Comparison of open and laparoscopic techniques in the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common cause of acute abdomen and appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures. In this study, we aimed to compare open appendectomy (OA) and laparoscopic (LA) surgical techniques in the treatment of AA. METHODS: The data of 236 patients treated with the diagnosis of AA in 2019-2020 were analyzed. Of these patients, 85 patients who received OA and 84 patients who received LA were included in the study. Then, the two groups were compared in terms of demographic, laboratory, clinical, and surgical treatments. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 34.9 years (range 16-78), and the male-to-female ratio was 0.69. Statistical analysis revealed that the OA group had more leukocytosis, more female gender, and longer operation time than the LA group, but the LA group's complication rate was lower (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: LA offers less morbidity, a shorter duration of hospital stay, and a fast return to normal activities compared to OA. In the surgical treatment of AA, LA can be applied as a routine and first-line treatment.

The clinical feature and outcome of groove pancreatitis in a cohort: A single center experience with review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis that is less common and is now gaining awareness with multimodal imaging modalities. Our aim is to analyze the mid-long term outcomes of patients diagnosed with GP with different treatment approaches. METHODS: A computerized search from electronic patient record database between May 2013 and June 2019 with the keywords 'groove', 'paraduodenal' was applied. The clinical, radiological and pathological data of 25 patients diagnosed with GP were obtained. RESULTS: In the GP patient group, the median age was 55 (25-87) and 80% was male. Alcohol and tobacco abuse was 40% among GP patients. The most common symptoms were upper abdominal pain (84%) and nausea-vomiting (40%), respectively. Gastric outlet obstruction was observed in 4 (16%) patients. CT and EUS imaging were performed to majority of cases (96% and 92 %, respectively). EUS-FNA was done in 14 of 25 (56%) patients. It was reported as atypia, adenocarcinoma and benign in 2 (8%), 2 (8%) and 10 (40%) patients, respectively. EUS-FNA was helpful to diagnose two pancreatic head adenoCA whose preliminary radiological evaluation was GP. The mean follow-up period was 29 (3-71) months. Conservative approach was the predominantly preferred treatment (%56). Apart from conservative approach, treatment strategies included biliary stenting, sphincterotomy, wirsung stenting via ERCP, cholecystectomy etc. Considering all treatment modalities, symptoms improved in 12 (48%) patients and progressed with recurrent pancreatitis attacks in 7 (28%) patients. CONCLUSION: Because GP is a less well-known form of pancreatitis, it presents several challenges for clinicians in diagnosis and treatment. This form, which can mimic pancreatic malignancy in particular, must be differentiated from carcinoma. EUS(±FNA) is a useful diagnostic tool complementary to imaging. Although the conservative approach remains the first choice in most patients, the clinician should consider invasive endoscopic procedures and surgical options in special cases when necessary.

Clinical Significance of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Leukocyte, Fibrinogen, C-Reactive Protein, and Pentraxin 3 Values in Thyroid Nodules.

Objectives: Thyroid nodules (TN) are common. Genetic and environmental factors as well as chronic inflammation play a role in occurrence of these nodules. The key point in diagnostic assessment is to rule out malignancy. Biomarkers that can show the possibility of malignancy continue to be investigated. We evaluated the relationship between sedimentation rate, leukocyte, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) inflammatory markers and characteristics and cytology of TN. Methods: This study included a nodular goiter group with 55 persons and control group with 58 persons. Participants' gender, age, family history, thyroid function tests, sedimentation, leukocyte, fibrinogen, CRP, and PTX3 serum levels were recorded. The number of nodules, the largest nodule diameter, nodular echogenicity, and nodule structures were examined on ultrasonography (US) and thyroid biopsy was performed. Results: The number of TN in patients was between 1 and 4. The number of patients with two TN was higher (47.3%, n=26). Nodule diameters differed between 3 and 62 (mean 21) mm. In thyroid biopsy, papillary thyroid cancer was detected in 25.5% (n=14) of the patients. The number of nodules on US increased as CRP values increased (p=0.013). In addition, the number of nodules on US decreased as fibrinogen values increased (p=0.003). No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of sedimentation, leukocyte, and PTX3 values. Conclusion: The number of TN was positively correlated with CRP and negatively correlated with fibrinogen levels. However, there was no difference between benign and malignant differentiation and biomarkers. CRP values that correlate with the increase in the number of nodules can be used in prognosis and clinical follow-up.

