Is total thyroidectomy more difficult in Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

AIM: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is accepted as a difficult thyroidectomy for surgeons in practice, but there is not enough data in the literature to support this. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether HT belongs to difficult thyroidectomy class or not. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 614 patients who undergoing total thyroidectomy were evaluated. 270 patients with factors that prolong the operation were excluded from the study. Group 1 consisted of 132 patients reported as benign diseases accompanied by HT. Group 2 consisted of 212 patients reported as other benign diseases with no HT as a result of pathology. Patients were statistically analyzed for age, sex, finding for (Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve) RLN, time for reaching RLN, time for operation, transient or permanent RLN injury and other postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in terms of age, sex, time for operation and time for reaching RLN (respectively; p=0.01, p=0.007, p<0.001 and p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of finding for RLN rates, transient or permanent RLN injury and other postoperative complications (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean time for operation and mean time for reaching RLN in patients with HT was significantly longer than in patients with other benign pathology results. It has been scientifically shown that HT should be among the causes of difficult thyroidectomy. This result can provide a legal advantage for surgeons who face such a sad complication. KEY WORDS: Hashimoto thyroiditis, Recurrent laryngeal nerve, Thyroiditis.

Intraoperative pectoral block versus thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: With the increasing rate of breast cancer surgery, the pain management of these patients gains importance. The aim of this study is to compare the ultrasound (US) guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPV) versus intraoperative pectoral nerve block (PECS) with a low volume local anaesthetic for postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery. A total of 41 patients underwent mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy or modified radical mastectomy were included in this randomized controlled, single-blinded trial. The patients were divided into two groups as PECS and TPV blocks. In the PECS group, 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to the fascial plane by the surgeon. In the TPV group, 25 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine at T3 level was administered by the anaesthetist under US-guidance. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and additional analgesic requirements were recorded at postoperative 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. RESULTS: In the TPV group, mean VAS score (VAS0) was significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). In other time periods, there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that intraoperative PECS block was as effective as TPV in providing postoperative analgesia and additional analgesic requirements were similar. This result suggests PECS block may be a good alternative to TPV.

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Techniques When Surgery is Essential for the Management of the Idiopatic Granulomatous Mastitis.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive agents are the main treatment options for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). However, in some patients, the remaining large pouch and seroma may cause recurrence and severe deformity. Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) techniques can be used when surgery is required. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, surgical results of the patients histopathologically diagnosed with IGM who underwent any of the OBS techniques between 2016 and 2020 were evaluated. Patient characteristics, surgical indications, and technical details of the surgery were recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen patients who underwent wide excision combined with the OBS technique were included in the study. Surgery was performed owning to persistent disease (n = 12), recurrence (n = 3), and patient preference (n = 3). No major complications occurred after the OBS technique. None of the patients had recurrence at the surgical site. CONCLUSIONS: When surgery is indicated in patients with IGM, successful results can be obtained with acceptable complication rates by using the simplest and easiest applicable OBS techniques, including volume displacement technique.

Breast Hamartoma: Clinical, Radiological, and Histopathological Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Breast hamartomas are rare, benign, and slow-growing breast tumors that can be definitively diagnosed by combining the results of clinical, radiological, and histopathological examination. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of hamartomas and summarize our clinical approach to hamartomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with breast hamartoma between 2010 and 2020 in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic information, clinical examination, radiological findings, histopathological features, changes during follow-up, and follow-up data were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 1,429 patients operated on in our clinic for benign breast diseases between January 2010 and March 2020, 39 (2.7%) were diagnosed with breast hamartomas with histopathological examination. All patients were women with a median age of 37 (19-62) years. Most of the patients (64%) were in the premenopausal period. Radiological examinations were conducted using mammography (66%), breast ultrasonography (100%), and breast magnetic resonance imaging (48%). Biopsy was performed in 14 preoperative patients, and nine (64%) patients were diagnosed with hamartoma. All patients were operated on; 37 patients underwent a lumpectomy, and two had a mastectomy. No patients had hamartoma recurrence during an average follow-up period of 39 months. CONCLUSION: Hamartomas are similar to other benign breast pathologies. Definitive diagnosis can be achieved by combining the results of clinical, radiological, and histopathological examination. Given its similar composition to normal breast tissue, hamartoma has a low rate of malignancy. Definitive diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment are required.

