Endovascular and surgical management of splenic artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Although true splenic artery aneurysms (SAA) are rare, due to advancements in imaging techniques, they are seen more frequently. The aim of this study is to present our strategy of managing patients with SAA. METHODS: Retrospectively, 13 patients who were treated in a tertiary university care center between 2012 and 2020 were included. Their demographic, clinical information, and post-operative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven male and six female patients were evaluated between the ages of 27 and 73. The mean age was 49.8±13.2. The diameter of the aneurysm was between 17 and 80 mm with a mean range of 31.5±16 mm. Seven patients were treated with endovascular interventions (EV). Two patients were referred to surgery with failed attempt of EV, but patients refused surgery and were followed up consequently. Patients who had larger aneurysms with an increased risk of rupture underwent aneurysmectomy and splenectomy. Conservative management was decided on two patients initially: A patient who was previously operated on for a sigmoid colon tumor, and had an aneurysm size of 15 mm and another patient with a surgical history of thoracic aortic dissection with an aneurysm size of 18 mm. One patient who underwent surgery had post-operative pancreatic fistula and was treated with percutaneous drainage. The treatment of the remaining 12 patients was completed without any further complications. CONCLUSION: Splenic artery aneurysm treatment should be individualized. Endovascular treatment can be considered for patients with stable aneurysms larger than 2 cm in the elective setting. Open surgical treatment should be considered in patients with ruptured SAA or hemodynamically unstable, complicated patients.

Integration of functional capacity to medically necessary, time-sensitive scoring system: A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate 2 new modifications to medically necessary, time-sensitive (MeNTS) scoring systems integrating functional capacity assessment in estimating intensive care unit (ICU) requirements. METHODS: This prospective observational study included patients undergoing elective surgeries between July 2021 and January 2022. The MeNTS scores and our 2 modified scores: MeNTS-METs (integrated Duke activity status index [DASI] as metabolic equivalents [METs]) and MeNTS-DASI-5Q (integrated modified DASI [M-DASI] as 5 questions) were calculated. The patients' ICU requirements (group ICU+ and group ICU-), DASIs, patient-surgery-anesthesia characteristics, hospital stay lengths, rehospitalizations, postoperative complications, and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: This study analyzed 718 patients. The MeNTS, MeNTS-METs, and MeNTS-DASI-5Q scores were higher in group ICU+ than in group ICU- (p<0.001). Group ICU+ had longer operation durations and hospital stay lengths (p<0.001), lower DASI scores (p<0.001), and greater hospital readmissions, postoperative complications, and mortality (p<0.001). The MeNTS-METs and MeNTS-DASI-5Q scores better predicted ICU requirement with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.806 and 0.804, than the original MeNTS (AUC=0.782). CONCLUSION: The 5-questionnaire M-DASI is easy to calculate and, when added to a triage score, is as reliable as the original DASI for predicting postoperative ICU requirements.

Clinical outcomes of obstructive colorectal cancer patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all aspects of clinical care including diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancers (CRCs) globally, including in Türkiye. During the initial peak of the pandemic, elective surgeries and outpatient clinics were restricted in addition to the government-imposed lockdown, resulting in a decrease in the number of colonoscopies being performed and patients admitted to inpatient wards for treatment of CRCs. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the pandemic has affected presentation characteristics and outcomes of obstructive colorectal cancer in this period. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study based on all CRC adenocarcinoma patients that underwent surgical resection in a high-volume tertiary referral center in Istanbul, Türkiye. Patients were divided into two groups before and after 15 months of identification of 'patient-zero' in Türkiye (March 18, 2020). Patient demographics, initial presentation characteristics, clin-ical outcomes, and pathological cancer stages were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 215 patients underwent resection for CRC adenocarcinoma during 30 months (COVID era: 107, pre-COVID era: 108). Patient characteristics, tumor location, and clinical staging were comparable between two groups. During the COVID period, the number of obstructive CRCs (P<0.01) and emergency presentations (P<0.01) increased significantly compared to the respective pre-COVID period. However, there were no differences between 30-day morbidity, mortality, and pathological outcomes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the results of our study indicate a significant increase in emergency presentation and a decrease in elective admissions of CRCs during the pandemic, patients treated during the COVID period were not at a significant disadvantage in terms of post-operative outcomes. Further efforts should be made to decrease risks related to an emergency presentation of CRCs for future adverse events.

Is emergency gastrointestinal system tumor surgery safe under treatment of antitrombotics?

