Endo-laparoscopic scrotal hernia surgery: which technique must we choose to reduce seroma-sac transection or complete sac reduction? A prospective study.

Seroma formation is one of the important postoperative problems in inguinal hernia surgery, especially after scrotal hernia surgery. The present study aimed to present primarily the incidence of seroma after reduction and transection of the hernia sac in endo-laparoscopic scrotal hernia repair, and secondarily the results of early postoperative complications. Patients were divided into two groups TAPP and TEP. These groups were also divided into transection and reduction subgroups. In the reduction group, the hernia sac was completely dissected and pulled to the peritoneal area, while in the transection group, the neck of the hernia sac was cut by ligating, and its distal part was fixed to the posterior abdominal wall. The groups were compared, and data were analyzed. The reduction was performed in 13 (43.33%) of the 30 patients included in the study, and transection in 17 (56.67%). Seroma developed in 2 (15.38%) of the reduction group and 7 (41.18%) of the transection group. There was no statistical difference between the groups (p = 0.229). Cord and testicular complications were seen in 6 (20%) patients, 5 (38.46%) in the reduction group, and 1 (5.88%) in the transection group. No statistical difference was detected between the groups (p = 0.061). Although not statistically significant, seroma was more common in transection, while cord and testicular complications were more common in reduction. If dissection of the hernia sac is difficult, the complete reduction should not be insisted on, and the neck of the sac should be transection by ligating, and its distal part should be fixed to the posterior abdominal wall.

Blunt splenic trauma: Analysis of predictors and risk factors affecting the non-operative management failure rate.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative management (NOM) has become a standard treatment in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic trauma. Studies have identified numerous predictors and risk factors for NOM. However, these factors' role in NOM failure continues to be debated. This study aimed to reveal the role of these factors in NOM failure through retrospective analysis of data from patients who underwent non-operative treatment. METHODS: After the initial evaluation of 189 patients brought to the emergency department between March 2009 and June 2021 and diagnosed with blunt splenic trauma, 13 patients underwent emergency surgery due to hemodynamic instability (immediate splenectomy), and 18 patients who died were excluded from the study. NOM was planned for the remaining 158 patients (stable or stabilized). Patients scheduled for NOM were grouped as either successful NOM (s-NOM; n=139) or failure NOM (f-NOM; n=19) and analyzed the results, retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 158 patients scheduled for the NOM, 115 were male. The mean age in s-NOM and f-NOM was 32.2±14.5 versus 36.1±16.1. The mean hospital stay was 8 (4-21) days. The mean follow-up period was 12 (6-18) months. Used USG for 60 (43.2%) patients and CT for 137 (98.6%) in the NOM. The number of Grades I-V in the NOM planned patients (n=158) was 20 (12.6%), 54 (34.1%) 56 (35.4%), 26 (16.4%), and 2 (1.3%), respectively. The success rates according to the Grades I-V were 20 (100%), 52 (96.3%), 52 (92.8%), 15 (57.7%), and 0 (0.0%), respectively. There were 102 units of red cell transfusions administered (mean, 2.46 units) to 41 patients in the s-NOM group, while 81 units (mean, 4.26 units) were administered to 19 patients in the f-NOM group (p=0.001). ISS score >15 was 57.5% (mean score, 22.8) and those in the f-NOM group were 78.9% (mean score, 34.8), respectively (p<0.001). Overall NOM success was 88.0%, total complications were 10.1%, and mortality was 1.2% in this study. CONCLUSION: Grades I-III blunt splenic trauma patients were successfully treated using the NOM protocol in this study. However, more than half of Grade IV (57.7%) splenic injuries were successfully treated using NOM. Identifying predictors and risk factors based on a standardized plan will likely increase this success.

