A Novel Oxidative Stress Mediator in Acute Appendicitis: Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis.

Aim. To investigate the role of a novel oxidative stress marker, thiol/disulphide homeostasis, in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis (AA). Methods. In this study, seventy-one (43 male and 28 female) patients diagnosed with AA and 71 (30 male and 41 female) healthy volunteers were included. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), c-reactive protein (CRP), and thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters (native thiol, total thiol, disulphide, disulphide/native thiol, native thiol/total thiol, and disulphide/total thiol ratios) were compared between the groups. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was determined by a newly developed method by Erel and Neselioglu. Results. The native thiol, total thiol, and the native thiol/total thiol ratio levels were statistically significantly decreased in the AA compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Disulphide level and the ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were higher in the AA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation of CRP with native thiol, total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol ratio while there was a positive correlation of CRP with disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol in the AA group. In the stepwise regression model, risk factors as disulphide/native thiol (OR = 1.368; p = 0.018) and CRP (OR = 1.635; p = 0.003) were determined as predictors of perforated appendicitis compared to the nonperforated group. Conclusion. This is the first study examining the thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a diagnostic aid in AA and establishing thiol/disulphide homeostatis balance shifted towards the disulphide formation due to thiol oxidation. Further studies are needed to optimize the use of this novel oxidative stress marker in AA.

The Syrian civil war: The experience of the Surgical Intensive Care Units.

OBJECTIVE: Since the civilian war in Syria began, thousands of seriously injured trauma patients from Syria were brought to Turkey for emergency operations and/or postoperative intensive care. The aim of this study was to present the demographics and clinical features of the wounded patients in Syrian civil war admitted to the surgical intensive care units in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: The records of 80 trauma patients admitted to the Anaesthesia, General Surgery and Neurosurgery ICUs between June 1, 2012 and July 15, 2014 were included in the study. The data were reviewed regarding the demographics, time of presentation, place of reference, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and Injury Severity Score (ISS), surgical procedures, complications, length of stay and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 80 wounded patients (70 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 28.7 years were admitted to surgical ICUs. The most frequent cause of injury was gunshot injury. The mean time interval between the occurrence of injury and time of admission was 2.87 days. Mean ISS score on admission was 21, and mean APACHE II score was 15.7. APACHE II scores of non-survivors were significantly increased compared with those of survivors (P=0.001). No significant differences was found in the age, ISS, time interval before admission, length of stay in ICU, rate of surgery before or after admission. CONCLUSION: The most important factor affecting mortality in this particular trauma-ICU patient population from Syrian civil war was the physiological condition of patients on admission. Rapid transport and effective initial and on-road resuscitation are critical in decreasing the mortality rate in civil wars and military conflicts.

Evaluation of nutritional risk screening-2002 and subjective global assessment for general surgery patients: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability of nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) tools to predict the length of hospital stay, complications and mortality, and to compare these tools in predicting outcomes of surgical patients. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at the Surgery Department of Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey, from March 30 to September 30, 2010. The patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included patients requiring major surgical operations for gastrointestinal malignancy; Group 2 and 3 included patients undergoing moderate surgery and minor surgical operations respectively. Discrimination characteristics of the scoring systems were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Nutritional risk at admission was found to be increased in 132 (22.5%) patients by NRS-2002, and 90 (15.3%) by SGA. The sensitivity and specificity of NRS-2002 for complications were 53.3% and 96.6% respectively. The SGA values were 55% and 98.5% respectively. NRS-2002 and SGA at admission had a reliable power of discrimination (AUC > 0.8) for mortality and to predict complications in major gastrointestinal surgical patients. CONCLUSION: SGA and NRS-2002 methods had positive predictive power in estimating the mortality risk in general surgical patient population. Both scoring tools were also positive in estimating post-operative complication risk in major surgical patients.

Ectopic breast cancer: A case report.

