İlker Murat Arer

The Effect of the Use of Synthetic Mesh Soaked in Antibiotic Solution on the Rate of Graft Infection in Ventral Hernias: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Wound infections and seroma formations are important problems in ventral hernia repair operations using synthetic mesh grafts. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of synthetic mesh soaked in vancomycin solution on the rate of graft infection. The total number of subjects was 52. The subjects were randomized into 2 groups using a software program. Group 1 (n = 26) was the control group. In group 2 (n = 26), synthetic mesh was soaked in a Vancomycin solution before it was implanted. The patients were compared with respect to demographic characteristics and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the available variables. Seroma development was significantly more common in group 2 (P < 0.041). Three patients (5.7%) developed superficial wound infection, and 9 (17%) developed surgical site infection 2-type wound-site infection. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of infection. The use of synthetic mesh soaked in vancomycin solution had no beneficial effects on the rate of wound-site infection. Future randomized, controlled, large-scale studies using the same mesh and suture types, and meshes soaked in larger spectrum antibiotics are needed.

Acute appendicitis during pregnancy: Case series of 20 pregnant women

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common cause of acute abdomen during pregnancy. Most of the signs of appendicitis are also found during normal pregnancy period, however, and diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy remains challenging. The aim of the current study was to report our clinical experience of AA during pregnancy and investigate optimal management of this difficult situation. METHODS Records of 20 pregnant women with diagnosis of AA who underwent appendectomy between 2005 and 2015 were included in this study. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients were evaluated according to age, signs and symptoms, gestational age, physical findings, serum white blood cell count, ultrasound (US) findings, pathology reports, surgical technique, operation time, and complications. RESULTS Of 20 patients, 16 (80%) underwent open appendectomy and 4 (20%) underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Mean age of patients was 29.6±5.6 years. Most common symptom was abdominal pain (95%). Six (30%) patients were in first trimester, 9 (45%) patients were in second trimester and 5 (25%) patients in were in third trimester. US findings consistent with AA were found in 12 (60%) patients. Negative appendectomy rate was 30%. Maternal complication was seen in only 1 (5%) patient. No fetal complication was observed. CONCLUSION Accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment of AA in pregnant women should be performed due to high rates of maternal and fetal complications.

Long-term results of retromuscular hernia repair: a single center experience

Introduction Incisional hernia (IH) is one of the most frequent postoperative complications after abdominal surgery. There are multiple surgical techniques described for IH repair. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of primary fascial closure on long-term results in retromuscular hernia repair (RHR) for incisional hernias. Methods A total of 132 patients underwent RHR for IH were included in our study. 109 patients were evaluated in 2009 and 55 patients in 2015 for short and long-term results. Results Among 132 patients perfromed RHR, fascia was closed in 107 (81%) and left open in 25 (19%) patients. The mean age of patients was 57.9 ± 11.8 years. Average mesh area was 439.8 ± 194.6 cm2, hernia area was 112 ± 77.5 cm2 and open area after repair was 40.8 ± 43.3 cm2. Mean follow-up of 104 patients regarding postoperative complications evaluated in 2009 was 30.7 ± 14.1 months. Recurrent IH was observed in 6 (4.5%) patients according to data collected in 2009. Long-term results were; mean follow-up period was 91 ± 20.2 months (20-112 months) and recurrent IH was observed in 4 (7.3%) patients. Conclusion Retromuscular repair for incisional hernia regardless of the fascial closure gives high patient satisfaction, less recurrence rates and complications in long-term follow-up.

Rupture of an Aneurysm of a Small Branch of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: A Case Report.

Summary Background Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm (SMAA) is an uncommon vascular disorder. Complications such as rupture have been reported. Once complication has been encountered both surgical and endovascular treatment techniques can be considered. Case Report We present a case of 68-year old male patient with SMAA rupture treated by endovascular modality. Conclusions Endovascular therapy is an effective and less invasive option for rupture of superior mesenteric artery aneurysm.

Incidence and risk factors of biliary fistulation from a hepatic hydatid cyst in clinically asymptomatic patients

Biliary fistulation from a hepatic hydatid cyst is its most frequent complication. If unrecognised, this may cause difficulties during and after surgical intervention. Our study looked into its incidence and also the possible risk factors in a retrospective investigation of 60 patients (34 women) who had undergone surgery or percutaneous treatment. Demographics and anatomical characteristics, such as cyst type, location, number, diameter and laboratory findings were examined. A full 50% had biliary fistulation, with increased risk if the cyst diameter was ≥8.8 cm.

Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Synchronous Primary Breast and Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective Breast and thyroid cancers are commonly encountered malignancies. Increased risk of breast cancer in follow-up period of thyroid cancer or vice versa has been reported. However, they have some associations, synchronous presentation of these tumors is rare. We presented 12 patients diagnosed as breast and thyroid cancer and treated at the same time. Materials and Methods Mastectomy and thyroidectomy were performed in 19 patients at the same time. 7 patients were excluded because of benign thyroid pathology. Therefore 12 patients who had diagnosis of synchronous breast and thyroid cancer were included. Data regarding clinical, pathological, treatment and prognostic factors was retrospectively analyzed. Results Total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients. The mean age of patients was 54 years (min. 44-max. 70). Only one patient was male. Thyroid pathology was detected preoperatively by FDG PET-CT scan in 11 patients. Breast reconstruction was performed in three patients. The most commonly seen thyroid malignancy was papillary thyroid carcinoma. Postoperative complication rate was 33.3%. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given in 11 patients whereas one patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion Although synchronous presentation of breast and thyroid cancer is rare, surgical treatment of both of these tumors can be safely performed at the same time. Association of these tumors should be evaluated by large scaled studies.

Factors affecting mortality in rectus sheath hematoma: A retrospective study

DOI: 10.4328/JCAM.5453 Received: 26.10.2017 Accepted: 13.11.2017 Published Online: 13.11.2017 Printed: 01.01.2018 J Clin Anal Med 2018;9(1): 69-72 Corresponding Author: Nezih Akkapulu, Baskent University, Adana Hospital 01120 Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. T.: + 90 3223272727 F.: +90 3223271274 E-Mail: akkapulu@gmail.com Abstract Aim: Rectus sheath hematoma is a rare clinical condition. Because it could mimic various intra-abdominal pathologies suspicious approach and attention is needed for proper diagnosis and management of rectus sheath hematoma. The aim of this study is a review of factors affecting mortality in patients with rectus sheath hematoma besides clinical features, diagnosis modalities, treatment periods and results of patients with rectus sheath hematoma. Material and Method: Twenty-three patients with rectus sheath hematoma from January 2012 to March 2017 in a tertiary care center were included in the study. Patients’ files were reviewed retrospectively. Reviewed variables were demographic and clinical features, symptom and findings, co-morbidities, medications, laboratory findings, diagnostic modalities, APACHE II scores, treatment approaches, transfused blood products and length of hospital stay. Results: Fifteen (65.2%) of the patients were women, and 8 (34.8%) of the patients were men. The mean age was 61.9 ±13.5. Seventeen (74%) of the patients had abdominal pain. Twenty (87%) of the patients had anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy.The mean hematoma diameter was 6.3± 3.6 cm. The mean APACHE II score for the patients was 13.1±7.3. One patient had undergone surgery. There was mortality in 3 (13%) of the patients. The median length of stay in hospital was 5 (5) days. Discussion: The diagnosis of rectus sheath hematoma should be kept in mind while assessing old female patients and patients on anticoagulants with a complaint of abdominal pain. In our study, we identify risk factors such as higher APACHE –II scores, the presence of a transient ischemic attack, need for transfusion of more units of packed erythrocytes and more extended hospital stay as factors associated with mortality.

Can red cell distribution width be used as a predictor of acute cholecystitis

OBJECTIVE Acute cholecystitis is a common disease requiring accurate markers for diagnosis and proper treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of red cell distribution width (RDW) in acute cholecystitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS 299 were included in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups; group 1 (n: 46) acute cholecystitis group and group 2 (n: 253) chronic cholecystitis group. The patients were compared with respect to demographic characteristics, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and red cell distribution width. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was observed between groups with respect to gender, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and red cell distribution width level (p<0.05). The mean red cell distribution width level of group 1 and 2 was 14.19±2.02% and 15.03±2.51%, respectively. CONCLUSION Red cell distribution width level can be used as a predictor of acute cholecystitis. Multicenter prospective studies should be performed to elucidate the exact role of RDW level in acute cholecystitis.

Retrospective cohort study of elderly patients with acute appendicitis

Aim: Appendicitis is the most common surgical cause of abdominal pain among the patients being admitted to Emergency department. Although it affects younger patients, its incidence increases in elderly as the population gets older. Higher perforation and complication rates have been reported in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to investigate appendicitis in patients older than 65 years. Material and Methods: A total of 61 patients with performed appendectomy older than 65 years age were included in this study. Laparoscopic and open appendectomies were included. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients were analyzed according to demograhic data, operative findings, complications and mortality. Results: Of 61 patients, 34 (55.7%) were male and 27 (44.3%) were female. The mean age was found to be 71.59 years. The average duration of symptoms were 3.2 days. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in only 4 (6.6%) patients. The mean hospital stay was found to be 3.89 days. Complications were found in 13 (21.3%) patients. Mortality was found to be 3.3%. Perforated appendicitis was found to be associated with physical findings, CRP level and hospital stay (p

Anastomotic Leakage in a Patient with Acute Intestinal Obstruction Secondary to Appendiceal and Ileal Endometriosis: A Case Report.

Endometriosis is a commonly encountered problem in women of reproductive age. It usually causes chronic abdominal pain. However, it rarely causes complications such as intestinal obstruction. The most commonly performed procedure for these patients is bowel resection and anastomosis. Unless it is complicated with anastomotic leakage. We present a 39-year-old woman presented with intestinal obstruction due to appendiceal and ileal endometriosis complicated with anastomotic leakage after surgery.