Comparative evaluation of efficiency for gastroileostomy anastomosis in laparoscopic transit bipartition with sleeve gastrectomy between linear and circular staplers.

INTRODUCTION: The use of Transit Bipartition with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG + TB) to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes related to it has been increasing, but there are many challenges related to the procedure. The anastomosis diameter of gastroileostomy (GI) performed using linear staplers is an important factor affecting the postoperative metabolic status. AIM: We aimed to compare linear-stapled (LS) and circular-stapled (CS) GI in SG + TB in terms of early and late perioperative and postoperative status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 24 patients who had undergone SG + TB between January 2018 and June 2019 to treat obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. GI was performed using linear staplers in 13 (SG + TB-LS group) and circular staplers in 11 patients (SG + TB-CS group). Operative time, hospitalization duration, complications, body mass index, haemoglobin A1c, albumin, haemoglobin, etc. were compared between the 2 groups before and 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The operation time was shorter in the SG + TB-CS group than in the SG + TB-LS group. The surgical treatments were successful in both groups in terms of weight loss and diabetes remission. Although not statistically significant, malnutrition and anaemia were slightly higher in the SG+TB-LS group than in the SG + TB-CS group during the follow-up process. CONCLUSIONS: Both anastomosis types were found to be safe for SG+TB, and the risks of postoperative complications were low and comparable in both groups. However, the diameter of the anastomosis should always be the gold standard in the CS technique, while it may be too wide or too narrow in the LS technique.

Endoscopic Hernia Repair: A Novel Technique for the Repair of Inguinal Hernia in a Cadaver Model.

BACKGROUND: The techniques of total extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair have been conducted for laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia since long. However, they offer significant disadvantages of requiring general anesthesia, producing negative cosmetic outcomes, and other serious complications. We examined the feasibility of applying an endoscopic method alternative to total extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal for laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia in a cadaver model so as to overcome the disadvantages of the presently available techniques. METHODS: A total of 4 male and 2 female cadavers [aged 18 y and above, body mass index (BMI) <40 kg/m2], who were planned for a routine autopsy between January 24 and 26, 2020 were selected for the present study conducted at the Forensic Medicine Institute. Twelve laparoscopic repair surgeries of inguinal hernia were performed in 6 of these cadavers using both the inguinal areas. RESULTS: We conducted a total of 12 surgeries on 4 male (mean age: 43.25 y; BMI: 29.05 kg/m2) and 2 female cadavers (mean age: 76.50 y; BMI: 26.60 kg/m2). A 7×5-cm-shaped mesh was used for both the sexes. For the fixation of the mesh, a titanium tacker was used in pubic tubercle and tendon conjoint, whereas for the fixation of ligamentum inguinale, 2/0 PDS was used in 3 surgeries, 2/0 15-cm V-Loc was used in another 3 surgeries, and titanium tacker was used in 6 surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the technique of endoscopic surgery that offers the advantages of open inguinal surgery in a cadaver model can be combined with the presently used laparoscopic intervention so as to combine all the advantages, especially for patients who are not suitable for general anesthesia, who are experiencing a recurrence after laparoscopic intervention, and who do not want any visible scares resultant from the surgery. For future studies, we suggest that the proposed technique be applied to inguinal hernia patients to ascertain clearer results.

Inverted colonic diverticulum: An endoscopic examination and presentation.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency, morphological features, differential diagnosis, possible adverse events of inverted colonic diverticulum (ICD), which may be misdiagnosed as polyps. METHODS: In all, 810 patients who underwent a colonoscopy between April 2016 and November 2019 were included in the study, and their data were evaluated retrospectively. Colonoscopic procedures were performed at a single center by the same endoscopist. RESULTS: Among all the 810 patients, the prevalence of diverticulum was 29.58% (121/409) in men and 25.19% (n = 101/401) in women, respectively. ICD was observed in 1.73% (n = 14) of all patients, including 11 (78.57%) men (aged 63.2 ± 12.95 years [range 47-90 years]) and three women (60.3 ± 4.04 years [range 58-65 years]). Most (63.16% [12/19]) ICD lesions were localized in the sigmoid colon. And the diagnosis was confirmed by eversion using biopsy forceps in 78.95% of them. One patient developed perforation after polypectomy with hot biopsy forceps and was treated by surgical operation. CONCLUSIONS: ICD is a common lesion that may lead to serious adverse events if misdiagnosed as polyps. Differential diagnosis of ICD is crucial during the colonoscopy.