Ectopic breast may be present at any site, from the axilla to the vulva, other than its normal location. Cysts, adenofibromas and rarely carcinomas have been reported in ectopic breasts. In this case report, we present a patient with ectopic breast cancer. The patient had a thickening and enlarging of her ectopic breast tissue, on the left arcus costarium. Tru-cut biopsy revealed "invasive lobular carcinoma". Left ectopic mastectomy and level I-II axillary dissection were performed and then chemotherapy+radiotherapy+endocrine therapy treatment was commenced. During follow up, the patient is doing well; in spite of R1 resection, she has no evidence of local recurrences or distant metastases.

Giant Meckel's Diverticulitis Perforation Due to Necrosis.

Although Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, its prevalence is approximately 2% in the general population. Most diverticula remain asymptomatic and can be diagnosed with obstruction, perforation, inflammation, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The treatment of complicated MD is surgery, but there is no clear treatment recommendation yet for incidentally detected cases. As in the case we present here, the development of perforation due to Giant Meckel's diverticulitis in an adult female patient is a very rare complication of a disease that can be diagnosed very rarely.

Risk Factors of Postoperative Clinically Relevant Pancreatic Fistula following Distal Pancreatectomy with Stapler Closure.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse clinicopathological variables to determine risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients having distal pancreatectomy with stapler closure. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey, from January 2015 to May 2020. METHODOLOGY: Medical files of 38 cases having distal pancreatectomy with stapler closure of the pancreatic remnant for conditions emerging from the pancreas or other organs were analysed. Data about demographics, perioperative and pathological findings, postoperative outcomes were gathered. Univariate analysis was utilised for comparisons of categorical data. The possible risk factors found to be significant in the univariate analysis were included into the logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Based on the description reported by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery, 23.7% and 31.6% of the patients had biochemical leakage and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses made to determine risk factors of POPF showed a relation between stapler closure alone (p = 0.018) and soft parenchymal texture (p = 0.002) and clinically relevant POPF. Multivariate analyses revealed that parenchymal texture was the sole independent predictor of clinically relevant POPF (OR, 0.016, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Soft pancreatic texture is independently predictive of clinically relevant POPF following distal pancreatectomy with stapler closure. However, reinforcement of the stapler line with extra sutures decreases the risk of clinically relevant POPF. Key Words: Distal pancreatectomy, Pancreatic fistula, Stapler closure, Suture reinforcement.

Mayer-rokitansky-kuster-hauser syndrome with presacral schwannoma presenting as a pelvic mass: A literature review and case report

A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our gynecology outpatient clinic with primary amenorrhea, a pelvic mass, and pain. Sonographic examination and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an approximately 124×103 mm heterogeneous mass. Moreover, laparotomy revealed fibrotic uterine bands with normal ovaries, tubes, and a solid retroperitoneal lesion. On the second postoperative day, the mass was removed, and the patient was discharged with full recovery. Microscopic examination of the pelvic mass confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the co-occurrence of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome and schwannoma, without the presence of any other pathology.

Evaluating the effect of infliximab on the healing of left colonic anastomosis in the presence of intra-abdominal sepsis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Infliximab (IFX) is a chimeric anti-TNF-α body which is effectively used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and a variety of autoimmune diseases. The effect of IFX on the healing of intestinal anastomosis has been evaluated in several studies, however with conflicting results. Furthermore, the effect of IFX on colonic anastomosis in sepsis has not been evaluated to date. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether IFX has an adverse effect on the healing process of colonic anastomosis either under normal or septic condition. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The efficiency of IFX was assessed with respect to anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP), tissue hydroxyproline levels (THL) and histopathological examination of left colonic anastomosis in 40 male rats. The rats were randomly allocated into four groups of 10 rats each as control (C), septic control (SC), control IFX (C-IFX) and septic IFX (S-IFX). RESULTS: The anastomotic bursting pressure was measured at 182±19.1, 158±15.4, 161±26.8 and 100±10.3mm/Hg, in C, SC, C-IFX and S-IFX; respectively. IFX administration did not influence the anastomotic strength under normal condition whereas in sepsis significantly induced the reduction of APB. The mean THL was almost similar in both control groups (p=0.87), whilst IFX reduced the level of TH in sepsis comparing with control groups (p=0.01). IFX significantly impaired immune response in sepsis resulting in poor anastomotic healing in S-IFX group. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that IFX had no detrimental effect on the healing of colonic anastomosis under normal condition whilst significantly impaired the healing process in sepsis.

The effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on the hemodynamics and respiratory functions in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleeve gastrectomy has been one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgery methods. The study aimed to compare the effects of 2 most commonly used inhalation anesthetics, sevoflurane and desflurane, on the peroperative hemodynamic alterations and postoperative respiratory functions in morbidly obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. DESIGN: Nonrandomized cohort. SETTINGS: Operating room, postoperative period. PATIENTS: Eighty-four morbidly obese patients with a body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2 who had scheduled to undergo sleeve gastrectomy operation were prospectively included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 2 groups. The maintenance of inhalation anesthesia was performed by sevoflurane in 1 group (sevoflurane group) and desflurane (desflurane group) in the other group. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic features, peroperative hemodynamic alterations, and the results of preoperative and postoperative 24th hour respiratory function tests were recorded. RESULTS: There was not any statistically significant difference between groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, anesthesia time, peroperative mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and preoperative or postoperative forced expiratory volume 1/forced vital capacity ratios. CONCLUSION: We determined that both desflurane and sevoflurane provide similar intraoperative hemodynamic and early postoperative respiratory functions in morbidly obese patients in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Both agents can be regarded as alternatives for inhalation anesthetics in maintenance of anesthesia.

The role of fine needle aspiration cytology and core biopsy in the diagnosis of palpable breast masses.

BACKGROUND: The modern approach to palpable breast masses is to get cytopathologic diagnosis before definitive surgery. We aimed to compare fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with core biopsy in histopathologic diagnosis of palpable breast masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected on 123 women who have suspicious palpable breast masses from 2007 to 2010. RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, core biopsies were performed on 64 patients (Group 1) and FNAC on 59 patients (Group 2). Malignancy was confirmed in 25 out of 32 clinically suspicious patients in Group 1 (78.1%), and 20 out of 21 participants in Group 2 (95.2%). Among the clinically suspicious patients, 81.8% of 33 patients in Group 1, and 90.3% of 31 patients in Group 2 were identified malignancy. Sensitivity was 100% for core biopsy and 95% for FNAC. Specificity was 100% in both procedures. False negativity rate in FNAC were 5%. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity and specificity showed that in the case of true histopathologic classification, core biopsy is superior to FNAC. Nevertheless, FNAC's role as a fast, simple and cheap diagnosis cannot be ignored. It is an effective diagnostic tool in most patients, in comparison to the correct and specific typing of core biopsies in benign lesions which protect patients from the open biopsy.

The Effects of Direct Oxygen Supply During Static Cold Preservation of Rat Livers: An Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the biochemical and histopathologic effects of direct oxygen supply to the preservation fluid of static cold storage system with a simple method on rat livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group, which contained Ringer's lactate as preservation fluid; and the oxygen group, which contained oxygen and Ringer's lactate for preservation. Each liver was placed in a bag containing 50 mL Ringer's lactate and placed in ice-filled storage containers. One hundred percent oxygen supplies were given via a simple, inexpensive system created in our laboratory, to the livers in oxygen group. We obtained samples for histopathologic evaluation in the 12th hour. In addition, 3 mL of preservation fluid was subjected to biochemical analysis at 0, sixth, and twelfth hours. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and pH levels were measured from the preservation fluid. RESULTS: In oxygen-supplemented group, the acceleration speed of increase in alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels at sixth hour and lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels at 12th hour were statistically significantly reduced. In histopathologic examination, all parameters except ballooning were statistically significantly better in the oxygen-supplemented group. CONCLUSIONS: This simple system for oxygenation of liver tissues during static cold storage was shown to be effective with good results in biochemical and histopathologic assessments. Because this is a simple, inexpensive, and easily available method, larger studies are warranted to evaluate its effects (especially in humans).

