Comparison of botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection and lateral internal sphincterotomy (redo-LIS) for recurrent anal fissure treatment.

Objective: Today's gold standard for treating chronic anal fissure is the Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS). Botulinum Toxin (BoNT) injection is, on the other hand, an alternative treatment for patients who do not want to have surgical treatment, patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients of high risk for surgery, and those who have the risk of anal incontinence (e.g., elderly, past anorectal surgery, vaginal multiple births, etc.). The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of BoNT and redo-LIS for treatment of post-LIS recurrent chronic anal fissure, and reveal differences if any.This study aims to compare redo-LIS and BoNT injection for treating post-LIS recurrent anal fissure. Material and method: Nineteen patients who received LIS treatment and then redo-LIS or BoNT injection due to recurrence in the follow-up were included in this study. Group I (redo-LIS group) include 11 patients and group 2 (BoNT group) includes 8 patients. Their data on age, sex, anal incontinence scores and pain (VAS score) score as well. Results: During the 3-month post-surgery follow-up period, there was statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between groups by pain. No deterioration in the incontinence scores of patients in the group during the 6-month post-surgery period. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that redo lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) is a reliable method for patients who received LIS but developed recurrent chronic anal fissure, and achieves successful results in terms of recurrence and relief of pain.

The effect of hybrid seton on anal continence and quality of life in transsphincteric fistulas. Long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term results of hybrid seton on anal continence and quality of life in transsphincteric fistulas. METHODS: Between 2011-2013 eighty patients who completed 7-year follow-up among 154 patients who were operated for perianal fistula were included. Of the 50 patients participating, 42 (84%); 31 men, 11 women) returned all questionnaraires. The proctological findings of the patients were compared with the newly obtained ones retrospectively. Demographic characteristics of the patients, preoperative and postoperative 3rd month and 7th year Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, preoperative and postoperative 3rd month and 7th year Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life and seton fall times were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty (73.8%) of 42 patients were male and 11 (26.2%) were female. The mean age of male patients was 36.3 ± 10.3 (18-57), and the mean age of female patients was 41.2 ± 12.1 (25-64) years. The mean time drop off the elastic seton was 19 ± 2.40 days (range 12-30 days). The preoperative and postoperative 3rd month Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life values™ were compared and improvement in lifestyle quality at the postoperative 3rd month was found to be statistically significant (p <0.01). When the preoperative and postoperative 7th year were compared in terms of Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life, behavior, life style and depression improved positively (p <0.01). CONCLUSION: Hybrid seton in transsphincteric perianal fistula surgery is an effective and reliable method for preserving anal continence and improving quality of life. KEY WORDS: Anal fistula, Fecal incontinence, Quality of life.

Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the weight loss, and complications as well as to exemplify the use of vessel sealer and the triple stapler establish the safety and efficacy of vessel sealer for robotic surgery and triple stapler in robotic sleeve gastrectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Observational case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Private Koru Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, from December 2015 till January 2016. METHODOLOGY: Twenty robotic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. Demographics, body mass index, comorbidities, docking time, surgical time, leaks, bleeding, stapler number, strictures, mortality, conversion, weight loss, and hospital length of stay were included for data collection. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index were 40.73 ±11.2 years and 44.75 ±8.38 Kg/m2, respectively. Postoperative trocar site (assistance port) bleeding occurred in one patient. There were no conversions, stricture, leakage or mortality. The mean number of staplers used was 6.27 ±0.46 and excess body weight loss (EWL%) at three months was 24.91 ±2.84 kg. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery for obesity surgery was safe during our initial experience and use of vessel sealer and triple stapler was effective, safe and facilitates procedure in obese patients.

New Maneuver in Robotic Single-Port Cholecystectomy.