Pancreatic cystic echinococcosis causing acute pancreatitis.

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic infestation, most commonly arises from Echinococcus granulosus helminth. The definitive hosts are carnivora, such as dogs and cats, and the intermediate hosts are herbivores, including cattle, sheep and goats. Humans are intermediate hosts, causing cystic echinococcosis. In our country, the incidence of echinococcos is 14%. The disease is localized in the liver by 70%. Cyst hydatid localized in the pancreas is unusual, with an incidence of 0.2-0.6%, and rarely causes acute pancreatitis. In this report, we present a 45-year-old male patient with cyst hydatid, which manifested by an acute pancreatitis attack. In the examination, there was a CE2 type according to WHO classification stage III cyst hydatid of 97 mm diameter with septa associated with Wirsung duct, acute pancreatitis and splenomegaly. The indirect hemagglutination test was >1: 2560. The patient underwent pancreatectomy and splenectomy following medical therapy with Albendazole tablet for four weeks. IHA of the patient was found as 1/32 in the third month. Cyst hydatid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cystic masses, especially in the regions where the disease is endemic. In addition, it should be remembered that although rarely seen, pancreatic cyst hydatid may cause acute pancreatitis.

Comparison of postoperative quality of life of Limberg flap and Karydakis flap in pilonidal sinus operations.

OBJECTIVES: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD), most commonly seen in young men, is a chronic disease resulting from the pilosebaceous in the sacrococcygeal region. There is still no standardization in surgical treatment. In this study, the effectiveness, follow up outcomes and quality of life level were compared between Karydakis flap (KF) and Limberg flap (LF) operations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the patients who had undergone PSD surgery in our clinic between 2015 and 2016, those who could be reached and who received KF (n= 53) and LF (n= 51) operations were included into the study. Clinical data of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative satisfaction levels of the patients were determined with Cardiff wound healing survey questions and visual analog scale. RESULTS: Mean operational time was 54 (44-75) minutes in the LF group and 45 (35-60) minutes in the KF group, and it was statistically significant (p= 0.001). Mean time to return to work was 14.3 (9-28) days in the LF group and 17.6 (10-30) days in the CF group and was statistically significant (p= 0.001). The rates of complications and recurrence were lower in the LF group although the difference was not statistically significant between the groups (p> 0.05). Mean psychosocial assessment score was 70.3 (57.5-88.7) in the KF group and 73.4 (53.5-87.5) in the LF group and the difference was statistically significant (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: LF was a more reliable and preferable method compared to KF because of earlier return-to-work, lower rate of recurrence at long term follow up, and higher psychosocial satisfaction.

Sinusectomy and primary closure versus excision and primary closure in pilonidal sinus disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Various surgical procedures are available for the treatment of pilonidal sinus diseases (PSD), but the best surgical approach remains controversial. Minimally invasive surgical procedures are more popular than surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sinusectomy with primary closure (SPC) in comparison with excision and primary closure (EPC) in primary or recurrent cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted with two cohort groups in which 351 patients with PSD underwent either SPC or EPC. The two procedures were compared according to the presence of short-term complications and recurrence of PSD. RESULTS: Of the patients, 134 underwent EPC and 217 underwent SPC. The length of stay and the wound healing time were significantly longer in the EPC group than in the SPC group. The occurrence rates of wound site infection and abscess were significantly higher in the EPC group than in the SPC group; however, seroma was statistically significantly more common in the SPC group than in the EPC group. The recurrence rates were 18.7% and 5.5% in the EPC and SPC groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: SPC is an efficient procedure for the treatment of patients with PSD showing simple and complicated disease patterns.

