Sister Mary Joseph nodule in colorectal cancer.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule is the umbilical metastasis detected in cancer patients. There are various theories on the formation of umbilical metastases; however, the primary focus is often placed either in the abdomen or pelvis. Its prognosis is dismal. In this article, we aimed to present a 44-year-old male patient who presented with obstruction and was subsequently diagnosed with colorectal cancer and umbilical metastasis.

Endoscopic stenting for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leaks.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a widely accepted and effective bariatric surgery method. The rate of leakage at the staple-line has been reported to be between 1.5 and 5%. Aside from the use of percutaneous drainage, re-laparoscopy, or abdominal sepsis control by laparotomy, endoscopic esophagogastric stent placement is increasingly preferred as a treatment method. Because laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a widely used modality in our hospital, we aimed to evaluate the rate of leaks and the results of stent placements in our patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1st 2010 and August 31st 2014, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed on 236 patients by three surgeons. The demographic information and postoperative discharge summaries were collected and analyzed with the permission of the hospital ethics committee. Information about leak treatment management was also collected. RESULTS: Leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in four patients were stented in the first postoperative month. Short (12 cm) Hanora® (M.I.Tech, Gyeonggi-do, Korea) self-expandable coated stents were placed in two patients, and long (24 cm) Hanora® self-expandable coated stents were placed in the other two. The stents were removed after one month in two patients, two and a half months later in one, and five months later in another patient. The leaks were demonstrated to be healed in all patients after stent removal. Endoscopic stent revision was performed in one patient due to migration of the stent and in another for stent breakage. CONCLUSION: The success rate of treatment of leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy by stent placement has been variable in the literature. The success in early stent placement has been shown to be related to physician expertise. According to the results of our patients, we suggest that endoscopic stent placement in the early stage after controlling sepsis is an effective method in the management of leaks.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Using 24-hour Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance With pH Testing According to Current Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular weight loss procedure with potential effects on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, research on the association between LSG and GERD using objective evaluation criteria, such as multichannel intraluminal impedance combined with pH testing (MII-pH), is limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of LSG on GERD using MII-pH and current consensus guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was conducted as a prospective clinical study on 33 patients who underwent LSG between January 2022 and August 2022. MII-pH and high-resolution manometry were performed preoperatively and 3 to 6 months postoperatively. GERD diagnosis was based on MII-pH results using the Lyon and Update Porto consensus guidelines. RESULTS: Postoperative MII-pH analysis revealed a significant increase in acid reflux time, acid exposure time, reflux index, esophageal clearance, total reflux time, and longest reflux period. Weak acid reflux episodes decreased, while Demeester score and alkaline reflux showed nonsignificant increases. Pathologic reflux significantly increased postoperatively based on MII-pH diagnosis. High-resolution manometry showed a significant increase in unsuccessful motility. CONCLUSION: Although the Demeester score calculation consists of 6 metrics, including acid exposure time, the acid exposure time is more specific in detecting pathologic reflux. Pathologic GERD increases significantly with LSG in the early period. Therefore, preoperative and postoperative endoscopy and MII-pH can provide valuable information regarding the need for closer follow-up after LSG.

Endoscopic gastrostomy, nasojejunal and oral feeding comparison in aspiration pneumonia patients.

BACKGROUND: Aspiration pneumonia is a potentially preventable illness requiring attention to small details of patient care. The type, management, and care of feeding should be carried out properly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective clinical study of enteral feeding on patients admitted to hospital with aspiration pneumonia. The known enteral nutritional methods, advantages, and disadvantages were told to the patient or proxy. If they didn't accept Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), nasojejunal tube (NJT) was advised. If they denied all of the procedures, oral feeding education was given. A total of 94 patients were enrolled to the study, 29 of them accepted PEG, 42 preferred NJT, and 23 preferred oral route. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients with a mean age of 77.84, standard deviation 10.784; 95% confidence interval (CI) 75.63-80.03 were enrolled to the study of which 27 (28.7%) patients had a history of aspiration pneumonia. Oral feeding was prominently preferred for patients nursed by a relative (15; 65.2% of Oral feeding group and 16% of total) or a caregiver (7; 30.4% of Oral feeding group and 7.4% of total) while only 1 (4.3% of Oral feeding group and 1.1% of total) with a health-care worker (P = 0.001). Overall re-aspiration rates at the 6(th) month were 58%, 78%, 91% in EG, NJT, oral groups, respectively. Sixth months' survival rates of the different feeding groups were not significantly divergent from each other. History of aspiration was also found to be a significant contributor of mortality. CONCLUSION: In aspiration pneumonia patients' long-term survival rates of the different feeding groups were not significantly divergent from each other.

Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability in Sonoelastographic Assessment of Thyroid Nodules.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid ultrasonography is the first and perhaps most fundamental step for the radiological distinction of benign and malignant nodules. In this study, 2 radiologists reviewed the sonoelastographic and Doppler images of thyroid nodules and evaluated for the intraobserver and interobserver reliability. PURPOSE: We aimed to determine confusing nodule identifiers and sonographic features differently defined by observers. METHODS: A total of 157 nodules in 91 patients (male/female, 72:19) with ages ranging from 18 to 72 years old were included in the study. Ultrasonographic images and video clips of the nodules were obtained and presented to 2 reviewers unaware of the cytopathology results. Two observers defined the characteristics of the nodules based on previously determined criteria. Then, intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients were calculated for each subcategory. RESULTS: In the grayscale ultrasonographic examination, varying degrees from low to high interobserver correlation coefficients were obtained for different subcategories (between κ = 0.359 and κ = 0.821). In color Doppler examination, we obtained medium correlation coefficients ( κ = 0.493 and κ = 0.553). On the other hand, there was a high correlation coefficient in tissue compression elastography ( κ = 0.617 and κ = 0.638).According to our study results, elastographic pattern, shape of the nodule, presence of echogenic foci, and pathological lymph nodes are better predictors to determine the malignant potential of thyroid nodule with higher interobserver correlation. Therefore, these criteria may be used primarily for the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The intraobserver correlation coefficient was higher in the practitioner with longer experience, suggesting the importance of professional practice period on the decision-making process.

Ethyl pyruvate improves healing of colonic anastomosis in a rat model of peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on wound healing in primary colonic anastomoses in intraperitoneal sepsis. METHODS: Standard left colon resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed on 30 rats. They were grouped as control (C)--no further treatment; sepsis (S)--received 2 mL Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) intraperitoneally (IP), and after 5 hours, standard resection and anastomosis were performed; or sepsis-group treated with EP (S-EP)--received 2 mL E coli IP, after 5 hours, standard resection and anastomosis were performed and treated with EP 50 mg/kg IP for 7 days. On the postoperative day 7, the animals were sacrificed. RESULTS: The anastomosis bursting pressure in group S was significantly lower than in the other groups. There were no differences between groups C and S-EP. Tissue hydroxyproline concentrations in group C were significantly higher than in group S. CONCLUSIONS: EP administration prevented intraperitoneal sepsis-induced impaired anastomotic healing of colon.

Effect of pentoxifylline and vinpocetine on the healing of ischemic colon anastomosis: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: In the current study, we aimed to investigate the influences of pentoxifylline, which increases the flexibility, deformability and viscosity of the erythrocytes while reducing the aggregation abilities of the platelets, and vinpocetine, which has neuroprotective and antioxidant effects, on healing of colonic anastomoses. METHODS: We used 30 Albino Wistar rats. Subjects were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. Colonic ischemia was established in all the groups. Following colonic transection, anastomosis was performed. Group A received intraperitoneal saline, whereas Group B and Group C received pentoxifylline and vinpocetine, respectively. The subjects were sacrificed on the postoperative 5th day by ether anesthesia, and their colonic bursting pressures were measured. The anastomotic area was excised for hydroxyproline assay and histopathologic examination. RESULTS: According to intergroup comparisons, colonic bursting pressure was found to be higher in the treatment groups than in the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Intergroup comparisons regarding tissue hydroxyproline levels showed statistically significant differences between Groups A and B, Groups A and C and Groups B and C. CONCLUSION: Similar to pentoxifylline, vinpocetine was also shown to have a beneficial effect over ischemic colon anastomoses.

