The impact of the Covid 19 pandemic in colorectal cancer.

AIM: COVID-19 was first seen in China at the end of December 2019. The disease spread rapidly and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. Only urgent surgi cal cases and oncological surgeries that cannot be postponed were performed during this pandemic process. As a wasting disease, colorectal cancer (CRC) itself and its corresponding treatment may weaken the immune response to respiratory bacteria, makes patients more susceptible to virus infection. Besides, colorectal cancer patients are immunosuppressed because of the side effects of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy taken. The choice of surgical procedures and perioperative management of the patients with CRC has become even more important in the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact on CRC surgery is unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the preopartive, intraoperative, and postoperative findings of patients operated for colorectal cancer in our clinic. MATERIAL-METHOD: We defined the 'COVID-19' period as occurring between 12-03-2020 and 31-08-2020. All the enrolled patients were divided into two groups, pre-COVID-19 group (Pre-CG; 66 cases) and COVID-19 group (CG; 43 cases). A total of 109 patients with CRC were included in this study. Patient characteristics, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinicopathological findings were compared between groups. RESULTS: The waiting times before admission increased in CG (Pre-CG [5.34±2.55] vs CG [18.13±9.11]; p<0.001). After admission, the waiting time before surgery was longer in CG (Pre-CG [2.04±1.34] vs CG [5.53±6.00]; p<0.001). There were no significant difference between the groups in terms of operation method (laparoscopic/open), operation type (emergency/elective), surgical procedure, combine organ resection, intraoperative blood transfusion requirment, operation time (p values, respectively; p=0.082; p=0.474; p=0.317; p=0.656; p=0.617; p=0.696). In this study, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of postoperative complications (p=0.357) and mortality (p=0.826). It was found that the ICU stay was significantly shorter in CG (Pre-CG [11.63±2.22] vs CG [1.48±0.76]; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was seen that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect morbidity and mortality in CRC surgery, but it prolonged admission waiting and operation waiting times. Since there is very little data in the literature regarding the effect of COVID-19 on CRC surgery, our study will guide future studies on this subject. KEY WORDS: Colorectal Cancer, Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, Surgery.

Liver Dysfunction After Use of Nathanson Retractor During Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

Background: Cardiopulmonary complications and liver dysfunction are also specific complications and problems associated with laparoscopic surgery. The main causes of postoperative liver dysfunction, which may often occur after laparoscopic surgery, include carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and ligation of the aberrant left hepatic artery. Hepatic steatosis may develop as a natural consequence of neoadjuvant therapy, although rarely, owing to chemotherapy. Nathanson retractor may cause a prolonged elevation in liver enzymes of these patients compared with those who do not receive neoadjuvant therapy. Materials and Methods: The data of 151 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy between January 2017 and January 2022 for histologically proven primary gastric cancer in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The mean length of hospital stay was 6.21 days. The mean time normalization of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) value was 2.45 ± 1.83 (range, 0-12) days postoperatively. The analysis of the correlation between the preoperative and postoperative 1-day values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and AST revealed a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative 1-day median values of both parameters (P < .001). Each one unit increase in ALT led to an increase of 0.338 days in the length of intensive care stay and an increase of 0.345 days in the overall length of hospital stay. As the time to normalization of the AST value increased, the length of both intensive care stay and hospital stay increased. Each one unit increase in AST resulted in an increase of 0.316 days in the length of intensive care stay and an increase of 0.376 days in the overall length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Alternative retraction methods can be used safely in laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. We are of the opinion that the Nathanson retractor should be used only during dissection of the relevant regions to shorten the intraoperative intermittent release or the time of use.

