The Effects of Operation Technique on Recurrence of Incisional Hernia Repair.

OBJECTIVES: The selection of incision type, closure type of incision and the suture material are some of the important factors to prevent hernia development. We should aim to perform the best procedure with the best technique to reduce the risk of recurrence. Surgical options include primary repair and open or laparoscopic repair with mesh. Mesh repairs can be performed as onlay, sublay or inlay according to the area where the mesh is to be laid. In this retrospective study, our main goal was to compare the recurrence rates in patients who underwent incisional hernia repair with onlay and inlay mesh techniques. METHODS: This retrospective study included 185 patients who underwent surgery due to incisional hernia in our clinic between January 2012 and October 2017. Patients were divided into two groups according to the technique as Group 1 with onlay mesh repair and Group 2 with inlay mesh repair. The same type of mesh (prolen) was applied to all patients. RESULTS: There were 121 patients in Group 1 and 64 patients in Group 2. According to data we obtained, 64.3% of the patients were women and the mean age of all patients was 58.4±16.4 years. Postoperative complications (such as seroma-hematoma, surgical site infection, mesh rejection, postoperative ileus) developed in 29.2% (n=54) of the patients. The length of hospital stay was 4.2±3 days in Group 1 and 5.6±5 days in Group 2. The mean follow-up period was 48.6 months (24-93 months), with the recurrence rates of 5.8% (n=7) in Group 1 and 10.9% (n=7) in Group 2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups concerning comorbidity, postoperative complications, the length of hospitalization stay and recurrence. CONCLUSION: We believe that the onlay technique will be more appropriate than the inlay technique when only prolen mesh is preferred because the recurrence rates are higher in the inlay technique.

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using intraoperative ultrasonographic localization for primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy: report of two cases.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in pregnancy is a rare entity associated with increased maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Diagnosis of pHPT is challenging in pregnancy. Approximately 80% of the cases are asymptomatic, while the most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, polyuria, polydypsia, and cloudy vision in symptomatic patients. Since the most common cause of pHPT in pregnancy is adenoma, such in the general population, focused anterior or lateral approach is recommended due to shorter operation time, less risk for the fetus, and lower complication risk. Performing intraoperative ultrasonography to do the incision just over the adenoma provides quicker access to the adenoma and intraoperative parathormone assay confirms the surgical cure. Laryngeal mask anesthesia causes lesser sore throat, laryngospasm, coughing, and rapid recovery as compared to endotracheal intubation anesthesia. This study aimed to present the management of two pregnant patients diagnosed with pHPT and who underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomy under intraoperative ultrasonography and laryngeal mask anesthesia at the second trimester of gestation. To the best of our knowledge, parathyroidectomy under laryngeal mask anesthesia in pregnancy has never been described before.

Multifocality related factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the main type of the well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Multifocality is regarded as a poor prognostic factor for PTC. METHODS: Documents of 777 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 305 PTC patients were included. Patients with multifocal PTC were included in Group 1, and patients with unifocal PTC were included in Group 2. RESULTS: There were 165 patients (54.0%) in Group 1 and 140 patients (46%) in Group 2. The pathological mixed variant of PTC was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0,005). Lymph node metastasis (LNM) was detected at 9.6% and 3.5% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0,028). Micro PTC rates were 28.4% and 40.7% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0,017). Tumor size and pathologically mixed-type and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results were significantly different between multifocal and unifocal Micro PTC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multifocality is more frequent in patients with tumors ≥1 cm and mixed-type tumors. LNM is found more often in multifocal tumors. The presence of micropapillary tumors can be predicted preoperatively by ultrasound-guided FNAB. Mixed-type pathology is also a predictive factor for multifocality.

Successful management without protective colostomy in an adult patient with anorectal mal-formation.

Anorectal malformations are rare occurrences characterized by the absence or abnormal localization of the anus. Clinical manifestations can vary from mild forms that require only minor surgery to more complicated cases that must be managed with multi-staged surgery. In this report, our aim is to present the clinical characteristics, management, and treatment outcome of an adult patient with an anorectal malformation with a vestibular fistula that was successfully repaired by posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and to discuss the case in the light of the relevant literature. We also would like to underline the fact that primary anorectal malformations can, although rarely, be observed in adult patients. A 26-year-old female patient presented with an imperforate anus and constipation with feces passing through a fistula located at the distal part of her vagina. She was continent for solid feces, but had leakage of flatus and fecal soiling. She also had concurrent left renal agenesis. A posterior sagittal anorectoplasty was successfully performed without a colostomy. The patient was discharged uneventfully on the postoperative 8th day. The patient was fully continent during a control visit after seven years of follow-up. Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty is a technique that can be successfully used in adult patients with anorectal malformations.

