Treatment of chronic anal fissure: Is open lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) a safe and adequate option?

BACKGROUND: Anal fissure which is defined as a longitudinal tear in anoderm under the dentate line is one of the most common benign diseases of anorectal area, and due to the severe pain during the defecation and emotional stress that it causes may reduce people's quality of life. There are several treatment methods such as medical substances and surgical procedures. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the safe and adequate option of lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) in chronic anal fissure treatment. METHODS: This study is a retrospective study in which 417 patients who were treated for chronic anal fissure were included. RESULTS: Of 417 patients included in the study, 228 (54.7%) were female and the mean ± SD age was 36.1 ± 8.96 years (ranging from 17 to 73 years). Major complaints of patients; pain, bleeding, constipation, pruritus, perianal discharge. Recurrence occurred in 15 patients (3.6%) (12 males, three females) and eight patients (1.9%) developed incontinence (four with gas, four with soiling and seven females, one male). The complaints of all patients with gas incontinence and a patient with fluid incontinence regressed, whereas three patients had permanent fluid incontinence. CONCLUSION: LIS is still the gold standard for the treatment of chronic anal fissure when the physicians would like to avoid recurrence and obtain the best pain relief.

An efficient biomarker panel for diagnosis of breast cancer using surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer that affects women worldwide. Early detection of BC is important to improve survival rates and decrease mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate serum biomarkers using surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) to distinguish patients with BC from the healthy population and patients with benign breast diseases (BBDs). A total of 62 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma, as confirmed by histopathology, and 47 non-cancerous individuals (NCIs) [16 healthy controls (HCs) and 31 patients with BBD] were enrolled in the present study. Serum protein profiles were determined by SELDI-TOF-MS using an immobilized metal affinity capture array. Serum from patients with BC were compared with that from the HC group using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. A total of 118 clusters were generated from the individual serum. Univariate analysis revealed that 5 peaks were significantly downregulated (m/z 1,452, 2,670, 3,972, 5,354 and 5,523; P<0.001) and 4 were upregulated (m/z 6,850, 7,926, 8,115 and 8,143; P<0.001) in patients with BC compared with the HC group. A comparison of patients with BC and patients with BBD revealed an additional 9 protein peaks. Among these, 3 peaks (m/z 3,972, 5,336 and 11,185) were significantly downregulated and 6 peaks (m/z 4,062, 4,071, 4,609, 6,850, 8,115 and 8,133) were significantly upregulated. A total of 3 peaks [mass-to-change ratio (m/z) 3,972, 6,850 and 8,115 (BC2)] were common in both sets. The results of the present study suggest that a 4 protein peak set [m/z 3,972, 6,850 and 8,115 (BC2) and 8,949 (BC3)] could be used to distinguish patients with BC from NCI.

Retrospective Analysis of Women with Only Mastalgia.

OBJECTIVE: Mastalgia is the most common symptom in women, who has gone under breast imaging. 70% of women face with mastalgia at least once in their lifetime. In our study, we aimed to investigate the examinations and the results of the females referred to our outpatient clinics with mastalgia and to determine the frequency of malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Files of all women patients referred to General Surgery Outpatient Clinics between 01.06.2014-31.05.2015 has been investigated retrospectively. Cases only with breast pain complaint (n=789) out of 2798 women has been included in the study. Women with lump in breast, nipple discharge, redness, breast retraction and pregnant and lactating women were excluded. Breast examination findings, ultrasonography (USG), mammography results, whether biopsies are done or not and diagnoses have been investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 42.97±12.36 (16-74) years. 59.7% (n=471) of the women had bilateral mastalgia and 91.1% (n=719) of the breast examinations were found to be normal. USG was required from 664 (84.2%) women and mammography was required from 448 (56.8%) women. Considering diagnoses; fibrocystic changes in 32.3% (n=201), ductal ectasia in 8.8% (n=55), fibroadenomas in 6.1% (n=38), reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in 1.1% (n=7) was observed. Only 1 (0.2%) woman was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: According to researches, 0.5% of the women with mastalgia were diagnosed with breast cancer. In our study this rate was found as 0.2%. Women with only mastalgia without any abnormality in physical examination should be informed about dealing with pain.

How to approach phyllodes tumors of the breast?