BACKGROUND: The use of antitrombotic (antiaggregant and anticoagulant) drugs is increasing all over the world and in our coun-try. About 12.6% of patients who underwent gastrointestinal tumor surgery receive antitrombotic therapy for various reasons, and in this study, we aimed to demonstrate the safe feasibility of elective or emergency gastrointestinal tumor surgery with the correct perioperative antitrombotic therapy management. METHODS: The patients who were planned for gastrointestinal tumor surgery under antitrombotic treatment were analyzed in three groups as those whose pre-operative treatment management treatment was discontinued, those who underwent bridging treat-ment, and those whose treatment continued. Anti-embolic stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression devices were applied to all patients preoperatively and postoperatively as mechanical prophylaxis. Post-operative complications, especially post-operative bleeding and thrombosis, were evaluated using the Clavien-Dindo post-operative complication classification. RESULTS: When patients who were under antithrombotic therapy, whose therapy was discontinued, and who underwent surgery under bridging therapy, no significant difference was found between the three groups in terms of bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: In tertiary centers with high clinical experience, elective and emergency gastrointestinal system tumour surgery can be safely performed under antitrombotic therapy without increasing the thromboembolic risk.

Can ionized calcium levels and platelet counts used for estimating the prognosis of pediatric trauma patients admitted to the emergency surgery intensive care?

BACKGROUND: Injury is the leading cause of death for pediatric population older than 1 year of age and 95% of those deaths are from the low- and middle-income countries. Most of those injured pediatric patients are treated in general hospitals. In designated trauma centers, the outcomes of severely injured patients are better. Scoring systems used frequently in intensive care units (ICUs) to make triage easier and to estimate prognosis. However, some of the scores may require additional expensive and sometimes time consuming tests. The purpose of the present study was to compare the usefulness of several scoring systems with initial ionized calcium levels and platelet counts to predict prognosis of pediatric trauma patients admitted to the emergency surgery department. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed at a tertiary university hospital. The patients' ages, genders, trauma etiologies, types of trauma, time of trauma, transport place (primary or secondary), duration of stay in the ICU and in the hospital, mortality rates, initial ionized calcium levels (Ca+2), initial platelet counts, and data of several trauma scores (GCS, RTS, ISS, TRISS, and PTS) were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen pediatric trauma patients were admitted to the ICU. The mean age was 77.8±54 months. Most of them were male, falls were the primary mechanism of injury, and head trauma was the most common pattern of injury. The mortality rate was 15.8%, and the admission values for Ca+2, platelet counts, GCS, RTS, TRISS, and PTS had been found higher for patients who survived, while ISS scores were higher for those who had died. CONCLUSION: It was found that pediatric patients admitted to the ICU were younger than 10 years, of whom most of them were male. Falls were the most common mechanism of injury, and head trauma was present in most of the pediatric patients admitted to the ICU. Initial Ca+2 levels and platelet counts can be used along with the trauma scoring systems in predicting mortality and overall survey regarding pediatric trauma patients.

A rare cause of acute abdominal pain: Actinomyces infection of colon mimicking a malignant neoplasm due to intrauterine device.

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic granulomatous disease that is challenging to diagnose because the clinical symptoms and signs are nonspecific. Usage of intrauterine device (IUD) or being immunocompromised is facilitating factors. Clinical and radiological findings can mimic malignant neoplasm, inflammatory bowel disorder, or acute diverticulitis. We report a case of actinomyces infection of the colon secondary to IUD, which is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain and can mimic a malignant neoplasm. We also provide a review of the literature. Unnecessary surgery can be avoided with the correct diagnosis of granulomatous infectious diseases that can be treated with antibiotics.

Airway management of major blunt tracheal and esophageal injury: A case report.

Trans-sectional injuries of trachea are quite rare and can be extremely challenging for anesthesiologists to deal with. About 25% of post-traumatic deaths are due to thoracic traumas in which blunt injuries take a rather small place within and the resultant damage of respiratory tract is quite rare with an incidence of 0.5-2%. A recent review from a single trauma center revealed an incidence of 0.4% for tracheobronchial injury (TBI) due to blunt thoracic injuries. Most of the patients having tracheal transection lose their lives on the field due to loss of airway. Patients mostly present with a large spectrum of clinical features varying from hoarseness to respiratory collapse; though subcutaneous emphysema is the most common presenting sign which should remind possible TBI. Emergent surgery is preferred seldomly; such in cases of partial damage or because of late diagnosis, due to favorable outcome of conservative approach. Herein, we report the management of a case on TBI due to blunt thoracic trauma, experiencing difficult ventilation despite tracheal intubation. Fiber-optic bronchoscope (FOB) seems obligatory to visualize site and severity of injury and to ensure safe airway during procedures such as the neck exploration, primary end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea, tracheostomy, diversion pharyngostomy, and feeding jejunostomy.