The effect of primary tumour resection on patients with synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab-containing regimens.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the effect of primary tumour resection (PTR) on patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with cetuximab. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary cancer center in Turkey. Patients with mCRC between January 2009 and December 2020 were extracted from the electronic hospital management system. Patients with RAS wild-type synchronous metastatic left-sided colon or rectum cancer who had cetuximab-containing treatment protocol were included in the study. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary outcome was response rates. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients with mCRC were included in this study. PTR was performed in 57.7% of all patients. Fifty-nine (53.2%) and 52 (46.8%) patients had rectal and left colon tumours, respectively. The combination treatment with cetuximab was FOLFIRI in 62.2% and FOLFOX in 29.7% of all patients. In subgroup analysis, the median PFS was 7.9 and 9 months in PTR (+) and PTR (-) patients, respectively. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.3). The median OS was 33 months in all patients. In subgroup analysis, the median OS was 39 and 27.9 months in PTR (+) and PTR (-) patients, respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.002). After adjusting for confounding factors, PTR and ECOG performance score were the independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: PTR improved the OS in patients with RAS wild-type synchronous left-sided colon or rectum cancer treated with cetuximab-containing chemotherapy regimens.

Can CT Pelvimetry Be Used to Predict Circumferential Resection Margin Positivity in Laparoscopic Resection of Middle and Lower Rectum Cancer?

Background Previous studies have shown that pelvimetry can be valuable in predicting surgical difficulties in rectal cancer operations. However, its usability in predicting circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement remains debatable. This study investigated the factors affecting CRM status and the importance of computed tomography (CT) pelvimetry in predicting CRM involvement in laparoscopic resection of middle and lower rectal cancer. Methodology In this study, we retrospectively investigated the data of 111 patients who underwent a laparoscopic operation for middle and lower rectum cancer at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgical Oncology between January 2014 and January 2020. The predictive value of CT pelvimetry and other variables on the CRM status was analyzed. Results The following four pelvic parameters differed significantly between the genders: transverse diameter of the pelvic inlet (p = 0.024), anteroposterior diameter of the pelvic outlet (p = 0.003), transverse diameter of the pelvic outlet (p < 0.001), and pelvic depth (p < 0.001). The effect of pelvic anatomic parameters on CRM involvement was not found to be significant. It was found that tumor height from the anal verge (p = 0.004), tumor size (p < 0.001), and gender (p = 0.033) were significant risk factors for CRM involvement. Survival was poor in patients with male gender (p = 0.032), perineural invasion (p < 0.001), and grade 3 tumor. Conclusions In this study, no benefit was found in predicting CRM positivity from CT pelvimetry in the laparoscopic resection of middle and lower rectal cancer. Besides, tumor height from the anal verge, tumor size, and gender were important factors for CRM positivity. Although our study sheds light on this issue, prospective randomized studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

10-years mortality risk estimation for gastric cancer patients based on clinicopathological factors.

AIM: In order to create a nomogram for the gastric cancer no comprehensive study has been performed in Turkey so far and in our study, we tried to forecast the 10-year survival by using risk factors in patients without distant metastasis, who have not previously been diagnosed with another cancer but who underwent curative surgery. MATERIAL METHOD: The data of 411 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2010 and January 2020 in Surgical Oncology Department were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: It has been shown statistically that the high RDW value point to poor survival (p <0.001). There were 173 patients with ≤3.5g/dl and 238 patients with> 3.5g/dl. It was found out statistically significant that hypoalbuminemia indicated poor survival (p <0.001). Moreover, it was determined that high CEA and Ca19-9 with lymphovascular invasion were to be statistically significant with prognosis (p <0.001). On the based of all this data, we have created a dekstop application for the mortality estimation. CONCLUSION: We think that this model will ensure individualization of the treatment for patients and will contribute to the patient's compliance with the treatment by strengthening the communication between the physician. KEY WORDS: Gastric cancer, Gastrectomy, Survival analysis, Prognosis.

Management of Aberrant Left Hepatic Artery During Laparoscopic Gastrectomy and Consequences.