Use of a vacuum-assisted closure system for the management of enteroatmospheric fistulae.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the management of enteroatmospheric fistulae (EAF) in an open abdomen using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy. METHODS: Eighteen patients (ten male/eight female) were treated in our surgical department for the management of EAF. VAC therapy was used to manage both complex and open abdominal wounds and for effluent control in all patients except one until definitive surgery could be performed or spontaneous closure of the EAF occurred. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 61.1 years (range 29-84 years). Their average hospital stay was 88.89 days (range 22-129 days). The median number of VAC applications was 22.5, and the median duration of VAC applications was 43.6 days (range 14-114 days). Non-surgical spontaneous closure of the fistulae with negative pressure wound therapy could be achieved in four patients. In the other six patients, after the EAF were controlled with VAC therapy, definitive surgery was performed. Primary fascial repair was performed in two patients, and the component separation technique was synchronously performed in another two patients. Ventral hernia repair using polypropylene mesh was performed in a patient 1 year after discharge from the hospital. One patient was discharged with skin grafting plus ileostomy after the EAF was managed with VAC therapy. Eight patients (44.4%) died due to intraabdominal infections and sepsis, which could not be controlled despite all precautions. No VAC-related complications were observed in this study. CONCLUSION: A VAC system can be successfully used for wound management in the control of fistula effluent in patients with an EAF in an open abdomen until spontaneous fistula closure occurs or definitive fistula surgery can be performed.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients aged 80 years and older: an analysis of 111 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cholelithiasis increases with age. More octogenarian (≥80 y) patients are undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) operation throughout the world. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients older than 80 years (group 1: 111 patients) and those in the 18 to 79 years age group (group 2: 185 patients), who underwent LC between July 2005 and October 2009. The variables analyzed were the presentation, demographics, comorbid illnesses, American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) scores, history of previous abdominal surgery, the operative time, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and the length of hospital stay. A comparison was made between the two groups. Data was evaluated by using the χ and the Fisher exact test. P<0.005 was considered significant. RESULTS: The difference in both groups in the mean age and ASA scores were significant. The indication for LC was gallstone disease in 87 (78.4%) patients, acute cholecystitis in 16 (14.4%), and gallstone pancreatitis in 8 (7.2%) of group 1 patients. The conversion rate was not statistically significant. The mean operative time was 77 minutes in group 1 patients, and this was significantly longer than that of group 2 patients. The postoperative oral intake within 24 hours of surgery was significantly earlier in group 2 patients. Other parameters were not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: LC in octogenarians is a relatively safe procedure that can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates. The comorbidities and higher ASA scale are major risk factors for postoperative complications in this age group of patients.

Comparison of results of laparoscopic gastric banding and consecutive intragastric balloon application at 18 months: a clinical prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a serious health problem that leads to serious physical and psychological problems. The methods used in treating obesity include diet and behavioral changes, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and intragastric balloon (IGB) applications are two of the methods used to treat obesity. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of LAGB with those of two consecutive IGB applications in weight loss management of obese patients. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (F/M:24/8) admitted in the study were divided into two groups. In the first group of 16 patients, LAGB was performed, and in the other group two consecutive IGBs were applied. Total weight loss, body mass index (BMI), excess weight loss percent (EWL %), and excess body mass index loss percent (EBMIL %) were recorded at months 6, 12, and 18 for both groups. RESULTS: At the end of the 6th month, BMI values of LAGB and IGB groups were 36.0 and 30.6 kg/m(2), EWL % were 32.3% and 39.3%, and EBMIL % were 36.3% and 47.1%, respectively. The results were similar. At the end of 12 months, median BMI was 36.6 kg/m(2) for LAGB and 27.5 kg/m(2) for IGB (P<.05). The EWL % and EBMIL % at the end of the 12th month were 57% and 70%, which is significant in favor of IGB. The last evaluation was made at the 18th month of applications, and the three parameters for two applications were found to be similar. CONCLUSIONS: The achieved weight losses at the 6th month were similar for both groups. However, at the 12th month, two consecutive IGB applications were more effective. At the end of the 18th month, the results were again similar. Two consecutive IGB applications may be offered to obese patients who do not feel ready for surgery.

