The relevance between graft preservation solutions and QTc interval during living donor kidney transplantation and rat cardiomyocytes sampling.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the retrospective study was to identify the impacts of different solutions on the electrocardiogram and cardiovascular changes. Moreover, the differences between these solutions were analyzed by examining their impacts on rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Eighty renal transplant patients were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: Group UW (n =40) used the University of Wisconsin solution, and Group HTK (n =40) used the Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate solution. Electrocardiograms of the subjects were obtained three times at different periods; during the pre-perfusion, intraoperative kidney reperfusion, and postperfusion phase at the end of the surgery. Any Electrocardiogram or cardiovascular alterations were noted and analyzed. Adult male Wistar rats were used for in vitro experiments. Myocyte contractility, action potentials, and membrane current were recorded in enzymatically isolated ventricular myocytes. RESULTS: Sinus bradycardia was detected in 19 patients of Group UW, while there was short-term asystole in eight patients. However, no cardiac changes were observed in Group HTK patients. In both Groups, reperfusion and postperfusion corrected QT (QTc) intervals were different from pre-perfusion QTc intervals. Group UW patients' reperfusion and postperfusion QTc's values were higher than those of the Group HTK patients. In rat myocytes, prominent asystole episodes were observed at specific concentrations of the UW solution compared to the HTK solution. The UW solution depolarized the resting membrane potential significantly and decreased the peak value of action potential, whereas the HTK solution did not elicit a significant change in those parameters. Accordingly, the UW solution elicited a significant inward current at -70 mV, while the HTK solution activated only a modest current, which may not change the membrane potential. CONCLUSION: Prolongation of QTc intervals was detected with reperfusion in both groups according to electrocardiography analysis. However, the QTc interval was observed to be longer in cases using the UW solution and required intervention intraoperatively. HIPPOKRATIA 2021, 25 (1):22-30.

Living donor kidney transplantation after desensitization in cross-match positive high sensitized patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the long-term results of the patients who had positive cross-match (XM) test results and underwent living donor renal transplantation after desensitization with different combinations of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis (PP), and rituximab. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients who were positive for complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), flow cytometric (FC), and Luminex-XM test were included in the study. Renal transplantation was performed in 16 patients who had XM (-) test after desensitization with different combinations of IVIG (n =15), PP (n =13), and rituximab (n =10). Anti-human leukocyte antigens (HLA) antibodies (anti-HLA Abs) were detected by the Luminex single antigen bead assay. Anti-thymocyte globulin was used for induction, and tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, and prednisolone were used for maintenance therapy. Also, we evaluated the relationship between different donor-specific anti-HLA Abs and the parameters mentioned above. RESULTS: Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and acute T cell-mediated rejection rates were 18.8 % and 6.3 %, respectively. Graft survival rates at the first, third, and fifth years post-transplantation were 93.8 %, 85.2 %, and 85.2 %, respectively, and the patients' survival rates were found to be 100 %. Serum creatinine level and glomerular filtration rate were 1.5 ± 1.2 mg/dl and 69.9 ± 30.4 ml/min, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 39 ± 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that kidney transplantation could be performed by effective desensitization in XM test positive patients. It was also shown that donor-specific anti-HLA DQ Ab and non-HLA Ab determination might be useful in diagnosing patients with positive cross-test and/or diagnosis of AMR. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(4): 182-190.

Renoportal anastomosis in living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND:  In advanced cirrhotic patients, extensive mesenteric vein thrombosis extends the operative time, causes peri- and postoperative complications, and increases the mortality and morbidity in liver transplantation (LT). The anastomosis between the left renal vein and graft portal vein is one of the crucial options in such patients. However, especially in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) practice, limited cases are published in the literature. CASE REPORT: A thirty-seven years old female patient with hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated liver cirrhosis underwent LDLT. Her body mass index, graft weight, and graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) were noted 19.3 kg/m2, 990 g, and 1.9 %, respectively. During the surgical procedure, she had renoportal anastomosis (RPA) due to extensive portal vein thrombosis to provide an efficient portal inflow to the transplanted graft. No complication was observed in the early postoperative period, and the one year follow up passed without any problem. CONCLUSIONS: In LT, for providing efficient portal flow to the graft, the RPAs should be considered as an option in case of extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis and large splenorenal shunt. Ensuring that graft volume is close to the recipient standard liver volume, RPA can be performed safely and effectively in LDLT as an acceptable and life-saving procedure. HIPPOKRATIA 2019, 23(3): 140-142.

