Can isolated pancreaticojejunostomy reduce pancreas fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction?

OBJECTIVE: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a surgical procedure which is commonly accepted in cases of ampulla of Vater, head of pancreas, distal common bile duct neoplasms and severe chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic fistula is still a serious problem after reconstruction. Yet, there is no consensus on a single reconstruction method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reconstruction methods on patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy due to pancreatic tumor, and results of these reconstruction methods were retrospectively analyzed. Anastomosis was performed on all patients in the form of Roux-en-Y, but they varied as follows; Type 1: Only pancreatic anastomosis to the Y limb, Type 2: Pancreas and hepatic canal anastomosis together to the Y limb. RESULTS: 31 patients participated in the study. 21 of them were male, and 10 were female. In our study, postoperative complications included pancreatic fistula, hemorrhage, abscess, wound site infection, and pulmonary infection. Although more complications were observed in group 2 than in group 1, there was no statistically significant difference. There was one mortality in each group. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, one of the reasons of leakage is that anastomosis of both the biliary and pancreatic ducts to the same loop increases anastomotic pressure due to the raised output thus leading to fistula formation. A limitation of our study was the low number of patients. Reconstruction of the pancreas and bile secretions through separate anastomosis may reduce the rate of pancreatic fistulas.

Repair of an extensive iatrogenic tracheal rupture with a pleural patch and a vascular graft.

Here we describe a 48-year-old woman who suffered a 7-cm rupture in the lower trachea after intubation with a double-lumen tube. We repaired the rupture with a new technique using a pleural patch reinforced by a ringed vascular graft. This technique appears to be appropriate for use in patients who have large tracheal ruptures to avoid tracheal stenosis.

Band ligation of the perforated gall bladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Perforation of the gall bladder is a frequent complication during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Grasping the perforated part of the gall bladder, clip application, or endoscopic loop application are possible solutions to prevent spillage. We propose laparoscopic rubber band application to close the perforated part of the gall bladder as an easy and safe method. We performed rubber band application after iatrogenic perforation of the gall bladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 5 patients. Two-millimeter-wide multiple rubber rings, cut from a 14-Fr Foley catheter, are loaded on a grasper. When a perforation occurred during the dissection of the gall bladder, the hole is grasped with this instrument and 1 of the rings is placed on the gall bladder by the aid of a dissector. Thus, the grasper remained available for traction of the Hartmann's pouch during further dissection of the gall bladder. The rubber bands were placed successfully in all cases. Two perforations occurred in 1 case, and 2 bands were placed with ease. Bile leakage or gall stone spillage did not occur. Operation time was not prolonged. Rubber band ligation of perforation of the gall bladder is a simple, safe, inexpensive, and effective method to prevent spillage of the bile or gallstones in laparoscopic surgery.

Risk Factors for Development of Biliary Complications after Surgery for Solitary Liver Hydatid Cyst.

Biliary leakage (BL) is the most common cause of postoperative morbidity after conservative liver hydatid cyst surgery. The objective of this study was to determine incidence of BL and related risk factors in patients with solitary liver hydatid cyst who underwent conservative surgery. A total of 186 patients were included in this study. Age, gender, cyst recurrence, diameter, and localization, World Health Organization Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (WHO-IWGE) classification, cavity management techniques, cyst content, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Of these patients 104 were female and 82 were male. The mean age was 43.5 ± 14.7 years. Postoperative BL was detected in 36 (19.4%) patients. Cyst diameter (P = 0.019), cyst localization (P = 0.007), WHO-IWGE classification (P = 0.017), and ALP level (P = 0.001) were the most significant risk factors for BL. Independent risk factors for BL were perihilar localization, large cyst diameter, high ALP level, and advanced age according to WHO-IWGE classification.