Multiglandular parathyroid carcinoma: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To report the fifth case of multiglandular parathyroid carcinoma and highlight the necessity of bilateral neck exploration in some circumstances. METHODS: We report a case of simultaneous bilateral and multiglandular parathyroid carcinoma in a 48-year-old woman presenting with primary hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasonography revealed a 24- by 24- by 34-mm nodule on the right lobe of the thyroid and a 20- by 20- by 32-mm parathyroid gland inferior to the left thyroid lobe. Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan revealed bilateral increased uptake consistent with the parathyroid glands. She was treated with bilateral neck exploration and parathyroidectomy with en bloc resection of the adjacent thyroid lobe in the right lower gland and parathyroidectomy with resection of surrounding soft tissue in the left lower gland. RESULTS: The presence of a thick fibrous capsule, invasion of surrounding tissues, trabecular and solid growth pattern without necrotic foci, and vascular invasion on pathology slides enabled the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma of both glands. Her calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were within normal limits during a follow-up period of 4 years. CONCLUSION: Since surgical resection offers the only curative treatment and initial operation may be the determinant of survival, a high index of suspicion for carcinoma both clinically and intraoperatively is vital. We aim to reemphasize that bilateral neck exploration in select cases of parathyroid carcinoma should be considered if there is concrete evidence of a second tumor, since parathyroid carcinoma can coexist with hyperplasia, adenoma, or even carcinoma of other parathyroid glands.

[Glomus tumor of the stomach: a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding]. / Nadir bir gastrointestinal kanama nedeni: Midenin glomus tümörü

Glomus tumors are benign soft tissue neoplasms that usually arise in the skin of the extremities; however, those tumors are sometimes located in other sites such as gastrointestinal (GIS), respiratory, and genital tracts. Gastrointestinal glomus tumors are mostly located in the gastric antrum. The most are small (<4 cm), but a few can be enormous. Herein, we report a case of a glomus tumor of the stomach in a 31-year-old female patient who presented with intermittent nausea, vomiting, hematemesis and melena for 2 months. On upper GIS endoscopy, submucosal lesion with ulceration was found in the prepyloric area. Partial gastrectomy including the lesion was performed. Immunohistochemical examination showed the glomus tumor. Since the glomus tumor is essentially benign and does not need a radical surgical procedure, the most important aspect of this tumor is its histologic identification and differentiation from more common gastric lesions, especially from malignant tumors.

An adult choledochal cyst--the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings: report of a case.

We herein report an unusual adult patient with a congenital choledochal cyst. A 28-year-old woman presented with recurrent episodes of abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. Abdominal ultrasonography showed fusiform dilatation of the common bile duct without any obstruction. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) were performed to make a precise diagnosis. No abnormal pancreatobiliary junction was detected on ERCP. The MRCP images more clearly defined the type and extent of the choledochal cyst as observed at surgery. The cyst and gallbladder were excised and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed. We also reviewed the relevant English literature and concluded that MRCP offers diagnostic information that is equivalent or superior to that of ERCP for the evaluation of type I choledochal cysts in adults and because this modality is noninvasive, it should therefore be the preferred imaging technique for an examination of adult patients with choledochal cysts.

Assessment of liver hydatid cyst cases--10 years experience in Turkey.

We analysed 73 hydatid cyst patients according to their age, gender, localization, number of cysts, infectivity, symptoms, physical examination findings, presence of accompanying diseases, and diagnostic methods. Female/male ratio was 1.6/1. In total, 69% of cases had a single cyst and 31% multiple cysts. Of the cysts, 61% were in form of "eau de roche" and the rest infective. The mean age was 42.3 years, ranging from 18 to 85 years. The most common symptom was abdominal pain in 74% of patients. Right lobe involvement was encountered in 65% of cases, left lobe in 13%, and left and right in 8%. In 27% of patients, cholelithiasis was the most common accompanying disease. As an imaging technique ultrasound was the most commonly used diagnostic technique.

Carcinoma arising from villous adenoma of the ampullary bile duct: Report of a case.

