (ARUC:0.976; 95% CI:0.953-1.000) showed 100% sensitivity, 82.6% specificity, 100% PPV, and 82.6% NPV. CONCLUSION: DNI and IG count may be new predictive factors with high sensitivity and specificity in detecting axillary metastasis of breast cancer. Key Words: Delta neutrophil index, Immature granulocyte count, Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, Breast cancer, Axillary metastasis.

IS BODY MASS INDEX AND OBESITY SURGERY MORTALITY SCORE IMPORTANT IN PERIOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS OF LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY BEFORE DISCHARGE?

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity surgery and related complications have increased with time. AIM: To evaluate the relationship between perioperative complications before discharge and preoperative body mass index and obesity surgery mortality score in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHOD: 1617 patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were examined in terms of demographic data, presence of comorbidities, whether there were complications or not, type of complications and obesity surgery mortality score. RESULTS: Complications were seen in 40 patients (2.5%) and mortality wasn't seen in the early postoperative period before discharge. The mean age of patients with complications was 36.3±10.02 years (19-57) and without complications 34.12±9.54 (15-64) years. The preoperative mean BMI values of patients with and without complications were 45.05±3.93 (40-57) kg/m2 and 44.8±3.49 (35-67) kg/m2 respectively. According to BMI groups 40-45 kg/m2, 45-50 kg/m2 and 50 and over, there was not any statistical significance seen in three groups in terms of complication positivity and major-minor complication rates. There was not any statistical significance seen between the patients with and without major-minor complications and obesity surgery mortality score. CONCLUSION: There was not any relation between perioperative laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy complication rates before discharge and BMI and obesity surgery mortality scores.

A Diagnostic Dilemma for Acute Abdomen: Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis (Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome); A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of acute abdomen and can be easily misdiagnosed. Preoperative diagnosis of the SEP can be performed with preoperative imaging studies. We aimed to evaluate the clinical features of ileus cases who were diagnosed with primary or secondary SEP in the last five years. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the patients who were admitted with ileus or acute abdomen symptoms to the Emergency Department of Elazig Training and Research Hospital and underwent surgery by the same surgical team of General Surgery Department between January 2014 and January 2019. Patients who were diagnosed with primary or secondary SEP were included. The demographic data, clinical presentation, whether the disease was primary or secondary, the treatment options performed and mortality rates were evaluated. RESULTS: SEP was observed in 11 of the patients. Ten patients underwent surgery (90.9%), and one patient (9.1%) was treated conservatively. Of the patients, six had secondary SEP (54.5%) and five had primary SEP (45.5%). In total, five patients were female (45.5%) and six were male (54.5%). The median age of the patients was 35 years (24-69). The median age of the patients with primary disease was 48 (29-69) years, while the median age of patients with secondary disease was 34.5 (24-64) years. One patient expired in the postoperative 8th hour. CONCLUSION: SEP should be considered in the case of recurrent abdominal pain attacks, especially in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, and it should be known that the mortality rate is high when misdiagnosed.

The effects of sponges soaked with chlorhexidine gluconate and metronidazole on safety of colonic anastomosis in an experimental model of peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to evaluate the use of the chlorhexidine gluconate and metronidazole impregnated compresses concerning anastomosis safety in the left colonic anastomosis in the presence of peritonitis. METHODS: This study was conducted on 21 Wistar-Albino-rats divided into three equal groups. After median laparotomy, the whole layer of the left colon was cut 2 cm over the pelvic peritoneum. The faeces were spread around the injury for fecal contamination. Then, fasia and skin were closed with 3/0 silk. After one day period, relaparatomy was performed. The abdomen was cleared isotonic sodium chloride with impregnated material before starting colonic anastomosis in the first group and then double layer colonic anastomosis was performed. In the second Group-II, abdomen was cleared with the metronidazole impregnated compresses then double layer colonic anastomosis was performed. In the group-III, abdomen was cleared with the chlorhexidine gluconate impregnated compresses then double layer colonic anastomosis was performed. Tissue hydroksiproline levels and anastomosis bursting pressures were measured and histopathologic findings on the anastomosis line were evaluated on the postoperative tenth day by performing relaparatomy. RESULTS: The highest anastomosis bursting pressure was found in Group-III (p<0.05). The highest tissue hydroksiproline level was found in Group-III (p<0.005 Group I-III, Group II-III). When histopathologic findings were evaluated by comparing the three groups in this study, the healing of the intestine tissue score was statistically insignificant between group-II and III, for both group-II and III, healing score was statistically significant higher than Group-I (p<0.05 Group I-III and Group I-II). CONCLUSION: Cleaning the abdomen before the anastomosis using antibacterial soaked material increased resection safety in the presence of peritonitis and anastomosis safety in primary anastomosis.

