Impact of body weight-based dosing of palonosetron and ondansetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a randomized, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a frequent adverse effect following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Palonosetron with a standard dosing (75 µg) schedule has been questioned due to its low efficiency in obese patients. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the body weight-based dosing of palonosetron in managing PONV following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, double-blinded randomized study was conducted between August 2021 and December 2021. Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were prospectively recruited in the study. One hundred patients were randomly divided into palonosetron (Group P) and ondansetron (Group O). The demographic and clinical variables were recorded. The primary outcome of the study was the incidence of PONV between the two groups during the hospitalization. The secondary outcomes were the number of rescue anti-emetic and analgesic medications and the Functional Living Index-Emesis scores. RESULTS: There were 50 patients in each group (Group P and Group O). There were significant differences in the scores of POVN, nausea, and vomiting favoring Group P. In Group P, the rate of patients using rescue anti-emetics was significantly lower. The incidence of complete response and proportion of patients with higher Functional Living Index-Emesis scores were significantly higher in patients using palonosetron. CONCLUSIONS: The use of palonosetron significantly reduced the incidence of PONV following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. There was a significant improvement in the scores of Functional Living Index-Emesis in patients using palonosetron.

Influence of colonic mesenteric area on the number of lymph node retrieval for colon cancer: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The minimum harvested 12 lymph nodes (LNs) is regarded as the limit for accurate staging of nodal status in colorectal cancer patients. Besides the association of the lengths of resected intestinal segments and vascular pedicles, the mesocolic mesenteric area's impact on LN count has not been studied. We aimed to evaluate the associations between metric variables, including the mesocolic mesentery area on the nodal harvest. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent elective colectomy with a curative intention for colon adenocarcinoma were prospectively included. The metric variables included the lengths of resected intestinal segments, vascular pedicle, and colonic mesenteric area. The variables influencing the LN count and the correlation between the total LN count and the specimens' relevant metric measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 46 patients with a median age of 64 years. The median count for total LNs was 22, and the LN positivity was 59.2%. There was an inadequate LN yield (<12) in 3 patients (6.1%). No significant associations were found between the adequacy of nodal harvest and the demographic, clinical, and tumoral features (P>0.05). There were significant positive correlations between total LN number and length of vascular pedicle and mesenteric area (r=0.576, P<0.001 and r=0.566, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The length of the vascular pedicle and mesenteric area were significantly correlated with total LN counts. Although there was no significant impact on the length of resected segments, the colonic mesenteric area can be used alone as a measure for the assessment of the nodal yield in colon cancer.

90-day readmission rates after cholecystectomy: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Although readmission after surgical procedures has been recognized as a new problem, its association with cholecystectomy has not been solved. We aimed to investigate the rate of unplanned readmission after cholecystectomy and to evaluate the reasons and outcomes in these patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Hospital readmission within the post-operative first 90 days after the procedure was searched. The rate and reasons for hospital readmission were the primary outcomes. RESULTS: There were 601 patients with a mean age of 53.2 ± 12.4 years. The rate of readmission was 6.16%. Obesity (p = 0.001), number of coexisting disease (p = 0.039), conversion to open surgery (p = 0.002), development of intraoperative complications (p < 0.001), use of drain (p = 0.001), and length of hospital stay > 1 day (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with higher readmission rates. Biliary surgical causes were detected in five patients (12.8%). Non-biliary surgical causes were seen in 34 patients (87.2%). Among these, post-operative pain, nausea, and vomiting were the most common diagnoses in 25 (67.6%) and 5 patients (12.8%). CONCLUSION: The readmission rate after cholecystectomy is low. Significant predictive factors may help physicians to be alerted during the discharge of the patients. Post-operative pain, nausea, and vomiting were the most common diagnoses.