Development of Diaphragmatic Hernia in Patients with Penetrating Left Thoracoabdominal Stab Wounds.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the consequences of repairing versus not repairing diaphragmatic injury caused by penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds. METHODS: Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to evaluate the left diaphragm in patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds who did not have an indication for emergency laparotomy. Patients who did not consent to laparoscopy were discharged without undergoing surgery. Post-discharge radiological images of patients who underwent diaphragmatic repair and radiological images of patients who could not undergo laparoscopy, both during hospitalization and after discharge, were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on 109 patients. Diaphragmatic injuries were detected and repaired in 32 (29.36%) of these patients. Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up. After a mean follow-up of 57.67 months, none of the remaining 15 patients developed a diaphragmatic hernia. On the other hand, 43 patients refused to undergo diagnostic laparoscopy. Twenty of them were lost from follow-up. The diaphragmatic injury was detected in seven of the remaining 23 patients (30.44%) during initial computed tomography (CT) examinations. In this group, the mean follow-up time was 42.57 months, and delayed diaphragmatic hernia developed in one patient (14.30%). Patients who underwent diaphragmatic repair were compared to patients who did not undergo diagnostic laparoscopy but had diaphragmatic injuries detected on their CT. No statistical differences were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragmatic injuries caused by penetrating stab wounds can sometimes heal spontaneously. However, diagnostic laparoscopy is still relevant for revealing and repairing possible diaphragmatic injuries.

The role of leukocytes in predicting whether laparotomy is required in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wound.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the importance of leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in deciding whether laparotomy is required during observation in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds who were followed up because there was no indication for an emergency laparotomy. METHODS: Patients who did not indicate an emergency laparotomy were monitored. After 48 hours from initial hospitalization, patients who did not require laparotomy were discharged nonoperatively. The total leukocytes, leukocyte subsets, platelets, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio of patients who underwent laparotomy during the follow-up compared with those who were discharged nonoperatively. The sensitivity and specificity of these laboratory values in predicting the necessity of laparotomy were calculated. RESULTS: In the operated group (n = 71), leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio examined during observation were significantly higher (P < .001). Eosinophils and lymphocytes were significantly lower (P < .001) than in nonoperated (n = 476). Based on the deviation in the reference ranges of leukocyte and its subgroups, we report the sensitivity and specificity for predicting the necessity of laparotomy as 86% and 72% for leukocyte, 88% and 75% for neutrophil, 92% and 83% for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and 72% and 77% for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, respectively. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value was found to be 4 for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and 125 for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (area under the curve/receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929 and 0.808, respectively). CONCLUSION: Leukocyte, leukocyte subgroups, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio may be useful to determine if a laparotomy is necessary in patients in whom the necessity of laparotomy is undetermined owing to unclear examination findings.

Leukocytes are not Reliable in Predicting Possible Diaphragmatic Injury in Patients with Penetrating Left Thoracoabdominal Stab Wounds.

BACKGROUND: The diaphragm is injured in approximately one-third of penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds. Diagnostic laparoscopy or thoracoscopy is performed to reveal the diaphragmatic injury. This study investigated whether leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the thrombocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) can be used to detect diaphragm injury without the need for diagnostic laparoscopy. METHODS: Patients hospitalized between January 2010 and January 2020 due to penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds were examined. Laparotomy was performed in patients who had indications for laparotomy, such as hemodynamic instability and peritonitis. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to reveal possible diaphragmatic injury in patients who did not require laparotomy after 48h of follow-up. Leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, NLR, and PLR were measured both at admission and during follow-up, and the results were compared between patients with and without diaphragm injury during diagnostic laparoscopy. RESULTS: The study included 108 patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds that did not require laparotomy after 48h of follow-up. Of these, 102 patients were male (94.44%), and the average age was 27.68 years (range 15-66 years). Diaphragm injury was detected in 31 patients (28.70%) in diagnostic laparoscopy, and the diaphragm was intact in 77 patients (71.30%). In the comparison of patients with and without diaphragmatic injury, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of age, gender, platelets, leukocyte values, NLR, and PLR both at admission and during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Leukocytes, leukocyte subsets, platelets, NLR, and PLR were insufficient in the detection of asymptomatic diaphragmatic injuries caused by penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds.

