Ilknur Kepenekci

Laparoscopıc Fundoplication with Prosthetic Hiatal Closure

BackgroundDespite the good results reported after laparoscopic fundoplication, failure is still a major problem. Hiatal disruption is one of the common patterns of anatomical failure. The aim of this study was to compare the results of suture repair of diaphragmatic crura with routine polypropylene mesh reinforcement in addition to suture repair.MethodsA total of 551 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease between March 1998 and July 2004 were included into the study. Crural closure had been performed with simple primary suture repair alone between March 1998 and July 2002 (n = 335, group I), and mesh reinforcement of the hiatal repair was performed routinely thereafter (n = 176, group II). These groups were evaluated prospectively.ResultsWe observed a significantly lower rate of recurrence in group II than in group I. After a 2-year follow-up, the rate of anatomic morphologic recurrence was 6.0% in group I and 1.8% in group II. Considering the recurrence rate, there was significant statistical difference. The overall recurrence rate in our series was 4.6%. There was no correlation between the size of the hernia and recurrence. No significant difference was found between groups regarding the rate of postoperative dysphagia. We have not observed any complications related to the use of polypropylene mesh in group II.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that polypropylene mesh reinforcement increases the success rate for laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair without causing an additional complication burden. We propose routine use of mesh reinforcement in laparascopic antireflux surgery.

Intussusception in adult and pediatric patients: Two different entities

PurposeIntussusception is one of the most common abdominal emergencies in pediatrics, but adult intussusception is an uncommon entity and most surgeons have only limited experience in treating this disease. The purpose of this study was to highlight the differences between pediatric and adult intussusception.MethodsThe records of 40 patients during 14 years were reviewed retrospectively. The symptoms, diagnosis, sites of intussusception, associated pathologies, and treatment methods of each patient were analyzed.ResultsA total of 31 pediatric and 9 adult patients were included in the study. In the pediatric group, bloody stool and vomiting were the most common symptoms whereas adult patients commonly presented with abdominal pain. The physical examination was diagnostic in a remarkable proportion of the pediatric patients but the diagnosis was suggested based on imaging techniques in the adults, and preoperative diagnosis was more successful in the pediatric group. Intussusception was more often associated with an underlying pathology in adults and no adult patient underwent nonoperative reduction, whereas pediatric patients were managed either with hydrostatic reduction or surgery.ConclusionsAlthough intussusceptions occur at all ages, there are major differences in the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management between pediatric and adult populations. Intussusception is remarkably different in these two age groups and it must be approached from a different clinical perspective.

Mesh erosion as a complication of laparoscopic fundoplication with prosthetic hiatal closure: report of a case.

Background Laparoscopic fundoplication has become the standard procedure for surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Simple cruroplasty is associated with a high recurrence rate and most authors recommend the use of prosthetic meshes for crural closure. Methods Herein we report a patient who was admitted with the complaint of severe dysphagia a year after laparoscopic fundoplication with prosthetic hiatal closure. Results The patient presented with mesh erosion into the esophagus and required a distal esophageal resection. Conclusions This case demonstrates that appropriate surgical technique is important for preventing mesh-related complications. A small-sized mesh should be placed so as to have no contact with the esophagus and should be secured sufficiently to the diaphragmatic crura to avoid the potential complications of mesh reinforcement.

Suprarenal Symplastic Leiomyoma of the Inferior Vena Cava

We report on a case of a leiomyoma in the inferior vena cava that appeared in the image to be located in the adrenal gland. En bloc excision of the tumor with the right adrenal gland and the involved segment of the vena cava was carried out. Histopathological work-up of the tumor revealed smooth muscle fibers and marked nuclear pleomorphism consistent with symplastic leiomyoma. This case report presents a distinct histological variant of the rarely seen primary smooth muscle tumor of the inferior vena cava.

Effects of postoperative parenteral nutrition with different lipid emulsions in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Purpose This study was designed to investigate the effects of total parenteral nutrition (PN) using different lipid emulsions in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods Fifty-two patients were randomized to receive soybean oil + medium chain triglycerides (MCT) (group I), soybean oil + olive oil (group II), soybean oil + olive oil + fish oil (group III) as a lipid source. PN was started on postoperative day 1 and patients were maintained on PN for a minimum period of 4 days. Laboratory variables (CRP, prealbumin, transferrin) were measured before surgery and on postoperative days. Results Three treatment groups were included in the study. Patients in group I received long chain triglycerides (LCT) + LCT/MCT emulsion (%75 LCT + %25 LCT/MCT); Patients in group II received olive oil based emulsion (80% olive oil + 20% soybean oil, ClinOleic); Patients in group III received fish oil in addition to olive oil based emulsion (%85 ClinOleic + %15 Omegaven; Fresenius Kabi). The following 14 parameters were assessed: body weight, CRP, prealbumin, transferrin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, total antioxidant status, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, oxidized low density lipoprotein-2, complete blood cell, international normalized ratio, D-dimer, activated partially thromboplastin time, prothrombin time. All other parameters showed no differences among the groups. Conclusion The results of our trial demonstrate a potential beneficial effect of soybean oil/olive oil based lipid emulsions for use in PN regarding inflammatory response and oxidant capacity in the treatment of patients.

Gastric Metastasis of Ectopic Breast Cancer Mimicking Axillary Metastasis of Primary Gastric Cancer

Ectopic breast tissue has the ability to undergo all the pathological changes of the normal breast, including breast cancer. Gastrointestinal metastasis of breast cancer is rarely observed and it is very difficult to differentiate gastric metastases from primary gastric cancer. We present a case of 52-year-old female, who suffered from abdominal pain. Physical examination showed a palpable mass in the left anterior axilla and computerized tomography revealed gastric wall thickening with linitis plastica. When gastroscopic biopsy showed no signs of malignancy, excisional biopsy was performed in the left axilla. Histological examination revealed invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast, consistent with ectopic breast cancer. Further gastroscopic submucosal biopsies and immunohistochemical studies revealed gastric metastases of invasive lobular carcinoma. Axillary ectopic breast tissue carcinomas can mimic axillary lymphadenopathies. Additionally, gastric metastasis of breast cancer is an uncommon but possible condition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ectopic breast cancer with gastric metastasis.

Tuberculosis of the breast in a patient undergoing hemodialysis

A 61-year-old female patient with diabetes undergoing maintenance hemodialysis presented with fever and swelling of her right breast. She had been unresponsive to nonspecific antimicrobial therapies. Breast tuberculosis and tuberculous lymphadenitis were diagnosed by excision biopsy and tissue culture. A combination antituberculous treatment including isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide was started and resulted in the remission of the lesions by the end of the first month of therapy.