Learning-by-teaching coming into play as a reliable trick for lower GI procedures: a learning curve analysis in 13,210 operative logs including the COVID-19 era.

After suspecting a plunge in the operative case logs in our clinic, we wanted to explore the COVID-19 impact on surgical training side of the lower gastrointestinal procedures to raise awareness of the possible cracks in the pillars of general surgery residency. Comparing the coronavirus impact to previous years starting from 2014, we examined the procedures of our residents for their roles in the operating room. We performed interrupted time-series analyses to get a sense of the magnitude and then used a new index to identify the trend of change in operator-to-first assistant rate of experience and searched for signs of learning-by-teaching motives. In total, 13,210 operative logs of residents were included; of procedures, 3483 (41%) were emergency. Both overall resident participations and learning-by-teaching dropped during first 3 months, followed by a rebound. The overall operator-to-first assistant rate of experience was 1.06 before and 0.86 after. Emergency procedures, obstruction, perforation, enterostomy closure, appendix, colon, anus and minimally invasive procedures, and COVID-19 were associated with learning-by-teaching (OR and 95% Cl were; 2.20, 1.76-2.75; 0.56, 0.36-0.85; 0.50, 0.38-0.67; 2.29, 1.44-3.63; 11.09, 8.33-14.75; 1.75, 1.32-2.32; 2.56, 2.03-3.22; 0.80, 0.65-0.99 and 1.93, 1.54-2.42, respectively) (p < 0.05). The study provided insights into a vastly underrated surgical education subject: learning-by-teaching. The training index introduced here was a valuable learning curve instrument that has the capacity of comparing different training parameters or different residency programs. The surge in learning-by-teaching after the pandemic was interpreted as a reflex, processing the teaching as a training tool.

Oncoplastic approach to excisional breast biopsies: a randomized controlled, phase 2a trial.

BACKGROUND: Oncoplastic surgery has been used in breast cancer patients for better cosmetic outcome over the last decades. The aim of this prospective randomized study is to show its place in excisional breast biopsy. METHODS: An oncoplastic approach excision was compared with conventional excisional breast biopsies. The study included 80 patients, of whom half received oncoplastic intervention and half received the conventional. The primary endpoint was the cosmetic result. Patient, surgeon and independent observers rated the results on a four-point scale. Scores other than self-perceived were based on third-month medical photographs. RESULTS: Between May 20, 2015 and April 27, 2016, 40 patients were randomly assigned to oncoplastic biopsy and 40 patients were assigned to conventional excisional biopsy. Median follow-up was 5.6 months (IQR 3.0-6.0). Self-perceived perfect scoring for general cosmetic outcome was found significantly higher after oncoplastic biopsy (73 0.5%) comparing with control group (32.4%) (p = 0.001). This impact did not change after adjusting patients for potential confounders. Margin clearance rates in malignant cases were comparable in both arms (p = 0.999); four patients in oncoplastic biopsy group (40%) and three patients in control group (33%) had positive margins. CONCLUSIONS: The oncoplastic biopsy achieved better cosmetic results with similar surgical margin positivity rates when compared with conventional breast biopsy. It may be a better biopsy option used for patients requiring excisional breast biopsy.

Comparison of pressure and volume-controlled ventilation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has many advantages such as shorter hospital stay of patients, minimal postoperative pain, rapid recovery after the operation; however, systemic disadvantages because intra-abdominal pressure, position and general anaesthesia may also appear. In this study, pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) and volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) modes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations were compared in terms of their effects on haemodynamic, respiratory and blood gas parameters. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to the modes of mechanical ventilation, either to the PCV group, group P (35 patients) or to the VCV group, group V (35 patients). A standard electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, end-tidal CO2 , BIS and TOF monitoring were performed. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium. Anaesthesia was maintained with 50% O2 + 50% N2 O, propofol infusion and fentanyl. Haemodynamic data, respiratory parameters, arterial blood gases of the patients were measured. Dynamic compliance of the respiratory system, oxygenation index, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and dead space ventilation to tidal volume ratio were calculated. RESULTS: No difference was detected between the groups in terms of descriptive data, operation, anaesthesia, pneumoperitoneum and recovery period (P > 0.05). Haemodynamic data and blood gas values were compared between the two groups, and no significant difference was found (P < 0.05). After pneumoperitoneum, lung compliance decreased in both groups, more importantly in the Group P (P > 0.05). Tidal volume increased 10 min and 20 min after insufflation in the Group V (P < 0.05). Alveolar dead space ventilation to tidal volume ratio before pneumoperitoneum and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient after pneumoperitoneum were significantly higher in the Group P compared to the Group V (P < 0.05). Dynamic compliance of the respiratory system was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, with volume-controlled ventilation anaesthesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, higher tidal volume and lower alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient were achieved after pneumoperitoneum. These findings indicated that VCV mode can provide a better alveolar ventilation than PCV mode in laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations.

