Investigation of postoperative erectile dysfunction in colorectal surgery patients and comparison of results.

BACKGROUND: Although surgical treatment is curative for colorectal cancers, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the complications that affect the patient quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate sexual dysfunction in patients who underwent anterior resection (AR) and low AR (LAR) surgery secondary to rectosigmoid pathologies in our clinic, to analyze the effective variables, and to compare the results. METHODS: In the retrospectively designed study, male patients who underwent surgery for malignancy or other surgical pathologies in the General Surgery Clinic between January 2017 and December 2022 were examined. Female gender, patients under 18 years of age, and patients who refused to participate in the study were excluded. RESULTS: The high age of the patient increased the risk of severe ED in the postoperative period. However, surgical technique, alcohol use, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and Clavien-Dindo class were not determinants in the presence of severe ED. CONCLUSION: ED is an emerging medical problem that affects patients who undergo colorectal surgery adversely both in social and psychological aspects. Discussions on the issue are still ongoing. Clinicians' concerns can be addressed in the future as the number of prospectively designed studies involving more homogeneous and larger populations increases.

Investigation of factors that may potentially affect anxiety in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy and evaluation of sedation effect.

BACKGROUND: As with any other invasive procedure, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) may lead to considerable anxiety in patients. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of sedated and non-sedated procedures on anxiety in patients undergoing EGD and to better recognize patient groups at risk for anxiety. METHODS: In this prospective and 2-armed designed study, demographic data, including age, gender, comorbidities, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and educational background, were collected. In this study, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was administered to each patient before they were brought to the endoscopy unit. Subsequently, each patient who underwent EGD was telephoned on the seventh day after the procedure and the BAI was administered a second time. RESULTS: Women population had higher pre-EGD and post-EGD BAI scores compared to men. No significant correlation was observed between educational background and BAI scores. Possible correlations between age, BMI, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and BAI scores were examined. There was a weak correlation between BMI and pre-EGD and post-EGD BAI scores. A strong and positive correlation was observed between the pre-EGD BAI score and post-EGD BAI and difference in BAI scores between groups (ΔBAI). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic procedures may cause anxiety in patients as with all other invasive procedures. Patients' compliance with the procedure and having a lower level of anxiety are very significant for diagnostic and, if necessary, therapeutic success. In this study, the patient gender was evaluated as a predictor of anxiety level, whereas educational background was not a predictor.

Fournier's Gangrene: Evaluation of Patient Outcomes Using Clinical Data and Prognostic Biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the outcomes of Fournier's gangrene (FG) patients using clinical data and prognostic biomarkers based on the current literature. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, from January 2018, to January 2022. METHODOLOGY: Patients who were diagnosed with and treated for FG were included in the study. Patients younger than 18 years of age, those with missing hospital records and postoperative follow-up data, those with benign diseases related to the perianal or anal region, and those with other malignant diseases were excluded from the study. Patients' demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including the calculated systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and pan-immune-inflammation values (PIV) were obtained retrospectively from the medical records. Variables were analysed using SPSS statistics software, version 25.0. The value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of twenty-four patients, 14 (58.3%) males and 10 (41.7%) females, were included in this study. No statistically significant correlations were found between the calculated indices and patients' clinical outcomes. The length of intensive care unit stay was strongly and positively correlated with age (r = 0.672 and p <0.001), and the length of hospital stay was moderately and inversely correlated with preoperative albumin levels (r = -0.584 and p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: SII and PIV had no statistically significant interactions with FG. KEY WORDS: Fournier's gangrene, Systemic immune-inflammation index, Pan-immune-inflammation value, Colostomy, Albumin.

