Relationship Between Morbidity and Mortality and HbA1c Levels in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Major Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the preoperative HbA1c levels and the complications and mortality rates in the postoperative period in patients with diabetes undergoing a major surgical treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study Place and Duration of Study: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Adana Numune Research and Training Hospital, Turkey, from January 2015 to December 2016. METHODOLOGY: Diabetic patients, who underwent major surgery (a large resection) having preoperative HbA1c levels, were considered. A total of 1,013 patients, whose file data were completely accessed, were included in the study. Preoperative HbA1c levels of the patients and complications seen within the first 7 and first 30 days postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS: Fourty-nine (4.8%) of the patients were exitus in the hospital, while 964 (95.2%) of the patients were discharged. Preoperative HbA1c levels of the patients were found to be predictive marker of mortality and complications in the first 7 and 30 days postoperatively (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: HbA1c levels are important in preoperative surgical risk assessment in diabetic patients. Better provision of long-term glycemic control in patients planned elective surgery and have low levels of HbA1c may significantly reduce postoperative mortality and complications.

The effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on the hemodynamics and respiratory functions in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleeve gastrectomy has been one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgery methods. The study aimed to compare the effects of 2 most commonly used inhalation anesthetics, sevoflurane and desflurane, on the peroperative hemodynamic alterations and postoperative respiratory functions in morbidly obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. DESIGN: Nonrandomized cohort. SETTINGS: Operating room, postoperative period. PATIENTS: Eighty-four morbidly obese patients with a body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2 who had scheduled to undergo sleeve gastrectomy operation were prospectively included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 2 groups. The maintenance of inhalation anesthesia was performed by sevoflurane in 1 group (sevoflurane group) and desflurane (desflurane group) in the other group. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic features, peroperative hemodynamic alterations, and the results of preoperative and postoperative 24th hour respiratory function tests were recorded. RESULTS: There was not any statistically significant difference between groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, anesthesia time, peroperative mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and preoperative or postoperative forced expiratory volume 1/forced vital capacity ratios. CONCLUSION: We determined that both desflurane and sevoflurane provide similar intraoperative hemodynamic and early postoperative respiratory functions in morbidly obese patients in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Both agents can be regarded as alternatives for inhalation anesthetics in maintenance of anesthesia.

A Novel Oxidative Stress Mediator in Acute Appendicitis: Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis.

Aim. To investigate the role of a novel oxidative stress marker, thiol/disulphide homeostasis, in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis (AA). Methods. In this study, seventy-one (43 male and 28 female) patients diagnosed with AA and 71 (30 male and 41 female) healthy volunteers were included. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), c-reactive protein (CRP), and thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters (native thiol, total thiol, disulphide, disulphide/native thiol, native thiol/total thiol, and disulphide/total thiol ratios) were compared between the groups. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was determined by a newly developed method by Erel and Neselioglu. Results. The native thiol, total thiol, and the native thiol/total thiol ratio levels were statistically significantly decreased in the AA compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Disulphide level and the ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were higher in the AA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation of CRP with native thiol, total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol ratio while there was a positive correlation of CRP with disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol in the AA group. In the stepwise regression model, risk factors as disulphide/native thiol (OR = 1.368; p = 0.018) and CRP (OR = 1.635; p = 0.003) were determined as predictors of perforated appendicitis compared to the nonperforated group. Conclusion. This is the first study examining the thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a diagnostic aid in AA and establishing thiol/disulphide homeostatis balance shifted towards the disulphide formation due to thiol oxidation. Further studies are needed to optimize the use of this novel oxidative stress marker in AA.

The Syrian civil war: The experience of the Surgical Intensive Care Units.

OBJECTIVE: Since the civilian war in Syria began, thousands of seriously injured trauma patients from Syria were brought to Turkey for emergency operations and/or postoperative intensive care. The aim of this study was to present the demographics and clinical features of the wounded patients in Syrian civil war admitted to the surgical intensive care units in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: The records of 80 trauma patients admitted to the Anaesthesia, General Surgery and Neurosurgery ICUs between June 1, 2012 and July 15, 2014 were included in the study. The data were reviewed regarding the demographics, time of presentation, place of reference, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and Injury Severity Score (ISS), surgical procedures, complications, length of stay and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 80 wounded patients (70 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 28.7 years were admitted to surgical ICUs. The most frequent cause of injury was gunshot injury. The mean time interval between the occurrence of injury and time of admission was 2.87 days. Mean ISS score on admission was 21, and mean APACHE II score was 15.7. APACHE II scores of non-survivors were significantly increased compared with those of survivors (P=0.001). No significant differences was found in the age, ISS, time interval before admission, length of stay in ICU, rate of surgery before or after admission. CONCLUSION: The most important factor affecting mortality in this particular trauma-ICU patient population from Syrian civil war was the physiological condition of patients on admission. Rapid transport and effective initial and on-road resuscitation are critical in decreasing the mortality rate in civil wars and military conflicts.

