Aylin Acar

A New Proposal for Learning Curve of TEP Inguinal Hernia Repair: Ability to Complete Operation Endoscopically as a First Phase of Learning Curve

Background. The exact nature of learning curve of totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia and the number required to master this technique remain controversial. Patients and Methods. We present a retrospective review of a single surgeon experience on patients who underwent totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair. Results. There were 42 hernias (22 left- and 20 right-sided) in 39 patients with a mean age of 48.8 ± 15.1 years. Indirect, direct, and combined hernias were present in 18, 12, and 12 cases, respectively. The mean operative time was 55.1 ± 22.8 minutes. Peritoneal injury occurred in 9 cases (21.4%). Conversion to open surgery was necessitated in 7 cases (16.7%). After grouping of all patients into two groups as cases between 1–21 and 22–42, it was seen that the majority of peritoneal injuries (7 out of 9, 77.8%, P = 0.130) and all conversions (P = 0.001) occurred in the first 21 cases. Conclusions. Learning curve of totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair can be divided into two consequent steps: immediate and late. At least 20 operations are required for gaining anatomical knowledge and surgical pitfalls based on the ability to perform this operation without conversion during immediate phase.

Laparoscopic excision of a retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma.

This study suggests that excision of retroperitoneal tumors can be reliably performed with minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Evaluation of diaphragm in penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injuries: The role of multislice computed tomography

INTRODUCTION Penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injuries are accompanied by diaphragmatic injury in 25-30% of cases, about 30% of which later develop into diaphragmatic hernia. This study aimed to determine the role of multislice computed tomography in the evaluation of left diaphragm in patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study reviewed penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injuries managed in our clinic between April 2009 and September 2014. The thoracoabdominal region was defined as the region between the sternum, fourth intercostal space, and arcus costa anteriorly and the vertebra, lower tip of scapula, and the curve of the last rib posteriorly. Unstable cases and cases with signs of peritonitis were operated with laparotomy; the remaining patients were closely monitored. Forty-eight hours later, a diagnostic laparoscopy was applied to evaluate the left hemidiaphragma in asymptomatic patients who did not need laparotomy. The preoperatively obtained multislice thoracoabdominal computed tomography images were retrospectively examined for the presence of left diaphragm injury. Then, operative and tomographic findings were compared. RESULTS This study included a total of 43 patients, 39 (91%) males and 4 (9%) females of mean age 30 years (range 15-61 years). Thirty patients had normal tomography results, whereas 13 had left diaphragmatic injuries. An injury to the left diaphragm was detected during the operation in 9 (1 in laparotomy and 8 in diagnostic laparoscopy) of 13 patients with positive tomography for left diaphragmatic injury and 2 (in diagnostic laparoscopy) of 30 patients with negative tomography. Multislice tomography had a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI: 48-98%), a specificity of 88% (71-96%), a positive predictive value of 69% (39-91%), and a negative predictive value of 93% (78-99%) for detection of diaphragmatic injury in penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab injury. CONCLUSIONS Although diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard for diaphragmatic examination in patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds, multislice computed tomography is also valuable for detecting diaphragmatic injury.

An incidental giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Preperitoneal lipomas are rare in clinical practice. Here we report an unexpected diagnosis of a giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma detected intraoperatively during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a 56-year-old woman. The mass was excised and a histopathological examination confirmed fibrolipoma. No recurrence was found on follow-up. In the literature, there have been many cases with unexpected diagnoses during laparoscopy. Here, we present an incidental giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma, which was overlooked by ultrasound and physical examination, but was detected during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Sinistral Portal Hypertension Due to Pancreatic Hydatid Cyst

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatid cysts are commonly located in the liver and lungs. The occurrence of pancreatic hydatid cysts is very rare, even in endemic areas. Sinistral portal hypertension, which is rarely seen, occurs when a pathological process causes splenic vein occlusion. A 26-year-old male patient presented with abdominal pain. He had a history of operation for hydatid cyst of the lung 15 years ago. A left thoracotomy incision scar was observed during his physical examination. Laboratory findings revealed no abnormalities. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a 96×69-mm lobular, contoured, well-circumscribed cystic lesion with thickened septation. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 100×76-mm smooth, bordered cystic lesion containing septations in the body and tail of the pancreas compressing the splenic artery and vein, causing sinistral portal hypertension. Dilatation was noted in the left gastroepiploic vein. The patient underwent cystotomy. Pancreatic fistula developed during the postoperative follow-up. The patient was discharged in 20 days without postoperative complications. No complications were observed during the follow-up period of 7 months. Surgery should be considered as a more conservative approach.

