Surgery for an Isolated Adrenal Metastasis of Gastric Cancer.

Adrenal metastasis is considered a rare hematogenous metastasis that develops after gastric cancer surgery. The chances of curative surgery are very low. It is usually unresectable. We aim to present a case of isolated adrenal metastasis that developed in a patient, who underwent a total gastrectomy with the diagnosis of gastric cancer approximately 26 months back. Left adrenalectomy was planned with curative intent. R0 resection was performed. The patient was followed up for one year after surgery. The option of surgical treatment is recommended for isolated metachronous adrenal metastases. Curative surgical resection may positively impact the prognosis of patients in selected cases. Key Words: Gastric cancer, Adrenal metastasis, Surgical resection.

Uncommon causes of acute appendicitis: Retrospective analysis of 6785 histopathological findings in a tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the uncommon causes of acute appendicitis in analyzed post appendectomy specimens. METHODS: Histopathology reports of 6785 removed appendices were analyzed retrospectively in order to confirm the uncommon cause of acute appendicitis in single tertiary institution. RESULTS: Unusual cause of acute appendicitis was found in 98 (1.44%) samples (40 female and rest 58 male patients). Neuroen-docrine tumor of the appendix was the most common pathology, followed by serrated adenoma, low-grade appendicular mucinous neoplasm, hyperplastic polyp, and intestinal parasite. In four patients (0.05%), appendicular adenocarcinoma was confirmed with an overall mortality of 75%. Age was significantly higher in uncommon acute appendectomies than in ordinary appendectomies. Survival analysis of unusual appendectomies showed that advanced age is of prognostic importance (Kaplan Meier p<0.0001). There was also a difference in survival between different disease groups in unusual appendectomies, but Cox multifactorial analysis showed that these two factors were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although rare, unusual causes are the etiological factor responsible for acute appendicitis. These reasons should be kept in mind in the older age group and the diagnosis of appendicitis should be made carefully.

Improvement of Three Duodenal Re-leaks: Two-way Vacuum-assisted Closure.

We share our experience of a two-way vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique that allows patients to heal when generalised peritonitis develops because of a recurrent duodenal leak. Two patients underwent omentoplasty for duodenal ulcer perforation and one patient underwent antrectomy, gastrojejunostomy, and tube duodenostomy. Two-way VAC was performed by taking an abdominal fluid culture and washing the abdomen with 6-12 litres of warm saline. Two-way VAC exchange pro-cedures were continued every 3 days and total parenteral nutrition was administered until cessation of the duodenal re-leak. The two-way VAC application was terminated when improvement in the re-leak was macroscopically detected. The subcutaneous layer was dissected from the anterior abdominal wall fascial layer, and the abdominal skin was closed without tension. The patients were subsequently discharged. Controlling the primary source is often difficult when treating duodenal re-leaks, and two-way VAC can localise the source of the peritonitis and remove toxic peritoneal material. Key Words: Open abdomen, Vacuum-assisted closure, Severe peritonitis, Duodenal leak.

The importance of the scoring system in Fournier's gangrene.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to investigate risk factors affecting mortality rates in patients with Fournier's gangrene (FG) and develop methods to increase the survival rate. METHODS: We collected data of 73 patients treated for FG between February 2012 and June 2021 at Istanbul Professor Doctor Cemil Tasçioglu City Hospital General Surgery Clinic. The data of living patients (Group 1, n=56) and deceased patients (Group 2, n=17) were analyzed separately. Demographic data of patients were sex, age, infection rate, Uludag FG severity index (UFGSI) scores and FG severity index (FGSI) scores, urea serum levels, the source of infection, the presence of diabetes, obesity, the presence of diversion stoma, duration of vacuum-assisted closure treatment in days, hospitalization time in days, intensive care period in days, and isolated bacterial species. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 23%. A significant difference in age and dissemination score of the infection was found between the two groups. According to UFGSI and FGSI scores, the scores of the two groups of patients were significantly higher. The UFGSI had 100% sensitivity and 68% sensitivity. FGSI had 82% sensitivity and 58% specificity. The cutoff values for UFGSI and FGSI were 8 and 6, respectively. CONCLUSION: Age and dissemination scores of diseases were important factors that cause mortality in patients with FG. However, an accurate scoring system is important in predicting patients to be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients with a UFGSI score above 8 face a higher risk of death and should be treated in the ICU.