[Our experience in the cases with penetrating colonic injuries]. / Penetran kolon yaralanmali olgulardaki deneyimlerimiz.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the factors that effect the morbidity and mortality in patients with penetrating colonic injuries were evaluated. METHODS: Fourty-two patients (37 males, 5 females; mean age 30,1; range 14 to 63 years) with penetrating colonic trauma were evaluated according to age, gender, type of penetrating trauma, location and severity of the colonic injury, associated injury, interval between the trauma and the definitive operation, hemodynamic status, blood transfusion requirement, fecal contamination, surgical procedure, postoperative complication and mortality. RESULTS: Type of the penetrating trauma was stab injury in twenty-eight (67%) patients, and gunshot injury in fourteen (33%) patients. The mean Colon Injury Severity Score was 2,1. The mean Abdominal Trauma Index (ATI) was 17,2 and it was over than 25 in eight (19%) patients. The symptoms of shock were present in eleven (26%) patients at admission. Blood transfusions were applied in sixteen (38%) patients. In twenty-one patients intraabdominal bleeding was observed and it was more than 500 mL in eleven (26%) patients. Primary repair was performed in 36 (86%) of the 42 patients and colostomy was performed in six (14%) patients. Morbidity and mortality rates were 41% and 10% respectively. CONCLUSION: It was found that morbidity rates were increased in patients with ATI score higher than 25, and mortality rates were increased in patients presenting shock at admission, with the amount of intraabdominal blood more than 500 mL, and who needed three or more units of blood transfusion. The primary repair of the penetrating colon trauma can be performed confidently in the hemodynamically stable patients with ATI score less than 25.

Comparison of 1869 thyroid ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies between general surgeons and interventional radiologists.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are commonly encountered problems in clinical practice. For patients who have a thyroid nodule, the fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most important test, as it is the most reliable diagnostic method for distinguishing between benign thyroid nodules and cancerous nodules. FNAB is able to be performed either via an ultrasound (USG) or alone and is the first choice when it comes to diagnosing thyroid nodules, given that it is cheap, safe and provides accurate results. OBJECTIVE: In this study-a retrospective analysis of FNAB via USG - our aim is to evaluate the multiple variables related to FNAB procedures, including the experience of the person performing the biopsy, the age and gender of the patient, the number of nodules, the size of the nodule(s) and the number of lams recorded from the cytopathology report on non-diagnostic rates, conducted at an invasive radiology clinic and at a general surgery clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1062 patients involving 1869 nodules, examined using FNAB via USG, were reviewed retrospectively from records dated between November 2011 and July 2014 and from pathology reports taken from the ANEAH General Surgery clinic and Interventional Radiology clinic. Cytopathology results were classified according to the 2007 Bethesda System for Reporting. Gender, age, number of nodules, diameter of the nodules, biopsied nodules, location of the nodules, number of lams, symptoms and the date of biopsies were the parameters used to examine the factors involved in non-diagnostic cytopathology invasive radiology. These parameters were inspected at both of the clinics (ANEAH General Surgery clinic and Interventional Radiology clinic). In analyzing the results, the statistical significance level was set at 0.05, where in cases that the p value was under 0.05 (p < 0.05), it was determined that no significant relationship existed. In this study, data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software. RESULTS: Of the nodules reviewed, 1620 were found on females and 249 on males. The age of the patients ranged from 10 to 87 years, with the mean age being 50 years. In the general surgery clinic, 470 nodules of 341 patients were aspirated, and in the interventional radiological clinic, 1399 nodules of 721 patients were aspirated. In the literature review conducted to compare statistical assessments of FNAB via USG, no significant difference was found between the ANEAH General Surgery clinic and the Invasive Radiology clinic (p > 0.05). In the invasive radiology clinic, non-diagnostic rates decreased with the increase in experience of the person who conducted the biopsy (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results from both of the clinic's rates of non-diagnostic FNAB, performed via USG, were found to be acceptable. Our study also demonstrates that USG-guided FNAB can be performed with a low non-diagnostic rate as experience grows.

The potential efficacy of Survanta (r) and Seprafilm (r) on preventing intra-abdominal adhesions in rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential efficacy of beractant (Survanta(r)) and Seprafilm(r) on the prevention of postoperative adhesions. METHODS: Forty Wistar-albino female rats were used. The rats were randomly allocated into four groups of 10 rats each as control group (CG), beractant group (BG), Seprafilm(r) group (SG), and combined group (COG). All rats underwent cecal abrasion via midline laparotomy. Before abdominal closure, isotonic saline, beractant, Seprafilm, and combined agents were intraperitoneally administered. Adhesions were classified macroscopically with Canbaz Scoring System on postoperative day 10. Ceacum was resected for histopathological assessment. RESULTS: Macroscopic adhesion scores were significantly lower in BG, SG, and COG than CG (p<0.05); (45%, 15%, 25%, and 15%; respectively). Histopathological assessment revealed a reduced inflammation and fibrosis score in the study groups than CG (p<0.05). In BG, adhesion development, inflammation and fibrosis scores were lower than SG; however, it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal application of beractant is significantly effective for the prevention of adhesion formation with no adverse effect by covering the whole peritoneal mesothelium with excellent gliding properties in a rat model. The combination of both agents is also effective in reducing adhesion formation, however, not superior to single beractant application.

