An Alternative and Up-To-Date Recommendation for a Proper Site for Parathyroid Transplantation: The Omentum.

OBJECTIVES: Various sites have been used for parathyroid allotransplant, such as injection into the forearm, sternocleidomastoid, or deltoid muscles. However, transplant efficiency in these regions varies according to the results reported in the literature and also obtained from our previous studies. Using the omentum "as a natural incubator" for composite tissue-derived cell transplants to increase transplant success is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine the efficiency of transplant sites for parathyroid allotransplant, we compared clinical cases from the literature and our experience with 23 cases. The omental transplant process is performed under general anesthesia by laparoscopic intervention. The abdominal cavity is visualized with an endocamera from a 5-mm trocar. With the help of a flexible catheter from another 5-mm trocar, microencapsulated or naked parathyroid cells are deposited on the omentum in approximately 30 mL of isotonic saline. The trocar sites are then sutured, and the surgery is terminated. Recipients were followed for 6 months with examination of biochemical parameters (parathormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels), medication use, and clinical scoring. RESULTS: In the 23 patients who received parathyroid allotransplants over the omentum, 7 recipients did not exhibit any changes according to the scoring system criteria. However, on average, serum calcium and phosphorus levels remained within the healthy reference range. In addition, use of oral medications among patients decreased, indicating successful transplant survival. These results were consistent with a significant decrease in hypocalcemia symptoms among patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the 23 patients, the success rate was 69.5% for the first 6-month period after transplant. Recent developments and large cohorts are needed to demonstrate the higher efficacy of parathyroid allotransplant over the omentum.

The Challenge of Preoperative Panel Reactive Antibody Positivity in Parathyroid Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Identifying suitable recipient criteria and matching recipients with appropriate donors are required to increase survival for parathyroid transplant. This study was undertaken to evaluate transplant survival rates while comparing preoperative panel reactive antibody positivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 14 hypoparathyroidism patients who presented to our clinic for parathyroid transplant. Preoperative ABO compatibility and negative cross-match tests were prioritized for recipient-donor matching, and panel reactive antibody screening tests were performed. During the 24-month follow-up, we evaluated medication use and serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathormone levels of patients. RESULTS: Preoperative panel reactive antibody positivity was assessed in 3 groups. The HLA class I-positive group (mean fluorescence intensity range, 179-1770) showed decreased medication use and stability in serum calcium levels. The HLA class IIpositive (mean fluorescence intensity range, 85-3959) showed decreased medication use by 25% to 50% and returned to their former prescription doses after 12 months. An opposite pattern was observed in 2 patients with panel reactive antibody positivity for both HLA classes (mean fluorescence intensity range, 462-2289), with 1 patient requiring medication for continuing symptoms and the other patient occasionally taking additional magnesium supplementation, despite decreased medication doses after 12 months. Serum calcium levels remained normal, and parathormone and phosphorus levels were elevated. CONCLUSIONS: Improving patient symptoms and having no requirement for intravenous calcium replacement are priorities, and monitoring serum levels is the next important step. Varied panel reactive antibody positivities and survival rates indicate a requirement, and each HLA class could require a proper limitation for the mean fluorescence intensity. Preoperative mean fluorescence intensity cut-off value should be <900. Higher mean fluorescence intensity values in panel reactive antibody screenings could increase risk of short-term graft survival after parathyroid transplant. Further studies should include immunological risk assessments by individualizing the outcome with donor-specific antibodies.

Local interventions for colorectal cancer metastases to liver and lung.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a common cause of cancer-related deaths. About 1/3 of all cases present with distant metastasis, with the liver as the leading site and the lung as the most common extra-abdominal site. AIMS: It was aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the outcomes of colorectal cancer patients with liver or lung metastasis who had received local treatments. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study. The study was performed with colorectal cancer patients that referred to the medical oncology clinic of a university hospital between December 2013 and August 2021. RESULTS: A total number of 122 patients who have received local treatments were included. Radiofrequency ablation was applied in 32 patients (26.2%), metastasis was surgically resected in 84 patients (68.9%), and stereotactic body radiotherapy was preferred in six patients (4.9%). At the first follow-up control after completion of local or multimodal treatment, no residual tumor was determined with radiological assessment in 88 patients (72.1%). The median progression-free survival (16.7 months vs 9.7 months) (p = .000) and the median overall survival (37.3 months vs 25.5 months) (p = .004) of these patients were significantly better than the patients with residual disease. CONCLUSIONS: Local interventions that are applied to highly selected patients may improve the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. A close follow-up after local therapies is important to diagnose recurrent disease because repeated local interventions may be possible to achieve better outcomes.

