Accuracy of the demirjian, willems and cameriere methods of estimating dental age on turkish children.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Age estimation plays a significant role in forensic science, archeology, pediatric endocrinology and clinical dentistry. Tooth development is a reliable pathway for age estimation, especially in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Demirjian method (DM), Willems method (WM) and Cameriere method (CM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included panaramic radiographs of 330 individuals (165 girls, 165 boys) aged between 5 and 15.90 years. The differences between chronological age (CA) and the estimated dental age (DA) were statistically tested using a paired sample t-test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: The mean prediction error showed that; the DM overestimated the DA by 0.304 years, the WM underestimated the DA by -0.060 years and the CM underestimated the DA by -0.580 years. The difference between CA and estimated DA was not statistically significant according to WM (p = 0.074) and statistically significant according to DM and CM (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study indicated that WM determines DA satisfactorily in a Turkish subpopulation.

Distribution of HLA antigens in breast cancer.

Investigation of various tumor-specific markers has a critical role in early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The aim of the this study is to investigate the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles, the molecules that play an important role in immunity and tumor response of the body, and its relationship with breast cancer. In this prospective clinical study, after obtaining approval from the ethics committee of Istanbul University Experimental Medical Research Institute, 22 female patients who have been hospitalized in Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine the Department of General Surgery with a diagnosis of breast cancer were selected. In the control group, there were 22 healthy women who had no relationship and were donor candidates for renal transplantation. After collecting blood in 5 ml tubes with EDTA, HLA A, B and DR groups were measured with SSP method using the GenoVision Olerup SSP (Olerup SSP, Stockholm, Sweden) kit in Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Blood Center Tissue Type Determination Laboratory. In patient and control group, totally 53 alleles; 17 alleles of HLA-A gene, 22 alleles of B gene, 14 alleles of DR gene were detected. A statistically significant relationship was determined between HLA-B55:01 and HLA-DRb1*18:01 alleles and the development of breast cancer (p<0.05). HLA-B13:01 antigen is determined only in the control group. It was concluded that HLA-B13:01 antigen, determined only in the control group, may be protective for breast cancer and HLA-B55:01 and HLA-DRb1*18:01 antigens, determined only in the patient group, may be a risk factor for breast cancer (Tab. 5, Ref. 22).

Laparoscopic repair of an internal supravesical hernia: a rare hernia causing small bowel obstruction.

The application of diagnostic laparoscopy in emergency surgery has facilitated a wide range of endoscopic operative procedures. We report an extremely rare case of a patient who had a bowel obstruction caused by an internal supravesical hernia that was repaired via a minimally invasive technique. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed signs of small bowel obstruction: the cause was thought to be an invagination due to a small bowel tumor. Laparoscopic exploration of the dilated small bowel segments allowed the diagnosis of supravesical hernia. Reduction was performed with slight traction, and the hernial orifice was closed with intracorporeal sutures. To our knowledge, this is the first repair of an internal supravesical hernia ever to receive herniorraphy based on laparoscopic techniques. The mean starting time for bowel-function and mean hospital stay following the laparoscopic release of the intestinal obstruction were significantly shorter than is typically seen with standard techniques.

Influence of pentoxifylline and interferon-alpha on prevention of stricture due to corrosive esophagitis. An experimental study in the rat.

The effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) and interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) in the prevention of strictures due to corrosive esophagitis in rats were investigated. Forty rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Corrosive esophagitis was induced in all groups by application of 37.5% NaOH to the distal esophagus for a period of 90 s followed by saline rinse. Histopathologic damage was significantly lower in the PTX and IFN-alpha-treated groups than in the untreated group. During the study period, PTX and INF-alpha-treated animals showed a significant increase in body weight when compared to controls. However, PTX provided more significant prevention of stricture formation than IFN-alpha. In the PTX-treated group, the wall thickness and quantity of hydroxyprolin were significantly lower than in the untreated and IFN-alpha-treated groups. Stenosis index in the PTX group was significantly reduced compared to the control group. PTX prevents the stricture formation due to corrosive esophagitis in this experimental model. IFN-alpha was also shown to prevent stricture formation when considering amelioration of histopathologic damage and increase in body weight.

Laparoscopy in Turkish bariatric surgery: initial experience.

BACKGROUND: The recent application of the laparoscopic method combines minimal invasiveness with reversibility, adjustability and shorter hospital stay. The first laparoscopic bariatric operation in Turkey was performed by us in 1998. METHODS: We report the results in 50 consecutive patients who underwent the laparoscopic application of SAGB between April 1998 and April 1999. The operation setting was the same as for the laparoscopic antireflux procedure. After a closed CO2 pneumoperitoneum (16-18 mmHg), in the first 20 cases five and in the remaining 30 cases four trocars were inserted. A 30 degrees laparoscope was placed on the line between the umbilicus and the xiphoid through a 10 mm trocar. We followed and respected the main steps of the operation as well. Pre and postoperative body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and percent excess weight (%EW) values were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Our early results were quite satisfactory and promising. After an average follow-up period of 1 year (range 6-18 months), the 50 patients of our laparoscopic series showed a BW of 74 kg (range 56-112), a BMI of 29 (range 21-40), and an EW of 62% (range 22-86). CONCLUSION: With its lower morbidity rate, shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results, the laparoscopic approach may be considered the first choice in bariatric surgery.

Can laparoscopy be performed safely early after laparotomy?