Evaluation of Postoperative Complication with Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive Scoring System During Acute COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: High scores in the Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive (MeNTS) scoring system, used for elective surgical prioritization during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, are assumed to be associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the MeNTS scoring system in patients undergoing elective surgery during restricted capacity of our institution, with or without moderate or severe postoperative complications. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective observational study, MeNTS scores of patients undergoing elective operations during May and June 2020 were calculated. Postoperative complication severity (classified as Group Clavien-Dindo < II or Group Clavien-Dindo ≥ II), as well as Duke Activity Index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, presence of smoking, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), operation and anesthesia characteristics, intensive care requirement and duration, length of hospital stay, rehospitalization, and mortality were noted. RESULTS: There were 223 patients analyzed. MeNTS score was higher in the Clavien-Dindo ≥ II Group compared with the Clavien-Dindo < II Group (50.98 ± 8.98 vs 44.27 ± 8.90 respectively, p < 0.001). Duke activity status index (DASI) scores were lower, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class, presence of smoking, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, elevated CRP, and intensive care requirement were higher in the Clavien-Dindo ≥ II Group (p < 0.01). Length of hospital stay was longer in the Clavien-Dindo ≥ II Group (15 [range 2-90] vs 4 [1-30] days; p < 0.001). Mortality was observed in 8 patients. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MeNTS and DASI were 0.69 and 0.71, respectively, for predicting moderate/severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although significant, MeNTS score had low discriminating power in distinguishing patients with moderate/severe complications. Incorporation of a cardiovascular functional capacity measure could improve the scoring system.

A New Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Gel for Preventing Adhesion After Thyroid Surgery: An Animal Study.

BACKGROUND: Revision of any neck surgeries is usually associated with increased rate of complications compared to the initial surgery due to adhesions. Especially, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism are most important postoperative complications of thyroid revision surgery. This study aimed to reveal anti-adhesive effects of cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel (NCHAG) in thyroid surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed in 16 adult male rats who underwent hemithyroidectomy in the right lobe and randomized into two experimental groups: Group I (control group) was given any substance and Group II (NCHA group) received NCHA spray into their perithyroidal area. The rats were sacrificed after three weeks of thyroidectomy for assessment. RESULTS: Gross adhesions score (x̄ = 2.500) was significantly higher in Group I than Group II (x̄=1.750; P = 0.031). Group II showed significantly less fibrosis compared to the Group I (P = 0.002). The rate of inflammation was found to be significantly higher in group I (P = 0.008). Vascular proliferation was not different between two groups (p=0.083). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that NCHA can reduce postoperative adhesion and might be effective in preventing fibrosis after the thyroidectomy. Although this study could not demonstrate that application of NCHA is able to reduce complication rate in revision neck surgery, it could be safely used after thyroidectomy and neck surgeries to prevent adhesions.

Assessment of demographic, clinical and histopathological features of patients who underwent appendectomy due to a presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical, biochemical, and histopathological features of patients who underwent appendectomy due to a presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AAp). METHODS: The demographic, biochemical and histopathological data of 8206 patients who underwent appendectomy for AAp between January 2006 and March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients were compared regarding the following characteristics: disruption by season (autumn vs. winter vs. spring vs. summer), working days (weekdays vs. weekends), histopathological findings (AAp vs. normal appendix [NAp]) and histopathological subgroup (non-perforated AAp vs. perforated AAp vs. NAp). RESULTS: Of the 8206 patients aged between 16 and 89 years, 4763 (58.0%) were male. Appendectomy distribution by season was as follows: autumn (n=1959; 23.9%), winter (n=2062; 25.1%), spring (n=2061; 25.1%) and summer (n=2124, 25.9%). NAp rates were higher in summer than those in other seasons. White blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil levels were significantly higher in autumn and winter compared with those in other seasons. In total, 6120 (74.6%) appendectomies occurred on weekdays and 2086 (25.4%) on weekends. WBC and neutrophil levels were significantly higher on weekends than those on weekdays. Appendectomy distribution by histopathological groups as follows: AAp (n=7414; 90.3%) and NAp (n=792; 9.7%). Appendectomy distribution by histopathological subgroups was as follows: non-perforated AAp (n=6966; 84.9%), perforated AAp (n=448; 5.5%), and NAp (n=792; 9.7%). WBC, neutrophil, and TBil levels in the non-perforated and perforated AAp groups were significantly higher than in the NAp group. While most of the patients with perforated AAp (62.1%) and non-perforated AAp (59.6%) were males, most of the patients with NAp (58.1%) were females. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a relationship exists between demographic features, histopathological findings of appendectomy specimens, seasons, days of the week, and working days in patients undergoing appendectomy.

