Single versus double Hem-o-lok clips to secure the apendiceal stump during laparoscopic appendectomy: a prospective randomized multicentric clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Polymeric clips (Hem-o-lok ligation system) are now widely used to securing the base of the appendix during laparoscopic appendectomy. Studies comparing the use of single or double hem-o-lok clips are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of a single hem-o-lok clips with a double hem-o-lok clips for closure of an appendiceal stump. METHODS: This prospective randomized study includes patients from two centers who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with the diagnosis of appendicitis between September 2020 and March 2023. Demographic, operative and clinical outcomes of the use of single or double hem-o-lok clips for closure of the appendiceal stump were compared. Factors affecting long postoperative hospital stay were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyzes. RESULTS: One hundred forty two (48.3%) patients in the single hem-o-lok arm and 152 (51.7%) patients in the double hem-o-lok arm were included in the analysis.The shortest operative time was noted in the single hem-o-lok group (52.1 ± 19.9 versus 61.6 ± 24.9 min, p < 0.001). The median hospital stay was 1 day (range 1-10) in the single hem-o-lok group and 1 day (range 1-12) in the double hem-o-lok group, and was shorter in the single hem-o-lok arm (1.61 ± 1.56 vs 1.84 ± 1.69, p = 0.019). Based on multivariate analysis, drain placement was identified as an independent predictive factor for long hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The use of single hem-o-lok clips for appendiceal stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and effective. Trial registration NCT04387370 ( http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ).

Synchronous celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery compression syndrome: The effect of collateral circulation on the treatment procedure.

Background: Maintaining collateral circulation is highly important in the stenosis of celiac artery (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The SMA compression is commonly reported to be accompanied by the CA compression caused by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) while the synchronous compression of CA and SMA by other ligaments has been rarely reported. Case Presentation: In this report, we present a 64-year-old female patient who presented with a postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. Initial evaluation indicated a synchronous compression of CA and SMA caused by MAL. The patient was planned for laparoscopic MAL division due to the presence of sufficient collateral circulation between the CA and SMA that was facilitated through the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery. Following laparoscopic release, the patient improved clinically and postoperative imaging indicated that the compression on the SMA was still present and the collateral circulation was sufficient. Conclusion: We suggest that laparoscopic MAL division can be the primary method of choice in cases with sufficient collateral circulation between the CA and SMA.

Investigation into the effect of neoadjuvant therapy and tumor regression grade on the shrinkage of distal surgical margin in rectal cancer: A prospective case-control study.

Background: The present study aimed to explore the effect of neoadjuvant therapy and tumor regression grade (TRG) on the shrinkage in the distal surgical margin (DSM) induced by formalin fixation in rectal cancer. Materials and. Methods: In this prospective study, the DSM of resected 61 specimens of rectal and rectosigmoid junction adenocarcinoma were measured following fresh and formalin fixation. The measurements were performed within the first 15 min after resection and at 24 h after formalin fixation without pinning and were compared with regard to neoadjuvant treatment status and TRG. Results: In the patients that received neoadjuvant therapy, the fresh and postfixation DSM values were 32.2 mm and 22.7 mm, respectively, and the mean shrinkage rate was 34.7% (P < 0.001). In the patients that did not receive neoadjuvant therapy, the fresh and postfixation DSM values were 54.03 mm and 41.9 mm, respectively, and the mean shrinkage rate was 23.7% (P < 0.001). The mean shrinkage rate was 41.9% in TRG 1, 29.4% in TRG 2, and 31.9 in TRG 3 specimens. The mean shrinkage rate was higher in specimens with a DSM of ≤20 mm compared to specimens with a DSM of >20 mm (46.2% vs. 24.9%). Conclusion: A complete or near-complete tumor regression in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy increases the shrinkage of DSM. Moreover, this shrinkage rate is likely to be higher and the pathological DSM is likely to be closer than expected in cases that present a better clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy, particularly in distal rectal cancer.

Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV- 2) and has resulted in increased mortality worldwide. Several studies have identified the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and other tissues. Although it has been reported that the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor affected by SARS-CoV is expressed more in the pancreas than in the lungs, the issue regarding the occurrence of pancreatitis is controversial. SARS Cov-2 rarely causes acute necrotizing pancreatitis without significantly affecting the respiratory and other systems. This paper presents a patient who underwent laparotomy due to acute necrotizing pancreatitis and hemodynamic instability caused by COVID-19 without any known risk factors.

Submucosal Giant Lipoma of the Colon as an Unusual Cause of Partial Intestinal Occlusion: Report on Seven Consecutive Cases.

BACKGROUND: Colonic lipomas begin to be symptomatic when they reach a certain size, although the presentation can vary. In this study, we aimed to evaluate our experiences with the management of patients who presented with symptomatic giant colonic lipomas. METHODS: The data of 7 patients with single colonic lipoma were retrospectively reviewed. The following data were evaluated: age, gender, clinical and diagnostic findings, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, operative findings, postoperative complications, mortality, hospital stay duration, and hospital readmission. The diagnosis of colonic lipoma was established by computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: In this study, 4 (57.1%) of 7 patients with colonic lipoma were female, and 3 (42.9%) were male. The mean age was 56.7 years (range, 45-69). The main symptoms were abdominal pain (100%), and constipation (71.4%). The findings of intestinal occlusion detected on CT confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. Colon lipoma was located in the ascending colon in 2 patients, in the hepatic flexure in 2 patients, in the transverse colon in 2 patients, and in the cecum in 1 patient. The surgical procedure was uneventful in all patients. Four (57.1%) patients underwent laparoscopic colonic resection, while in the remaining 3 (42.9%) patients, a laparotomy was performed. The mean operating time was 185.7 min (150-210). Length of stay was 7.1 days (6-10), with no mortality. The mean diameter of the lesions was 7.4 cm (6-9). At a 6-month follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although colon lipomas are rare, they are of great importance because they can be symptomatic and can be confused with colon malignancies in the differential diagnosis. Being able to make a definitive preoperative diagnosis will change the surgical strategy. A minimally invasive surgical approach should be employed to resect symptomatic colonic lipomas with an experienced surgical team in eligible patients whenever possible.

Polyposis and Oncologic Outcomes in Young-onset Sporadic Colorectal Cancer.

AIM: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the presence of polyposis in sporadic early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) on clinicopathological and oncological outcomes. METHODS: The retrospective study included patients with sporadic colorectal cancer aged 16 to 50 years who underwent curative resection at the general surgery clinics in two healthcare centers between 2013 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: polyposis and nonpolyposis. Clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were included, of whom 60.6% were men. There were 25 (19.68%) patients in the polyposis group and 102 (80.31%) patients in the nonpolyposis group. Seventy-one (69.6%) of the nonpolyposis group and 23 (92.0%) of the polyposis group had adenocarcinoma histological types. The total number of patients with mucinous tumor and signet ring cell carcinoma in the nonpolyposis and polyposis groups was 31 (30.4%) and 2 (8.0%), respectively (p = 0.042). Five-year overall survival (OS) was 60 and 72% in the nonpolyposis and polyposis groups, respectively, and no significant difference was found (p = 0.332). In univariate analysis, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor stage (pT) ≥3-4, lymph node positivity, presence of mucinous tumor and signet ring cell carcinoma, lymphovascular invasion, and advanced tumor-lymph nodesmetastasis (TNM) stage (III-IV) were found to be significant negative prognostic factors for OS, whereas none of these parameters were found to be prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. The presence of polyposis was not a significant factor on both univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Although the sporadic EOCRC cases developing on the basis of polyposis can have slightly better oncological outcomes, these outcomes are mostly similar to those of cases with nonpolyposis. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Aday U, Kafadar MT, Oguz A, et al. Polyposis and Oncologic Outcomes in Young-onset Sporadic Colorectal Cancer. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2021;11(1):6-10.

A huge ovarian serous cystadenoma with situs inversus totalis: first case report.

