A Retrospective Analysis of Incidental Gallbladder Cancer on Post-cholecystectomy Pathological Review.

Background Gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis despite all the advances in treatment options and is mostly detected incidentally. In the current literature, re-excision is performed on patients with stage T1b and above, but high mortality rates are still observed. In this study, we aimed to investigate the reasons affecting the prognosis of incidental gallbladder cancer. Methodology Data from 33 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patient age, sex, preoperative radiologic findings, surgical procedures, margin status, postoperative results with histologic diagnosis, T stage, complications, and mortality were evaluated. Results Of the 33 patients included in the study, 24 (72.7%) were female, nine (27.3%) were male, and the mean age was 66.4 ± 13.4 years. Seventeen (51.5%) patients in our study were aged over 65 years. Age over 65 years was found to have a significant effect on mortality (p = 0.018). In the preoperative ultrasound imaging, 27 (81.8%) patients had gallstones, two (6.1%) patients had gallbladder polyps, 31 (93.9%) had focal or diffuse thickness increases in the gallbladder wall, and nine (27.3%) patients had pericholecystic fluid. The presence of pericholecystic fluid (p = 0.039) and wall thickness (p = 0.006) were found to be associated with mortality. There was perineural invasion and lymphovascular in 17 patients each. Both perineural invasion (p = 0.016) and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.007) were associated with mortality. Tumor grade was also associated with mortality (p = 0.001). When the prognosis of the patients was evaluated according to the T stage, the increase in the T stage negatively affected the prognosis (p < 0.001). Overall survival was a median of 17 months (95% confidence interval = 10.6-23.3). Conclusions Incidental gallbladder cancer is detected on routine histologic examination of gallbladder specimens after cholecystectomy. Most patients may require re-excision, but the prognosis is still poor in patients who have undergone re-excision. Age >65 years, pericholecystic fluid, T stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion had a significant effect on mortality, the presence of which should trigger the option of re-excision to be examined more carefully.

Colonic Metastasis from Primary Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Cause of Large Bowel Obstruction.

Tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is a subtype of head and neck cancer that rarely metastasizes to the colorectal system. Colonic metastasis secondary to primary tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is a very rare clinical occurrence with unclear pathogenesis. Palliative chemo-radiation and surgery are recommended for this rare condition, which is generally seen in advanced stages. Here, we aimed to report a case of a 70-year male who underwent palliative surgery due to the symptoms of mechanical bowel obstruction as a result of colonic metastasis of tonsillar carcinoma and review the relevant literature. Key Words: Tonsillar carcinoma, Colon, Metastasis.

Can Lymphovascular and Perineural Invasion be Additional Staging Criteria in Colorectal Cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To identify additional staging information, venous, lymphatic, and neural invasion  as potential prognostic factors in colorectal cancer (CRC). STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: University of Health Sciences, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey; from May 2007 to June 2019. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective analyses were performed on 855 CRC patients, who were treated with surgery. Patient and treatment characteristics, lymphovascular (LVI), and perineural (PNI) invasion were documented. The impact of LVI and PNI was determined using Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The cohort examined had 346 (40.5%) LVI and 150 (17.5%) PNI positive patients. After surgery, mortality was 18.4% for LVI and 8% for PNI patients. Although increased ASA score (for ASA 2 hazard ratio [HR]=0.555, p=0.001 and ASA 3-4 HR=0.723, p=0.014), adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=2.5, p<0.001), LVI (HR=1.961, p<0.001) and PNI (HR=1.625, p<0.001) involvement increased the risk of death based on univariate analysis, multivariate Cox analysis showed a risk of death increase with increased ASA score (for ASA 2 HR=0.53, p<0.001 and ASA 3-4 HR=0.703, p=0.008), adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=2.114, p<0.001) and LVI involvement (HR=1.640, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: LVI and PNI may be useful in identifying CRC patients who might benefit the most from adjuvant systemic therapy. On the other hand, the presence of LVI and PNI reflects a shorter patient survival. Key Words: Lymphovascular invasion, Perineural invasion, Colorectal cancer, Cancer staging.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Discharge Prescriptions in the General Surgery Department.