OBJECTIVE: Phyllodes tumor of the breast is a rare fibroepithelial breast tumor that comprise 0.3-0.9% of primary breast neoplasms. In this study, we aimed to present clinicopathologic symptoms of our patients along with their treatment modality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinicopathologic properties and treatment modality of 20 phyllodes tumor patients who underwent surgery between January 2008 and January 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Median patient age was 47 years (22-75). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was applied to 19 patients. Biopsy results were reported as suspicious in four, malignant in three, benign in 11, and as non-diagnostic in one patient. Final histopathology reports revealed two benign, one malignant and one borderline tumor out of the four patients with suspicious findings on fine needle aspiration biopsy; all patients with malignant cytology had malignancy. There were two borderline and nine benign lesions within the benign biopsy group. Sixteen patients underwent segmental mastectomy, four patients underwent mastectomy with/without axillary dissection. The median tumor size was 6 (1-13) cm. Histopathologically, 11 (55%) tumors were benign, 5 (25%) were borderline, and 4 (20%) were malignant. Two of the four patients with malignancy underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and one patient only received chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment. CONCLUSION: Phyllodes tumors are rare, mix-type breast tumors. Due to high rates of local recurrence and potential for malignancy, preoperative diagnosis and accurate management are important.

Endometriosis within the sigmoid colon/extragenital endometriosis.

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Although it is common in women in the reproductive age, intestinal endometriosis is extremely rare and may lead to serious clinical problems. In this article, we present two rare cases of endometriosis localized in the sigmoid colon lumen. The first case is a 45 year-old female complaining of rectal bleeding for 6 months. A polypoid lesion with suspicion of malignancy, 3-4 cm in size was identified at colonoscopy. Laparoscopic anterior resection was performed since it was not suitable for colonoscopic polypectomy. The pathology examination revealed extragenital endometriosis. The second case is a 36 year-old female admitted for lower abdominal pain and rectal bleeding for the last 3 months. She was diagnosed with sigmoid diverticulitis. The patient's symptoms regressed with medical treatment, but due to early and multiple recurrent episodes it was decided to perform an elective laparoscopic anterior resection. The pathology report stated diverticulosis coli and intraluminal endometriosis. Intestinal endometriosis should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in female patients of the reproductive age who present with constipation, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, cramp-like abdominal pain, diarrhea and pelvic pain. In these patients, resection and anastomosis of the effected bowel segment is accepted as the choice of treatment.

Comparison between Radiological and Invasive Diagnostic Modalities in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cause of deaths of cancer in women. Nowadays, following completion of imaging methods, mainly fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and core biopsy methods have been used for establishing cytopathological diagnosis although discussions regarding superiority continue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Those with a complaint of "mass in breast" along with those diagnosed to have a mass as a result of routine physical examination among all patients applying to our clinic between 01.01.2009 and 31.12.2011 were retrospectively assessed. Totals of 146 and 64 patients with complete radiological observation who had undergone FNAB and core biopsies, respectively, were evaluated. Postoperative pathological results of patients of both groups receiving surgery were also taken into consideration. All results were compared in terms of false positivity/negativity, sensitivity/specifity, surgery types and distribution of postoperative results with regard to diagnoses along with those of malignant/benign masses with regard to quadrants determined. RESULTS: Diagnostic malignancy power of mammographic BIRADS classification was 87.3%. However, the value was 75% in the core biopsy group. Sensitivity and specifity following comparison of FNAB and postoperative pathology results of those receiving surgery were 85.4% and 92.9% while they were 93.5% and 100% in the core biopsy group. Diagnostic malignancy power, calculated by determining AUC in ROC analysis, of FNAB was 89.1% while that of core biopsy was 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that core biopsy is superior to FNAB in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accurate histopathological classification. However; quick, cheap and basic diagnosis by means of FNAB should not be ignored. Sensitivity of FNAB is rather high in experienced hands and furthermore it would be expected to be lower than with core biopsy.

A Retrospective Comparative Study of Image-Guided Excisional Biopsy in High-Risk Non-Palpable Breast Lesions: Predictive Factors for Malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: The use of mammography (MM) in breast cancer screening programs has been increasing in recent years. Thus, increasing the number of detected nonpalpable breast cancer patients, through early diagnosis and treatment also increased survival rates. In our study, we wanted to share the factors about imaging-guided exicional biopsies for non-palpable breast lesions in postoperative proven breast carcinoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surgical data were reviewed for 83 patients with non-palpabl high-risk breast lesions undergoing imaging-guided surgery in our department between January, 2006 and May, 2011. Histopathologic results and age, ultrasound(US) results, MM image results, BI-RADS categorization, localization of lesion(quadrant) were assessed and factors for predicting malignity were detected. RESULTS: Median age was 52 (age range 32-80 years). 29 (34,9%) of patients were malign in histopathologic results. In four patient, re-excision performed because of positive surgical margins. Axillary examination results were normal in 24 (82,7%) of malignant patients. In MM examination; microcalcifications and nodular opasity were diagnosed in 74,6% of patients before surgery. There were no differance about malignity in these groups after surgery (p:0,428). 59% and 32,7% of patients were BI-RADS 4 and 3, respectively. Postoperative diagnosed malignancies in BI-RADS 4 group were significantly higher than BI-RADS 3 group (p:<0,001). CONCLUSION: In our study; we concluded that, preoperative BI-RADS categorization (US and MM) is correlated with histopathologic findings after surgery and imaging-guided breast surgery is effective for diagnosis of early-stage breast carcinoma.

