A rare cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction: Pharmacobezoar.

A bezoar is a hard, and solid, foreign body located in the gastrointestinal tract that may recur. Bezoar is classified according to its origin. Pharmacobezoars develop in the gastrointestinal tract due to alterations in anatomical structure and/or intestinal motility. In this paper, a case, not yet defined in the literature, of a pharmacobezoar causing a mechanical obstruction that is accompanied by a malignancy in the colon is reported, with the aim of contributing to the literature.

Impact of central venous port implantation method and access choice on outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although the number of patients who need central venous ports for permanent vascular access is increasing, there is still no "gold standard" for the implantation technique. AIM: To identify the implantation technique that should be favored. METHODS: Two hundred central venous port-implanted patients in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were assigned into two groups according to the access method. The first group comprised patients whose jugular veins were used, and the second group comprised patients whose subclavian veins were used. Groups were evaluated regarding age, sex, application side, primary diagnosis, active follow-up period in the hospital, chemotherapy agents administered, number of complications, and the Clavien-Dindo severity score. The distribution of the variables was tested with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Mann-Whitney U test. The χ 2 test was used to analyze the variables. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding age, sex, side, number of chemotherapy drugs, and duration of port usage (P > 0.05). Only 2 patients in group 1 had complications, whereas in group 2 we observed 19 patients with complications (P < 0.05). No port occlusion was found in group 1, but the catheters of 4 patients were occluded in group 2. One port was infected in group 1 compared to three infected ports in group 2. Two port ruptures, two pneumothorax, one revision due to a mechanical problem, one tachyarrhythmia during implantation, and four suture line problems were also recorded in group 2 patients. We also showed that it would be sufficient to evaluate and wash ports once every 2 mo. CONCLUSION: Our results robustly confirm that the jugular vein route is safer than the subclavian vein approach for central venous port implantation.

Our Experience With Left Colon and Rectal Cancer Surgery and the Impact of Preoperative Sarcopenia on Complication Rates.

BACKGROUND: Evidence about the importance of sarcopenia in patients operated on for gastrointestinal cancers and that it may have both early and long-term impacts is expanding. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on the outcomes of the patients we operated on for left colon and rectum cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the electronic records of 38 patients operated on for left colon and rectal cancer between 2010 and 2020, and demographic variables, clinical stages, laboratory tests, body mass index (BMI), psoas muscle index (PMI), pathological stages, and Dindo Clavien complication scores were interpreted. We also assigned our patients into two groups according to their preoperative PMI values. We compared the first group of 12 patients with preoperative sarcopenia with the second group of 26 patients without preoperative sarcopenia. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients who underwent curative surgery for left colon and rectal cancer, 20 were female and 18 were male. The median age of the group was 59.9 years. The most common tumour localization was in the rectosigmoid region in 17 patients, and the tumour in 6 patients was in the left colon. Therapy had been initiated with neoadjuvant treatment in 19 patients. At the preoperative evaluation, sarcopenia was present in 12 patients. Thirty-four patients underwent robot-assisted surgery. Postoperative pathologies were reported as stage 3 in 15 patients. Complications were reported in 17 patients, and nine were minor (Dindo-Clavien score < 3), but in eight patients, they were moderate to severe (Dindo-Clavien score ≥ 3). When the first group, 12 patients with preoperative sarcopenia, and the second group, 26 patients without preoperative sarcopenia, were compared, the patients with sarcopenia were found to be older (p=0.001), and male patients were in the majority (p=0.017). The postoperative follow-up of 12 patients with preoperative sarcopenia revealed that 7 (58.8%) had complications. Complications were observed in 10 (38.4%) patients in the second group. When the two groups were compared, the risk of developing complications was significantly higher in the sarcopenia group (p=0.016). Only one patient in the first group had moderate to severe complications, but seven patients without sarcopenia had moderate to severe complications. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that many patients we have operated on for left colon and rectal cancer have preoperative sarcopenia for which we should care. The sarcopenia rate was higher in males and elderly patients, and the risk of overall postoperative complications increased significantly in patients with preoperative sarcopenia. In consequence, the results of our study provide evidence that preoperative sarcopenia status is an important parameter to determine the risk status of the patient, and patients with preoperative sarcopenia should be monitored more closely. Thus, we may be able to diagnose and intervene early in the complications.

Robotic Adrenalectomy: An Initial Experience in a Turkish Regional Hospital.

