Is laparoscopic surgery safe and feasible in acute adhesive ileus?

Although the classical surgical treatment of adhesive ileus is performed using the open method, laparoscopic surgery has recently been performed in some centers. This study aimed to discuss the feasibility and role of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of adhesive small bowel obstruction. In this retrospective study, the data of 830 patients who were operated for ileus in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Hospital, Department of General Surgery between January 2011 and September 2022 were analyzed. Missing data and intraabdominal cancer-related ileus were accepted as exclusion criteria and 648 patients were excluded from the study. The development of adhesion-related ileus and completeness of the data were accepted as inclusion criteria. Data were compared between the 2 groups [open group (OG; 152 cases) and laparoscopic group (LG; 30 cases]). When the patient characteristics were evaluated, it was found that the history of previous abdominal surgery (P < .001) and the number of previous abdominal surgery (P < .001) were statistically significantly higher in OG. Operation time was significantly longer in the LG (P = .022). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of intraoperative bowel injury (P = .216), bowel resection (P = .284), and stoma creation (P = .331). OG had a significantly higher rate of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 serious complications (P < .001) and mortality rate (P = .045). The first gas out occurred significantly earlier in the LG (P = .014). Oral intake was initiated earlier in the LG (P = .004). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LG (P < .001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative ileus, readmission, and reoperation. Laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed for the treatment of selected patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction. In addition, it is advantageous in terms of postoperative recovery.

The effects of stem cells and platelet-rich fibrin on colonic anastomosis: An experimental study.

AIM - Anastomotic leakage is among the most common complications following gastrointestinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS - This study aimed to determine the effects of stem cells and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on anastomotic healing. The study included 60 rats that were randomly divided into 3 groups, each with 2 subgroups. The study included the control group (no treatment post anastomosis), the PRF group (PRF administered following anastomosis), and the PRF + stem cell group (PRF + stem cells administered following anastomosis). Anastomosis was performed at the descending colon in all groups. Anastomosis bursting pressure was determined, and histopathological and angiographic examination were performed on postoperative D 7. RESULTS - Intraabdominal adhesion was significantly more common in the control group. Anastomosis bursting pressure was significantly higher and angiogenesis was significantly more common in the PRF + stem cell group (P < 0.005). Based on histopathologic examination, vascular proliferation and inflammation were significantly more common in the PRF + stem cell group than in the control group (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION : In cases of risky gastrointestinal system anastomosis, PRF + stem cells might reduce the incidence of anastomotic healing. KEY WORDS: Anastomosis, Platelet-rich fibrin, Stem cell, Wound healing.

A novel approach to distinguish complicated and non-complicated acute cholecystitis: Decision tree method.

It is difficult to differentiate between non-complicated acute cholecystitis (NCAC) and complicated acute cholecystitis (CAC) preoperatively, which are two separate pathologies with different management. The aim of this study was to create an algorithm that distinguishes between CAC and NCAC using the decision tree method, which includes simple examinations. In this retrospective study, the patients were divided into 2 groups: CAC (149 patients) and NCAC (885 patients). Parameters such as patient demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Tokyo grade, comorbidity findings, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, albumin level, CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), and gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) were evaluated. In this algorithm, the CRP value became a very important parameter in the distinction between NCAC and CAC. Age was an important predictive factor in patients with CRP levels >57 mg/L, and the critical value for age was 42. After the age factor, the important parameters in the decision tree were WBC and GBWT. In patients with a CRP value of ≤57 mg/L, GBWT is decisive and the critical value is 4.85 mm. Age, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and WBC count were among the other important factors after GBWT. Sex, ASA score, Tokyo grade, comorbidity, CAR, and albumin value did not have an effect on the distinction between NCAC and CAC. In statistical analysis, significant differences were found groups in terms of gender (34.8% vs 51.7% male), ASA score (P < .001), Tokyo grade (P < .001), comorbidity (P < .001), albumin (4 vs 3.4 g/dL), and CAR (2.4 vs 38.4). By means of this algorithm, which includes low-cost examinations, NCAC and CAC distinction can be made easily and quickly within limited possibilities. Preoperative prediction of pathologies that are difficult to manage, such as CAC, can minimize patient morbidity and mortality.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with deep second-degree burns.