Does it matter if it is appendix mucocele instead of appendicitis? Case series and brief review of literature.

AIMS: Appendiceal mucocele (AM) is a rare pathology, and its reported incidence is 0.3% in all appendectomy specimens. Here, we report a case series of AM and make a brief review of literature. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected data of patients who diagnosed as AM by histopathological evaluation between January 2009 and June 2015 were demographic data including age and gender, intraoperative findings, and histopathological reports were recorded. All cases were followed-up by routine examination and telephone interview. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Definitive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, median, frequency, and percentage) were used to evaluate the study data. RESULTS: Twelve patients were examined in the study with diagnose of AM. The mean age was 51.8 ± 18.6 years (26-83). Female-to-male ratio was 1.4 (7/5). Indications for surgery were acute abdomen in 8 (72.7%) patients with presumptive diagnosis of acute appendicitis and were AM in four patients diagnosed by imaging. Histopathological evaluation revealed mucinous cystadenoma in eight patients, simple retention cysts in three, and borderline mucinous tumor (pseudomyxoma peritonei) in one. The neuroendocrine tumor was obtained on the remaining portion of the appendix in one of the simple retention cysts patients. None of the patients died because of the AM with an average follow-up of 43 months (range: 7-74). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection is the first choice therapy for AM. Precise treatment modality can remain unclear in some patients because of insufficient preoperative diagnosis. It is nonmalign AM mostly however having mucocele matters because of the significant association with synchronous tumors.

An incidental giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Preperitoneal lipomas are rare in clinical practice. Here we report an unexpected diagnosis of a giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma detected intraoperatively during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a 56-year-old woman. The mass was excised and a histopathological examination confirmed fibrolipoma. No recurrence was found on follow-up. In the literature, there have been many cases with unexpected diagnoses during laparoscopy. Here, we present an incidental giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma, which was overlooked by ultrasound and physical examination, but was detected during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Fournier's gangrene: A retrospective analysis of 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: Fournier's gangrene is a surgical emergency that progresses rapidly and insidiously and results in high morbidity and mortality rates unless it is immediately diagnosed and managed. Here we analyze the outcomes of patients who were followed up and treated for Fournier's gangrene. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical data of 25 patients operated on for Fournier's gangrene between January 2010 and June 2015. The diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene was made by performing a physical examination. Patients who had genital, perineal, and perianal tenderness; induration; cyanosis; gangrene; and subcutaneous crepitation were considered as having Fournier's gangrene. Following resuscitation, aggressive surgical debridement was performed and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) was conducted in addition to debridement in select patient. Repeat debridements were performed as requirement. RESULTS: This study included 25 patients. Fourteen patients (56%) were females and 11 (44%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 54.3 years (range: 27-82 years). The mean duration of hospital stay was 21.4 days; the mean number of debridements performed was 2.4. Thirteen patients (52%) had perianal abscesses, and 20 (80%) had diabetes mellitus. All patients underwent extensive debridement; 16 patients (64%) underwent VAC in addition to debridement. Patients undergoing VAC had significantly longer durations of hospital stay and a higher mean number of debridements performed (p=0.004 and p=0.048, respectively). An ostomy was made in one patient, and one patient died. CONCLUSION: In Fournier's gangrene, early diagnosis, effective resuscitation, aggressive debridement, and VAC application in suitable cases may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates and the need for an ostomy.