The impact of method on kidney graft and patient survival in kidney-pancreas transplantations for type I diabetes mellitus.

Patients who develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) associated with Type I Diabetes Mellitus may receive kidney alone (KA) transplantation, simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation, or a pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplantation. The goal of this study is to examine the long-term impact of pancreas transplantation on kidney graft and patient survival rates. A total of 85 transplantation cases, consisting of 30 that received living donor KA, 21 that received SPK, and 34 that received PAK, from 2003-2010 at Akdeniz University Organ Transplantation Institute were retrospectively screened. There was a graft loss in 4 cases from the KA group, and in 1 case from each of the SPK and PAK groups. The five-year kidney graft survival rates were 86.7% in KA, 95.2% in SPK, and 97.1% in PAK. There was a single patient loss in both KA and SPK. The kidney survival percentages were higher in SPK and PAK groups compared to the KA group. Therefore, SPK should be the primary preference in these patients; however, for the cases that have a living donor, pancreas transplantation should be considered after kidney transplantation, or the patients can be followed-up on with close blood sugar control.

A Giant Simple Liver Cyst That Caused Increases in Serum CA 19-9 and CA 15-3 Levels.

Simple cysts (SCs) of the liver are not associated with the biliary malformations in intrahepatic bile duct biliary. Seen in 0.1% to 7% of adult population, biliary malformations are more common in women. The levels of glycoprotein-like tumor markers (carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9) in the cysts and serum could be high. Although studies regarding CA 19-9 exist, sufficient data on cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 are not available. This case is about a 76-year-old woman who complained of painless intra-abdominal mass. The patient with a giant simple cyst extending from the gallbladder to the pelvis had preoparative CA 19-9 and CA 15-3 serum levels of 87.3 IU/L and 37 IU/L respectively. It was observed that CA 19-9 levels had decreased to 36 IU/L and CA 15-3 to 28.1 IU/L in blood samples taken in the third month after the surgery. There is a need for comprehensive studies to investigate the relationship between the size of the cyst and biomarkers (including markers such as CA 15-3) in the assesment of liver SC.

How reliable is the Alvarado score in acute appendicitis?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the reliability of the Alvarado score (AS) in determining acute appendicitis and the different parameters that affect the AS. METHODS: Three hundred and thirteen patients suspected of acute appendicitis (AA) aged 18-70 years were included in this study. Patient data including AS calculated from emergency services and at discharge, follow-up, and operations were recorded. Patients were divided into three groups according to the AS, as AS <4, AS 5-7 and AS 8-10. AA and appendicitis perforation rates were compared according to the different parameters. RESULTS: The mean age of patients (55% females, 45% males) was 30.8±10.8 years. The AA (appendix perforation) rates of 211 patients who underwent operation were found as: AS ≤4: 56.5% (7.7%), AS 5-7: 75.9% (10%), and AS 8-10: 89% (27.8%). The percentage of negative appendectomy was 19.4%. The scoring was more reliable in males with AS 5-7, and the reliability weakened as body mass index (BMI) increased in all groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with AS ≤4 must be followed up and should be informed at the time of their discharge about the slight possibility of appendicitis. The effect of AS in determining the diagnosis of appendicitis is not influenced by age or symptom duration.