Association of CDH1 -160 C → A and -347 G→ GA polymorphisms and expression of E-cadherin and gastric cancer: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The loss of function of the E-cadherin (CDH1) gene with -160 C→A and -347 G→GA polymorphisms is regarded as a critical step for gastric cancer. It was aimed to investigate possible association of these polymorphisms and immunoexpression of E-cadherin with gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gastric adenocarcinoma patients and individuals with benign gastric pathologies were included in this case-control study. Demographic data and pathological findings were recorded. Immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin expression and analysis of -160 C→A and -347 G→GA polymorphisms were done. Differences between allele frequencies of -160 C→A and -347 G→GA polymorphisms and expression of E-cadherin were the primary outcomes. RESULTS: There were 78 gastric cancer patients (Group A) and 113 individuals with benign gastric pathologies (Group B). The number of male patients and mean age were higher in Group A (p <0.001). -160 C→A and 347 G→GA polymorphisms and their allelic distributions showed no difference between the groups (p> 0.05 for all). There was a significant association between -160 C→A polymorphism and grade of E-cadherin expression (p= 0.013). There were no significant differences between survival rates with -160 C→A, 347 G→GA and intensity of E-cadherin expression (p> 0.05 for all). There was no significant association between -160 C→A and -347 G→GA polymorphisms and gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: There was no impact of E-cadherin expression on tumoral features and survival in gastric cancer. -160 C→A polymorphism may influence the expression of E-cadherin in gastric cancer.

Graft survival effect of HLA-A allele matching parathyroid allotransplantation.

Permanent hypoparathyroidism is an endocrine disease that is mostly associated with the disruption of the parathyroid glands during surgery. Allotransplantation is the most promising approach for treatment particularly for its cost-effective and exact curative potential. Herein our aim was to evaluate human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A allele matching effect on clinical improvement and graft survival after parathyroid transplantation. We performed parathyroid transplantation between ABO/Rh compatible recipient and an unrelated donor who has chronic kidney disease. Preoperative immunological tests include panel reactive antibody, T-flow cytometry crossmatch, B-flow cytometry crossmatch, autoflow cytometry crossmatch, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch tests were performed. After histopathological evaluation, half of the resected parathyroid gland cells were isolated and transplanted to the omentum surface by laparoscopy. The transplantation outcome was followed up throughout 382 days. The recipient discharged 2 days after transplantation without any complication. During follow-up, calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduced to a one-third dose; even the intact PTH levels remained low. However, clinical improvement was observed by serum calcium levels. The recipient still continues with low-dose supplementation after 382 days of post-transplantation. Parathyroid cell transplantation to the omental tissue is the most promising option even with only one allele matching for patients with using lifelong high-dose supplementation. Clinical improvements and long-term effect of HLA-A allele matching should be evaluated with more studies and in larger cohorts as well.

Clinicopathological Features of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

ABSTRACT  Objective: To describe the clinical, pathological and survival characteristics of Turkish patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bezmialem Vakif University School of Medicine Hospital from April 2012 to September 2018. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-one patients with GEP-NENs were analysed in retrospect for the clinical, pathological and survival characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and the Log-rank test was performed to analyse the comparisons between the groups. RESULTS:  Forty-five of the 61 GEP-NENs patients (73.8%) were neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and 26.2% of patients were neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). The mean age of patients was 55.5 ± 11.3 years. The most frequent localisation of tumors was stomach (34.4%), and the most common symptom was abdominal pain (27.9%). The rate of distant metastases was 31.1% at diagnosis and 63.9% of the patients were operated. The median follow-up period was 27 months. The rate of three-years overall survival (OS) was 88.5% and the five-years OS rate was 86.9%. The variables that can significantly influence the OS rate were high grade (grade 3; p= 0.005), Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 >20%; p= 0.002) and distant metastases (p= 0.018). CONCLUSION: GEP-NENs may develop anywhere in the digestive tract. Approximately one-third of the patients may be metastatic due to delay in diagnosis. Key Words: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, Neuroendocrine cancers, Neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Thyroid hemiagenesis: a case report.