Coexistence of situs inversus totalis and ovarian serous cystadenoma in pubertal girls is extremely rare. It is important to preserve ovarian hormonal physiology and fertility if it is detected in the pubertal period. A 16-year-old girl presented with abdominal distension and pain. Radiological evaluation revealed a huge abdominal cystic mass and situs inversus totalis. In laparotomy, unilateral salpingoophorectomy and total cystectomy were performed on the ovarian cystic mass. It was confirmed as serous cystadenoma in pathological evaluation. This is the first reported case in the literature of situs inversus totalis with a huge ovarian serous cystadenoma.

Median arcuate ligament (Dunbar) syndrome: Laparoscopic management and clinical outcomes of a single centre.

BACKGROUND: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a condition characterised by chronic abdominal symptoms associated with median arcuate ligament (MAL) compression of the coeliac artery. AIM: In this observational study, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic treatment in patients with MALS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of ten patients with MALS who were subjected to laparoscopic sectioning of the MAL were retrospectively reviewed. The following data were evaluated: age, gender, clinical and diagnostic test findings, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score, operative findings and complications and mortality, hospital stay duration and hospital readmission. The diagnosis of MALS was established by computed tomography (CT) angiography. RESULTS: Six (60%) of ten patients with MALS were female and four (40%) were male. The mean age was 42.4 ± 12.3. The main symptoms were epigastric pain (100%) and weight loss (60%). CT angiography showed high-grade stenosis of the anterior wall of the proximal coeliac trunk and post-stenotic dilation caused by extrinsic compression of the MAL. Surgical procedure was uneventful in all patients. Operating time was 155.5 min (120-200) and intra-operative blood loss was 150 ml (100-250). Length of stay was 3.1 day (2-9), with no mortality. The post-operative complications developed in two female patients. One of them developed ileus and the other patient developed pulmonary thromboembolism. At 6-month follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic decompression is an effective treatment for MALS and can provide symptomatic relief. This method may be the preferred modality of treatment in view of its lack of morbidity and good results.

Prognostic significance of pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio in gastric cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the prognostic role of lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LAR) in gastric cancer patients undergoing curative resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted including resectable gastric cancer patients. According to the time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the optimal threshold for pretreatment LAR was 5.5. The Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the prognostic factors for disease-free survival and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 81 patients, mean age was 60.2 ±13.8 (range, 29-87) years and 55 (67.9%) were male. The median OS time was 34.8 and 45 months in patients with LAR ≥ 5.5 (n = 50) and LAR < 5.5 (n = 31), respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that with the increase in LAR there was reduced survival, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.278). Multivariate analyses revealed that the positive lymph node ratio above 20% was an independent predictor in resectable gastric cancer patients (OR = 6.281, 95% CI: 1.135-34.767, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: With the increase in LAR survival in gastric cancer decreased, but it was not statistically significant. Studies involving a large patient series are needed.

The prognostic significance of serum lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio in colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was initially to explore the prognostic role of LDH-to-albumin ratio in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) undergoing curative resection. METHODS: The retrospective study included 295 CRC patients that underwent curative resection. According to time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff value for pretreatment LDH-to-albumin ratio was 52.7. Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to analyze the prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The 295 participants included 117 women (39.7%) and had an overall mean age of 55.8 ± 14.1 years. The median follow-up period was 31.8 ± 21 months (range, 6-78 months) and 53 patients (18.0%) died from cancer during the follow-up period. The 5-year DFS and OS rates were 65.4% and 68.5% in patients with LDH-to-albumin ratio <52.7 (n = 152), and were 55.2% and 55.4% in patients with LDH-to-albumin ratio ≥52.7 (n = 143), respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that LDH-to-albumin ratio ≥52.7 was significantly associated with worse DFS and OS (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that LDH-to-albumin ratio was an independent predictor of resectable CRC (odds ratio, 2.104; 95% confidence interval, 1.112-3.982; P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that high pretreatment LDH-to-albumin ratio level was an unfavorable prognosticator in patients with CRC undergoing curative resection. LDH-to-albumin ratio is a candidate to be a prognostic biomarker in clinical practice.