The value of potassium, pH and D-dimer levels in early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia: an experimental study on rats.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this randomized controlled experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of potassium, pH and D-dimer levels in blood, as well as potassium and pH levels in peritoneal lavage fluid, in the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted at the Istanbul University Center of Experimental Medicine after having received approval from the Istanbul University animal testing ethics committee. Male albino Wistar rats (n = 24; 250 to 350 g) were divided into two control groups and two ischemic groups. Levels of potassium, pH, and D-dimer in blood and levels of potassium and pH in peritoneal lavage fluid were analyzed for 1 h and 2 h after the induced acute mesenteric ischemia procedure. The degree of ischemic injury was determined using the histopathological damage score in tissue samples taken from the terminal ileum. RESULTS: Ischemic groups had statistically significant differences in potassium and pH in blood and peritoneal lavage fluid compared to non-ischemic groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between control and ischemic groups in terms of D-dimer and histologic grading results after 1 h (p = 0.132, p = 0.475 respectively), while there was a significant difference between control and ischemic groups after 2 h (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of potassium, pH, and D-dimer could be useful in daily practice for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.

Comparison of Mortality in Fournier's Gangrene with the Two Scoring Systems.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with mortality in Fournier's gangrene (FG) toward informing the development of effective treatment strategies. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Okmeydani Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from February 2012 to September 2017. METHODOLOGY: Informations of 30 patients treated for FG were examined retrospectively. The deceased patients (Group 1, n = 8) were analysed separately from the living ones (Group 2, n = 22). Informations in this analysis contained gender, age score, dissemination score, Uludag Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (UFGSI) and Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) scores, serum levels of urea, infection source, the presence of diabetes, obesity, and other comorbidities, the presence of stoma for diversion, duration of the vacuum-assisted closure treatment, hospitalisation time, intensive care period, and species of bacteria isolated. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was detected as 26%. A significant difference between the two groups concerning age score of UFGSI parameters was found. The dissemination score of the infection, which is one of the UFGSI parameters, was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. According to UFGSI and FGSI scores, the scores of group 1 patients were significantly higher. To determine the incidence of mortality, the UFGSI and FGSI had 87.5% sensitivity and had 96% and 91% specificity, respectively. The cut-off values for UFGSI and FGSI were 10 and seven, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings described in this study, age and dissemination scores from the UFGSI can be used to predict patient outcome. Patients with a UFGSI score greater than 10 have a higher mortality rate.

Protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on rat intestinal mucosa after mesenteric ischaemia and reperfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric ischaemia results from a lack of adequate blood flow to and oxygenation of the mesentery and intestines. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on the healing process in intestinal mucosa of rats undergoing mesenteric ischaemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar-Albino rats were divided into four groups of eight: 1) ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R); 2) sham operation; 3) I/R+HBOT started 6 hours after reperfusion; 4) I/R+HBOT started 12 hours after reperfusion. In the I/R groups, a vascular clamp was placed across the superior mesenteric artery to occlude arterial circulation for 60 minutes, followed by reperfusion. A dose of HBOT consisted of 100% oxygen breathing for 90 minutes at 2.5 atmospheres absolute pressure. Thirteen doses of HBOT were administered after ischaemia. The rats were sacrificed on the eighth day, and their intestinal tissues were harvested for histopathologic analysis. The tissue levels of catalase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione were determined. RESULTS: The histopathological scores (HSCORE) were consistent with macroscopic examinations. The scores were significantly higher (worse) in Group 1 compared to Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 (for all comparisons, P < 0.05). Group 4's HSCORE was significantly higher than those of Group 2 and Group 3 (for both comparisons P < 0.05). Group 3's HSCOREs were only marginally higher than Group 2. Group 3 exhibited higher glutathione levels than Group 1 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences across the groups with respect to malondialdehyde and catalase levels. CONCLUSION: A beneficial effect of HBOT was observed on oxidative stress and inflammation in acute mesenteric ischaemia-reperfusion.