The Effect of Platelet-Rich-Plasma on the Healing of Left Colonic Anastomosis in a Rat Model of Intra-Abdominal Sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the healing of colonic anastomosis in the presence of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty Wistar-albino male rats were used. Ten healthy rats were euthanized to prepare PRP, the rest were subjected to colonic anastomosis and randomly allocated into four groups of 10 rats each as anastomosis without PRP (C), without PRP in sepsis (SC), anastomosis with PRP (C-PRP), and with PRP in sepsis (S-PRP). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture procedure. All animals were euthanized on postoperative day 7. The body weight change, anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP), tissue hydroxyproline (TH) and histopathological examination of each group were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOWA) and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test to assess the differences between the groups. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference among the groups in terms of body weight changes. The ABP was measured at a mean value of 179.5 ± 10.3, 129.3 ± 14.2, 209 ± 14.4, and 167.5 ± 7.5 mm-Hg, in group C, SC, C-PRP, and S-PRP, respectively. The ABP and TH of C-PRP group was significantly higher than three groups (p < .05, for each comparison). In sepsis, PRP significantly raised the mean ABP and TH levels up to the levels of C group. Tissue regeneration was significant with increased collagen formation in C-PRP group than the other groups (p < .05). The healing effect of PRP in the presence of sepsis was significant than S-group (p < .05), while similar to C group (p = .181). CONCLUSION: PRP application to colonic anastomosis promotes the healing process in rats with intra-abdominal sepsis.

A Giant Aggressive Angiomyxoma of the Pelvis Misdiagnosed as Incarcerated Femoral Hernia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor that is mostly derived from the female pelvic and perineal regions. AA is a locally infiltrative slow growing tumor with a marked tendency to local recurrence. Painless swelling located around the genitofemoral region is the common symptom; thus, it is often misdiagnosed as a gynecological malignancy or a groin hernia. A 35-year-old female patient who previously underwent surgery for left femoral hernia operation resulting in surgical failure was reoperated for a giant AA located in the pelvis. The tumor was completely excised with free margins. Histopathologic examination revealed an AA. The tumor size was measured as 24 × 12 × 6 cm with a weight of 4.2 kg. Immunohistochemically, the cells show positive staining with vimentin, desmin, estrogen, and progesterone receptor. S100, MUC4, CD34, and SMA were negative in the tumor cells. AA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any painless swelling located in the genitofemoral region, particularly in women of reproductive age. The principle treatment should be complete surgical excision with tumor-free margins. Long-term follow-up and careful monitoring are essential due to its high tendency of local recurrence in spite of wide excision of the tumor. Adjuvant antihormonal therapy yields promising results for preventing recurrence.

Intra-abdominal Gossypiboma Revisited: Various Clinical Presentations and Treatments of this Potential Complication.

Gossypiboma is the term used to describe a retained non-absorbable surgical material that is composed of cotton matrix which leads to serious surgical complications for both patient and surgeon. Its incidence is not precisely known probably due to medico-legal importance of this potential complication. The condition may manifest either as asymptomatic or severe gastrointestinal complications. The increasing number of recent reports in the literature implies that this issue still remains as an important problem to be solved after intra-abdominal surgery. In this report, we aimed to emphasize this potential complication by presenting the clinical outcomes of our 14 patients who underwent different surgical interventions for gossypiboma. Between February 2009 and October 2014, a total of 14 patients who underwent surgery for gossypiboma were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were analyzed with regard to demographic characteristics, initial diagnosis-prior surgery, clinical presentation, the interval period from the first operation to last definite operation, diagnostic methods, gossypiboma location, definite surgery, and postoperative outcomes. A total of 14 patients including 6 (42.9 %) male and 8 (57.1 %) female with a median age of 41.4 ± 12 years (22-61 years) enrolled in this study. The prior surgery of 10 (71.4 %) patients was performed by general surgeons, while 4 (28.6 %) patients were operated by gynecologists. The interval period from prior surgery to definite surgery ranged from 14 days to 113 months. Three (21.4 %) patients were asymptomatic, whereas the vast of the patients were complicated (fistula, ileus, wound infection). Gossypiboma was removed by open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and endoscopic intervention in 10, 2, and 1 patient, respectively. Removal was performed from perineal wound side in one patient. Removal was enough for definitive treatment in 10 (71.4 %) patients whereas bowel resection and primary repair was performed in 4 (28.6 %) patients due to fistula or perforation. One patient died from intra-abdominal sepsis on postoperative 13th day. Gossypiboma should strongly be considered in differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient with mild gastrointestinal symptom or with persistent wound infection. Adequate surgical intervention should be planned as soon as possible either to prevent further complications or to overcome medico-legal problems, when gossypiboma is detected.