Acute abdomen due to spilled gallstones: a diagnostic dilemma 10 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) carries a significant risk of gallbladder perforation and resulting scattering of bile stones into the abdominal cavity. The retrieval of the spilled stones is not always possible by laparoscopic technique. Most cases do not create long-term problems, although some cases may be complicated in future and create uncertainties regarding the correct diagnosis. Diagnosis can be difficult, and in most cases the patient may require open surgery for management of these complications. Herein, we report a case of acute abdomen due to spilled stones occurring 10 years after LC. In the first stage, definitive diagnosis could not be made with computed tomography examination. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with explorative laparotomy.

The effects of rectal cancer surgery on the anatomical localisation of ureters - a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Anatomical changes after surgery and fibrotic adhesions increase the organ laceration risk, including that of the ureter, in recurrent cases and secondary operations. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the anatomical localisations of the ureters via computed tomography urography in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved prospectively collected data on the changes of ureteral location preoperatively and postoperatively in patients with operated rectal cancer. Distances (mm) of ureters determined midline in the computed tomography urogram phase. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were included. The mean distances between the right (R1 ) and left (L1 ) ureters and the mid-vertebral line before the surgery were 30.9 ±5.4 mm and 34.5 ±9.9 mm, respectively. The postoperative distances between them (R2 and L2 ) were 26.4 ±9.1 mm and 29.5 ±9.9 mm, respectively. The R2 measurement showed that 83.3% (15/18) of the right ureters had deviated medially, whereas 16.7% (3/18) of them had deviated laterally. The L2 measurements showed that 88.8% (16/18) of the left ureters had deviated medially, whereas 11.2% (2/18) of them had deviated laterally. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative measurements of the right and left ureter positions were 4.5 ±9.2 mm and 4.9 ±4.6 mm, respectively, with the displacement in the left ureter being statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal cancer surgery causes medially deviated changes in the positions of the ureters.

Spontaneous splenic rupture related to anticoagulant and antiaggregant treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is the most frequent cause of splenic rupture. In contrast to traumatic rupture of the spleen, spontaneous splenic rupture (SSR) is a rare and life-threatening condition. AIM: To present the cases of patients with SSR, who had no history of trauma, and who had been receiving anticoagulant and/or antiaggregant treatment while hospitalised for cardiac reasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cases of 6 patients with SSR at Gastroenterological Surgery Department, Kartal Kosuyolu High Speciality and Training Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The clinicodemographic factors and the diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilised for these patients with SSR while hospitalised were investigated as well. RESULTS: Five (83.3%) of the patients were male and 1 (16.6%) was female. The median age of the patients was 71 (61-73) years. Three of the patients had only been receiving antiaggregant treatment, while 2 had only been receiving anticoagulant treatment; only 1 patient had been receiving both anticoagulant and antiaggregant treatments. The decrease in haematocrit (HCT) levels ascertained on the day of SSR diagnosis and the HCT levels ascertained on the day of hospitalisation were statistically significant. All the patients received a blood transfusion. While 5 (83.33%) of the 6 patients had splenectomy, 1 (16.66%) patient received conservative treatment. Mortality was seen in 4 (66.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous splenic rupture is a condition that should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of patients hospitalised for cardiac reasons, who are receiving anticoagulant and/or antiaggregant treatment in cases of newly developed abdominal pain and low HCT levels.

Physiological parameters for Prognosis in Abdominal Sepsis (PIPAS) Study: a WSES observational study.

