The role of co-administration of damage control surgery and vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of perineal wounds.

Perineal wounds caused by high-kinetic-energy shotgun blasts have a high mortality risk because they are often accompanied by injuries of the anus, rectum, genitourinary system, and extremities. Mortality often results from hemorrhage in the early stage and from multiple organ failure caused by sepsis in the late stage. The primary step in the treatment of patients presenting with perineal wound and hemodynamic instability caused by severe hemorrhage is to control hemorrhage and contamination using damage control surgery. After achieving hemodynamic stability, vacuum-assisted closure can be used to reduce the risks of infection and sepsis. In this report, we present a case who had a perineal wound caused by a mine blast and was successfully treated by damage control surgery and vacuum-assisted closure.

Where should the damage control surgery be performed, at the nearest health center or at a fully equipped hospital?

BACKGROUND: Transport of casualties from a combat area to a fully equipped hospital where all techniques of damage control surgery (DCS) can be performed requires a great deal of time. Therefore, prior to transport, prompt control of hemorrhage and contamination should be achieved, and resuscitative procedures should be performed at the nearest health center. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the location at which DCS was performed on rates of mortality. METHODS: The present retrospective study included 51 combat casualties who underwent DCS at the present clinic or at hospitals nearest the combat area due to high kinetic energy gunshot injuries to the abdomen between 2010 and 2015. Patients were evaluated in terms of acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy, and mortality. RESULTS: Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the location where the first step of DCS was performed: (1) at the present hospital or (2) at other hospitals. Group 1 comprised 26 patients (51%), and Group 2 comprised 25 (49%). Total mortality occurred in 23 (45.1%) patients, including 15 (57.7%) patients in Group 1 and 8 (32%) in Group 2. In Group 1, mean time from injury to hospital admission was longer, and deep acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy were more marked. CONCLUSION: Initial surgical control of hemorrhage and contamination in patients injured by high kinetic gunshots should be promptly achieved at the nearest health center. In this way, acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy can be prevented, and the risk of mortality can be reduced.

Protective Effects of Intralipid and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on Hepatotoxicity and Pancreatic Injury Caused by Dichlorvos in Rats.

The present study was aimed to the investigate the protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and intralipid (IL) on hepatotoxicity and pancreatic injury caused by acute dichlorvos (D) intoxication in rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups each containing seven rats except control groups. The groups included control, D, CAPE, IL, D + CAPE, D + IL, and D + CAPE + IL. Total antioxidant status and total oxidative stress levels were measured by automated colorimetric assay. Tissues were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Tissues were analyzed with hematoxylin and eosin by using standard protocols. Also, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were evaluated by immunohistochemical method in liver tissue. Total oxidant status in control, CAPE, and IL groups were significantly lower, and total antioxidant status in the D + CAPE, D + IL, and D + IL + CAPE groups were significantly higher compared to the D group. CAPE and IL treatment decreased the apoptotic and mitotic cell count in liver tissue. Parenchymal necrosis caused by dichlorvos is observed in pancreas tissues of rats. Mild congestion and edema formation occurred in pancreas tissues following D + CAPE and D + IL therapies. These results indicate that CAPE and IL have the potential to decrease oxidative stress and hepatic and pancreatic injuries caused by acute dichlorvos intoxication. These drugs can be considered as a new method for supportive and protective therapy against pesticide intoxication.

Left Inguinal Bladder Hernia that Causes Dilatation in the Ureter.

The scrotal bladder hernia is a rare condition that may present as scrotal swelling and urinary system obstruction or infection symptoms. Diagnosis of this condition before the operation decreases the severe complications like bladder injury during operation. In this article, a 75-year-old man presented to our clinic with right inguinal swelling and lower urinary system infection. Inguinal bladder hernia was diagnosed after performing a computed tomography. The hernia was repaired without any complications.

