Aytaç Karkıner

The Effectiveness of Sucralfate Against Stricture Formation in Experimental Corrosive Esophageal Burns

PurposeIn this study, the effectiveness of sucralfate against stricture formation in experimental corrosive esophageal burn is reported.MethodsSixty-four Swiss albino adult male rats were divided into three groups, group A (control; n, 7), group B (esophageal burn induced but not treated; n, 25), and group C (esophageal burn induced and treated with sucralfate, n, 32). Groups B and C were further subdivided into subgroups for evaluation on days 2, 7, and 28. A standard esophageal burn was performed by the method of Gehanno, using 50% NaOH. Oral sucralfate treatment was given to group C at a dosage of 50 mg/100 g twice daily. The rats were then killed after 2, 7, or 28 days. Levels of tissue hydroxyproline were measured in excised abdominal esophageal segments, and a histopathological evaluation was performed with hematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining.ResultsThe tissue hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower in group C than in group B (P = 0.017). There was a significant difference in the stenosis index between groups B and C (P = 0.016). When compared with group B, the collagen deposition in the submucosa and tunica muscularis was significantly lower in group C (P = 0.02).ConclusionSucralfate has an inhibitory effect on stricture formation in experimental corrosive burns and can be used in the treatment of corrosive esophageal burns to enhance mucosal healing and suppress stricture formation.

The Management of Appendiceal Mass in Children: Is Interval Appendectomy Necessary?

Abstract In this study we aimed to show that performing interval appendectomy is unnecessary in the management of appendiceal mass in children. Between 1990 and 1996, 866 patients were treated for appendicitis. Abdominal ultrasonography (USG) was performed in patients who were admitted with abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever accompanying a mass in the right lower quadrant. Seventeen patients (12 boys and 5 girls, with a mean age of 9.5 years) with a mass in the appendiceal lodge and no abscess formation were treated conservatively. Appendectomy was performed on any patients with perforated or unperforated appendicitis who had an appendiceal abscess with a mass in the right iliac fossa. Three-agent antibiotic therapy was administered for at least 1 week. These patients were discharged after a mean hospital time of 9.7 days if regression of the mass was seen ultrasonographically. They were followed up for 1–60 months by physical examination and USG, and 11 of the 17 also underwent barium enema. USG demonstrated disappearance of the mass and barium enema showed a normal appendix in 10 of the 11 patients. No recurrent appendicitis was detected during follow-up for 1–7 years. This study shows that appendiceal masses that are perforated, but localized with no fluid content revealed by USG, can be treated conservatively even if they are detected late.

Late ureteral obstruction after endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux with polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence and presentation of ureteral obstruction after endoscopic injection of polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer (PPC) for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux, and to analyze its possible causes, together with histopathologic assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS The data of 189 patients who underwent endoscopic injection of PPC between May 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. After the injection, patients were followed up by urinalysis and ultrasonography monthly for 3 months. Control voiding cystouretrography was performed in the third postoperative month. Patients were then followed up by ultrasound every 3 months. If a new-onset hydroureteronephrosis (HUN) was observed, control ultrasound was performed monthly to follow the change in the degree of HUN. If a moderate or severe HUN was observed, technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine or dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy was performed. For patients who needed open surgery, Cohen ureteroneocystostomy was performed. The distal 1 cm of the ureters was resected and examined histopathologically. RESULTS One hundred eighty-nine patients with 268 refluxing ureters underwent endoscopic injection of PPC. Ureteral obstruction was observed in 3 ureters (1.1%), in 3 female patients of whom the degrees of reflux were grade 4, 5, and 5, respectively. Obstruction showed late onset in all 3 patients. Manifestations of obstruction included pain in 2 patients and recurrent febrile urinary tract infection with loss of function in scintigraphy in 1. All 3 patients underwent open ureteroneocystostomy. CONCLUSION PPC may cause ureteral obstruction several months or even years after injection. Patients who undergo endoscopic treatment of PPC need long-term follow-up, despite reflux showing complete resolution.

Burn-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric burn patients: Time distribution of etiologic agents

BACKGROUND Infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with burns in burn units. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) in patients with burns may result from burn wound infection, use of invasive devices such as central venous catheters, and translocation of the gastrointestinal flora. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the distribution and antimicrobial drug resistance of causative pathogens in children with burns and the durational changes of microorganisms in the distribution of BSIs in children. METHODS This study was conducted at the Pediatric Burn Unit (PBU) of Dr. Behçet Uz Children Research and Training Hospital during the period of November 2008-April 2015. The study subjects were all the patients admitted to the PBU, in whom microorganisms were isolated at least from one of the cultures, including blood and catheter cultures. RESULTS Gram-positive bacteria were the most common causative agents of BSI in patients with burns (66.4%), followed by gram-negative bacteria (22.1%) and fungi (11.5%). The median duration of development of BSIs caused by gram-positive bacteria from the time of burn was 5 days (ranging from 2 to 54 days of burn), which was significantly shorter than that of BSIs caused by gram-negative bacteria (12 days) and fungal pathogens (13 days). CONCLUSION The etiologic agents of BSIs in children may differ from those in adults. Gram-negative drug-resistant bacteria such as multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were important agents of BSI in patients with burns, especially in the long term; however, gram-positive bacteria should also be considered while deciding the antimicrobial therapy, especially in the early periods of burn.