Comparison of intracorporeal knotting and endoloop for stump closure in laparoscopic appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several appendiceal stump closure tecniques such as intracorporoeal-knotting, endoloop, stapler and clips are used during laparoscopic appendectomy. This study aimed to compare intracorporoeal-knotting and endoloop tecniques used to close appendiceal stump in laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis in General Surgery Department of Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital between June 2009 and July 2013. The demographics, appendiceal stump closure tecniques, operation time, complications, and length of hospital stays of the patients were compared. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and twenty-six patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (Female: 81, Male: 45). Intracorporeal-knotting (Group 1) was performed in sixty-five patients; whereas, endoloop (Group 2) was performed in sixty-one patients in order to close appendiceal stump. The operation time was longer in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (62.0±10.67 min., 56.80±11.94 min., p=0.01). The length of hospital stays were nonsignificant between the groups. Four patients were complicated by superficial surgical site infection in both groups. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the operation time was found to be longer for intracorporeal knotting tecnique compared to endoloop tecnique; however, there was no significant difference regarding the length of hospital stay and complications. Performing intracorporeal-knotting technique is suggested since it is cheaper than endoloops and it may also improve hand manipulations of the surgeons who intend to advanced laparoscopy.

Rhomboid Flap Technique in Breast-conserving Surgery: An Alternative Method for the Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present our experience with rhomboid flap reconstruction, which is a simple technique, in breast cancer patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 13 patients with breast cancer who underwent rhomboid flap reconstruction. The patients were evaluated for tumor size, safe surgical margin, and other clinical and pathological features. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.1 years (range: 28-69 years). The mean tumor diameter was 30.8 mm (range: 15-60 mm). The mean of the safe margin of resection was evaluated to be 17.8 mm (range: 5-30 mm). Re-excision was required for one patient in the same session. CONCLUSION: Rhomboid flap reconstruction can facilitate the applicability of breast-conserving surgery in early breast cancer patients with large tumor-to-breast-size ratio or tumors close to the skin.

The predictive value of red cell distribution width levels on mortality in intensive care patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a part of the complete blood count (CBC) panel reflecting quantitative measure of variability in the size of circulating red blood cells. It has been known that higher RDW is associated with increased mortality in several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between RDW and hospital mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal sepsis (C-IAS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the patients with C-IAS was performed between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013. Patients' demographics, co-morbidities, laboratory measures including RDW on admission to the ICU, and Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and three patients with C-IAS were included into the study with a mean age of 64±14 years. Overall mortality was 50.5%. RDW day 1 (RDW1) values and APACHE II scores were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors. In multivariate analysis, only RDW1 and APACHE II predicted mortality. The area under the receiver operating curves (AUC) of RDW1 and APACHE II were 0.867 (95% CI, 0.791-0.942) and 0.943 (95% CI, 0.902-0.984), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that increased RDW is associated with mortality in ICU patients with C-IAS.

ULTRAPRO Hernia System versus lichtenstein repair in treatment of primary inguinal hernias: a prospective randomized controlled study.