Long-term results from modified sphincteroplasty in patients with traumatic sphincter injury: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The results from sphincteroplasty may worsen over time. Reseparation of the rectum and vagina/scrotum in conjunction with sphincteroplasty achieves good results. Improving the surgical effect of sphincteroplasty through perineal body reconstruction is crucial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results from anterior sphincteroplasty and perineal body reconstruction (modified sphincteroplasty) among patients with traumatic sphincter injury. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study among patients who underwent modified sphincteroplasty in a university hospital between January 2006 and December 2018. Fifty patients were evaluated in detail. METHODS: The following variables were evaluated: gender, age, additional disease status, time interval between trauma and surgery, surgical technique, duration of hospitalization, follow-up period after surgery, manometric values, electromyography results, magnetic resonance imaging scans, Wexner scores, satisfaction levels with surgery and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 44.6 ± 15.1 years. The median follow-up period was 62 months (range, 12-118). The mean Wexner scores preoperatively, postoperatively in first month (M1S) and at the time of this report (AAS) were 15.5 ± 3.2, 1.9 ± 3.15 and 3.9 ± 5.3, respectively. Although improvements in the patients' mean Wexner scores became impaired over time, the postoperative Wexner scores were still significantly better than the preoperative Wexner scores (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Good or excellent results were obtained surgically among patients with traumatic sphincter injury. Performing perineal body reconstruction in addition to sphincteroplasty can provide better long-term continence. Surgical outcomes were found to be better, especially among patients younger than 50 years of age and among patients who underwent surgery within the first five years after trauma.

Long-term results from modified sphincteroplasty in patients with traumatic sphincter injury: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The results from sphincteroplasty may worsen over time. Reseparation of the rectum and vagina/scrotum in conjunction with sphincteroplasty achieves good results. Improving the surgical effect of sphincteroplasty through perineal body reconstruction is crucial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results from anterior sphincteroplasty and perineal body reconstruction (modified sphincteroplasty) among patients with traumatic sphincter injury. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study among patients who underwent modified sphincteroplasty in a university hospital between January 2006 and December 2018. Fifty patients were evaluated in detail. METHODS: The following variables were evaluated: gender, age, additional disease status, time interval between trauma and surgery, surgical technique, duration of hospitalization, follow-up period after surgery, manometric values, electromyography results, magnetic resonance imaging scans, Wexner scores, satisfaction levels with surgery and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 44.6 ± 15.1 years. The median follow-up period was 62 months (range, 12-118). The mean Wexner scores preoperatively, postoperatively in first month (M1S) and at the time of this report (AAS) were 15.5 ± 3.2, 1.9 ± 3.15 and 3.9 ± 5.3, respectively. Although improvements in the patients' mean Wexner scores became impaired over time, the postoperative Wexner scores were still significantly better than the preoperative Wexner scores (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Good or excellent results were obtained surgically among patients with traumatic sphincter injury. Performing perineal body reconstruction in addition to sphincteroplasty can provide better long-term continence. Surgical outcomes were found to be better, especially among patients younger than 50 years of age and among patients who underwent surgery within the first five years after trauma.

Is there an increasing trend of risk-reducing prophylactic mastectomy procedure in preventing breast cancer among women?

Objectives: Prophylactic contralateral/bilateral mastectomy (PCM/PBM), as a risk-reducing mastectomy procedure, has a few evidence-based indica- tions; however, there is an increasing trend in the total number of operations globally. Worldwide famous actress Angelina Jolie was detected to have BRCA-1 mutation and underwent a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in 2013. The procedure was perceived as 'lifesaving' worldwide, which eventually led to a significant increase in BRCA gene mutation analysis and PCM/PBM. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate our risk-reducing PCM/PBM results. Material and Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent risk-reducing PCM/PBM between 2010-2018, but only 22 patients were included into the study. A retrospective analysis was carried out on demographics, family history, preoperative diagnoses, pathological findings, mastectomy details, reconstructive procedures, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, BRCA analysis, educational status, and mastectomy indications. Results: Surgical indications or major reasons for surgery were as follows: BRCA-1 mutation (n= 5), BRCA-2 mutation (n= 3), malignant-like areas in magnetic resonance imaging (n= 2), lobular carcinoma in situ (n= 3) and intense anxiety (n= 9). Eighteen patients (82%) underwent an additional re- constructive procedure via implantation or autologous tissue and four patients (18%) underwent mastectomy only. PCM/PBM by years was as: 2010 (n= 1), 2011 (n= 0), 2012 (n= 1), 2013 (n= 2), 2014 (n= 1), 2015 (n= 2), 2016 (n= 3), 2017 (n= 4), 2018 (n= 8), which represents the recently increasing trend. Conclusion: Risk-reducing PCM/PBM was performed in 59.1% of the patients (n= 13) for a significant medical reason, whereas for distress about a relapse or a new disease on the contralateral breast on the remaining 40.9% of the patients (n= 9). Evidence in the literature shows that risk-reducing mastectomy does not affect survival, although it lowers breast cancer incidence. Close surveillance, cancer screening, and chemoprevention methods should have priority.

