Nutritional care pathways in cancer patients with malignant bowel obstruction: A retrospective multi-centre study.

INTRODUCTION: Variation in access to parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients with intestinal failure secondary to malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) exists due to differing practice, beliefs and resource access. We aimed to examine differences in nutritional care pathways and outcomes, by referral to nutrition team for PN in patients with MBO. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of MBO adults admitted to eight UK hospitals within a year and 1 year follow-up. Demographic, nutritional and medical data were analysed by comparing patients referred (R) or not referred (NR) for PN. Differences between groups were tested by Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-Squared tests and multi-level regression and survival using Cox regression. RESULTS: 232 patients with 347 MBO admissions [median 66yr, (IQR: 55-74yrs), 67 % female], 79/232 patients were referred for PN (R group). Underlying primary malignancies of gynaecological and gastrointestinal origin predominated (71 %) and 78 % with metastases. Those in the NR group were found to be older, weigh more on admission, and more likely to be treated conservatively compared to those in the R group. For 123 (35 %) admissions, patients were referred to a nutrition team, and for 204 (59 %) admissions, patients were reviewed by a dietician. Multi-disciplinary team discussion and dietetic contact were more likely to occur in the R group-123/347 admissions (R vs NR group: 27 % vs. 7 %, P = 0.001; 95 % vs 39 %, P < 0.0001). Median admission weight loss was 8 % (IQR: 0 to 14). 43/123 R group admissions received inpatient PN only, with 32 patients discharged or already established on home parenteral nutrition. Overall survival was 150 days (126-232) with no difference between R/NR groups. CONCLUSION: In this multi-centre study evaluating nutritional care management of patients with malignant bowel obstruction, only 1 in 3 admissions resulted in a referral to the nutrition team for PN, and just over half were reviewed by a dietician. Further prospective research is required to evaluate possible consequences of these differential care pathways on clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Rapid determination of colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae by MALDI-TOF peak based machine learning algorithm with MATLAB.

INTRODUCTION: To date, limited data exist on demonstrating the usefulness of machine learning (ML) algorithms applied to MALDI-TOF in determining colistin resistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae. We aimed to detect colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae using MATLAB on MALDI-TOF database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 260 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected. Three ML models, namely, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine, and Ensemble were used as ML algorithms and applied to training data set. RESULTS: The accuracies for the training phase with 200 isolates were found to be 99.3%, 93.1%, and 88.3% for LDA, support vector machine, and Ensemble models, respectively. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision values for LDA in the application test set with 60 K. pneumoniae isolates were 81.6%, 66.7%, 91.7%, and 84.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides a rapid and accurate MALDI-TOF MS screening assay for clinical practice in identifying colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae.

Percutaneous Treatment of Giant Hydatid Cysts and Cystobiliary Fistula Management.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous treatment in cystic echinococcosis (CE) type 1 and 3a giant cysts (with at least one diameter>10 cm) according to the World Health Organization classification and to evaluate the management of complications, especially cystobiliary fistulas (CBFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 66 patients with 68 CE1 and CE3a giant cysts treated with percutaneous catheterization between January 2016 and December 2021. The characteristics of the cysts, major and minor complications, time to catheter removal, and length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 68 cysts, CBFs occurred in 35 (51.5%), cavity infections in 11 (16.1%), recollection in five (7.4%), and anaphylaxis in three (4.5%). There was no mortality. Biliary drainage was observed intraoperatively in 20 (29.4%) and only postoperatively in 15 (22.1%) of the 35 cysts with CBFs. A plastic biliary stent was placed in 18 (51.5%) of the 35 cysts with CBFs. The patients with CBFs had a longer hospital stay and time to catheter removal than those without fistulas (15.3 ± 10.9 vs. 6.1 ± 2.6 days and 32.7 ± 51.8 vs. 6.2 ± 3.1 days, respectively; P < 0.001). Of the patients who developed recollection, three were treated with secondary catheterization, and two underwent surgery. In total, three patients underwent surgery. The rate of clinical success was 95.4%. All cysts were followed up for an average of 19.1 (range, 12-60) months, and there was an average 88.8% reduction in cyst volume compared to the initial evaluation. CONCLUSION: CE1 and CE3a giant cysts can be treated effectively and safely with high clinical success using the catheterization technique. Contrary to what has previously been reported for these patients, the rate of CBFs is high, but these patients can successfully be treated with percutaneous drainage and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography without the requirement of surgery.