Thyroid hemiagenesis is a rare entity in the literature. Developmental hemi-thyroid anomalies can result from either an abnormal descent or an agenesis of one lobe of the thyroid gland. This study aimed at presenting a thyroid hemiagenesis case incidentally diagnosed by neck ultrasonography (USG), who had complaints of pain and swelling in the neck. USG examination revealed lack of left thyroid lobe and multiple nodules in the right lobe. Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) showed follicular neoplasia, and right subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. We report the rarity of the condition and emphasize the role of imaging techniques in preoperative diagnosis and subsequent management.

Use of peritoneal washing cytology for the detection of free peritoneal cancer cells before and after surgical treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma.

AIM: Cytological detection of peritoneal-free gastric cancer cells is considered as the gold standard with variable sensitivity. Seeding of cancer cells after radical surgery for gastric cancer is a controversial issue. In this study, it was aimed to detect the rate of positive peritoneal washing cytology and the incidence of spreading of tumor cells after radical surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with pathologically proven and surgically treated gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Three peritoneal washing samples were examined cytologically: at the beginning, after completion of resection, and before closure of the abdomen. Identification of peritoneal-free gastric cancer cells was regarded as the main outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with a mean age of 60.7 ± 12 years were enrolled. T3 and N0 were the most common stages seen in 16 (47%) and 12 patients (35.3%), respectively. There were two positive results (5.9%) as the first peritoneal sample. Considering T3- or N-positive patients, the incidence increased to 9.1%. There was no conversion of negative to positive cytology. Cytological positivity remained only in one case (2.9%) after the second and the third peritoneal samples. CONCLUSION: Rate of positive peritoneal washing cytology in patients with gastric cancer is influenced by clinicopathological findings and the technique used. Use of cytology alone is thought to be failed to detect free cancers cells within the peritoneal cavity.

The breast lesion excision system procedure: An optimal solution for the management of indeterminate BI-RADS category 3 breast lesions in women with severe anxiety.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of the Breast lesion excision system (BLES) procedure as a primary excisional biopsy for the management of breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS) category 3, small, and solid breast lesions in women having severe breast cancer anxiety. METHODS: A retospective study was conducted on 68 patients who underwent a BLES procedure. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee of Yeni Yuzyil University in Istanbul, Turkey. The study was carried out according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Small breast lesions removed using a (12, 15 or 20 mm) wand from September 2011 to November 2014. These were category 3 lesions as determined by ultrasound (US) imaging according to BI-RADS. The radiological and pathological sizes of these lesions, the complete excision rates, the procedure durations, the pathological diagnosis, the complications, and the imaging findings before and after the procedure were all recorded. RESULTS: All the patients had a benign pathology. The mean duration of procedure was 12 (range=8-22) minutes. There was no major complication during the procedure and in the following period. Only some small hematomas were determined in 3 (4.2%) patients, and no additional surgical intervention was performed. Conclusion: The BLES procedure is an optimal solution for the management of indeterminate BI-RADS category 3 breast lesions in women with severe anxiety.

Investigation into the optimal prosthetic material for wound healing of abdominal wall defects.