The Effects of Direct Oxygen Supply During Static Cold Preservation of Rat Livers: An Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the biochemical and histopathologic effects of direct oxygen supply to the preservation fluid of static cold storage system with a simple method on rat livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group, which contained Ringer's lactate as preservation fluid; and the oxygen group, which contained oxygen and Ringer's lactate for preservation. Each liver was placed in a bag containing 50 mL Ringer's lactate and placed in ice-filled storage containers. One hundred percent oxygen supplies were given via a simple, inexpensive system created in our laboratory, to the livers in oxygen group. We obtained samples for histopathologic evaluation in the 12th hour. In addition, 3 mL of preservation fluid was subjected to biochemical analysis at 0, sixth, and twelfth hours. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and pH levels were measured from the preservation fluid. RESULTS: In oxygen-supplemented group, the acceleration speed of increase in alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels at sixth hour and lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels at 12th hour were statistically significantly reduced. In histopathologic examination, all parameters except ballooning were statistically significantly better in the oxygen-supplemented group. CONCLUSIONS: This simple system for oxygenation of liver tissues during static cold storage was shown to be effective with good results in biochemical and histopathologic assessments. Because this is a simple, inexpensive, and easily available method, larger studies are warranted to evaluate its effects (especially in humans).

The predictive value of red cell distribution width levels on mortality in intensive care patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a part of the complete blood count (CBC) panel reflecting quantitative measure of variability in the size of circulating red blood cells. It has been known that higher RDW is associated with increased mortality in several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between RDW and hospital mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal sepsis (C-IAS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the patients with C-IAS was performed between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013. Patients' demographics, co-morbidities, laboratory measures including RDW on admission to the ICU, and Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and three patients with C-IAS were included into the study with a mean age of 64±14 years. Overall mortality was 50.5%. RDW day 1 (RDW1) values and APACHE II scores were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors. In multivariate analysis, only RDW1 and APACHE II predicted mortality. The area under the receiver operating curves (AUC) of RDW1 and APACHE II were 0.867 (95% CI, 0.791-0.942) and 0.943 (95% CI, 0.902-0.984), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that increased RDW is associated with mortality in ICU patients with C-IAS.

Comparison of intracorporeal knotting and endoloop for stump closure in laparoscopic appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several appendiceal stump closure tecniques such as intracorporoeal-knotting, endoloop, stapler and clips are used during laparoscopic appendectomy. This study aimed to compare intracorporoeal-knotting and endoloop tecniques used to close appendiceal stump in laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis in General Surgery Department of Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital between June 2009 and July 2013. The demographics, appendiceal stump closure tecniques, operation time, complications, and length of hospital stays of the patients were compared. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and twenty-six patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (Female: 81, Male: 45). Intracorporeal-knotting (Group 1) was performed in sixty-five patients; whereas, endoloop (Group 2) was performed in sixty-one patients in order to close appendiceal stump. The operation time was longer in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (62.0±10.67 min., 56.80±11.94 min., p=0.01). The length of hospital stays were nonsignificant between the groups. Four patients were complicated by superficial surgical site infection in both groups. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the operation time was found to be longer for intracorporeal knotting tecnique compared to endoloop tecnique; however, there was no significant difference regarding the length of hospital stay and complications. Performing intracorporeal-knotting technique is suggested since it is cheaper than endoloops and it may also improve hand manipulations of the surgeons who intend to advanced laparoscopy.

Rhomboid Flap Technique in Breast-conserving Surgery: An Alternative Method for the Reconstruction of Lumpectomy Defects.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present our experience with rhomboid flap reconstruction, which is a simple technique, in breast cancer patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 13 patients with breast cancer who underwent rhomboid flap reconstruction. The patients were evaluated for tumor size, safe surgical margin, and other clinical and pathological features. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.1 years (range: 28-69 years). The mean tumor diameter was 30.8 mm (range: 15-60 mm). The mean of the safe margin of resection was evaluated to be 17.8 mm (range: 5-30 mm). Re-excision was required for one patient in the same session. CONCLUSION: Rhomboid flap reconstruction can facilitate the applicability of breast-conserving surgery in early breast cancer patients with large tumor-to-breast-size ratio or tumors close to the skin.