Giant composite pheochromocytoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis: A case report.

A 54-year-old male was admitted to our department with neurofibromatosis and hypertension. During his examination, a mass was detected in the abdomen, and he was transferred to a surgical clinic. At the first examination of the patient, extensive café-au-lait spots and granulomas were detected on the body and the mass occupying right abdomen quadrant was palpable. The patient's medical history indicated that he had hypertension for almost a decade. The patient also stated that nodules on the body existed from his earliest recollection and he had relatives with neurofibromatosis. The patient was taken to a surgical operation. A mass with 30×23 cm in size was removed. The area of the nodular structure, with 0.5 cm in diameter, in the stomach serosa was also removed. The tumor was composed of phaeochromocytoma in the larger spaces and ganglioneuromas in the relatively narrow spaces. The nodular area removed in gastric serosa was reported as a very low-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Apart from this rare combination, adrenal mass removed from the patient was considerably larger than the masses in the literature until now. Therefore, we aimed to present this rare case with a literature background.

The effect of nitric oxide, endothelial nitric oxide synthetase, and asymmetric dimethylarginine in hemorrhoidal disease.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the roles of nitric oxide (NOx), endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which is the major endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), in the pathophysiology of hemorrhoidal disease. METHODS: This study included 54 patients with grades 3 and 4 internal hemorrhoidal disease and 54 patients without the disease who attended the General Surgery Clinic. NOx, eNOS, and ADMA levels were measured with the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The patients had higher NO and eNOS levels and lower ADMA levels than the control subjects (p<0.001). A significant highly positive correlation was found between NO and eNOS (p<0.001). Nevertheless, there was a highly negative correlation between ADMA and NO-eNOS(p<0.001, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study reveals that higher NOx and eNOS activities and lower ADMA levels in the rectal mucosa are observed in patients with hemorrhoidal disease than in those with normal rectal tissue. The imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as NO and endogenous competitive inhibitor of NOS, ADMA, may cause hemorrhoidal disease. Our study proposes that hemorrhoids display apparent vascular dilatation and present with bleeding or swelling. ADMA is an effective NOS inhibitor and may be a promising therapeutic option for hemorrhoidal disease.

The effect of nitric oxide, endothelial nitric oxide synthetase, and asymmetric dimethylarginine in hemorrhoidal disease

SUMMARY AIM The aim of this study was to examine the roles of nitric oxide (NOx), endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which is the major endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), in the pathophysiology of hemorrhoidal disease. METHODS This study included 54 patients with grades 3 and 4 internal hemorrhoidal disease and 54 patients without the disease who attended the General Surgery Clinic. NOx, eNOS, and ADMA levels were measured with the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS The patients had higher NO and eNOS levels and lower ADMA levels than the control subjects (p<0.001). A significant highly positive correlation was found between NO and eNOS (p<0.001). Nevertheless, there was a highly negative correlation between ADMA and NO-eNOS(p<0.001, p<0.001). CONCLUSION This preliminary study reveals that higher NOx and eNOS activities and lower ADMA levels in the rectal mucosa are observed in patients with hemorrhoidal disease than in those with normal rectal tissue. The imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as NO and endogenous competitive inhibitor of NOS, ADMA, may cause hemorrhoidal disease. Our study proposes that hemorrhoids display apparent vascular dilatation and present with bleeding or swelling. ADMA is an effective NOS inhibitor and may be a promising therapeutic option for hemorrhoidal disease.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar os papéis do óxido nítrico (NOx), do óxido nítrico sintetase endotelial (eNOS) e da dimetilarginina assimétrica (ADMA), que é o principal inibidor endógeno das óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) na fisiopatologia da doença hemorróida. MÉTODOS Este estudo incluiu 54 pacientes com doença hemorróida interna de grau 3 e 4 e 54 pacientes sem a doença que se inscreveram na Clínica Geral de Cirurgia. Os níveis de NOx, eNOS e ADMA foram medidos com o método de Ensaio Imuno absorvente ligado a enzima (ELISA). RESULTADOS Os pacientes têm níveis mais altos de NO e eNOS e níveis mais baixos de ADMA do que os indivíduos controle (p <0,001). Uma correlação altamente positiva significativa foi encontrada entre o NO-eNOS (p <0,001). No entanto, houve uma correlação negativa muito séria entre ADMA e NO-eNOS (p <0,001, p <0,001). CONCLUSÃO Este estudo preliminar revela que os pacientes com doença hemorróida têm atividades mais altas de NOx e eNOS e níveis mais baixos de ADMA na mucosa retal do que os pacientes com tecido retal normal. Desequilíbrio entre o fator relaxante derivado do endotélio, como; O NO e o inibidor competitivo endógeno da NOS, ADMA, podem causar doenças hemorróidas. Nosso estudo propõe que as hemorróidas exibam aparente dilatação vascular e apresentam sangramento ou inchaço, a ADMA é um inibidor eficaz da NOS e pode ser uma opção terapêutica promissora para a doença hemorróida.