Salivary Gland Like Breast Carcinoma/Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: Case Report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast constitutes approximately 0.1% of all breast tumors. They can be located in the trachea, bronchus, cervix, lacrimal gland, and skin as well as the breast. Tumors in the breast have better prognoses compared to those in other locations. The diagnosis and treatment planning of this tumor is challenging due to its rare incidence. In this article, we presented a case that was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast upon pathology evaluation. A 59-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic due to a mass in her right breast. Her mammography revealed a 1 cm in diameter mass in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast, which was classified as BIRADS 4C (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System). On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the lesion was also reported as BIRADS 4C. The patient underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS), and the pathology result was reported as adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. The patient received chemo-radiotherapy in the postoperative period. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast has been first described in the salivary glands. They can be confused with benign lesions both on physical and radiological examinations. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be used since axillary metastases are rare. Local recurrence and distant metastases are also very rare. Usually, BCS followed by radiotherapy is adequate to obtain local control. In selected patients with a poor prognosis, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy should be added to the treatment.

The Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Approach without the Intraopertative Cholangiography Use: A Retrospective Study on 750 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: We have retrospectively reviewed the results of all common bile duct (CBD)-stone preoperative asymptomatic patients operated on our unit to point out the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy approach without the IOC use. METHODS: From January 2004 and June 2008 we analyzed all the data from hospital records and follow up results of all the patients who underwent LC. The indications for performing preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or selective IOC were abnormal liver function tests, history of jaundice, cholangitis or pancreatitis, and ultrasonographic evidence of CBD stone or dilation (≥ 10 mm). These patients were excluded from study. The follow up of the all patients were done by liver function tests and abdominal ultrasonography when needed at the time of the visit. RESULTS: Between January 2006 and June 2010, 750 patients were operated in our clinic. In 34 patients, operations were converted to open cholecystectomy (OC). Of these 750 patients, 98 of them had one or more exclusion criteria and were excluded from the further analyzes. We did not perform any IOC during LC. Regular follow up of at least two years was obtained in 618 (618/657, 94.0%) patients. No operative mortality was encountered among the patients. Postoperative morbidity was detected in 15 of the patients (2.5%). In one patient, CBD injury was detected (0.017%). The mean follow up was 35 (24 - 74) months. Retained stone was detected in three patients (3/577, 0.5%) during the follow up. CONCLUSION: This approach allows to omit routine IOC and to perform LC safely in selected patients group given the low percentage of both CBD injuries and symptomatic retained stones observed in the late follow up period in our 618 operated patients, we consider our approach a feasible and safe approach to manage patients with gallbladder stones re-confirming the results of other studies.

Can occult cystobiliary fistulas in hepatic hydatid disease be predicted before surgery?

BACKGROUND: Biliary fistulas because of the cystobiliary communication is the most frequent and undesirable postoperative complication of hepatic hydatid surgery. We aimed to identify the predicting factors of the occult cystobiliary communication in this study. METHODS: The patients who underwent surgical treatment for hepatic hydatid disease between 2003 and 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients who had jaundice history, preoperative high total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels, dilated bile duct in preoperative radiologic imagings were not included the study. Patients were divided into two groups: group A; without postoperative biliary fistula, group B; with biliary fistula. The two groups were compared according to preoperative descriptive findings, cystic specialties, and laboratory findings. RESULTS: There were 53 patients and 15 patients in groupA and groupB, respectively. The 20 (37.7%) of 53 patients were male in group A and the 10 (66.7%) patients were male in group B (p<0.05). The age, number of cysts, Garbi scores of cysts, the rate of recurrent cysts, the level of preoperative bilirubin, alkalene phosphatase, and transaminases were similar in both groups (p>0.05). GGT was significantly different between two groups (p<0.05). The cystotomy + drainage, cystotomy + omentopexy, and intracystic biliary suture rates were similar in both groups. Postoperative non biliary complications were determined in 4 (7.5%) patients in group A and 7 patients (46.7%) in group B (p<0.05). Hospital stay was longer in group B significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, GGT as a laboratory [corrected] test for predicting occult CBC preoperatively have been shown to be useful in the clinical practice. However, larger prospective studies are needed on this subject. Occult cysto-biliary fistulas can only be exposed during surgery when suspected by a surgeon. If occult CBC is found, the opening in the biliary system should be sutured with absorbable material, with or without cystic duct drainage. If no biliary opening is found, cystic duct drainage may be performed if preoperative factors predict the presence of CBC. As the development of external biliary fistulas increases the morbidity and the hospitalization period, novel surgical methods to prevent the development of bile fistulas are required in such patients.