Risk factors of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary lymphedema is one of the major important long-term complications of breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to determine patient- and treatment-related risk factors of lymphedema in breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients, who had been operated on for primary breast cancer at Akdeniz University Hospital and followed regularly between August 1984 and December 2009 were included in the study. In order to evaluate the arm swelling objectively, measurements were performed with a flexible tape measure for both arms, and limb volume was calculated using a truncated cone volume formula. Participants, whose volume difference between the two arms was ≥ 5%, were considered as lymphedema-positive patients. The SPSS program (SPSS inc. Chicago, IL) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of 455 patients was 50.6 years and the median follow-up time was 53 months. Lymphedema was found in 124 (27%) patients. Most of the patients with a history of postoperative wound infection (52%) and lymphangitis (57%) had lymphedema (p=0.003 and p=0.002, respectively). Addition of radiation therapy increased lymphedema risk 1.83 times (p=0.007). The mean duration of the axillary drainage and number of the removed lymph nodes were 7.8 days and 19, respectively. The rate of lymphedema in patients with early stage breast cancer was less than patients with advanced breast cancer (24% and 35.3%, respectively, p=0.018). Most of the patients (92%) with lymphedema had a high body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²), and obesity was another important factor for lymphedema (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The most important treatment and patient-related risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema were obesity (≥ 25 kg/m²), axillary lymph node dissection, postoperative radiotherapy, wound infection, history of lymphangitis, and duration of axillary drainage. Elimination or prevention of these risk factors may reduce the incidence of lymphedema.

[Analysis of the pediatric trauma score in patients wounded with shrapnel; the effect of explosives with high kinetic energy: results of the first intervention center]. / Pediatrik travma skorunun yüksek kinetik enerjiye sahip parça etkili yaralanmalardaki analizi: Ilk müdahale merkezi sonuçlari

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the pediatric trauma score analysis in pediatric trauma cases due to shrapnel effect of explosives material with high kinetic energy. METHODS: The data of 17 pediatric injuries were reviewed retrospectively between February 2002 and August 2005. The information about age, gender, trauma-hospital interval, trauma mechanism, the injured organs, pediatric Glasgow coma score (PGCS), pediatric trauma score (PTS), hemodynamic parameters, blood transfusion, interventions and length of hospital stay (LHS) were investigated. RESULTS: While all patients suffered from trauma to the extremities, only four patients had traumatic lower-limb amputation. Transportation time was <=1 hour in 35% of cases, and >1 hour in 65% of cases. While PTS was found as <=8 in 35.3% of cases (n=6), the score was found to be higher than 8 in 64.7% of them (n=11). Median heart rate in patients with PTS <=8 was 94 beats/min. This value was 70 beats/min in those with PTS >8 (p=0.007). Morbidity rates of PTS <=8 cases and PTS >8 cases were 29.4% and 5.9%, respectively (p=0.026). While LHS was 22.8 days in PTS <=8 cases, LHS was found to be only 4 days in PTS >8 cases. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: PTS is very efficient and a time-saving procedure to assess the severity of trauma caused by the shrapnel effect. The median heart rate, morbidity, and LHS increased significantly in patients with PTS <=8.

Surgical correction of vesico-ureteric reflux for recurrent febrile urinary tract infections after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of anti-reflux revision surgery in patients diagnosed with at least a grade 3 reflux at voiding cysto-urethrography in patients with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) after renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 60 patients with a diagnosis of recurrent febrile UTI and post-transplantation vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) who underwent open surgical correction of reflux. Patient characteristics, including the aetiology of end-stage renal disease, age, time to VUR correction, type of VUR correction, serum creatinine levels, and number of UTIs before and after correction were documented. RESULTS: The median (range) age of the patients was 31.5 (9-65) years. A total of 30 patients underwent uretero-ureterostomy or pyelo-ureterostomy and 30 underwent extravesical or intravesical ureteric reimplantation. The median (range) creatinine levels before and after correction were 1.5 (0.8-4.5) mg/dL and 1.3 (0.7-4.5) mg/dL (P<0.05), respectively. The median (range) number of UTI episodes reported before the correction surgery was 4 (3-12), whereas number of UTI episodes after the surgery was 1 (0-12), the difference being significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical correction of post-transplant VUR is an effective and safe method of decreasing UTI episodes and stopping reflux. Surgical correction of reflux may prolong the life of the renal graft.

Randomized controlled trial of morphine in elderly patients with acute abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the clinically important change in diagnostic accuracy and physical examination in the morphine vs. placebo group. METHODS: Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a single dose intravenous morphine or placebo in a blinded fashion. Primary outcome measure was to determine if there was a clinically important change in diagnostic accuracy and physical examination in the morphine vs. placebo group. RESULTS: 80 subjects (39 were assigned to morphine and 41 to placebo) were included in the final analysis. Clinically important diagnostic accuracy rate was found to be 80% in the morphine group (31/39) and 78% in the placebo group (32/41), with a difference rate of 2% (95% CI -7% to 13%, p=0.9802. There was a statistically significant change in abdominal rigidity finding (15%) in morphine group in all of the abdominal physical examinations findings; however there was no change in placebo group (0%). The difference between two groups was also statistically significant (95% CI 2.3% to 30.5%, p= 0.031). CONCLUSION: Administration of opioid analgesia is safe and does not seem to impair clinical diagnostic accuracy in elderly patients with acute undifferentiated abdominal pain. Nevermore, opioids may change the physical examination findings such as abdominal rigidity.

