The prognostic and predictive role of class III ß-Tubulin and hENT1 expression in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-nabpaclitaxel (GnP) are standard first-line treatment regimens for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, currently, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers to aid in the treatment selection. We aimed to explore the prognostic and predictive value of class III ß-Tubulin (TUBB3) and human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) expression, which have previously been shown to be associated with taxane and gemcitabine resistance in advanced PDAC. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 106 patients with advanced PDAC treated with GnP and/or FOLFIRINOX at our institution. TUBB3 and hENT1 immunohistochemical staining was performed on tumor specimens and subsequently evaluated based on the intensity and percentage of expression. RESULTS: In patients who received the GnP regimen, a high combined score (TUBB3low/hENT1high) was associated with a higher DCR and longer PFS compared to those with intermediate (TUBB3high/hENT1high or TUBB3low/hENT1low) and low score (TUBB3high/hENT1low). In the multivariate analysis, a high combined score was an independent predictor of higher DCR (OR:11.96; 95 % CI:2.61-54.82; p = 0.001) and longer PFS (HR:0.33; 95%CI:0.18-0.60; p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in response rates or PFS based on TUBB3 and hENT1 expression among patients receiving the FOLFIRINOX regimen. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that tumor TUBB3 and hENT1 expression may predict the efficacy of the GnP regimen, and low TUBB3 and high hENT1 expression (TUBB3low/hENT1high) are associated with a higher DCR and longer PFS in patients treated with GnP. Evaluating TUBB3 and hENT1 jointly can identify the patients most (as well as least) likely to benefit from GnP chemotherapy.

Analgesic effect of erector spinae plane block after cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block is also a technique for providing analgesia after a cesarean section. Aim: We hypothesized that bilateral erector spinae plane block applied from the transverse process of T9 who underwent elective cesarean section could provide effective postoperative analgesia. Patients and Methods: Fifty parturients who were scheduled to undergo elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were included in the study. Group SA (n = 25) was categorized as the group in which spinal anesthesia alone (SA) was performed, and Group SA+ESP (n = 25) was categorized as the group in which SA + ESP block was performed. All patients were given a solution containing 7 mg isobaric bupivacaine + 15 µg fentanyl intrathecally through spinal anesthesia. In the SA + ESP group, the bilateral ESPB was performed at level T9 with 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine + 2 mg dexamethasone immediately after the operation. Total fentanyl consumption in 24 h, the visual analogue scale for pain, and time to the first analgesic request were evaluated postoperatively. Results: The total fentanyl consumption in 24 h was statistically significantly lower in the SA + ESP group than the SA group (279 ± 242.99 µg vs. 423.08 ± 212.55 µg, respectively, P = 0.003). The first analgesic requirement time was statistically significantly shorter in the SA group than the SA + ESP group (150.20 ± 51.83 min vs. 197.60 ± 84.49 min, respectively, P = 0.022). Postoperative VAS scores at 4th, 8th, and 12th h at rest were statistically significantly lower in group SA + ESP than in group SA (P = 0.004, P = 0.046, P = 0.044, respectively). VAS scores during the postoperative 4th, 8th, and 12th h cough were statistically significantly lower in group SA + ESP than in group SA (P = 0.002, P = 0.008, P = 0.028, respectively). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP provided adequate postoperative analgesia and significantly decreased postoperative fentanyl consumption in patients having cesarean section. Also, it has a longer analgesia time than the control group, and it has been shown to delay the first analgesic requirement.

Prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age group and related factors. A study from Southeastern Turkey.

Background: Obesity is an important public health issue with an increasing prevalence in Turkey as well as throughout the world. Aims: The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age group living in Adiyaman which is located in southeastern Turkey and the factors related to it. Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out with 1,100 women registered at Family Health Centers in the Adiyaman city center. Data were collected through a face-to-face survey method and evaluated on a computer. Chi-square and logistic regression evaluations were used in comparisons and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the women was 32.94 ± 8.65; 78.3% of them were homemakers, and half were elementary school graduates or less educated; 57.6% of the women were overweight with 24.1% being obese. It was observed that women's body mass index increased with their age and decreased with higher levels of education. Also, the study showed that the risk of being overweight increased 3,2 times for married women and 2,0 times for unemployed women. Additionally, the rate of women being overweight was higher among the women with more number of previous pregnancies. Conclusion: Prevalence of obesity among women of reproductive age was high in the Adiyaman city center. Specific training should be planned, especially for women with low education levels, for fighting obesity.