Introduction: Aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) can exist in up to 25% of the population. The presence of ALHA during lymph node (LN) dissection in gastric cancer may complicate the process. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the existence rate, management, and consequences of ALHA in our laparoscopic gastrectomy series. Patients and Methods: Demographical and clinical data of laparoscopically operated 158 consecutive gastric cancer patients were collected retrospectively. Study patients were divided into three groups according to absence, existence and preservation, and existence and sacrification of ALHA. Harvested LN numbers, operation time, and postoperative alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase values on consecutive days were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. P < .05 is accepted as significant. Results: The median AST and ALT values of the ALHA-sacrificed group were higher than those of the group without ALHA and the ALHA-preserved group on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th postoperative days (P < .05). On the 10th day, liver enzymes returned to normal values. Conclusion: Adequate and appropriate dissection of LNs while preserving ALHA can be performed without prolonging the operation time. Sacrification of ALHA causes an increase in liver enzymes, with spontaneous recovery in most cases.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index as a Prognostic Marker of Late Recurrence in Operable Gastric Cancer: a Dual-Center Study.

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic role of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with operable gastric cancer. METHODS: We assessed 354 patients with operable gastric cancer from tertiary centers in Turkey. SII was calculated by following formula: [neutrophil (cells × 109/L) × platelet (cells × 109/L)]/lymphocyte (cells × 109/L). The best cut-off value for SII was determined by using "receiver operating characteristics (ROC)" analysis. We used log-rank and Cox-regression analysis for survival analyses. RESULTS: One hundred twenty patients were in the late recurrence group (recurrences have developed 36 months after the surgery). SII was not a prognostic factor in the early recurrence group. However, relapse-free survival (RFS) was longer in SII-low patients than SII-high patients in the late recurrence group. In multivariable analysis, SII was the only independent prognostic factor for RFS in the late recurrence group (hazard ratio (HR): 5.42, 95% CI: 1.18-24.82, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: SII was an independent prognostic factor for RFS in GC patients with late recurrence. Late recurrence risk was higher in SII-high patients than SII-low patients. Inflammation contributes to tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Prolonged exposure to chronic inflammation could explain the results of this study.

Adjuvant Treatment of Gastric Cancer in the D2 Dissection Era: A Real-life Experience from a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The role of radiotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of gastric cancer (GC) remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to assess the additional benefit of radiotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included 230 gastric adenocarcinoma patients who underwent D2 dissection between January 2004 and December 2019. Patients without R0 resection, who underwent metastasectomy at surgery, and treated with the neoadjuvant treatment were excluded. The co-primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The secondary endpoints were the locoregional and distant metastasis risk and adverse events (AEs) leading to treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six and 64 patients were included in the chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and chemotherapy (ChT) arms, respectively. The median OS was 135.8 months [interquartile range (IQR): 99.4-172.2] and 97 months (IQR: 59.7-134.3) in the CRT and the ChT arms, respectively. No statistical significance was observed between the arms in OS (p = 0.3). Locoregional or distant recurrence rates were similar in each group. AEs leading to treatment discontinuation were higher in the CRT arm than in the ChT arm (13.2 vs 9.3%), and the difference between the arms was not statistically significant (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: In this real-life study, we established that there was no additional benefit of RT in GC patients who underwent D2 dissection. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Yekedüz E, Dogan I, Birgi SD, et al. Adjuvant Treatment of Gastric Cancer in the D2 Dissection Era: A Real-life Experience from a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2021;11(2):51-58.

The role of laparoscopic staging for the management of gastric cancer.

AIM Staging laparoscopy enables us to perform palliative treatment, neo-adjuvant therapy for curative resection or direct curative resection and making a decision with minimal morbidity by avoiding from unnecessary laparotomies. In the present study, the importance of staging lapafoscopy was retrospectively investigated by using clinical and pathologic data. METHODS Data of 70 out of 350 patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy due to gastric cancer at Surgical Oncology department between August 2013 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Peritoneal biopsy was positive for malignity in 41 (58.5%) and negative in 29 (41.5%) of the patients who underwent SL. Peritoneal cytology (PC) results were negative in 32 (45.7%) patients and positive in 38 (54.3%) patients. Peritoneal biopsy and cytology results were concurrently positive in 35 patients and concurrently negative in 26 patients. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, even the most developed imaging methods cannot provide 100% staging, therefore SL plays an important role in treatment of gastric cancer and laparoscopic staging is essential as a simple, inexpensive, safe and well tolerated method in patients who have the suspicion of peritoneal disease and who cannot be clearly evaluated with pre-operative methods.