The need to integrate aspects of functional, psychosocial and cosmetic impairment into medical care is increasingly accepted among the physicians and the patients. For these reasons, single-port robotic surgery emerges as the most advanced approach using the technology. In this study, authors used a new robotic dissector with monopolar electrocautery feature in order to determine the device's safety and efficacy. Between January 2015 and February 2016, 10 out of 11 consecutive cholecystectomies were included in the study. There was no significant differences in port placement and docking time between two groups (p=0.382, p=0.789). The time spent by surgeon was significantly shorter in group 2 (p=0.005). Using robotic dissector with monopolar cautery significantly shortened the console time. This new instrument (Maryland monopolar dissector) provides more feasible and faster dissection of the Calot's triangle, supporting further the advantages of robotic single-site cholecystectomy.

Expression of nestin and chromogranin in regeneration zones of rat pancreas.

AIM: The particular signals that start and orchestrate the regeneration process in pancreas are not well understood yet. We aimed to investigate the expression of nestin and chromogranin A in pancreatic regeneration zones and a secondary objective, we assessed the efficiency of pancreatic duct ligation method in creation of a pancreatic regeneration model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partial (90%) pancreatectomy and pancreatic duct ligation were performed in Wistar rats, in order to create pancreatic regeneration models. Pancreatic tissues were examined histologically. Expression profiles were investigated by immunohistochemistry for nestin and chromogranin A. RESULTS: Nestin and chromogranin A expressions were observed in regeneration zones. Pancreatic regenerations zones were seen in pancreatic duct ligation group samples as well as partial pancreatectomy group. Nestin was expressed prominently in acinoductular metaplasia cells in regeneration zones. This was best demonstrated in the samples of pancreatic duct ligation group. In the subsequent sections of nestin positive sites, cytoplasmic positivity with chromogranin A was observed. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that nestin and chromogranin A can be detected in neogenesis-evoked pancreatic tissue, particularly in the acinoductular epithelium. Nestin and chromogranin A may be important markers to identify pancreatic stem cells. Pancreatic duct ligation can be used for creating pancreatic regeneration model in rats. KEY WORDS: Chromogranin A, Nestin, Pancreas, Regeneration, Stem cells.

Surgical Treatment of Anal Stenosis with Diamond Flap Anoplasty Performed in a Calibrated Fashion.

BACKGROUND: Regarding anoplasty for anal stenosis, it is not clear to what extent the final anal caliber should be targeted. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the results of diamond-flap anoplasty performed in a calibrated manner for the treatment of severe anal stenosis due to a previous hemorrhoidectomy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospectively prepared standard forms were evaluated retrospectively. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Anoplasty with unilateral or bilateral diamond flaps was performed for moderate or severe anal stenosis, targeting a final anal caliber of 25 to 26 mm. The demographic characteristics, causes of anal stenosis, number of previous surgeries, anal stenosis staging (Milsom and Mazier), anal calibers (millimeter), the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, and the modified obstructed defecation syndrome Longo score were recorded on pre-prepared standard forms, as well as postoperative complications and the time of return to work. RESULTS: From January 2011 to July 2013, 18 patients (12 males, 67%) with a median age of 39 years (range, 27-70) were treated. All of the patients had a history of previous hemorrhoidectomy. The number of previous corrective interventions was 2.1 ± 1.8 (range, 0-4), and 2 patients had a history of failed anoplasty. Five patients (28%) had moderate anal stenosis and 13 (72%) had severe anal stenosis. Preoperative, intraoperative, and 12-month postoperative anal calibration values were 9 ± 3 mm (range, 5-15), 25 ± 0.75 mm (range, 24-26), and 25 ± 1 mm (range, 23-27) (p < 0.0001, for immediate postoperative and 12-month postoperative anal calibers compared with the intraoperative). Preoperative and 12-month postoperative Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Scores were 0.83 ± 1.15 (range, 0-4) and 0.39 ± 0.70 (range, 0-2) (p = 1.0). The clinical success rate was 88.9%. No severe postoperative complications were observed. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited because it was a single-armed, retrospective analysis of prospectively designed data. CONCLUSION: Diamond-flap anoplasty performed in a standardized and calibrated manner is a highly successful method for the treatment of anal stenosis caused by previous hemorrhoidectomy.

Utility of endoscopy for diagnosis of barrett in a non-Western society: endoscopic and histopathologic correlation.

