Surgical treatment of pilonidal disease - Short-term follow up results of minimally invasive pit-picking surgery versus radical excision without suturing: A prospective randomised trial.

Background: In this study we compared the potential benefits of surgical treatments for chronic symptomatic pilonidal disease (PD) - minimally invasive pit-picking surgery and radical excision without wound suturing. Materials and methods: A total of 100 adult patients with chronic symptomatic PD were enrolled in this study at the Kaunas Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. They were randomly divided into two groups: pit-picking surgery (n = 50) and radical excision with open healing (n = 50). Recurrent PD patients were not excluded. The comparison of the techniques was based on pain within the first postoperative week, failed surgery rates, and wound healing time. Additionally, pain levels at different time intervals following the treatment, analgesic consumption, and time off work, were assessed and compared. Results: A total of 89 patients (89 %) were available for follow-up after 6 months. Pain levels the first postoperative week were significantly lower in the pit-picking group compared to the radical excision group, with median scores of 10.0 and 20.0, respectively (p = 0.002). The complete wound healing time was longer in the radical excision group (60 days) versus the pit-picking group (17 days), with a significant difference noted (p = 0.00). No significant difference was observed between the type of surgery and the rate of failed surgery, with 5 (11.9 %) cases in the pit-picking group and 4 (8.5 %) in the radical excision group. Conclusion: Based on our short-term findings, minimally invasive pit-picking surgery is a better option regarding pain, wound healing time and failed surgery rate. In cases where this approach is not suitable, other alternatives should be contemplated, as radical surgery without wound suturing should not be employed as a treatment method for PD. Additionally, the relationship between PD and recurrence rates should be investigated further.

Risk factors predicting acute postoperative pain immediately after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair.

Introduction: Acute postoperative pain remains one of the most common problems, even after laparoscopic or endoscopic hernia repair. Avoiding predictive factors for acute pain after surgery or prescribing additional analgesia for a patient who has risk factors that cannot be removed can be one of the options to reduce acute postoperative pain. However, there is a lack of clinical studies that evaluate the predictive factors of postoperative pain after transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) surgeries. Aim: To identify independent risk factors predicting pain after laparoscopic and endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Material and methods: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was carried out by randomising patients into 2 groups (TAPP and TEP). Pre-operative and peri-operative findings were recorded. Postoperative pain was evaluated 3 h after the surgery using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Groups of patients who felt mild pain (VAS 0-2) and patients who felt average or severe pain (VAS 3-10) were compared. Results: A total of 132 male patients were included in the study. Disease duration of more than 1 year, smoking, and TAPP surgery significantly increase the risk of moderate and strong pain 3 h after surgery. Conversely, shorter duration of symptoms and physical occupation decrease the risk of acute pain score greater than 3 according to the VAS. Conclusions: The study shows that the duration since groin hernia appearance, smoking, physical occupation, and TAPP technique are possible predictive factors for acute postoperative pain after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair. We suggest that for patients who have those predictors, some factors can be avoided or additional analgesia can be used.

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation Reduces Pathological Sensation of Mesh One Week after Open Inguinal Hernia Surgery: Follow-Up Results from a Randomized, Double Blind and Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background and Objectives: Quality of life (QoL) and chronic pain are important outcomes following hernia surgery. The long-term effects of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on postoperative recovery are not well known. In this trial we investigated the role of TENS on QoL and on the incidence of chronic pain following inguinal hernia repair with mesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 male patients with elective primary unilateral hernia Lichtenstein repair were randomly allocated to receive TENS or a placebo-TENS procedure. The TENS group received conventional TENS twice a day on the first and second postoperative days. The intensity was set at 0-0.5 mA in the placebo-TENS group. General and hernia-specific QoL, as well as the incidence of chronic pain were assessed using SF-36v2 and the Carolinas comfort scale. Results: Less sensation of mesh was reported by the TENS group patients one week after surgery. At this time point, the mean sensation score was 6.07 ± 8.88 in the TENS group and 14.08 ± 16.67 in the placebo-TENS group (p = 0.029). Although at two days and one week postoperatively, TENS group patients tended to have less pain, less movement restrictions and better overall hernia-specific QoL, the differences were not statistically significant. At 6 months postoperatively, no incidence of chronic pain was found in either the placebo-TENS or TENS group. Conclusions: Conventional TENS applied in the early postoperative period following inguinal hernia repair with mesh was found to reduce mesh-related foreign body sensation one week after surgery. Promising results were also found for other QoL domains.

