Abdullah Böyük

Ellagic acid ameliorates lung injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of antioxidant treatment with ellagic acid (EA) on lung injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury using biochemical and histopatological approaches. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were divided into four groups as control, control + EA, I/R, and I/R + EA. The control and control + EA groups were also anesthetized and subjected to laparotomy, but without clamp application. The control + EA and I/R + EA groups were given EA (85 mg/kg) orally prior to experiment. The I/R and I/R + EA groups underwent 30 minutes of intestinal ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion. In all groups, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. TAC, total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in lung tissue were measured. Lung tissue histopathology was also evaluated by light microscopy. Results: TAC levels were higher in control, EA, and I/R + EA groups while TOS, OSI, and MDA levels were lower in these groups compared with I/R group. Serum MDA levels were significantly higher in I/R + EA group than that of control group. Lung tissue TAC levels were lower in I/R + EA group while OSI values were higher in that groups compared with EA group. Histological tissue damage was milder in the EA treatment group than in the I/R group. Conclusion: These results suggest that EA treatment protected the rats lung tissue against intestinal I/R injury.

Direct trocar insertion technique for initial access in morbid obesity surgery: technique and results.

Purpose Obtaining access to the peritoneal cavity in laparoscopic surgery is more difficult in morbidly obese patients. There is no clear consensus as to the optimal method of entry into the peritoneal cavity. This study assesses the safety and feasibility of the direct trocar insertion technique without pre-existing pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Methods From February 2006 to July 2009, 155 morbidly obese patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery. There were 128 women (82.6%) and 27 men (17.4%). The mean age was 41 and ranged between 18 and 59 years. Results All patients met the National Institutes of Health criteria for bariatric surgery. The mean body mass index was 45 kg/m2 (range 35 to 61). There was no evidence of intestinal or vascular injury during trocar placement. Immediate minor complications were extraperitoneal insufflations in 5 patients, gastric serosal laceration in 1 patient, and left liver lobe laceration in 1 patient. No major complications were associated with this technique. Conclusions All complications related to the direct trocar insertion technique were minor and these complications did not affect the success of surgery. We concluded that the direct trocar technique for initial access in laparoscopic bariatric surgery provides safe and quick entry into the peritoneal cavity.

Fournier's Gangrene: A Summary of 10 Years of Clinical Experience.

We aimed to present our clinical experience with FG treatment. Fourniers gangrene (FG) is a rare but serious disease characterized by progressive necrosis in the genitourinary and perineal region. The retrospective study included 43 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups as survivors and nonsurvivors. Included in the analysis were data pertaining to demographics, predisposing factors, comorbidities, results of bacteriologic analyses, number of debridements, duration of treatment, FG Severity Index (FGSI) score, fecal diversion methods (trephine ostomy or Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System-FMS), and dressing methods (wet or negative aspiration system). In the nonsurvivor group, urea, WBC, and age were significantly higher, whereas albumin, hematocrit, platelet count, and length of hospital stay (LOHS) were significantly lower compared to the survivor group. Mean FGSI was lower in survivors in comparison with nonsurvivors (5.00 ± 1.86 and 10.00 ± 1.27, respectively; P < 0.001). We conclude that FGSI is an important predictor in the prognosis of FG. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) should be performed in compliant patients in order to enhance patient comfort by reducing pain and the number of dressings. Fecal diversion should be performed as needed, preferably by using FMS. The trephine ostomy should be the method of choice in cases where an ostomy is necessary.

Unusual extraperitoneal rectal injuries: a retrospective study.

PurposeRectal injuries, which are rarely encountered because of the anatomic characteristics, occur due to penetrating traumas. In the current study, we aimed to present experiences gleaned from our clinic concerning rarely encountered unusual rectal injuries, including those cases presented for the first time.MethodsEleven patients who had been treated for unusual rectal injuries in the General Surgery Clinic of Dicle University between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe reasons for rectal injuries included foreign bodies in four cases, sexual intercourse in three cases, iatrogenic injuries in two cases, electric shock in one case, and animal horns in one case. All cases had extraperitoneal rectal injuries and all injuries were grade 2 injuries, except for the electrical burn. Primary repair was adequate for the treatment of six patients. Four patients underwent primary repair and ostomy, whereas one of the patients underwent debridement and an ostomy. The patients recovered without complications, except for one patient with sphincter insufficiency.ConclusionThe results of the current study suggested that primary repair is adequate in the patients with low-energy injuries and early presentation, whereas an ostomy is required for those with late presentation and for those with high-energy and destructive injuries.

Fasciola hepatica infection at a University Clinic in Turkey

INTRODUCTION We aimed to analyze the approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with fascioliasis in light of current literature. METHODOLOGY Thirty-nine patients with fascioliasis admitted to the Surgery Clinic of Dicle Medical Faculty (Turkey) were included in this study. The demographic, clinical, diagnostic, treatment and outcome data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Abdominal pain (n = 37; 95%) and eosinophilia (n = 31; 79%) were the most common findings. Twenty-seven patients were diagnosed by clinical and radiological findings. Patients were treated with triclabendazole. Thirty-six (92.4%) of the patients improved after medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS The presence of typical clinical, laboratory and radiological findings is sufficient for diagnosis. Triclabendazole administration is often an effective treatment, with improvements occurring over the course of a few months.