Acute appendicitis over the age of 50: The evaluation of the impact of clinical variables on operative and post-operative outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Studies reported higher mortality and perforation rates, marked increase in delay from symptom onset to hospital admission, significant complication rates, as well as excessive malignancy outcomes on histopathological examinations in patients older than 50 years of age with acute appendicitis. Herein, it was aimed to reveal the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings that might affect the operative and post-operative findings in a population of patients over the age of 50 who were diagnosed with and operated for acute appendicitis. METHODS: Patients who were older than 50 years of age and operated for the diagnosis acute appendicitis between January 2017 and January 2020 in a single tertiary hospital were included in this retrospective study. Demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory and imaging findings, operative and post-operative results, surgical complications, as well as the histopathological evaluation of the excised materials of all patients were analyzed in detail. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients who were older than 50 years of age and who underwent emergent appendectomy with a median age of 59 were included in the study. It was demonstrated that the development of surgical complications was significantly associated with post-operative hospitalization at the intensive care unit (ICU) and the presence of 2 or more comorbidities preoperatively (p=0.006 and p=0.002, respectively). It was observed that the duration of total hospitalization was longer (p<0.001), pre-operative al-bumin levels were lower (p=0.017), and the rate of hospitalization at ICU during the follow-up period was higher (p=0.006) in patients with surgical complications. Pre-operative white blood cell counts appeared to be significantly increases in patients who had open appendectomy (p=0.047). Moreover, both the duration of pre-operative abdominal pain and pre-operative C-reactive protein levels was found to significantly correlate with the duration of hospitalization (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The management of acute appendicitis in late adulthood was suggested to be challenging both in terms of diagnosis and post-operative processes. Therefore, pre-operative clinical, laboratory, and imaging data obtained from these patients should be carefully and elaborately evaluated.

Injury mechanisms and injury severity scores as determinants of urban terrorism-related thoracoabdominal injuries.

Objectives: Improving the care of injuries resulting from terrorist attacks requires understanding injury mechanisms in armed conflicts. The aim of this study was to identify injury characteristics in military personnel with thoracoabdominal combat injuries resulting from terrorist attacks in urban settings. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of military personnel with thoracoabdominal injuries who were referred to a tertiary center after treating and stabilizing at a primary healthcare organization due to terror-related injuries in various urban regions of Turkey between June 2015 and December 2016 was performed. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in this study, of whom 87.1% were injured by explosives and 12.9% (n= 9) had gunshot wounds (GSWs). Mean injury severity score (ISS) was 21, blood transfusion amount was 3.7 units, and mortality rate was 8.5%. Patients injured by explosives had most commonly abdominal and extremity injuries (31.1%), whereas isolated abdominal injuries (55.6%) were observed among patients with GSWs. There were no significant differences between the mechanisms of injuries and the ISS, blood transfusion, and mortality (p= 0.635, p= 0.634, and p= 0.770, respectively). A significant correlation was observed between the ISS and transfusion amounts (r= 0.548, p <0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in those with a high ISS and those undergoing massive blood transfusions (p= 0.004 and p <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Explosive injuries, concomitant vascular injuries, high ISS, and the need for massive transfusions increased the mortality rate in urban combat injuries. To quickly identify high-risk patients and improve the care of injuries, it is essential to use predictive models or scoring systems.

Perioperative outcomes of the patients treated using laparoscopic cholecystectomy after emergent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for bile duct stones: Does timing matter?

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the optimal timing for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after emergent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for suspected choledocholithiasis. Although certain data suggest that an early interval or single-stage treatment by LC, together with laparoscopic bile duct exploration, has more favorable outcomes, delayed LC is most often preferred as the standard treatment of patients with gallstones and choledocholithiasis following ERCP due to lack of experience, necessary instrumentation, or organizational restrictions. This study aims to compare the effects of different time intervals between ERCP and LC on perioperative outcomes. METHODS: In this paper, preoperative and postoperative data from consecutive patients who were treated for common bile duct stones with emergent ERCP and then underwent LC were reviewed retrospectively. To evaluate the impacts of different time intervals on outcomes, patients were classified into three groups according to the duration from the last ERCP to LC: within two weeks (Group 1), between 2-6 weeks (Group 2), and over six weeks (Group 3). RESULTS: This study involved an analysis of 67 patients with a mean age of 52.8 years. Overall conversion rate was 20.0% in Group 1, 25.0% in Group 2, and 13.6% in Group 3 (p=0.646). The rate of conversion to open surgery was 25.0% in male patients and 14.2% in females. In addition, no significant difference was found between the groups concerning gender, comorbidities, laboratory and gallbladder features, operation time, and length of the hospital stay. The perioperative complication rate was found to be 17.9%; however, there was no significant difference between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Our results support that LC after ERCP is more complex and has higher conversion rates than LC for uncomplicated cholelithiasis. Although no significant effect of different time intervals between ERCP and LC on perioperative outcomes was demonstrated in patients with common bile duct stones concomitant with cholelithiasis, the 2-6 weeks after ERCP is a critical period for conversion to open surgery. It is recommended that LC after ERCP should be performed in the early period, considering that serious complications may occur in the late period and recurrent biliary attacks may occur.