Changes in the frequencies of abdominal wall hernias and the preferences for their repair: a multicenter national study from Turkey.

Abdominal wall hernias are a common problem in the general population. A Western estimate reveals that the lifetime risk of developing a hernia is about 2%. As a result, hernia repairs likely comprise the most frequent general surgery operations. More than 20 million hernias are estimated to be repaired every year around the world. Numerous repair techniques have been described to date however tension-free mesh repairs are widely used today because of their low hernia recurrence rates. Nevertheless, there are some ongoing debates regarding the ideal approach (open or laparoscopic), the ideal anesthesia (general, local, or regional), and the ideal mesh (standard polypropylene or newer meshes).

ULTRAPRO Hernia System versus lichtenstein repair in treatment of primary inguinal hernias: a prospective randomized controlled study.

The Lichtenstein repair has been recommended as the gold standard for inguinal hernia repair. However, postoperative discomfort still constitutes a concern and an area for improvement. New mesh materials have been continuously introduced to achieve this goal. The goal of the present study was to investigate the outcomes of ULTRAPRO Hernia System (UHS) compared with Lichtenstein mesh repair. A total of 99 male patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia were included in the study during the period of September 2010-January 2012. Patients with body mass index>30, comorbid diseases, and anesthetic risk of ASA-III and ASA-IV were excluded. The patients were randomly allocated to operation with the Lichtenstein technique (group L) or UHS. Demographics, operative and postoperative/recovery data, and short- and medium-term outcomes of the patients were recorded. A total of 50 patients in group L and 49 patients in group UHS were analyzed. The median follow-up time for the study was 33 months. There were no significant differences regarding demographics, complications, and rehabilitation between the groups. Overall, there was a prolonged operation time in the UHS group compared with the L group (UHS: 53.7±5.7 minutes; L: 44.5±5.5 minutes; P<0.001). UHS may provide results similar to those for the Lichtenstein technique in open repair of inguinal hernias regarding perioperative course, complications, recovery, and recurrence rates. However, because of reduced costs and the lack of need for the exploration of the preperitoneal space, we conclude that the Lichtenstein technique should be recommended as the first choice.

Diathermy versus scalpel in Limberg flap in pilonidal sinus surgery. A prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Rhomboid excision with Limberg flap repair (RELIF) is an effective surgical procedure in pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) treatment. This study aimed to compare outcome of diathermy and scalpel in RELIF procedure in PSD surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing RELIF procedure due to PSD at Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital between January 2012 and September 2012 were randomly assigned to diathermy (n=30) or scalpel (n=30) groups. The primary outcomes measured were duration of operation, drainage volume, postoperative numerical pain intensity scale (NPIS) scores, complications, duration of hospitalization length and time to return to daily activity. RESULTS: The mean age was 26.2 years (17-44 years). The mean operation duration was significantly lower in diathermy group (p=0.0001). Postoperative total NPIS score within the first 24 h was significantly lower in diathermy group (p=0.001). However, there were not any significant differences in term of NPIS scores in day 3 and day 7. There were no significant differences in terms of total drain output, drain removal time and length of hospital stay. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of duration to sit comfortably, return to daily activity and work. Recurrence of PSD was emerged in one patient in the diathermy group. CONCLUSION: Diathermy dissection in RELIF procedure in pilonidal sinus surgery is a safe technique and decreased operation time and postoperative pain.

HELLP Syndrome Complicated by Subcapsular Hematoma of Liver: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Subcapsular liver hematoma (SLH) is a rare complication of severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. These patients must be followed up in intensive care unit for advanced medical support with infused fluid, replacement of blood products, and treatment of underlying disorders. There are a lot of therapeutic options varying from conservative management to surgical treatment including hepatic resection, hepatic artery ligation, and liver transplantation. In this report we aimed to present a 26-year-old woman with SLH secondary to HELLP syndrome.

An unexpected cause of small bowel obstruction in an adult patient: midgut volvulus.