Barrett esophagus is metaplastic transformation of esophageal squamous epithelium to columnar cells. A total of 1370 patients who had undergone upper endoscopy because of dyspeptic complaints were enrolled in the study. Age, sex, alcohol and smoking habits, body mass index, type and duration of symptoms (heartburn, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting), and use of proton pump inhibitors were evaluated in all patients and recorded on standardized forms. Patients were grouped as normal esophagogastric junction, long-segment Barrett esophagus, and short-segment Barrett. Biopsies were taken from at least 6 points and examined histopathologically. Of the 1370 patients involved in the study, 748 (54.6%) were female and 622 (45.4%) were male. Mean age was 47.2 ± 15.30 years. Short-segment Barrett esophagus was detected in 16 patients, and long-segment Barrett was detected in 11 patients. Although Barrett esophagus was detected in 11 cases that were suspected to have Barrett during endoscopy, histopathology was negative in all cases that were not suspected to have Barrett. Barrett esophagus prevalence was significantly higher in people who used alcohol and tobacco and who had hiatal hernia. Although Barrett esophagus was detected in 40% of cases that were suspected to have Barrett during endoscopy, histopathology was negative in all cases that were not suspected to have Barrett. Barrett was detected in 40.7% of cases that were suspected to have Barrett during endoscopy; histopathology was negative in all cases that were not suspected to have Barrett. Senstivity of endoscopy is questionable in detection of short-segment Barrett.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid.

A 56-year-old male with primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid is presented. The paucity of diagnostic maneuvers, including tumor markers, fine needle aspiration, and frozen section biopsy, are stressed, in addition to the fulminate course of the disease.

Retrorectal tumors: a case series.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Retrorectal masses are rarely encountered in surgical practice, and they arise from congenital remnants, and from osteogenic, neurogenic, inflammatory, or metastatic processes. The majority of these masses are benign but many can be malignant, so they need to be treated with aggressive surgical management. METHODS: In this case series, eight patients with retrorectal masses of various etiologies are described, with particular emphasis on diagnosis and surgical treatment. RESULTS: In our series, we noted one duplication cyst, one tailgut cyst, one epidermoid cyst, one teratoma, one gastrointestinal stromal tumor, one epithelial malignant tumor, one inflammatory mass, and one retrorectal mass of as yet unknown origin. In three patients, complete excision via posterior sagittal approach was performed, one underwent abdominoperineal en-block proctectomy, two were only biopsied for neoadjuvant therapy, and two are waiting for operation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is the main treatment of choice, and the surgical strategy should be decided according to the localization and nature of the retrorectal mass.

Polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis migration into the bladder after laparoscopic hernia repair: a case report.

Mesh migration after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is an unusual and late complication. We report a 50-year-old man with persistent painless hematuria and urinary infection who underwent bilateral laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh 4 years ago. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis was used and fixed with tackers. The patient underwent cystoscopy and laparotomy for excision of the migrated PTFE prosthesis into the bladder. This is the first case of PTFE prosthesis migration into the bladder after laparoscopic hernia repair. We also reviewed the literature involving migration of mesh after all inguinal hernial repairs.

Potential benefit of oral calcium/vitamin D administration for prevention of symptomatic hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate routine oral calcium and vitamin D administration for preventing symptoms of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 487 consecutive patients were prospectively randomized into two groups in terms of routine oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation: In the control group (244 patients) the treatment was not routinely started after surgery, whereas the treated group (243 patients) received routine supplementation that started on postoperative day 1. RESULTS: Patients of treated group had only minor hypocalcemia symptoms, whereas 7 patients of control group experienced carpopedal spasm as a major symptom (p<0.001). None of the patients in the treated group required intravenous calcium administration. Average hospital stay of the treated group patients was significantly shorter than that of control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Routine postoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation therapy may be useful for the prevention of symptomatic hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy and may allow for a safe and early discharge from the hospital.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with long term survival after combined treatment: case report.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is associated with an almost uniformly rapid and lethal clinical course. ATC grows rapidly and invades surrounding tissues at an early stage. Despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, few patients with ATC live more than 1 year follow-up diagnosis. The mean survival is reported to be only 7.2 months. Treatment of ATC is still controversial because of its rarity and advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. We report herein an unusual case of ATC, 35 year old woman. She is alive without evidence of recurrence more than 36 months after combined therapy.