Comparison of the effects of exenatide and insulin glargine on right and left ventricular myocardial deformation as shown by 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiograms.

Background: Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs. The effects of GLP-1 analogs on myocardial function are controversial. Aims: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of exenatide and insulin glargine on subclinical right and left ventricular dysfunction. Methods and Material: In this study, 27 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized into exenatide and insulin glargine treatment groups. The patients were monitored for six months by conventional echocardiography (ECHO) and 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to evaluate right and left ventricular functions. Results: ECHO parameters did not change significantly pre- and post-treatment, except for the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values. Post-treatment TAPSE values significantly increased in both groups compared to pre-treatment values. In the insulin group, values for 2D-STE parameters of the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) based on apical long-axis (ALA) images increased significantly (p: 0.047) compared to pre-treatment values; however, apical 4-chamber (A4C), apical 2-chamber (A2C), LVGLS, and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) values did not change. In the exenatide group, LVGLS based on A4C values improved (p: 0.048), while ALA, A2C, and LVGLS values did not change. Moreover, the RVGLS values improved significantly after exenatide treatment (p: 0.002). Based on 2D-STE parameters the two treatments did not differ statistically in either pre- or post-treatment periods. Conclusions: Glp-1 treatment can improve left ventricular regional and right ventricular global subclinical dysfunction. Therefore, early GLP-1 treatment may be recommended in diabetic patients with a high risk of cardiac dysfunction.

Nivolumab for the salvage treatment of desperate germ cell tumor: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) are the most common tumor in young men. Their distinctive feature is the exceptional response to platin based combination chemotherapy.Since the prognosis is poor in relapsed and refractory patients, the immune checkpoint inhibitors are candidate agents in these patients although clinical trials are mostly lacking. Herein, we describe a patient with a refractory nonseminomatous GCT using nivolumab as a last resort therapy and provided long term response without any significant toxicity. CASE REPORT: A 41-year-old male presented with the complaint of flank pain eleven years ago. The patient underwent a retroperitoneal lymph node excision and pathology reported as the mixed germ cell tumor. There were no mass in the testicles and the patient was diagnosed with a primary retroperitoneal GCT. Since the disease has progressed under multiple lines of chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, treatment was started with nivolumab. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: The patient started to treatment with nivolumab 3 mg/kg two weekly as a last resort treatment. The nivolumab was continued and the patient's response to this treatment is ongoing and has been stable for 13 months. DISCUSSION: There are limited treatment options in platinum-refractory germ cell tumors. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors tried in this setting with some success in especially non-seminomatous GCTs. We see a good response and prolonged benefit with the use of nivolumab in our patient. Further research including prospective studies on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in platinum-resistant testicular cancer can further delineate the role of immunotherapy.

Totally laparoscopic resection and extraction of specimens via transanal route in synchronous colon and gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Synchronous colon and gastric cancer is a rare clinical entity. In the present case, it is aimed to show that in a patient with synchronous colon and gastric cancer, laparoscopic resection can be safely performed and both specimens can be delivered through a natural orifice. In our knowledge, this is the first example showing the delivery of the gastric resection specimen through the anus in a human being. CASE REPORT: Sixty-six years old male patient with an upper gastrointestinal bleeding and obstruction symptoms was admitted to our department and the evaluation revealed an advanced stage gastric and a synchronous colon cancer. A laparoscopic palliative subtotal gastrectomy with a subtotal colectomy was performed. All anastomoses were performed intracorporeally and colectomy and subtotal gastrectomy specimens were successfully delivered via trans-anal route without any difficulty. Despite major abdominal organ resections, the patients required quite less analgesics in the postoperative period. DISCUSSION: Specimen extraction through the natural orifices eliminates the need and problems of performing additional abdominal incisions to the patients which also leads to reduced postoperative pain. Synchronous surgical procedures do not prevent the natural orifice surgery.