Background: Timing and adequacy of peritoneal source control are the most important pillars in the management of patients with acute peritonitis. Therefore, early prognostic evaluation of acute peritonitis is paramount to assess the severity and establish a prompt and appropriate treatment. The objectives of this study were to identify clinical and laboratory predictors for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute peritonitis and to develop a warning score system, based on easily recognizable and assessable variables, globally accepted. Methods: This worldwide multicentre observational study included 153 surgical departments across 56 countries over a 4-month study period between February 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018. Results: A total of 3137 patients were included, with 1815 (57.9%) men and 1322 (42.1%) women, with a median age of 47 years (interquartile range [IQR] 28-66). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 8.9%, with a median length of stay of 6 days (IQR 4-10). Using multivariable logistic regression, independent variables associated with in-hospital mortality were identified: age > 80 years, malignancy, severe cardiovascular disease, severe chronic kidney disease, respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min, systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg, AVPU responsiveness scale (voice and unresponsive), blood oxygen saturation level (SpO2) < 90% in air, platelet count < 50,000 cells/mm3, and lactate > 4 mmol/l. These variables were used to create the PIPAS Severity Score, a bedside early warning score for patients with acute peritonitis. The overall mortality was 2.9% for patients who had scores of 0-1, 22.7% for those who had scores of 2-3, 46.8% for those who had scores of 4-5, and 86.7% for those who have scores of 7-8. Conclusions: The simple PIPAS Severity Score can be used on a global level and can help clinicians to identify patients at high risk for treatment failure and mortality.

Risk factors and laboratory markers used to predict leakage in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages, which occur in the reconstruction procedures performed after total or proximal gastrectomy, still account for one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in spite of the developments seen in perioperative management and surgical techniques in gastric cancer surgery. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with gastric cancer, who had total gastrectomy +D2 lymph node dissection and Esophagojejunal anastomotic between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who did not have anastomotic leakages during their clinical follow-ups were allocated to Group 1, whereas those who had anastomotic leakages were allocated to Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 58 (72.5%) out of 80 patients were males, whereas 22 (27.5%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 61.2 ± 11.2 years. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Postoperative recurrent fever (p= 0.001), C-reactive protein values on postoperative days 3 and 5 (p= 0.01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on postoperative day 5 (p= 0.022) were found to be statistically significant with regard to Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages and other postoperative complications. The duration of operation (p= 0.032) and combined organ resection (p= 0.008) were ascertained as risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be careful about Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages which are significant postoperative complications seen especially in cases where the duration of operation is prolonged, and additional organ resections are performed. Recurrent fever, high C-reactive protein levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may serve as warnings for complications in postoperative follow-ups.

Endoscopic and histopathological features of the upper gastrointestinal system polyps: evaluation of 12.563 procedures.

OBJECTIVES: With the widespread use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in recent years, upper gastrointestinal system polyps have started to be encountered more often. Although most patients with gastric polyps are asymptomatic, these are important due to their malign potential, and gastric cancer may develop if left untreated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of 12.563 patients who underwent EGD at Kartal Kosuyolu High Specialization Health Application and Research Center for any reason between January 2013 and June 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with at least 1 histopathologically proven polyp were included in this study. RESULTS: A total of 12.563 endoscopic procedures of the upper gastrointestinal system were investigated and 353 (2.8%) polypoid lesions were detected. Mean age of these patients was 56.3 years and 241 (68.3%) of the patients were female. Gastric polyps were found most commonly in the antrum (50.1%) and of all gastric polyps, 245 (69.5%) were less than 1 cm. Histopathological evaluation showed that hyperplastic polyp (HP) (n= 151, 42.8%) was the most common polyp type, followed by fundic gastric polyp (FGP) (n= 51, 14.4%). Non-polyp gastric mucosa evaluation of 298 patients revealed that 34.9% of the cases were Helicobacter pylori positive, 19.4% had intestinal metaplasia, and 11.4% had atrophic gastritis. CONCLUSION: Polyps of the upper gastrointestinal system are generally detected coincidentally as they have no specific symptoms. Polypectomy is required for gastric polyps because of their potential for malign transformation according to medical evidence.