Morgagni's Hernia: Analysis of 21 Patients with Our Clinical Experience in Diagnosis and Treatment.

A Morgagni's hernia is a congenital defect found in the anterior aspect of the diaphragm between the costal and the sternal portions of this muscle. This defect is also referred to as the space of Larrey. It has been reported that 70% of patients with Morgagni's hernia are female, 90% of the hernias are right-sided, and 92% of the hernias have hernia sacs. This type of hernia is a rare clinical entity and accounts for 3% of all surgically treated diaphragmatic hernias. There are no large retrospective or prospective studies on this topic. This type of hernia is a rare type among adults without a well-described prevalence and without well-established definitive management strategies. There are also few clinical reports about this clinical entity and its surgical treatment. We treated 21 patients with Morgagni's hernia in a 12-year period, and we report our experience while discussing the surgical treatment of this disease. We performed a retrospective review of the 21 patients who were operated between 2003 and 2015. These patients had undergone surgical repair of Morgagni's hernia. For each subject, demographic data, symptoms of presentation, physical examination findings, preoperative imaging studies and diagnosis, and surgical procedures were documented. Location of the hernia sac and its contents, postoperative complications, and duration of hospital stay were recorded and evaluated. Twelve patients were females and nine were males. The mean age of patients was 63.85 years. Dyspnea was the most prominent symptom in our patients. Morgagni's hernias were located on the right side in 19 patients and on the left side in 2 patients. Chest X-ray in 10 patients and abdominal computerized tomography in 17 patients were the major diagnostic tools. Four patients were operated as emergency while others underwent elective surgery (17 patients). Twelve patients were operated with laparoscopy and the remaining nine were operated with the conventional open abdominal technique. Hernia sacs were observed in all of the patients and removed except in four of them. The omentum and the transverse colon were the most commonly seen organs in hernia sacs. Hernia defects were repaired with primary sutures in four patients (all open cases) and primary closure supported with mesh in six patients (four laparoscopic, two open cases). In the remaining 11 patients, hernia defects were closed with synthetic meshes (eight laparoscopic, three open cases). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.8 days. No recurrence was observed in any patients. Only one of our patients died during follow-up. In Morgagni's hernias, surgical intervention is necessary as the hernia may cause complications such as strangulation of the colon or intestines. A laparoscopic approach has increased its popularity in recent years because of the well-known advantages of laparoscopy.

Hybrid appendectomy with classic trocar on McBurney's point.

INTRODUCTION: Appendectomy is still the most commonly performed intra-abdominal operation worldwide. Interestingly, it has not reached the same popularity as other laparoscopic surgical procedures. Although multiple techniques have been described, a standard approach has not been described for the laparoscopic technique yet. AIM: To perform hybrid appendectomy for acute appendicitis on McBurney's point, aiming to perform an easier and quicker procedure while limiting the trauma to the abdominal wall by obtaining the advantages of both laparoscopic and open techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the results of 24 patients on whom we had performed hybrid appendectomy with an optical trocar on McBurney's point for acute appendicitis in 1 year in terms of demographics, operative time, complications, hospital stay and cosmetic results. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the patients underwent hybrid appendectomy with a one-optic trocar on McBurney's point. The mean operative time was 21.4 ±6.2 min. We did not encounter any postoperative complications in any of the patients. The median hospital stay was 1.2 ±1.0 days. The postoperative scar was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is defined in the literature for the first time, and it is easy and feasible for the surgeons. It may reduce the operative time and costs when compared to the conventional laparoscopic technique, but prospective studies with more patients are needed for more certain results.

Laparoscopic Treatment of Adrenal Tumors: A Single-Center Experience with 58 Patients.

