Three-year outcome after anterior component separation repair of giant ventral hernias: A retrospective analysis of the original technique without mesh.

INTRODUCTION: In this study we presented our results with anterior component separation technique utilized in the repair of giant ventral hernias. Our primary endpoints were the rates of surgical site occurrences and recurrence at three years. Besides we investigated the impact of components separation repair on abdominal wall functions. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the prospectively-collected data of 40 patients that were operated on between April 2004 and February 2012 for their median ventral hernias sizing larger than 15 cm in width. Our inclusion criteria for component separation program excellently corresponded today's "giant ventral hernia" standards. The method used for components separation was identical to the original Ramirez technique, and did not comprise of any mesh reinforcement. The ICU stays, prolonged intubation, early and late complications, mortality and recurrences at three years were recorded. We used a curl-up test to demonstrate the amelioration of the abdominal wall functions postoperatively. RESULTS: The older age and larger defect size were the significant risk factors necessitating prolonged intensive care. Surgical site occurrences were recorded in 18 patients (45.0%). A total of 7 recurrences (17.5%) were detected at three years. Patients showed a significant improvement in raising their trunks after repair (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that components separation technique in the original form caused excessive wound complications including skin necrosis which in turn caused delayed discharge from the hospital. The 17.5% recurrence rate seemed higher than those of more recent papers. The already-established newer modifications should be integrated in the repair method. The components separation repair clearly improves abdominal wall functions.

Comparision of Hem-o-lok polymeric clip and tri-staple in laparoscopic splenectomy.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the hem-o-lok polymeric clip (HC) and tri-staple (TS) methods used in dividing the splenic hilum in terms of results, and to reveal their superiority to each other. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic splenectomy at the Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine General Surgery Clinic between March 2011 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-two laparoscopic splenectomy cases performed using hem-o-lok polymeric clip (HC) or tri-staple (TS) were included in this study. Demographic features, primary diagnoses, splenic size, intraoperative data and postoperative complications, as well as the clip and stapler prices used in the surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was significantly longer for HC group than TS group (116.7 min vs. 87.6 min, p<0.05). The mean cost of surgical instruments used to divide the splenic hilum was significantly lower for HC group than TS group (34.1 usd vs. 165.4 usd, p<0.05). There was no postoperative mortality, with a morbidity rate 6 (26.1%) for TS group and 4 (21.1%) for HC group (p>0.05). No significant difference existed in the complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: In the HC group, the operation time was longer, but the surgical cost was significantly lower. There was no significant difference when comparing other perioperative results. Although both techniques can be applied safely, we would like to emphasize that hemostasis is the most important factor for good results. KEY WORDS: Hem-o-lok polymeric clip, Laparoscopic splenectomy, Tri-staple.

Does a Close Surgical Margin for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Associated with Invasive Breast Carcinoma Affect Breast Cancer Recurrence?

Purpose: Our aim was to determine if a close surgical margin (<2 mm, but no ink on tumor) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) associated with invasive breast cancer (IBC) leads to an increased rate of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR).Patients and Methods: Six hundred and twenty-eight patients with T1-2 IBC who underwent breast conserving therapy (BCT) and had no ink on tumor between 2009 and 2017 in our institution were included in the study. Age, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, resection margin status of DCIS as closer than 2 mm or ≥2 mm, DCIS as present or absent, extensive intraductal component as yes or no were investigated. All patients were followed-up for IBTR.Results: The median age was 50 years (range, 29-82), and median tumor size was 25 mm (range, 5-50). Median follow-up time was 56 months (range, 12-114). Of the 628 IBC patients, 440 (70%) were found to be associated with DCIS. Of the 440 patients with DCIS, 119 (27%) had a close margin (<2 mm) and 321 (73%) had a margin ≥2 mm for DCIS. Among 440 IBC patients associated with DCIS, there were three local recurrences. One developed in a patient who had a close surgical margin for DCIS, and in the other two patients, surgical margins were ≥2 mm.Conclusions: No ink on tumor is an adequate margin for IBC associated with DCIS in patients who undergo BCT and it is not associated with increased IBTR.

Management of the Axilla in T1-2 Breast Cancer Patients with Macrometastatic Sentinel Node Involvement Who Underwent Breast-Conserving Therapy.