Prognostic Role of Red Distribution Width (RDW) Value in Gastric Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic effect of red distribution width (RDW) in patients with gastric cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Surgical Oncology, Ankara University School of Medicine, between November 2010 and January 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma by biopsy, who underwent radical surgery and lymph node dissection, and had preoperative RDW value, were inducted. Patients who had history of active inflammation in the past three months, received treatment for hematology disorder, blood transfusion, malignancy other than gastric cancer, autoimmune disease, venous thrombosis, or under 18 years of age, and those having cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases and distant metastases were excluded from the study. Apart from diagnosis, preoperative blood values, clinicopathologial, demographic features, and follow-up data were included in the study. RESULTS: RDW average value was 15.11 ± 2.87 and median value was 14.3%. For RDW cut off value, 13.4% was accepted as reference from previous studies was divided into two groups as <13.4% and ≥13.4%. While it was <13.4% in 119 patients; in 292 patients, it was "≥13.4%". High RDW value showed poor survival (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: RDW, the current hematological marker, can be used as an important indicator for monitoring the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer. Key Words: Gastrectomy, Gastric cancer, Laparoscopy, Surgical oncology, Red distribution width, survival.

The effect and clinical significance of using nathanson liver retractor on liver function tests in laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

AIM: There are very few studies in the literature investigating the changes caused by the Nathanson retractors in liver function tests (LFT) after LG and its clinical significance. The present study investigated the changes made by the Nathanson retractor used during LG on LFT and its clinical significance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data of 236 patients, who underwent radical gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer at Surgical Oncology Unit in the period between January 2015 and January 2020 were retrospective studied. The patients were divided into two groups: laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG; 136 cases) and open gastrectomy (OG; 106 cases). Patients who have undergone cholecystectomy, with primary or secondary liver tumors, with chronic hepatic disease, who have preoperative high ALT, AST and bilirubin values were excluded from the study. LFT were measured preoperatively and postoperative day 1 (LFT1), LFT3, LFT5 and LFT7. LFT: ALT, AST and Total bilirubin (BIL). RESULTS: ALT1, ALT3, ALT5, ALT7 ALT values and AST1, AST3, AST5 AST values of the patients in the LG group were found to be significantly higher (P <0.001). Mean total bilirubin values of the groups were similar (P >0.05). In order to evaluate how the increase in LFT due to the use of the Nathanson retractors reflected on the patients' clinic, we divided the patients who underwent LG into two groups based on ALT increase in ALT1: Normal and Elevated. The in-hospital mortality rates (P = 0.080) and oral nutrition time (P = 0.913) of the groups were similar. No liver infarction developed in any of the groups. The duration of stay in the ICU was significantly longer in individuals with elevated LFT (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Although the use of the Nathanson retractor during LG causes an increase in liver function tests, this does not cause major clinical problems in patients. Key Words: Gastrectomy; gastric cancer; laparoscopy; liver enzymes; liver dysfunciton.

Evaluation of Peroperative and Oncological Results in Laparoscopic Surgery of Gastric Cancer in Elderly Patients: Single-Center Study.

Introduction: Laparoscopic treatment of gastric cancer in elderly patients is still controversial. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic gastrectomy in elderly gastric cancer patients based on the long- and short-term results of laparoscopic surgery. Materials and Methods: The data of 163 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Patients were categorized into two groups by age based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria: elderly (≥65 years, 80 cases) and nonelderly (<65 years, 83 cases). Patient characteristics and clinicopathological findings, surgical findings, short- and long-term results were compared between the two groups. Results: The patients in the study group were in the age range of 22-87 years and 80 (49%) patients were found out to be 65 years old or older. When all complications were categorized according to Clavien-Dindo (C-D) classification, >3 serious complication rates were similar between groups (P = .421). Although the length of hospital stay and the need for intensive care were higher in the elderly group, the difference was not significant (P = .066; P = .072). There was no significant difference between the two in terms of in-hospital mortality (P = .364). No statistically significant differences were found in the rates of overall survival (nonelderly group; 61.17 ± 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.61-67.74 versus elderly group; 56.48 ± 3.80, 95% CI: 49.03-63.93; P = .176) and disease-specific survival (nonelderly group; 64.24 ± 3.15, 95% CI: 58.06-70.40 versus elderly group; 61.93 ± 3.57, 95% CI: 54.93-68.93; P = .363) between the age groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, although laparoscopic gastrectomy is a feasible and safe method in elderly gastric cancer patients, further randomized prospective studies are needed.