Factors predicting severity level, progression and recurrence risk of acute left colonic diverticulitis in Turkey: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Acute left colonic diverticulitis (ALCD) ranges from localized diverticulitis to perforation and fecal peritonitis, and treatment varies from conservative management to emergency surgery. The risk factors for recurrence following nonoperative management of ALCD is still controversial. We aimed to define the factors predicting severity level, progression and recurrence risk of ALCD to timely select patients requiring surgery. METHODS: This is a multicenter study where patients were included on accrual. Patients in our clinic between December 2017 and June 2019 with ALCD above 18 years of age were included (n=144) in this study, while 18 years and younger, pregnant or nursing mothers, those with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, colorectal and/or anal cancer were excluded from this study. Laboratory parameters, Modified Hinchey Scores, clinical features, demographics, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, previous diverticulitis episodes, chronic diseases of patients with ALCD, as well as recurrences within 18 months after discharge were evaluated. RESULTS: The findings showed that smoking was more common in patients with previous episodes (p=0.04) and patients who underwent emergency surgery (p=0.04). Recurrence was higher in Modified Hinchey 1b and 2 (p=0.03) than 0 and 1a. Patients who were older than 50y had a higher propensity to undergo emergency surgery than the patients younger than 50y (p=0.049). Nausea, fever, respiratory rate, procalcitonin, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were higher in patients with Modified Hinchey 4 (p=0.03, 0.049, 0.02, 0.001, 0.002, 0.001, respectively). Recurrence was higher in patients with a smoking history, previous ALCD episodes, lower body mass index and pandiverticulitis. CONCLUSION: Laboratory parameters, body mass index, age, clinical features, previous episodes of diverticulitis and smoking may predict the severity and progression of ALCD. Smoking and having low BMI seem to be precursors of ALCD recurrence, especially when the patient with MHS 1b or 2 had at least one previous episode of ALCD. Control colonoscopy results are predictive of recurrence.

Recommendations for Trauma and Emergency General Surgery Practice During COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 is a new disease, based on currently available limited information, older adults and people of any age who have severe underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. People of all age groups are also at risk. Healthcare providers have always been the professionals most exposed to the risk of contracting to any kind of infection due to the nature of their profession. Elective interventions have been postponed to give care of patients with COVID-19. However, some interventions cannot be delayed, such as trauma surgery, acute abdomen, and emergency endoscopies. To maintain the sustainability of the healthcare system, the protection of healthcare providers should be the top priority. On the other hand, patients, who need emergency healthcare, should also be provided with appropriate treatment. Healthcare professionals should choose a treatment method appropriately in the circumstances to protect themselves and their patients as much as possible. This paper aims to summarize how a surgeon may act appropriately when an intervention is inevitable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of risk factors of mortality in abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to analyze blunt and penetrating abdominal traumas that were evaluated in our emergency department, the treatment approaches and risk factors of mortality. METHODS: Six hundred and sixty-four patients were admitted to our emergency department for surgical evaluation for trauma between January 2009 and April 2019. After the exclusion of dead on arrival, patients with missing data and patients without abdominal trauma were excluded from this study. Hundred and thirteen patients with abdominal trauma admitted to our department were evaluated in this study. Demographic, clinical, prognostic and mortality related factors were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36.08±16.1 years. There were 90 male patients. Eighty patients (70.8%) had blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Twenty-eight patients (24.7%) had isolated liver and two patients (1.7%) had isolated spleen injury. Combined liver and spleen injury was found in two patients (1.7%). Twenty-two (19.4%) patients had mortality. Causes of mortality were an irreversible hemorrhagic shock (40.9%) and central nervous system (13.6%) injuries. BAT was the main mechanism of injury in patients with mortality (86.4% versus 67%; p<0.001). The frequency of retroperitoneal injury was significantly higher in patients with mortality (50% versus 16.5%, p<0.001). The frequency of extra-abdominal injury in patients with mortality was higher (68.1% versus 49.4%; p=0.047). Mean arterial pressure at admission was found to be significantly lower in patients with mortality (67±26.8 mmHg versus 84.3±17 mmHg; p=0.02). The number of packed erythrocytes transfused in patients with mortality was higher (8.8±8.6 versus 3.3±5.9 units; p=0.047). Mean international normalized ratio (INR) was significantly higher in patients with mortality (4.3±7.1 versus 2.7±4; p=0.016). Mean lactate dehydrogenase level was higher in patients with mortality (1685.7±333.8 versus 675.8±565.3 IU/mL; p<0.001). Mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly higher in patients with mortality (430±619 versus 244±448 IU/mL; p<0.001). Mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in patients with mortality was higher (76.9±72.8 versus 67.3±27.8 IU/mL; p=0.003). The presence of retroperitoneal injury and ALT >516 IU/mL were independent risk factors o mortality. CONCLUSION: We have found certain laboratory variables to increase in patients with mortality. These are related to the severity of trauma. Retroperitoneal injury and increased ALT levels being risk factors of mortality is the most important finding of this study. Our results can guide other centers in the evaluation of trauma patients, and high-risk groups can be identified.