Introduction: Deep second-degree burn injuries are the most challenging situations for the burn surgeon in the treatment of adult cases. While waiting for spontaneous closure increases the risk of hypertrophic scar and keloid, early excision and grafting pose the risk of donor site wound and permanent color differences. Unlike many studies in the literature, the current study was planned in a way to minimize factors other than burn wounds to investigate the effect of adding hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy to conventional treatment in deep second-degree burn wounds. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with burn injuries who underwent conventional treatment alone and those who underwent conventional plus HBO2 treatment performed by a single experienced surgeon and who met the study criteria. Results: Thirty-eight patients completed the study. Mean burned total body surface area (TBSA) was. 9.22 ± 3 43% (range 5% to 20%). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, burned TBSA, and burn etiology. The need for surgery and grafting was lower in patients who received HBO2 in addition to conventional treatment (p=0.003 and p=0.03, respectively). The patients in the HBO2 group had a shorter hospital stay, and their wounds epithelialized in a shorter time (p=0.169 and p≺0.001, respectively). They also had a higher satisfaction level and lower treatment cost (p=0.03 and p=0.36, respectively). Discussion: The results of this prospective study, in which co-factors were eliminated, showed that adding HBO2 to the conventional treatment of deep second-degree burns had a significant positive effect on patient outcomes, as well as reducing treatment costs.

Comparison of Mortality Rates in Patients Waiting for Liver Transplant and Patients With Colorectal Metastatic Tumors.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify outcomes of liver surgery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer, which result in primary and secondary liver tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 51 patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastases and 63 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were prepared for liver transplant due to cirrhosis who underwent hepatic resection or local ablation treatments; patients were seen between January 2011 and December 2021. RESULTS: Most patients with colorectal cancer were men (58.8%). Mean age was 65.76 ± 13.818 years (range, 27-88 y). Most patients had planned, elective surgery (86.3%). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 58.8% of patients. The most common location of metastasis in the liver was in the right lobe (43.1%), and the most common surgery was low anterior resection (17 patients). During simultaneous liver surgery, 31 patients required metastasectomy and 7 patients required radiofrequency ablation plus metastasectomy. No deaths occurred in the early posttransplant period, and cumulative survival was 82.624 ± 7.962 months. Disease-free survival was 45.2 ± 7.495 months. Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were men (82.5%). Mean age was 58.73 ± 17.428 years. Hepatocellular carcinoma lesions were mostly located in both the right and left lobes (23.8%). In the hepatocellular cancer group, 60.3% had transarterial chemoembolization and 42.9% had radiofrequency ablation. The primary surgical resection was metastasectomy (17.9%) because of multiple localized lesions. Median follow-up was 22 months (range, 1-126 mo). Overall survival was 101.898 ± 7.169 months, with 10-year overall survival of 38%. Disease-free survival was 74.081 ± 8.732 months, with 1-year and 5-year disease-free survival of 90.5% and 54%. CONCLUSIONS: Better survival was shown in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma than in patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore, more aggressive treatment options, as used in hepatocellular carcinoma, including liver transplant, may be options for patients with colorectal cancer.