Effect of splenic flexure mobilization performed via medial-to-lateral and superior-to-inferior approach on early clinical outcomes in elective laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Whether complete splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is required remains a controversial issue and there are numerous approaches regarding the performance of this procedure. AIM: To investigate the effect of SFM performed with a medial-to-lateral and superior-to-inferior approach on early clinical outcomes in laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SFM procedure was initiated by the ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein followed by dissection extending from the upper border of the pancreas to the splenic hilum through the gastrocolic space. The mesocolon was dissected in a superior-to-inferior and medial-to-lateral fashion and the presacral space was entered by dividing the inferior mesenteric artery. The procedure was completed by dividing all the splenocolic, phrenicocolic, gastrocolic, and pancreaticomesocolic ligaments. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were included in the study, comprising 26 (60.5%) men and 17 (39.5%) women with a mean age of 58.2 ±13.9 (range: 30-87) years. Of the 43 patients, 21 (48.8%) underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a diversion stoma was performed in 37 (86%) patients. No adjacent organ injury occurred intraoperatively. Mean operative time was 271 ±50 min and mean blood loss was 144 ±83 ml. One (2.3%) patient might have developed anastomotic leakage secondary to bevacizumab therapy postoperatively and developed no anastomotic stenosis in the follow-up period. Mean length of hospital stay was 9.3 ±4.3 days and no mortality occurred in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Splenic flexure mobilization performed via the superior-to-inferior and medial-to-lateral approach appears to be a safe and feasible procedure.

Safe laparoscopic surgery in median arcuate ligament syndrome.

The median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare clinical condition with no standardized method of laparoscopic treatment. Exposure of the aorto-celiac axis might be considered as the most challenging part of the surgical procedure. It is important to secure total release while enabling adequate vision as the compressing musculofibrous ligament is located in the deepest part of the aorto-celiac hiatus. A 29-year-old male patient presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and diagnosed with the median arcuate ligament syndrome underwent laparoscopic surgery. The patient was discharged without problems on the fourth day after the surgery. In this case report we present a maneuver that enables easy and safe exposure of the celiac trunk.

Risk factors and laboratory markers used to predict leakage in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages, which occur in the reconstruction procedures performed after total or proximal gastrectomy, still account for one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in spite of the developments seen in the perioperative management and surgical techniques in gastric cancer surgery. The aim of the presentstudy was to ascertain the risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. MATERIALAND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with gastric cancer, who had total gastrectomy + D2 lymph node dissection and Esophagojejunal anastomotic between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who did not have anastomotic leakages during their clinical follow-ups were allocated to Group 1, whereasthose who had anastomotic leakages were allocated to Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 58 (72.5%) out of 80 patients were males, whereas 22 (27.5%) were females.The mean age of the patients was 61.2±11.2 years. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Postoperative recurrent fever (p=0.001), C-reactive protein values on postoperative days 3 and 5 (p=0.01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on postoperative day 5 (p=0.022) were found to be statistically significant with regardto Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages and other postoperative complications. The duration of operation (p=0.032) and combined organ resection (p=0.008) were ascertained as risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be careful about Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages thatare significant postoperative complications seen especially in cases where the duration of operation is prolonged, and additional organ resections are performed. Recurrent fever, high C-reactive protein levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may serve as warnings for complications in postoperative follow-ups.

Gastric cancer with situs inversus totalis: does it really create difficulties for surgeons?

INTRODUCTION: Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a very rare condition that is seen at a rate of one in about 6000-8000 births. AIM: To offer a general view on the coexistence of SIT and gastric cancer, accompanied by a literature review. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the scope of this study, the case of a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma and SIT has been presented. Previous research on gastric cancer cases with SIT was reviewed through a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords used to conduct this research were "situs inversus totalis and gastric cancer," "situs inversus totalis and gastric malignant," and "situs inversus totalis and gastric resection." The database search covered English studies published between 2000 and 2016. RESULTS: The results of our literature review revealed 20 studies of patients with gastric cancer and SIT, and 21 related cases. Overall, 12 of the patients were male, 9 were female, and their mean age was 61.8 ±10.97 years. The vascular assessment data showed that three out of the 13 mentioned cases had vascular anomalies. Eleven of the patients had laparoscopic resections, and one of the patients that had a surgical procedure exhibiting a postoperative mechanical obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of SIT and gastric cancer is a very rare condition, and a careful preoperative radiological assessment should be conducted because there can be accompanying vascular anomalies. Laparoscopies and robotic surgeries can be performed for suitable patients at experienced centres, consistent with oncological principles.