Mortal quintet of sickle cell diseases.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell diseases (SCDs) are chronic inflammatory processes on capillary level. We tried to understand some possible correlations between stroke and severity of SCDs. METHODS: All patients with SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 343 patients (174 males and 169 females). There were 30 cases (8.7%) with stroke. The mean ages were similar in both groups (32.5 versus 29.1 years in the stroke group and other, respectively, P>0.05). The female ratios were similar in both groups, too (43.3% versus 49.8%, respectively, P>0.05). Prevalences of associated thalassemia minors were also similar in them (73.3% versus 65.1%, respectively, P>0.05). Smoking was higher among the stroke cases, significantly (26.6% versus 13.0%, P<0.05). Mean white blood cell count, hematocrit value, and mean platelet count of the peripheric blood were similar in both groups (P>0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the painful crises per year, tonsilectomy, priapism, ileus, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, chronic renal disease, rheumatic heart disease, avascular necrosis of bones, cirrhosis, and mortality were all higher in the stroke group, the differences were only significant for acute chest syndrome (ACS), digital clubbing, and leg ulcers (P<0.05 for all), probably due to the small sample size of the stroke group. CONCLUSION: SCDs and smoking are chronic destructive processes on endothelium, and both terminate with early organ failures in life. Probably smoking, digital clubbing, leg ulcers, ACS, and stroke are mortal quintet of the SCDs that may indicate shortened survival in such patients.

Comparison of intracorporeal knotting and endoloop for stump closure in laparoscopic appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several appendiceal stump closure tecniques such as intracorporoeal-knotting, endoloop, stapler and clips are used during laparoscopic appendectomy. This study aimed to compare intracorporoeal-knotting and endoloop tecniques used to close appendiceal stump in laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis in General Surgery Department of Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital between June 2009 and July 2013. The demographics, appendiceal stump closure tecniques, operation time, complications, and length of hospital stays of the patients were compared. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and twenty-six patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (Female: 81, Male: 45). Intracorporeal-knotting (Group 1) was performed in sixty-five patients; whereas, endoloop (Group 2) was performed in sixty-one patients in order to close appendiceal stump. The operation time was longer in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (62.0±10.67 min., 56.80±11.94 min., p=0.01). The length of hospital stays were nonsignificant between the groups. Four patients were complicated by superficial surgical site infection in both groups. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the operation time was found to be longer for intracorporeal knotting tecnique compared to endoloop tecnique; however, there was no significant difference regarding the length of hospital stay and complications. Performing intracorporeal-knotting technique is suggested since it is cheaper than endoloops and it may also improve hand manipulations of the surgeons who intend to advanced laparoscopy.

Sickle cell diseases and ileus.

BACKGROUND: We tried to understand whether or not there is an increased incidence of ileus in patients with sickle cell diseases (SCDs). METHODS: All cases with SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 325 patients (160 females). The mean ages were similar in both sexes (29.3 versus 29.8 years in females and males, respectively, p > 0.05). Incidence of ileus was higher in males, significantly (3.6% versus 1.2%, p < 0.01). All of the ileus cases were able to be treated with simple and repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions without any surgical procedure. Smoking was higher in males, too (21.8% versus 6.2%, p < 0.001). The mean hematocrit value was also higher in males, significantly (24.4% versus 23.0%, p = 0.016). RBC units transfused, digital clubbing, leg ulcers, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and chronic renal disease were all higher in males, too (p < 0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the general mortality, white blood cell and platelet counts of peripheric blood, painful crises per year, rheumatic heart disease, avascular necrosis of bone, cirrhosis, and stroke were all higher in males, the differences were nonsignificant probably due to the small sample sizes of the groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Although the relatively young mean ages of the patients with SCDs, the very high incidences of ileus are probably due to the strong atherosclerotic and obstructive natures of the two pathologies, and ileus should be treated with simple and repeated RBC transfusions to restore bowel perfusion in such patients.

Comparison of surgical procedures and percutaneous drainage in the treatment of liver hydatide cysts: a retrospective study in an endemic area.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical procedures are still the golden standard option in the treatment of liver cystic echinococcosis. However, minimal invasive technics like percutaneous drainage are rising trends. We aimed to compare the efficacy of surgical and percutaneous options in the treatment of liver hydatidosis in an endemic area. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical or percutaneous procedures for hydatid disease between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Recurrence rates, hospital stay time, and related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 44 (35.5%) male and 80 (64.5%) female patients in this study. Eighty two patients (Group I) had undergone surgery (66.1%) and 42 patients (Group II) had undergone percutaneous drainage (33.9%). The mean cyst size was 7.28 ± 2.51 cm in Group I and 8.76 ± 3.30 cm in Group II. Nine recurrences (7.3%) were detected during study. Five of the recurrences were in Group II (11.9%) and four (4.9%) of them were in Group I. The mean length of hospital stay of all patients was 5.42 ± 3.16 days. DISCUSSION: Percutaneous drainage techniques can be a good alternative to surgery in selected patients. In complicated cases like cystobiliary fistula, surgery is superior to percutaneous approaches. The hospital stay time, recurrence rate and postoperative complications were not enhanced when compared to percutaneous treatment in our study. Despite all controversy about the low morbidity after percutaneous treatment, surgical approach is still a preferable option in patients with liver hydatidosis when it is performed by experienced surgeons.

