Percutaneous cholecystostomy in the management of acute cholecystitis-comparative analysis of before and after the COVID 19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is a minimally invasive temporary treatment for patients with acute cholecys-titis (AC) who are at high risk for surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of patients with AC treated with PC before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent PC with the diagnosis of AC between 2019 and 2021 were analyzed by scanning the hospital registry system. During the COVID 19 pandemic period of March 11, 2020, to March 11, 2021, 110 patients with AC were treated with PC. In the pre-pandemic period of March 2019 to March 2020, 99 patients who underwent PC were added to the study as a control group. The data of the 209 patients included in the study were recorded, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The patient characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Evaluation was made of 209 patients who were diagnosed with AC between March 2019 and March 2021 and could not be operated on due to the high risk of surgery. The average age of the patients was 63.84 years (21-97) in the pandemic period and 68.43 years (31-100) in the pre-pandemic period. The rate of female patients was 45.5% in the pandemic group and 44.5% in the pre-pandemic group. The mean procedure-discharge time was 3.85 days in the pandemic period and 3.34 days pre-pandemic. The American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (PS) was determined to be 1 or 2 in 56.4% of the pandemic group patients and 3 or 4 in 78.8% of the pre-pandemic group. There was no comorbidity accompanying AC in 45 (40.9%) patients in the pandemic period, and at least one comorbid condition accompanying AC was detected in 77 (77.8%) patients in the pre-pandemic period. The severity grading for AC was 2 (moderate) in 97.3% of the patients in the pandemic group and 3 (severe) in 26.3% of the patients in the pre-pandemic group. Of the 110 patients in the pandemic period, 14 were Covid 19 positive or suspected. PC-related mortality was not observed in either group. CONCLUSION: PC is an effective and safe treatment method that reduced the operating room and intensive care burden during the exacerbation of the COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, it seems like a logical option to expand the PC indications at times when the number of COVID 19 patients increases.

Does the subtotal cholecystectomy rate for acute cholecystitis change with previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common emergent surgeries. As a safe alternative in challenging operations, laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) is widely used. We questioned whether the results in acute cholecystitis cases changed with a history of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). When we searched the literature, we could not find a study focusing on the subtotal cholestectomy results in acute cholecystitis. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether the history of ERCP affects the rates of subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) in acute cholecystitis. METHODS: The results of patients (n=470) who underwent surgery for acute cholecystitis at our clinic between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups according to their history of ERCP. The primary outcome was the SC rate. The secondary outcomes were conversion to open, postoperative complications, serious complications, operative duration, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The standard group included 437 patients, whereas the ERCP group included 33 patients. A total of 16 patients underwent SC, with 15 in the standard group and 1 in the ERCP group. There was no significant difference in terms of SC rates between groups (P=0.902). While four cases of operation were completed with conversion to open in the non-ERCP group, no conversion was seen in the ERCP group (P=0.581). No significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of complications, serious compli-cations, operation duration, length of hospital stay, and mortality. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that ERCP is not related to an increased rate of SC and conversion in patients with acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis can be safely performed in patients with a history of ERCP. LSC is a safe procedure in challenging patients, and fenestrating SC can be preferred to avoid hazardous consequences in such cases.

Management of appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors in the light of new guidelines.

PURPOSE: Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (ANETs) are the most common in the appendix, detected in histopathological appendectomy specimens, which are resected for acute appendicitis. If tumor detection does not show signs of metastatic disease or obvious features of carcinoid syndrome, preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge. However, the treatment and follow-up algorithm change over time. In our study, we aimed to present 10 years of diagnostic and management experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent emergency appendectomy, with the intention to treat clinically acute appendicitis at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey), was undertaken. Patients with diagnoses other than ANETs were excluded. Age, gender, preoperative clinical findings, operative procedure, and histopathological results identified as ANETs were evaluated. RESULTS: ANETs were detected in 24 patients (0.42%) in the histopathological examination of 5720 appendectomy specimens between December 2011 and October 2020. Mean age of patients was 30 years, with 58.3% female. The majority were located at the tip of appendix (62.5%). Eleven patients (45.83%) were graded as T1, one patient (4.16%) as T2, 11 (41.83%) as T3, and one patient (4.16%) as T4. Secondary hemicolectomy was performed in four patients. Median postoperative follow-up was 43 (17-108) months. CONCLUSION: In addition, ANETs are rare and largely detected by chance; therefore, precise examination of routine appendectomy specimens is essential for diagnosis. Accurate tumor staging, in light of new algorithms, has an important place in follow-up and treatment management.