Digital evaluation of the muscle functions of the lower extremities among inguinal hernia patients treated using three different surgical techniques: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: An inguinal hernia is a common pathology that can be treated using several different surgical procedures. Although there have been many studies comparing the clinical results of these techniques, there has so far been no digital analysis of the alterations developing secondary to pain with regard to the muscle functions of the lower extremities. This prospective randomized trial was designed to compare this aspect for subjects treated using the laparoscopic techniques and those treated using the conventional method. METHODS: A total of 75 patients, 25 of whom who had undergone hernia repair using the total extraperitoneal technique, 25 of whom who had undergone repair using the transabdominal preperitoneal technique, and 25 who had undergone repair using the Prolene mesh graft technique, were evaluated preoperatively and on the third postoperative day by isometric and isokinetic measurements, the visual analog score (VAS), the necessity of postoperative analgesia, complications, and the time that had elapsed before returning to work, and these results were recorded. RESULTS: Hernia repair using the conventional method led to an average of 3 times more muscle function loss compared with the laparoscopic techniques, and this difference was shown to be statistically significant. The VAS, postoperative complications, and time elapsed before returning to work were lower for laparoscopic surgeries and also were compatible with the findings described in the previous literature. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a digital environment with numerical parameters and measurements recorded using a dynamometer demonstrated that in the early postoperative period and on the third postoperative day, open surgery causes more functional loss in the lower extremities than laparoscopic methods. Therefore, surgeons should use laparoscopic methods whenever possible to reduce both pain and loss of muscle function.

[The affecting factors on the complication ratio in abdominal gunshot wounds]. / Karin içi atesli silah yaralanmalarinda komplikasyon oranlarini etkileyen faktörler.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the affecting factors on the complication ratio in abdominal gunshot wounds. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with abdominal gunshot wounds were analyzed between February 2002 and May 2005. The effects of the interval between trauma and presentation to the hospital, the number of injured abdominal and extra-abdominal organs, penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI), and blood transfusion were evaluated. RESULTS: 90.4% of all patients were transported to the hospital and underwent their first evaluation in the first two hours. The complication rate was 7.1% in patients who had <3 injured organs and 71% in the others (p<0.0001). 71.4% of the patients had isolated abdominal trauma, while 28.6% had additional extra-abdominal organ trauma. The complication rate was 7.7% in 13 patients with PATI score <25 and 62.5% in 8 patients with a PATI score ≥25 (p<0.0001). In 10 patients who underwent blood transfusion of ≥3 units, the complication rate was 50% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In our study, PATI score, multiple blood transfusions and the number of injured intra-abdominal organs were the most important factors affecting the rate of postoperative complications in penetrating abdominal gunshot wounds. We found that the interval between trauma and presentation to the hospital and number of injured extra-abdominal organs did not affect the complication rate.

Microvascular augmented pedicled jejunum transfer for vaginal reconstruction using a laparoscopy-assisted technique.

Although there is no distinct, absolute, and ideal method for vaginal reconstruction, intestinal transfers are preferable to the other described techniques in the main clinics. In this report, we describe the transfer of a jejunal segment for vaginal reconstruction in a 20-year-old female patient, harvesting the flap based on its vascular pedicle by means of a laparoscopic technique that obviates the use of midline laparotomy. To prevent any vascular compromise, two different vascular supply sources were provided for the flap performing additional arterial and venous microvascular anastomosis. The results have confirmed the feasibility of the technique. The functional, structural, and esthetic advantages of the jejunal flap and the lower donor site morbidity of the laparoscopy-assisted technique that were rather encouraging are described and discussed.