Early subsequent laparotomy has high morbidity and mortality rates. The majority of these procedures, such as control of intraabdominal bleeding, management of intraabdominal sepsis, assessment of bowel viability, or anastomotic suture line, which are performed during early subsequent laparotomy, can be managed safely by laparoscopy, with resultant decreased mortality and morbidity rates. However, fear of dehiscence and ventral hernia prevents widespread use of laparoscopy. The aim of this experimental study was to compare the deleterious effects of subsequent laparotomy with laparoscopy in abdominal wounds during the early postceliotomy period. A 4-cm median laparotomy was performed in 120 Wistar-Albino rats that were classified into three groups. The control group (1) did not receive additional treatment. On the third postoperative day, early subsequent laparotomy and pneumoperitoneum were performed in group 2 and group 3 rats, respectively. Ten rats from each group were selected randomly and killed after 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Bursting pressure and tensile strength of the abdominal wound were assessed. Results of the study showed impaired abdominal wound healing in subsequent laparotomy group rats (group 2) (P < 0.05). Pneumoperitoneum did not cause statistical differences in wound healing parameters when compared with control group rats (P > 0.05). In conclusion, pneumoperitoneum does not affect abdominal wound healing adversely, but early subsequent laparotomy impairs wound healing severely. Laparoscopy would be an alternative to high-risk early subsequent relaparotomy.

The effect of pneumoperitoneum on bacterial clearance and RES functions in a model of E. coli peritonitis.

The use of laparoscopic surgery in peritonitis has increased rapidly. The present study examined the effects of pneumoperitoneum on bacterial clearance. Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into six groups of seven animals. In groups 1 and 4, laparotomy with a midline incision was performed and 10(9) E. coli in a volume of 1 ml inserted into the peritoneal cavity. Groups 2, 3, 5, 6 received an identical quantity of E. coli by intraperitoneal injection. Groups 3 and 6 received carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum at a constant pressure of 5 mmHg for 60 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of E. coli. In one hour groups; the mean bacterial counts per lung from the E. coli injection with laparotomy group was significantly higher than for the E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum group (p < 0.05). The mean bacterial counts per kidney in the E. coli injection with laparotomy group was higher compared with the E. coli injection and E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.0001). There was statistically significant difference in quantitative bacteraemia between the E. coli injection with laparotomy group and the E. coli injection or E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.05). In four-hour groups; the mean bacterial counts of lungs and liver-spleen were significantly higher in the E. coli injection with laparotomy group than in the E. coli injection and E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). The quantitative bacteria was significantly higher in the E. coli injection with laparotomy group than in the E. coli injection and E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that pneumoperitoneum impairs the clearance of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity in an experimental model of peritonitis. However, we could not detect the deleterious effects of pneumoperitoneum compared with laparotomy.

Value of diagnostic laparoscopy in tuberculous peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: University hospital, Turkey. SUBJECTS: 8 patients (2 women, 6 men; mean age 26 years) who presented with tuberculous peritonitis between January 1994 and January 1996. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopy under local anaesthesia with sedation (the 4 who presented with ascites) and laparotomy (the 4 who presented with an acute abdomen). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and laboratory findings, biochemical and microbiological analysis of ascites, histopathological examination of specimens, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: 4 patients presented with ascites, and 4 with adhesions. Ascites; adhesions between liver and diaphragm, liver and intestines, and intestines and the abdominal wall; miliary nodes on the peritoneal surface; and inflamed haemorrhagic areas on the peritoneum could all be seen at laparoscopy. One of the 8 patients who underwent laparotomy developed a spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula during the early postoperative period. Two of eight patients died, one of an early enterocutaneous fistula and the other of cor pulmonale 3 1/2 months later. The remaining 6 patients survived without complications after antituberculous medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a safe and accurate method of diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.

Stoma adjustable silicone gastric banding versus vertical banded gastroplasty for the treatment of morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Among gastric restrictive operations, the procedure of choice is still controversial. The aim of this study is to compare the results of two different gastric restrictive procedures: vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and stoma adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB). METHODS: Between 1991 and 1996, 51 patients were treated surgically for morbid obesity: 27 underwent VBG and 24 underwent ASGB. Preoperative body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and percentage of ideal body weight (% IBW) were (mean+/-SD): 145.7+/-45.3 kg; 53.9+/-15.9 kg/m2; 249.1+/-73.5% respectively in the VBG group. Corresponding figures for the ASBG group were 132.5+/-22.7 kg; 46.9 7.8 kg/m2 and 207.2+/-35.0%. RESULTS: In the VBG group, the median follow-up period was 26 months (range: 7-47). Eighteen months after the operation BW, BMI, % IBW and percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) were 85.5+/-26.8 kg, 31.9+/-9.8 kg/m2, 145.4+/-43.9% and 74+/-1% respectively. Complications included incisional hernia (n=1), and bowel obstruction (n=1). One patient died of acute myocardial infarction on the third postoperative day. In the ASGB group, median follow-up time was 19.7 months (range: 18-26). At 18 months postoperation BW, BMI, % IBW and % EWL values were 86.6+/-20.6 kg 30.6+/-6.6 kg/m2 140.6+/-29.3% and 64+/-1% respectively. Gastric wall erosion occurred in two patients and the bands had to be removed. These patients underwent VBG 6 months later. Complications encountered in this group were incisional hernia (n=1), outlet stenosis and reflux esophagitis (n=1), reservoir leakage (n=1) and gastrointestinal bleeding (n=1). Two patients died of pulmonary embolism and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Weight reduction was not statistically significant between the two groups. ASGB was easier to perform and less invasive than VBG.