Elevated HbA1c level associated with disease severity and surgical extension in diabetic foot patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is a complex syndrome that is associated with other diabetic complications, such as peripheral arte-rial disease and peripheral neuropathy. Optimization of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is one of the main principles of standard care and treatment approaches in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, the relationship of HbA1c level at the time of diagnosis was evaluated with diabetic foot disease severity score and surgical extension in patients with Type 2 DM. METHODS: This study included 301 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with diabetic foot in the general surgery diabetic foot clinic and were hospitalized for surgery. The relationships between the HbA1c levels of the patients with the Wagner and PEDIS (Perfusion, Extent, Dept, Infection, Sensation) classification system grades, and the surgical procedures performed were analyzed and the treatment outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: It was determined that there was a 90% statistically significant relationship between HbA1c values of ≥10.1% and the de-velopment of Wagner Grade 4 diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) (P=0.037). A strong statistically significant relationship at the rate of 85% was determined between HbA1c values of ≥10.1% and the development of PEDIS Grade 3 ulcers. As the HbA1c values increased, so there was determined to be a statistically significant relationship with the development of PEDIS Grade 3 ulcer (P=0.003). In the comparison of the HbA1c values according to the type of surgery performed, a weak relationship was determined at the rate of 26%, and it was determined that as the HbA1c values increased, so there could be an increase in the amputation level. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that as HbA1c values at diagnosis increased in patients with diabetic foot; Wagner/PEDIS grades, disease severity, surgical extension, amputation level, and tissue loss increased. To reduce the severity of diabetic foot disease and prevent amputation, compliance with diabetic treatment and glycemic control should be increased.

Patients' Perspective: What has Changed in Deciding about Breast-Conserving Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Turkey?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to describe patients' perception of early breast cancer, factors influencing the choice of operation, patients' sources of information about the disease and the seriousness with which this information is considered, and to address what surgeons can do to enlighten their patients prior to decision-making. METHODS: Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of 3 sections: The first section addressed influential factors during the decision-making process; the second pertained to the role of surgeons or health facilities in the process; and the third asked patients to revisit their initial choice of surgery. RESULTS: 237 patients were included in the study. Statistical analyzes regarding demographic features showed that nulliparous, younger than 50 years, never or <5 years married, highly educated, business-owning, employed, and stage I breast cancer patients preferred breast-conserving surgery (BCS) to mastectomy. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of BCS is a technical quality indicator for breast cancer centers, providing sufficient patient counseling, involving the patient in the decision-making process, and offering every possible surgical option are key to improving quality of life. Systematic counseling should be provided to breast cancer patients who have primary tumors that are eligible for BCS.

Topical hemostatics for bleeding control in pre-hospital setting: Then and now.

Massive hemorrhage causes instant and early deaths because of hypovolemia. However, even if the victim makes it to the hospital, hypothermia, metabolic acidosis, and coagulation impairments caused by bleeding pose a great risk for survival. Many topical hemostatic agents are developed for neck, armpit, or groin injuries that are not amenable to tourniquet application and for extremity wounds to be used in conjunction with tourniquets. This paper focuses on those hemostatics that differ based on the action mechanism and are suitable for pre-hospital setting and summarizes the latest recommendations regarding their usage.

Bethesda Made It Clearer: A Review of 542 Patients in a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to interpret fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) material correctly to create a common language among pathologists and surgeons, leading to a uniform approach to thyroid nodule management. We aimed to compare FNAB reports of patients at our institution who were treated with total thyroidectomy, before and after the Bethesda classification system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules are reviewed. 226 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy before the Bethesda era (2006-2009) were classified as Group-I, and 316 patients in whom total thyroidectomy was performed after the Bethesda classification system was introduced (2010-2014) were classified as Group-II. RESULTS: Before Bethesda, 'nondiagnostic' or 'benign' lesions were reported in 16.4 and 45% of patients, respectively, which then significantly decreased to 4.7 and 32.9% as the Bethesda classification criteria came into use. In Group-II, the actual malignancy rates were 13.3, 2.8, 7.3, 15.5, 85.4, and 96.5% for Bethesda I, II, III, IV, V, and VI, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our experience confirms that the Bethesda classification system leads to a significant reduction in lesions that used to be reported as 'benign' without compromising the actual rates of malignancy. It ensures better classification of so-called suspicious lesions, and allows for more accurate predictions of suspicious or malignant lesions.

Liver enzyme alterations after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate the alterations in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and compare these changes with those occurring after open cholecystectomy (OC). METHODS: Of 267 patients who underwent LC between January 2003 and December 2005, 86 patients without complications were eligible for study. Twenty-six patients who underwent OC during the same interval were also enrolled in the study as a control group. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and 24 hours after operation for biochemical tests. RESULTS: Statistical analyses revealed significant increases in AST, ALT, GGT and LDH levels in the LC group postoperatively. Compared with the OC group, the differences between elevations of enzyme levels were also significant for LC group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that these enzyme elevations could mostly be attributed to the negative effects of the pneumoperitoneum on the hepatic blood flow. Although these changes do not seem to be clinically important, care should be taken before deciding to perform LC in patients with hepatic insufficiency.

Granulomatous mastitis: surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical and pathological features and surgical treatment outcomes of patients with granulomatous mastitis. DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, between 1999-2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 16 patients with granulomatous mastitis treated surgically by total excision with disease-free margins were reviewed. Patients given additional medical therapy or treated with mastectomy because of the size and extent of the disease were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 31.8 (range: 22-45 years). All patients were diagnosed from the pathological tissue specimens obtained by surgery. Clinical and radiological examinations suggested breast carcinoma in 82.1% patients. Except one patient who developed a fistula from the incision which was treated again with surgery, no other complications were noted, including recurrence of disease during a median follow-up period of 12.8 months (range: 4-30 months). CONCLUSION: Although granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign breast disease, it usually mimics breast carcinoma both clinically and radiologically, making the diagnosis difficult and challenging. As long as good cosmetic results can be achieved, surgical excision is quick, safe and effective treatment method for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.