The effect of peritoneal dialysis with alkaline dialysate in peritonitis carcinomatosis: an experimental study in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to neutralize acidic pH using an alkaline dialysate for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in mice with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and to investigate the change of the pH level in the acidic fluid along with its effects on liver oxidative stress, liver and kidney histopathology and the lifespan of the body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups.PC development was inhibited by intraperitoneal injection of Ehrlich tumor cells in all mice in each group. RESULTS: In the group-1 receiving CAPD, the pH levels of acidic liquid were higher; and the levels of liver TBARS were lower with higher reduced glutathione levels. Histopathological damage in group-1 was less than in group-2. In Group 3 receiving CAPD, the average lifespan extended by 10.4%. The average lifespan extended by 26.1%. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that applying CAPD with alkaline dialysate in PC contributed to the neutralization of acidosis of the intraperitoneal acid structure;had favorable effects on oxidative stress markers in liver tissue; prevented histopathological injury in liver and kidney tissues, and extended the life span of the body in mice. As this is a simple, inexpensive, and easily available method, larger studies are warranted to evaluate its effects.

Significance and outcome of living-donor liver transplantation in acute mushroom intoxication.

INTRODUCTION: Mushroom intoxication (MT) can lead to acute liver injury which may result in Mushroom intoxication-related liver failure (M-ALF) requiring liver transplantation (LT). In the present study, we want to share the experience of our institute regarding living-donor LT (LDLT) due to mushroom poisoning. AIM: The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of poor prognosis in patients with ALF secondary to mushroom intoxication requiring LDLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with MT between 2008 and 2016 were evaluated. Demographics, symptoms, interval between symptoms and admission to our institute, laboratory data, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)/pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) scores, clinical course, and outcomes of supportive therapy and LT were evaluated. There were two groups in the study: Group A = responsive to supportive therapy (n = 9) versus Group B = unresponsive to supportive therapy (n = 9). RESULTS: During the study, a total of 18 patients were admitted with M-ALF. Twelve (66.7%) of them were female, and the mean age was 39.9 ± 18.2 years. All of the nine patients in Group A fully recovered with supportive therapy. In Group B, one patient died during waiting period for LT and 8 patients received LDLT LDLT. Three of the eight patients who were transplanted died in the postoperative early period within postoperative 5 days. The patients in Group B had significantly higher MELD/PELD scores and encephalopathy rate than in Group A (P < 0.05). International normalized ratio (INR), bilirubin, ammonium levels, and platelet count were significantly different between groups (P < 0.05). The patients in Group B had significantly longer interval before admission to our institute (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of encephalopathy, higher MELD/PELD, INR, bilirubin, ammonium levels, and lower platelet count was related to poor prognosis in MT. LDLT provides a good therapeutic option in patients with M-ALF. The time is a crucial factor in successful treatment of MT. Early admission to a tertiary referral center with expertise in LT results in a better prognosis and increased survival following M-ALF.

Candesartan mediates microcirculation in acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

AIM: In the present study we aimed to determine the effect of an AT-II antagonist candesartan on pancreatic microcirculation in an experimental model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were five study groups with 10 animals in each. Pancreatitis was induced by intravenous infusion of cerulein and coadministration of glycodeoxycholate into biliopancreatic canal. Candesartan is given at 6th and 18th hour to the 24th and 48th hour groups, respectively. At 24th and 48th hours; following anaesthesia laparotomy was performed and laser Doppler flowmetry was performed in the pancreatic tissue of the animals. Following scarification blood samples were obtained for amylase, myeloperoxidase, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha. Tissue samples from the pancreas were obtained for histopathological analysis, endothelial cell apoptosis (TUNEL assay) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Pancreatic microcirculation was higher in the candesartan treated groups (p < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha was found to be lower in the candesartan treated groups (p < 0.05). The pancreatic edema and inflammation were found to be reduced in the candesartan treated groups (p < 0.05). Endothelial apoptosis was found to be reduced by cadesartan treatment but it did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Tissue matrix metalloproteinase -9 levels were found to be reduced with candesartan treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with candesartan in the early phases of acute necrotizing pancreatitis effective on microcirculation of pancreatic tissue (Tab. 3, Fig. 6, Ref. 28).