OBJETIVO: Aunque el reingreso hospitalario posterior a la cirugía se reconoció como un problema nuevo, su asociación con la colecistectomía no ha sido resuelta. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar la tasa de reingreso al hospital no planificado después de la colecistectomía y evaluar las razones y los resultados en estos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Todos los pacientes consecutivos que se sometieron a colecistectomía abierta y laparoscópica fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. Se investigó el reingreso al hospital dentro de los primeros 90 días postoperatorios. La tasa y las razones de la readmisión hospitalaria fueron los resultados primarios. RESULTADOS: Se examinaron 601 pacientes con una edad media de 53.2 ± 12.4 años. La tasa de reingreso fue del 6.16%. Obesidad (p = 0.001), número de enfermedades coexistentes (p = 0.039), conversión a cirugía abierta (p = 0.002), desarrollo de complicaciones intraoperatorias (p < 0.001), uso de drenaje (p = 0.001) y longitud de estancia hospitalaria > 1 día (p = 0.024) se asociaron significativamente con tasas más altas de reingreso. Se detectaron causas quirúrgicas biliares en cinco pacientes (12.8%). Se observaron causas quirúrgicas no biliares en 34 pacientes (87.2%). Entre estos, el dolor postoperatorio, las náuseas y los vómitos fueron los diagnósticos más comunes en 25 (67.6%) y 5 pacientes (12.8%). CONCLUSIÓN: La tasa de reingreso después de la colecistectomía es baja. Factores predictivos significativos pueden ayudar a los médicos a estar alertas durante el alta de los pacientes. El dolor postoperatorio, las náuseas y los vómitos fueron los diagnósticos más frecuentes.

Association of Preoperative Risk Factors and Mortality in Older Patients following Emergency Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Older patients undergoing emergency laparotomy have high morbidity and mortality rates. Preoperative risk assessment with good predictors is an appropriate measure in this population. Frailty status is significantly associated with postoperative outcomes in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative risk factors and frailty on short-term outcomes following emergency surgery for acute abdomen in older patients. METHODS: This study included older patients (≥65 years of age) who underwent emergency abdominal surgery. We retrospectively analyzed their demographic and clinical variables and used the modified Frailty Index-11 to evaluate their frailty status. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate. We also analyzed risk factors of mortality in these patients. RESULTS: The study included 150 patients with a median age of 74 years. The mortality rate was 17.3% (n=26). We observed significantly higher mortality rates in patients who were obese and who had higher American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA grades) (p<0.05). Frailty status was worse in deceased group (p<0.001), when compared to individuals who survived. Septic shock was associated with the development of mortality (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that ASA grade was the only independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio=19.642; 95% confidence interval, 3.886-99.274; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Older patients with obesity and frailty presenting with higher ASA grades and septic shock had the worst survival following emergency abdominal surgery. The ASA grade was an independent risk factor for mortality.

Impact of Ultrasonographic Features for Thyroid Malignancy in Patients With Bethesda Categories III, IV, and V: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Center.

INTRODUCTION: Although fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with cytologic interpretation using the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology has been widely used for thyroid nodules, its efficiency in Bethesda categories of III, IV, and V has been questioned due to variable risk of malignancy. We aimed to evaluate the impact of radiological parameters in Bethesda category III, IV, and V for thyroid malignancy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with Bethesda category III, IV, and V, and subsequent thyroidectomy. Demographic, ultrasonographic, and clinical variables were recorded. Independent variables for thyroid malignancy and the predictive power of imaging findings were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 159 patients with a mean age of 48.1±13.4 years. Hypoechogenicity of the index nodule was the most common finding in 87 patients (54.7%). There were 74 (46.5%), 34 (21.4%), and 51 patients (32.1%) with Bethesda III, IV, and V categories, respectively. There were 91 patients (57.2%) with a diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. Overall malignant pathology was detected in 18 (24.3%), 25 (73.5%), and 48 patients (94.1%) in Bethesda III, IV, and V categories, respectively (p=0.001). The presence of solitary nodule, hypoechogenicity, and solid structure of index nodule and Bethesda category IV and V were significant variables for final malignant pathology (p<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Hypoechogenicity and solid structure in a solitary index nodule should be regarded as significant ultrasonographic findings for thyroid malignancy. Bethesda category IV and V were also significantly associated with malignancy.