The purpose of this experimental study is to investigate and compare the effects of prosthetic materials used for wound healing of abdominal wall hernias. A total of 60 rats were divided into five equal groups: Group I, control subjected to laparotomy; group II, abdominal wall defect 3×2 cm+polypropylene (PP) mesh; group III, abdominal wall defect 3×2 cm+PP mesh+hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose (H-CMC; Seprafilm®); group IV, abdominal wall defect 3×2 cm+polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Composix™); and group V, abdominal wall defect 3×2 cm+polyethylene terephthalate (PET; Dacron®). A total of 14 days after the surgery, rats were sacrificed and the meshes with the surrounding tissue were extracted in block. The breaking strength of the mesh from the fascia was recorded. The healing tissue was examined with the index of histopathology and the hydroxyproline value was analyzed using the Switzer method. Both the breaking strength and histopathological index of the wound healing were significantly improved in groups II and III compared with that in groups IV and V (P<0.001). Hydroxyproline values were the highest in group I (P<0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference between groups II and IV, and group V and the other groups (P<0.001). The present findings demonstrated that PP mesh and PP mesh+H-CMC had a superior breaking strength and improved histopathologic indices compared with PTFE and PET. Furthermore, hydroxyproline values were the lowest in the PET group. In conclusion, wound healing was improved in the PP mesh group and the PP mesh+H-CMC group compared with the PTFE and PET groups according to the present study parameters.

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of biliary obstruction due to acute cholangitis and acute pancreatitis secondary to Fasciola hepatica infection.

In the differential diagnosis of biliary obstruction with unknown etiology, biliary fascioliasis should be considered in endemic and nonendemic regions. After diagnostic evaluation, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed for etiological evaluation and/or treatment of biliary obstruction in five patients with a mean age of 55.8 years. Endoscopic sphincterotomy and cholangiogram revealed linear filling defects in the biliary system. Fasciola hepatica parasites were extracted using balloon and basket catheters in two and three patients, respectively. No morbidity or mortality was observed. F. hepatica infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis of biliary obstruction with unknown etiology in endemic and non-endemic regions. ERCP can be the standard diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedure in cases of biliary obstruction due to fascioliasis. Due to slippery and gel-like characteristics of the parasite, use of a basket catheter in semi-opened position may be required in case of unsuccessful extraction using a balloon catheter.

[Evaluation of medical malpractice in emergency and elective general surgery cases resulting in death]. / Ölümle sonuçlanan acil ve elektif genel cerrahi olgularinda tibbi uygulama hatasinin degerlendirilmesi.

BACKGROUND: General surgery is one of the branches in which the distinction between complication and malpractice is difficult to distinguish. In this study, presentation of the main forensic medical parameters considered for the evaluation of medical malpractice in cases of general surgery deaths in which medical malpractice has been alleged and discussing related concepts through the literature are aimed. METHODS: Allegations of medical malpractice against general surgery physicians sent to the First Forensic Expertise Board of the Council of Forensic Medicine between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 for which the relation of casuality between medical malpractice and death had been determined were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Medical malpractice was ruled in 21.9% (n=23) of 105 cases. The most common primary disease diagnoses were trauma-injury (n=32, 30.5%), cholecystitis (n=25, 23.8%) and appendicitis (n=8, 7.6%). When treatment types were compared according to malpractice decision, rate of malpractice in medicine-only treatment was found to be significantly higher compared to surgery + medical treatment (p=0.003, p<0.01). No statistically significant difference was found regarding the rate of malpractice between cases of emergency and elective surgery (p>0.05). When incidence of medical malpractice was compared between cases with clinical diagnosis and diagnosis determined by autopsy, a statistically significant difference was found (p=0.031, p<0.05). Malpractice was ruled at a significantly lower rate in cases in which diagnosis was confirmed with autopsy (p=0.028, p<0.05). DISCUSSION: It can be concluded that physicians are as successful in emergency conditions as in elective conditions and correct administration of medical treatment is of vital importance. Moreover, the Council of Forensic Medicine considers the clinical follow-up data as well as the autopsy data in medical malpractice evaluation.

Turkish Ministry of Health, 2nd Turkish Medical General Assembly Clinical Oncology Study Group Report.