The value of serum biomarkers (Bc1, Bc2, Bc3) in the diagnosis of early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF) is an approach to biomarker discovery that combines chromatography and mass spectrometry. We aimed to consider the efficacy of Bc1, Bc2, and Bc3 serum biomarkers on early detection of breast cancer (BC) in this study. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective study, 91 patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2007 and July 2008 were included. Serum samples from 91 women were stored at -80 °C until use. The cancer group included 27 cases of BC. The benign breast disease group included 24 women with benign breast diseases and control group 37 age-matched apparently healthy women. The data obtained for these three groups of patients was worked out for each serum biomarker (Bc1, Bc2, and Bc3) by using SELDI-TOF individually and compared with each other separately and evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Bc2 possesses the highest individual diagnostic power. Bc2 was statistically significant in comparison between the malignant disease group, control group and benign disease group. Bc1 was statistically significant in the malignant disease group compared to control group as well as in the benign disease group compared to control group. Thus Bc1, rather than showing malignant progression, it shows tumoral progression or inflammatory process. Bc3 was found upregulated in all malignant cases; however, it was not statistically significant compared to the benign disease group or the control group. CONCLUSIONS: It has been shown that Bc2 profiles might be useful in clinical practice to improve BC diagnosis. However none of the proteomics reach reasonable AUC values for the discrimination of the BC. Additional confirmation in larger and similarly-designed prospective studies is needed to consider of the efficacy of Bc1 and Bc2 in early diagnosis of the BC.

[Prognostic factors for hospital mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia who undergo intestinal resection due to necrosis]. / Nekroz nedeniyle bagirsak rezeksiyonu uygulanan akut mezenterik iskemili olgularda hastane mortalitesi için prognostik faktörler.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review our experience in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and to identify prognostic factors associated with hospital mortality. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with AMI were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. A total of 67 patients (34 female, overall mean age 66 years) were evaluated in the study. RESULTS: Small bowel necrosis was detected in all patients, while colonic involvement was present in 21 (31.3%). Necrosed small bowels were resected in 59 (88%) in the first intervention. Embolectomy was also performed in 2 (3%) of these cases. Anastomosis was established in 22 (32.8%). Second-look operation was performed in 31 (46.3%) and primary resection and re-resection were performed in 8 (11.9%) and 11 (16.4%) patients, respectively. Hospital mortality rate was 56.7% (n=38). Logistic regression analysis showed prolonged symptom duration (>24h) (p=0.000), sepsis (p=0.022) and colonic necrosis accompanied with small bowel necrosis (p=0.002) as the independent prognostic factors in hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: AMI has a high hospital mortality rate due to late diagnosis and sepsis. Another risk factor is colonic involvement. Early evaluation in high-risk patients and resection for necrosed intestinal segments as soon as possible prior to sepsis may reduce the hospital mortality rate.

Rupture of liver hydatid cysts into the peritoneal cavity. A challenge in endemic regions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical presentation and early and long-term outcomes of patients treated surgically for intraperitoneal ruptured liver hydatid cysts. METHODS: The medical records of 21 patients with rupture of hydatid cysts were evaluated retrospectively between January 2000 and April 2009 at Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, as were the records of 368 patients with hydatid cysts. Age, gender, symptoms, laboratory findings, diagnostic procedures, surgical treatment modalities, in-hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixteen of these patients (76.2%) were women. The mean age was 43.8 years. Cysts were single in 16 cases (76.2%). In 14 cases (66.7%) cysts were localized only in the right lobe. There was also a cyst in the spleen in 4 patients (19%). Simple falls or direct abdominal minor trauma was responsible in 8 patients (38.1%), and pedestrian mishaps in 4 (19%). Nine (42.8%) patients experienced spontaneous rupture. External drainage was performed in 12 (57.1%) patients and omentoplasty in 9 patients (42.8%) to manage the cyst cavity. A total of 11 morbidities developed in 9 patients (42.8%). There was no postoperative mortality. The mean hospital stay was 11.37.4 days, and mean follow-up was 63.131.3 months. The recurrence rate was 23.8%. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and recurrence rates of surgical interventions for ruptured hydatid cysts are high. This pathology, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen in endemic areas.