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation Reduces Acute Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Use After Open Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we evaluated the role of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the multimodal treatment (nonopioid analgesics and kinesiotherapy) of postoperative pain following open inguinal hernia repair. In total, 80 males participants with elective primary unilateral hernia Lichtenstein repair were randomly allocated to receive TENS or a placebo-TENS procedure. The TENS group received local and segmental conventional TENS on the first and second postoperative days. In the placebo-TENS group, intensity was set at 0 to 0.5mA. Change of pain level at rest, when walking, when standing up from bed, pressure algometry parameters and additional analgesic use were the main outcomes. Reduction of VAS pain score and absolute and relative pain relief were observed in the TENS group following the procedures compared to the placebo-TENS group (P< .001). The pressure pain threshold and maximal tolerable pressure in the hernia side were equal before the TENS procedure in both groups (P= .84), but after the procedure, these were higher in TENS group (P< .001). Additional nonopioid analgesics requirements were lower in the TENS group on the first and second postoperative days (P< .001). TENS is a safe procedure that can reduce postoperative pain and analgesic use after open inguinal hernia repair. The study was registered in the database of clinicaltrials.gov (register number NCT03739060). PERSPECTIVE: This article presents TENS as a safe and effective nonpharmacologic intervention to reduce postoperative pain after open inguinal hernia repair. TENS could be used in daily practice as part of a multimodal postoperative pain treatment, especially for patients suffering from hyperalgesia.

Trends and results in treatment of gastric cancer over last two decades at single East European centre: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A steady decline in gastric cancer mortality rate over the last few decades is observed in Western Europe. However it is still not clear if this trend applies to Eastern Europe where high incidence rate of gastric cancer is observed. METHODS: This was a retrospective non-randomized, single center, cohort study. During the study period 557 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastric cancer in which curative operation was performed met the inclusion criteria. The study population was divided into two groups according to two equal time periods: 01-01-1994 - 31-12-2000 (Group I - 273 patients) and 01-01-2001 - 31-12-2007 (Group II - 284 patients). Primary (five-year survival rate) and secondary (postoperative complications, 30-day mortality rate and length of hospital stay) endpoints were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Rate of postoperative complications was similar between the groups, except for Grade III (Clavien-Dindo grading system for the classification of surgical complications) complications that were observed at significantly lower rates in Group II (26 (9.5%) vs. 11 (3.9%), p = 0.02). Length of hospital stay was significantly (p = 0.001) shorter (22.6 ± 28.9 vs. 16.2 ± 17.01 days) and 30-day mortality was significantly (p = 0.02) lower (15 (5.5%) vs. 4 (1.4%)) in Group II. Similar rates of gastric cancer related mortality were observed in both groups (92.3% vs. 90.7%). However survival analysis revealed significantly (p = 0.02) better overall 5-year survival rate in Group II (35.6%, 101 of 284) than in Group I (23.4%, 64 of 273). There was no difference in 5-year survival rate when comparing different TNM stages. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer treatment results remain poor despite decreasing early postoperative mortality rates, shortening hospital stay and improved overall survival over the time. Prognosis of treatment of gastric cancer depends mainly on the stage of the disease. Absence of screening programs and lack of clinical symptoms in early stages of gastric cancer lead to circumstances when most of the patients presenting with advanced stage of the disease can expect a median survival of less than 30 months even after surgery with curative intent.