The factors of pancreatic fistula development in patients who underwent classical pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM: Pancreatic fistula (PF) and anastomotic leakage are significant complications of the pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The PF is considered as the root cause of other major complications of PD. The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors underlying PF that occurred after PD and the effects of the PF on postoperative morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, fifty patients who underwent classic PD were evaluated, retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups as patients with PF and patients without PF. The following demographical, clinical and operative parameters were collected to evaluate the PF; age, gender, preoperative biochemical parameters, resection type, duration of the operation, patient's comorbidities, amount of perioperative transfusion, localization of the tumour, texture of the residual pancreas, type of the anastomosis and the diameter of the pancreatic duct. RESULTS: A statistically significant relation was found between the texture of the remnant pancreatic parenchyma and PF (p<0.001). A significant relation was determined between PF and preoperative ALP, GGT, AST, ALT, hemoglobin levels and length of the hospitalization (p<0.05). In this study, we found that mortality, abdominal bleeding, bile leakage, intra-abdominal abscess were associated with reoperation and prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The lack of internationally accepted definition of a fistula is an important issue. Preoperative high ALP, ALT, AST, GGT values, low hemoglobin values and soft texture of remnant pancreatic tissue were found to be related with PF that occurs after PD. Residual pancreatic tissue has been shown as an independent risk factor. KEY WORDS: ISPGF, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, Pancreatic fistula, Risk factors.

The usefulness of the percentage of immature granulocytes in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is an important health problem with a potentially life threatening course. Measurement of immature granulocytes percentage (IG %), reflecting the fraction of circulating immature granulocyte (IG), is associated with increased mortality in patients with systemic inflammation, or distress. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the IG% is an effective predictive marker for estimating the in-hospital mortality for patients with UGIB admitting to the emergency department (ED). METHOD: This retrospective study included patients with UGIB who admitted to the ED, between 01.01.2019 and 31.12.2019. The patients were divided into two groups as discharged and dead. The IG% and other parameters were recorded. The primary end point of the study was in-hospital mortality. Logistic regression model was used to determine the factors affecting mortality. RESULTS: This study included 149 patients, 94 of whom were men. The mean age of the patients was 64.5 ± 14.2. Twenty patients died during hospitalization and 129 were discharged. IG% was significantly higher in patients who died compared with patients who discharged. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis to determine the in-hospital mortality, the cut-off value (>1%) for IG% level was found specificity (93.8%), sensitivity (100%), positive predictive value (PPV = 71.43%), negative predictive value (NPV = 100.00%) and area under curve (AUC = 0.98). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that IG% was predicting in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, OR = 65.6, confidence interval, CI = 2.00-2152.6). CONCLUSiONS: High IG% levels may be used as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with UGIB.

Management of Granulomatous Mastitis Following Aesthetic Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is not among the well-known diseases in the field of aesthetic breast surgery (ABS). The clinical presentation of GM resembles infectious diseases or malignancies, but the management of these diseases is quite different. In this study, we aimed to present the management of GM in patients who underwent ABS. METHODS: In this study, patients with GM (n = 65) and patients who underwent ABS (n = 531) were evaluated. A total of six GM patients with a history of ABS were included in the study between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2019. The data were collected retrospectively. The quantitative variables are shown as medians (minimum-maximum), and categorical variables are shown as numbers and percentages (%). RESULTS: Median duration of disease onset after the ABS was 16 (8-38) months. After the diagnosis of GM was obtained, all patients received steroid treatment. Median steroid treatment duration was 10 (8-20) weeks. Methotrexate was administered in two patients due to persistent breast mass and steroid side effect. Surgical excision was performed in three patients with wide excision. No patient needed further surgery such as mastectomy. Median follow-up period was 37.5 (18-70) months. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to declare GM in patients who underwent ABS. Atypical clinical presentation such as breast abscess, mass or fistula after ABS should alert the surgeon about GM. Unlike other mastitis, the primary treatment of this rare disease is steroid and immunosuppressive treatment. Insufficient knowledge about GM can lead to unnecessary surgeries or breast loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Topical Application of High-Dose Mesna Prevents Adhesion Formation: An Experimental Animal Study.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion formation is a common complication of abdominal surgeries. Mesna is a drug with fibrinolytic properties which has been used in surgical field to facilitate tissue dissection. The aim of this experimental animal study was to investigate the effect of mesna on prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were used in the study. To create abdominal adhesion, cecum was abraded in all rats. No additional surgical procedure was performed other than adhesion in group 1 (only adhesion). In the other groups, rats were treated topically by administering 0.9% saline (group 2), 40 mg/kg mesna (group 3), and 400 mg/kg mesna (group 4). All rats were sacrificed on postoperative 21st day. Histopathological and macroscopic evaluations of adhesion formation were performed. RESULTS: Quantity of adhesion scores (P = 0.022), severity of adhesion scores (P = 0.041), total adhesion scores (P = 0.023), and histopathological adhesion grading scores (P < 0.001) were reduced by 400 mg/kg mesna. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study for mesna on prevention of abdominal adhesion formation in rats. We concluded that dose-dependent reduction of adhesion was achieved by mesna. With future studies, topical administration of mesna during open abdominal surgeries may be used to prevent adhesion formation.