Splenic injuries: factors affecting the outcome of non-operative management

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of non-operative management (NOM) in patients with splenic injuries and to determine the predictive factors of NOM failure.MethodsTwo hundred and six patients with splenic injury were admitted between January 2005 and April 2011. Of the 206 patients with splenic injury, 47 patients met the inclusion criteria of NOM. The mechanism of injury, grade of splenic injury, other intra- and extra-abdominal injuries, systolic blood pressure on admission, hemoglobin levels, number of transfusions, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale score, and hospitalization period were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups: those with NOM and those in whom the failure of NOM led to laparotomy. The patients were monitored for vital signs, abdominal findings, and laboratory data. NOM was abandoned in cases of hemodynamic instability, ongoing bleeding, or development of peritonitis. Independent predictive factors of NOM failure were identified. The patients managed non-operatively were compared with the patients for whom NOM failed.ResultsNOM was successful in 40 of 47 patients. There were differences between the two groups for ISS, hemoglobin levels, need for blood transfusion, and the number of associated extra-abdominal injuries. The grade of splenic injury was determined to be an important and significant independent predictive factor for the success of NOM of splenic injuries.ConclusionsThe grade of splenic injury is an important and significant independent predictor factor for the success of NOM. NOM is not recommended in patients with high-grade splenic injury.

Retrorectal Tumors in Adults: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

Due to the rarity and large diversity of the primary retrorectal tumors (RTs), the diagnoses are often difficult and they can be misdiagnosed. We present our experience in light of scarce information available on the clinical manifestations of RTs. The retrospective study included 17 patients diagnosed as RTs between January 2004 and January 2014. Demographic characteristics, length of symptoms, clinical findings, diagnostic methods, evaluations on the treatment procedures and postoperative periods, pathology, complications, and length of hospital stay were recorded. A mean of 1.7 of patients were diagnosed with RTs annually in our hospital. Patients comprised 12 females and 5 males. Pain and discomfort were the most common symptoms at presentation. All the lesions were evaluated by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), and all the patients were treated operatively. Based on the preoperative MRI or CT findings, an anterior approach was performed in 7 patients, a posterior approach in 6 patients, and combined approach in 4 patients. Mean size of tumors was 9.2 ± 4.3 cm. Epidermoid cyst (n = 8) was the most common tumor. Except for 1 case of liposarcoma, 16 tumors were confirmed to be of benign nature in histologic examination. Mean length of hospital stay 12.4 ± 6.8 days. Retrorectal tumors are heterogeneous and lead to diagnostic difficulties. A high index of clinical suspicion is needed for diagnosis. Preoperative imaging may be helpful in determining the course of treatment. Total excision of a retrorectal tumor may alleviate pressure symptoms and confirm the diagnosis.

İnsidental safra kesesi skuamöz hücreli karsinomu

GIRIŞ Safra kesesi kanserleri nadir gorulen ve kotu prognoza sahip kanserlerdir. Gastrointestinal sistem kanserlerinin % 2-4’ unu olustururlar (1). Safra kesesi karsinomlarinin % 90’i adenokarsinom, %5-10’u skuamoz diferansiasyon seklinde gorulur. Skuamoz diferansiasyon adenoskuamoz veya skuamoz hucreli karsinom seklinde gozlenir. Skuamoz hucreli karsinom oldukca nadirdir. Adenoskuamoz veya skuamoz hucreli karsinom tum safra kesesi karsinomlarinin yaklasik olarak % 1.4 ile % 10.6’sini olusturur (2,3).

Dehydroepiandrosterone ameliorates hepatocellular damage in obstructive jaundice

We aimed to investigate the ameliorating effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the potential hepatocellular damage in experimental obstructive jaundice. Twenty‐four male rabbits in the study were randomly allocated into three groups. In the sham group, the choledochal canal was identified and explored. In the obstructive jaundice and treatment groups, the choledochal canal was ligated. Placebo and DHEA were administered to the obstructive jaundice and treatment groups, respectively. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, and both blood samples and liver tissue samples were obtained by re‐laparotomy performed on day 8. Biochemical parameters were measured in blood samples, and liver samples were histopathologically evaluated. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin levels were lower in the treatment group than in obstructive jaundice. Mononuclear inflammation in the portal region and hepatocyte degeneration were milder in the treatment group compared to obstructive jaundice group. Fibrosis and necrosis were also recovered by the DHEA treatment.

Superior Mesenteric Artery (Wilkie’s) Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal System Obstruction

Abstract Background Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) results from the compression of the third part of the duodenum between the aorta and the proximal part of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Clinical presentation of SMAS is characterized by the dilatation of the proximal part of the third part of the duodenum. SMAS is a rare cause of the upper gastrointestinal system (UGS) obstruction. In this study, we aimed to present our clinical experience in the treatment of five patients with SMAS, which is a rare clinical condition requiring surgery. Patients and methods The retrospective study included five patients who were treated due to SMAS at our clinic between January 2010 and January 2014. Results All the patients were underweight, with a mean BMI of 15.73 (14–16). The clinical symptoms included epigastric pain after food intake, large volume bilious emesis, early satiety, failure to gain weight, indigestion, esophageal reflux, sense of fullness, and persistent weight loss. SMAS was diagnosed using barium meal studies, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, and CT angiography. Four patients underwent duodenojejunostomy and one patient was managed with gastrojejunostomy. No complication was observed during the postoperative period, and all the patients achieved significant improvement in symptoms. Conclusion SMAS is a rare cause of UGS obstruction, and the diagnosis of SMAS is often delayed. SMAS should be suspected in the differential diagnosis of the patients with unsubstantiated symptoms of persistent nausea, emesis, and significant weight loss.