Does lymph node ratio (metastasis/total lymph node count) affect survival and prognosis in gastric cancer?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of the metastatic lymph node/total lymph node ratio (N-ratio) on survival and prognosis in surgically treated gastric carcinomas. METHODS: A retrospective review of 73 patients who underwent curative resection at the Department of General Surgery, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to calculate the cut-off value for the N-ratio of the patients. The N-ratio cut-off value was determined to be 0.32. Patients were divided into 2 groups: below 0.32 (Group 1) and 0.32 and above 0.32 (Group 2). RESULTS: Group 2 patients had a total lymph node mean of 25.10±13.64 while Group 1 patients had a total lymph node mean of 18.77±9.36 (p=0.04). In Group 2, the mean of metastatic lymph node was 15.97±10.30 (p<0.001). The mortality rate of Group 1 was 18% while Group 2 was 51.7%, and were statistically significant (p=0.0039). The estimated survival duration of Group 2 was 24.22 months, and Group 1 was 48.01 months (p=0.001). The mean estimated survival time for the entire group was 40.92 months. We differentiated patients from the development of mortality cut-off value in ROC analysis with 65.2% sensitivity and 72% specificity. This ratio was found to be 0.32, which was statistically significant (p=0.003). Ratios greater than 0.32 raised the risk of mortality by 4.8 times, which was statistically significant (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The N-ratio could be a new metric to evaluate prognosis following curative gastrectomy and improve the existing tumor lymph node metastasis staging system.

A new approach to the management of acute appendicitis: Decision tree method.

BACKGROUND: It is important to distinguish between complicated acute appendicitis (CAA) and noncomplicated acute appendicitis (NCAA) because the treatment methods are different. We aimed to create an algorithm that determines the severity of acute appendicitis (AA) without the need for imaging methods, using the decision tree method. METHODS: The patients were analyzed retrospectively and divided into two groups as CAA and NCAA. Age, gender, Alvarado scores, white blood cell values (WBC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (NLR), C-reactive protein value (CRP), albumin value and CRP/Albumin ratios of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: In the algorithm we created, the most important parameter in the distinction between CAA and NCAA is CRP. NLR is predictive in patients with a CRP value of ≤107.565 mg/L, and the critical value is NLR 2.165. In patients with a CRP value of >107.565 mg/L, albumin is the determinant and the critical value is 2.85 g/dL. Age, gender, alvarado score and CRP/albumin ratio have no significance in distinguishing between CAA and NCAA. In the statistical analysis, there were significant differences between NCAA and CAA groups in terms of age (39.56 years vs 13,675 years), gender (48.1% male vs 71.4% male), WBC (13,891.10/mL vs 11,614.76/mL), CRP (27 mg/L vs 127 mg/L), albumin (3 g/dL vs 3 g/dL) and CRP/albumin (9.50 vs. 41). CONCLUSION: Thanks to the algorithm we created, CAA and NCAA distinction can be made quickly. In addition, by avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures in NCAA cases, patients' quality of life can be increased and morbidity rates can be minimized.

Effect of Ozone Added to University of Wisconsin Solution on Preservation Damage in Perfused Liver.

OBJECTIVES: Ischemia is defined as the inability of the tissue to provide oxygen and other metabolites by the circulation and the removal of residual products. The University of Wisconsin solution is widely used to preserve ischemia and to preserve organs for transplant. Ozone is used in various areas of ischemia damage due to its antioxidant properties. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of ozone added to University of Wisconsin solution on perfused liver preservation injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 24 Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 300 to 350 g. Animals were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (Ringer lactate), group 2 (Ringer lactate + ozone), group 3 (University of Wisconsin solution), and group 4 (University of Wisconsin + ozone). Solutions were perfused from the liver portal vein and aorta. After perfusion, rats were killed and liver biopsies were taken at 0, 6, and 12 hours of storage for pathological examination. For biochemical analysis, samples were collected from liver specimen storage solutions at 0, 6, and 12 hours. RESULTS: Mean alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels in group 3 were 77/82 U/L at hour 0, 680/461 U/L at hour 6, and 1027/682 U/L at hour 12. In group 4, these levels were 35/31 U/L at hour 0, 415/295 U/L at hour 6, and 546/372 U/L at hour 12. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of liver function values, we observed favorable result with University of Wisconsin solution with added ozone. Therefore, we suggest that the addition of ozone to the University of Wisconsin solution may be effective in preventing liver preservation damage.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Rectus Sheath Hematoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for developing rectus sheath hematoma (RSH). STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Hitit University School of Medicine, Erol Olcok Training and Research Hospital, Turkey; from January 2018 to April 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients with RSH were studied. Those with other pathologies in rectus sheath, and repeat studies, were excluded. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, comorbidities, medications administered containing anticoagulant drugs, imaging results, laboratory findings, coagulation parameters, length of hospital stay, treatments administered, type of RSH, morbidity, mortality and risk factors of increased bleeding diathesis, were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 61 studied patients, 56 (91.8%) had at least one chronic disease, and 77% were receiving anticoagulation therapy. RSH size was significantly larger for patients taking acetylsalicylic acid than for patients taking other anticoagulants, and an RSH area less than 1,924 mm2 was associated with increased length of hospital stay. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a unit increase in gender was associated with a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of greater RSH size, and that female gender was associated with a 45.3-fold risk of increase in the risk of RSH. Notably, if up to 4 units of erythrocyte suspension replacement is not applied for conservative treatment of RSH, RSH size may increase by 23.5 times. CONCLUSION: Risk factors of RSH include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, prior abdominal surgery, female sex, older age, anticoagulant drug use and cancer-related immunosuppression. Key Words: Rectus sheath hematoma, Conservative treatment, Anticoagulant treatment.