Background: Due to the technical advantages and the convenience it provides to surgeons, "robotic adrenalectomy" is a widely used procedure for adrenal surgeries. In this study, we aim to evaluate our robotic adrenalectomy experience and delineate the factors that have a substantial impact on surgical outcomes. Methods: Successive 0 transperitoneal robotic operations using the daVinci SI® platform were grouped according to the surgery side, malignant or benign pathologies, for adenoma or non-adenoma lesions, tumor size of less than 4 cm or above, body mass index below or above 30 kg/m2, and with or without laparotomy history. Groups were compared in terms of duration of the operations, amount of bleeding, and the duration of hospitalization. Results: Morbidity developed in 5 patients (16.6%), and no mortality was observed. We had only one conversion to perform open surgery (3.3%). Operations performed for adenoma significantly last longer when compared with the non-adenoma group (p < 0.05). In the malignant group, the amount of bleeding during surgery was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05). The blood loss during the surgery was also found to be higher in the adenoma group than in the non-adenoma match (p < 0.05). Phenomenally, operative blood loss was found to be lesser in the bigger tumor size group (>4 cm) than in the smaller size group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results corroborate that robotic adrenalectomy may be more challenging for malignant pathologies and adenomas, but we can claim that it is an effective and safe option for all adrenal gland pathologies.

Our initial single port robotic cholecystectomy experience: A feasible and safe option for benign gallbladder diseases.

BACKGROUND: Although single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed for over 25 years, it is still not popular. The narrow working space used in this surgery limits the movement of instruments and causes ergonomic challenges. Robotic surgery not only resolves the ergonomic challenges of single-port laparoscopic surgery but is also considered a good option with its additional technical advantages, like a three-dimensional display and not being affected by tremors. However, the extent to which these technical and ergonomic advantages positively affect the surgical outcomes and how safe the single-port robotic surgeries need to be assessed for each particular surgery. AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-port robotic cholecystectomy for patients with cholelithiasis. METHODS: The electronic records of the first 40 consecutive patients with gallbladder lithiasis who underwent single-port robotic cholecystectomy from 2013 to 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. In addition to the demographic characteristics of the patients, we analyzed American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores and body mass index. The presence of an accompanying umbilical hernia was also noted. The amount of blood loss during the operation, the necessity to place a drain in the subhepatic area, and the need to use grafts during the closure of the fascia of the port site were determined. Hospital stay, readmission rates, perioperative and postoperative complications, the Clavien-Dindo complication scores and postoperative analgesia requirements were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the 40 patients included in the study was 49.5 ± 11.6 years, and 26 were female (65.0%). The umbilical hernia was present in 24 (60.0%) patients, with a body mass index median of 29.3 kg/m2 and a mean of 29.7 ± 5.2 kg/m2. Fifteen (37.5%) of the patients were evaluated as ASA I, 18 (45.0%) as ASA II, and 7 (17.5%) as ASA III. The mean bleeding amount during the operation was 58.4 ± 55.8 mL, and drain placement was required in 12 patients (30.0%). After port removal, graft reinforcement during fascia closure was preferred in 14 patients (35.0%). The median operation time was 93.5 min and the mean was 101.2 ± 27.0 min. The mean hospital stay was 1.4 ± 0.6 d, and 1 patient was readmitted to the hospital due to pain (2.5%). Clavien-Dindo I complications were seen in 14 patients (35.0%), and five (12.5%) complications were wound site problems. CONCLUSION: In addition to the technological and ergonomic advantages robotic surgery provides surgeons, our study strongly supports that single-port robotic cholecystectomy is a feasible and safe option for treating patients with gallstones.

Thoracic Duct Embolization for Postoperative Lymphatic Fistula.

Lymphatic fistula as a rare entity particularly emerges after head and neck cancer surgery. It may lead to delayed wound healing, electrolyte loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and immune suppression. Therefore, rapid diagnosis and treatment are of the utmost importance. We aimed to present a lymphatic fistula case who was treated successfully by lymphangiography with percutaneous embolization of the thoracic duct. We believe that minimally invasive techniques could be an alternative to the conservative approach as the first-line choice.

Role of gamma probe-assisted intraoperative sentinel lymph node evaluation in predicting axillary breast cancer metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy is a universally accepted technique to identify patients who are candidates for axillary lymph node dissection during breast cancer surgery. However, there is controversy over its use in patients who underwent preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the diagnostic value of gamma probe-assisted intraoperative sentinel lymph node examination with frozen section in breast cancer patients who had undergone preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 94 tumors diagnosed with stage IIA, IIB or IIIA invasive breast cancer with locoregional lymph node metastasis who underwent surgical treatment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Intraoperatively, axillary sentinel lymph node sampling was done using radioactive colloid and gamma probe and materials were examined with frozen section method. Patients with positive sentinel nodes underwent axillary resection. Histopathological examination of all surgical samples was done postoperatively. RESULTS: In 87 of 94 tumors (92.6%), a sentinel lymph node could be identified using the method. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the method for predicting axillary macro metastasis were 85.7, 86.5 and 86.2%, respectively, with 5.7% false negative rate. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node identification using preoperative scintigraphy and intraoperative use of gamma probe seems to be a feasible and efficient method in terms of differentiating patients that require axillary lymph node dissection during breast cancer surgery, even when they have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Further large prospective studies allowing subgroup analyses are warranted.

Fortune of temporary ileostomies in patients treated with laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The current study aims to analyze the risk factors for the failure of ileostomy reversal after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: All patients who underwent a laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer with a diverting ileostomy between 2007 and 2014 were abstracted. The patients who underwent and did not undergo a diverting ileostomy procedure were compared regarding patient, tumor, treatment related parameters, and survival. RESULTS: Among 160 (103 males [64.4%], mean [± standard deviation] age was 58.1 ± 11.9 years) patients, stoma reversal was achieved in 136 cases (85%). Anastomotic stricture (n = 13, 52.4%) was the most common reason for stoma reversal. These were the risk factors for the failure of stoma reversal: Male sex (P = 0.035), having complications (P = 0.01), particularly an anastomotic leak (P < 0.001), or surgical site infection (P = 0.019) especially evisceration (P = 0.011), requirement for reoperation (P = 0.003) and longer hospital stay (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 7.82; P = 0.022) and additional organ resection (OR, 6.71; P = 0.027) were the risk factors. Five-year survival rates were similar (P = 0.143). CONCLUSION: Fifteen percent of patients cannot receive a stoma reversal after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Anastomotic stricture is the most common reason for the failure of stoma takedown. Having complications, particularly an anastomotic leak and the necessity of reoperation, limits the stoma closure rate. Male sex and additional organ resection are the risk factors for the failure in multivariate analyses. These patients require a longer hospitalization period, but have similar survival rates as those who receive stoma closure procedure.

Noninvasive management strategy in hemodynamically unstable patients with blunt trauma.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative management in abdominal injuries may reduce non-therapeutic laparatomies without increasing mortality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of a recently used non-invasive management strategy, in trauma patients in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed. The sixty-three patients (50 males; 13 females; range 8 to 61 years) with abdominal injuries who were unstable during their admissions to our institution between July 1st, 2000 and July 1st, 2001 (the first year of the NIMS implementation) were identified and divided into three groups according to the presence or absence of surgical intervention and the timing of the operation. RESULTS: There were 63 blunt abdominal trauma patients who were unstable during admission. Patients in Group 1 (n=14) and Group 2 (n=10) had urgent laparotomy during the resuscitation therapy or after a median observation period of 7 hours (range, 2 to 20). Group 3 patients (n=39) did not require surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Most of the trauma patients who respond to initial fluid replacement do not require surgery. Close monitoring and repeated abdominal examinations (NIMS) can be the main criteria for surgical intervention, although they are not the most reliable techniques in the diagnosis of solid organ injuries in all patients and of hollow organ injuries in conscious patients.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic sigmoid colon and rectal cancer surgery in patients with previous vertical abdominal laparotomy.

INTRODUCTION: Current study aims to analyze the impact of previous vertical laparotomy on safety and feasibility of laparoscopic sigmoid colon and rectal cancer operations. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic resection for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer were included. These aspects were abstracted and compared within no laparotomy and previous vertical laparotomy groups: demographics, perioperative aspects, pathological features and survival. RESULTS: There were 252 patients in no laparotomy group, and 25 cases with previous vertical incisions including lower (n = 12, 48%), upper (n = 7, 28%), and lower&upper (n = 2, 8%) midline and paramedian (n = 4, 16%) laparotomies. Veress insufflation and open technique were used in 19 (76%) and 6 (24%) cases, respectively, during the insertion of the first trocar in previous laparotomy group. Patients in previous laparotomy group were significantly older (59.2 ± 13.4 vs. 66.2 ± 10.1, p = 0.01), but gender, ASA scores, tumor and technique related factors were similar within the groups, including operation time (200 [70-600] vs. 200 [130-390] min, p = 0.353), blood loss (250 [100-1500] vs. 250 [0-2200] ml, p = 0.46), additional trocar insertion (10 [4%] vs. 3 [12%], p = 0.101), conversion (20 [7.9%] vs. 4 [16%], p = 0.25), postoperative complication (59 [23.4%] vs. 4 [16%], p = 0.06) and 30-day mortality (7 [2.8%] vs. 1 [4%], p = 0.536) rates. Oncological outcomes regarding pathological features and 5-year survival rates (65% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.678) were not different. CONCLUSION: The presence of a previous laparotomy does not worsen the outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic removal of sigmoid or rectal cancer, thus laparoscopy may be considered to be safe and feasible in these cases.

Correlation of HER 2/neu gene amplification with immunohistochemistry and other prognostic factors in breast carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to determine relationship between HER-2/neu status and estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, grade and age by comparing fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. One hundred invasive breast carcinomas were reviewed and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was performed in all cases. Immunohistochemical scores showed a perfect concordance with fluorescence in situ hybridization amplification ratios (p < 0.0001). The results indicated a significant correlation between HER-2/neu and grade, but an inverse relationship between HER-2/neu and hormone receptors. In women aged ≤ 45 years, an inverse relationship between HER-2/neu and progesterone receptor was found and no association was noted between HER-2/neu and other factors. In women aged > 45 years, the results indicated a significant correlation between HER-2/neu and grade, and there was an inverse relationship between HER-2/neu and hormone receptors.