PURPOSE: The aims of our study were to determine the incidence of axillary recurrence and arm morbidity in T1-2 invasive breast cancer patients with macrometastases on the sentinel lymph node (SLN) who underwent breast-conserving therapy (BCT), with or without axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). METHODS: One hundred and nine T1-2 invasive breast cancer patients with macrometastases on the SLN who underwent BCT in our institution were included in the study. Patients with 1-2 positive SLN and without extra nodal extension (ENE) on the SLN did not undergo ALND (SLN-only group) and patients with ENE or patients who had >2 metastatic nodes underwent level I, II ALND (ALND group). The SLN-only group received radiotherapy to three axillary levels, the supraclavicular fossa, and ± mammaria interna. ALND group received radiotherapy to axillary level III, the supraclavicular fossa, and ± mammaria interna. The incidence of axillary recurrence and arm morbidity were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 109 patients, 18 patients with >2 metastatic SLNs and 10 with ENE on the SLN underwent ALND and 81 patients underwent SLN only. Median follow-up time was 37 months (3-77). There was no axillary recurrence in SLN-only group. However, in the ALND group 1 patient had developed axillary metastasis. There were 2 objective lymphoedema and 3 arm-shoulder restriction cases in the SLN-only group, and 2 and 3 in the ALND group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Axillary dissection could safely be omitted in patients with 1-2 macrometastatic SLN and without ENE who undergo BCT and axillary radiotherapy.

Investigation of Geriatric Patients with Abdominal Pain Admitted to Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to detect the possible reasons of abdominal pain in the patients aged 65 and older admitted to emergency department (ED) with complaint of abdominal pain which is not related to trauma, to determine the length of hospitalization of old (65-75 age) and elderly (aged 75 and older) patients, and to define the hospitalization and mortality rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, 336 patients were included. Groups were compared in respect to gender, internal or surgical prediagnoses, complaints accompanying abdominal pain, vital findings, comorbidities, requested consultations, hospitalizing service, waiting time in the ED and in the hospital, and treatment methods. RESULTS: Of the patients, 48.2% were male, and 51.8% were female. While 52.4% of the patients were in 65-74 age group, 47.6% of them were aged 75 years and above. An internal disease was detected in 76.8% of the patients as an origin of abdominal pain. Most common prediagnoses were biliary diseases and diseases related to biliary tract followed by nonspecific abdominal pain, abdominal pain secondary to malignity, ileus, and acute gastroenteritis, respectively. The most frequent finding accompanying abdominal pain was vomiting. The most frequent chronic disease accompanying abdominal pain was hypertension in both age groups. We observed that 75.9% of the patients required consultation. We detected that 48.8% of the patients with abdominal pain were hospitalized and they were hospitalized mostly by gastroenterology ward (24.8%). Surgical treatments were applied to the 17.6% of the patients with abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: Clinical findings become indistinct by age, and differential diagnosis of abdominal pain gets more difficult in geriatric patients. Therefore, physicians should consider age related physiological changes in order to distinguish geriatric patients admitted to emergency service with abdominal pain from pathological cases requiring immediate surgical operation.

Early results of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in comparison with the conventional: Does it have any impact on quality of life?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for gallbladder diseases. In recent times, single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(SILC) has developed as a less invasive alternative technique to conventional laparoscopy. In the literature, many studies have compared SILC and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) procedures but a limited number of studies have compared the two techniques with regard to quality of life (QOL). The choice of surgical procedure was effected by QOL of the patients. The effects of SILC on QOL remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) procedures on the clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients by short-term follow-up evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 142 patients who underwent cholecystectomy operations with either technique underwent SILC and CLC were evaluated. The quality of life index in the patients was measured with short form 36 (SF 36) test. RESULTS: The results of mean operative time, length of stay and complication rate for SILC and CLC were similar. The postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were not significantly different between the SILC and CLC patients but only physical functioning score were higher in SILC patients. CONCLUSIONS: SILC is a safe and effective alternative to CLC. To detect the effects of SILC on HRQOL, we need long-term prospective comparative studies.

Treatment of the Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in a Patient with Behcet's Disease.

Compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) and neurofibrous tissue is called MAL syndrome or Dunbar's syndrome. Postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss are the main symptoms. Surgical treatment still remains the gold standard therapy. Here, we present the first case to our knowledge in which MAL syndrome accompanies Behcet's disease.

Single-Port Laparoscopic Liver Resection: Largest Turkish Experience.

Single-port laparoscopic surgery has the advantage of a hidden scar and reduced abdominal wall trauma. Although single-port laparoscopic surgery is widely performed for other organs, its application is very limited for liver resection. Here, we report our experience with nine patients who underwent single-port laparoscopic liver resection. Nine patients underwent single-port laparoscopic liver resection for the indications of hydatid cyst, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Nine patients were successfully treated with single-port laparoscopic surgery. The operative time was between 60 and 240 min. The only operative complication was bleeding up to 650 mL in a patient with cirrhosis. No postoperative complications occurred. All patients were discharged earlier than usual. Single-port laparoscopic liver surgery is a challenging surgery. Surgeon with the experience of laparoscopic liver surgery should perform the single-port laparoscopic liver surgery. It is technically feasible with a good outcome in well-selected patients. Initial cases must be benign lesions to avoid jeopardizing oncological safety.