Acute chest syndrome in severity of sickle cell diseases.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell diseases (SCDs) are chronic inflammatory processes on capillary level. We tried to understand whether or not there are some positive correlations between acute chest syndrome (ACS) and severity of SCDs. METHODS: All patients with the SCDs were taken into the study. RESULTS: The study included 337 cases (167 females). There were 15 patients (4.4%) with the ACS. The mean ages were similar in both groups (29.4 versus 29.7 years in the ACS group and other, respectively, P > 0.05). The female ratios were similar in both groups, too (60.0% versus 49.0%, respectively, P > 0.05). Additionally, prevalences of associated thalassemia minors were similar in them (66.6% versus 65.5%, respectively, P > 0.05). Smoking was higher in the ACS group (20.0% versus 13.9%), but the difference was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Although the mean white blood cell count and hematocrit value of peripheric blood were higher in the ACS group, the mean platelet count was lower in them, but the differences were nonsignificant again (P > 0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the painful crises per year, tonsilectomy, priapism, ileus, digital clubbing, pulmonary hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, cirrhosis, stroke, and mortality were higher in the ACS group, the difference was only significant for the stroke (P < 0.05), probably due to the small sample size of the ACS group. CONCLUSION: SCDs are chronic destructive processes on capillaries iniatiating at birth, and terminate with early organ failures in life. Probably ACS is one of the terminal consequences of the inflammatory processes that may indicate shortened survival in such patients.

An extremely rare appendiceal anomaly: horseshoe appendicitis.

Appendiceal anomalies are extremely rare malformations that are usually found in adult populations as an incidental finding. Agenesis and duplication of the appendix have been well documented, but we know of only three reported cases of a horseshoe appendix. A 64-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department. A provisional diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made, and the patient was taken to the operating room. While appendectomy was being performed with a standard approach, the distal tip was seen to communicate with the cecum by another stump, or "horseshoe appendix". The aim of this report is to share our experience with this extraordinary finding.

Effect of preserving the hepatic vagal nerve during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication on postoperative biliary functions.

BACKGROUND: Cutting the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve (HB-AVn) technically facilitates the laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preserving or sacrificing this branch on postoperative gallbladder functions. METHODS: The patients (n = 40) were prospectively randomized into two groups. The HB-AVn was preserved during the dissection of the lesser omentum in the first group. The nerve was cut in the second group. Postoperative fasting gallbladder volumes were calculated by ultrasonography. Postoperative gallbladder ejection fraction (GEF) and gallbladder emptying time (GET) were determined by calculating intestinal transit time scintigraphically. RESULTS: Fasting gallbladder volumes and GEF values were not different between the groups. On the other hand, in patients with HB-AVn preserved, GET measurements were found to be significantly shorter than those with HB-AVn sacrificed. CONCLUSIONS: Sacrificing the hepatic branch causes prolongation in the GET. This change in the motor functions of the gallbladder does not cause any symptomatic effect during the early postoperative period. However, the delay in the GET may increase the risk of gallbladder stone formation in the long term.

Increased nutritional risk in major trauma: correlation with complications and prolonged length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and the Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) are physiological and anatomical severity scores to predict trauma outcome. Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) is used for the screening of nutritional risk, which can affect outcome adversely. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of these scales to predict disease severity, complications and mortality, and to compare the reliability of the NRS-2002 in predicting outcome with different scoring systems in trauma-intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: The study enrolled 100 consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU in a training hospital due to trauma in the six-month study period (1 July 2008 and 1 January 2009). Discrimination characteristics of the scoring systems were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 14%, and the complication rate was 22%. Nutritional risk at admission was found to be increased in 58% of the patients. The NRS-2002 score was increased in patients with complication. ISS, TRISS and APACHE II at admission had a reliable power of discrimination (AUC>0.8) for mortality and complication prediction. The NRS-2002 score had moderate discrimination power for complication prediction (AUC=0.708) but showed high correlation with increased length of stay (LOS). CONCLUSION: A significant percent of trauma patients are at nutritional risk. The NRS-2002 score can be useful in predicting complication and prolonged LOS in trauma patients.