Long-Term Results and Current Problems in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: The study aims to evaluate the long-term results of patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in Ankara University Medical Faculty, Surgical Oncology Clinic, within 5 years. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Surgical Oncology Clinic of Ankara University Medical Faculty between January 2014 and September 2019. One hundred forty-six patients were included in the study. Results: Fifty-one (34.9%) of the patients were female; 95 (65.1%) were male. The mean ± standard deviation and median (minimum-maximum) values of the patients were 60.92 ± 14.13 and 64.00 (22.00-93.00), respectively (Table 1). Eighty-seven (59.6%) cases were located in the antrum, 29 (19.9%) were in the cardia region, and 30 (20.5%) were in the corpus region. Overall, 106 (72.6%) of 146 patients were alive, while 40 (27.4%) were ex. The mean survival was 21.8 months (0-69). Postoperative mortality was seen in 9 patients (6.2%) and our disease-free survival rate was 70.5%. Recurrence occurred in 14 (9.6%) of all patients. [Table: see text] Conclusion: In conclusion, although laparoscopic gastrectomy is a reliable and feasible method for gastric cancer, the standardization of laparoscopic surgery is required in clinics.

Activities of adenosine deaminase and 5'-nucleotidase in cancereous and non-cancereous human gastric tissues.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer is still one of the most common fatal types of cancer in the world. The abnormalities in purine metabolism are a characteristic feature of many human tumors. Little is known about the correlation between the activities of key enzymes of purine nucleotide pathway and some clinical indicators of gastric cancer invasiveness and aggressiveness. METHOD: Seventeen (11 men, 6 women) patients with gastric cancer were admitted to the hospital. The activities of Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and 5'-nucleotidase (5'NT) in their cancerous and non-cancerous tissues were measured. RESULTS: 5'NT activities were significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in non-cancerous tissues. CONCLUSION: 5'NT activities increased in gastric cancer tissues but had no association with clinicopathologic findings (Tab. 2, Ref. 9). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Regional chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Since 1990, 14 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were treated by regional chemotherapy. Five patients had locally advanced unresectable cancer and 9 had locally advanced disease with liver metastasis. METHODOLOGY: Fourteen patients underwent laparotomy, splenic artery catheterization and received a mean therapy of 3.8 cycles and 3 patients had completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Every cycle given monthly consisted of 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 3 days, mitomycin 10 mg/m2 1 day, and cisplatinum 60 mg/m2 1 day. Tumor response was evaluated on the basis of imaging methods, tumor markers and life quality marker pain relief. RESULTS: Four patients had stabilization, 4 had partial response, 5 had progression and 1 had complete response. Median survival was 8 months for the whole group. Palliation for pain was successful and 71.4% of the patients had pain palliation. One patient had complete, 1 patient had partial, 8 patients had stable pain relief. Four patients had poor response to treatment and had progressive pain. Side effects, mainly leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, occurred in 5 patients and responded to medical measures. Mild to moderate nausea and vomiting was common and they responded well to antiemetic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although the objective response rate of regional chemotherapy for overall survival is low, in an individual patient it may produce an adequate response and acceptable toxicity so that the patient experiences overall improvement in symptoms, and rarely as in one case in our group may be cured by this method.

