Obesity and appendicitis: Laparoscopy versus open technique.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical results of obese patients who have undergone open or laparoscopic appendectomy, whether one technique is superior to the other is still not clearly known.In our study, we compared the clinical results of obese patients operated with laparoscopic or open technique for acute appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed retrospective analyses of patients operated for acute appendicitis between the dates of July 2016 and July 2019 at Istinye University Faculty of Medicine Bahcesehir Liv Training and Research Hospital and Liv Hospital Ankara. Of the 241 patients whose height and weight information was accessible, 57 had a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher. Eighteen of these patients underwent open surgery while the other 39 underwent laparoscopic surgery. The primary result criterion was complication ratio. Secondary criteria were operation time and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Upon comparison of laparoscopic and open techniques in terms of intraoperative-postoperative complications (p= 0.01), operation time (p= 0.02) statistically significant differences were found between the groups. However the mean length of hospital stay (p= 0.181) was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: In obese appendicitis patients, the laparoscopic technique proved to be superior to the open technique in criteria such as perioperative-postoperative complications, operation time, and etc. Length of hospital stay was determined to be similar between the groups.

An electron microscopy study of liver and kidney damage in an experimental model of obstructive jaundice.

With this experimental study we investigated the consequences of ligation of the common bile duct (CBD) on hepatic cells and on the renal ultrastructure by electron microscopy and also determine the effects after liberation of the ductus joint in order to clarify the mechanisms of renal failure commonly observed in cholestatic liver disease. The study was conducted on 53 Wistar albino rats divided into 4 subgroups. In the comparison group (sham) we proceeded to the simple laparotomy. After preparation of the common bile duct of all the rats of the four groups, and ligation of the duct at the level of the distal third, eight rats in each group were sacrificed on the 3rd, 7th, 10th and 14th day after surgery, taking blood samples to measure the serum levels of ALP and bilirubin, and liver and renal tissue samples for histological evaluation. In four rats of each group the common bile duct was unligated at the same deadlines to obtain free drainage of the bile for a week. At the end of this week, the rats were sacrificed by collecting blood and liver and kidney tissue samples. RESULTS: after CBD ligation in both groups, the ALP value, total and direct bilurubin levels were proportionally increased. After duct release, bilurubin levels decreased significantly. In group II, while large lipid granules were observed to indicate oxidative damage, mitochondrial swelling and crystals were observed after duct liberation. Areas of glycogen and normal mitochondria were observed in group IV. After duct release in this group, increases in Ito granules, lipid granules and normal mitochondria were observed, which may reflect the evolution of hepatic regeneration. When renal tissue was examined in group II, fusion processes in the feet, thickening of the basement membrane and mesengium were observed, and mitochondrial crystals were observed in renal tissue as well as in the liver after duct release. Damage in group III and group IV was increased parallel to prolongation of jaundice and after loosening persistent damage with mitochondrial crystals. CONCLUSION: Ultrastructural changes in rat liver tissue in conditions of obstructive jaundice may be reversible after restoration of drainage. On the other hand, ultrastructural changes in renal tissue in cases of prolonged jaundice are irreversible even if the internal drainage is restored. KEY WORDS: Bile Duct, Liver, Kidney, Obstructive Jaundice.

High C-reactive protein level as a predictor for appendiceal perforation.

BACKGROUND: Between 18% and 34% of acute appendicitis (AA) patients may have complicated appendicitis. Perforation is the most important complication of AA. Perforation increases morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of basic inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of perforated AA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent appendectomy with a diagnosis of AA between January 2014 and October 2019 at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine; and between December 2017 and October 2019 at Istinye University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Markers recorded were as follows: white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, c-reactive protein, mean platelet volume, red cell distribution width and eosinophils. Hematological indices were combined to generate the following three ratios: white cell neutrophil ratio, platelet lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. RESULTS: A total of 536 patients with a diagnosis of AA underwent an operation. There were 344 (64.1%) male patients and 192 (35.9%) female patients. The mean age of the patients was 36.7±16.2 (15-88) years. There were 94 (17.5%) patients with perforated AA and 442 (82.5%) patients with non-perforated AA. C-reactive protein (AUC: 0.81, p<0.001) was the most accurate markers in distinguishing the perforated and non-perforated group. CONCLUSION: Elevated CRP level is a nonspecific inflammatory marker in most of the inflammatory diseases. A high CRP level can, therefore, be used as a supplement in the diagnosis of perforated AA.

Zero Ischemia Partial Nephrectomy in Pregnancy.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 2-3% of all cancers. Although RCC is rare, it is the most common urologic malignancy reported in pregnancy. Modality and timing of treatment during pregnancy represent a dilemma. A 37-year pregnant woman at 12th gestational week was referred by the obstetrician. MRI showed exophytic, heterogeneous renal mass of 50x48x45 mm, located in the lower pole of right kidney, which was interpreted as RCC. The patient underwent retroperitoneal open partial nephrectomy (PN). Operation time was 47 minutes with zero ischemia time. Obstetrics consultation confirmed survival of fetus after surgery. The patient was discharged on the third day, uneventfully. Histopathological examination revealed stage 1b clear-cell renal carcinoma, Furhman grade 2 with maximum diameter of 5 cm, no invasion of capsule, negative margine and without necrosis. Open techniques are better in pregnant patients with renal tumors because of short surgical and ischemia time and minimal bleeding.