Predictive value of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of biliary obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Use of diagnostic tools with high predictive value for common biliary duct (CBD) obstruction has the potential to provide valuable information. This study aimed to examine the respective diagnostic values of biochemistry, abdominal ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in patients with suspected biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 119 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) based on a suspicion of CBD obstruction were included. Patients also had data for biochemical and hematologic tests, abdominal US and MRCP. The respective sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of US, MRCP, and the laboratory parameters in the diagnosis of ERCP-confirmed CBD obstruction were estimated. RESULTS: ERCP did not show obstruction in 15.1% of the cases. Based on 95% confidence intervals, MRCP had greater sensitivity than ultrasound in predicting obstruction (95% vs. 62%). In addition, ultrasound had a very high 31.9% false negative rate when compared to MR (4.2%). On the other hand, a combined approach had better diagnostic value. None of the laboratory parameters exhibited a predictive value. However, old age was significantly associated with biliary obstruction. CONCLUSION: MRCP, particularly when combined with ultrasound, is a useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of common biliary duct obstruction and may have the potential to eliminate the need for further ERCP in some patients. On the other hand, US alone does not seem to have acceptable diagnostic value. Further large and prospective studies are warranted to draw firm conclusions. KEY WORDS: Biliary Obstruction, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), Ultrasonography.

Challenges in Retrorectal Cysts: Is Preoperative Diagnosis Essential?

Developmental cysts are a subgroup of perirectal cysts seen extremely rarely. They have no symptoms in 50% of cases, and mostly occur among middle-aged women. The ratio of male to female is approximately 1/3. In the differential diagnosis, malignancies and pilonidal cysts are common. Although they usually occur as benign lesions, 30% of cases are reported as malignant in literature. Preoperative diagnosis is quite challenging, but may be essential for appropriate treatment. The main treatment is surgical removal of the entire cyst for the prevention of complications and the potential for malignancy. In addition to the trans-sacral or perineal approach, anterior laparoscopy can be performed as an optional surgical technique. Herein, we report two consecutive patients with two different developmental cyst pathologies. A 17-year girl, who had no specific symptoms for a retrorectal giant cyst, was admitted to this clinic because of pilonidal cyst disease. A giant retrorectal cyst was diagnosed through pelvic MRI,which was performed upon her reporting a mild fullness feeling. The other cyst was diagnosed in a 30-year woman who had mild gastrointestinal symptoms that could not be related to the cyst. Both underwent surgery via the trans-sacral approach. The cysts were completely removed without abdominal intervention. Key Words: Epidermoi cyst, Pilonidal cyst, Tail-gut cyst, Retrorectal Space.

Diverting Ileostomy Duration Is the Main Determinant of Ileostomy-Related Complications after Surgical Treatment of Rectum Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the development of ileostomy complications in rectal cancer patients, including those who received neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: This retrospective trial included 133 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer with temporary diverting ileostomy. Patients' demographic characteristics as well as the pre- and postclosure outcomes and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: In logistic regression analysis, longer duration of ileostomy emerged as a significant independent predictor of any complication during ileostomy. The respective odds ratios for 3-6 months and >6 months vs. <3 months of ileostomy duration were as follows: OR, 4.5 (95% CI, 1.2-16.7), p=0.023; and OR, 15.2 (95% CI, 3.1-75.2), p=0.001. An additional stepwise model also identified hypertension as a significant predictor. In stepwise logistic regression model, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy emerged as significant independent predictor of "any ileostomy-related complication after ileostomy closure": OR, 4.5 (2.0-10.2), p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Duration of ileostomy appears to be the main determinant of ileostomy-related complications. Patients who had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy had longer ileostomy duration, which may be attributed to the concerns of the surgeon or to the complications themselves.