Effect of Triclosan-Coated Suture on Surgical Site Infection of Abdominal Fascial Closures.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a serious problem after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to compare closure of fascia with triclosan-coated monofilament polydioxanone (PDS) or standard PDS in decreasing the incidence of SSIs in patients who underwent abdominal surgery. Methods: In this randomized study, a total of 890 consecutive patients undergoing laparotomy for any gastrointestinal pathology were allocated to closure of the fascia with triclosan-coated PDS (treatment group; TG) or standard PDS (control group; CG). Patients were assessed every day during the hospital stay for SSIs and at the first, second, and fourth week after discharge. The surgical site was assessed in terms of superficial, deep incisional, or organ/site SSI. Results: The main important finding was that SSIs were reduced as much as 24% by using triclosan-coated PDS. Surgical site infections occurred in 200 patients (22.4%), with 105 being early (in the first week) and 95 occurring late. Eighty five of the SSIs (19.1%) were noted in patients in the TG, whereas 115 of them (25.8%) were in the CG (p = 0.016). The infections were superficial in 126 patients, deep incisional in 48 patients, and organ/site in 26 patients. Most of patients (n = 651) had clean-contaminated sites. In subgroup analysis, SSI rates with triclosan-coated PDS were lower in clean, clean-contaminated, and contaminated incisions (0 in the TG versus 24.2% in the CG; p = 0.009; 13.6% in the TG versus 24.3% in the CG, p = 0.001; and 16.6% in the TG versus 27.8% in the CG; p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Closure of the fascia with triclosan-coated PDS decreased SSI rates as much as 24%. Also, SSIs were decreased significantly at clean, clean-contaminated, and contaminated sites. Therefore, triclosan-coated PDS might be recommended for fascial closure as a means of decreasing SSIs.

First experience with a new technique: Portable gamma camera usage for sentinel lymph node identification in a patient with breast cancer.

The newest development in sentinel lymph node imaging is portable gamma probe imaging. In this case report, results of all SLN detection methods were analyzed. The patient was imaged using a large field-of-view gamma camera with additional blue dye administration and intraoperative localization of sentinel lymph node using both gamma probe and portable gamma camera was performed. In this case report, the value of additional portable gamma camera imaging was analyzed.

Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma - a rare case report and literature review.

Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma (IPM) is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm originating from smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts. The inguinal region is the most common site of this rare tumor. As there are only about 89 such cases reported in the literature, the precise etiology and pathogenesis have yet to be explained adequately. It is characterized by spindle cells, amianthoid fibers, and by the proliferation of hemosiderin-containing histiocytes in the lymph node. A nodular lesion was excised from the inguinal region of a 47-year-old female patient with the clinical diagnosis of lymphoma and/or metastase. Macroscopic examination of a section of the lesion demonstrated a solid appearance. Microscopic examination revealed spindle-cell proliferation, amianthoid fibers, hemosiderin pigment, and extravasated erythrocytes. Nuclei of the spindle cells displayed a palisaded appearance. Compressed lymphoid tissue was observed around the lesion. Neoplastic cells were identified by the presence of vimentin, SMA, Cyclin D1, and beta-catenin. The Ki67 index was less than 1%. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of IPM. Although IPM is benign, it is frequently confused with metastatic lesions and lymphomas.

Calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor of thyroid gland mimicking anaplastic carcinoma: an unusual entity.

Medullary thyroid cancer is the neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of thyroid with mostly both secreting calcitonin and immunohistochemically showing calcitonin positivity. Occasionally; NETs of thyroid may have little or no calcitonin expression. We present a case of serum calcitonin negative and immunohistochemically calcitonin-negative staining tumor with positive reaction to neuroendocrine markers synaptophysin and chromogranin-A. The patient's right vocal cord was paralytic and thyroid mass was huge with descending to thorax till hilar region. We discussed diagnostic difficulties and way of treatment about NETs of thyroid with the light of current literature with this case.