Emergency/Elective Surgery and Emergency Percutaneous Interventions in Liver Hydatid Cysts and Their Results.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst may remain asymptomatic for several years or may become complicated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients who were operated on for liver hydatid cyst in our clinic and the results of preoperative or postoperative complications. METHODS: The data of 836 patients who underwent surgery (n = 750) or Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, and Re-aspiration (n = 86) for hydatid cyst disease in our clinic between January 2006 and January 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Surgical operation was performed in 750 of the patients and Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, and Re-aspiration procedure was performed in 89 of the patients. In the surgery and Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, and Re-aspiration group, respiratory distress, anaphylaxis, allergic rash, and urticaria were observed in 11 patients (8 in Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, and Re-aspiration group and 3 in open surgery group). All patients recovered with emergency medical interventions. Recurrence was observed after the percutaneous procedure in 11 cases and after surgery in 36 cases. There was no statistically significant difference between the surgical and Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, and Re-aspiration groups in terms of recurrence and cyst infection (P = .253 and P = .547, respectively). The incidence of the development of intrabiliary rupture, allergic reaction, and intraperitoneal rupture was found 135 (16.14%), 12 (1.43%), and 2 (0.23%) in our study, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal or intrabiliary rupture is a rare but fatal complication of hydatid cyst. The presence of fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, urticaria, and anaphylactic reactions in endemic areas should take the suspicion of hydatid cyst rupture. The timing of surgery is an important factor affecting morbidity and mortality. Detailed exploration of the abdomen in emergency surgery for rupture hydatid cyst is essential for recurrence.

Early post-operative morbidity and mortality predictors in peptic ulcer perforation.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer perforation (PUP) is one of the cause of acute abdomen, incidence of this entity is 5% of all abdominal emergencies. Numerous prognostic factors have been reported for morbidity and mortality after PUP, this study attempts to analyze the factors affecting mortality and morbidity in patients with PUP. METHODS: The medical record of patients who were operated for PUP in our clinic was retrospectively evaluated between January 2008 to January 2018. A total of 318 patients were included in this study. Patients were retrospectively analyzed in terms of age, gender, comorbidity, ASA score, biochemical, hematological parameters, complications, and mortality. The risk factors affected to morbidity and mortality were also evaluated. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 318 patients and the mean age of the patients was 41.30±19.37 (min-max: 16-89). In the study, 271 (85.22%) patients were male and 47 (14.78%) were female and male to female ratio was 5.76. In the analysis of the predictors of morbidity, age ≥60 years, (p<0.001); perforation-surgery interval >24 h (p<0.001); purulent intraperitoneal contamination (p<0.001); pre-operative renal failure (p<0.001); duodenal perforation (p<0.001); pre-operative shock (p<0.001); and ASA score > III (p<0.0001) were found statistically significant. Gender was not found statistically significant (p=0.672). Mortality developed in 15 (4.71%) of 318 patients in the post-operative period. In the multivariate analysis, age ≥60 years, (p<0.001); perforation-surgery interval >24 h (p<0.001); purulent intraperitoneal contamination (p<0.001); pre-operative renal failure (p<0.001); duodenal perforation (p<0.001); and pre-operative shock (p<0.001) were found to be independent predictors of post-operative mortality. CONCLUSION: In our study, age ≥60 years, perforation-surgery interval >24 h, purulent intraperitoneal contamination, pre-oper-ative renal failure, duodenal perforation, pre-operative shock, and intensive care unit in the post-operative period were found to be independent predictors of post-operative morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive clinical evaluation, adequate fluid resuscitation, initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy, and early access to surgery can minimize the risk of morbidity and mortality in PUP.

Effect of dead space reduction in pilonidal sinus surgery: Introduction of a novel technique.

INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal sinus (PNS) disease affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the natal cleft of the buttocks. The treatment is variable and depends on presentation and the extent of disease. The mainstay of surgical management for PNS disease is to excise all sinus tracts and pits. There are numerous surgical techniques and none of them are considered optimal. Residual dead space is responsible for the majority of complications in PNS surgery. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the authors describe a modified technique of the Karydakis procedure and investigate the effects of this new method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this trial, 80 patients were included between January 2014 and January 2015. A new technique in PNS surgery, which can be described as a modified Karydakis procedure, was performed. In this technique, following total sinus excision, the excised defect was closed with the standard Karydakis method, but in order to reduce the dead space under the standard Karydakis flap, an advancement tissue flap with additional skin excision was performed. During a mean follow-up period of 20 months, some complications occurred, including wound dehiscence, the formation of a seroma, the formation of a hematoma, and infection. These complications were monitored. RESULTS: There were 19 female and 61 male patients with a mean age of 24 years (range, 18-49 years). The mean volume of the sinus was 26 cc (range, 8-80 cc). A total of 10 patients (12.5%) experienced complications. All complications were managed successfully with follow-up treatment and appropriate wound care. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study suggest this technique may be considered as an alternative surgical method in PNS surgery, provided the results are corroborated by further randomized controlled trials.