Prevention of adhesion to prosthetic mesh: comparison of oxidized generated cellulose, polyethylene glycol and hylan G-F 20.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of oxidized generated cellulose, polyethylene glycol and hylan G-F 20 on adhesion formation, fibrosis and inflammation after repair of abdominal wall defect with polypropylene mesh in an animal model. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into four groups and abdominal wall defect was established. The defect was repaired with polypropylene mesh alone (control group), polypropylene mesh and hylan G-F 20 as adhesion barrier, polypropylene mesh and oxidized generated cellulose as adhesion barrier, or polypropylene mesh and polyethylene glycol as adhesion barrier in Groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Rats were sacrificed on the 14th day in all groups. RESULTS: A comparison of the groups in terms of macroscopic adhesion scores revealed statistically significant differences between the groups using an adhesion barrier and the control group. Severe fibroblast proliferation was seen in the control group and mild fibroblast proliferation was seen in polyethylene glycol group. CONCLUSION: Polyethylene glycol is an effective adhesion prevention barrier. Laparoscopic surgery has become the standard method in most of the surgical field. With its laparoscopic apparatus, polyethylene glycol allows easy application on the damaged surface.

The learning curve of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a comparison of three inexperienced surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Studies with inexperienced surgeons in terms of the learning curve for laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair are limited. AIM: To compare three inexperienced surgeons in terms of the learning curve without supervision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients' data, which were from consecutive laparoscopic TEP hernioplasties between December 2017 and February 2020, were analysed retrospectively. The primary outcome was to compare the learning curve of three surgeons (Surgeon A, B, and C) in terms of complications, conversion, and duration of surgery. Secondary outcomes were recurrence rates. RESULTS: A total of 299 patients were included in the study. Conversion and intraoperative complication rates decreased after the first 60 cases (from 10% to 2.5%, p = 0.013 and from 9% to 2.5%, p = 0.027, respectively). The mean operative time reached a plateau of less than 40 min after 51-81 cases (Surgeon A 51, B 71, and C 81 cases). Ageing was a risk factor for intraoperative complications and recurrence (p < 0.001, p = 0.008, respectively), and higher body mass index (BMI) was a risk factor for conversion (p = 0.004). Age ≥ 60 years compared to age < 60 years increased intraoperative complications five-fold and recurrence six-fold (p = 0.001). On the other hand, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 increased the possibility of conversion to open surgery nine-fold (p < 0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was found between the operative time and the BMI and VAS score (p = 0.004, p = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In order to reach the plateau in the operative time during the TEP learning curve period, more than 50 cases should be experienced, whereas more than 60 cases are needed for conversion, intraoperative complications, and recurrence.

Traumatic lumbar hernia.

Traumatic lumbar hernia is a rare consequence of blunt abdominal injury. In these cases, intraabdominal visceral injuries are common. Although physical examination is important for this diagnosis, computed tomography is valuable for confirming the diagnosis, eliminating associated intraabdominal injuries and deciding the treatment modality of traumatic lumbar hernia. If there is a suspicion of associated strangulation and/or intraabdominal injury, emergent laparotomy or laparoscopy must be performed. If there is no suspicion of these, extraperitoneal repair primarily or with prosthetic material can be performed safely. We present a case of an isolated acute lumbar hernia due to blunt abdominal trauma, and we discuss mesh repair without laparotomy as the treatment modality.

Adrenomedullin reduces the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

We investigated the effect of Adrenomedullin (AM) on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. AM treatment (100 ng/kg per rat, subcutaneous) after one hour of cerulein injection reduced the plasma amylase levels, pancreatic weight, pancreatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the severity of the lesions microscopically. These data suggest that AM has a protective effect on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. These could be due to anti-inflammatory properties of AM, inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion, reducing the endothelial permeability increased by reactive oxygen species, endotoxins or cytokines.

Intestinal obstruction due to spontaneous intramural hematoma of the small intestine during warfarin use: a report of two cases.

