Comparison of open and laparoscopic techniques in the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common cause of acute abdomen and appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures. In this study, we aimed to compare open appendectomy (OA) and laparoscopic (LA) surgical techniques in the treatment of AA. METHODS: The data of 236 patients treated with the diagnosis of AA in 2019-2020 were analyzed. Of these patients, 85 patients who received OA and 84 patients who received LA were included in the study. Then, the two groups were compared in terms of demographic, laboratory, clinical, and surgical treatments. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 34.9 years (range 16-78), and the male-to-female ratio was 0.69. Statistical analysis revealed that the OA group had more leukocytosis, more female gender, and longer operation time than the LA group, but the LA group's complication rate was lower (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: LA offers less morbidity, a shorter duration of hospital stay, and a fast return to normal activities compared to OA. In the surgical treatment of AA, LA can be applied as a routine and first-line treatment.

Evaluation of local hemostatic effect of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres products in thyroid surgery: a prospective randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: Bleeding is a rare and dangerous complication of thyroid surgery. One of the hemostatic agents used during surgery are microporous polysaccharide hemospheres (MPH) which are local hemostatic agents acquired from purified potato starch. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two MPH, produced with different biotechniques, in decreasing hemorrhages and drainage following thyroidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A statistical power analysis predicted that totally 20 patients per each group was needed within 95% confidential interval. Patients were randomized into 3 groups as control, Haemocer TM and Arista TM to be 20 patients in each group. Following bilateral total thyroidectomy, no additional procedures were performed in the first group, 5 g Haemocer was administered to the second group, 5 g Arista was administered to the third group into the operational field, and the operation was ended by placing a double-sided hemovac drain. At post-operative day one, drainage amount, calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were noted. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between the groups for age, gender, removed tissue weight and malignant pathology rates. Also, no significant difference was noted between post-operative drainages and Ca, P, PTH levels of groups either. Hoarseness or hematoma were not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: MPHs are not proven in effectiveness in decreasing post-operative hemorrhages, which might be a key to avoiding unnecessary expenses.