OBJECTIVE: There is an increase in the incidence of cancer, and consequently in mortality rates, both in the world and in Turkey. The increase in the incidence and mortality rate of cancer are more prominent in our country as well as in other developing countries. The aim of this workshop was to determine the current status on prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer in our country, to identify related shortcomings, specify solutions and to share these with health system operators, and to aid in implementation of these systems. Developments on palliative care were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current situation in the practice of clinical oncology, related drawbacks, problems encountered during multidisciplinary approach and their solutions were discussed under several sub-headings during a 3-day meeting organized by the Turkish Ministry of Health (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Saglik Bakanligi-TCSB) with participation of 16 scientists from Turkey and 6 from abroad, and the conclusions were reported. RESULTS: It is expected that the newly established Turkish Health Institutes Association (Türkiye Saglik Enstitüleri Baskanligi-TÜSEB) and the National Cancer Institute (Ulusal Kanser Enstitüsü) will provide a new framework in the field of oncology. The current positive findings include the increase in the number of scientists who carry out successful trials in oncology both in Turkey and abroad, the implementation of the national cancer registry program by the Cancer Control Department and the breast cancer registry program by the Turkish Federation of Breast Diseases Societies (Türkiye Meme Hastaliklari Dernekleri Federasyonu-TMHDF), and introduction of Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Training Centers (Kanser Erken Tani, Tarama ve Egitim Merkezi-KETEM) for the application of community-based cancer screening programs. In addition to these, obvious shortcomings related to education, implementation, management and research issues were also determined, and policy and project proposals to address these issues were presented. Collaboration with relevant organizations in the implementation of these studies was supported. CONCLUSION: Both the incidence and mortality rates of cancer are increasing in Turkey. The widespread deficiencies in population-based screening and in effective treatment lead to an increase in delay in diagnosis and mortality. Despite improvements in data recording, screening and treatment over the last 10 years, extensive, organized, population-based screening programs and fully equipped early diagnosis and treatment centers are required. Enhancement of basic cancer epidemiologic, translational, genetic and molecular research studies is essential in our country. Improvements on pain treatment and palliative care of patients with chronic and terminal cancer are also required.

Radioprotectant and Cytotoxic Effects of Spirulina in Relapsed Verrucous Vulvar Cancer: A Case Report.

CONTEXT: The treatment of relapsed verrucous vulvar cancer (VVC) is difficult. When vulvar cancer relapses, the treatment response is low for second-line treatments. Conversely, toxicity is high. Therefore, scientists need to identify different treatment methods. OBJECTIVES: The case study was intended to examine the benefits of combining treatment with microalgae and metronidazole with radiotherapy to increase the response to treatment. SETTING: The study took place in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Bezmialem Vakif University, in Istanbul, Turkey. PARTICIPANT: The case study involved an 81-y-old female patient whose vulvar tumor was excised and who came to the research team's radiation oncology service for postoperative radiation. She had 2 comorbid disorders: Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease. INTERVENTION: A relapse had occurred in the 15-d postoperative period. Because of the patient's age and comorbid disorders, the research team decided to treat the new tumor only with concurrent radiochemotherapy and a weekly dose of cisplatin that contained chemoradiotherapy, for a total of 25 mg. At the 52.2 Gy dose level, grade 3 radiation skin toxicity occurred in the radiated area, although the research team had obtained an 80% response to the radiochemotherapy. The treatment was interrupted because of toxicity but also due to a deterioration in the patient's general health. Progression of the tumor continued, and the tumor's diameter increased to 7 cm after a 4-mo period. The research team then initiated radiotherapy again, combining it with spirulina in a 750 mg/dose at 2 doses/d and metronidazole in a 500 mg/dose at 3 doses/d, to decrease radiation toxicity and increase radiosensitivity. Radiotherapy was applied at 200 cGy per fraction with a total dose of 2400 cGy, with only 1 anterior local-tumor field. RESULTS: The patient showed a complete response to radiotherapy, and the tumor disappeared at the 2400 cGy radiation dose. No toxicity occurred related to the skin or the woman's general health. Her Karnofsky performance score increased to 90% from 50%, which was the initial score of the second treatment.