The effect of the use of the Gail model on breast cancer diagnosis in BIRADs 4a cases.

Objectives: The BI-RADS classification system and the Gail Model are the scoring systems that contribute to the diagnosis of breast cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the contribution of Gail Model to the diagnosis of breast lesions that were radiologically categorized as BI-RADS 4A. Material and Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of 320 patients between January 2011 and December 2020 whose lesions had been categorized as BI-RADS 4A. Radiological parameters of breast lesions and clinical parameters according to the Gail Model were collected. The relationship between malignant BI-RADS 4A lesions and radiological and clinical parameters was evaluated. In addition, the effect of the Gail Model on diagnosis in malignant BI-RADS 4A lesions was evaluated. Results: Among radiological features, there were significant differences between lesion size, contour, microcalcification content, echogenicity, and presence of ectasia with respect to the pathological diagnosis (p <0.05). No significant difference was found between the lesions' pathological diagnosis and the patients' Gail score (p> 0.05). An analysis of the features of the Gail model revealed that there was no significant difference between the age of menarche, age at first live birth, presence of a first-degree relative with breast cancer, and a history of breast biopsy and the pathological diagnosis (p> 0.05). Conclusion: As a conclusion Gail Model does not contribute to the diagnosis of BC, especially in patients with BI-RADS 4A lesions.

Comparison of Primary Midline Closure, Limberg Flap, and Karydakis Flap Techniques in Pilonidal Sinus Surgery.

BACKGROUND Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a common disease of the sacrococcygeal-natal region. There are many treatment options, but there is still no consensus on the ideal treatment. We compared the results of our PS patients who were treated with primary midline closure (PMC), Limberg flap repair (LFR), and Karydakis flap (KF). MATERIAL AND METHODS The data for 924 PS patients from 2013 to 2017 were retrospectively examined. Demographic data, surgical procedures, schedules, and recurrence rates were examined. RESULTS The mean age was 28.4 years (14-77 years), 82.5% were male (n=762), and 17.5% were female (n=162). PMC was performed on 53.7% (n=496) of the patients, 32.5% (n=300) received LFR, and 13.9% (n=128) underwent KF. PMC was the first choice among females but LFR was the first choice in recurrent patients. The recurrence rate was 10.8% in the PMC group, 8% in the LFR group, and 3.1% in the KF group. In Short Form Survey-36 (SF-36) scores, the best cosmetic outcomes were observed in cases of PMC (p<0.05). Overall, wound dehiscence (WD) was observed in 7.5%, surgical site infection (SSI) in 2.4%, and seroma in 8.5% of all patients. The KF group had the lowest complication rates (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study, the reason for preferring PMC among women is cosmetic concerns. PMC still remains important for treatment, but it should be noted that the recurrence rates due to inadequate excision are mostly observed in cases of PMC. Considering their low recurrence rates, LFR or KF should be considered first. When low recurrence rates, patient comfort, and cosmetic results are evaluated together, KF in particular emerges as a method preferred by physicians and patients.