Automated computer-aided diagnosis of splenic lesions due to abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Computer-aided detection in the setting of trauma presents unique challenges due to variations in shape and attenuation of the injured organs based on the timing and severity of the injury.  We developed and validated an automated computer-aided diagnosis algorithm to detect splenic lesions such as laceration, contusion, subcapsular hematoma, perisplenic hematoma, and active extravasation using computed tomography (CT) images in patients sustaining blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. METHODS: We categorized the splenic pathologies into three groups: contusion/laceration, hematoma, and active extravasation. We first analyzed the spleen and perisplenic region by estimating the mean value and standard deviation of the spleen. We determined adaptive threshold values based on the histogram of the area and detected the lesions after morphological operations and volumetric comparisons. RESULTS: The overall performance of the three computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) algorithms is an accuracy of 0.80, sensitivity of 0.95, specificity of 0.67, and a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 40 with a 95 % confidence interval (CI): 14 to 117. The CAD of perisplenic hematoma had the highest diagnosis rates with an accuracy of 0.90, a sensitivity of 0.95,  specificity of 0.80, and DOR of 76 with a 95 % CI:  13 to 442. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a new algorithm to detect post-traumatic splenic lesions automatically and with high accuracy. Our method could potentially lead to the automated diagnosis of all traumatic abdominal pathologies. HIPPOKRATIA 2018, 22(2): 80-85.

The effect of morphometric and anatomic relationship of gallbladder to the liver on standard laparoscopic cholecystectomies and proposal of a new anatomical classification.

OBJECTIVE: Anatomical variations of the extrahepatic biliary tree are frequently seen and may cause challenging conditions for surgeons. We aimed to investigate the morphological variations of the gallbladder in patients who underwent cholecystectomy and their effects during and after the surgery, by using a new anatomical classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dissection time, perioperative bleeding, perioperative/postoperative complication rates, the difference between preoperative/postoperative hematocrit and leukocyte levels of 164 symptomatic cholelithiasis patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were evaluated. The patients' gallbladders were categorized in "seven" different types regarding their anatomical positions and morphometric relations with the liver's acute margin and fossa of the gallbladder. Relations between these gallbladders types and perioperative/postoperative parameters were also examined. RESULTS: The median time to complete the dissection of the gallbladder from the fossa was 375.5 seconds. The mean length of the fossa was 68.06 ± 15.08 mm, the average size of the gallbladder was 92.10 ± 18.79 mm. A positive correlation was found between dissection time and length of fossa vesica and also in the size of the gallbladder (p = 0.003, p = 0.034). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the dissection time and the perioperative perforation risk of the gallbladder (p = 0.005). The most common type of gallbladder was type I and III (23.2%). The least common gallbladder type among the patients assessed as part of the study was type VI (6.7%). When the gallbladder types were compared, the perioperative perforation rate of the gallbladder wall was found to be significantly higher in morphological type V (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The perioperative perforation rate of the gallbladder wall was found significantly higher in morphological type V. To perform a safe cholecystectomy, surgeons should be aware of anatomical variations of the gallbladder and its relations with the liver parenchyma, which are important for surgical strategies.

Laboratory in complicated appendicitis prediction and predictive value of monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was that monitoring, which is used in diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and laboratory values, were evaluated for verifying diagnosis of complicated appendicitis and these parameters revealed cut-off values in complicated acute/non-complicated appendicitis. METHODS: 195 patients, who had had an operation for acute appendicitis between January 2012 and March 2015 and who were proved to have acute complicated/non-complicated appendicitis from the results of histopathology consideration, were included in this study. Patients' age, preoperative serum, WBC, CRP, NLR and BT with USG results were evaluated.    RESULTS: Among the groups, there were no meaningful differences in the sense of age. Meaningful difference was obtained in between (p > 0.05), WBC, NLR, CRP and appendix diameter values.Serum in WBC >13800 (AUC = 0.614, p = 0.006, %95 GA: 0.541-0.682), in NLR > 4.87 (AUC = 0.641, p = 0.001, %95 GA: 0.569-0.708), in CRP > 5.98 (AUC = 0.651, p 11 mm (AUC = 0.630, p = 0.002, %95 GA: 0.558-0.698) values were obtained. The values that were obtained, were confirmed to be descriptive in analysis of complicated appendicitis and non-complicated appendicitis.According to the obtained cut-off values, serum WBC, diameter of appendicitis, NLR and CRP values', (OR) ratios were calculated for complicated appendicitis by being classified (odds ratio respectively; 3.103 (1.713-5.621), 2.765 (1.496-5.109), 3.025 (1.665-5.494), 2.313 (1.295-4.130)). CONCLUSION: It is important that treatment options are evaluated to be able to discriminate complicated appendicitis fast and with a high accuracy. In the case that serum WBC is higher than 13800. CRP is higher than 5.98, NLR is higher than 4.87 and appendicitis diameter is longer than 11mm, inflammation of appendicitis is complex with gangrene, perforation and abscess and it emphasizes the suggestion of surgical treatment option to patients (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 28).