The Lichtenstein repair has been recommended as the gold standard for inguinal hernia repair. However, postoperative discomfort still constitutes a concern and an area for improvement. New mesh materials have been continuously introduced to achieve this goal. The goal of the present study was to investigate the outcomes of ULTRAPRO Hernia System (UHS) compared with Lichtenstein mesh repair. A total of 99 male patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia were included in the study during the period of September 2010-January 2012. Patients with body mass index>30, comorbid diseases, and anesthetic risk of ASA-III and ASA-IV were excluded. The patients were randomly allocated to operation with the Lichtenstein technique (group L) or UHS. Demographics, operative and postoperative/recovery data, and short- and medium-term outcomes of the patients were recorded. A total of 50 patients in group L and 49 patients in group UHS were analyzed. The median follow-up time for the study was 33 months. There were no significant differences regarding demographics, complications, and rehabilitation between the groups. Overall, there was a prolonged operation time in the UHS group compared with the L group (UHS: 53.7±5.7 minutes; L: 44.5±5.5 minutes; P<0.001). UHS may provide results similar to those for the Lichtenstein technique in open repair of inguinal hernias regarding perioperative course, complications, recovery, and recurrence rates. However, because of reduced costs and the lack of need for the exploration of the preperitoneal space, we conclude that the Lichtenstein technique should be recommended as the first choice.

Laparoscopic rectopexy for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome without overt rectal prolapse: a case report and review of the literature.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare clinical entity. Several treatment options has been described. However, there is no consensus yet on treatment algorithm and standard surgical procedure. Rectopexy is one of the surgical options and it is generally performed in patients with solitary rectal ulcer accompanied with overt prolapse. Various outcomes have been reported for rectopexy in the patients with occult prolapse or rectal intussusception. In the literature; outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure have been reported in the limited number of case or case series. No study has emphasized the outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure in the patients with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse. In this report we aimed to present clinical outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection posterior suture rectopexy procedure in a 21-year-old female patient with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse.

Laparoscopic rectopexy for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome without overt rectal prolapse. A case report and review of the literature.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare clinical entity. Several treatment options has been described. However, there is no consensus yet on treatment algorithm and standard surgical procedure. Rectopexy is one of the surgical options and it is generally performed in patients with solitary rectal ulcer accompanied with overt prolapse. Various outcomes have been reported for rectopexy in the patients with occult prolapse or rectal intussusception. In the literature; outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure have been reported in the limited number of case or case series. No study has emphasized the outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure in the patients with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse. In this report we aimed to present clinical outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection posterior suture rectopexy procedure in a 21-year-old female patient with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse.

Unusual presentations of actinomycosis; anterior abdominal wall and appendix: report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Primary actinomycosis of the anterior abdominal wall and appendix are very rare clinical entities. An accurate diagnosis is generally obtained by histological examination, and treatment often requires surgical resection. CASE REPORT: In this study we presented two cases of primary actinomycosis involving the anterior abdominal wall and a third one located in the appendix. CONCLUSION: Actinomyces Israelii can involve all anatomic structures of the abdomen. Although preoperative diagnosis is difficult, the combination of surgery and antibiotic treatment results in complete treatment in the majority of cases.

Isolated duodenal Crohn's disease: a case report and a review of the surgical management.

Crohn's disease may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract; however, isolated duodenal involvement is rather rare. It still remains a complex clinical entity with a controversial management of the disease. Initially, patients with duodenal Crohn' s disease (DCD) are managed with a combination of antiacid and immunosuppressive therapy. However, medical treatment fails in the majority of DCD patients, and surgical intervention is required in case of complicated disease. Options for surgical management of complicated DCD include bypass, resection, or stricturoplasty procedures. In this paper, we reported a 33-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with isolated duodenal Crohn's diseases, and reviewed the surgical options in the literature.

Anorectal Injuries due to Foreign Bodies: Case Reports and Review of the Management Options.

Anorectal injuries due to autoerotic activity with rectal foreign bodies were identified in four male patients. The objects were bottle in one patient, glasses in two patients, and showerhead in one patient. Foreign bodies were extracted within lithotomy position after anal dilatation, under general anesthesia in 3 patients. One patient presented with peritoneal irritation and had a diagnosis of rectal perforation. He underwent transanal rectal repair with proximal fecal diversion. In this paper we described 4 patients who had anorectal injuries due to autoerotic activity with foreign bodies and reviewed the management options in literature.