Diffusion MRI on lymph node staging of gastric adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative assessment of metastatic lymph nodes of gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 23 gastric cancer patients with a mean age of 59.4±10.9 years were analyzed. Lymph nodes were grouped as perigastric lesser curvature (Group Ia), perigastric greater curvature (Group Ib), D1+/D2 lymph nodes (Group II). Identification of histologically metastatic lymph nodes by diffusion weighted MRI was regarded as the main outcome. RESULTS: A total of 1,056 lymph nodes including 180 histologically proven metastatic lymph nodes were dissected. Although diffusion weighted MRI could identify the metastatic lymph nodes in 18 out of 23 patients (77.8%), only 69 of total 1,056 nodes (6.53%), either metastatic or non-metastatic, could be detected. There was no correlation between histopathology and diffusion weighted MRI with regard to lymph node groups (P>0.05 for all). Overall accuracy was calculated as 69.56, 65.21 and 52.17 for Groups II, Ib and Ia lymph nodes, respectively. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values could not be helpful to differentiate metastatic lymph nodes (P=0.673). CONCLUSIONS: Diffusion weighted MRI has low accuracy to detect or to differentiate metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes based on their ADC values in gastric cancer.

Evaluation of Managerial Needs for Palliative Care Centers: Perspectives of Medical Directors.

BACKGROUND: Palliative therapies have an important role in increasing the quality of healthcare and in dealing with physical and psychosocial problems due to cancer. We here aimed to evaluate the managerial perspectives and opinions of the hospital managers and clinical directors about specialized palliative care centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in two large-scale hospitals in which oncology care is given with medical directors (n:70). A questionnaire developed by the researchers asking about demographic characteristics and professional experience, opinions and suggestions of medical directors about providing and integrating palliative care into healthcare was used and responses were analyzed. RESULTS: Potential barriers in providing palliative care (PC) and integrating PC into health systems were perceived as institutional by most of the doctors (97%) and nurses (96%). Social barriers were reported by 54% of doctors and 82% of nurses. Barriers due to interest and knowledge of health professionals about PC were reported by 76% of doctors and 75% of nurses. Among encouragement ideas to provide PC were dealing with staff educational needs (72%), improved working conditions (77%) and establishing a special PC unit (49)%. An independent PC unit was suggested by 27.7% of participants and there was no difference between the hospitals. To overcome the barriers for integration of PC into health systems, providing education for health professionals and patient relatives, raising awareness in society, financial arrangements and providing infrastructure were suggested. The necessity for planning and programming were emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the opinions and perspectives of hospital managers and clinical directors were similar to current approaches. Managerial needs for treating cancer in efficient cancer centers, increasing the capacity of health professionals to provide care in every stage of cancer, effective education planning and patient care management were emphasized.

Medical ozone and radiotherapy in a peritoneal, Erlich-ascites, tumor-cell model.

CONTEXT: Medical ozone therapy is used for treatment of inflammation in alternative and complementary medicine. It has been reported that the beneficial effects of radiotherapy increased with the addition of medical ozone therapy. OBJECTIVES: This study intended to investigate the antitumor and antiedema effects of ozone therapy when applied in different concentrations in mice with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and to evaluate the contribution of medical ozone therapy to the outcomes for radiotherapy in vivo. DESIGN: Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells were inoculated intraperitoneally (IP) to develop peritoneal carcinomatosis in 60 adult male Swiss albino mice. The animals were divided into 5 groups. Groups 1 and 2 were treated IP for a period of 10 d with daily medical ozone therapy. Group 3 received radiotherapy into the abdomen for 5 d. Groups 4 and 5 were treated with medical ozone therapy for 10 d and radiotherapy for 5 d. Groups 1 and 4 received a 20 mg/L concentration of ozone and groups 2 and 5 received a 40 mg/L concentration. A sixth group acted as controls, and serum physiologic was given to them IP. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in body weight and abdominal circumference were measured daily for each mouse. Survival rates of the groups of mice were also determined. The results were compared between groups and were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Changes in body weights and abdominal circumferences in the different groups were statistically different. The longest survival rates were found for groups 3 and 5, and survival rates for the 5 experimental groups were significantly higher than for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Medical ozone therapy or radiotherapy was found to be effective when administered alone or concurrently to mice with PC, suggesting that medical ozone therapy might serve as a method of obtaining antiedema and antitumor effects, providing a longer survival time.

Does the Difficulty of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Differ Between Genders?

