A method for predicting mortality in acute mesenteric ischemia: Machine learning.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop and validate an artificial intelligence model using machine learning (ML) to predict hospital mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). METHODS: A total of 122 patients diagnosed with AMI at Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital between January 2011 and June 2023 were included in the study. These patients were divided into a training cohort (n=97) and a validation cohort (n=25), and further categorized as survivors and non-survivors during hospitalization. Serum-based laboratory results served as features. Hyperfeatures were eliminated using Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) in Python to optimize outcomes. ML algorithms and data analyses were performed using Python (version 3.7). RESULTS: Of the patients, 56.5% were male (n=69) and 43.5% were female (n=53). The mean age was 71.9 years (range 39-94 years). The mortality rate during hospitalization was 50% (n=61). To achieve optimal results, the model incorporated features such as age, red cell distribution width (RDW), C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, lactate, globulin, and creatinine. Success rates in test data were as follows: logistic regression (LG), 80%; random forest (RF), 60%; k-nearest neighbor (KN), 52%; multilayer perceptron (MLP), 72%; and support vector classifier (SVC), 84%. A voting classifier (VC), aggregating votes from all models, achieved an 84% success rate. Among the models, SVC (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.77, area under the curve (AUC) 0.90, Confidence Interval (95%): (0.83-0.84)) and VC (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.77, AUC 0.88, Confidence Interval (95%): (0.83-0.84)) were noted for their effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Independent risk factors for mortality were identified in patients with AMI. An efficient and rapid method using various ML models to predict mortality has been developed.

Double peptic ulcer perforation in a Covid-19 patient, extremely rare entity.

Peptic ulcer perforation is one of the leading causes of acute abdomen, presenting with acute abdominal pain and severe distress for the patient. In one-third of patients, the presentation is less dramatic, resulting in significant delays in diagnosis. Herein, we present a very rarest case operated on for diffuse purulent peritonitis with double perforation of the stomach in a COVID-19-positive patient, which had a depressing outcome.

Use of Silver Nitrate Application as Mini-Invasive Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cure rate and adverse effects of silver nitrate application for treatment of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD). Methods: Number of sinus pit orifices, and complications with silver nitrate application and debridement for sacrococcygeal PSD between January 2015 and July 2018 were analyzed in this retrospective study. Data were obtained from surgical, discharge, and outpatient follow-up records. Among 56 patients who were treated with silver nitrate stick, 11 patients with incomplete hospital records were excluded from the study. Demographic data including age, gender, length of follow-up, number of silver nitrate applications, number of involved sinuses and recurrence and complication rates were recorded. Results were expressed as frequencies, means, and range of values. The Mann Whitney U and chi square tests were used to evaluate significance. Results: Mean age was 24.3 +- 5.18 (range, 14 - 36) years, and recurrence occurred in 4 (8.9%) patients. Complications developed in 10 (22.2%) patients and included abscess, erythema, and necrosis in 5 (11.1%), 2 (4.4%), and 3 (6.6%) patients, respectively. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients who developed abscesses during the follow-up period (p = 0.001) than those who did not. There was no statistically significant correlation between the recurrence rate and number of sinuses or the number of silver nitrate applications. CONCLUSION: Low morbidity and high healing rates achieved with silver nitrate provide support for this application as a feasible and effective conservative outpatient treatment for PSD in certain patients.