Adenocarcinoma arising from the villous adenoma of the ampullary biliary epithelium is an extremely rare disorder. The preoperative diagnosis and treatment of the disease represent a major difficulty. A 67-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of jaundice. Preoperative investigations revealed obstructive type jaundice due to a 2-cm mass at the end of common bile duct. She was operated on and after undergoing a sphincterotomy, small, yellowish, grape-like particles fell down from the ampullar orifice. A frozen-section examination of these particles revealed villous adenoma. Next, a transduodenal resection of ampulla and reconstruction were performed. The frozen-section examination of the resected material also revealed a villous adenoma. The patient was discharged uneventfully. The histological examination revealed a villous adenoma arising from the biliary epithelium and some adenocarcinoma foci. The surgical margins were tumor free. Nevertheless, she developed hepatic metastases 15 months after surgery. This case shows the importance of surgeons to keep in mind the fact that frozen examinations may sometimes miss a malignancy and they therefore cannot be relied upon to rule out malignancy in villous adenoma of the ampullary bile duct.

[Our experience in the cases with penetrating colonic injuries]. / Penetran kolon yaralanmali olgulardaki deneyimlerimiz.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the factors that effect the morbidity and mortality in patients with penetrating colonic injuries were evaluated. METHODS: Fourty-two patients (37 males, 5 females; mean age 30,1; range 14 to 63 years) with penetrating colonic trauma were evaluated according to age, gender, type of penetrating trauma, location and severity of the colonic injury, associated injury, interval between the trauma and the definitive operation, hemodynamic status, blood transfusion requirement, fecal contamination, surgical procedure, postoperative complication and mortality. RESULTS: Type of the penetrating trauma was stab injury in twenty-eight (67%) patients, and gunshot injury in fourteen (33%) patients. The mean Colon Injury Severity Score was 2,1. The mean Abdominal Trauma Index (ATI) was 17,2 and it was over than 25 in eight (19%) patients. The symptoms of shock were present in eleven (26%) patients at admission. Blood transfusions were applied in sixteen (38%) patients. In twenty-one patients intraabdominal bleeding was observed and it was more than 500 mL in eleven (26%) patients. Primary repair was performed in 36 (86%) of the 42 patients and colostomy was performed in six (14%) patients. Morbidity and mortality rates were 41% and 10% respectively. CONCLUSION: It was found that morbidity rates were increased in patients with ATI score higher than 25, and mortality rates were increased in patients presenting shock at admission, with the amount of intraabdominal blood more than 500 mL, and who needed three or more units of blood transfusion. The primary repair of the penetrating colon trauma can be performed confidently in the hemodynamically stable patients with ATI score less than 25.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): analysis of 20 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are soft tissue sarcomas arising from the mesenchymal tissues in the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up protocols of GISTs have not been exactly defined. In this study, twenty cases with GISTs treated in our clinic are examined retrospectively. METHODOLOGY: Twenty cases treated for GISTs in Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between the years 1999 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. Age, gender, clinical findings, diagnostic methods, intraoperative findings, type of surgery, histopathological findings and survival of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen of the cases were male (75%) and five were female (25%), with a median age of 55 years (35-80). The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Tumors were gastric (40%), small intestinal (45%), colonic (10%) or rectal (5%). The median tumor size was 9.1 centimeters. Pathological evaluation showed that number of mitoses per 50 high-power field (hpf) was more than five in nine of 10 cases and CD-117 was positive in four of four cases. The mean follow-up period was 21 (1-72) months, and median survival was 21 (1-72) months. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of GIST is frequently related to the tumor size and rate of mitosis. Despite the recent demonstration of C-kit protooncogene and introduction of imatinib mesilate as a new chance in treatment, radical surgery remains to be the most effective treatment of GISTs.

A succesfully managed inflammatory pseudotumour of liver without surgery: report of a case.

The inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is an extremely rare focal lesion of the parenchyma with unknown aetiology. It has the appearance of a malignant tumor but has a benign histology and clinical course. Herein, we report a case of IPT in a 55 year-old woman. She had complained of right upper quadrant pain and subfebrile fever. Imaging studies revealed a heterogeneous, solitary mass in right lobe of liver which was 90 x 81 mm in size. Histopathological examination of ultrasonography-guided true-cut biopsy demonstrated IPT. After the initiation of the antibiotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), the size of hepatic pseudotumor decreased (20 x 20 mm) and then completely disappeared. To rule out a malignancy and to reach the diagnosis of IPT, biopsy from the mass is mandatory. After the diagnosis, IPT gave an excellent response to short course of antibiotic and NSAID therapy. To prevent unnecessary resective liver surgery, IPT should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of liver mass which can be successfully managed medically.