The importance of inflammatory markers in detection of complications in patients with gastric cancer undergoing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Early diagnosis reduces mortality and morbidity rates in gastrointestinal system (GIS) anastomoses. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the importance of some substances that were used to detect major complications early in patients who were treated in line with the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for gastric cancer. Factors included in the study were interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and white blood cell (WBC). Material and methods: A hundred and twenty patients who underwent laparoscopic subtotal or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in accordance with the ERAS protocol between January 2018 and December 2019 were included in this prospective study. Blood values of IL-1ß, TNF-α, CRP, PCT, and WBC on the third and fifth post-operative days (POD) were measured for diagnosing major complications. Results: Major complications occurred in 12 (10%) patients. Third POD and fifth POD measurements of IL-1ß, TNF-α, CRP, PCT were statistically significantly higher than those in the non-complicated group, whereas WBC was not. In addition, in the group with complications, statistically significant changes of the blood levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, CRP, and PCT between the 3rd and 5th days were detected (p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.001 respectively). Conclusions: IL-1ß, TNF-α, CRP, and PCT can be used in the early detection of major complications in gastric cancer patients undergoing the ERAS protocol. Imaging methods should be used in patients with high levels of these inflammatory substances on the third and fifth POD.

Evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor serum levels and their association with clinicopathological characteristics in patients with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health concern and one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the serum epidermal growth factor receptor (sEGFR) levels in healthy volunteers and patients with CRC, to determine the association between tumor marker levels and clinicopathological findings, and investigate its prognostic value. A total of 140 patients with CRC were enrolled in the present study. Pre-treatment sEGFR levels were determined using ELISA. A total of 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the analysis. The median age of patients was 60 years (range, 24-84 years); the majority of the tumor localization was to the colon (n=81, 58%). The median follow-up time was 14 months, while 43 (31%) patients experienced disease progression and 31 (22%) succumbed to the disease. A total of 81 patients (58%) were in the early stages of disease (stage II and III), and 42% of the patients had stage IV disease. The estimated 2-year overall and 1-year progression-free survival rates for the whole patient group were 70% [95% confidence interval (CI): 58.8-81.2] and 26.2% (95% CI: 12.9-39.5), respectively. The number of patients who received neoadjuvant treatment was 37. Of the patients who were administered palliative treatment, 24 received oxaliplatin, whereas 22 received irinotecan and 9 received fluorouracil/capecitabine. A total of 36 and 15 of the patients who received targeted therapy were administered bevacizumab and cetuximab, respectively. Of the 55 patients with metastatic disease who received palliative chemotherapy (CTx), 31% were CTx-responsive. The baseline median sEGFR levels were significantly higher in patients with CRC compared with the healthy control group (P=0.002). In addition, established clinical variables, including no surgical resection, metastatic stage, higher pathological tumor stage, poorer regression score (3-4) and higher lactate dehydrogenase levels, were found to be associated with higher sEGFR levels (P=0.03, P=0.009, P=0.05, P=0.05 and P=0.05, respectively). The results of the present study did not reveal statistically significant associations between sEGFR concentrations and overall and progression-free survival rates. In conclusion, sEGFR concentrations may be diagnostic markers in patients with CRC; however, their predictive and prognostic values were not determined.