Importance of diagnostic laparoscopy in the assessment of the diaphragm after left thoracoabdominal stab wound: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Stab wounds in the left thoracoabdominal region may cause diaphragmatic injury. The aim of the present study was to determine incidence of diaphragmatic injury and role of diagnostic laparoscopy in detection of injury in patients with left thoracoabdominal stab wound. METHODS: Total of 81 patients (75 male, 6 female; mean age 27.5±9.8 years; range 14 to 60 years) who presented with left thoracoabdominal stab wound between April 2009 and September 2014 were evaluated. Laparotomy was performed on patients who had hemodynamic instability, signs of peritonitis, or organ evisceration. Remaining patients were followed conservatively. After 48 hours, diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on patients without laparotomy indication to examine the left diaphragm for injury. Follow-up and treatment findings were prospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent laparotomy while diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on remaining 68 patients. Left diaphragmatic injury was observed in 19 patients (23.5%) in the study group. Four injuries were diagnosed by laparotomy and 15 were diagnosed by laparoscopy. Presence of hemopneumothorax did not yield difference in incidence of diaphragmatic injury (p=0.131). No significant difference was detected in terms of diaphragmatic injury with respect to entry site of stab wound in the thoracoabdominal region (p=0.929). CONCLUSION: It is important to evaluate the diaphragm in left thoracoabdominal stab injuries, and diagnostic laparoscopy is still the safest and most feasible method.

Prediction of anxiety and depression in general surgery inpatients: A prospective cohort study of 200 consecutive patients.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is a major stress factor for patients, and is associated with significant anxiety or depression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale is one of the most common instruments used for assessment of patients' psychological stress. Here, we aimed to identify predictors of anxiety and depression in surgical inpatients. METHODS: The study group consisted of consecutive two-hundred patients who completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire. A patient scoring more than cut-off values (10 for anxiety and seven for depression) was considered as being at risk of anxiety or depression. Demographical data, socioeconomic status, education level and diagnoses were recorded. The Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis tests and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify the predictive parameters for anxiety and depression. RESULTS: It was found that female patients, patients older than 35 years, patients with low socioeconomic status and low education level had a relatively higher risk of anxiety. In addition, patients with low education and a hospital stay greater than seven days were at risk of depression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that socioeconomic status and education level were strongly predictive for anxiety. However, presence of anxiety was shown to be strongly predictive for depression. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers should be aware of their patients' psychology and, therefore, it is recommended to consider predictive factors for anxiety and depression.

The predictive value of physical examination in the decision of laparotomy in penetrating anterior abdominal stab injury.

A selective conservative treatment for penetrating anterior abdominal stab injuries is an increasingly recognized approach. We analyzed patients who followed-up and treated for penetrating anterior abdominal stab injuries. The anterior region was defined as the area between the arcus costa at the top and the mid-axillary lines at the laterals and the inguinal ligaments and symphysis pubis at the bottom. An emergency laparotomy was performed on patients who were hemodynamically unstable or had symptoms of peritonitis or organ evisceration; the remaining patients were followed-up selectively and conservatively. A total of 175 patients with purely anterior abdominal injuries were included in the study. One hundred and sixty-five of the patients (94.29%) were males and 10 (5.71%) were females; the mean age of the cohort was 30.85 years (range: 14-69 years). While 16 patients (9%) were made an emergency laparotomy due to hemodynamic instability, peritonitis or evisceration, the remaining patients were hospitalized for observation. During the selective conservative follow-up, an early laparotomy was performed in 20 patients (12%), and a late laparotomy was performed in 13 patients (7%); the remaining 126 patients (72%) were discharged after non-operative follow-up. A laparotomy was performed on 49 patients (28%); the laparotomy was therapeutic for 42 patients (86%), non-therapeutic for 4 patients (8%), and negative for 3 patients (6%). A selective conservative approach based on physical examination and clinical follow-up in penetrating anterior abdominal stab injuries is an effective treatment approach.