Evaluation of power Doppler sonography in acute cholecystitis to predict intraoperative findings: a prospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of gray-scale and power Doppler sonography for acute cholecystitis and show a correlation between sonographic and intraoperative findings, quantitively. METHODS: Forty chronic and forty acute cholecystitis patients were examined. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed for acute cholecystitis. Demographic characteristics, sonographic findings, and adhesion scores were analyzed. Data were collected prospectively (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02156947). RESULTS: Wall thickness (≥3 mm) and vascularity increased in acute cholecystitis (p<0.01 and <0.01). Vascularity was found to be moderately correlated with adhesion (p<0.01, r=0.59) but it did not affect the difficulty of the operation by means of perforation, conversion rate, and operation time. In addition, wall thickness did not correlate with adhesion formation (p=0.36). Sensitivity and specifity of wall thickness and vascularity were found to be 96.9%, 72.7%, and 68%, 87.2%, respectively. When both diagnostic measurements were taken into account, sensitivity was calculated 69.7% and specificity reached up to 97.6%. CONCLUSION: Vascularity correlated with adhesion but failed to predict operation difficulty. Specificity of gray-scale sonography could be improved with power Doppler examination; however, desired diagnostic accuracy could not be obtained with only quantitive measurements of sonography.

Evaluation of mean platelet volume as a diagnostic biomarker in acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains to be challenging with up to 30% negative exploration rates. In addition to careful clinical history and physical examination, we still need easily applicable, cheap and effective biomarker. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-controlled study was designed in two groups, both containing 100 patients, acute appendicitis and control. Leukocyte count, neutrophil percentage, platelet count and meal platelet volume (MPV) were compared. RESULTS: MPV values for acute appendicitis and control groups were 7.4 ± 0.9 fL (5.6-10.6) and 9.1 ± 1.6 fL (5.1-13.1). For the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, ROC analysis revealed 74% sensitivity and 75% specificity for a cut-off value of 7.95 fL of MPV, however, the diagnostic value of leukocyte count and/or neutrophil ratio was superior. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that, MPV value is an important parameter in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but in terms of sensitivity and specificity, leukocyte count and/or neutrophil percentage is superior.

Performance of venous port catheter insertion by a general surgeon: a prospective study.

As part of the vascular access procedures, venous ports, commonly referred to as catheters, are placed under the skin to enable safe and easy vascular access for administration of repeated drug treatments. 122 patients who had received a venous port catheter insertion procedure in the general surgery department between January 1012 and January 2014 were involved in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: those who had undergone a fluoroscopy (group 1) and those who had not undergone a fluoroscopy (group 2). Complications that emerged during and after the port catheter insertion procedure and successful insertion rates were recorded in the database. Data of these patients were presented in a prospective manner. There were 92 to 30 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In group 1, the mean age was approximately 56.8, total catheter stay time was 20,631 days, and mean time of port use was 224.2 days. In group 2, the mean age was approximately 61.2, total catheter stay time was 13,575 days, and mean time of port use was 452.5 days. Successful insertion rate was 100% and 90% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). The proper insertion of the port catheter accompanied by monitoring methods can decrease procedure-related complications. Statistical comparisons between the two groups in terms of malposition and successful insertion rates also support this view (P < 0.05). The findings support the view that in cancer patients, a venous port catheter insertion accompanied by a fluoroscopy can be safely performed by general surgeons.