Heterotopic mesenteric and omental ossification incidentally found in a patient with multiple abdominal surgical operations because of gunshot injury.

Heterotopic mesenteric and/or omental ossification is an uncommon bone-like lesion located inside the abdominal cavity. Its etiology is unclear, but most of the patients with this rare disease had a history of a blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma or multiple surgical operations owing to surgical complications. Heterotopic mesenteric and/or omental ossification may be asymptomatic or may present with symptoms of bowel obstruction or cause a severe complication, such as bowel perforation. Due to its rarity, intra-abdominal ossification may sometimes be overlooked or misdiagnosed. However, the surgeon should be aware of this unusual condition, particularly in patients with a previous surgical history. In this study, we present a case of heterotopic mesenteric and omental ossification incidentally found in a 41-year-old man with multiple abdominal surgical operations because of a gunshot injury.

Conventional versus endoscopic components separation technique: New anthropometric calculation for selection of surgical approach

Background/aim: Giant ventral incisional hernias (GVIHs) are hard to manage for surgeons. This problem was resolved in 1990 with the components separation technique (CST). We aimed to compare endoscopic and conventional CST for GVIHs and find a new anthropometric calculation. Materials and methods: In this prospective nonrandomized clinical trial, 21 patients were treated with endoscopic or conventional CST between 2012 and 2016. Eight patients (38.1%) were operated endoscopically and 13 (61.9%) conventionally on the basis of preoperative tomography results, hernia surface area (HSA), number of recent abdominal operations, comorbidities, and the presence or history of ostomy. Groups in which prosthetic material was applied were also compared with groups in which it was not Results: There was no statistically significant difference between endoscopic and conventional CST groups in terms of complications. A weakly statistically significant difference (P = 0.069) was found between the components separation index (CSI) of mesh-applied and not-applied patients. HSA/body surface area (BSA) was statistically significantly different between endoscopic and conventional CST groups. Conclusion: According to our results, HSA/BSA and CSI are statistically successful for preoperative prediction of mesh placement. Furthermore, HSA/BSA preoperatively successfully predicts whether conventional or endoscopic CST should be used in patients with GVIH

Effects of weapon types, interventions, and transport times on complications in combat injuries to musculoskeletal system.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of weapon type, medical interventions, and transportation time on complications due to combat-related injuries of the musculoskeletal and soft tissue (ST). METHODS: A total of 108 patients treated at the emergency department (ED) over a period of 3.5 years were included in this study. The effects of weapon type, type of first intervention team, interventions at the ED, and transport time on complications were compared by retrospectively assessing patients' recorded data. RESULTS: The average age of 108 patients with ST injuries was 24 years. 25 patients developed complications. The ratio of complications in patients with injuries from explosive weapons was 25.42% and was significantly greater (p<0.05) than the rate observed from non-explosive weapons. Regarding the transport time of patients reaching the hospital, the greatest complication rate was 30.77% in patients transported to the hospital in 2-4 h; this rate was significantly (p<0.05) greater than for those transported in other time ranges. Regarding the ED procedures, the complication rate was 37.50% and significantly higher (p<0.05) in the group that received debridement + irrigation + late primary repair. CONCLUSION: Transporting the injured to the ED within the first 2 h, treatment including irrigation and debridement, and secondary healing following explosive injuries containing contamination and dead tissue appear to be good options for reducing complications.

An uncommon cause of acute abdomen in an acromegalic patient: colonic volvulus.

Acromegaly is a chronic endocrine disease, typically caused by a pituitary adenoma leading to increased circulating GH levels and increased IGF-I secretion by peripheral tissues. Gastrointestinal diseases related acromegaly such as colon cancers, adenomatous polyps, and dolichocolon are much less known. We aimed to present a case of complete colonic volvulus in a patient with acromegaly. A 60-year-old male patient presented with the complaints of inability to pass gas or stool, worsening distension, and pain for one week. The clinical exam showed significant tenderness and distended abdomen as well as a typical appearance of acromegaly. In his past medical history, he underwent an operation of pituitary adenoma with the diagnosis of acromegaly. He also underwent a sigmoid colon resection due to dolichocolon detected by abdominal computerized tomography (CT) and colonoscopy. Upright abdominal X-ray was compatible with volvulus, so endoscopic distortion was tried but failed. At exploration, entire colon was extremely dilated and had a necrotic appearance, and observed to be twisted 360 degrees around its mesenteric axis. The patient underwent total colectomy and end ileostomy. Pathology result was reported as necrotic and hemorrhagic colon with 150 cm in length and 20 cm in width. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day without complications. GH and IGF-1 have an irreversible effect on colonic collagen synthesis in acromegaly and has been proposed to be correlated with the presence of dolichocolon. Dolichocolon often can lead to an abnormal rotation, volvulus, and development of Chilaiditi syndrome. The occurrence of volvulus including the whole colon, although the pituitary adenoma was treated and partial colectomy was done, refers to predisposing factor being the irreversible effect of acromegaly on the colon. KEY WORDS: Acromegaly, Emergency, Volvulus.