[Outcomes of surgical therapy and prognostic factors in spontaneous gastric tumor perforation]. / Mide tümör perforasyonlarinda cerrahi tedavi sonuçlari ve prognostik faktörler.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features in patients with perforated gastric cancer, to point out the surgical approaches, and to analyze the factors that affect morbidity and mortality. METHODS: The data of 24 patients with perforated gastric cancer who underwent emergency intervention between 1996 and 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall age was 60.6 years, and 62.5% of the patients were male. RESULTS: The tumor was localized at the antrum most frequently (66.7%), and stage IV disease was present in 66.7% of the patients (n = 16). Concomitant disease was present in 58.3% of the patients (n = 14). In 54.2% of patients (n = 13) primary repair and omentopexy, in 20.8% (n = 5) D0 or D1 total gastrectomy, in 8.3% (n = 2) D0 subtotal gastrectomy, in 8.3% (n = 2) D0 wedge resection, and in 8.3% (n = 2) staged D2 total gastrectomy were performed. The morbidity rate was 29.2% (n = 7) and the mortality rate was 25% (n = 6). Multivariant analysis showed that diffuse peritonitis and the period between perforation and operation (longer than 24 hours) were effective on prognosis, either on morbidity (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively) or on mortality (p = 0.009 and p = 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates are high in patients with perforated gastric cancer. In resectable cases, one-stage radical gastrectomy should be encouraged if conditions allow. In patients with diffuse peritonitis and poor general condition, palliative surgery or staged radical gastrectomy should be considered. High rates of mortality and morbidity can be reduced with early diagnosis and with the surgical control of gastric perforation before peritonitis.

Early prediction of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy by parathormone measurement in surgical site irrigation fluid.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in surgical technique cannot eliminate the risk of hypocalcemia. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of PTH levels in surgical site irrigation fluid (irPTH) in predicting patients at risk for postoperative hypocalcemia. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 160 consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on postoperative serum calcium levels. Patients with hypocalcemia were assigned to Group 1 (n=38), while those with normocalcemia were assigned to Group 2 (n=122). Preoperative and postoperative serum calcium levels and PTH level of surgical site irrigation fluid (irPTH), and the difference in serum calcium levels before and after thyroidectomy were determined. RESULTS: The difference in serum calcium levels and irPTH levels in Group 1 were significantly higher than those in group 2 (p=0.001). There was a negative correlation between postoperative serum calcium level and irPTH level (r=-0.641, p=0.0001). Patients who had irPTH level higher than 250 pg/mL had a 69-fold increased risk for postoperative hypocalcemia (OR=69.88; 95% CI: 15.37-309.94). CONCLUSIONS: High irPTH level is significantly associated with postoperative hypocalcemia. The irPTH assay is sufficient to identify hypocalcemia in the majority of patients and it is a sensitive tool to identify patients at risk of developing postoperative hypocalcemia.

Asymptomatic occult cysto-biliary communication without bile into cavity of the liver hydatid cyst: a pitfall in conservative surgery.

BACKGROUND: An occult cysto-biliary communication in liver hydatid disease is still a major problem in surgical practice. Radiologic and intraoperative findings may not be helpful to detect cysto-biliary communications in some asymptomatic patients with liver hydatid disease. Biliary leakage is a troubling complication that arises after conservative surgery in patients who have occult "insidious" cysto-biliary communications. We aimed to identify the factors which are associated with the risk of occult insidious cysto-biliary communications in patients preoperatively who developed biliary leakage after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated the records of 183 asymptomatic patients treated for liver hydatid cyst and analyzed potential predictors of occult insidious cysto-biliary communication, retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 115 female and 68 male patients; the mean age was 42.3 years. Occult insidious cysto-biliary communications which presented as postoperative biliary leakage found in 24 (13.1%). Independent clinical predictors were alkaline phosphatase >133 U/L, total bilirubin levels >1.2 mg/dL, white blood cell count >10,000/mm(3) and cyst diameter >10 cm on multivariate analysis. Seventeen of 24 were low output biliary fistula which resolved spontaneously within 9.2 days. The remaining 7 were high output biliary fistula for which endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in all patients, fistulas resolved within 22.6 days. Average interval between endoscopic sphincterotomy and fistula closure was 10.3 days. Mean hospital stay was longer in patients with biliary leakage than in those without (9.8 vs. 4.2 day p<0.001). There was no hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: The predictors demonstrated in this study should allow the likelihood of occult insidious cysto-biliary communication to be determined and, thus, indicate the need for additional procedures during operations to prevent the complications of biliary leakage.