Warfarin-dependent spontaneous intramural hematoma of the small intestine is a rare complication. The first symptom is usually abdominal pain, frequently accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In some cases, concomitant gastrointestinal bleeding might be seen. Ultrasonography and computed tomography are the most useful radiographic methods for the diagnosis of an intramural hematoma of the intestines. Although it is usually treated conservatively, surgical intervention is required in cases involving active bleeding, intestinal obstruction, or acute abdominal symptoms. Here we present two patients who were treated surgically. Both patients had intestinal obstruction and ischemia, and one had concomitant gastrointestinal bleeding and intussusception due to an intramural hematoma.

[Our eight years' clinical experience in pancreatic injuries]. / Pankreas yaralanmalarinda sekiz yillik deneyimimiz.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to present the rates and causes of morbidity and mortality of the patients who were operated due to pancreatic trauma. METHODS: We studied retrospectively 13 patients (13 males; mean age 35.3; range 20 to 60 years) with pancreatic trauma who were to our emergency unit between 1996-2004. RESULTS: Ten patients had penetrating and three had blunt trauma. The average time between the admission to the emergency unit and the operation was 5.8 hours (1-48 hours). Mortality was 23% (three patients; two of them had major vascular injuries). The most prominent postoperative complication was pleural effusion which was seen in two patients (15%). CONCLUSION: It was recorded that mortality and morbidity were related in great part to the associated organ injury.

Importance of critical view of safety in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a survey of 120 serial patients, with no incidence of complications.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: To determine the importance of critical view of safety techniques in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were included in the study, between January 2015 to March 2016. Hydrodissection was performed for cases presenting with severe adhesions or cholecystitis. A critical view of safety was performed for all patients undergoing the procedure for isolation of cystic duct and cystic artery with cystic plate dissection. Demographic characteristics of the patients, as well as intraoperative and postoperative minor or major complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 81 (67.5%) female and 39 (32.5%) male patients succesfully underwent surgeries following the critical view of safety and hydrodissection technique. Acute/chronic cholecystitis, or severe adhesions in the surgical field, were detected in 34 (28.3%) patients. There were no intraoperative or postoperative biliary complications. Wound infection was detected in 5 (4.1%) patients. All patients were discharged on either the first, second or third postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an important complication. In this study, we show that the critical view of safety and hydrodissection techniquesminimizes the bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, including in difficult cases.

Nasogastric tube placement into the hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy: a simple surgical technique for prevention of bile leak.

Hepaticojejunostomy is an important part of many surgical procedures including pancreaticoduodenectomy. Biliary leakage from hepaticojejunostomy may be associated with intraabdominal abscess formation, biliary peritonitis, and even mortality. A 72-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with obstructive jaundice. After initial evaluation, she was diagnosed with distal common bile duct obstruction without accurate diagnosis. Before planned pancreaticoduodenectomy, biliary drainage with a T-tube was performed due to the presence of cholangitis. After the first operation, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Postinflammatory changes around the hilar region made the hepaticojejunostomy risky. A bilio-digestive anastomosis was performed using a new technique. A nasogastric tube was placed into the common bile duct proximal to the anastomosis. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful. The use of a nasogastric tube as a stent in risky hepaticojejunostomies is a simple technique that can be beneficial.

Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula presenting with an abscess containing multiple gallstones: a case report.

Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula is a rare complication of chronic calculous cholecystitis. This complication, a result of the natural history of gallbladder stones, was formerly common. Today it is rare, because of early diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract diseases. We report a case of spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula in a 70-year-old female patient who presented with an abscess formation in the right upper quadrant. After the incision of this infective focus, many gallstones were picked up. One-stage open cholecystectomy and excision of the fistula tract were carried out after control of the abdominal wall infection.

Hyperbaric oxygen and N-acetylcysteine treatment in L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the combined effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats. METHODS: Experiments were performed in 50 male Wistar rats, which were divided into five groups (N = 10 for each group). The first group received normal saline (0.9% NaCl) intraperitoneal and served as the control group. In the second group, acute pancreatitis was induced by 3.2-g/kg body weight L-arginine intraperitoneal twice at an interval of 1 hr, which has been shown previously to produce severe necrotizing acute pancreatitis. In the third group, NAC treatment (1000 mg/kg) was given after 1 hr of the induction of acute pancreatitis twice 24 hr apart. In the fourth group, animals received HBO, 6 hr after the induction of pancreatitis twice 12 hr apart. In the fifth group, animals received together NAC as in Group 3 and HBO treatment as in Group 4. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were left under normal atmospheric pressures. Twelve hours after last treatment, the animals were killed by exsanguinations. Blood samples were studied for amylase, calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pancreatic histology, pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels. RESULTS: Acute pancreatitis is reduced by the treatment of NAC, HBO, NAC + HBO. HBO + NAC groups performed statistically the best in preventing L-arginine-induced acute necrotising pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: NAC especially combined with HBO, decreases oxidative stress parameters, serum amylase, calcium, and LDH levels, as well as histopathologic score.