Introduction Although there are international guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SP), the use of inappropriate SP is still a common problem. Most studies investigated SP applications in clean and clean-contaminated cases. However, antibiotics in the discharge prescriptions of these cases have not been adequately investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the antibiotics in SP applications and discharged prescriptions together and to find out the causes of inappropriate use. Materials and methods We retrospectively evaluated the data of patients admitted to our general surgery wards between 2014 and 2015. Patients with clean or clean-contaminated wound category operations were included. The patients were evaluated in terms of convenience of SP (choice of antibiotics, compliance with an indication for SP, timing of the first dose, SP>24 hours, and discharge prescription). In addition, to interpret the results, a questionnaire has been performed for the surgeons in the same clinics. Results A total of 1205 patients with clean and clean-contaminated wound class operation were enrolled in this study. The total accuracy rate of SP was 7.1%. SP application with the correct indication and timing of the first dose was compatible with guidelines: 55.6% and 81.9%, respectively. SP was applied >24 hours at 60.2% and antibiotic prescribing carried out after discharge at 80.6% of patients. According to questionnaire results, the use of SP over 24 hours and the prescription of antibiotics during discharge were: drain usage, hyperthermia, leukocytosis, surgeons feeling of comfort, avoidance of patients, and their relatives' reactions. Conclusion The total accuracy rate of SP rate was low in the present study and in surgeons prescribing the SP after discharge. In light of the present study, we suggest that discharge prescriptions should also be reviewed in clinics who have a high inappropriate surgical antibiotic prophylaxis rate.

Correction: Evaluation of Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Discharge Prescriptions in the General Surgery Department.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4793.].

Removal and reduction of chromium by Pseudomonas spp. and their correlation to rhamnolipid production.

Chromium removal and its association with rhamnolipid production in Pseudomonas spp. were investigated. Three Pseudomonas spp. isolates (P. aeruginosa 78, P. aeruginosa 99, and P. stutzeri T3) were investigated with regard to their exposure to 10mg/L for chromium removal. P. aeruginosa 99 removed 16% and 20% more chromium than P. stutzeri T3 and P. aeruginosa 78 respectively. The reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by all the three isolates is more or less similar. P. aeruginosa 99, which removed higher chromium, also produced higher rhamnolipid (165±5 mg/mL). P. aeruginosa 78, which removed lower chromium, also produced lower rhamnolipid (126±3 mg/mL). Rhamnolipid production by P. aeruginosa 78 and P. aeruginosa 99 was increased in its exposure to 10mg/L chromium. In the present study, results showed that rhamnolipid might play a role in chromium removal by three Pseudomonas spp. isolates.

ω-3 Fatty acids have no impact on serum lactate levels after major gastric cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative and intraoperative nutrition support in patients undergoing major surgery results in decreased incidence of morbidity and mortality. Studies investigating the role of ω-3 fatty acids in these patients are increasing. Some are focused on perfusion at the cellular level. This study was undertaken to address the effect of postoperative administration of ω-3 fatty acids on cellular hypoperfusion associated with major gastric surgery. METHODS: Twenty-six patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery were randomly assigned to receive parenteral nutrition (PN) supplemented with a combination of ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids (Omegaven, 0.2 g/kg/d; Lipovenoes 10%, 0.6 g/kg/d) or with ω-6 fatty acid (Lipovenoes 10%, 0.8 g/kg/d) for 5 days. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, postoperative day 1, and on the last day of PN therapy (day 5). RESULTS: Patients receiving ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids showed neither lower serum lactate levels nor lower rates of complications compared with patients receiving ω-6 only. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in other biochemical parameters, complications, or length of hospital stay or mortality. CONCLUSION: PN with ω-3 fatty acid supplementation does not have a significant impact on cellular hypoperfusion and lactate clearance after major gastric surgery.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: report of three cases.

We report three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid, which is an unusual malignant tumor that needs to be distinguished from other thyroid pathologies due to its aggressive behaviour. Three men, with an average of 63 years old, presented with progressive enlargement in the neck, hoarse voice or weight loss. Physical and radiological examinations revealed clues where malignancy was suspected and surgical resections were performed. Histopathological examination of the specimens was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Proper workup excluded the possibility of any primary site of SCC other than the thyroid. All patients died within 5 months. Adjuvant therapy evaluation is still inconclusive. Complete surgical resection still remains the primary choice for cure. We believe that radical resection with clear surgical margins followed by adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy is a curative strategy for achieving any chance of long-term survival.