Is thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen (TAFIag) level significant in recurrent miscarriage?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma thrombin-tat fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen (TAFIag) levels in women with recurrent miscarriage (RM) and age-matched healthy parous women as controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients were enrolled in this study. As a study group (group 1), the authors evaluated 49 RM patients who had two or more consecutive abortions with unknown etiology before 12 weeks of gestation. The remaining 31 patients (group 2) were age-matched healthy parous women with no history of miscarriage and experienced at least one live baby. RESULTS: Comparisons of blood TAFIag levels revealed no statistically significant difference between women with recurrent miscarriages and control group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study indicated that TAFIag level was not associated with recurrent miscarriages.

Comparison of Bipolar vascular sealing and conventional back-table dissection in terms of post-renal transplant drainage and back-table preparation times.

OBJECTIVE: The usage of vessel sealing devices has been gaining popularity in all surgical specialties. Post-renal transplant drain placement is a common practice among transplant surgeons. However, prolonged drainage accompanied by surgical wound complications and perirenal fluid collections is a frequent complication experienced by the recipients. This study aimed to compare Bipolar vascular sealing with conventional back-table dissection in terms of post-renal transplant drainage duration, amount, surgical wound complication, and back-table preparation time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A double-blind clinical study randomizes recipients into 2 groups, using Bipolar vascular sealing (Group 1) and conventional ligation (Group 2) back-table dissection. Variables such as recipient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), cause of end-stage renal disease, amount and duration of surgical drainage, back-table time, and cold ischemia time (CIT) were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Ninety-eight consecutive living donor (M/F: 69/29) renal transplant recipients were enrolled in this prospective randomized clinical trial. There were 49 patients in each group. The mean BMI was 26.76±4.57. There was no difference among the groups regarding recipient age, BMI, total drainage, and surgical drainage duration. The surgical site infection rate was not different between the two groups. Group 1 had significantly shorter back-table time, with mean back-table time being 15.26±2.51 minutes in Group 1 and 28.83±6.27 minutes in Group 2 (p<0.001). The CIT was also significantly different between the 2 groups (p<0.001). In Group 1, the recorded CIT was 43.3±11.4, and in Group 2, 57.1±13.3 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Bipolar vascular sealing to seal lymphatic vessels at the back-table is feasible, safe, and easy to perform. It also expedites the dissection and shortens the time required for back-table graft preparation.

Evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer with optic coherence tomography in patients with alcohol use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) with optical coherence tomography (OCT) among patients with alcohol and tobacco use disorder. METHODS: This study included 29 patients and 29 age and gender-matched healthy participants without alcohol dependency. The patients underwent full ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment and fundus examinations, and RNFL measurements taken with spectral-domain OCT. The RNFL values of the two groups were compared with each other. RESULTS: In comparison to the control group, the RNFL was found to be thinner in all quadrants in the group with alcohol and tobacco dependency. The RNFL thinning in the superotemporal, temporal, and inferotemporal quadrants was found to be statistically significant (P-values 0.012, 0.040 and 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic alcohol and tobacco use may cause RNFL thinning. Assessment of RNFL thinning by OCT among patients with alcohol and tobacco dependency might be used to identify visual morbidity.

PILE: a candidate prognostic score in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Although the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became a vital part of cancer care, many patients do not respond to treatment, indicating need for biomarkers. The Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV) is a recently developed peripheral blood count-based biomarker. Herein, we evaluated a PIV-based candidate scoring system as a prognostic biomarker in ICI-treated patients. METHODS: A total of 120 advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 inhibitors for any cancer type were included in this study. The PILE scoring system incorporating the PIV (< median vs. ≥ median), lactate dehydrogenase levels (normal vs. > normal) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 vs. ≥ 1) was constructed from the multivariate analyses and used for stratification. The association between overall survival (OS), progression-free survival and PILE risk category was evaluated with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 9.62 months and the median OS of all cohort were 12.42 ± 2.75 months. Patients with higher PIV had significantly decreased OS (7.75 ± 1.64 vs. 18.63 ± 4.26 months, p = 0.037). The patients in the PILE high-risk group (PILE score 2-3) had decreased OS (18.63 ± 4.02 vs. 5.09 ± 1.23 months, HR: 2.317, 95% CI: 1.450-3.700, p < 0.001) and PFS (7.69 ± 1.30 vs. 2.69 ± 0.65 months, HR: 1.931, 95% CI: 1.263-2.954, p = 0.002) compared to PILE low-risk group (PILE score 0-1). The Harrell C-Index values were 0.65 and 0.61 for OS and PFS prediction, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated a decreased overall survival in ICI-treated patients with a higher PILE score. If prospective studies validate our results, PILE score could be a biomarker for immunotherapy.

