Reinforcement in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Is It Effective?

BACKGROUND: Despite the success of bariatric surgery in treating obesity, it can still lead to complications. The most serious and feared technical complications are bleeding and leakage from the gastric staple line. In this study, stapler line reinforcement was investigated to determine whether it affects postoperative leakage and bleeding rates and their management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 510 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were evaluated retrospectively. They were divided into 2 groups according to whether reinforcement of the staple line with running imbricating sutures was performed. RESULTS: In the reinforcement group, there were two leaks (0.7%), which were diagnosed seven and eight days after surgery. In the non-reinforcement group, there were nine leaks (4%). There was no difference between the two groups in staple line bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that reinforcement with continuous imbricating sutures is associated with less stapler line leakage and a lower reoperation rate at the cost of increased operative time.

Factors Predicting Surgical Treatment in Patients with Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: Retrospective Single-centre Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors which predict treatment strategy in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: General Surgery Clinic, Marmara University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey, between January 2016 and December 2020. METHODOLOGY: Data of the patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) was retrospectively collected. The demographic characteristics and laboratory findings were evaluated. Patients, who underwent conservative treatment and surgical intervention, were compared. Differences between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, prognostic nutritional index (PNI) scores, and neutrophil (NEU)-to-lymphocyte (LYM) ratio (NLR), were evaluated. RESULTS: One-hundred thirty-seven patients were included in the study. Seventy-four (54%) of the patients had conservative treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the surgical and conservative treatment groups according to the age, gender, and ASA score (p=0.77, 0.21 and 0.95 respectively). The patients with congenital aetiology and low PNI scores were in significantly higher numbers among the surgical treatment group (p <0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). In patients, who underwent surgery, the resection rate was found significantly higher in older age (63 vs. 52, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with low PNI scores and congenital adhesive small bowel obstruction undergo operative treatment more frequently than conservative treatment. Future studies focusing on diagnostic scores to predict early surgery in ASBO patients may include these variables. KEY WORDS: Adhesive small bowel obstruction, PNI, Treatment strategy, Surgery.

Gastric medullary carcinoma: clinicopathological features and prognosis-a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric medullary carcinoma (GMC) is a distinct histologic subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma, which prominently associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with medullary carcinoma in one center. METHODS: Data regarding patients with gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed at Marmara University between 2014 and 2019. Demographics, pathological features, and overall survival of patients with GMC were evaluated. The primary outcome of this study was to compare the pathological features of GMC to non-GMC (NGMC). The secondary outcome was comparing overall survival between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 412 patients were enrolled in the study. Of 412 patients, 19 (5%) were diagnosed with medullary cancer. Compared to NGMC, no significant differences were observed in patient age, gender, tumor macroscopic pattern, size, lymphovascular invasion, pathological stage, location and size of the tumors, and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in GMC. However, perineural invasion and Borrmann ulcerated type rates were significantly higher among NGMC. Whereas the microsatellite instability (MSI) rate was significantly higher in the GMC (64% and 11%, respectively, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the MSI status was the solely significantly different feature between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that GMC was associated with MSI, which could explain the better prognosis of medullary carcinomas.

Airplane Landing Accident: How Safe Is Use of Passenger Lap Seat Belts in Aircrafts?

BACKGROUND: Seat belts are considered the reason for seat belt syndrome, which mainly occurs during rapid deceleration in motor vehicle accidents. Seat belt syndrome is characterized by contusion of the front torso, intrathoracic or intraabdominal organ injuries, and spinal thoracic or lumbar chance fractures. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case study presents a 21-year-old female who was injured by a lap-type seat belt and diagnosed with seat belt syndrome after an airplane landing accident. She underwent surgery for lumbar chance fracture and abdominal injury. We discussed the possible harmful effects of lap seat belts in passenger seats on airplanes. CONCLUSIONS: While an airplane is in a flying position, a lap seat belt functions to protect the passenger from any turbulence. However, during the landing or take-off phase, it may not be enough to fully protect the passenger, especially during sudden deceleration accidents, which cause seat belt injuries and head traumas. Therefore the unique design of a double functional passenger seat belt harness, along with a 3- or 4-point buckle protruding from the shoulder, can serve as a more favorable protective measure in limiting the severity of injury a passenger receives. After the plane has taken off, the diagonal seat belt can then be unlocked, leaving the lap seat belt to remain firmly in place and secured.

Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Is It Worth the Time?