A First Report of Synchronous Intracapsular and Extracapsular Hepatic Adenoma.

Although the gallbladder is the most common site of ectopic liver, it has been reported in many other organs, such as kidney, adrenal glands, pancreas, omentum, stomach, esophagus, mediastinum, lungs, and heart. Hepatocytes in an ectopic liver behave like normal hepatocytes; furthermore, they can be associated with the same pathological findings as those in the main liver. Ectopic liver in the gallbladder can undergo fatty change, hemosiderosis, cholestasis, cirrhosis, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, adenoma, and even carcinogenesis. The incidence of extracapsular hepatic adenoma is not known, but only two cases have been reported. Here, we provide the first case report of synchronous multiple intracapsular and extracapsular hepatic adenomas. A 60-year-old woman with multiple hepatic adenomas and one 7 × 5 × 5 cm ectopic hepatic adenoma attached to the gallbladder fundus complicated with abdominal pain is presented.

Factors predicting non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in T1-2 invasive breast cancer with 1-2 axillary sentinel lymph node metastases: Presentation of Ondokuz Mayis scoring system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predicting factors for non-sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in T1-2 invasive breast cancer with 1-2 metastatic SLN that fully matched the ACOSOG Z0011 criteria. Also, to develop a scoring system to predict the risk of non-SLN metastasis and to discriminate the low-risk patients for omission of the axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in this population. METHODS: Two hundred and seven T1-2 invasive breast cancer patients with 1-2 metastatic SLN who underwent ALND at our Institution were included in the study. Independent factors predicting the non-SLN metastasis were found using logistic regression analysis, and a scoring system to predict the non-SLN metastasis was created. RESULTS: Seventy (34%) out of 207 patients had non- SLN metastasis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that tumor size, presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), number of negative SLNs, and size of SLN metastasis were independent factors predicting non-SLN metastasis. There were 68 (33%) and 108 (52%) patients with a the score of ? 4 (predicted probability of ?10%) with a false negative rate (FNR) of 4.4%, and ?5 (predicted probability of ?15%) with a FNR of 7.4%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) value for the Ondokuz Mayis scoring system was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The present Ondokuz Mayis model with an AUC of 0.88 showed excellent discrimination capacity to distinguish patients at low risk for positive non-SLN from high risk patients and could help spare ALND in an important portion of patients.

Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Axillary Lymph Node Positivity and Numbers in Breast Cancer Cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare the numbers of axillary lymph nodes (ALN) taken out by dissection between patients with breast cancer operated on after having neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) treatment and otherswithout having neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and to investigate factors affecting lymph node positivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 49 patients operated due to advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 144 patients with a similar stage of the cancer having primary surgical treatment without chemotherapy at the general surgery clinic of Ondokuz Mayis University Medicine Faculty between the dates 01.01.2006 and 31.10.2012 were included in the study. The total number of lymph nodes taken out by axillary dissection (ALND) was categorized as the number of positive lymph nodes and divided into <10 and ≥10. The variables to be compared were analysed using the program SPSS 15.0 with P<0.05 accepted as significant. RESULTS: Median number of dissected lymph nodes from the patient group having neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 16 (16-33) while it was 20 (5-55) without chemotherapy. The respective median numbers of positive lymph nodes were 5 ( 0-19) and 10 (0-51). In 8 out of 49 neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients (16.3%), the number of dissected lymph nodes was below 10, and it was below 10 in 17 out of 144 primary surgery patients. Differences in numbers of dissected total and positive lymph nodes between two groups were significant, but this was not the case for numbers of <10 lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: The number of dissected lymph nodes from the patients with breast cancer having neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be less than without chemotherapy. This may not always be attributed to an inadequate axillary dissection. More research to evaluate the numbers of positive lymph nodes are required in order to increase the reliability of staging in the patients with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Erratum: Factors predicting non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in T1-2 invasive breast cancer with 1-2 axillary sentinel lymph node metastases:Presentation of Ondokuz Mayis scoring system.

In this article published in Volume 21, issue 5, the Results section of the Pubmed abstract appeared as: "There were 68 (33%) and 108 (52%) patients with a the score of ? 4 (predicted probability of ?10%) with a false negative rate (FNR% of 4.4%, and ?5 (predicted probability of ?15%) with a FNR of 7.4%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) value for the Ondokuz Mayis scoring system was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.93%)." The correct Results section of the abstract is: "There were 68 (33%) and 108 (52%) patients with a the score of ≤4 (predicted probability of ≤10%) with a false negative rate (FNR) of 4.4%, and ≤5 (predicted probability of ≤15%) with a FNR of 7.4%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) value for the Ondokuz Mayis scoring system was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.93)." This error appeared only in the PubMed database and not in the print form of the Journal.