A prospective comparison of local and spinal anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair.

AIM: Today, in inguinal hernia repair, postoperative pain and costs are regarded as equally important issues as technique and recurrence rates. Postoperative pain is thought to vary according to the applied anesthesia method. As local anesthesia is reported to inflict less pain, its effects on early period post-operative complications should also be evaluated. METHODS: Two hundred patients, on whom Lichtenstein tension free hernia repair had been performed due to unilateral inguinal hernia between March 2004 and July 2005, were prospectively examined. The patients were randomized according to the anesthesia applied. They were divided into two groups: local anesthesia (LA) and spinal anesthesia (SA). The early post-operative complications, post-operative pain scores, and operation durations of the patients, were evaluated. RESULTS: Local anesthesia was found not to increase the post-operative complications; on the contrary, it was shown to prevent the complications of spinal anesthesia. Although visual analogue pain score (VAS) values at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h post-operation were found to be lower than the SA group, the difference between was not significant. Also, it was discovered that LA did not retard the operation duration. CONCLUSION: Local anesthesia reduces post-operative pain and facilitates patients' mobilization and discharge along with decreasing the early post-operative complications. Thus, LA is a safe and advantageous method to be applied in inguinal hernia repair.

Postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam after thyroidectomy: a placebo controlled randomized study.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the postoperative analgesic effects of lornoxicam and the reduction in tramadol consumption. Fourty patients of ASA class I-II, 18-70 years of age, undergoing thyroidectomy were assigned in a randomized manner into two groups: GroupL received 8 mg of lornoxicam i.v. at the end of the operation followed by 8 mg of lornoxicam b.i.d., i.v. for 24 hours postoperatively. GroupP received 4 ml of saline solution i.v. at the end of the operation and the same amount b.i.d., i.v. for 24 hours postoperatively. The requirements for supplemental analgesics were recorded at 0-6, 6-12 and 12-24 hour intervals. Postoperative pain scores were evaluated at 15th min. and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24th hours using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The time to first analgesic requirement was significantly longer in GroupL compared to GroupP (101.7 vs 37.9 min, p<0.001). Pain scores were significantly lower in GroupL compared to GroupP at 15th min, 1, 8 ,12 and 18th hours. Twenty four hour analgesic consumption was significantly lower in GroupL compared to GroupP (p<0.05). The amount of tramadol consumed in GroupL was 60% lower compared to GroupP (100 mg and 250 mg (mean), respectively). 100% of the patients in GroupL and 60 % of the patients in GroupP needed supplemental analgesics. The degree of satisfaction with postoperative pain management was excellent in 95 % of patients in GroupL and 25 % of patients in GroupP. Eighteen patients in GroupP and 9 patients in GroupL had nausea (p=0.002), and fifteen patients in GroupP and 8 patients in GroupL had vomiting (p=0.025). Lornoxicam decreased the opioid need, the incidence of nausea and vomiting and postoperative pain scores. Moreover, it was observed that the time needed for the first analgesic requirement was prolonged following thyroidectomies.

Laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity in a patient with situs inversus totalis.

We discuss the operative challenges posed by the advanced laparoscopic approach for a patient with situs inversus totalis. The patient was a morbidly obese woman with multiple co-morbidities related to her weight. The modifications in the surgical technique include the insertion of trocars according to the mirror image anatomy of the intra-abdominal organs under laparoscopic visualization. We suggest preoperative abdominal ultrasound in order to diagnose both gallbladder stones and also the reverse location of intra-abdominal organs that is rarely seen. A laparoscopic gastric banding, not a contradiction for situs inversus totalis, was performed successfully.

Extent of lateral internal sphincterotomy: up to the dentate line or up to the fissure apex?