Efficacy of pentoxifylline and tadalafil in rat model of ischemic colitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of tadalafil against pentoxifylline in rat model of ischemic colitis (IC). MATERIAL-METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were subjected to laparotomy and left colon devascularization to create an IC model and then randomly placed into four groups. Group-1 (sham group) was administered 0.9% NaCl following laparotomy, group 2 (control group) was administered 0.9% NaCl following induced IC, group 3 was given pentoxifylline (n = 8), and group 4 was given tadalafil. On the third day; macroscopic findings, Gomella's ischemic area and Wallace scoring, histopathological analysis, and Chiu scoring were performed, and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement in ischemic colon tissue was carried out through chemical analysis. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in acidic fluid, bowel dilatation, and serosal change (p < .05). The ischemic area measured 63.3 mm(2) in the control group, 2.8 mm(2) in the pentoxifylline group (p = .0001), and 2.4 mm(2) (p = .0001) in the tadalafil group. A significant difference was seen between the sham group and the control and pentoxifylline groups (p < .01), in terms of Wallace score and Chiu classification. Similarly, a significant difference was determined between the control group and pentoxifylline and tadalafil groups (p < .01), but no significant difference was established between the pentoxifylline group and tadalafil group (p = .33). MDA measurement was found on an average to be 63.7 in the control group, 22.7 in group 3 and 22.8 in group 4 (p = 001). CONCLUSION: Although tadalafil is superior to pentoxifylline, both drugs are considered to have positive effects.

Abolition of anti-adhesiogenic effect of heparin by protamine sulfate.

OBJECTIVE: Intraabdominal adhesion is a frequently encountered condition after surgery and can end up in important complications. The objective of this study is to test whether the antiadhesiogenic effect of heparin could be antagonized by administration of protamine in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A laparotomy with caecal abrasion model was used in 40 Wistar rats. Single dose of 1 cc saline was injected subcutaneously (SC) in one group (control); 50 IU/kg heparin was injected SC in Group 2; 50 IU/kg protamine SC given to Group 3; 50 IU/kg heparin and 50 IU/kg protamine was given SC to Group 4 for 3 consecutive days. Each group consisted of 10 rats. All rats were sacrificed one week later for macroscopic and microscopic examination and they were scored for adhesion using Mazuji adhesion scale. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the heparin group with respect to Mazuji adhesion score, histopathological score (fibrosis, inflammation and vascular proliferation) and S-100 staining (P < 0.05). Additionally, the inflammation was more severe in the mucosa and submucosa compared to serosa in the heparin group (P < 0.01). With respect to fibrosis and vascular proliferation, apart from submucosal fibrosis, heparin group was statistically superior to the control group by means of each layer (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: It seems that heparin is effective preventing adhesion in this rat model. Abolition of heparin's antiadhesiogenic effect by protamine administration is likely exerted via its antithrombine activity. Clinical application of our findings in intraabdominal surgery warrants further investigation.

The effects of vardenafil and pentoxifylline administration in an animal model of ischemic colitis.

OBJECTIVES: Vardenafil enhances dilatation of vascular smooth muscle and inhibits platelet aggregation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of vardenafil and pentoxifylline administration in an experimental model of ischemic colitis. METHODS: Forty female Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 g were randomized into five experimental groups (each with n = 8) as follows:1) a sham group subjected to a sham surgical procedure and administered only tap water; 2) a control group subjected to a standardized surgical procedure to induce ischemic colitis and administered only tap water; 3) and 4) treatment groups subjected to surgical induction of ischemic colitis followed by the postoperative administration of 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg vardenafil, respectively; and 5) a treatment group subjected to surgical induction of ischemic colitis followed by postoperative administration of pentoxifylline at 50 mg/kg/day per day as a single dose for a 3-day period. All animals were sacrificed at 72 h post-surgery and subjected to relaparotomy. We scored the macroscopically visible damage, measured the ischemic area and scored histopathology to determine the severity of ischemia. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were also quantified. RESULTS: The mean Gomella ischemic areas were 63.3 mm2 in the control group; 3.4 and 9.6 mm2 in the vardenafil 5 and vardenafil 10 groups, respectively; and 3.4 mm2 in the pentoxifylline group (p = 0.0001). The mean malondialdehyde values were 63.7 nmol/g in the control group; 25.3 and 25.6 nmol/g in the vardenafil 5 and vardenafil 10 groups, respectively; and 22.8 nmol/g in the pentoxifylline group (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that vardenafil and pentoxifylline are effective treatment options in an animal model of ischemic colitis. The positive clinical effects produced by these drugs are likely due to their influence on the hemodynamics associated with vascular smooth muscle and platelet functions.