Neuroendocrine differentiation in colorectal carcinomas: assessing its prognostic significance.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: There is evidence that colorectal carcinomas with extensive neuroendocrine features have a substantially worse prognosis than those without, but the frequency and clinical significance of neuroendocrine features in conventional carcinomas has not been settled since few studies have been performed, with conflicting results. The aim of the study was to investigate neuroendocrine differentiation in colorectal carcinomas in relation to its prognostic significance. METHODS: In 50 patients with colorectal carcinoma, the extent and intensity of staining with each of the three antibodies (chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase and synaptophysin) were determined and correlated with the histologic type, grade, stage of the tumor and survival time ot the patients. RESULTS: We observed chromogranin A expression in 38%, neuron-specific enolase expression in 26%, and synaptophysin expression in 6% of the tumors. Chromogranin A was the most frequently and strongly expressed marker in our study. Of the three antibodies studied, only chromogranin A positivity was correlated with grade and stage of the tumors and was associated with a decreased effect on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that chromogranin A is the most sensitive and specific neuroendocrine marker. Chromogranin A positivity appears to bear a poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancers.

The possibility of nervus ilioinguinalis and nervus iliohypogastricus injury in lower abdominal incisions and effects on hernia formation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the distances of nervus ilioinguinalis and nervus iliohypogastricus to McBurney's and paramedian incisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 12 adult cadavers. Right and left inguinal regions of the cadavers were dissected by inguinal incision. The points where the nerves perforated the internal obliquus muscles were determined, and the distances of these points to the spina iliaca anterior superior (SIAS) and to the umbilicus were measured. These distances were marked over a diagram, and distances of the nerves to McBurney's and paramedian incisions were measured by illustrating these incisions on the same diagram. FINDINGS: While the distance of the iliohypogastric nerve from the SIAS was 1.5-8 cm on the right and 2.3-3.6 cm on the left, the distance of the ilioinguinal nerve from the SIAS was 3-6.4 cm on the right and 2-5 cm on the left. The distance of the ilioinguinal nerve from McBurney's incision was 0.2-6.1 cm on the right and 1.8-7.5 cm on the left, and that of the iliohypogastric nerve was 2.2-6.9 cm on the right and 2.9-6.2 cm on the left. The distances of the nerves from paramedian incision were found to be 4.6-10 cm on the right and 6.4-11.2 cm on the left for the ilioinguinal nerve and 5-11.2 cm on the right and 7.4-11.6 cm on the left for the iliohypogastric nerve. CONCLUSION: Both nerves perforate the musculus obliquus internus, scattered in a wide area. Considering the distances, the paramedian incision seems to be more reliable with respect to the risk of nerve injury. Incisions performed in the lower abdomen carry the risk of injury to the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves.

Effect of sphincter-sacrificing surgery for rectal carcinoma on quality of life in Muslim patients.

PURPOSE: Living with a permanent colostomy significantly diminishes a patient's quality of life. However, little is known about its influence on worship patterns in Muslims. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in Muslim patients after surgery for rectal carcinoma, especially with respect to religious worship. METHODS: We studied 178 patients who had undergone curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma. The patients fell into three groups based on the type of surgery they underwent: abdominoperineal resection (n = 75), sphincter-saving resection (n = 51), and anterior resection including sigmoid colectomy (n = 52). Quality of life was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey and a questionnaire that asked participants about their work responsibilities, sexual life, and religious worship. RESULTS: The scores for all eight subscales of the Short Form 36 in the abdominoperineal resection group were significantly poorer than those in the sphincter-saving resection and anterior resection groups ( P< 0.001). In addition, social life and work responsibilities were significantly more affected in the abdominoperineal resection group than in the other two groups ( P< 0.001). A significantly ( P< 0.001) greater number of patients in the abdominoperineal resection group stopped praying daily (either alone or in a mosque) and fasting during Ramadan. CONCLUSION: Two aspects of religious worship (praying and fasting) were significantly impaired in the Muslim patients who had a stoma as a result of sphincter-sacrificing surgery. To improve quality of life in these patients, religious issues as they relate to the presence of a stoma should be discussed during preoperative counseling, the informed consent process, and counseling with local religious authorities.