Improvement of Esophageal Anastomotic Leak by Vacuum-assisted Closure in Three Cases with Gastric Cancer.

This case report presents three consecutive patients who developed esophageal anastomotic leak after gastric cancer surgery and were treated by the two-way vacuum-assisted closure with open abdomen technique in addition to endoscopic stent application (ESA). Esophageal anastomotic leak follow-up was performed by fluoroscopic fistulography. Total parenteral nutrition was given until cessation of leak. All applications of the two-way vacuum-assisted closure were carried out with a vacuum-assisted closure management system. In case of the improvement of the esophageal anastomotic leak detected by fluoroscopy, the two-way vacuum-assisted closure application was terminated. The subcutaneous layer was bilaterally dissected from the fascial layer of the anterior wall of the abdomen, and the abdominal skin was closed without tension. The combination of ESA and the two-way vacuum-assisted closure technique should be suggested in case of severe abdominal sepsis in patients with an esophageal anastomotic leak.

Management of Leakage into the Abdomen due to the Involvement of Jejunum in the Incision Line.

Here, we present the management of a patient, developing severe peritonitis due to laceration of the jejunum, involving sutures applied to facial layers after anterior resection for adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. The patient, an 83-year woman, was operated by anterior resection, and relaparotomy was performed because the small bowel contents leaked from the incision. A compulsory stoma on the top of the incision was performed. Bilateral fasciocutaneous advancement flaps were carried out to treat the patient with severe intraabdominal sepsis via vacuum-assisted closure. The patient, with Apache-II score 12, open abdomen Bjorck score 2C, and Mannheim peritonitis index score 28, was monitored in the intensive care unit. Based on our experience, open abdomen management with vacuum-assisted closure might be successful for patients with intraabdominal sepsis because of uncontrollable primer sources. We propose that the technique defined for this patient is an innovative technique for primary source control of open abdomen patients.

Acute biliary pancreatitis during pregnancy and in the post-delivery period.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis has an incidence of approximately 1 in 1000 to 5000 pregnancies, and is most often seen in the third trimester or the postpartum period. The most common cause of pregnancy-related acute pancreatitis is cholelithiasis, which accounts for more than 65% of cases. The aim of this study was to present a detailed analysis of 4 years of experience with cases of acute biliary pancreatitis related to pregnancy from a single center. METHODS: The medical records of 55 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in the emergency surgery clinic for acute biliary pancreatitis related to pregnancy between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2018 were examined in this single-center, retrospective study. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with acute biliary pancreatitis related to pregnancy were included in the study. Of the 55 women, 13 (24%) were in the pregnant group, 28 (51%) in the postpartum (6 weeks) group, and 14 (25%) were in the 1-year (6 weeks-1 year) group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups. The most appropriate treatment for each patient was targeted. Six (10%) patients had recurrent acute pancreatitis. There was no maternal or fetal mortality or morbidity. CONCLUSION: Acute biliary pancreatitis related to pregnancy is not limited to pregnant women, and the incidence of these cases was greater than expected. Acute biliary pancreatitis related to pregnancy can be successfully managed with conservative treatment because it usually has a mild to moderate clinical course. However, the surgeon should keep an early cholecystectomy in mind for patients other than those in the first trimester.

Etiology, management, and survival of acute mechanical bowel obstruction: Five-year results of a training and research hospital in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Acute mechanical bowel obstruction (AMBO) is still a major surgical problem for emergency departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate AMBO in terms of etiology, management, and survival. METHODS: Data of the age, sex, etiology, management, and survival of patients who were hospitalized for bowel obstruction between January 2014 and December 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Adhesions, tumors, hernias and peritoneal carcinomatosis were evaluated in detail. RESULTS: A total of 735 patients were included in the study. The obstruction was located in the small bowel (AMSBO) in 60% and in the large bowel (AMLBO) in 40%. The mean patient age was 59.9+-16.02 years and 52.9% of the patients were male. Adhesion, tumor, and hernia were the most common etiologies of the overall AMBO group (43.3%, 26.2%, and 6%, respectively). The most common etiology for AMSBO was an adhesion (69.3%), while it was a tumor for AMLBO cases (61.6%). The most common management of AMBO patients was a conservative approach (53.2%; adhesions: 76.7%). Surgical palliation was performed in 24.9% (peritoneal carcinomatosis: 65.7%), and resection was performed in 21.9% (volvulus: 61.9%). The mortality rate in the group was 8.6%. The most common etiology was colorectal surgery (51.4%) for adhesions, colorectal cancer (93.8%) for tumors, and incisional hernia (47.7%) in cases of hernia-related AMBO. CONCLUSION: Adhesions, tumors, and hernias are the most common etiologies of AMBO. The incidence of femoral/inguinal hernia have decreased while that of incisional hernia has increased, and it was further observed that peritoneal carcinomatosis has now become as common as hernia as a cause.

Neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix: Twelve years of results from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in an acute appendicitis cohort, as well as to investigate the behavioral form of the tumor. Our secondary aim was to investigate survival in patients with appendiceal NET. METHODS: Between February 2006 and June 2018, 6518 appendectomies were performed for acute appendicitis in the department of surgery, University of Health Sciences, Okmeydani Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. The medical records of these consecutive 6518 appendectomy patients were evaluated retrospectively. After the histopathological analysis, a total of 22 patients were identified as cases of appendiceal NET. These patients were included in the study. A retrospective analysis of data including gender, age, intraoperative surgical findings, duration of postoperative follow-up and survival, tumor localization, the diameter of the tumor, tumor grade, invasion, surgical margin, and stage of the tumor was performed. RESULTS: The incidence of appendiceal NET was 0.33%. Eleven patients were diagnosed as primary pathological stage pT1aN0M0 according to the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society guidelines. One patient was diagnosed as primary pathological stage pT1bN0M0, and 10 patients were diagnosed as primary pathological stage pT2N0M0. The median tumor diameter was 7.6 mm. There was no patient with a tumor diameter greater than 20 mm. CONCLUSION: The incidence of appendiceal NET in our study is consistent with that stated in the literature. The results of our research suggest that further surgical procedures for NETs that occur coincidentally in patients of the AA cohort are often unnecessary. In addition, the study revealed that disease-free survival (100%) was good over a mean follow-up of 59.2 months.

Management of enteroatmospheric fistula thanks to new isolation technique.

We aimed to present our method called as new isolation technique with stopper (NITS) to manage enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) in an open abdomen (OA). The patient was a 71-year-old male with Hartmann colostomy and incisional hernia. A dual mesh was used for incisional hernia repair after colorectal anastomosis. The patient was urgently re-admitted to hospital due to EAF on the postoperative 30th day. The NITS application was performed twice at different times. General anesthesia was not required for the applications, but sterile conditions in operation room were provided. A Penrose drain was sutured with 5/0 polydioxanone onto the mucosa of EAF orifice. A small pool was created to protect enteric content from leakage. The leak test was performed by spilling saline into this pool. The sponge with visceral organ protector around the pool was adhered by adhesive sterile drape, and one opening was performed on drape. Negative pressure therapy was launched with -75 mmHg in continuous form. EAF was isolated from the OA wound and sponge with the help of stopper performed with adaptable and obstacle ring paste. After these two applications, EAF was converted to stoma. The anastomosis of small intestine was performed 45 days later. In our NITS system, control of EAF may be successfully provided besides prevention of loss of enteric fluid and electrolyte. Advantages of NITS: 1) Successful control in all types of EAF is possible with NITS. 2) The required material for NITS system can be found easily. 3) All types of EAF can be converted into stoma in a short time. Consequently, the therapy of EAF in Björck 4 OA patients may be carried out successfully with NITS method.

Improvement of a duodenal leak: Two-way vacuum-assisted closure.