Evaluation of the first 100 liver transplantations.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to present the experience of the first 100 liver transplantations carried out at Akdeniz University. METHODS: The data of 100 patients in pediatric and adult age groups who underwent liver transplantation at Akdeniz University Organ Transplantation Center between January 2000 and January 2007 were examined retrospectively. The cases between January 2000 and December 2003 were evaluated as the first term and those between January 2004 and January 2007 as the second term. RESULTS: The mean age of the 100 patients (52M, 48F) was 38.6+/-17.3 (1-68) years. One-year and three-year survival rates of the patients were determined as 67.3% and 54.3% in the first term and 88.7% and 79.3% in the second term, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With better comprehension of recipient and donor surgery technique, in addition to accumulation of knowledge and experience, the results in liver transplantation might be improved.

Obstructive jaundice caused by hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombi: a case report.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy and cause of death in the developing world. In this report, a case of obstructive jaundice caused by hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombi is presented.

Retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy: 7 cases.

Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy causes less pain, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to daily activities. Because of potential bowel injuries and risk of intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesions later on, the retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN) technique has been developed. The first 7 RDN cases carried out at our organ transplantation unit between December 2006 and May 2007 were retrospectively examined. The male/female ratio of the patients was 4/3. Left nephrectomy was performed in all cases. In two patients, the conventional method was performed because of an adhesion in the hilar area in one patient and because of technical difficulty after entering the peritoneum in another patient. Serious complications such as massive hemorrhage and intestinal injury were not observed. None of the patients required blood transfusion. The mean operative time was 161 minutes, with the exception of 2 patients who required conversion to other methods. Mean warm ischemia duration was 125 seconds. Oral feeding began the first postoperative day. The mean inpatient stay was 3.5 days. The mean recipient creatinine levels 24 hours and 1 month post-procedure were 3.78 mg/dl and 1.04 mg/dl, respectively. RDN is technically more difficult and has a steeper learning curve compared to transperitoneal donor nephrectomy. As our RDN cases increase, we will obtain more representative data on complications.

Biliary stent migration with duodenal perforation.

Intestinal perforation from a migrated biliary stent is a known complication of endoscopic biliary stent placement. We present a case of stent migration and resultant duodenal perforation after stent placement for a malignant biliary stricture in a 52-year-old woman. We review the current literature on the diagnosis and management of stent migration and intestinal perforation after endoscopic stent placement for biliary strictures. A plain abdominal radiograph is necessary for early diagnosis of biliary stent migration. If a stent becomes lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, endoscopic or operative extraction of the stent is necessary to prevent subsequent intestinal perforation and peritonitis. Intestinal perforation secondary to biliary stent dislocation should be considered in all patients presenting with fever and abdominal pain after biliary stent insertion. Any abnormality that prevents stent migration through the intestinal tract such as gastroenterostomy, abdominal wall hernia, extensive adhesions or colonic divertucula may be a contraindication for insertion of a plastic biliary stent because of increased perforation risk.

Simultaneous augmentation ileo-cystoplasty in renal transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Renal transplantation is not contraindicated in end-stage renal disease developing as a result of complication of overactive bladder with uninhibited detrusor contractions. As an amendatory surgical approach, augmentation ileo-cystoplasty is the preferred option to achieve a low intravesical storage pressure. However, the timing of the augmentation ileo-cystoplasty in combination with renal transplantation is still controversial. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: We analyzed data from 3 of the 1100 renal transplantation patients treated at the Akdeniz University Transplantation Center in whom concomitant augmentation ileo-cystoplasty and renal transplantation were performed owing to hypocompliant bladder. CONCLUSIONS: The operation times were 360, 270, and 240 minutes. No perioperative major complication or rejection was detected. Bladder augmentation using ileum patch can be concomitantly performed with renal transplantation safely, and this approach avoids the requirement for a second operation in another session.

Analysis of risk factors predicting (affecting) mortality and morbidity of peptic ulcer perforations.

The goal of this study is to identify invariable risk factors predicting the morbidity and mortality of a serious complication of peptic ulcer perforation (PUP). One hundred fifty-four patients were operated for PUP. We selected 147 patients who underwent primary repair and omentoplasty for PUP. The Boey score used to determine the high mortality risk after open surgery for PUP. The mortality rates were 0%, 12%, 32%, and 63% in the patients who had zero, one, two, and three factors, respectively (P < 0.001). Total postoperative mortality was 13.6% (20/147). Complications occurred in 48 (32.7%) of a total of 147 patients. Age, pulse rate at admission, and creatinine levels can be independent factors associated with prognosis in PUP.