An alternative view on the necessity of EGD before sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is particularly recommended for choosing a surgical method to be used with asymptomatic patients and for the assessment of symptomatic patients prior to sleeve gastrectomy. The presence of hiatal hernia, for instance, is a relative contraindication. EGD is used for malignancy scanning as well as surgical planning, but seems inefficient in determining postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of the pathological evaluation of endoscopic biopsies obtained with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) according to Sydney classification prior to sleeve gastrectomy in identifying the risk of staple line leak, independently of clinical diagnosis. SETTING: Bakirköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between January 2014-December 2016 received preoperative EGD as per the clinic's protocol and upon obtaining ethics board approval and patient consent. Biopsies were taken from the patients according to the Sydney protocol. The pathology results were examined retrospectively by considering the exclusion criteria. The results were given in line with the Sydney classification, and patients with and without Staple Line Leak were statistically compared. RESULTS: A total of 630 patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 71.1% (n = 448) were female and 28.9% (n = 182) were male. Mean age was 38.9 years (17-68), mean body weight was 130.8kg (94-240) and body mass index (BMI) values were 47.4kg/m2 (36-106). In evaluation of median values, no statistically significant relationship was found between staple line leak and H. pylori occurrence grade (P = 0.438; P>0.05), activation grade (P = 0.568; P>0.05) or intestinal metaplasia grade (P = 0.319; P>0.05). Atrophy (P = 0.001; P<0.01) and chronic inflammation grade (P = 0.026; P<0.05) were significantly higher in Staple Line Leak patients. CONCLUSIONS: EGD prior to sleeve gastrectomy and biopsies obtained in line with the Sydney protocol predict Staple Line Leak risk.

Single center experience in laparoscopic treatment of gallbladder perforation.

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder perforation (GBP) is a rare disease with potential mortality. Previous series have reported an incidence of approximately 2-11% and it still continues to be a significant problem for surgeons. AIM: To present our clinical experience with gallbladder perforation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of 2754 patients who received surgical treatment for cholelithiasis between 2010 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred thirty-three patients had gallbladder perforation. Age, gender, time from the onset of symptoms, diagnostic procedures, surgical treatment, morbidity and mortality rates were evaluated. RESULTS: 15.78% of patients had a body mass index > 35. 6.76% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 6.76% had cardiac disease, 10.52% had diabetes and 4.51% had sepsis. American Society of Anesthesiology scores were I in 54.13%, II in 35.33%, III in 6.01% and IV in 4.51% of the patients. 27.81% of patients were diagnosed during surgery. The perforation site was the gallbladder fundus in 69.17%, body in 17.30%, Hartman's pouch in 10.53% and cystic duct in 3% of patients. Treatment modalities were laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 82.71%, open cholecystectomy in 3%, percutaneous drainage catheters + laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 3%, laparoscopic cholecystectomy + fistula repair in 10.53% and open cholecystectomy + fistula repair in 0.75% of patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 1.69 days. Mortality and morbidity rates were 8.27% and 10.52%, respectively. Histopathology results were acute cholecystitis in 69.93%, chronic cholecystitis in 20.30% and acute exacerbation over chronic cholecystitis in 9.77% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate classification and management of perforated cholecystitis is essential. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible method to decrease morbidity in gallbladder perforations.

Prevention of Postoperative Bile Leak in Partial Cystectomy for Hydatid Liver Disease: Tricks of the Trade.

BACKGROUND: The presence of postoperative bile leak is the major outcome measure for the assessment of operative success in partial cystectomy for hydatid liver disease. However, the optimal operative strategy to reduce the postoperative bile leak rate is yet to be defined. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent partial cystectomy for hydatid liver disease between January 2013 and January 2015 were reviewed in this retrospective analysis. All patients were managed with a specific operative protocol. The primary outcome measure was the rate of persistent postoperative bile leak. The secondary outcome measures were the morbidity and mortality rate, and the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included in the study. Only one patient (3.6 %) developed persistent postoperative bile leak. The overall morbidity and mortality rate was 17.8 and 0 %, respectively. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days. CONCLUSION: Aggressive preventative surgical measures have led to low persistent bile leak rates with low morbidity and mortality.