The production of enantiomerically pure 1-phenylethanol by enzymatic kinetic resolution method using response surface methodology.

As the enantiomers of 1-phenylethanol are valuable intermediates in several industries, the lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of (R,S) -1-phenylethanol is a relevant research topic. In this study, the goal was to determine the optimum reaction parameters to produce enantiomerically pure 1-phenylethanol by lipase (Novozyme 435) catalyzed kinetic resolution using response surface methodology (RSM). Reactions were performed with 40-400 mM (R,S)-1-phenylethanol, 120-1200 mM vinyl acetate and 2-22 mg/mL biocatalyst concentrations (BC L ), at 20-60 °C and with a stirring rate of 50-400 rpm for 5-120 min. The samples were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Chiralcel OB column. Optimum reaction parameters to reach 100% enantiomeric excess for the substrate ( ee s ) were determined as follows: substrate concentration (C s ): 240 mM, BC L : 11 mg/mL, at 42 °C with a reaction time of 75 min. Model validation was performed using these conditions and ee s was calculated as 100%, which indicates the predicted model was efficient and accurate. When compared to the literature, it was observed that the reaction time decreased significantly. This is an important result considering the industrial scale perspective.

Is body mass index and obesity surgery mortality score important in perioperative complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy before discharge? / Os índices de mortalidade, de massa corporal e da cirurgia da obesidade são importantes nas complicações perioperatórias de gastrectomia vertical laparoscópica antes da alta?

ABSTRACT Background: Morbid obesity surgery and related complications have increased with time. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between perioperative complications before discharge and preoperative body mass index and obesity surgery mortality score in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Method: 1617 patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were examined in terms of demographic data, presence of comorbidities, whether there were complications or not, type of complications and obesity surgery mortality score. Results: Complications were seen in 40 patients (2.5%) and mortality wasn't seen in the early postoperative period before discharge. The mean age of patients with complications was 36.3±10.02 years (19-57) and without complications 34.12±9.54 (15-64) years. The preoperative mean BMI values of patients with and without complications were 45.05±3.93 (40-57) kg/m2 and 44.8±3.49 (35-67) kg/m2 respectively. According to BMI groups 40-45 kg/m2, 45-50 kg/m2 and 50 and over, there was not any statistical significance seen in three groups in terms of complication positivity and major-minor complication rates. There was not any statistical significance seen between the patients with and without major-minor complications and obesity surgery mortality score. Conclusion: There was not any relation between perioperative laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy complication rates before discharge and BMI and obesity surgery mortality scores.

RESUMO Racional: A cirurgia da obesidade mórbida e complicações relacionadas aumentaram com o tempo. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre as complicações perioperatórias antes da alta e o índice de massa corporal pré-operatório e o escore de mortalidade da cirurgia de obesidade na gastrectomia vertical laparoscópica. Método: 1.617 pacientes que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão foram avaliados retrospectivamente. Os pacientes foram examinados quanto aos dados demográficos, presença de comorbidades, ocorrência ou não de complicações, tipo de complicações e escore de mortalidade cirúrgico da obesidade. Resultados: Complicações foram observadas em 40 pacientes (2,5%) e mortalidade não foi observada no período pós-operatório imediato antes da alta. A média de idade dos pacientes com complicações foi de 36,3±10,02 anos (19-57) e sem complicações de 34,12±9,54 (15-64) anos. Os valores médios de IMC pré-operatórios dos pacientes com e sem complicações foram 45,05±3,93 (40-57) kg/m2 e 44,8±3,49 (35-67) kg/m2, respectivamente. De acordo com os grupos de IMC 40-45 kg/m2, 45-50 kg/m2 e 50 e mais, não houve qualquer significância estatística observada em três grupos em termos de positividade de complicações e taxas de complicações maiores-menores. Não houve significância estatística entre os pacientes com e sem complicações maiores e menores e o escore de mortalidade da cirurgia de obesidade. Conclusão: Não houve qualquer relação entre as taxas de complicações da gastrectomia vertical laparoscópica perioperatória antes da alta e os escores de mortalidade da cirurgia de obesidade e IMC.