Endoscopic treatment of postoperative biliary fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Biliary fistula is one of the most common complications of liver and biliary tract surgeries. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary fistulas. In this study, we aimed to analyze the contribution of ERCP in this regard. METHODS: Patients who underwent ERCP for biliary fistulas following liver and biliary tract surgery between January 2012 and December 2017 were included in this study. The demographic characteristics of the patient, surgical procedure, localization of the biliary fistula, classification of biliary duct injury, and success of ERCP were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 90 patients (37 male and 53 female) with a diagnosis of biliary fistula underwent ERCP. Common biliary duct (CBD) cannulation was achieved in 87 patients using ERCP. In five patients, the proximal part of the biliary tract was not visualized, and complete injury of CBD was considered. In ERCP, contrast extravasation was detected in the cystic duct in 44 patients: CBD, eight patients; liver bed, four patients; hepatic duct bifurcation, two patients; the right hepatic canal, seven patients; and the left hepatic canal, two patients. CONCLUSION: ERCP is an effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary diseases. The diagnosis and treatment of postoperative biliary fistulas with ERCP reduces surgery cost, morbidity, and mortality.

Discussing treatment strategies for acute mechanical intestinal obstruction caused by phytobezoar: A single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to discuss management strategies regarding phytobezoar induced ileus based upon clinical results. METHODS: In the present study, between December 2012 and December 2018, a total of 25 patients who were diagnosed with phytobezoar were evaluated retrospectively. Patients who had acute mechanical intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoars at different segments of gastrointestinal (GI) tract were included in this study. The clinical data (such as clinical findings, laboratory results, radiological evaluations, treatment methods) of the patients were examined. RESULTS: Twenty five patients were included in this study. Of the 25 patients, 13 were women (52%). The median age was 60 (31-84) years, and the overall median length of the stay was 7 (2-28) days. Previous abdominal surgery had been recorded for 13 patients (72%). Two patients (8%) were followed up conservatively, whereas 20 (80%) patients had needed surgical intervention. One (4%) patient underwent surgery for distal ileal obstruction due to the pieces of bezoar that crumbled with previous endoscopic intervention. Three of the patients had complications, such as surgical site infection, wound dehiscence and paralytic ileus in the postoperative period. There were no differences between milking and gastrotomy/enterotomy groups according to the length of stay and postoperative complications. One patient died on the 13th postoperative day due to multi-organ failure. The mortality rate was 4%. CONCLUSION: Phytobezoars, which are common with many other different surgical entities, can be located at any segment of the gastrointestinal tract and may cause obstruction, strangulation and/or even perforation. Contrast-enhanced CT scan must be performed in case of suspicion and to rule out any other causes of acute mechanical intestinal obstruction. Conservative and endoscopic procedures may be useful for selected patients, but the surgical treatment may be needed for the vast majority of the patients with phytobezoar. The surgery is safe for phytobezoar if the enterotomy site is chosen wisely.

Spontaneous transvaginal small bowel evisceration following hysterectomy: a case report.

