Patients' perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence and robots in healthcare.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the opinions of individuals aged 18 and above in our country regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robots in the field of healthcare. BACKGROUND: The growing population and patient load, coupled with increasing data, can expedite the diagnosis and treatment process for patients through faster, easier, and more accurate interpretation of information. METHODS: The study encompasses voluntary participants aged 18 and above, who have either undergone surgery in a hospital or have accompanied a family member during a surgical procedure and possess internet access as well as the capability to participate in online surveys. RESULTS: A total of 725 individuals participated in our study 61% (n=442) of respondents expressed trust in the operation of AI and robots in the hospital setting. 64.1% (n=465) of participants expressed trust in AI's contribution to disease diagnosis and laboratory tests. The confidence in AI's use in radiological examinations and its contribution reached 71.6% (n=519). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the use of AI and robots in healthcare services is accepted by our society and would be appropriate in our society (Tab. 5, Fig. 1, Ref. 24).

Do Stoma Formation and Use of Vacuum Assisted Closure System Affect Mortality in Perineal Fournier's Gangrene?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of creation of stoma and the use of vacuum-assisted closure systems on postoperative mortality and hospital stay in patients with Fournier's gangrene involving anorectal region. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, from January 2010 to September 2021. METHODOLOGY: A total of 66 patients with Fournier's gangrene with anorectal involvement were selected from hospital records and divided into two groups as alive and exitus. Differences between these two groups and the factors affecting mortality were analysed with the SPSS statistics software, version 25.0. The value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.9±12.9 years, however, age was higher in exitus group (p=0.013). Debridement count was significantly raised in patients with vacuum assisted closure system (p<0.001). The use of vacuum-assisted closure system was associated with a longer hospital stay (p=0.042). Both stoma creation and the use of vacuum-assisted closure system were not found as risk factors for higher mortality. CONCLUSION: Stoma creation and the use of vacuum-assisted closure systems have no effect on mortality in patients of Fournier's gangrene with anorectal involvement. Urogenital involvement may be considered as a risk factors for mortality. KEY WORDS: Fournier's gangrene, Vacuum-assisted closure system, Stoma, Anorectal region, Perineum, Mortality.

Gastric duplication cyst in adult: Challenge for surgeons.

Gastric duplication cysts (GDCs) are uncommon developmental anomalies found primarily in children, being rarely seen in adults. Duplications can occur anywhere in the intestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Accurate diagnosis of cysts before resection is difficult even using the most advanced imaging techniques. In this report, we present and discuss a case of GDC in a 25-year-old man treated laparoscopically. Patient admitted to our department with complaints of epigastric pain and swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging performed for accurate characterisation showed a 4 cm × 4.5 cm cystic lesion, with heterogeneous signal intensity on T2-weighted images, located in the posterior wall of the stomach. Pre-operative differential diagnosis including gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) was made according to radiological findings. Patient underwent surgery and cyst resected laparoscopically. Histopathological examination suggesting duplication cyst. GDC can easily be mistaken for a GIST, and the clinician as well as radiologist must maintain a high degree of suspicion.

Evaluation of affecting factors for conversion to open cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of gallbladder disease. Severe inflammation makes laparoscopic dissection technically more demanding in acute cholecystitis. Conversion to open cholecystectomy due to adverse conditions is still required in some patients. AIM: To evaluate predictive risk factors associated with conversion to open cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 165 patients who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in our clinic. Patients who completed laparoscopic cholecystectomy and required conversion to open cholecystectomy were compared in terms of age, sex, fever, laboratory and USG findings, operation timing, complications, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: There were 53 (32%) male and 112 (68%) female patients; the mean age was 52.4 ±12.5 years. Forty-six (27.9%) of the 165 patients were converted to open cholecystectomy. Male sex of the patients who underwent conversion (47.1%) was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Preoperative white blood count, blood glucose and amylase values, morbidity rate, and hospital stay were raised in patients who underwent conversion, and all were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, blood leucocyte, glucose, and raised amylase emerged as the effective factors for conversion cholecystectomy in our study. These factors should help the clinical decision-making process when planning laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. By predicting these risk factors for conversion, preoperative patient counselling can be improved.