Ali Akdeniz

Results of Surgical, Laparoscopic, and Percutaneous Treatment for Hydatid Disease of the Liver: 10 Years Experience with 355 Patients

Selection of the most appropriate treatment to obtain the best results with the lowest rate of recurrence and minimal morbidity and mortality is mandatory for the management of hepatic hydatid disease. The surgical approach is the mainstay of treatment, and there has been a tendency toward laparoscopic surgery and, more recently, percutaneous treatment (PT), which has become increasingly popular with revolutions in techniques. We aimed to evaluate the results of current therapeutic methods in the context of a 10-year single-institution experience. Between 1992 and 2003, 355 patients with 510 hydatid cysts of the liver were treated by open operation, laparoscopic surgery, or PT. The series included 128 females and 227 males ranging in age from 10 years to 73 years. Preferred treatment modalities, perioperative complications, interventions, recurrences, and length of hospital stay were retrospectively analyzed. There were two postoperative deaths (1.08%) in the open surgery group. Biliary leakage was observed in 28 patients treated with open surgery, in 10 patients after PT, and in 2 after laparoscopic treatment. Recurrence rates were 16.2%, 3.3%, and 3.5% after open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and percutaneous treatment, respectively. Characteristics of the cyst, presence of cystobiliary communications, and the availability of a multidisciplinary team are the factors that we believe directly affect the results. Radical surgery can be done safely for suitable cases; conventional procedures are associated with greater morbidity. Laparoscopic surgery seems effective and safe, with low morbidity and recurrence rates for type I–III cysts in accessible localizations. Our experience with PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration) and catheterization provides evidence that the procedure is an effective and safe option.

Comparison of Modified Darn Repair and Lichtenstein Repair of Primary Inguinal Hernias

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to compare the results of the Modified Darn Repair through Lichtenstein procedure in inguinal hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study involved 322 patients with inguinal hernia, operated in General Surgery Departments of Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Sirnak Military Hospital between 1998 and 2004. The durations of operation time, hospitalization, and time to return to daily activities and postoperative complication and recurrence rates were evaluated. Lichtenstein procedure was applied on 170 patients (Group 1), and modified darn repair was applied on 152 patients (Group 2). RESULTS The average follow-up period was 56 months. For the Lichtenstein procedure, the average duration of operation was 56 min; the average time to return to routine activities was 20 days. The number of patients with postoperative complications was 20 (11.7%), and the number of patients with recurrence was 1 (0.6%). For modified darn repair, the average duration of operation was 48 min; the time to return to daily activities was 20 days. The number of patients with postoperative complication was three (1.9%), and no recurrences were noted. The hospitalization time of the groups was similar. DISCUSSION Modified darn repair is a reliable method for inguinal hernia repair with short hospitalization time, low rate of postoperative complications, and recurrence.

The Factors Affecting Length of Stay of the Patients Undergoing Appendectomy Surgery in a Military Teaching Hospital

The principal objectives of this study were to identify the main predictors of the length of postoperative hospital stay for patients undergoing appendectomy in a military training hospital in Turkey, to examine the effects of each significant predictor, and to justify to hospital health care managers the reasons why an increase in effective use of hospital utilization resources is needed and so important. This study gives the results of a 2-year retrospective study conducted at Gulhane Military Medical Academy between January 2003 and January 2005. The medical files of 417 patients undergoing appendectomy during this 2-year period were reviewed. A number of demographic and clinical patient characteristics were examined to determine their significance in lengthening the post-operative and total hospital stay. After taking all demographic and clinical patient characteristics into account, it was determined that those patients who were temporary or short-term service members and whose medical complications were more severe were more likely to stay in the hospital for longer periods. Despite its limitations, the study reveals that factors affecting variations in resource utilization can be minimized by following very simple administrative procedures. Furthermore, the results could increase awareness among hospital managers of the significant factors involved for health care providers in modifying their behavior concerning resource utilization decisions.