Some studies have shown that severe fibrosis and anatomical anomalies are more common in men, and subsequently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more difficult in male than female patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of gender in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with regard to the conversion rate, the differences in histological inflammation severity, and anatomical difficulty. We reviewed retrospectively 915 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the First Department of General Surgery at Vakif Gureba Training and Research Hospital. Patients were divided into male (group 1) and female (group 2) groups. Both groups were compared with demographic criteria, the type of inflammation found on resected gallbladder, anatomical difficulty, gallbladder perforation during the operation, length of operation time, conversion rate, and omental and organ adhesions to the gallbladder. Of the 915 patients, 173 patients (19 %) were males (group 1), and 742 (81 %) were females (group 2). Mean age was 53 ± 12 (range 22 to 80) years in group 1 and 49 ± 13 (range 17 to 85) years in group 2. The average duration of surgery was 71 ± 33 min (range 20 to 160) in group 1 and 58 ± 27 min (range 15 to 135) in group 2 (p < 0.001). The conversion rate between groups was significantly different (p < 0.05). Inflammatory findings (acute or chronic) in resected gallbladder between groups 1 and 2 were significantly different (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The frequency of adhesions between the gallbladder and omentum and other organs was higher in male (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Anatomical difficulty was more prominent in male patients (p < 0.0001). The findings of higher scores of anatomical difficulty in operation and inflammation in cholecystectomy specimens, as well as higher rates of conversion in males, suggested that laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is more difficult in men.

Complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: minimal invasive surgical recommendations.

BACKGROUND: ERCP has a complication rate ranging between 4% and 16% such as post-ERCP pancreatitis, hemorrhage, cholangitis and perforation. Perforation rate was reported as 0.08% to 1% and mortality rate up to 1.5%. Besides, injury related death rate is 16% to 18%. In this study we aimed to present a retrospective review of our experience with post ERCP-related perforations, reveal the type of injuries and management recommendations with the minimally invasive approaches. METHODS: Medical records of 28 patients treated for ERCP-related perforations in Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital between March 2007 and March 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient age, gender, comorbidities, ERCP indication, ERCP findings and details were analyzed. All previous and current clinical history, laboratory and radiological findings were used to assess the evaluation of perforations. RESULTS: Between March 2007 and March 2013, 2972 ERCPs were performed, 28 (0.94%) of which resulted in ERCP-related perforations. 10 of them were men (35.8%) and 18 women (64.2%). Mean age was 53.36 ± 14.12 years with a range of 28 to 78 years. 14 (50%) patients were managed conservatively, while 14 (50%) were managed surgically. In 6 patients, laparoscopic exploration was performed due to the failure of non-surgical management. In 6 of the patients that ERCP-related perforation was suspected during or within 2 hours after ERCP, underwent to surgery primarily. There were two mortalities. The mean length of hospitalization stay was 10.46 ± 2.83 days. The overall mortality rate was 7.1%. CONCLUSION: Successful management of ERCP-related perforation requires immediate diagnosis and early decision to decide whether to manage conservatively or surgically. Although traditionally conventional surgical approaches have been suggested for the treatment of perforations, laparoscopic techniques may be used in well-chosen cases especially in type II, III and IV perforations.

Is cervical inlet patch important clinical problem?

AIM: In this study we aim to determine the frequency of Inlet Patch (IP) and its association to clinical symptoms and draw attention to be aware of this heterotopic gastric mucosa. METHODS: This study was a prospective case series that IP was detected in the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients with laringopharyngeal reflux symptoms underwent endoscopy between March 2009 and July 2012 in two different institutions. All the biopsies were obtained from if there is the IP lesion and antral or/and gastric mucosa. The data was prospectively evaluated. The prevalence was compared with those of patients that did not determine IP in the study period. RESULTS: 3907 upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy was performed while 123 patients consist of 51 male and 72 female was determined as IP. The prevalence of IP in patiens who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was 3.14% in our study. The majority of symptoms of those who had IP were laringopharyngeal reflux symptoms. Heterotopic gastric mucosa was fixed in 114 cases while 28 chronic inflammation, 9 esophagitis, 5 intestinal metaplasia, 4 glicogenic acanthosis were obtained as additional findings in pathological examinations. CONCLUSION: Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the proximal esophagus is a frequent finding if the endoscopist is aware of this entity. The importance of IP is the increasing number of cases of neoplastic transformation. Symptomatic patients should be treated and should be considered of the complications of heterotopic gastric mucosa.