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease whose incidence has increased, making it a serious public health issue. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most common surgical procedures that is chosen for bariatric surgery. Decreasing postoperative pain in these patients which will increase patients' compliance and quality of life will lead to better surgical results. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of trocar site infiltration versus bilateral subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) in controlling postoperative pain in patients. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients who have undergone LSG in xxx General Surgery Department have been enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgeon's choice. The first group underwent TAP block, while the second group underwent trocar site infiltration. Patients' pain was recorded via visual analogue scale (VAS) in postoperative periods. RESULTS: Twenty-nine female (69%) and 13 (31%) male patients were included in the study. Median age was 41 (18-58) and median BMI was 48 (41.1-68). When the VAS values were compared, in the TAPB group, 6th hour resting and coughing pain was statistically significantly less. Other VAS values measured while resting, coughing, and post-mobilization did not show significant differences. There were no significant differences between the groups' tramadol use. CONCLUSIONS: After LSG, TAP block and trocar site infiltration yield similar pain control. Due to the faster application and fewer side effects, we concluded that trocar site infiltration should be the intervention of choice in controlling postoperative pain in LSG.

Is Concomitant Cholecystectomy Necessary for Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

BACKGROUND: There is not any consensus on concomitant cholecystectomy for asymptomatic gallbladder stones during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the surveillance results of the LSG patients who have asymptomatic gallbladder stones and did not undergo cholecystectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with preoperatively detected gallbladder stones and completed at least 6 months follow-up were included in the study. Concomitant cholecystectomy was performed for symptomatic patients while it was not performed for asymptomatic subjects. At the end of the follow-up time, symptoms and signs related to gallbladder disease were recorded. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. RESULTS: Between February 2012 and October 2016, 312 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies were performed. Among the patients, 24 were regarded as asymptomatic cholelithiasis, and cholecystectomy was not performed. The mean follow-up period was 27 (6-58) months. The mean preoperative BMI was 50.0 ± 7.6 kg/m2, and at the end of the follow-up time, it decreased to 35.6 ± 8.8 kg/m2. Five (20.8%) patients experienced biliary colic. Acute cholecystitis or obstructive jaundice was not observed in any of the patients. Characteristics of patients who developed symptomatic gallbladder disease (n = 5) were not significantly different from those of patients who remained asymptomatic (n = 19). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of becoming symptomatic for asymptomatic cholelithiasis is very close to the healthy population after sleeve gastrectomy. Although further studies with a high number of cases are needed, we suggest only observation for asymptomatic gallbladder stones in patients who will undergo sleeve gastrectomy.

Simultaneous resection for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases is a safe procedure: Outcomes at a single center in Turkey.

The optimal surgical strategy for treating colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases is subject to debate. The current study sought to evaluate the outcomes of simultaneous colorectal cancer and liver metastases resection in a single center. Prospectively collected data on all patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases who underwent simultaneous resection with curative intent were analyzed retrospectively. Patient outcomes were compared depending on the primary tumor location and type of liver resection (major or minor). Between January 2005 and August 2016, 108 patients underwent simultaneous resection of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastases. The tumor was localized to the right side of the colon in 24 patients (22%), to the left side in 40 (37%), and to the rectum in 44 (41%). Perioperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (3%). Postoperative complications were noted in 32 patients (30%), and most of these complications (75%) were grade 1 to 3 according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Neither perioperative mortality nor the rate of postoperative complications after simultaneous resection differed among patients with cancer of the right side of the colon, those with cancer of the left side of the colon, and those with rectal cancer (4%, 2.5%, and 2%, respectively, p = 0.89) and (17%, 33%, and 34%, respectively; p = 0.29)]. The 5-year overall survival of the entire sample was 54% and the 3-year overall survival was 67 %. In conclusion, simultaneous resection for primary colorectal cancer and liver metastases is a safe procedure and can be performed without excess morbidity in carefully selected patients regardless of the location of the primary tumor and type of hepatectomy.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume can be a predictor for severity of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of perforation in acute appendicitis (AA) allows surgeons to select the most appropriate treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine whether preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) could predict perforation in AA. METHODS: Data collected from 413 consecutive patients with AA and 100 healthy controls were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were categorized as having had phlegmonous appendicitis, appendicitis with localized peritonitis, or appendicitis with perforation and/or gangrene. MPV and NLR values were compared among the control group and the 3 groups of patients with AA. RESULTS: Means values of MPV were 9.3±8 fL for the patient group and 8.5±0.9 fL for the healthy control group (p=0.0005). Mean values of MPV by patient subgroup were 8.8±5.8 for phlegmonous appendicitis, 8.9±5.8 for localized peritonitis, and 12.8±9.7 for appendicitis with perforation and/or gangrene (p=0.005). Cut-off value of MPV was set at 8.92 to differentiate AA with perforation and/or gangrene from other types of AA. Mean NLRs of patients with phlegmonous appendicitis, appendicitis with localized peritonitis, and appendicitis with perforation and/or gangrene were 8.3±5.6, 9.1±6.2, and 10.6±6.4, respectively; p=0.023. The cut-off value for NLR was set at 7.95 to differentiate AA with perforation and/or gangrene from other types of AA. CONCLUSION: Both NLR and MPV can be useful in predicting severity of AA.