A 55-year-old male patient developed a duodenal re-leak, which caused severe peritonitis, on the second postoperative day after surgery to treat an acutely perforated duodenal ulcer. Relaparotomy was performed 2 days after surgery for the re-leak after omentoplasty. The necrotic omentum was dissociated from the bulbus duodeni. Viable omentum for reinsertion of the omental patch was not found. The turned-outward duodenal mucosa was excised and the duodenal perforation was sutured. Two-way vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) was carried out by taking a liquid culture of the abdomen and washing the abdomen. The two-way VAC exchange procedures were continued every 3 days until the re-leak was terminated. The whole treatment process occurred in the intensive care unit. The duodenal leak was completely stopped by 41 days after surgery. The subcutaneous layer was dissected from the fascial layer of the anterior wall of the abdomen; thus, the abdominal skin was closed without tension and the patient was subsequently discharged. In conclusion, since primary source control is often difficult when treating duodenal leaks, the two-way VAC system is a convenient solution for localizing the source of the peritonitis and removing toxic peritoneal material.

Can Alvarado and Appendicitis Inflammatory Response scores evaluate the severity of acute appendicitis?

BACKGROUND: The Alvarado score (AS) and the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score (AIRS) were developed to diagnose acute appendicitis (AA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of AA using the AS and the AIRS tools. METHODS: Patients who presented between January 2016 and December 2017 and underwent surgery for AA and who had a preoperative AS and AIRS value were evaluated retrospectively. The details of age, sex, pathological severity, the presence of local peritonitis or fecaloid, drainage, appendix diameter, and operation type were evaluated according to the AS and the AIRS. RESULTS: A total of 578 patients were included in the study. Appendicitis was the most common pathological severity classification (44.4%). The most common appendix diameter group was 7-10 mm (59.2%). The difference observed in the AS and AIRS results for all of the pathological severity categories was statistically significant (p<0.05). The AIRS revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the detection of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. The AIRS difference was statistically significant for appendix diameter (p<0.05). The AS and the AIRS results were both statistically significant for drainage (p<0.05). The AS was correlated with pathological severity, local peritonitis, and drainage, while the AIRS was correlated with pathological severity, uncomplicated/complicated determination, appendix diameter, and drainage (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both the AS and the AIRS can evaluate pathological severity, but only the AIRS can evaluate complicated or uncomplicated appendicitis and the diameter of the appendix. These tools can be used to reduce the number of unnecessary radiological or surgical interventions.

Drain amylase monitoring for early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage in sleeve gastrectomy An animal study.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy(SG) is a popular bariatric surgery procedure with rare but dreaded complications. Although drain amylase levels are a reliable early predictor of anastomosis leakage in oesophagectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy, for SG have not yet been studied. We aimed to monitor drain amylase levels to ascertain their applicability for early diagnosis of gastric leakage in SG. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A: only laparotomy and abdominal drain; Group B: laparotomy, SG, and drain; Group C: laparotomy, SG with fistula,and drain. On postoperative days 0,1,2,3, and 4, drain lavage samples were collected to measure amylase. RESULTS: Groups were compared in pairs. Preoperative weights were not significantly different in any comparison. On postoperative days 0,1,2,3, and 4, drain amylase levels were found to be significantly lower in Group A than in Group B as well as in Group A than in Group C but were significantly higher in Group C than in Group B. For postoperative day 1, a receiver operating characteristic curve was done. Drain amylase levels over 1514 IU were statistically significant for leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Drain amylase levels were significantly high in sleeve gastrectomy with fistula. This indicates that drain amylase level monitoring might be an easy and cheap alternative for determining staple-line leakage for high risk patients with Body Mass Index(BMI)>50kg/m2 in whom we cannot use radiological imaging. KEY WORDS: Animal Experimental Study, Bariatric Surgery, Drain amylase, Sleeve gastrectomy, Staple-line leakage.

Protective effects of pentoxifylline in small intestine after ischemia-reperfusion.

Objective This study was performed to determine the healing effects of pentoxifylline on molecular responses and protection against severe ischemic damage in the small intestine. Methods Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups. The superior mesenteric artery was clamped for 120 minutes, and reperfusion was performed for 60 minutes. Saline (0.4 mL), pentoxifylline (1 mg/kg), and pentoxifylline (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered to the rats in the C1, P1, and P3 groups, respectively, 60 minutes before ischemia and to the rats in the C2, P2, and P4 groups, respectively, during reperfusion onset. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 in serum and tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal ischemic injury was histopathologically evaluated by the Chiu score and immunohistochemical staining. Results All serum and tissue molecular responses were significantly blunted in the pentoxifylline-treated groups compared with the controls. Significant improvement in ischemic damage was demonstrated in the pentoxifylline-treated groups by histological grading and immunohistochemical scoring. Conclusions The protective effects of pentoxifylline were confirmed by molecular responses and histopathological examination.