Retrospective Analysis of Primary Suturing of the Internal Orifice of Perianal Fistula During FiLaC Procedure.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the results of the fistula-tract laser closure associated with primary closure of internal orifice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surgical objective was to seal the fistula tract using laser energy and closing internal orifice with purse-string suture. Between January 2017 and December 2018, 35 consecutive patients who underwent the laser closure plus internal orifice suturing included. In all 35 patients, the laser procedure was applied then internal orifice was primarily closed with 2-0 polyglactin suture after the debridement of necrotic tissue. RESULTS: Among 35 patients (11 female, 24 male), mean age was 43.9±12.9 years. Median follow-up was 11 months (6.0 to 17.6 mo). According to the Park classification; 21 patients (60%) had intersphincteric fistula, 12 (34%) had transsphincteric fistula, 2 (6%) had suprasphincteric or extrasphincteric fistula. There were low/simple and high/complex fistula in 21 (60%) and 14 patients (40%), respectively. Overall, 15/35 (42.9%) patients showed complete healing, 12/35 (34%) had slight drainage with minimal symptoms, 8/35 (22%) patients had persistent symptomatic drainage, and there was no patient with painful symptomatic drainage. On the basis of the Jorge-Wexner continence score, there was no significant difference in patients before and after the procedure. The perfect continence rate was achieved in 32 patients (91%). CONCLUSION: Although the absence of major and minor complications after Fistula Laser Closure (FiLaC) procedure seemed to be a major advantage, we thought that closure of the internal opening by primary suturing has no positive effect on the healing of the perianal fistula.

The Effect of Chest Physiotherapy After Bariatric Surgery on Pulmonary Functions, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chest physiotherapy (CP) applied to patients undergoing bariatric surgery on pulmonary functions, dyspnea levels, functional capacity, and quality of life. METHODS: The patients were randomized and divided into two groups each comprising 74 patients. CP and mobilization was applied to the patients in the first group, and only mobilization was applied to the patients in the second group. The treatment of the patients was started on the first postoperative day and continued until the postoperative 4th day. CP and mobilization were applied twice a day, 8 times in total. The following parameters were evaluated: arterial blood gas, oxygen saturation, respiratory function test for pulmonary functions, pulmonary artery pressure for pulmonary hypertension, Borg dyspnea score for severity of dyspnea, 6-min walk test(6MWT) for functional capacity, Nottingham Health Profile for quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 38.00 ± 7.04 years. Compared with pretreatment and posttreatment dyspnea score, 6MWT, oxygen saturation, vital capacity, tidal volume, PEF, pulmonary arterial pressure, and quality of life were significantly higher in patients who underwent CP compared with the control group(p = 0.008, 0.004, 0.005, 0.027, 0.029, 0.028, 0.007, 0.012).There was a significant improvement in all the parameters of the patients who underwent chest physiotherapy when compared with the intragroup comparisons, whereas in the control group, only 6MWT and quality of life score showed a significant improvement in the border (p = 0.037, 0.046). CONCLUSION: Postoperative CP applied to patients who had bariatric surgery showed that the patients improved their respiratory functions, regulated arterial blood gases, increased oxygen saturation, functional capacity and quality of life, and decreased dyspnea levels.

Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Left Donor Nephrectomy Without a Hand-assisted Device: Is it Possible?

BACKGROUND: Live donor nephrectomy is an important donor source. Donor nephrectomy can be performed by laparoscopy or hand-assisted laparoscopy. Different types of hand port devices can be used for assistance. In the literature there are few studies about hand-assisted laparoscopy without a hand port. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of not using a hand port for hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for kidney transplantation. METHODS: Patients who were operated on for kidney donation between January 2011 and June 2018 evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A, on whom a hand port was used, and group B, whose surgeries did not involve a hand port. The groups were compared for sex, age, body mass index, amount of intraoperative bleeding, warm ischemia time, duration of surgery, perioperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were 159 patients in group A and 146 patients in group B. There was no difference between the groups considering intraoperative bleeding, warm ischemia time, duration of surgery and postoperative early complications (P > .05 for all). CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy without a hand port can be considered an easy and effective method of laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic colon resection in patients with situs inversus totalis: Is it the same operation as in patients without situs inversus totalis?

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare condition. In this case, a patient who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection for repeated sigmoid colon diverticulitis with SIT was presented. Laparoscopy surgery in patients with this condition has some important technical differences than standard laparoscopic procedures. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to request surgical experience to perform safe laparoscopic surgery in patients with SIT.

Partial Cecum Necrosis as a Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in an Elderly Patient.

