A 20 Years Retrospective Descriptive Study of Human Cystic Echinococcosis and the Role of Albendazole Concurrent with Surgical Treatment: 2001-2021.

Background: Hydatid cyst, caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most severe cestode infections occurring in Iran. The liver is the most commonly involved organ. The present study was carried out to review the demographic of 20 years surgically treated hydatic cysts. Methods: Ninety-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Demographic features, time of surgery, cyst size, and albendazole usage have been reviewed from the medical records of patients in Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 2001 to 2021. Statistical analysis was performed to find any correlation between the uses of concurrent albendazole with surgical procedure. Results: Of 98 patients with hydatid cyst, 57 (58.2%) were female. The mean age of patients was 39.4 ±18.7 yrs, and the mean surgery time was 217.5 ± 81.4 minutes. Regarding the infection site, the liver (60.2%) and lungs (22.4%) were the most affected organs, respectively. 56.1% of patients had one cyst, and 42.9 % had two or more cysts. 20.4% of them had taken albendazole before surgery, but 86.7 % took it after the operation. No recurrent cysts were seen among 91.8% of them, but 8.2% mentioned suffering from a recurrent cyst. 85.7% of those recurrent cases did not receive albendazole before surgery, and 75% of recurrent cases after surgery did not take albendazole (P<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of albendazole before and after the operation was significantly related to reduced recurrence, bleeding, morbidity, and even the time of surgery.

Effects of ondansetron, metoclopramide and granisetron on perioperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergone bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem after sleeve gastrectomy. In recent years, following the increase in the number of such operations, special attention has been paid to preventing PONV. Additionally, several prophylaxis methods have been developed, including enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and preventive antiemetics. Nevertheless, PONV has not been completely eliminated, and the clinicians are trying to reduce the incidence of PONV yet. METHODS: After successful ERAS implementation, patients were divided into five groups, including control and experimental groups. Metoclopramide (MA), ondansetron (OA), granisetron (GA), and a combination of metoclopramide and ondansetron (MO) were used as antiemetics for each group. The frequency of PONV during the first and second days of admission was recorded using a subjective PONV scale. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were enrolled in this study. The MO group showed a lower incidence of PONV (46.1%) compared to the control group (53.8%) and other groups. Furthermore, the MO group did not require rescue antiemetics, however, one-third of control cases used rescue antiemetics (0 vs. 34%). CONCLUSION: Using the combination of metoclopramide and ondansetron is recommended as the antiemetic regimen for the reduction of PONV after sleeve gastrectomy. This combination is more helpful when implemented alongside ERAS protocols.

Reasons for Preoperative Patient Attrition among Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Patients' Point of View.

PURPOSE: Obesity has become a global health concern, associated with decreased quality of life and life expectancy. Although bariatric surgery has many benefits (e.g., substantial and durable weight loss, amelioration of comorbidities, and improvement in functionality), its patient attrition rate is relatively high. Therefore, we aim to assess the causes of withdrawal from our program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We interviewed patients who dropped out of our bariatric surgery program between January 2016 and December 2021. A total of 1999 patients were eligible for bariatric surgery during this period, and 255 patients withdrew from the program. We interviewed patients over the phone to find out the reason for withdrawal. We divided participants into two groups: dropouts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several options explaining the reason for leaving the program were presented to the patients to choose from. RESULTS: The number of patients who withdrew from the program before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was 135 (8.9%) and 120 (25.2%), respectively. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most patients (49.1%) stated that the long waiting time was the cause of withdrawal. Even though during the COVID-19 pandemic, the main causes of attrition were the fear of contracting the disease and COVID-19 infection; the most common reason unrelated to COVID-19 was still the long preoperative preparation. CONCLUSION: Long waiting time was the most common cause of patient attrition before bariatric surgery. To reduce the attrition rate, more studies should be conducted to find an optimized waiting time before bariatric surgery.

Predictors of Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss According to Different Definitions After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Retrospective Analytical Study.