The most important complication of intestinal malrotation is midgut volvulus because it may lead to intestinal ischaemia and necrosis. A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain. Ultrasonography (US), colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), CT and barium studies were carried out. On US and CDUS, twisting of intestinal segments around the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and alteration of the SMA-SMV relationship were detected. CT demonstrated that the small intestine was making a rotation around the SMA and SMV, which amounted to more than 360°. The upper gastrointestinal barium series revealed a corkscrew appearance of the duodenum and proximal jejunum, which is a pathognomonic finding of midgut volvulus. Prior knowledge of characteristic imaging findings of midgut volvulus is essential in order to reach proper diagnosis and establish proper treatment before the development of intestinal ischaemia and necrosis.

Laparoscopic rectopexy for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome without overt rectal prolapse. A case report and review of the literature.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare clinical entity. Several treatment options has been described. However, there is no consensus yet on treatment algorithm and standard surgical procedure. Rectopexy is one of the surgical options and it is generally performed in patients with solitary rectal ulcer accompanied with overt prolapse. Various outcomes have been reported for rectopexy in the patients with occult prolapse or rectal intussusception. In the literature; outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure have been reported in the limited number of case or case series. No study has emphasized the outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure in the patients with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse. In this report we aimed to present clinical outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection posterior suture rectopexy procedure in a 21-year-old female patient with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse.

Laparoscopic rectopexy for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome without overt rectal prolapse: a case report and review of the literature.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare clinical entity. Several treatment options has been described. However, there is no consensus yet on treatment algorithm and standard surgical procedure. Rectopexy is one of the surgical options and it is generally performed in patients with solitary rectal ulcer accompanied with overt prolapse. Various outcomes have been reported for rectopexy in the patients with occult prolapse or rectal intussusception. In the literature; outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure have been reported in the limited number of case or case series. No study has emphasized the outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection rectopexy procedure in the patients with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse. In this report we aimed to present clinical outcomes of laparoscopic non-resection posterior suture rectopexy procedure in a 21-year-old female patient with solitary rectal ulcer without overt prolapse.

Comparison of APACHE II, P-POSSUM and SAPS II scoring systems in patients underwent planned laparotomies due to secondary peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: The first aim of this study was to discuss the factors affecting mortality rate in patients with severe intraabdominal sepsis treated with planned relaparotomy. The second aim was to compare APACHEE II, P-POSSUM and SAPS II scoring systems to allow identification of high-risk patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 34 patients who had intra-abdominal sepsis and treated with planned relaparotomy between January 2009 and January 2012 were included the study. The source of the peritonitis, type and number of surgical procedures, number of planned relaparatomies, microbiology surveillance, total intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay duration, number of intubated days, morbidity and mortality were analyzed. APACHEE II, SAPS II, P-POSSUM scores and estimated mortality ranges at admission were compared. RESULTS: The mean age was 46 (16-76 years) and 73.5 % (n=25) were male. A total of 119 operations and 50 surgical procedures were performed. The overall mortality rate was 20.6% (n=7). Complications developed in %53 (n=18) of the patients. Mortality was higher in upper GIS leaks (6/20 versus 1/14 patients). Areas under the curve calculated by ROC curve analysis for APACHE II, SAPS II and P-POSSUM were 0.958, 0.955 and 0.931, respectively. The highest values for sensitivity (100%) and specivity (85.2%) together were reached in APACHE II, when cut off value for it was set to 20.5. The SAPS II and P-POSSUM physiology scores were correlated with overall hospital stay (p=0.022 r=0.438 and p=0.001 r=0.609 respectively), but this correlation was not found for APACHEE II score (p=0.085 r=0.337). However, all three scoring systems provided clear estimation of ICU stay duration. CONCLUSION: We suggest that, in secondary peritonitis patients reserved for planned relaparotomy, APACHE II is more reliable for prediction of mortality and P-POSSUM scoring system is more reliable for prediction of overall hospital stay duration.

Virginal Breast Hypertrophy and Symptomatic Treatment: A Case Report.

Virginal breast hypertrophy is a rare benign disease. It is characterized by rapid and excessive growth of one or two breasts during peripubertal period. There is no specific treatment algorithm, subcutaneous mastectomy and prosthesis replacement, reduction mammoplasty, medical treatment with particularly tamoxifen are all recommended in the literature. Unfortunately, all treatment methods have some disadvantages in this patient group who have not completed their sexual and physical maturation. Although these treatments are usually required, it should be noted that spontaneous remission could rarely be seen in virginal hypertrophy. We aimed to present a case of virginal hypertrophy, in whom symptomatic treatment has been used and breast growth regressed spontaneously.