Is neopterin level a predictive and differential biomarker in patients with thyroid disorders?

Neopterin production provides information about the extent of cellular immune activation. Measurement of neopterin levels may also provide predictive and prognostic information in patients with malignant thyroid diseases. In the present study, neopterin levels were investigated in patients with thyroid disorders (no.=68). Twenty-four patients had papillary thyroid cancers and the rest of them benign thyroid disorders. Results were compared with a healthy control group (no.=30). It was observed that there was a significant difference in neopterin levels between the control group and the thyroid disorders group (p<0.05). The mean neopterin levels in malignant and benign patients were also significantly different (p<0.05). Monitoring of urinary neopterin profile may be used in early diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer. Neopterin seems to be a differential biomarker for malignant and benign thyroid disorders.

Evaluation of blood oxidant/antioxidant balance in dogs with sarcoptic mange.

The aim of this study was to investigate of oxidant/antioxidant balance in dogs with sarcoptic mange. The study materials consisted of totally 30 cross-breed male dogs; 15 with sarcoptic mange (study group) and 15 healthy as control. Blood samples for analyses were taken from control and study group. In study group, microscopic examination of dermal scrapings of 15 dogs revealed S. scabies. Lipid hydroperoxide level, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index in dogs with sarcoptic mange were higher (P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) than the control. Otherwise; sulphydril levels in dogs with sarcoptic mange were lower (P<0.05) than that of control. No significant differences were observed in total antioxidant capacity between groups. Our results suggest a possible relationship between oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and sarcoptic mange infestation in dogs.

Late conversion from calcineurin inhibitor-based to sirolimus-based immunosuppression due to chronic toxicity: a prospective study with protocol biopsy amendment.

BACKGROUND: There is an emerging consensus on conversion from calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based regimens to proliferation signal inhibitor (PSI)-based protocols for the prevention of a progressive decline in graft function due to CNI toxicity. METHODS: Thirty-one primary renal transplant recipients within 17-48 years of age (mean, 32.2 +/- 1.6) were enrolled in this dual-center study. Eligible patients had a baseline (pre-engraftment) biopsy and completed at least 12 months of follow-up with deteriorating graft function indicative of chronic CNI toxicity with or without nonspecific interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) on a biopsy specimen. A fast conversion protocol, being defined as a 50% initial reduction followed by complete withdrawal of CNI drug within 2 weeks of introducing rapamycin was performed in all patients. A sirolimus (SRL) loading dose was not prescribed; all subjects directly received maintenance (2-5 mg/d) doses of the drug. The primary endpoint of this study was assessement of renal function using cGFR and renal histology by protocol biopsy at 1 year after conversion. RESULTS: The mean follow-up after conversion was 21.6 months. The difference between cGFR before compared with cGFR after 12 months after conversion (40.8 +/- 2.36 mL/min vs 55.7 +/- 3.6 mL/min; P < .000) and at the last follow-up (40.8 +/- 2.36 mL/min vs 53.8 +/- 2.96 mL/min; P < .000) was significant. The mean IF/TA with glomerulosclerosis and chronic vasculopathy scores of biopsy specimens at baseline, during conversion, and at 12 months of the study were 2.25 +/- 0.3, 3.30 +/- 0.24, and 3.0 +/- 0.30, respectively. The change in scores was indicative of mild progression; however, the difference was not significant. IF/TA, glomerulosclerosis, and chronic vasculopathy scores improved in 8 (30%) subjects, remained unchanged in 11 (42%) and worsened in 7 (28%) after 1 year of SRL therapy. After conversion there was no patient or graft loss in this group. Moreover, SCr and GFR improved in 21 or 29 patients (72%), remained stable in 4 (14%), and decreased in 4 (14%) patients. The predictors of successful conversion in our study were GFR > or = 40.6 mL/min, SCr < or = 2.34 mg/dL, and histological allograft damage score < or =3. CONCLUSION: SRL-MPA/MMF-ST combination may be a good therapeutic strategy against chronic CNI toxicity, particularly for patients whose conversion biopsy specimens demonstrated mild IF/TA, glomerulosclerosis, and chronic vasculopathy scores (< or =3.1 +/- 0.3).