The effect of narrowed segment length on the degree of early postoperative dysphagia in laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is the gold standard in the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, it may cause troublesome complications like dysphagia. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of narrowed segment length on early dysphagia in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication by a single surgeon between January 2007 and November 2008 were reviewed. Dysphagia scores were assessed by a question in the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire and recorded preoperatively and at 1 month and 6 months. Barium esophagogram was performed for all patients at 1 month. Narrowed segment length was measured on esophagogram. Patients were divided into two groups (Group 1, ≤30 mm; Group 2, >30 mm). Dysphagia scores preoperatively and at 1 month and 6 months were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The two groups were homogeneous in age, gender, body mass index, and preoperative dysphagia score. We were unable to demonstrate any difference in preoperative and postoperative dysphagia scores between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we used subjective data for grade of dysphagia and esophagogram for wrap length instead of manometric data. In our opinion, there is no effect of narrowed segment length on the degree of early postoperative dysphagia in patients undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Utility of cervical spinal and abdominal computed tomography in diagnosing occult pneumothorax in patients with blunt trauma: Computed tomographic imaging protocol matters.

BACKGROUND: Small pneumothoraces (PXs), which are not initially recognized with a chest x-ray film and diagnosed by a thoracic computed tomography (CT), are described as occult PX (OCPX). The objective of this study was to evaluate cervival spine (C-spine) and abdominal CT (ACT) for diagnosing OCPX and overt PX (OVPX). METHODS: All patients with blunt trauma who presented consecutively to the emergency department during a 26-months period were included. Among all the chest CTs (CCTs) (6,155 patients) conducted during that period, 254 scans were confirmed to have a true PX. The findings in their C-spine CT and ACT were compared with the findings in CCTs. RESULTS: Among these patients, 254 had a diagnosis of PX confirmed with CCT. OCPXs were identified on the chest computed tomographic scan of 128 patients (70.3%), whereas OVPXs were evident in 54 patients (29.7%). Computed tomographic imaging of the C-spine was performed in 74% of patients with OCPX and 66.7% of patients with OVPX trauma. Only 45 (35.2%) cases of OCPX and 42 (77.8%) cases of OVPX were detected by C-spine CT. ACT was performed in almost all patients, and 121 (95.3%) of 127 of these correctly identified an existing OCPX. Sensitivity of C-spine CT and ACT was 35.1% and 96.5%, respectively; specificity was 100% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Almost all OCPXs, regardless of intrathoracic location, could be detected by ACT or by combining C-spine and abdominal computed tomographic screening for patients. If the junction of the first and second vertebra is used as the caudad extent, C-spine CT does not have sufficient power to diagnose more than a third of the cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, level III.

Therapy of solitary cecal diverticulitis in a young patient with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

Cecal diverticulum of colon is a relatively rare and benign condition in the western world. The reported frequency is approximately 1 in 300 appendectomies. They are usually asymptomatic but it may cause inflammatory, hemorrhagic, or perforatory complications. It is often clinically indistinguishable from acute appendicitis. The diagnosis is almost made intraoperatively. We present a 21-year-old female patient who admitted to our emergency unit with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed due to suspicious acute appendicitis. During exploration, an inflammatory mass originated from cecum was noticed. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed due to suspicious malignant mass. The postoperative course was uneventful. Although radiologic techniques are improved; the diagnosis of solitary cecal diverticulum is difficult. The choice of surgical therapy is controversial. The therapy is ranged from a simple diverticulectomy to right hemicolectomy. Diagnostic laparoscopy can help the surgeon in the diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain and therapy of solitary cecal diverticulitis.