The effect of biliary stents implanted before pancreaticoduodenectomy in periampullary tumors on postoperative results: a retrospective analysis of 106 consecutive cases at a single medical center.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the potential effects of biliary drainage before pancreaticoduodenectomy on postoperative outcomes and presented the details of a surgeon's 6 years of experience. METHODS: All consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies performed from 2015 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The study population was divided into two groups: the stented group (Group I) and the nonstented group (Group II). Patient demographic data and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: This study comprised 106 individuals who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors. The median age of the patients was 64.41 ± 11.67 years, and 65 (61.3%) were males. Sixty-seven patients (63.2%) received biliary drains (stented group), and 39 (36.8%) patients did not (nonstented group). Total bilirubin values (6.39 mg/dl) were higher in the nonstented patient group than in the stented group. The rate of total complications was significantly higher in the stented group than in the nonstented group [please check this carefully] (p < 0.05). The length of stay, operation time and pancreatic fistula were found to be higher in the stented group than in the nonstented group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the total bilirubin value was higher in the nonstented patient group than in the stented group, preoperative biliary drainage increased postoperative complication rates, operation time, and hospital stay. An advanced age and the presence of stents were independent risk factors influencing morbidity development according to the multivariate analysis.

Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal tumors in a COVID-19 pandemic hospital: Can open versus minimally invasive surgery be safely performed?

PURPOSE: In order for patients with gastrointestinal cancer not to suffer the consequences of delayed treatment, they should be operated on in pandemic hospitals under adequate conditions. We aimed to discuss the outcomes of our gastrointestinal cancer surgery patients and to present our patient management recommendations to resume operative treatment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while taking into account hospital facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 129 gastrointestinal cancer patients who underwent surgery between March 2020 and May 2021 in the gastrointestinal surgery clinic of our hospital, which was assigned as a pandemic hospital in March 2020. Patients' demographic characteristics and preoperative and postoperative findings were recorded. RESULTS: Among the patients, 42.6% (n = 55) were female and 57.3% (n = 74) were male. The mean age was 61.89 ± 3.4 years. The primary tumor organs were the stomach 37.2% (n = 48), pancreas 36.4% (n = 47), rectum 11.6% (n = 15), colon 8.5% (n = 11), and esophagus 6.2% (n = 8). The patients were treated with open (75.2%, n = 97) or minimally invasive surgery (24.8%, n = 32; laparoscopic 11.6%, n = 15; robotic 13.2%, n = 17). Eight patients tested positive for COVID-19 before surgery. No patients developed COVID-19 during postoperative intensive care or after being moved to the floor unit. There was no COVID-19-related morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSION: Failure to treat gastrointestinal cancer patients during the pandemic may result in undesirable consequences, such as stage shift and mortality. Cancer patients can be treated safely with conventional and minimally invasive surgery guided by current recommendations and experience.

Association of Temperament and Character Traits with Suicide Probability, Suicide Attempts, and Perceived Stress Level in Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a high-suicide-risk mental disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between temperament and character traits with suicide probability, suicide attempts, and perceived stress level in patients with BD. A total of 39 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder who had a history of suicide attempts and 39 euthymic patients without a history of suicide attempts were included in this study. The sociodemographic and clinical data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Clinician Version (SCID-5/CV), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Suicide Probability Scale were used to obtain the data. HDRS, PSS, and SPS scores of the group comprised of patients who attempted suicide were higher than the other group. There was no significant difference between the group of patients who had attempted suicide and the other group in terms of temperament characteristics. In the group of patients who had attempted suicide, self-directedness (SD) and cooperativeness (CO) scores were lower, and the self-transcendence (ST) score was higher than the other group. HA and ST were positively and SD negatively associated with SPS scores. In the regression analysis for suicide risk, the factors most associated with suicide risk were high HDRS and low CO score. Low SD in BD and high ST with CO may be associated with suicide attempts. Alongside low SD, high HA and ST may be associated with suicidal ideation. Treating residual depressive symptoms can reduce the risk of suicide.