Does it matter if it is appendix mucocele instead of appendicitis? Case series and brief review of literature

Aims: Appendiceal mucocele (AM) is a rare pathology, and its reported incidence is 0.3% in all appendectomy specimens. Here, we report a case series of AM and make a brief review of literature. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected data of patients who diagnosed as AM by histopathological evaluation between January 2009 and June 2015 were demographic data including age and gender, intraoperative findings, and histopathological reports were recorded. All cases were followed-up by routine examination and telephone interview. Statistical Analysis Used: Definitive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, median, frequency, and percentage) were used to evaluate the study data. Results: Twelve patients were examined in the study with diagnose of AM. The mean age was 51.8 ± 18.6 years (26–83). Female-to-male ratio was 1.4 (7/5). Indications for surgery were acute abdomen in 8 (72.7%) patients with presumptive diagnosis of acute appendicitis and were AM in four patients diagnosed by imaging. Histopathological evaluation revealed mucinous cystadenoma in eight patients, simple retention cysts in three, and borderline mucinous tumor (pseudomyxoma peritonei) in one. The neuroendocrine tumor was obtained on the remaining portion of the appendix in one of the simple retention cysts patients. None of the patients died because of the AM with an average follow-up of 43 months (range: 7–74). Conclusions: Surgical resection is the first choice therapy for AM. Precise treatment modality can remain unclear in some patients because of insufficient preoperative diagnosis. It is nonmalign AM mostly however having mucocele matters because of the significant association with synchronous tumors.

Fournier’s gangrene: A retrospective analysis of 25 patients

BACKGROUND Fourniers gangrene is a surgical emergency that progresses rapidly and insidiously and results in high morbidity and mortality rates unless it is immediately diagnosed and managed. Here we analyze the outcomes of patients who were followed up and treated for Fourniers gangrene. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical data of 25 patients operated on for Fourniers gangrene between January 2010 and June 2015. The diagnosis of Fourniers gangrene was made by performing a physical examination. Patients who had genital, perineal, and perianal tenderness; induration; cyanosis; gangrene; and subcutaneous crepitation were considered as having Fourniers gangrene. Following resuscitation, aggressive surgical debridement was performed and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) was conducted in addition to debridement in select patient. Repeat debridements were performed as requirement. RESULTS This study included 25 patients. Fourteen patients (56%) were females and 11 (44%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 54.3 years (range: 27-82 years). The mean duration of hospital stay was 21.4 days; the mean number of debridements performed was 2.4. Thirteen patients (52%) had perianal abscesses, and 20 (80%) had diabetes mellitus. All patients underwent extensive debridement; 16 patients (64%) underwent VAC in addition to debridement. Patients undergoing VAC had significantly longer durations of hospital stay and a higher mean number of debridements performed (p=0.004 and p=0.048, respectively). An ostomy was made in one patient, and one patient died. CONCLUSION In Fourniers gangrene, early diagnosis, effective resuscitation, aggressive debridement, and VAC application in suitable cases may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates and the need for an ostomy.

Lumbar (Petit's) hernia: A rare entity

Lumbar hernias are rare and diagnostically challenging for surgeons. We present the case of a middle-aged patient who presented with swelling in the left back. Subcutaneous lipoma was included in the differential diagnosis. Following diagnostic studies, computed tomography confirmed left lumbar hernia. Elective surgery was performed, and the results revealed Petits hernia. The hernia was repaired with mesh.

Can C-reactive protein levels increase the accuracy of the Ranson score in predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis? A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND/AIMS Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory disorder of the pancreas, and its severe form affects nearly all systems of the body. The purpose of this study is to assess the Ranson score and the C-reactive-protein level as a novel model for prediction of the disease severity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the C-reactive-protein for the prediction of severe AP. We recorded the Ranson score and C-reactive-protein values in AP patients and determined the severity of the disease using the revised Atlanta classification. Four groups of criteria sets were created: Group 1: Ranson ≥3; Group 2: C-reactive-protein ≥150 mg/L; Group 3: Ranson ≥3 and C-reactive-protein ≥150 mg/L; Group 4: Ranson ≥3 or C-reactive-protein ≥150 mg/L. Identification of AP severity was accepted as the reference parameter for statistical analysis. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. The differences were considered as significant if the p value <0.05. RESULTS Six hundred and thirty-eight patients with AP were included in our study. We recovered a statistically significant difference in our assessment of the prediction of the severity of AP among the various groups (p=0.001). Our analysis revealed that group 4 had the highest sensitivity of 90.1% and 93.5% to differentiate moderately severe and severe AP from mild AP, respectively. Group 3 had the highest specificity of 97.1% for both moderately severe and severe AP. CONCLUSION With the use of our new model, C-reactive-protein levels increase the efficacy of the Ranson score for predicting the severity of AP.

An Adult Patient with a Cystic Lymphangioma: Case Report

A 32-year-old male patient was admitted with the complaints of swelling under the left axilla that lasted for about 2 months. On physical examination, mobile, well-circumscribed, soft, and painless mass of 12×10 cm was found in the left axilla. His medical history included allergic asthma. Ultrasonographic examination of the left axilla revealed a 36-mm reactive lymphadenomegaly with preserved fatty hilus and a 12×6.5-cm anechoic, thin, and multi-septated cystic lesion. No solid cystic formation covering the bilateral mammary was observed. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging results revealed a 12×6-cm septated cystic mass in a lobulated contour, reaching the pectoral muscle in the left axillary lodge. Intrathoracic extension was not detected (Figure 1).