The Usefulness of Inflammation-based Prognostic Scores for the Prediction of Postoperative Mortality in Patients Who Underwent Intestinal Resection for Acute Intestinal Ischemia.

Objective The current study was conducted to clarify whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are clinically useful in predicting postoperative mortality among patients undergoing surgery for acute intestinal ischemia (AII). Materials and methods The study was conducted as a retrospective investigation of 37 consecutive patients operated for AII between January 2014 and September 2019. Data regarding potential prognostic factors, including age, sex, preoperative white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were obtained from medical records. Results Univariate analysis revealed that age, WBC, and neutrophil count were predictors of postoperative mortality. In multivariate analysis, age (OR =1.14; 95% CI, 1.005-1.303; P=0.02) was found to be the only independent variable predicting postoperative mortality. Conclusions Preoperative NLR and PLR cannot be used as independent variables to predict postoperative 30-day mortality in patients with AII who underwent surgery.

Is tri-iodothyronine a better choice than activated protein C in sepsis treatment?

BACKGROUND: Sepsis can be defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection. In sepsis, the coagulation cascade is activated and the balance shifts to the procoagulant side. Recently, the use of protein C is proposed for the treatment of sepsis. Another therapeutic agent that has been intensively studied is tri-iodothyronine. METHODS: This study aimed to compare the effects of activated protein C and tri-iodothyronine, which are administered at a single dose to sepsis-induced rats at the late phase. Leukocyte, platelet, hemoglobin and antithrombin-III concentrations and histopathological changes in the small intestine, liver and lung were evaluated at 24 hours. RESULTS: Single-dose intraperitoneal recombinant human APC (activated protein C) has a partial curative effect on hematological parameters in the late phase, while it is possible to state that it has significant therapeutic effects on hepatic and intestinal tissues, but more remarkably on the lung tissue. Tri-iodothyronine is also considered to be used for the treatment and has a strong potential to be a therapeutic agent. CONCLUSION: We observed that the T3 hormone has significantly limited and reduced the sepsis-related damage to hepatic and intestinal tissues, but especially the lung tissue. Tri-iodothyronine can be a good alternative to APC, which is partially allowed due to high cost and complication of bleeding in the treatment of sepsis.

The diagnostic value of serum urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: To measure serum uPAR levels in patients operated with a preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) and to investigate whether these parameters can be used as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis of AA. METHODS: Patients aged 18 or over, presenting to the emergency department between May and December 2018 and operated with a diagnosis of AA were enrolled. This study included 84 patients with surgical pathology results compatible with AA (Group A), 26 patients with surgical pathology results were not compatible with AA (Group B) and 55 healthy control groups. Serum uPAR levels were measured from venous blood samples taken at admission. RESULTS: Mean uPAR levels were 4.53±3.47 ng/mL in the Group A, 1.13±1.63 ng/mL in the Group B and 0.80±1.21 ng/mL in the control group. Serum uPAR levels differed statistically significantly from Group A in Group B and the control group, (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: uPAR was found to be significantly higher in the AA patients compared to the control group and patients with surgically determined non-AA pathologies. uPAR can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Perforated intestinal leiomyosarcoma as a metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine leiomyosarcomas are relatively uncommon soft tissue neoplasms and rarely metastases to small bowel. In the current case; a patient is suffering from intestinal perforation due to metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the small bowel. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old woman underwent a modified radical mastectomy for infiltrating ductal cancer of the breast six years ago and a total abdominal hysterectomy for leiomyosarcoma of the uterus two years ago. About 2400 cGy total dose radiotherapy has also been applied after total hysterectomy for bone metastasis of breast cancer. She admitted to our clinic with the complaints of acute abdomen due to perforated small bowel metastasis of leiomyosarcoma during the radiotherapy. Laparotomy was performed and leiomyosarcoma of the ileum was removed totally. Histopathologic examination of the specimen confirmed the presence of the leiomyosarcoma in intestinal tissue samples. CONCLUSION: We aimed to present this unusual case which perforated presentation of the intestinal metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on healing of diabetic foot ulcers.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used as an adjunct to standard wound care in the treatment of diabetic patients with foot ulcers. We undertook a prospective, randomized investigation of the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy versus standard therapy for the treatment of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. A number of demographic variables were analyzed in regard to wound healing. We noted that foot ulcers in patients in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group were more likely to heal, and were more likely to undergo amputation distal to the metatarsophalangeal joint compared with those patients receiving standard therapy without hyperbaric oxygen. We feel that hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered a useful adjunct in the management of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.