Effect of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate and anti-inflammatory gel in infusion phlebitis.

BACKGROUND: Phlebitis is the commonest complication of intravenous infusion. It has been suggested that it is initiated by venoconstriction at the infusion site, hence treatment with a vasodilator may reduce its incidence. METHODS: A prospective controlled study was carried out on the effect of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and topical anti-inflammatory gel (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; NSAID) on the survival of peripheral intravenous infusion in 386 patients. RESULTS: A total of 34.9% (43 out of 123) of the infusions failed in the control group compared with 14.1% (18 out of 127) in the NSAID group (P < 0.05) and 30.8% (43 out of 136) in the GTN group (P < 0.05). In the control group 31 positive cultures were obtained. Twenty-one positive cultures were obtained in the GTN group and four cases of bacterial proliferation were observed in the NSAID group. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion phlebitis is a common problem in hospitalized patients and its incidence can be effectively reduced by NSAI gel and GTN but NSAI gel is more effective than GTN.

Results of modified Sugiura operation in variceal bleeding in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophageal variceal bleeding is a major complication of portal hypertension and the optimal therapeutic modality for each individual patient differs. We reviewed the results of modified Sugiura procedure in patients with variceal bleeding of esophagus. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 13 patients who were subjected to modified Sugiura procedure (transabdominal esophagogastric devascularization + esophageal stapled transection + splenectomy) for bleeding esophageal varices between 1996 and 2001. Three patients disappeared from routine follow-up and were excluded from the study. Survival, rebleeding and encephalopathy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 46 (18-56). The etiology of portal hypertension was cirrhosis of liver in six (60%) and portal vein thrombosis in four (40%). One patient had Child-Pugh's Class A, two had Class B and three had Class C cirrhosis. Previous variceal bleeding were confirmed by endoscopy in all patients who had recurrent variceal bleeding despite treatment with beta-blockers (three patients) or endoscopic sclerotherapy +/- band ligation (seven patients). Two were subjected to emergency surgery while the remaining eight were operated on electively. No postoperative mortality was seen. The bleeders were stopped immediately in the emergent cases. During a mean follow-up of 27 (4-53) months, one (10%) patient suffered from encephalopathy and one (10%) from rebleeding at 20th and 28th months after the operation respectively. Three (30%) patients with Child C cirrhosis died due to bleeding (one) and hepatic failure (two) at 4, 25, and 28 months after the surgery. The prognoses of other patients are well at the present time. CONCLUSIONS: In our small number of patients, modified Sugiura procedure was found to be a safe and effective procedure for urgent and long-term control of bleeding varices in patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis and noncirrhotic etiology. The outcomes are encouraging in noncirrhotic patients and cirrhotic patients with good liver functions.

Differing histologic findings after bilateral and focused parathyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery with intraoperative parathyroid hormone testing has been reported to be as successful as a bilateral operation. This study aimed to determine whether the histologic findings and outcomes differ in patients with primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism treated by a focal or a bilateral parathyroid exploration with intraoperative parathyroid hormone testing. To make the two groups comparable all patients had a solitary parathyroid adenoma identified preoperatively. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty unselected patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and a single abnormal parathyroid gland identified preoperatively by sestamibi scanning or ultrasonography were included in this study. All patients had intraoperative parathyroid hormone testing. RESULTS: Forty-five patients had standard bilateral neck explorations and 35 patients had focal neck explorations. In the bilateral neck exploration group a single adenoma was found in 38 patients (84%), a double adenoma in 3 patients (7%), hyperplasia in 3 patients (7%), and carcinoma in 1 patient (2%). In contrast, a single adenoma was identified in all patients in the focal neck exploration group. Sestamibi scanning and intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay were accurate in 87% and 84%, respectively, in the bilateral neck exploration group and in 96.9% and 94.3%, respectively, in the focal neck exploration group. All patients were normocalcemic (mean followup 17 months). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism having a bilateral exploration had about a 15% higher rate of multiple parathyroid tumors than did patient having a focal approach. Despite this observation all patients were normocalcemic postoperatively. This suggests that either some histologically abnormal parathyroid glands do not function or there will be recurrences in patients treated by a focused approach. Longterm followup will be necessary to determine whether patients treated by focal neck exploration will develop recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism.