Comparison of free jejunal graft with gastric pull-up reconstruction after resection of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the operative outcomes of a gastric pull-up and free jejunal graft reconstruction after resection of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma. Records of all patients who underwent esophageal resection for carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus were reviewed. Reconstruction after esophagectomy was performed using the gastric pull-up (n = 38) or free jejunal graft (n = 14) techniques. The hypopharynx was the most common primary tumor site for the free jejunal graft group, whereas the gastric pull-up group had lesions more frequently in the cervical esophagus (P < 0.05). Both operative time and blood loss in the gastric pull-up group were significantly longer and excessive than those of the free jejunal graft group (P < 0.05). The graft survival rate was 95% (32/34) in the gastric pull-up group and 93% (13/14) for the free jejunal transfer group. The overall leakage rate was 1.9% (1/52). Three patients died (6%) in the postoperative period. There was no significant difference with regard to operative morbidity and mortality between the gastric pull-up group and free jejunal graft group. In conclusion, both free jejunal graft and gastric pull-up are safe and effective methods for the immediate restoration of alimentary continuity.

Effects of Cholerella sp. microalgae extract on colonic anastomosis in rats with protein-energy malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: Algae, which are used as supplementary nutrients in various countries, are products rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of algae extracts on the healing of colonic anastomosis in malnourished rats. METHOD: Seventy-two rats were randomized to three groups. Group 1 was fed with standard diet for 15 days, before and after the colonic anastomosis. Groups 2 and 3 were fed with a malnutrition diet for 15 days prior to colonic anastomosis and then with the basic diet for 15 days there after. Group 3 also received an extract of algae derived from Cholerella sp. via oral gavage postoperatively, in addition to the basic diet. Rats were killed on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative day. Blood samples were collected to evaluate prealbumin, transferring and albumin levels. Anastomotic bursting pressures (BPs), histopathology and tissue hydroxyproline levels were evaluated after killing. RESULTS: In group 3, the prealbumin level on the 3rd postoperative day and transferrin and albumin levels on the 7th and 15th postoperative days were significantly increased compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels and anastomotic BPs of group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination of the anastomosis revealed significantly better healing patterns for group 3 than for groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extract derived from Cholerella sp. microalgae has favourable effects on healing of experimental colon anastomoses.

L-alanin-L-glutamine supplementation improves the outcome after colorectal surgery for cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of l-alanine-l-glutamine (Gln) on postoperative complication rate and duration of hospitalization in patients operated for colorectal cancer. METHOD: A total of 109 patients operated with the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and given enteral nutrition between January 2001 and January 2005 were prospectively analysed. The patients were randomized and analysed in two groups; Gln group (n = 57): patients were given parenteral Gln (1 g/kg/day, Dipeptiven, Fresenuis Kabi, Germany) together with enteral nutrition (Ensure; Abbott, Zwolle, The Netherlands) and the control group (n = 52) only received enteral nutrition (Ensure; Abbott), which was a standard isonitrogenous and isocaloric formula. The supplemental enteral nutrition was provided for at least 5 days pre- and postoperatively according to the nutritional status of the patients. Age, gender, subjective global assessment (SGA), body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, protein, associated disorders, localization of pathology, techniques of anastomosis, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were analysed for each patient. RESULTS: The duration of nutritional support in the Gln group was 6 +/- 2 and 5 +/- 1 days pre- and postoperatively; while it was 7 +/- 1 and 6 +/- 1 days for the control group, and there were no significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). Age, gender, SGA, BMI, levels of serum albumin and protein, localization of pathology and techniques of anastomosis were also similar (P > 0.05). Wound infection (P = 0.038), intraabdominal abcess formation (P = 0.044) and wound dehiscence (P = 0.044) were significantly higher in the control group than in the Gln group. There was no significant difference in terms of anastomotic leakage and other complications between both groups (P > 0.05). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Gln group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of parenteral Gln decreased the postoperative complications and hospital stay and in the patients undergoing the colorectal surgery for cancer.

Delayed energy protection of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injuries associated with hepatic resections are unresolved problems in the clinical practice. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the energy charge (EC) and related mechanisms at the late phase of hepatic IR injury. METHODS: 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, IR and IPC groups. The model of partial hepatic IR was used. The rats were subjected to 60 min hepatic ischemia, pretreated by IPC (10/15 min) or not. After 24 h of reperfusion, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nitrite/nitrate (NOx), malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic tissue arginase activity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and EC of the liver were measured. RESULTS: Liver injury reduced by IPC is measured by liver tissue arginase activity and serum ALT. Tissue NOx levels in rats pretreated with IPC were significantly higher than levels in the IR group (p < 0.001). Tissue levels of MDA in the liver of the IPC group were found to be significantly lower than the levels in the IR group (p < 0.001). ATP and EC levels 24 h after hepatic ischemia in rats pretreated with IPC were higher than the levels in the IR (p < 0.05). All groups had similar ADP and AMP levels in the liver tissues. The IPC procedure significantly reduced the hepatic necrosis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that pretreatment with IPC improved tissue ATP, EC, and hepatic necrosis at late stages of ischemia reperfusion injury of the liver. Increased nitric oxide, reduced MDA and arginase activity seemed to play a regulatory role in this delayed protective effect of IPC.

Colorectal intervention as part of surgery for patients with gynaecological malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the indications for and outcome of colorectal intervention in patients with advanced gynaecological malignancy. METHODS: Between January 1999 and June 2004, 27 gynaecological cancer patients underwent 36 colorectal intervention performed by general surgeons. The 36 operations were associated with 14 (39%) primary surgical procedures, 9 (25%) second-look laparotomies, and 13 (36%) procedures for recurrence or palliation. RESULTS: The mean age was 56 years (range 32-83 years). The majority of operations were performed in patients with ovarian (67%), endometrial (18%) and cervical (15%) malignancy. The primary indications for colorectal resection was tumour cytoreduction in 56% of the 36 operations. Other indications included repair of iatrogenic bowel injuries (n = 9, 25%), resection for multiple iatrogenic enterotomies (n = 4, 11%), and bowel obstruction (n = 3, 8%). The most frequently performed bowel operation was rectosigmoid resection with end-to-end anastomosis (n = 19, 53%). Colostomy was performed in 14% of the rectosigmoid resections at primary surgery. Small-bowel resection was required in 31% of the 36 operations. Postoperative complications included wound complications (14%), pulmonary infections (8%), cardiac complications (6%) and intra-abdominal abscess (6%). There was a single surgical mortality (3%). CONCLUSION: Colorectal intervention is frequently indicated during operations for advanced gynaecological malignancy, and they are associated with a significant rate of postoperative complications. Specialists operating on gynaecological malignancy should have the technical skills necessary to perform these procedures.

Portosystemic shunt prevents apoptosis in rat intestinal mucosa caused by total hepatic ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged splanchnic congestion due to total hepatic ischemia (THI) has been shown to induce damage to the intestinal mucosa. The present study was conducted to examine whether the protective effect of portosystemic shunt (PSS) can be seen on apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in a rat model of THI. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into the following 3 groups: control group; the THI group underwent THI for 30 min, and the PSS group was subjected to THI for 30 min with PSS. Rats were killed after 1, 2, and 6 h of reperfusion. For each time point, levels of serum liver enzymes, intestinal morphology, malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and DNA fragmentation in intestinal tissue were determined. In addition, the 7-day survival rate was measured. RESULTS: The 7-day survival rate of THI group remained at 50%, whereas that of PSS group was significantly higher at 90% (p < 0.01). Serum AST and ALT levels of the THI and PSS groups rapidly increased after reperfusion, reaching peak values at 2 h. MDA levels after 1 and 2 h of reperfusion in the THI group were significantly increased as compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Increases in the percentage of fragmented DNA peaked 1 h after reperfusion in the THI group. PSS resulted in the reduction of DNA fragmentation and preserved the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the intestinal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Splanchnic congestion due to portal occlusion increased apoptosis in the rat intestinal mucosa. PSS is very effective in counteracting the principal negative effects of total hepatic ischemia.

Beneficial effects of recombinant platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and BN 52021 on bacterial translocation in cerulein-induced pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial translocation (BT) has been suggested to be responsible for the high incidence of infections occurring after acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) inactivator, recombinant PAF-acetylhydrolase (rPAF-AH), and the PAF receptor antagonist, BN 52021, in AP. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: the sham group received saline intraperitoneally every hour for 6 h; the control group received cerulein 50 g/kg i.p. every hour for 6 h; the rPAF-AH group received AP plus rPAF-AH (5 mg/kg i.v. bolus), and the BN52021 group received AP plus BN 52021 (5 mg/kg i.v. bolus). The animals were sacrificed 12 h after the first cerulein injection. RESULTS: Supramaximal cerulein stimulation induced an increase in serum pancreatic enzymes, interleukin (IL)-6, pancreatic edema, and produced histologic evidence of AP. Compared with the control group, the addition of PAF receptor antagonists had a significant effect on serum pancreatic enzymes, pancreatic edema, and the histologic score of the pancreatitis. AP caused significant increases in BT in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), pancreas, liver, spleen and blood. Compared with the control group, both rPAF-AH and BN 52021 decreased BT in the pancreas and blood. In addition, rPAF-AH decreased BT in the MLNs. We also found that PAF receptor antagonists suppressed the elevation in IL-6 levels. CONCLUSION: PAF antagonists attenuated the severity of experimental AP and reduced pancreatitis-induced BT to distant sites.

Role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion in the intestinal epithelium.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on ischemia-reperfusion-induced apoptosis in the intestinal epithelium. METHODS: In this study, 50 male Wistar albino rats were used. After midline laparotomy superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was identified only in the sham group, while 60 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed in the control group. In the treatment groups, after 15, 30 and 60 min of ischemia, respectively, 1 microg/kg GM-CSF was administered subcutaneously, followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Malondialdehyde (MDA), campothecin (CAM), an indicator of DNA fragmentation, and histopathology were evaluated in the intestinal mucosa. RESULTS: Tissue MDA levels were found significantly high in all groups at various times of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion compared with the sham group (p < 0.001). Administration of GM-CSF following 60 min of ischemia caused a significant increase in the MDA levels compared with the control group (6430 +/- 725 vs. 4174 +/- 565 nmol/g protein for jejunum. 7576 +/- 618 vs. 4938 +/- 809 nmol/g protein for ileum, p < 0.05). Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion resulted in a significant increase in tissue CAM levels (p < 0.05). The highest CAM value was found in the group in which 60 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed (50 +/- 3.2 ng/ml for jejunum, 52.8 +/- 2.7 ng/mg for ileum). Compared with the control group, GM-CSF administration following 1 h of ischemia aggravated the tissue injury. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis was induced in the small intestine by ischemia-reperfusion. GM-CSF increased the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and exacerbated mucosal injury due to ischemia-reperfusion.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: To find out whether diabetes mellitus is a risk factor in patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of symptomatic gallbladder stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight hundred sixty-two patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at our institution between January 1993 and July 2000. Age, sex, risk classification of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), laboratory tests, operative records, morbidity, and length of hospital stay for each patient were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 184 (21%) diabetic and 678 (79%) nondiabetic patients. The ASA class I applied to 534 nondiabetic (control) patients (79%), and ASA class II to 161 diabetic (study) patients (88%). There was no significant difference between the diabetic and nondiabetic patients regarding leukocyte count, bilirubin, or amylase levels. Operative and postoperative complication rates were significantly higher in the diabetic patients. Conversion to open surgery was required in 19 of 678 patients in the control group (2.8%) and 13 of 184 in the study group (7.1%). The operative time and length of hospital stay were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although they had the same symptoms and laboratory findings, laparoscopic cholecystectomy in diabetic patients is associated with more morbidity and a higher conversion rate than in nondiabetic patients.