Using pentraxin-3 for diagnosing acute appendicitis and predicting perforation: A prospective comparative methodological study.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of pentraxin-3 for acute appendicitis, and the predictive performance for perforation in patients with acute appendicitis, compared with white blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: This study was a prospective methodological study, in which we studied the accuracies of the serum levels of pentraxin-3, white blood cell count, interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in estimating acute appendicitis, and in estimating perforation in patients with acute appendicitis. We designed the control group with the patients diagnosed inguinal hernia and admitted for elective surgery. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to compare the diagnostic accuracies and predictive performances. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed that the Pentraxin-3 level >3.67 ng/mL showed the sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 100.0% for diagnosing acute appendicitis, with an area under the curve of 0.993 (95% CI 0.967-1.000). Also, the Pentraxin-3 level >9.56 ng/mL showed the sensitivity of 92.9%, and the specificity of 87.1% for the prediction of the perforation, with an area under the curve of 0.820 (95% CI 0.736-0.886). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of Pentraxin-3 for acute appendicitis and the predictive performance for perforation were higher than white blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.

Predictive and prognostic value of L-lactate, D-dimer, leukocyte, C-reactive protein and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a disease that causes an ischemia in the intestines due to the obstruction of the mesenteric vessels feeding the intestines, with a mortality rate reaching up to 80%. The overall incidence of AMI is 0.63 per 100,000 people. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for survival. There is no ideal biomarker that can reflect different types and stages of AMI. This study investigated the predictive and prognostic value of L-lactate, D-dimer, leukocyte, C reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the preoperative period were investigated in patients operated for AMI. METHODS: A total of 44 patients operated for AMI between 2015 and 2019 were evaluated in this study. Demographic, clinical, radiological, laboratory and surgical findings of the patients included in this study were recorded. The patients were divided into groups according to the etiological type of AMI. L-lactate, D-dimer, CRP, leukocyte, and NLR levels of these patients were determined. Statistical analysis was performed according to AMI groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the 44 patients included in this study was 67.7 years and the female to male ratio was 0.76. According to tomography results, 31.8% (n=14) of the patients had mesenteric artery embolism, 29.5% (n=13) had mesenteric artery thrombus, 25% (n=11) had mesenteric vein thrombus and 13.6% (n=6) had non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. When AMI types were compared, D-dimer and CRP levels were found to be significantly different from other markers. The total length of stay in the hospital was found to be significantly correlated with the L-lactate (p=0.047) and CRP (p=0.045) levels. In the analyses, CRP was determined to be the common biomarker that could be used in the diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia in all AMI types. CONCLUSION: Particularly, the CRP level can be used effectively in the preoperative period to diagnose AMI and to determine its subtype and clinical course. However, L-lactate, D-dimer, leukocyte and NLR are markers that have no predictive value in the diagnosis of all AMI subtypes.

Effectiveness of conservative approach in right colon diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10%-25% of patients with colon diverticular disease experience colonic diverticulitis during their lives. Right-sided diverticulosis is a rare condition in Western countries, but it is common among Asian countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and treatment outcomes in our patients with right colon diverticulitis. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data of 22 patients with a diagnosis of cecum and right-sided colon diverticulitis between 2014 and 2017 were analyzed. The Hinchey staging was applied according to the radiological evaluation and clinical findings. Then, the proportions of demographic and clinical features of the patients according to the Hinchey staging and its statistical significance were evaluated. RESULTS: Our study included 22 patients who suffered from right colon diverticulitis. The female-to-male ratio was 0.69. A total of 68.1% of the patients were the Hinchey Stage I, and 31.8% were the Hinchey Stage II, all of which were evaluated by tomography. The Hinchey Stage I diverticulitis was mostly found in the right colon (66.7%) and the Hinchey Stage II diverticulitis in the cecum (57.1%). The mean age of the Hinchey Stage II patients was higher (63.6 years) and statistically significant (p<0.05). Two patients had appendectomy, and one had right hemicolectomy. Conservative treatment was applied to other 19 patients. The mean hospitalization time was 3.4 days. Four patients who received conservative treatment at the 2-year follow-up had recurrence. No recurrence was observed in patients receiving surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Right colon diverticulitis is usually seen in solitary men aged <50 years from Eastern societies. As a treatment option, conservative methods should be preferred, especially in uncomplicated cases. Surgical treatment is usually used in the treatment of recurrent and complicated cases.