Blockade of leukocyte haptokinesis and haptotaxis by ketoprofen, diclofenac and SC-560.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) represent a one of the most widely used anti-inflammatory substances. Their anti-inflammatory effects are mainly based on inhibition of cyclooxygenase. The potential direct effect of NSAID on leukocyte migration was poorly investigated. Using time-lapse microscopy and 96-well fluorescence-based assay, we studied the effect of three different NSAID, ketoprofen, diclofenac and SC-560, on leukocyte haptokinesis and haptotaxis in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: NSAID induced an immediate inhibiting effect on leukocyte migration both in vitro and in vivo. This effect was dose-dependent and was not restricted to a specific type of leukocytes. The inhibition of leukocyte migration by NSAID was partially re-stored after removal of inhibiting agent. Only complete blockade of leukocyte migration was accompanied by a strong reduction of [Ca(2+)]i. CONCLUSIONS: NSAID strongly supress leukocyte migration. The results of the present study may have important clinical implications since blockade of leukocyte migration can be achieved after topical application of NSAID.

Colonic intussusception caused by colonic lipoma: a case report.

Intussusception is a pediatric condition that rarely presents in adults. Colonic lipomas 4 cm and more in diameter can cause colonic intussusception leading to emergency operation. Surgical resection of the involved segment must be the procedure of choice. We report a case of colonic intussusception caused by colonic lipoma in an adult. The patient underwent operation, and histopathological examination of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of colonic submucosal lipoma.

Interventional and surgical management of abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Management of the abdominal compartment syndrome during severe acute pancreatitis by the open abdomen method is associated with considerable morbidity and resource utilization. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ultrasound-guided percutaneous interventions and/or minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with severe acute pancreatitis were enrolled into a prospective study and treated according to the standard management protocol. Interventional and/or surgical management of abdominal compartment syndrome was employed in 6 (13.6%) cases. In the context of this study, we assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of subcutaneous fasciotomy of the anterior m. rectus abdominis sheath, as well as the role of ultrasound-guided drainage of intra-abdominal and peripancreatic fluid collections in the management of abdominal compartment syndrome. RESULTS: Subcutaneous fasciotomy of the anterior m. rectus sheath and ultrasound-guided drainage of intra-abdominal and peripancreatic fluid collections seem to be safe (minor risk of bleeding or infection, closed abdomen, and easy care for the patient) and effective (resulted in a sustained decrease of intra-abdominal pressure to 13-16 mm Hg and regression of organ failures after intervention). Subcutaneous anterior m. rectus fasciotomy may appear to be beneficial in case of refractory abdominal compartment syndrome avoiding morbidity associated with the open abdomen technique. CONCLUSIONS: Both the subcutaneous fasciotomy and ultrasound-guided drainage of intra-abdominal and/or peripancreatic fluid collections seem to be safe and effective alternatives in the management of abdominal compartment syndrome; however, prospective studies are needed to further evaluate their clinical role.

Early recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome in patients with acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To assess the value of widely used clinical scores in the early identification of acute pancreatitis (AP) patients who are likely to suffer from intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Patients (n = 44) with AP recruited in this study were divided into two groups (ACS and non-ACS) according to intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) determined by indirect measurement using the transvesical route via Foley bladder catheter. On admission and at regular intervals, the severity of the AP and presence of organ dysfunction were assessed utilizing different multifactorial prognostic systems: Glasgow-Imrie score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, and Multiorgan Dysfunction Score (MODS). The diagnostic performance of scores predicting ACS development, cut-off values and specificity and sensitivity were established using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of ACS in our study population was 19.35%. IAP at admission in the ACS group was 22.0 (18.5-25.0) mmHg and 9.25 (3.0-12.4) mmHg in the non-ACS group (P < 0.01). Univariate statistical analysis revealed that patients in the ACS group had significantly higher multifactorial clinical scores (APACHE II, Glasgow-Imrie and MODS) on admission and higher maximal scores during hospitalization (P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis revealed that APACHE II, Glasgow-Imrie, and MODS are valuable tools for early prediction of ACS with high sensitivity and specificity, and that cut-off values are similar to those used for stratification of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). CONCLUSION: IAH and ACS are rare findings in patients with mild AP. Based on the results of our study we recommend measuring the IAP in cases when patients present with SAP (APACHE II > 7; MODS > 2 or Glasgow-Imrie score > 3).