The effect of intraoperative neuromonitoring on the number of lymph nodes excised and recurrence when applied during neck dissection in cases of papillary thyroid cancer

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of neuromonitoring on the number of lymph nodes (LNs) removed when applied during neck dissection. @*Methods@#A total of 166 patients receiving neck dissection due to papillary thyroid cancer were separated into 2 groups (monitoring group, n = 76; non-monitoring group, n = 90). @*Results@#The number of LNs dissected was observed to be statistically significantly higher in the monitoring group (P = 0.001), and the difference between the groups in the number of positive LNs was significant (P = 0.031). There was seen to be a negative relationship between the number of positive LNs dissected and recurrence (r = –0.404, P = 0.005). @*Conclusion@#Intraoperative neuromonitoring during neck dissection makes a positive contribution to the prevention of the development of recurrence by increasing the number of LNs excised and the number of metastatic LNs.

Comparison of Coskun and Lichteinstein hernia repair methods for groin hernia

PURPOSE: Coskun hernia repair technique has been reported to be an effective new fascia transversalis repair with its short-term follow-up results. Our aim is to determine the results of Coskun hernia repair technique and to compare it with Lichtenstein technique. METHODS: At this comparative retrospective study a total of 493 patients, who had groin hernia repair procedure using Coskun or Lichtenstein technique, between January 1999 and March 2010 were enrolled into the study. Patients were reached by telephone and invited to get a physical examination. RESULTS: Out of 493 groin hernia repairs, 436 (88.5%) were carried out by residents and 57 (11.5%) by attending surgeons. Lichtenstein technique was the choice in 241 patients and 252 patients underwent Coskun hernia repair technique. Groin hernia recurrence was detected in 8 patients (3.1%) in Coskun hernia repair group and 7 patients (2.9%) in Lichtenstein group. Comparison of early complication rates in Coskun group (3.9%) and Lichtenstein group (4.5%) showed no significant difference. Late complication rates were significantly higher in Lichtenstein group (1.2% vs. 4.9%). The operation time was shorter in Coskun group (44 minutes) than in Lichtenstein group (60 minutes). Subgroup of patients, whose hernia repair operations were carried out by attending surgeons, had a recurrence rate of 0% and 3.8%, in Coskun group and Lichtenstein group, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that Coskun hernia repair technique has a similar efficacy with Lichtenstein repair, on follow-up.

Primary hydatid cyst of the axilla: report of a case

The aim of this work was to report a case of hydatid cyst located in the axilla. A 36-year-old female presented with a painless right axillar swelling of 6 months duration. We removed the entire cyst surgically, and macroscopic and histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of axillar hydatid disease. Seventeen months after the operation there was no recurrence. This case report showed that in cases of a cystic mass in an endemic zone, the diagnosis of hydatid cyst should be considered