Factors effecting the complications in the natural history of acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gangrenous cholecystitis, empyema, gallbladder perforation, and biliary peritonitis are severe complications of acute cholecystitis associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate perioperative factors associated with complications of acute cholecystitis. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1993 and October 2000, we performed cholecystectomy in 368 patients with acute cholecystitis. All perioperative data were collected on age, sex, medical history, symptoms, laboratory tests, ultrasound, operative and microbiological findings, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: There were 305 cases (83%) of acute uncomplicated cholecystitis, 26 (7.1%) of gangrenous cholecystitis, 23 (6.3%) of empyema of the gallbladder, 12 (3.3%) of gallblader perforation, and 2 (0.5%) emphysematous cholecystitis. Risk factors for complicated cholecystitis included male gender, advanced age, associated diseases, temperature above 38 degrees C, and white blood cell count on admission greater than 18,000. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted on 36 patients (11.8%) with uncomplicated and seven patients (11.1%) with complicated acute cholecystitis. The conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was 19.4% for uncomplicated cases, 28.6% for complicated cases. There were no differences in operative complications between complicated and uncomplicated cases, however, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly higher in complicated cases. CONCLUSIONS: Sex (male), advanced age, presence of associated disease, high temperature (> 38 degrees C) and leukocytosis are all remarkable risk factors inducing complications in acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed with success in uncomplicated cases.

Laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal pain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained acute abdominal pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with acute abdominal pain (41 women, 15 men; median age 27) who attended our hospital between July 1996 and July 1999 and in whom a definite diagnosis could not be made by conventional methods underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. RESULTS: The laparoscopic procedure was performed under general anesthesia in 43 patients and local anesthesia in 13 patients. The median duration of laparoscopy was 16 minutes. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic laparoscopy were found to be 98% and 96%, respectively. The most frequent diagnosis was acute appendicitis (38%). Laparoscopic treatment of the surgical pathology was possible in 36 patients; in seven patients, conversion to laparotomy was necessary. The median postoperative hospital stay was 1 day in the diagnostic laparoscopy group. The median treatment cost was lower in the diagnostic laparoscopy group than in the therapeutic laparoscopy or laparotomy groups. There was no mortality or morbidity in the laparoscopy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of surgical pathologies in patients in whom the diagnosis cannot be made with physical examination and noninvasive methods.

The role of oxygen free radicals and nitric oxide in organ injury following hemorrhagic shock and reinfusion.

BACKGROUND: Vital organ injury due to tissue hypoperfusion is a major complication of hemorrhagic shock. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic shock. AIMS: To determine the effects of L-arginine on the central organ injury due to severe hemorrhagic shock and reinfusion and the relationship among endogenous antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in dogs. METHODS: After induction of anesthesia, twenty six mongrel dogs were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 35 +/- 3.3 mmHg where they were held for 1 hr. Five minutes prior to the end of the shock period, either saline (5 mL/kg), L-arginine (250 mg/kg), or NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) (25 mg/kg) was administered i.v., being followed by reinfusion of shed blood. MAP was monitored. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), intraerythrocytic SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and serum nitrite and nitrate levels. Tissue samples from liver, kidney and small intestines were taken for histological studies and liver samples were also taken for the mesurement of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px tissue levels. RESULTS: L-arginine treatment reduced MAP. In contrast, L-NAME treatment significantly increased MAP. L-arginine treatment increased BUN and creatinine. L-NAME treatment significantly increased the activity of hepatic enzymes. L-arginine decreased the reinfusion injury in the liver and the small intestine histopathologically. In addition, L-arginine caused significant decreases in the intraerythrocytic and the liver SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels from the shock levels. CONCLUSION: L-arginine has a preventive role in liver and intestine following hemorrhagic shock and reinfusion. Inhibition of NO synthesis aggravates reinfusion injury.