Clinical Significance of Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/computed Tomography in the Follow-up of Colorectal Cancer: Searching off Approaches Increasing Specificity for Detection of Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 40% of colorectal cancer (CRC) recurs within 2 years after resection of primary tumor. Imaging with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (l8F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is the most recent modality and often applied for the evaluation of metastatic spread during the follow-up period. Our goal was to study the diagnostic importance of 18F-FDG-PET/CT data of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and the difference of SUVmax on dual-time imaging in CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined the SUVmax value of lesions on control or restaging 18F-FDG-PET/CT of 53 CRC patients. All lesions with increased SUVmax values were confirmed by colonoscopy or histopathology. We compared PET/CT results with conventional imaging modalities (CT, MRI) and tumor markers (carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [Ca 19-9], carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA]). RESULTS: Mean SUVmax was 6.9 ± 5.6 in benign group, 12.7 ± 6.1 in malignant group. Mean TLG values of malignant group and benign group were 401 and 148, respectively. 18F-FDG-PET/CT was truely positive in 48% of patients with normal Ca 19-9 or CEA levels and truely negative in 10% of cases with elevated Ca 19-9 or CEA. CT or MRI detected suspicious malignancy in 32% of the patients and 18F-FDG-PET/CT was truely negative in 35% of these cases. We found the most important and striking statistical difference of TLG value between the groups with benign and recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although SUVmax is a strong metabolic parameter (p = 0.008), TLG seems to be the best predictor in recurrence of CRC (p = 0.001); both are increasing the specificity of 18F-FDG-PET/CT.

Comparison of five different popular scoring systems to predict nonsentinel lymph node status in patients with metastatic sentinel lymph nodes: a tertiary care center experience.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the current standard of care for breast cancers with no clinically palpable axillary lymph nodes. Almost 50 % of sentinel lymph node positive patients have negative non-sentinel nodes and undergo non-therapeutic axillary dissection. Five different scoring systems, reported in the literature, were compared for their predictive ability of non-SLN involvement in patients with SLN positive breast cancer. 242 patients who underwent breast surgery and SLNB were included in the study. Of these, 70 who were confirmed to have SLN metastasis and received complementary ALND and constituted the final study population. The nomograms (MSKCC, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Tenon model, Stanford and Turkish) were statistically compared for their prediction of non-SLN metastasis (95 % confidence interval). We have determined only two clinicopathologic (multifocality and size of the primary tumor) situations which have a statistically significant association between SLN metastasis with using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Multifocality (P = 0.001) and size of the primary tumor (P = 0.001) were associated with a higher probability of-SLN metastasis. No predictive model was constructed that showed good area under the curve (AUC) discrimination in the validation series. Currently published predictive models lack accuracy when applied to a different population. Multi-institutional heterogenic population studies are important to determine the exact combination of scoring systems and/or nomograms.

Multicenter prospective randomized trial comparing modified Limberg flap transposition and Karydakis flap reconstruction in patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

BACKGROUND: There is still no consensus as to the optimal treatment for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD). Many recommend off-midline closure, if any excisional procedure is to be selected. METHODS: The authors prospectively studied 145 patients with SPD who presented at 3 hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either modified Limberg flap (MLF) transposition (n = 72) or Karydakis flap reconstruction (n = 73). Surgical findings, complications, recurrence rates, and degree of patient satisfaction, evaluated via a standardized telephone interview, were compared. RESULTS: Operation time was longer in the MLF group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of complication rate, length of stay, or recurrence rate. Patients in the Karydakis group reported feeling completely healed more quickly postoperatively. The two groups reported similar rates of satisfaction. Mandatory patient withdrawal from a given study arm because of the orifice straying from the midline occurred more frequently in the Karydakis group. CONCLUSIONS: The MLF technique and the Karydakis procedure appear to generate comparable outcomes. With laterally situated orifices, however, the applicability of the Karydakis method may be limited.