Transvaginal small bowel evisceration is a rare, life-threatening condition, requiring urgent surgical intervention. In our case, ischemia developed in the intestinal segment with evisceration, with a laceration in the small intestine of the mesentery, and finally, a small bowel resection was required. An 89-year-old woman was brought to the hospital with a sudden onset of abdominal pain, which lasted for 4 hours. Upon the examination, it was found that approximately 50 cm of the small intestine was eviscerated from the vagina, with its mesentery. The intestines were edematous, and also there were signs of ischemia on the mesentery. The patient was urgently transferred to surgery. Functional end-to-end anastomosis was performed, following a 70 cm small bowel resection. The vaginal defect was repaired transvaginally. Transvaginal small bowel evisceration is rarely described in the literature. It is most commonly seen in postmenopausal, elderly women who underwent vaginal surgery before and who have enterocele. The treatment is an emergent surgical approach. Surgical treatment should be based on individual patient. Various surgical techniques have been described for the repair of transvaginal small bowel evisceration, such as vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic, and combined approaches. Transvaginal small bowel evisceration should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with a sudden onset abdominal pain. Patients with an increased risk for transvaginal small bowel evisceration are postmenopausal women and patients who underwent vaginal surgery before. After the accurate diagnosis, patients should be operated as soon as possible, and necessary surgery should be done.

Infectious Complications of Induction Therapies in Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK virus (BKV) are post-transplant opportunistic viral infections that affect patient and graft survival. This study was designed to evaluate the risk of BKV nephropathy and CMV disease in kidney transplant recipients who received induction therapy with ATG or basiliximab. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed information on 257 adult patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2007 and 2017. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the induction therapies. The primary endpoint was the onset of CMV disease or biopsy-confirmed BKV nephropathy. The secondary endpoints were biopsy-proven rejection episodes, graft loss, loss to follow-up, and death. RESULTS We followed 257 patients for a median of 55.5 months. The incidence of CMV disease was significantly higher in the only ATG group compared to the group without induction treatment (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of BKV nephropathy among groups (p>0.05). The dosage of ATG (OR, 10.685; 95% CI, 1.343 5 to 85.009; P=0.025) was independent risk factor for death. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that a higher dosage of ATG in high-risk patients is associated with an increased risk of CMV disease and patient death, also, reducing the dosage may be a rational strategy for increasing graft and patient's survival.

Surgical treatment of post-transplant encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) related to peritoneal dialysis (PD) has a vague etiology and high mortality. In this study, our aim was to determine treatment options for EPS cases. METHODS: A total of 169 patients underwent kidney transplantation from January 2008 to January 2018 and 119 patients from a cadaveric and 50 patients from a living donor. Twenty-one patients were undergoing PD before the transplantation. The mean PD time was 6.9 (IQR 3-14) years. Four patients received surgical treatment for EPS that occurred after the transplant. After the surgical treatment, 2 patients died because of sepsis. Two patients were discharged without complications, but 1 had late-term EPS recurrence. RESULTS: EPS is a rare but serious complication of long-term PD. It has a high mortality and morbidity rate. Long-term PD is the most significant factor for triggering EPS. Nutritional support and surgical intervention is the next step if medical treatment fails. Resistant cases should be treated surgically without much delay before the condition deteriorates. CONCLUSION: It can be especially devastating for patients with a long-term PD history to have EPS after a successful transplant. Because EPS is a challenging condition, its management should be done in experienced clinics to decrease its mortality and morbidity rates.

Management of Acute Cholecystitis During Pregnancy: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to present to evaluate the results of two different approaches in the management of acute cholecystitis during pregnancy: immediate surgery and delayed surgery following conservative management. METHODS: In this study, 20 pregnant women who were treated in our clinic for acute cholecystitis between 2010 and 2018 were included in the analysis. Demographic characteristics, parameters related with acute cholecystitis (gallbladder wall thickness, laboratory data), duration of hospitalization, readmission rates, and preterm labor rate were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The median age was 29.5 years. The median gestational week was 20 (6-32) weeks. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 6 (30%) patients on admittance. When compared with the conservative management group, patients who received immediate surgery had higher gallbladder wall thickness. WBC count, and CRP, ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, readmission rate and duration of hospitalization were lower in the patients who underwent immediate surgery (p<0.05). The preterm labor rate in conservative management and immediate surgery groups were 28.5% and 0%, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, even though these patients had thicker gallbladder wall and higher inflammatory markers suggesting severe inflammation, the outcome of early surgery was better than conservative management. Although the characteristics of the conservative management group was more favorable, complication rate seemed to be high.