Background. The aim of this study is to discuss the laparoscopic approach and assess the immunohistochemical expression profiles of synaptophysin, Ki-67, and inhibin and patient outcomes in adrenal masses through a series of cases treated at our institution. Method. The study was conducted on 58 patients who were diagnosed with adrenal masses. All cases were operated on laparoscopically for adrenal masses. Results. Both inhibin and synaptophysin were found positive in 45 patients (77,6%). Ki-67 was negative in 11 patients, whereas it was found positive in 42 with a rate of 1%. The size of the masses ranged from 1 up to 9 cm (mean 4,3 ± 1,5). Urine hormone excretion was measured within normal ranges in 47 out of 58 patients (81%). Most of the diagnosed patients were harboring Cortical Adenoma (n: 38; 65,5%). All of the masses were successfully resected without complication except 3 patients. Because of complications of bleeding, the operation was converted to open surgery for 2 patients. Conclusion. Morbidity, mortality, and healing were comparable, regardless of tumor size, yet involvement in both laparoscopic and adrenal surgery was required. Our results suggested that laparoscopic adrenalectomy should replace open surgery as the standard treatment for most adrenal masses.

Colonic mucosal pseudolipomatosis: Are we aware of it?

OBJECTIVE: Colonic mucosal pseudolipomatosis is rare, and its pathogenesis is controversial. A number of mechanisms, including mechanical injury during an endoscopic procedure or chemical injury by disinfectant, seem to contribute to its pathogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined the colonic biopsies of 1370 patients. These biopsies were preserved at the Department of Pathology of Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between January 2012 and June 2013. RESULTS: We found pseudolipomatosis in 14 of 1370 colonoscopy cases (1.02%). Of these 14 patients, 8 were male and 6 were female. The male patients were between 24 and 66 years, with a mean of 39; the female patients were between 26 and 58 years, with a mean of 42. CONCLUSION: Many endoscopists are unaware of the lesion, and the diagnosis is generally possible only after pathological assessment of multiple biopsies taken from suspect lesions. Here we report and discuss colonic pseudolipomatosis incidentally found in a series of patients undergoing routine colonoscopy, and we underline the endoscopic pattern and diagnostic difficulties.

The Comparison of Lichtenstein Procedure with and without Mesh-Fixation for Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Aim. Although inguinal hernia repair is the most frequently performed surgical procedure in the world, the best repair method has not gained acceptance yet. The ideal repair must be safe, simple, and easy to perform and require minimal dissection which provides enough exploration, maintain patient's comfort in the early stage, and also be cost-effective, reducing operation costs, labor loss, hospital stay, and recurrence. Materials and Methods. There were eighty-five patients between the ages of 18 and 75, diagnosed with inguinal hernia in our clinic. Lichtenstein procedure for hernia repair was performed under spinal anesthesia in all patients. Forty-two patients had the standard procedure and, in 43 patients, the polypropylene mesh was used without fixation. All patients were examined and questioned on the 7th day of the operation in terms of pain, scrotal edema, and the presence of seroma and later on in the 6th postoperative month in terms of paresthesia, neuropraxia, and recurrence by a single physician. Results. Operative time and pain scores in the nonfixation group were significantly lower, without any increase in rates of recurrence. Conclusion. Based on these findings, in Lichtenstein hernia repair method, nonfixation technique can be used safely with better results.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on pilonidal disease surgery.

Surgical excision and lay-open is a well-known technique for the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease, which impairs a patient's quality of life considerably since wound healing takes a substantial amount of time. It is known that with this method total healing period is longer, but recurrence rate of the disease is lower. The beneficial effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on wound healing have been well established since it was first put into in clinical use. The purpose of this prospective randomized clinical trial was to investigate the effects of HBO2 therapy on wound healing in the patients who had sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease and surgical treatment. Total epithelialization times of 12 patients (Group 1) who received surgical intervention were compared with those of 10 patients who had surgical intervention and HBO2 therapy (Group 2). In both groups excised tissue volume, excised skin area, body mass index, blood hemoglobin, albumin levels, ages and duration of the complaints were recorded and there was no statistically significant difference in these parameters except albumin levels when compared. The complete epithelialization time was significantly shorter in Group 2 (50 ± 11 vs. 83 ± 18, p⟨0.001). We conclude that HBO2 had beneficial effects on wound healing, in the patients who had sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease and were treated with surgical excision applying lay-open technique.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with ileal transposition - an alternative surgical treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus and gastroesophageal reflux.