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized, prospective study was to compare the results of lateral internal sphincterotomy up to the dentate line or up to the fissure apex in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Adult patients with chronic anal fissure were randomly assigned to undergo lateral internal sphincterotomy to the level of the dentate line or to the level of the fissure apex. The patients were reexamined on postoperative Days 1, 7, 14, 28, and then at 2 and 12 months. RESULTS: The time required for relief of pain postoperatively was 2.08 +/- 1.44 days in the dentate line group, which was significantly shorter than that for the fissure apex group (4.72 +/- 4.86 days; P = 0.002). Objective healing was achieved in 23.7 percent and 17.6 percent at 14 days, 97.4 percent and 88.2 percent at 28 days, and 100 percent and 97.7 percent at 2 months in the dentate line and fissure apex groups, respectively (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Only sphincterotomy up to the dentate line caused a significant change in anal incontinence (P = 0.016). Both groups had significantly lower anal resting pressures at 4 months postoperatively, compared with their corresponding preoperative levels (P = 0.005 and P = 0.007). The postoperative resting pressures did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.273). By 12 months postoperatively, no treatment failures or recurrences were noted in the dentate line group (100 percent healing rate). In the fissure apex group, there was one nonhealing case and four recurrences, resulting in a 13.2 percent rate of treatment failure (P = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Sphincterotomy up to the dentate line provided a faster and definitive healing within the time limits of this study, but it was associated with a significant alteration in anal continence. In turn, sphincterotomy up to the fissure apex was free of significant disturbance of continence, but its healing effect was slower and it was prone to an insignificantly higher rate of treatment failure.

Prospective analysis of 518 cases with thyroidectomy in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid malignancies can present in different manners, among them as asymptomatic solid nodule being the most puzzling. Nodules have been found in the 60-70 % of autopsy specimens and it is very important to rule out the malignancies in such cases. Incidence of carcinomatous changes is reported in 5-15 % of solitary nodules. We present the results of prospective study on 418 thyroidectomies with the aim to review the experience of our unit, to establish the correlation between clinical presentation and histopathology, to discuss the malignancy rates and surgical complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five hundred eighteen consecutive cases of thyroidectomy 419 female (80.8 %), and 99 male (19.2 %) patients performed between January 2002 and October 2004 were included in this prospective study. RESULTS: In 71 (13.7 %) cases the malignancy was found by paraffin specimens, the highest prevalence of malignancy being found in patients with nodular goiter (NG-18 %) followed by 14.6 % in multinodular goiter (MNG). The sensitivity of preoperative fine needle cytology (FNAC) was 83.3 % with false positive rate of 1.3 %. Complications were seen in 5.2 % of cases of which 4 (0.7 %) had hypoparathyroidism and 7 (1.3 %) had recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. All patients observed came from endemic area. Family history nearly doubles the risk of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: In an endemic area the nodular goiter is the most common. Preoperative cytology, although sensitive, gives a considerable number of false positive results. Results of thyroid surgery at a high volume centre are satisfactory with very low rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid injury. Probability of malignant transformation in a long standing thyroid swelling should always be kept in mind. There appears to be an increase in prevalence of thyroid malignancies in Turkey after Chernobyl disaster.

Clinical presentation and treatment of hyperthyroidism associated with thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperthyroidism apparently does not protect the patients from thyroid cancer as believed before. In contrast, hyperthyroidism with concurrent thyroid cancer can be diagnosed after pathological examination of unsuspect nodules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coexistence of hyperthyroidism and thyroid carcinoma and to discuss the advantages of total thyroidectomy in such cases. METHODS: Between January 2002 and October 2004, 120 hyperthyroid patients underwent surgical treatment in our clinic. All patients with hyperthyroidism in this study underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy and cytologic examination. Frozen section evaluation was performed in all of these patients during the operation. RESULTS: Among these patients 10 had concurrent thyroid cancer. Only one of these patients was examined by fine needle aspiration biopsy prior to operation, while the rest of malignancies was diagnosed from unsuspect nodules. CONCLUSIONS: The selection of appropriate operation procedure appears very important to find out and treat concurrent thyroid cancers. We diagnosed 90 % of thyroid cancers incidentally. If there are no technical difficulties, we prefer total thyroidectomy for the patients with toxic multinodular goiter and Graves' disease with nodules.