Relation between weight loss and age after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: As a bariatric surgery; Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) has gained popularity in recent years. In our study, we aimed to investigate the impact of age on postoperative weight loss at one year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our clinic between May 2011 and July 2013, 55 patients who underwent LSG with the diagnosis of obesity were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups below and over an age of 40. Preoperative and postoperative first year Body Mass Index (BMI), percent of Body Mass Index Lost (% BMIL) and Excess Body Mass Index Lost (% EBMIL) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with a mean age of 37.2 ± 8.6 years were included in the study. 37 were women. Patients divided into the age below 40 years old (group 1, n = 29) and over 40 years old (group 2, n = 26). The average age of the groups was 29.9 ± 4.63 and 45.3 ± 7.02, respectively. Characteristics of patients among groups were similar. The preoperative average BMI of groups were 49.34 ± 5.87 kg/m² and 49.73 ± 5.38 kg/m², postoperative first year mean BMI of groups were 30.05 ± 5.78 kg/m² and 36.15 ± 6.64 kg/m², respectively. Percentage loss in BMI was 19.29 ± 3.14% and 13.58 ± 2.96%, respectively; and % EBMIL was 82.95 ± 21.88% and 56.75 ± 15.90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that age might be as a major determining factor for weight loss and patients over forty years old undergoing LSG for bariatric surgery should be informed about that they will have a lower weight lost.

Is the lateralization distance important in terms in patients undergoing the modified Limberg flap procedure for treatment of pilonidal sinus?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the lateralization distance causes differences in the flattening ratio of the natal cleft, early complications, or recurrence rates in patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease undergoing the modified Limberg flap. METHODS: This clinical study was conducted from March 2012 to April 2013. Forty patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease were divided into two groups of 20 patients, each according to the lateralization distance of the lower part of the Limberg flap incision (Group I, 1 cm lateralized; Group II, 2 cm lateralized). Early wound complications, recurrence rates, and the flattening ratio of the natal cleft were evaluated. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in operating time (mean 42.2 ± 5.7 and 42.3 ± 6.4 min, respectively; p = 0.855), drain removal time [median 3 (range 2-10) and 4 (range 2-14) days, respectively; p = 0.1], or length of hospitalization [median 1 (range 1-3) and 1 (range 1-4) days, respectively; p = 0.775] were found between the groups. The mean follow-up period was 12.8 ± 3.7 months. Recurrence was observed in only one patient of Group II. There were no statistically significant differences in the flattening ratio of the natal cleft, overall wound complications, or recurrence between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences in early complications or recurrence rates were found between the two different lateralization distances in the modified Limberg flap procedure. Therefore, we conclude that 1-cm lateralization of the lower part of the incision is sufficient.

Heavy metal concentration in deepwater rose shrimp species (Parapenaeus longirostris, Lucas, 1846) collected from the Marmara Sea coast in Tekirdag.

Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg, As (total), Cu, Pb, and Ni levels of the deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, Lucas 1846), which were collected from the Tekirdag coast of the Marmara Sea, were evaluated. The Marmara Sea is the recipient of discharges from both land-based sources and the Black Sea Bosphorus stream. There are large numbers of anthropogenic activities in the coastal region of the northern Marmara Sea that include urban effluent, discharges from touristic resorts, agricultural runoff, fishing, and transportation. Heavy metal contamination of water resources may cause critical health problems for the people living around these water bodies. In deepwater rose shrimp (P. longirostris), the highest concentration level detected for Zn was 22.4 ± 24.4 mg/kg in winter 2012, Cd 0.106 ± 0.01 mg/kg in summer 2012, Cr 0.77 ± 0.05 mg/kg in winter 2012, Hg 0.18 ± 0.04 mg/kg in summer 2011, As 9.93 ± 1.4 mg/kg in spring 2012, Cu 25.48 ± 0.3 mg/kg in winter 2012, Pb 2.12 ± 0.8 mg/kg in spring, and Ni 19.25 ± 7.1 mg/kg in spring. The values of heavy metal analysis were compared to both the Turkish Food Codex (TFC) limits and international standards for human consumption. The Pb, As, and Cu levels were found to be higher than the maximum allowable limits.