Currently, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered as a gastrointestinal disease. Numerous studies have demonstrated that bariatric operations ameliorate T2DM significantly. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (L-RYGB) is considered as the gold standard procedure. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and impact of L-RYGB with ileal transposition (or interposition) on diabetes resolution in a patient who has not benefited from any medical therapy, with its additional effect on the amelioration of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient was a 38-year-old diabetic woman with uncontrolled blood glucose despite medical treatment, with additional gastroesophageal reflux disease. Following the procedure, her biochemical parameters and reflux symptoms improved significantly within 10 months. We think that L-RYGB with ileal transposition may be easily employed to gain a maximum effect in diabetics with adverse prognosis. This technique may be an alternative in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with gastroesophageal reflux.

Possible relationship between the resistin gene C-420G polymorphism and colorectal cancer in a Turkish population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In recent years, with improvements in genotyping, a possible relationship between obesity-related gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer (CRC) has been studied. The promoter region C-420G of the resistin gene is believed to have an important role in the development of malignancy. We prospectively evaluated the possible effect of the resistin C-420G polymorphism on the risk and prognosis of CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-three patients with CRC and 79 healthy individuals were included in the study. Blood samples were genotyped, and the relationship between the resistin C-420G polymorphism and demographic characteristics and tumor features was evaluated. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in genotype distribution between the patient and control groups and among patients in the means of gender, biochemical findings, and tumor characteristics (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The relationship between the C-420G polymorphism and various diseases has been evaluated in many studies to date. With the increased importance of obesity in etiopathogenesis, studies have focused on CRC. According to our results, the GG genotype may be associated with a decreased CRC risk. Our study is important because to our knowledge, it is the first one to be conducted in a Turkish population to date, but we believe that more patients and controls are needed to obtain statistically significant results.

Isolated cecal necrosis: our surgical experience and a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Isolated cecal necrosis is a rare cause of ischemic colitis. Ischemic colitis is further divided into two groups: occlusive mesenteric ischemia and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of isolated cecal necrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We operated on 3 male and 3 female patients with a mean age of 60.3±18.7 (38-85) years with a preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis between 2007 and 2012. Four of these patients were on hemodialysis, 1 patient had an aortofemoral bypass, and 1 patient had coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: The diagnosis was made intraoperatively in all cases. Five patients died postoperatively. One patient survived. CONCLUSION: In the case of right lower quadrant pain, the possibility of isolated cecal necrosis should be kept in mind, especially in patients on hemodialysis, elderly patients with diabetes, and heart disease; surgical strategies should be planned accordingly, and it should be understood that a high mortality rate will be inevitable.

Factors affecting mortality in Fournier's gangrene: experience with fifty-two patients.

INTRODUCTION: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a life-threatening infection of the perineal and genital areas. We examined the comorbid diseases, treatments and factors affecting mortality in FG. METHODS: This retrospective clinical study involved 52 patients who were treated for FG. The demographics, aetiologies, comorbid diseases, laboratory and bacteriology findings, treatment methods and length of hospital stay were compared between patients who died and those who survived the infection. RESULTS: Out of the 52 patients, 12 died and 40 survived. Patients who died and those who survived were similar in terms of their mean age at first presentation (62 vs. 55 years), the mean number of debridements (3.6 vs. 2.9), the mean length of hospital stay (25 vs. 34 days) and gender (p > 0.05 for each). However, the mean leukocyte count was higher in patients who died than in surviving patients (33.6 ± 7.2 vs. 14.3 ± 4.9 cells/mml; p < 0.05). The most common aetiology in both groups was perianal abscess. Deviating colostomy was performed in 13 patients. Of the patients who died, nine had haemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure and type II diabetes mellitus (DM), while one had type II DM and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Haemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure and a high leukocyte count at first presentation were found to be the factors affecting mortality in FG patients.