Portomesenteric venous gas does not always mean intestinal necrosis: report of a case.

Portomesenteric venous gas is a rare condition most commonly caused by mesenteric ischaemia. Mesenteric ischemia, can be life-threatining and requires immediate surgical intervention with a poor prognosis. During the laparotomy, intestinal necrosis and perforation are most common findings although some patients reveal no surgical pathology. In this report we present a case of portomesenteric venous gas which is secondary to acute intramural intestinal haematoma.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Technical Problems, Complications, and Management.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an important technique for the provision of nutrition. The present study presents data from our analysis of the PEG procedure. Patients administered with PEG at the endoscopy unit of the 19 Mayis University General Surgery Department between 2007 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, and technical problems, indications, and complications related to the PEG procedure in 221 patients were evaluated. Of the patients, 60 % were male and the median age was 61 years (18-92 years). The most frequent indication was admittance to the intensive care unit, accounting for 46 % of the total, followed by neurological disease, with 41 %. The success rate of the procedure was 98 %, and the overall rate of complications was 22 %. No mortalities were reported as resulting from the procedure. The most common complication was the development of granulomas around the tube (8 %). PEG is a safe method of long-term feeding but is associated with a high rate of morbidity that can be treated easily using conservative treatment methods.

Factors affecting surgical margin positivity in invasive ductal breast cancer patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery after preoperative core biopsy diagnosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to evaluate the factors affecting surgical margin positivity among patients with invasive ductal breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) after preoperative diagnostic core biopsy. METHODS: Two hundred sixteen patients with stage I, II invasive ductal breast carcinoma who had histological diagnosis with preoperative tru-cut biopsy and underwent BCS were included in the present study. Potential factors that affect the positive surgical margin were analyzed. In univariate analysis, the comparisons of the factors affecting the surgical margin positivity were made by chi-square test. Logistic regression test was used to detect the independent factors affecting the surgical margin positivity. RESULTS: Positive axillary lymph node (odds ratio [OR], 8.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.01 to 22.12), lymphovascular invasion (LVI; OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.62 to 9.24), extensive intraductal component (EIC; OR, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.30 to 16.00), presence of spiculation (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 2.00 to 13.10) or presence of microcalcification in the mammography (OR, 13.7; 95% CI, 4.04 to 46.71) have been found to be the independent and adverse factors affecting surgical margin positivity. CONCLUSION: Considering decision making for the extent of the excision and for achieving negative surgical margin before BCS, positive axillary lymph node, LVI, EIC, spiculation or microcalcification in mammography are related as predictor factors for positive surgical margin.

Single incision laparoscopic surgery for hepatic hydatid disease. Report of a case.

A 76 year-old female patient with a long-time history of nonspecific abdominal pain admitted to our hospital. Imaging studies showed 5 cm liver hydatid cyst between segments 2 and 3. She was recommended surgery and was informed about the details of single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). We performed single-incision laparoscopic pericystectomy.This is the first reported case of single-incision laparoscopic surgery for liver hydatid disease according to searching of English literature at the PubMed. SILS is a feasible surgical method for liver hydatid disease in selected patients with good outcome.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a 6-month pregnant woman: a report of a case.

AIM: We aimed to present a case of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) in a pregnant woman. CASE: A 27-year-old, 24-week pregnant woman was referred to our clinic with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Physical examination and laboratory tests showed that she had acute biliary pancreatitis. An obstetric consultation showed that the patient and the fetus were healthy. After medical treatment the patient was discharged. However, she was again referred to our clinic with a second pancreatitis attack. We examined the patient and recommended cholecystectomy. Preoperative tests were completed and a new obstetric consultation was requested. After the receipt of informed consent for cholecystectomy, SILC was performed. CONCLUSIONS: SILC is a feasible surgical method in pregnant women as well.

Comparative evaluation of adhesions to intraperitoneally placed fixation materials: a laparoscopic study in rats: adhesions to fixation materials.

After laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, the nature of the adhesions to fixation materials or to mesh had not been clarified. We examined adhesion formation specific to the fixation material in rats. We designed an experimental laparoscopy setup, and placed four intraperitoneal fixation materials on the peritoneum of rats without a mesh graft. Another group of researchers documented the incidence and intensity of postoperative adhesion formation. The adhesion scores for the nickel-titanium anchor were significantly greater than those for polylactic acid (p = 0.004), a titanium tacker (p < 0.0001), and fibrin glue (p < 0.0001). No adhesions occurred in the fibrin glue group. Fibrin glue is the preferred fixation material because it produced no postoperative adhesions. The nickel-titanium anchor produced heavy adhesions but may be applicable for recurrent hernia cases and in patients with thin abdominal walls.