Drain amylase monitoring for early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage in sleeve gastrectomy An animal study.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy(SG) is a popular bariatric surgery procedure with rare but dreaded complications. Although drain amylase levels are a reliable early predictor of anastomosis leakage in oesophagectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy, for SG have not yet been studied. We aimed to monitor drain amylase levels to ascertain their applicability for early diagnosis of gastric leakage in SG. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A: only laparotomy and abdominal drain; Group B: laparotomy, SG, and drain; Group C: laparotomy, SG with fistula,and drain. On postoperative days 0,1,2,3, and 4, drain lavage samples were collected to measure amylase. RESULTS: Groups were compared in pairs. Preoperative weights were not significantly different in any comparison. On postoperative days 0,1,2,3, and 4, drain amylase levels were found to be significantly lower in Group A than in Group B as well as in Group A than in Group C but were significantly higher in Group C than in Group B. For postoperative day 1, a receiver operating characteristic curve was done. Drain amylase levels over 1514 IU were statistically significant for leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Drain amylase levels were significantly high in sleeve gastrectomy with fistula. This indicates that drain amylase level monitoring might be an easy and cheap alternative for determining staple-line leakage for high risk patients with Body Mass Index(BMI)>50kg/m2 in whom we cannot use radiological imaging. KEY WORDS: Animal Experimental Study, Bariatric Surgery, Drain amylase, Sleeve gastrectomy, Staple-line leakage.

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy following acute biliary pancreatitis expedites recovery.

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the reliability of early cholecystectomy, risk of recurrent biliary pancreatitis, and their effects on hospital length of stay and morbidity by comparing the results of early and late laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. METHODS: A total of 131 patients, who were diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis at Okmeydani Education and Research Hospital in January 2009-December 2012, were included in the study. Demographic specifications of patients, duration of their complaints, biochemistry and hemogram values at first arrival, Ranson criteria, number of attacks, screenings, operation type and period, number of days between the first attack and operation, hospital length of stay, and complications were recorded. Patients who underwent cholecystectomy within the first 2 weeks were considered early (group 1) and those who under the operation after 2 weeks were considered late (group 2). RESULTS: There were 47 patients in group 1 and 84 patients in group 2. Open surgery was not performed on any patient, and there was no choledoch injury and mortality. The average hospital length of stay was 7.6±3.0 days in group 1 and 10.7±8.3 days in group 2, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.006). Two or more number of attacks occurred in 15 patients in group 2 (18%), with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe as it does not increase operation time and morbidity in biliary pancreatitis with a Ranson score of ≤3 or cause difficulty in dissection. Late cholecystectomy causes recurrent attacks and increases the hospital length of stay and treatment costs. Using randomized controlled studies, the effectiveness and reliability of early cholecystectomy in mild and moderate biliary pancreatitis can be verified.

Primary umbilical endometriosis: A painful swelling in the umbilicus concomitantly with menstruation.

BACKGROUND: Primary umblikal endometriosis is a rare illness. In this report we aimed to discuss the management of this rare condition. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old nulliparous woman was present at our clinic who was suffering from painful swelling in the umbilicus during her menstruation for the last 3 months. Her examination showed a dark-color sensitive nodule of 20×15mm in size in the umbilicus. A lower abdominal tomography was performed to exclude the presence of a concomitant pelvic endometriosis, and it showed increased density consistent with subcutaneous inflammation in the umbilicus. Her medical history and physical examination suggested primary umbilical endometriosis. A total resection including umbilicus was performed. DISCUSSION: Primary umbilical endometriosis is a rare benign disease and clinically difficult to differentiate from other diseases that cause umbilical nodule. Imaging modalities have no pathognomonic findings for diagnosis. Surgical exploration and excision are the definitive and safe treatment of primary umbilical endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Total umbilical resection should be preferred to avoid local recurrent.