Evaluation of diaphragm in penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injuries: The role of multislice computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injuries are accompanied by diaphragmatic injury in 25-30% of cases, about 30% of which later develop into diaphragmatic hernia. This study aimed to determine the role of multislice computed tomography in the evaluation of left diaphragm in patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reviewed penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injuries managed in our clinic between April 2009 and September 2014. The thoracoabdominal region was defined as the region between the sternum, fourth intercostal space, and arcus costa anteriorly and the vertebra, lower tip of scapula, and the curve of the last rib posteriorly. Unstable cases and cases with signs of peritonitis were operated with laparotomy; the remaining patients were closely monitored. Forty-eight hours later, a diagnostic laparoscopy was applied to evaluate the left hemidiaphragma in asymptomatic patients who did not need laparotomy. The preoperatively obtained multislice thoracoabdominal computed tomography images were retrospectively examined for the presence of left diaphragm injury. Then, operative and tomographic findings were compared. RESULTS: This study included a total of 43 patients, 39 (91%) males and 4 (9%) females of mean age 30 years (range 15-61 years). Thirty patients had normal tomography results, whereas 13 had left diaphragmatic injuries. An injury to the left diaphragm was detected during the operation in 9 (1 in laparotomy and 8 in diagnostic laparoscopy) of 13 patients with positive tomography for left diaphragmatic injury and 2 (in diagnostic laparoscopy) of 30 patients with negative tomography. Multislice tomography had a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI: 48-98%), a specificity of 88% (71-96%), a positive predictive value of 69% (39-91%), and a negative predictive value of 93% (78-99%) for detection of diaphragmatic injury in penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard for diaphragmatic examination in patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds, multislice computed tomography is also valuable for detecting diaphragmatic injury.

Biliopancreatic duct injection of ethanol as an experimental model of acute and chronic pancreatitis in rats.

In the present study, we described an easily reproducable experimental pancreatits model induced by biliopancreatic duct injection of ethyl alcohol. Seventy Wistar albino rats were divided equally into seven groups randomly: the control group (group 1), acute pancreatitis groups; induced by 20% ethanol (group 2), 48% ethanol (group 3), 80% ethanol (group 4), chronic pancreatitis groups; induced by 20% ethanol (group 5), 48% ethanol (group 6) and by 80% ethanol (group 7). Acute pancreatitis groups were sacrified on postoperative day 3, while the control group and chronic pancreatitis groups were killed on postoperative day 7. Histopathologic evaluation was done, and P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. All rats in group 3 developed acute pancreatitis (100%). Inflammatory infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells, interstitial edema, and focal necrotic areas were seen in the pancreatic tissues. Similarly, all rats in group 6 developed chronic pancreatitis (100%). Interstitial fibrosis, lymphotic infiltration, ductal dilatation, acinar cell atrophy, periductal hyperplasia were seen in the pancreatic tissues. Mortality was seen only in group 7. The biliopancreatic ductal injection of 48% ethanol induced acute and chronic pancreatitis has 100% success rate.

Multivariate analysis of patients with blunt trauma and possible factors affecting mortality.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the signs and prognosis of the patients hospitalized due to blunt trauma injuries and identify possible factors that affect mortality. METHODS: Between January 2009 and January 2013, a total of 237 patients admitted with blunt trauma injury were retrospectively analyzed. The age and gender of the patients, type of the trauma, injury site, Injury Severity Scores (ISS), Revised Trauma Scores (RTS), Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) results, hemodynamic status, need for transfusion, treatment modalities, treatment outcomes, and mortality rates were recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients, 187 (78.9%) were male, 50 (21.1%) were female and mean age was 36.9±16.9 years (3-81 years). Of the patients, 131 (55.3%) suffered thoracic injuries, 110 (46.6%) abdominal injuries, 96 (40.5%) pelvic and limb injuries, 34 (14.3%) head and neck injuries, 26 (11%) maxillofacial injuries, and 24 (10.1%) skin and subcutaneous tissue injuries. Forty-five patients (19%), including 33 patients with hemodynamic instability and 12 patients with peritonitis-related signs, were operated on. Mortality was seen in 26 patients (11%), including 10 (38.5%) with unstable pelvic fractures. Mortality rates; in patients with packing performed was 75%, in patients without any need for packing was 33.3%, in patients with hemodynamic instablity was 60.6%, in hemodynamically stable patients was 8.3% and in FAST (+) patients was 20.5%, in FAST(-) patients was 3.4% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Blunt trauma often presents with multi-trauma involving more than one anatomical structure of the body. Thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic injuries usually accompany blunt trauma. The majority of abdominal solid organ injuries are followed non-operatively. Our study results show that ISS, RTS, FAST result, hemodynamic unstability, packing requirment, and need for transfusion are statistically invaluable in identifying the mortality risk.

