Serum amylase on postoperative day one is a strong predictor of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective cohort.

Background/aim: Early identification of patients at risk for developing postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) may facilitate drain management. In this context, it was aimed to examine the efficiency of the serum amylase (SA) value on postoperative day (PoD) 1 in predicting the occurrence of POPF. Materials and methods: A total of 132 patients who underwent PD were studied. Occurrences of POPF were classified according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula classification as a biochemical leak (BL) or clinically relevant grade b/c POPF (CR-POPF). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a threshold value of SA on PoD 1 associated with POPF formation. Results: Overall, 66 (50%) patients had POPF, including 51 (38.7%) with BL and 15 with CR-POPF (11.3%). The threshold value of SA associated with the development of POPF was 120 IU/L (odds ratio [OR]: 3.20; p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, independent POPF risk factors were SA ≥120 IU/L, soft pancreatic texture, and high-risk pathology (i.e., duodenal, biliary, ampullary, islet cell, and benign tumors); SA ≥120 IU/L outperformed soft pancreatic texture and high-risk pathology in predicting POPF, respectively (OR: 2.22; p = 0.004 vs. OR: 1.37; p = 0.012 vs. OR: 1.35; p = 0.018). In a subset analysis according to gland texture (soft vs. hard), patients with soft pancreatic texture exhibited a significantly higher incidence of POPF (63.4% vs. 34.4%) and SA ≥120 IU/L (52.1% vs. 27.9%); SA <120 IU/L had a negative predictive value of 82.5% for developing POPF in patients with hard pancreatic texture (OR: 4.28, p = 0.028). Conclusion: A SA value ≥120 IU/L on the day after PD, which is the strongest predictor for POPF, can be used as a biomarker of the occurrence of POPF. The advantage of SA measurement is that it can contribute to identifying suitable patients for early drain removal.

Perforated hemorrhagic cholecystitis in a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Bernard-Soulier syndrome is an inherited coagulopathy, with an incidence of one per million. Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare and life-threatening complication of acute cholecystitis. Less than 50 patients have been reported in the previous literature. Bleeding diathesis and anticoagulant treatment are well-known predisposing factors for hemorrhagic cholecystitis. We present a 57-year-old male patient who was referred to our department with a complaint of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a high-density mass associated with the gallbladder lumen, and blood clot in the gallbladder lumen and hemoperitoneum which were compatible for hemorrhagic cholecystitis and gallbladder perforation. The patient underwent urgent cholecystectomy. Hemorrhagic cholecystitis often manifests as typical acute cholecystitis presentation; but several clinical findings such as fever, lower gastrointestinal bleeding or severe intraabdominal bleeding-related hypovolemic shock may also occur. Most of the described cases in prior literature have been reported to use anticoagulant medications. This report describes the second hemorrhagic cholecystitis patient with inherited bleeding diathesis and the first case with Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Postoperative hemorrhage complications following the Whipple procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Although the Whipple operation is an essential surgical technique, its high morbidity (30% to 60%) and mortality (5%) are problems to be addressed. The incidence of postoperative hemorrhage has been reported between 5% and 16% in the literature. In this study, the data and results regarding postoperative hemorrhage complications from our clinic were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of 185 patients who had undergone Whipple operation in our hospital in the last five years were evaluated retrospectively, and the causes of hemorrhage were attempted to be determined. RESULTS: It was found that 6 out of the 13 (7%) patients who had hemorrhage died. In six of there 13 cases, hemorrhage occurred due to fistulas from the portal vein, gastroduodenal artery, and pancreatic arteries at variable periods. Two cases were found to have developed disseminated intravascular coagulation as a result of sepsis. Early intervention was performed in two cases who bled from the meso veins and in one case who bled from the portal vein. Laparotomy and hemostasis were performed in a patient who bled from the gastric anastomosis line. In a patient who had been taking low molecular weight heparin, bleeding from the drains and nasogastric tube stopped following the cessation of the drug. CONCLUSION: Preventive procedures such as connection of the vascular structures, use of vascular sealants, omental patching during surgery, and reducing the risk of complications by using somatostatin analogs were performed to prevent hemorrhages after Whipple operations. In addition to standard methods, angiography and embolization have emerged as effective methods in the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhages. Furthermore, determination and elimination of independent risk factors, such as jaundice, affecting fistula formation and bleeding in the perioperative period, is important for prevention.