Real-life experience: sensitivity and specificity of nasal and saliva samples for COVID-19 diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak has spread rapidly around the world, continues to show its effect, and it is not clear how long it will continue. For the diagnosis of COVID-19, it is important to ensure the comfort of the patients and to protect the healthcare workers (HCWs) by reducing the use of protective equipment. AIMS: To evaluate or assess whether the samples taken by the patient for COVID-19 testing during this pandemic period can be used in real-life experience. METHODS: Three different samples (nasopharyngeal taken by the healthcare worker, nasopharyngeal, and saliva taken by the patient) from 132 patients were evaluated for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The sensitivity and specificity of the samples in the diagnosis of COVID-19 were compared with real-life experience. RESULTS: Paired analyzes were performed by comparing each sample taken by the healthcare worker with the sample taken by the patient. The sensitivity of the three samples (nasopharyngeal taken by the healthcare worker, nasopharyngeal, and saliva taken by the patient) in the diagnosis of the COVID-19 was (100%, 98.7%, and 96.1%, respectively) accepted to be accurate. CONCLUSIONS: The sample taken by the paramedic was compatible compared to the real-life experience for the samples taken by the patient in the COVID-19 pandemic period. During the pandemic that is unknown when it will end, this study demonstrated that taking the sample of the patient alone for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test is a beneficial approach to the protection of the healthcare worker, reducing the need for protective equipment, increasing the patient's comfort and rapid sampling.

Asymmetric sinus excision and primary closure with additional skin excision technique. Effect of reduction of dead-space with Karydakis modification.

OBJECTIVE: Pilonidal sinus is one of the common diseases, although there is still no gold standard of treatment available. The aim of this study was to reduce the residual dead-space volume with a modification following the standard Karydakis procedure. METHODS: A total of 100 patients were included in a randomised controlled trial, who were divided into two groups. Each group included 50 patients, and the patients in Group-1 were treated with the new technique, whereas in Group- 2, the standard Karydakis technique was performed. In the new technique, following total sinus excision, an advancement tissue flap was performed using additional skin excision, in order to reduce the dead-space volume. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of sex, age, and sinus volume. Operation time was longer in first group (p=0,002). Seroma formation rate was higher in the secound group (p=0.036). There was no significant difference in terms of soft tissue infection (p=0.339) and wound dehiscence (p=0.218). The mean follow-up period was 30 months and no recurrence was observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that this technique may be considered as an alternative surgical method in pilonidal sinus surgery. KEY WORDS: Dead, Karydakis flap-space volume, Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, Seroma, Skin excision.

Intraparenchymal Leiomyoma of the Breast: A Rare Location for an Infrequent Tumor.

Intraparenchymal leiomyoma of the breast are among benign non-epithelial tumors with the lowest incidence. Although it displays a benign histology, it may be confused with malignant lesions and create diagnostic confusion. In this paper, we report a 44-year-old woman with a painless mass with a diameter of 1.5 cm in the upper medial quadrant of her right breast. The lesion was removed surgically. The lesion's histologic examination and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a smooth muscle tumor of the breast. The patient was initially diagnosed with fibroadenoma and was followed in terms of the epicenter for six months before she underwent surgery. Her mammography and histopathology results are discussed in this report.

Successful Use of Tocilizumab in a Patient with Coexisting Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis.

Tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor licensed for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report a case of Tocilizumab monotherapy for severe active RA in a patient with coexisting ulcerative colitis (UC). The patient was intolerant to multiple disease-modifying drugs, so Tocilizumab monotherapy was commenced. We found clinical improvement in both RA and UC. There was no major adverse event after 2 years. Manufacturer advised caution in using Tocilizumab in patient with gastrointestinal ulceration due to an increased risk of bowel perforation. However, alternative treatments such as glucocorticoid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may carry a higher bowel perforation risk. The presence of gastrointestinal ulceration therefore should not constitute an absolute contraindication for Tocilizumab therapy. Future studies of registry data will inform clinician of the Tocilizumab-related risk of gastrointestinal toxicity in "real-life" settings. Contrary to previous case report, we found Tocilizumab therapy to have a positive effect on UC. Laboratory studies supported a role for interleukin-6 in the pathophysiology of UC. Further clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic role of Tocilizumab in UC would be warranted.

Three-year experience with rectal prolapse patients.

BACKGROUND: Rectal prolapse (RP) is a rare condition characterized by rectums protrusion through the anus with all of its layers. RP is a condition deteriorating the quality of life. Although more than 100 surgical procedures were described so far for the treatment of RP, the ideal treatment method still remains unclear. In this study, demographical data and clinical results of 13 patients who were treated at our clinic for RP for a period of 3 years were retrospectively studied, with the aim of comparing with the results of other repair methods mentioned in the literature. METHODS: Total of 13 patients admitted to the general surgery unit and the emergency units between January 2008 and December 2010 were included in the study. All of the cases were treated by modified Notoras technique using various synthetic materials. RESULTS: Of the patients, 8 were male, and 5 were female. Average age was 45.6 years (range: 23 - 79 years), and the average hospitalization time was 11.3 days (range: 3 - 19 days), with the symptom time being an average of 12 years (range: 1 - 30 years). All patients having complaints described mass prolapsing from the anal canal during defecation, rectal pain, and constipation. Six of our patients also had complaints of rectal bleeding. Average follow-up time was 24 months. No recurrence and mortality were monitored in patients who were followed. CONCLUSIONS: The main purposes in the surgical treatment of RP were to control the prolapse, and to achieve continence and remedy constipation. We believe that the modified Notoras technique made using synthetic materials the most suitable one compared to other rectopexy methods in the treatment of RP because it is safe and easily applicable. KEYWORDS: Rectal prolapse; Rectopexy; Modified Notoras technique.