Diagnostic efficacy of serum procalcitonin, IL-6, IL-2, and D-dimer levels in an experimental acute appendicitis model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent cause of acute abdomen emergency surgery. It continues to be a problem today due to delayed diagnosis and its high perforation rate. For this reason, diagnostic tests continue to be developed. In this experimental study, the diagnostic significance of blood procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2, and D-dimer levels in an acute appendicitis model in rabbits was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of five groups were included: control group, sham group, and three different acute appendicitis groups. In the appendicitis groups, the appendix was ligated by laparotomy, and the blood PCT, IL-6, IL-2, and D-dimer levels were measured at 12 (group 3), 24 (group 4), and 48 h (group 5). Then, an appendectomy was performed. RESULTS: In the present study, PCT and IL-6 levels increased in parallel with the inflammation of the appendix in all groups and were found to be statistically significant. IL-2 and D-dimer values were higher in the groups diagnosed with appendicitis but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In our experimental study, PCT and IL-6 levels were determined to be important in the early diagnosis of acute appendicitis, especially IL-6, and that these two parameters are more important markers than IL-2 and D-dimer.

Brunner's Gland Hyperplasias and Hamartomas in Association with Helicobacter pylori.

Background: The proliferative lesions of the Brunner's glands (BGs) are hyperplasia and hamartomas, and they are usually asymptomatic and very rarely diagnosed. The aetiology of these lesions is not yet clear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical presentations of patients with BG hyperplasia and hamartomas and to assess the pathological features of these lesions in association with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methods: Our retrospective study included patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy between 2010 and 2015. The hospital records of 18 patients diagnosed with hyperplasia or hamartoma of BG were reviewed for the clinical and pathological findings. Data from patients with BG lesion were compared with 37 patients who had nonspecific duodenitis as the control group. Results: Female/male ratio in our study sample was 1/1. The age range was between 16 and 85 years with a mean age of 48.61. BG hyperplasia and hamartomas were found in 72.22 and 27.78% of the patients, respectively. The rate of H. pylori in gastric mucosa was 43.2% in the control group and 66.7% in the BG lesion group. In the BG lesion group, the rate of H. pylori was higher. H. pylori was identified in 60% of BG hamartomas and in 69.2% of hyperplastic BGs. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that H. pylori may play an important role in the development of BG hyperplasia and hamartomas in association with chronic gastritis and duodenitis. This is probably due to chronic irritation.

S100A4 May Be a Good Prognostic Marker and a Therapeutic Target for Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the colorectal cancers rank the third in terms of cancer incidence and rank the fourth in cancer-associated deaths. S100A4, an important member of the S100 protein family, serves to promote tumor progression and metastasis. By conducting this study, we aim to examine the role of S100A4 in the prognosis of colon cancer and to demonstrate its prognostic significance. METHODS: Tissue samples of colon cancer from 148 patients who underwent colon resection due to colon cancer were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining to determine the protein expression levels of S100A4. The protein expression levels of S100A4 in tumor tissue were matched with the clinicopathologic factors including patient survival. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic expression of S100A4 protein was demonstrated in the tumor tissue of 132 patients (89.2%) out of a total of 148 study patients. Statistically, the expression levels of the cytoplasmic S100A4 protein correlated significantly with the TNM stages and patient survival. The distribution of the S100A4 protein staining in the tumor tissue was associated with the age groups, tumor localization, TNM staging, and patient survival with statistical significance. The levels of S100A4 protein expression were found to be an independent prognostic factor for TNM staging and poor survival. CONCLUSION: Expression of the S100A4 protein in colon cancers may be an indicator of tumor progression and lymph node metastasis and may be useful for predicting the overall survival of the patients with colon cancer. In patients with colon cancer, it may be used as an indicator of poor prognosis.