Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Reduces Hospital Costs and Length of Hospital Stay in Radical Cystectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols challenge the conventional and rigid methods of surgery and anesthesia and bring about novel changes that are quite drastic. The core principle of the protocol is to minimize the metabolic disturbance caused by surgical injury, facilitate the restoration of functions in a brief period, and promote the resumption of normal activity at the earliest. To compare the outcomes of ERAS and standard protocol for patients who have undergone radical cystectomy (RC) with ileal conduit urinary diversion. This prospective randomized controlled study was performed between 2015 and 2023. The 77 patients were divided into two groups ERAS (n=39) and Standard (n=38) by sequential randomization. These two groups are divided according to protocols of bowel preparation, anesthesia, and postoperative nutrition. The clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores were recorded. Perioperative findings, the degree of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, and the total cost of treatment were recorded and analyzed. Length of hospital stay (18.82±9.25 day vs 27.34±15.05 day), and cost of treatment (2168,2±933$ 2879±1806$) were higher in the standard group. The rate of nausea and vomiting and the use of antiemetics were higher in the ERAS group compared to the standard group. In patients undergoing RC, the ERAS protocol was found to shorten the duration of hospitalization and reduce the total cost of hospital stay.

The Potential Prognostic Significance of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for the Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) Score in Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Background: We discuss the role of Laboratory Risk Indicator for the Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) on the prognosis of this disease. Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is characterised by rapid spreading of infection and necrosis of the soft tissues and fascia. Methods: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female, mean age 57.5 years) were treated between 2011- 2016 (in our center); they were analysed retrospectively regarding age, sex, isolated microbiological agents, modalities of treatment and mortality rate. Results: The majority of the infections were detected in the perineum (14 patients). Other sites of infection were: the presacral region (3 patients), as well as abdominal region after elective (10 patients) and emergency surgery (2 patients), respectively. 53.3% of patients had at least one predisposing comorbid factor such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The tissue cultures were positive in 12 patients. Mean LRINEC score on admission was 8.5 +-2.85. There was a strong correlation between LRINEC score and patient age (p=0.018, R=0.43). LRINEC score was affected by neither gender nor the presence of any comorbidities. The patients were classified according to Wang and Wong staging system, as follows: one patient in stage 1, 15 patients in stage 2 and 14 patients in stage 3. Patients with higher Wang and Wong stages had significantly higher LRINEC scores. The mortality rate was 16.7%. The mean LRINEC score of deceased patients compared to patients who were successfully treated was 9.2Â+-2.2 and 8.36Â+-2.9. Conclusion: Even though LRINEC score and Wang and Wong stage were significatly related with ICU stay, their direct effect on mortality wasn't significant in our study.

Current Statement of Intensive Care Units in Turkey: Data obtained from 67 Centers.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to obtain information about the characteristics of the ICUs in our country via a point prevalence study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was planned by the Respiratory Failure and Intensive Care Assembly of Turkish Thoracic Society. A questionnaire was prepared and invitations were sent from the association's communication channels to reach the whole country. Data were collected through all participating intensivists between the October 26, 2016 at 08:00 and October 27, 2016 at 08:00. RESULTS: Data were collected from the 67 centers. Overall, 76.1% of the ICUs were managed with a closed system. In total, 35.8% (n=24) of ICUs were levels of care (LOC) 2 and 64.2% (n=43) were LOC 3. The median total numbers of ICU beds, LOC 2, and LOC 3 beds were 12 (8-23), 14 (10-25), and 12 (8-20), respectively. The median number of ventilators was 12 (7-21) and that of ventilators with non-invasive ventilation mode was 11 (6-20). The median numbers of patients per physician during day and night were 3.9 (2.3-8) and 13 (9-23), respectively. The median number of patients per nurse was 2.5 (2-3.1); 88.1% of the nurses were certified by national certification corporation. CONCLUSION: In terms of the number of staff, there is a need for specialist physicians, especially during the night and nurses in our country. It was thought that the number of ICU-certified nurses was comparatively sufficient, yet the target was supposed to be 100% for this rate.

Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in a Patient with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Pilot Study.

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have been introduced as a possible therapy in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We report a 16-year-old boy who was treated with WJ-MSCs in the course of HIE due to post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He received a long period of mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy with spastic quadriparesis. He underwent the intrathecal (1×106/kg in 3 mL), intramuscular (1×106/kg in 20 mL) and intravenous (1×106/kg in 30 mL) administrations of WJ-MSCs for each application route (twice a month for 2 months). After stem cell infusions, progressive improvements were shown in his neurological examination, neuroradiological, and neurophysiological findings. To our best knowledge, this is a pioneer project to clinically study the neural repair effect of WJ-MSCs in a patient with HIE.

Ankle Nerve Block Adjuvant to General Anesthesia Reduces Postsurgical Pain and Improves Functional Outcomes in Hallux Valgus Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pain is a frequent problem after orthopedic procedures like hallux valgus surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ankle block improves early and mid-term functional outcomes and postoperative pain management after hallux valgus surgery in patients receiving general anesthesia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial investigated 60 patients who underwent hallux valgus surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: general anesthesia only (group A) and ankle block added to general anesthesia (group B). Age, body-mass index, tourniquet time, duration of surgery, first analgesic need time, perioperative analgesic regimen, visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), and length of hospital stay were recorded. Independent variables were analyzed by t test. Nonparametric data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Patient age, demographics, and body mass indices were similar between the 2 groups. The average length of hospital stay was significantly longer in group A (p < 0.01). Group B had a longer time to first analgesic need than group A (p < 0.01). Patients in group B required less analgesic during the postoperative period. Preoperative VAS and AOFAS scores were not statistically dif ferent between the 2 groups. The postoperative day 1 VAS score was significantly lower in group B than in group A. Follow-up visits at 3, 6, and 12 months showed significantly lower VAS and higher AOFAS scores in group B than group A. CONCLUSION: Ankle block added to general anesthesia may improve early and mid-term postoperative functional outcomes and postoperative pain management in patients who undergo hallux valgus surgery.