Spontaneous True Gastroduodenal Artery Aneurysm Rupture after an Inguinal Hernia Operation.

Gastroduodenal artery aneurysms are a very rare subtype of visceral artery aneurysms. These are divided into two groups as true and pseudoaneurysms. Pseudogastroduodenal artery aneurysms, which develops secondary to pancreatitis, is seen more frequently, whereas the true aneurysms are much less common. Spontaneous rupture may be fatal. Sudden onset of abdominal pain and hypotension are the most important clinical findings. Endovascular interventions are the gold standard for diagnosis. Regardless of their sizes, GDA aneurysms should be treated as soon as possible. In patients diagnosed with gastroduodenal artery aneurysm rupture, endovascular embolization is recommended if the hemodynamics is stable and surgical treatment, if not. Aneurysm ruptures, especially from the GDA divisions, are deeply localized in the pancreas parenchyma and are difficult to detect during the operation. In such cases, the earliest postoperative diagnosis with endovascular intervention and applying embolization are life-saving. The purpose of this study to present a true rupture of gastroduodenal artery aneurysm case causing hemorrhagic shock after the inguinal hernia operation and diagnosed by endovascular intervention after emergency surgical exploration.

Endometriosis within the sigmoid colon/extragenital endometriosis.

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Although it is common in women in the reproductive age, intestinal endometriosis is extremely rare and may lead to serious clinical problems. In this article, we present two rare cases of endometriosis localized in the sigmoid colon lumen. The first case is a 45 year-old female complaining of rectal bleeding for 6 months. A polypoid lesion with suspicion of malignancy, 3-4 cm in size was identified at colonoscopy. Laparoscopic anterior resection was performed since it was not suitable for colonoscopic polypectomy. The pathology examination revealed extragenital endometriosis. The second case is a 36 year-old female admitted for lower abdominal pain and rectal bleeding for the last 3 months. She was diagnosed with sigmoid diverticulitis. The patient's symptoms regressed with medical treatment, but due to early and multiple recurrent episodes it was decided to perform an elective laparoscopic anterior resection. The pathology report stated diverticulosis coli and intraluminal endometriosis. Intestinal endometriosis should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in female patients of the reproductive age who present with constipation, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, cramp-like abdominal pain, diarrhea and pelvic pain. In these patients, resection and anastomosis of the effected bowel segment is accepted as the choice of treatment.

Salivary Gland Like Breast Carcinoma/Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: Case Report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast constitutes approximately 0.1% of all breast tumors. They can be located in the trachea, bronchus, cervix, lacrimal gland, and skin as well as the breast. Tumors in the breast have better prognoses compared to those in other locations. The diagnosis and treatment planning of this tumor is challenging due to its rare incidence. In this article, we presented a case that was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast upon pathology evaluation. A 59-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic due to a mass in her right breast. Her mammography revealed a 1 cm in diameter mass in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast, which was classified as BIRADS 4C (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System). On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the lesion was also reported as BIRADS 4C. The patient underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS), and the pathology result was reported as adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. The patient received chemo-radiotherapy in the postoperative period. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast has been first described in the salivary glands. They can be confused with benign lesions both on physical and radiological examinations. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be used since axillary metastases are rare. Local recurrence and distant metastases are also very rare. Usually, BCS followed by radiotherapy is adequate to obtain local control. In selected patients with a poor prognosis, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy should be added to the treatment.