Management of strangulated abdominal wall hernias with mesh; early results.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery for abdominal wall hernias is a common procedure in general surgery practice. The main causes of delay for the operation are comorbid problems and patient unwillingness, which eventually, means that some patients are admitted to emergency clinics with strangulated hernias. In this report, patients who admitted to the emergency department with strangulated adominal wall hernias are presented together with their clinical management. METHODS: Patients who admitted to our clinic between January 2009 and November 2011 and underwent emergency operation were included in the study retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, hernia type, length of hospital stay, surgical treatment and complications were assessed. RESULTS: A total 81 patients (37 female, 44 male) with a mean age of 52.1±17.64 years were included in the study. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical and incisional hernias were detected in 40, 26, 9 and 6 patients respectively. Polypropylene mesh was used in 75 patients for repair. Primary repair without mesh was used in six patients. Small bowel (n=10; 12.34%), omentum (n=19; 23.45%), appendix (n=1; 1.2%) and Meckel's diverticulum (n=1; 1.2%) were resected. Median length of hospital stay was 2 (1-7) days. Surgical site infection was detected in five (6.2%) patients. No significant difference was detected for length of hospital stay and surgical site infection in patients who had mesh repair (p=0.232 and 0.326 respectively). CONCLUSION: The need for bowel resection is common in strangulated abdominal wall hernias which undergo emergency operation. In the present study, an increase of morbidity was seen in patients who underwent bowel resection. No morbidity was detected related to the usage of prosthetic materials in repair of hernias. Hence, we believe that prosthetic materials can be used safely in emergency cases.

The management of penetrating abdominal stab wounds with organ or omentum evisceration: The results of a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic approach to abdominal penetrating stab injuries has changed over the years from routine laparotomy to non-operative treatment. In case of organ or omental evisceration, although the laparotomy need is greater, non-operative treatment may be applied in selected cases. The aim of our study was to assess the follow-up and treatment outcomes of patients with organ or omental evisceration due to penetrating abdominal injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with organ or omental evisceration due to penetrating abdominal stab injuries were prospectively evaluated between April 2009 and July 2012. Emergent laparotomy was performed in cases that were hemodynamically unstable or had signs of organ evisceration or peritonitis, while other patients were managed conservatively. Patients' follow-up and treatment outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients with organ or omental evisceration were assessed. Six (33.3%) patients underwent emergent laparotomy, and 12 (66.7%) patients underwent conservative follow-up. Three patients in the emergent laparotomy group had signs of organ evisceration, and 3 had signs of peritonitis; five of these 6 patients underwent therapeutic laparotomy and 1 negative laparotomy. In the non-operative follow-up group, therapeutic laparotomy was carried out in a total of 7 patients, 4 being early and 3 late, due to development of peritonitis, whereas 5 (27.8%) patients were managed non-operatively. CONCLUSION: Although organ or omental eviscerations due to penetrating abdominal stab injuries have a high rate of therapeutic laparotomy, selective conservative therapy is a safe method in selected cases.

The effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the development of alkaline reflux gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of cholecystectomy on alkaline reflux, histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa and H. pylori colonization. METHODOLOGY: Eighty five patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this trial (20 males; 65 females; 44.97 ± 11.22 years). All the patients had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy before and 6 months after the surgery and biopsies in the antrum and corpus were taken to investigate the mucosal changes and assay for the presence of H. pylori. RESULTS: At 6 months post-surgery, the presence of bile in the fasting gastric fluid and an increase in the endoscopic gastritis findings were detected. While none of the patients had chemical gastritis prior to surgery, 7 patients were diagnosed with this condition after surgery. Intestinal metaplasia was detected in 6 patients prior to surgery and 20 patients after surgery. H. pylori was observed in 64 patients before surgery and 52 patients after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in duodenogastric reflux, alkaline reflux gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, and a reduction in H. pylori colonization were observed to occur post-cholecystectomy.