Pyogenic liver abscess after gunshot injury: 10 years' experience at a single level 1 trauma center.

OBJECTIVES: Liver abscesses are approximately 50 % of all visceral abscesses, and trauma presents as a rare cause of the liver abscess. Otherwise, hepatic abscess is an uncommon complication of gunshot wound (GSW) to the liver among all trauma cases. Here we reviewed their experience in detail. METHOD: From January 1, 2004 to September 30, 2013, there were 2143 patients admitted to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami with severe abdominal trauma: 1227 penetrating and 866 blunt. Among the patients who had penetrating trauma, 637 had GSWs and 551 had stab wounds. Thirty-nine patients had other kinds of penetrating traumas. Eleven patients were identified as having liver abscess, with 8 of them belonging to the GSW group, and 3 to the blunt injury group. The diagnosis and management of the 8 patients with a hepatic abscess after GSW to the liver were demonstrated. RESULT: There were seven males and one female with a mean age of 29 ± 10 years. There were one grade 2, four grade 3, two grade 4 and one grade 5 injuries. The mean abscess size was 10 ± 2 cm. The abscesses were usually caused by infection from mixed organisms. These abscesses were treated with antibiotics and drainage. No mortality and long-term morbidity were seen. CONCLUSION: Hepatic abscess after GSW to the liver is a rare condition, with an incidence of 1.2 %. It is usually seen in severe liver injury (grade 3 and above), but our patients were all treated successfully, with no mortality.

Using autologous peritoneal graft for portal vein injury due to blunt thoracoabdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Autologous vein or prosthetic materials are used as patch or tube graft for portal or caval vein reconstruction after trauma or tumor resection. Preparation of autologous veins requires extra incisions and is time consuming that is crucial especially in trauma patients. This condition adversely affects postoperative morbidity and mortality, particularly in trauma cases. Prosthetic materials may not be available in some centers, and their use is associated with an increased risk of infection. DESCRIPTION OF CASE: A 28-year-old hemodynamically unstable man presented to the emergency room with complete transection of main portal vein, right hepatic artery and common bile duct with tissue defect on hepatoduodenal ligament due to blunt thoracoabdominal trauma. Reconstructing of the portal vein was performed using an autologous peritoneal tube graft. CONCLUSION: Autologous peritoneal graft is a very good option in the treatment of major vascular injuries which can not be repaired with primary suturing. It is also easy to prepare and use, safe, without a need of additional incision, as an alternative to autologous veins and prosthetic materials especially under emergency conditions. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (3): 260-262.

A case report of a completely vanished liver graft after auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation is an alternative technique for the treatment of patients with fulminant hepatic failure and metabolic liver disease. It provides temporary support of liver function until sufficient regeneration of the native liver. Pediatric patients have a long life expectancy and are best candidates to benefit from the interruption of antirejection treatment. DESCRIPTION OF CASE: A 4-year-old boy underwent auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure using a cadaveric left lateral segment of liver. One year after auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation, the patient's native liver was determined to be completely normal and he was doing well. The patient was then gradually weaned from the immunosuppression over the course of one year. The graft was undetectable on follow-up computerized tomography performed before complete cessation of immunosuppression, leading to the diagnosis of "vanishing graft syndrome". CONCLUSION: Graft atrophy commonly occurs after auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation due to cessation of antirejection therapy. But to our knowledge, complete graft disappearance is a rare occurrence reported in the English literature. Timing for withdrawal of the immunosuppression is an important decision to be made in this technique. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (3): 274-277.

The effects of inguinal hernia repair on testicular function in young adults: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: The two most common procedures for open tension-free groin hernia repair with prosthetic mesh are the Lichtenstein operation and the mesh plug (Rutkow-Robbins) technique. Our study evaluated these two techniques on testicular blood flow and volume, and sperm function in young adults. METHODS: We randomized operation types with a systematic sampling method, and handled consecutive patients of age 20-30 years having unilateral inguinal hernia repair at our institution from March to August 2008. The study subjects were divided into the Lichtenstein group (LG) and the mesh plug group (MPG). All subjects received color Doppler ultrasonography to determine testicular volume and resistive index (RI) the day before surgery and 3 months postoperatively by a physician blinded for the type of planned or performed operation. Spermiograms done preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively measured sperm concentration and the rate of progressive motility. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients met the study criteria, with 32 patients each in the LG and MPG. RI levels were elevated postoperatively in both the LG (P = 0.027) and MPG (P = 0.012); there was no significant alteration in terms of testicular volume and spermiogram in the LG and MPG. CONCLUSION: The Lichtenstein and mesh plug techniques in unilateral inguinal hernia increase the RI level significantly in the early postoperative period, but do not have a significant effect on sperm concentration and the rate of progressive motility.