The efficacy of Nutrition Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) to decide on the nutritional support in general surgery patients.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) has been recently used to evaluate the nutritional status of patients according to the recommendation of ESPEN. In this prospective study, we aimed to find the effectiveness of NRS-2002 on preoperative patients who were candidates for elective procedure at a general surgery clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The NRS-2002 scores of 698 patients were recorded in first 24 hours subsequent to their admission to hospital. The patients who had NRS-2002 score of 3 or 4 were accepted, and the scores were correlated with their age and clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The nutritional status was good in 655 (93.9%) patients, and 43 patients (6.1%) were malnourished. A total of 135 patients had malignant disorders, among them 37 had concomitant malnutrition. The rate of malnutrition was 28.1% in patients with malignancy. The latter rate was 1.1% in patients with benign disorders. In patients who had gastrointestinal malignancy, the malnutrition rate was 31% (35/89), and the latter ratio was 6.5% (3/46) in patients who had malignancies arising from other than the gastrointestinal system. The NRS-2002 score was changed significantly according to age and malignancies (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: NRS-2002 can be easily used to evaluate the nutritional status of patients. This system is significant in deciding on nutritional support (Tab. 2, Ref. 12). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: outcomes of surgical management and analysis of prognostic variables.

BACKGROUND: We sought to review the clinical presentation and outcomes of surgical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). METHODS: We reviewed clinical and pathological records of 41 patients (23 men and 18 women) with GISTs. We performed survival analyses using the Kaplan- Meier method and evaluated long-term survival and the independent prognostic factors that affect survival using univariate analyses. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression model to estimate the simultaneous effect on overall survival. RESULTS: The stomach was the most common tissue of origin (n = 20, 48.8%). The mean tumour diameter was 8.3 cm. We detected advanced-stage tumours in 22 (53.7%) patients. We performed complete resection in 31 (75.6%) patients. Mitotic count was greater than 5/50 high-power field [HPF] in 22 (53.6%) patients. Immunohistochemical staining for CD117 was positive in 40 (97.6%) patients. Five patients (12.2%) died in the early postoperative period. The mean follow-up period was 38.7 months. The median length of survival was 53 months and the 5-year survival rate was 49.4%. Univariate analyses revealed significantly enhanced survival for the following variables: patient age less than 60 years (p = 0.011), male sex (p = 0.048), tumour diameter less than 5 cm (p = 0.029), low-risk tumour according to Fletcher classification (p = 0.022), complete resection (p < 0.001), and lack of local recurrence (p < 0.001) and/or metastasis (p < 0.001). Our Cox proportional hazards model revealed that complete tumour resection was the only factor to increase survival. CONCLUSION: Overall survival is significantly affected by positive margins. A complete surgical resection with negative margins is the best method for definitive treatment of GISTs.

Independent Predictors of Treatment Modality for Penetrating Colon Injury.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the independent factors of the treatment of penetrating colon injuries in a teaching and research hospital in light of some of the most commonly cited considerations affecting the decision as to whether to perform primary repair or divert. METHODS: Hospital records of patients between January 2004 and January 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-seven patients were included and divided into two groups. Group A consisted of patients (n = 43) who had primary repair or resection and anastomosis, and Group B consisted of patients (n = 14) who had diverting colostomy. The degree of fecal contamination was assessed by reviewing the detailed operative dictation. The type of colon injury, as determined from the colon injury scale (CIS) of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), and the penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) were recorded. RESULTS: Age, sex, presence of shock on admission, location of the injury, and colon-related or non-colonrelated complications between the two groups were not significant. Stab or gunshot injury, operation time, degree of fecal contamination (grade 1/2/3), transfusion, PATI score, hospital stay, and associated organ injury were significantly different in the two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that CIS, fecal contamination, transfusion, PATI and delayed operation affect the decision about the procedure, primary repair can be performed safely on patients with penetrating colon injuries.