BACKGROUND: Weight regain (WR) and insufficient weight loss (IWL) after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are challenging issues. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of WR and IWL after SG. METHODS: In this retrospective analytical study, 568 patients who underwent SG at Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between January 2015 and April 2022 were evaluated. A total of 333 patients were included. WR and IWL were evaluated by multiple criteria such as a BMI of > 35 kg/m2, an increase in BMI of > 5 kg/m2 above nadir, an increase in weight of > 10 kg above nadir, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) < 50% at 18 months, an increase in weight of > 25% of EWL from nadir at 36 months, and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) < 20% at 36 months. All participants were followed up for 36 months. RESULT: The univariate analysis showed that preoperative BMI, obstructive sleep apnea, metformin consumption, and grades 2 and 3 fatty liver disease were associated with WR and IWL (P < 0.05). WR or IWL incidence varied (0-19.3%) based on different definitions. The multivariate analysis showed that a preoperative BMI of > 45 kg/m2 [odds ratioAdjusted (ORAdj) 1.77, 95% CI: 1.12-4.11, P = 0.038] and metformin consumption [ORAdj: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.19-0.78, P = 0.001] were associated with WR and IWL after SG, regardless of the definition of WR or IWL. CONCLUSION: This study showed that preoperative BMI of > 45 kg/m2, obstructive sleep apnea, metformin consumption, and grades 2 and 3 of fatty liver disease were associated with WR or IWL.

Effect of 8 Weeks milk thistle powder (silymarin extract) supplementation on fatty liver disease in patients candidates for bariatric surgery.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide and is becoming the most frequent indication of liver transplantation. At present, since no Food and Drug Association (FDA) approved medication exists for NAFLD patients, bariatric surgery is indicated for the significant improvement in obesity-related comorbidities, such as NAFLD. However, alternative therapy is emerging to manage NAFLD. Problematically, many patients taking herbal remedies, such as Silymarin (milk thistle), with little/no understanding of its purported properties. Methods: Fifty-two morbidly-obese (47.84 ± 6.48 kg m-2) patient candidates (mean age: 38.90 ± 10.28 years; n = 41 women and 11 men) for bariatric surgery with NAFLD were randomly assigned to determine the efficacy of eight weeks of Silymarin supplementation (140 mg four times daily for a total of 560 mg) on the aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT) (AST/ALT) ratio, Fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) score, NAFLD score, sonographic grading, and fibroscan stages of NAFLD. Results: Significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvements were found in AST/ALT ratio, BMI and sonographic grading. No significant change was found for fibroscan staging, Fib-4, and NAFLD scores. Conclusion: Silymarin improved ultrasound fatty liver grading and liver enzymes morbidly-obese patient candidates for bariatric surgery with NAFLD after only eight weeks, without any adverse effects.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal; a case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma (PAL) is an extremely rare neoplasm that usually arises from the smooth muscle cells of the adrenal or adjacent vascular structures. The tumor is asymptomatic until it grows up and develops a mass effect in the retroperitoneal region. Although there are about 50 reported valid cases, surgical intervention is mandatory in the majority of patients. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report the case of a 32-year-old healthy woman with a chief complaint of vague abdominal pain. After initial clinical and radiological examinations, we found a large retroperitoneal mass located around the right adrenal gland. Due to the patient's pain, a laparotomy was performed, and a large mass was resected with free margins. Immunohistochemical examination was positive for vimentin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), and desmin. Therefore, the diagnosis of PAL was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Although PAL is an uncommon malignancy, its diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are almost straightforward. A computed tomography scan can show the characteristics of the tumor and direct the management. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, and the effects of adjuvant therapies have not been apparent yet.

Laparoscopic relief of reduction en-masse in an inguinal hernia: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Reduction en-masse is an extremely rare condition that usually develops in prolonged hernias. Spontaneous or iatrogenic reduction of this type of hernia may lead to disastrous consequences such as obstruction, gangrene, or peritonitis. According to the reports so far, surgical management is the only choice for this condition. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this paper, we report a 48-year-old man who presented with vague abdominal pain and a history of inguinal hernia for years and had reduced his hernia five days earlier. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient was taken to the operating room to relieve the bowel loop utilizing laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic relief could be an effective tool in diagnosis and surgery of reduction en-masse. Transabdominal preperitoneal repair is the best choice due to its capability to explore the intraabdominal organs and its low risk of recurrence.