Accuracy of surgeon-performed gallbladder ultrasound in identification of acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis is a common cause of emergency hospital admission. Ultrasonography (US) plays a significant role in the prompt diagnosis of this medical condition. However, it is difficult to find a radiologist in attendance for performing gallbladder US "beyond daytime and on weekends." With this standpoint, we decided to assess prospectively the accuracy of surgeon-performed gallbladder US for identifying acute cholecystitis in patients with cholelithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one consecutive patients awaiting elective or acute gallbladder surgery were included in this study. The US findings of surgeons and radiologists are compared with the histopathology reports. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV (positive predictive value), and NPV (negative predictive value) for acute cholecystitis by both surgeon-performed ultrasound (SPUS) and radiologist-performed ultrasound (RPUS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Both radiologists and surgeons visualized the gallstones of each patient in all cases. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and NPV for acute cholecystitis by SPUS were 84.2%, 92.1%, 90%, and 94%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and NPV for acute cholecystitis by RPUS were 92.3%, 85.9%, 87.1%, and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both SPUS and RPUS had a high accuracy rate in electing the acute cholecystitis. Our data support the fact that the use of US by general surgeons is effective in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

Superiority of ceftriaxon to cefazolin in a rat model of obstructive jaundice: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum and bile concentrations of cefazolin and ceftriaxone at the third and sixth hours in an experimental obstructive jaundice model and to identify the rate of excretion of these antibiotics into the bile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The bile and serum levels of cefazolin were measured at the third hour in the A1 group and at the sixth hour in the A2 group, with cefazolin administered as 5 mg/rat; while the bile and serum levels of ceftriaxone were studied at the third hour in the B1 group and at the sixth hour in the B2 group, with ceftriaxone administered as 5 mg/rat. RESULTS: After 3 hr of cefazolin administration, the serum concentration in the A1 group reached a mean of 1.8 µg/ml, while the bile concentration was 90% of the serum concentration, with a mean of 1.6 µg/ml; whereas in the B1 group, the third-hour serum concentration of ceftriaxone was 18.6 µg/ml, while the bile concentration was found to be as high as 330% of this level, i.e., 56 µg/ml. The serum value of cefazolin decreased to 1.4 µg/ml in the A2 group and ceftriaxone decreased to 3.7 µg/ml in the B2 group at the sixth hour. CONCLUSIONS: Although the excretory level of cefazolin and ceftriaxone into the bile reaches therapeutic doses, the duration for which these levels are above those required for bactericidal activity is short. Ceftriaxone is better concentrated in the serum and bile than cefazolin.

Alvarado, Eskelinen, Ohhmann and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis scores for diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

AIM: To assess the reliability and practical applicability of the widely used Alvarado, Eskelinen, Ohhmann and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) scoring systems in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: Patients admitted to our tertiary center due to suspected acute appendicitis constituted the study group. Patients were divided into two groups. appendicitis group (Group A) consisted of patients who underwent appendectomy and were histopathologically diagnosed with acute appendicitis, and non-appendicitis group (Group N-A) consisted of patients who underwent negative appendectomy and were diagnosed with pathologies other than appendicitis and patients that were followed non-operatively. The operative findings for the patients, the additional analyses from follow up of the patients and the results of those analyses were recorded using the follow-up forms. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients with suspected acute appendicitis were included in the study. Of the 113 patients (62 males, 51 females), the mean age was 30.2 ± 10.1 (range 18-67) years. Of the 113 patients, 94 patients underwent surgery, while the rest were followed non-operatively. Of the 94 patients, 77 patients were histopathologically diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Our study showed a sensitivity level of 81% for the Alvarado system when a cut-off value of 6.5 was used, a sensitivity level of 83.1% for the Ohmann system when a cut-off value of 13.75 was used, a sensitivity level of 80.5% for the Eskelinen system when a cut-off value of 63.72 was used, and a sensitivity level of 83.1% for the RIPASA system when a cut-off value of 10.25 was used. CONCLUSION: The Ohmann and RIPASA scoring systems had the highest specificity for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.