Does a fitted abdominal corset makes colonoscopy more tolerable?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The present study evaluated the usefulness of a fitted abdominal corset for colonoscopy, enabling proper compression of the abdomen during the entire examination. METHODS: Patients undergoing colonoscopy were subjected to either traditional methods or to using a fitted abdominal corset. Two hundred and sixteen patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (conventional colonoscopy) and group 2 (colonoscopy with abdominal corset). Cecal intubation rate and time need for manual compression and change of position were recorded. At the end of each colonoscopic examination, the patient evaluated pain by an 11-point visual analog scale from 0 to 10 (0: no pain, 10: worst pain). RESULTS: Cecal intubation time was shorter, the need for extra manual compression and change of position decreased and patients felt less pain during the procedure as denoted by lower visual analog scale scores in the group using a fitted abdominal corset, when compared to the group without a corset, in a statistically proven manner. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the usefulness of the abdominal corset in decreasing the degree of patient pain and it makes colonoscopy easier and quicker with less manipulation, so we propose using a fitted abdominal corset during routine colonoscopic procedures.

New and Simple Approach for Preventing Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesions: Do not Touch the Peritoneum without Viscous Liquid-A Multivariate Analysis.

Background. Postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPAs) are an unsolved and serious problem in abdominal surgery. Method. Viscous liquids of soybean oil, octyl methoxycinnamate, flax oil, aloe vera gel, and glycerol were used in five experiments, using the same methodology for each. Liquids were applied in the peritoneal cavity before and after mechanical peritoneal trauma. Results were evaluated by multivariate analysis. Results. Compared with the control group, macroscopic and microscopic adhesion values before (P < .001) and after (P < .05) application of viscous liquids significantly reduced PPAs. Values were significantly lower when liquids were applied before rather than after peritoneal trauma (P < .0001). Discussion. Viscous liquids injected into the peritoneal cavity before or after mechanical peritoneal trauma decrease PPA. Injection before trauma was more effective than after trauma. In surgical practice, PPA formation may be prevented or decreased by covering the peritoneal cavity with an appropriate viscous liquid before abdominal surgery.

Predictive value of thyroid tissue density in determining the patients on whom sternotomy should be performed.

BACKGROUND: Retrosternal goiter incidence rates range between 0.2% and 45% of all goiters, and sternotomy is performed in some of patients. There is no consensus for selecting the patients on whom sternotomy should be performed. We aimed to determine the most important factor for predicting requirement of sternotomy. METHODS: This prospective study included 260 patients with retrosternal goiter. The clinical symptoms, history of previous thyroidectomy, presence of tracheal deviation, tracheal compression, site of mediastinal extension, thyroid tissue density, findings of intubation, type of surgical approach, histologic findings of thyroid, weight of thyroid, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Thyroid tissue density, posterior location, and subcarinal extension were found to be independent factors for predicting requirement of sternotomy. The risk for sternotomy increased 47-fold for patients with harder thyroid tissue density (OR: 47.3; 95% CI: 5.8-385.70), 20-fold for patients with subcarinal extension (OR: 20.5; 95% CI: 2.5-168), and 10-fold for patients with posterior location (OR: 10.5; 95% CI:1.8-60). CONCLUSION: Thyroid tissue density was defined the strongest predictive factor for requirement of sternotomy. Preoperatively obtained information thyroid tissue density can be useful for surgical strategy.

Comparison of totally extraperitoneal technique and darn plication of primary inguinal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study aimed to assess the perioperative and long-term results of primary inguinal hernia repair and to compare the results for a totally extraperitoneal (TEP) procedure with the results of patients undergoing darn plication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 166 patients with unilateral inguinal hernias were randomly assigned to undergo either TEP (n=78) or darn plication (n=88). RESULTS: The mean operation time for darn plication (16±14.7 minutes) was significantly shorter than TEP hernioplasty (42.1±35.6 minutes, P=.007), but the postoperative recovery time and return to work were significantly less shorter for TEP (P=.001). The frequencies of complications (11.5% versus 12.5%) and recurrences (2.5% versus 3.4%) were approximately equal in the two groups. The frequency of chronic groin pain (2.5% versus 14.1%, P=.008) and numbness (1.2% versus 6.8%, P=.01) was significantly lower in the TEP group. The majority of patients (92%) receiving TEP reported being "very satisfied" with the outcome of surgery compared with only 68 (77.2%) "very satisfied" patients in the darn group (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: TEP repair is comparable to darn plication in terms of complications and recurrences. Unilateral TEP can be safely and efficiently accomplished in less than 45 minutes, even during the initial learning phase. TEP is more comfortable for patients and results in earlier ambulation and return to work. The qualitative accounts given by the patients also support the advantages of TEP in postoperative period.