Early Hepatic Artery Thrombosis After Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

AIM: Hepatic artery thrombosis is one of the major complications affecting patient and graft survival after liver transplantation. In this study, we analyzed the factors affecting the development of early hepatic artery thrombosis (eHAT) and its outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation. METHODS: A total of 175 pediatric patients underwent living donor liver transplantation between January 2013 and November 2018. Factors affecting eHAT and its outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Nine patients (5.1%) developed eHAT. In multivariate analysis, intraoperative hepatic artery revision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy biliary reconstruction type were statistically significant (all, P < .05). Thrombectomy and reanastomosis was performed in 5 patients. Two of them were successful. In total, 3 retransplantations were performed and all of those patients are still alive. CONCLUSION: The factors affecting eHAT are still a matter of debate. Intraoperative hepatic artery anastomosis revision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction were independent risk factors for development of eHAT. In the present study, the confidence interval of the variables is high, therefore exact determination of the risk factors may not be possible. Early detection and thrombectomy and reanastomosis may be the first treatment of choice to rescue the patient and graft. When it fails, retransplantation must be an alternative. The results of the present study state that at least once a day the vascular anastomosis must be examined by Doppler ultrasonography in the post-transplant first week. It must be repeated when liver enzymes increase. The patients under high risk for eHAT may be followed up closer.

Utility of Polyethylene Terephthalate (Dacron) Vascular Grafts for Venous Outflow Reconstruction in Living-Donor Liver Transplantations.

BACKGROUND: Venous outflow reconstruction of modified right-lobe liver grafts has been shown to prevent the occurrence of graft congestion and subsequent complications, including graft loss. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Dacron grafts for venous reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Between January 2016 and January 2018, Dacron grafts were used in 148 liver transplants. Of these, 104 patients who had a follow-up computerized tomography (CT) scan were enrolled into the study. A total of 179 outflow hepatic veins including V5, V8, partial middle hepatic vein, and accessory inferior right hepatic veins (IRHV) were reconstructed using synthetic Dacron grafts. Graft patency was evaluated with both intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography following reconstruction, and a follow-up CT was performed on the postoperative day 7 (±1). Retrospective data collection included demographics, parameters for small-for-size (laboratory tests [bilirubin, International Normalized Ratio] and ascites) syndrome, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Follow-up CT revealed graft patency in 155 out of 179 (86.6%) vascular grafts. Postoperative seventh-day patency rates for each reconstructed vein were as follows: V5, 87.5% (70/80); V8, 87.7% (50/57); partial middle hepatic vein, 100% (11/11); and IRHV, 77.4% (24/31). No major graft-related complications (early graft dysfunction, graft infection) or graft-related mortality were observed. None of the recipients developed small-for-size syndrome based on laboratory tests and clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Dacron vascular grafts appear as an advantageous and useful alternative for venous outflow reconstruction in LDLT.

Keyhole deformity: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: Keyhole deformity is frequently encountered after posterior internal sphincterotomy but may be observed after lateral internal sphincterotomy or in patients without any history of previous anal surgery. The aim of the present study is to emphasize the surgical significance of this entity and discuss the possible strategies in the treatment of the deformity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients in whom keyhole deformity developed after surgical or conservative treatment applied for chronic anal fissure in our clinic and patients referred from other centers were recruited. RESULTS: Nine-hundred twenty-six patients were treated for chronic anal fissure. A hundred of these patients directly underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy. The remaining 826 patients initially received conservative management, and 676 of them eventually underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy. In total, 15 patients were diagnosed to have significant keyhole deformity. Initially, all patients received conservative treatment for keyhole deformity, which was successful in two patients. Of the 13 patients in whom conservative management failed, nine underwent advancement flap reconstruction and the remaining four diamond flap reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Keyhole deformity is occasionally seen as a late complication of chronic anal fissure and may be well tolerated by the patients without any well-defined symptoms. The treatment strategy is directed toward the degree of functional alteration.