Growth hormone level in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disease can cause asymptomatic and mild flu-like symptoms as well as severe symptoms ranging from respiratory failure and death. Growth hormone (GH) is produced in the anterior pituitary and plays an important role in the immune system. COVID-19 is severe in the elderly, men, obese, diabetics, and people with immune deficiency. The probability of GH deficiency is high in these patient groups. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of COVID-19 infection and GH level. METHODS: A total of 456 patients, between 45 and 80-years-old, who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease were evaluated in the study. Our study was a retrospective study. Demographic data of the patients, GH, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), and biochemical parameters and thorax tomography results were evaluated. Patients with chronic diseases that would affect GH levels and those in need of intensive care were excluded from the study. RESULTS: 456 patients were included in the study, 168 female, 288 male, mean age 67.57±12.60 years. Patients were divided into two groups according to thorax tomography findings, patients with lung involvement in Group-1:352 (77%) and those without pulmonary involvement in Group-2:104 (23%). While the GH of Group-1 was 0.125 ng/ml, the GH of Group-2 was 0.238 ng/ml, the difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.000). IGF-1 in Group-1 was: 55.05 ng/ml, while IGF-1 in Group-2 was: 104.08 ng/ml, the difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.000). In multivariate regression analysis, low IGF-1 (p=<0,01, OR:1,06 [1028-1093]) level was found to be significantly effective in lung involvement in COVID-19 disease. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found GH and IGF-1 deficiency in COVID-19 cases with lung involvement, regardless of age and gender. We can say that COVID-19 infection progresses worse in GH and IGF-1 deficiency.

Safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients aged 85 years and older: A single center experience.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in elderly patients (≥85 years old). Material and Methods: Patients who underwent ERCP for any reason within 12 months were evaluated. Patients undergoing ERCP were classified as the elderly group aged 85 years and older or the controls under the age of 85 years. Results: A total of 1225 patients, 504 males and 721 females, were included in the study. Length of hospital stay, the number of patients in whom pre- cut sphincterotomy was performed in ERCP, and mortality rate showed similar characteristics compared to the control group in patients with advanced age (≥85 years old). Except for pancreatitis, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of complications related to the procedure. Post ERCP pancreatitis was observed significantly less in the elderly group (p= 0.042). Pre-cut sphincterotomy was required in a total of 191 (15.5%) patients. In patients who underwent pre-cut sphincterotomy and patients with cholangitis, post ERCP complication rates were not significant between the groups. Conclusion: ERCP is a safe procedure for older patients (≥85 years old) as well as young patients.

Effect of nebivolol on liver regeneration in an experimental 70% partial hepatectomy model.

BACKGROUND: Factors affecting liver regeneration are still relevant. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of nebivolol treatment on liver regeneration in rats in which 70% partial hepatectomy was performed. METHODS: Three groups were created: the control group, the low dose group, and the high dose group, with 20 rats in each group and 70% hepatectomy was performed in all rats. Immediately after partial liver resection, 2 mL physiological saline solution was administered to the control group via oral gavage, 0.5 mg/kg nebivolol was administered via oral gavage to the low dose group and 2 mg/kg nebivolol was administered via oral gavage to the high dose group. On the 1st and 5th days after liver resection, 10 subjects were sacrificed from each group, and liver weights and the mitotic count and Ki-67 were measured. RESULTS: Regenerating liver weight on the 1st and 5th days after partial hepatectomy was statistically different in the low dose and high dose nebivolol groups compared to the control group. Mitotic count on the 1st day after partial hepatectomy was significantly higher in the low dose and high dose nebivolol groups than the control group. There was no statistically significant difference detected between the three groups for the 5th day. On the 1st day, Ki-67 rates were significantly higher in both groups given nebivolol than the control group. However, 5th day results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Nebivolol increases regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats.

Risk Factors for Development of Biliary Complications after Surgery for Solitary Liver Hydatid Cyst.

Biliary leakage (BL) is the most common cause of postoperative morbidity after conservative liver hydatid cyst surgery. The objective of this study was to determine incidence of BL and related risk factors in patients with solitary liver hydatid cyst who underwent conservative surgery. A total of 186 patients were included in this study. Age, gender, cyst recurrence, diameter, and localization, World Health Organization Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (WHO-IWGE) classification, cavity management techniques, cyst content, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Of these patients 104 were female and 82 were male. The mean age was 43.5 ± 14.7 years. Postoperative BL was detected in 36 (19.4%) patients. Cyst diameter (P = 0.019), cyst localization (P = 0.007), WHO-IWGE classification (P = 0.017), and ALP level (P = 0.001) were the most significant risk factors for BL. Independent risk factors for BL were perihilar localization, large cyst diameter, high ALP level, and advanced age according to WHO-IWGE classification.

In Situ Ductal Carcinoma Arising in Benign Phyllodes Tumor in 19-Year Old Patient: A Case Report.

Phyllodes tumors are fibroepithelial lesions and malign forms are rare neoplasms with lower than 1% of all primary breast tumors. Malign forms are usually behaves like sarcomas because they occur in the stroma of the breast. Also proliferation of epithelium occurs and even it is less often, the epithelial component of phyllodes tumors can transform into malignancy too. This epithelial malignancies are usually in the form of infiltrative carcinomas and non-invasive tumors arising in benign phyllodes tumors are much rarer but can be seen. Literature include very few cases about this situation and cases are usually old woman. We report a 19-year old patient who was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ arising in benign phyllodes tumor of the breast.