Partial necrosis of the cecum is a rare form of ischemic colitis with unknown etiology. A 68-year female patient was admitted due to a severe pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen for one week. One month ago, she had coronary artery bypass graft surgery with carotid endarterectomy. During physical examination, tenderness and rebound tenderness at the right lower quadrant were detected. Computed tomography showed a 7-mm tubular structure extending from the back of the cecum to the lower border of the liver. Laparoscopic appendectomy was planned with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. During laparoscopy, a 3x3 cm necrotic area was noticed on the lateral wall of the cecum. After conversion to open surgery, partial cecum resection and ileocolostomy with appendectomy were performed. She was discharged on the 6th postoperative day, uneventfully. An isolated non-occlusive mesenteric ischemic event should be thought as a differential diagnosis in elderly patients who have right lower quadrant pain with atypical presentation, if there is chronic cardiac or renal failure.

Should we perform routine prophylactic central neck dissection in patients with thyroid papillary microcarcinoma?

PURPOSE: Cervical lymph node (LN) metastases in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are common in tumors especially that are larger than 1cm. Ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND) is usually preferred even in the absence of a palpable LN. This study aims to clarify the incidence and predictive factors for occult ipsilateral central LN metastasis in these patients, and the management of patients without clinical evidence of metastasis. METHODS: 204 PTC patients were studied. The patients were divided into two according to the tumor size of ≤5mm or larger. Patient demographics, tumor properties, LN metastasis, preoperative neck ultrasonography findings and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 152 patients in study group-1 (nodule > 5 mm) and 52 patients in group-2 (nodule ≤ 5 mm). The mean tumor size was 11.9 mm. Overall, preoperative neck ultrasonography showed central neck LN in 25 (12.3%) patients, however, final pathology revealed metastatic LN at central compartment in 59 (28.9%) patients. There were 56 (27.5%) patients with metastasis in group-1 compared to 3 (1.4%) patients in group-2. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic CND is advised in PTC for the reduction of recurrence in central compartment. According to our results, in patients with tumors smaller than 5 mm and without evidence of nodal metastasis in preoperative neck ultrasonography, we do not recommend prophylactic CND.

Impact of breast cancer awareness month on detection of breast cancer in a private hospital.

Objective Breast cancer awareness month increases public awareness in association with increased rates of screening and new diagnoses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of breast cancer awareness month on primary diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods Asymptomatic women with the intention of breast cancer screening were included. The non-BCAM (Breast cancer awareness month) group were screened from February to September 2016 and the BCAM group during October 2016. Ultrasound and mammography were performed in all women and in those aged ≥ 40 years, respectively. A BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting And Data Systems) score of ≥4 and solid palpable masses without features suggestive of malignancy and/or the physician's preference were regarded as indications for histopathological analysis. Requirement for histopathological analysis and detection of breast cancer were identified as the main variables. Results There were 198 women with a mean age of 49.3 ± 9.5 years. Sixty-nine and 129 women were in the non-BCAM and BCAM groups, respectively. Percutaneous biopsy was performed in seven (10.1%) and three patients (2.3%) in the non-BCAM and BCAM groups, respectively ( P = 0.035). Pathological examinations were benign. Conclusion Although public awareness campaigns lead to increased rates of screening, they may lose their impact on detecting breast cancer because of widespread use of routine screening programs.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery for hydatid disease of the liver. A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Cystic Echinococcosis is a chronic parasitic infection, which is still an important problem in rural areas. Due to the development in technology, laparoscopic surgery has been introduced for the surgical treatment of hydatid disease of the liver (HD-L). The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for HD-L in a comparative analysis. METHODS: Between January 2010 and March 2014, medical records of 83 patients who underwent surgery for HD-L were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographic data, cystic features, operative details and postoperative outcomes were reviewed from the database. All patients were divided in two groups regarding the surgical approach; Group A (open surgery, n= 69) and Group B (laparoscopic surgery, n= 14) RESULTS: Both groups were similar regarding demographic variables and cystic features. In group B, mean operative time was significantly lower when compared to Group A (89±28 minutes vs. 144±19 minutes, respectively p<0,01). Hospital stay was also lower in laparoscopic group (3.38±0.7 vs 8.81±5.4 p<0,01). Overall postoperative complication was 19% and it was similar between groups. incidence of biliary fistula was 15% (n=13). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic approach in the treatment of HD-L is safe and feasible. Additionally, it has some advantages including shorter operative time and hospital length of stay. KEY WORDS: Conventional surgery, Hydatid disease of the liver, Laparoscopic approach, Surgical treatment.