Musa Akoglu

Distribution of hydatid cysts into the liver with reference to cystobiliary communications and cavity-related complications

BACKGROUND This study was designed to test a hypothesis that intrahepatic hydatid cyst location can effect the incidence of cystobiliary communications and the cavity-related complications. METHODS A total of 121 cysts treated by conservative surgical methods in 113 patients were evaluated prospectively. Cysts were grouped as near to the liver hilum (segment I, III, IVb, V, and VI) and far from the hilum (segment II, IVa, VII, and VIII). RESULTS There were 58 (48%) hilar and 63 (52%) peripheral cysts. We found more cystobiliary communications (48% versus 27%, P = 0.015), more biliary leakage (36% versus 10%, P <0.001), and more biliary fistula (12% versus 3%, P = 0.080) in the cysts near to the hilum than far from the hilum. Postoperative hospital stay was longer in the cysts near to the hilum (12.3 +/- 3.1 days) than the cysts far from the hilum (7.7 +/- 2.7 days, P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS The location of the hydatid cyst near to the liver hilum is a risk factor for the cystobiliary communications and the cavity related complications.

Biliary complications after hydatid liver surgery: incidence and risk factors.

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and risk factors of biliary leakage and biliary fistu lae after hydatid liver surgery and to suggest preventive precautions. From January 1999 to June 2000, 70 cysts were examined from 54 patients who were operated on for hydatid liver disease. Age, sex, primary or recurrent disease, liver function tests, number, location, content, radiological type, and diameter and cav ity management techniques were examined with univariate and multivariate analyses for biliary complica tions. Biliary leakage occurred in 14 cysts (26%) from the patients. Purulent and/or bilious cyst content (61.9% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.022), male gender (40.9% vs. 10.4%; P = 0.038), and pre-operative raised alka line phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase levels (34.6% vs. 11.4%; P = 0.047) were found as in dependent risk factors for post-operative biliary leakage. Nine instances of biliary leakage (16.7%) closed spontaneously within seven days. The remaining five instances of biliary leakage (9.3%) persisted for more than 10 days and were accepted as biliary fistulae. Stepwise logistic regression identified cyst con tent was the only risk factor for biliary fistulae (19% vs. 2%; P = 0.036). Described risk factors for post operative biliary complications after hydatid liver surgery may be the guidelines for additional pre-opera tive or intra-operative radiological interventions of the biliary tract and for preventive procedures such as surgical biliary drainage.

A rare complication of D3 dissection for gastric carcinoma : chyloperitoneum

BackgroundChyloperitoneum is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Although uncommon, it has been reported after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. But the incidence of this complication after radical gastrectomy is unknown. In the present study, we analyzed our patients who underwent D3 dissection for gastric carcinoma and developed chyloperitoneum.MethodsBetween June 1999 and June 2002, a total of 134 patients with gastric cancer underwent radical lymph node dissection, performed according to the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer guidelines, as the standard procedure for gastric cancer treatment. Of these patients, 34 underwent D3 lymphadenectomy, and chyloperitoneum was detected in 4 of them.ResultsThere were three male patients and one female patient. All patients were in stage III according to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC)-TNM classification. In three patient, chyle leakage was noticed during the surgery, and surgical ligation of the duct was performed. Abdominal distension developed in one patient 7 days after the surgery, and chylous ascites was diagnosed. This patient was success-fully treated with fasting and total parenteral nutrition, within 2 weeks.ConclusionThe incidence of chyloperitoneum is not low, and may increase with more aggressive surgery. Surgeons should be aware of this complication after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and injured lymphatics must be controlled and ligated intraoperatively.

The predictive value of mean platelet volume in differential diagnosis of non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from pancreatic adenocarcinomas

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to evaluate in a retrospective manner the diagnostic value of mean platelet volume (MPV) in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 92 patients, who were admitted for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n=76) and PNET (n=16) between March 2007 and December 2009, were analyzed retrospectively for demographics and clinical information. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients (51.3%) had a resectable, whereas 37 patients (48.7%) had an unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Nine patients (56.3%) had a non-functional PNET, 6 patients (37.5%) had an insulinoma, and the remaining one patient had a gastrinoma. The mean age was 59.3±10.5 for pancreatic adenocarcinomas and 45.1±10.6 for PNETs. The mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas than the patients with PNET (p<0.001). Preoperative mean hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma than those with PNET (12.4±1.8g/dl vs 13.7±2.2g/dl), (p<0.013). The preoperative median MPV levels were significantly lower in patients with PNET 7.8fL (7.2-9.4) than in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas 8.6fL (6.6-13.5), (p<0.014). In subgroup analysis, a significant difference in MPV levels was mainly caused by the difference between pancreatic adenocarcinomas and non-functional PNETs (p=0.017). The cut-off value of MPV level for detection of PNETs was calculated as≤7.8fL using ROC analysis [Sensitivity: 66.7%, specificity: 75.9%, AUC: 0.734 (0.587-0.880) p=0.022]. In logistic regression analysis, independent predictive factors for determining PNETs in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinomas were calculated as age (OR=0.068, 95% CI: 0.012-0.398), Ca 19-9 (OR=0.039, 95% CI: 0.006-0.263), MPV (OR=0.595, 95% CI: 0.243-1.458), and hemoglobin (OR=1.317, 95% CI: 0.831-2.086). CONCLUSION Age, Ca 19-9, MPV, and hemoglobin levels have diagnostic value for distinguishing PNETs from pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Elimination of mucosectomy during restorative proctocolectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis may provide better results in low-volume centers

BACKGROUND To compare the outcomes of hand-sewn and double-stapling techniques among ulcerative colitis patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy at a center that has limited experience with restorative proctocolectomy. METHODS Forty-four patients with ulcerative colitis were divided into two groups according to the anastomosis techniques: hand sewing and double stapling. Postoperative early and late complications, postoperative hospital stay, and long-term functional results were compared. RESULTS Pelvic sepsis (9% versus 36%, P = 0.03), operation time (median 240 minutes versus 270 minutes, P = 0.01), postoperative hospital stay (median 9 days versus 12 days, P = 0.04), and night incontinence (42% versus 80%, P = 0.07) were less common in the double-stapling group. CONCLUSIONS We recommend the double-stapling technique to centers that do not have extensive experience with restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. This technique provides a good postoperative course in most patients and provides satisfactory long-term results. The results of the double-stapling group were similar to the results of the high-volume centers.

A novel screening biomarker in gastric cancer: serum Dickkopf-1.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Despite all the knowledge about gastric cancer, there is no prognostic biomarker which could be useful for early detection. Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), a secreted protein, is known as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. DKK-1 is reported to be over expressed in many malignant tissues. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the normal level of serum DKK-1 (sDKK-1) levels in healthy Turkish peoples and to investigate the clinical utility of sDKK-1 levels for gastric cancer screening. METHODOLOGY Serum DKK-1 levels were measured in 69 healthy controls and in 60 gastric adenocarcinoma patients with ELISA and sDKK-1 levels were compared with clinicopathological features and outcomes in gastric cancer patients. RESULTS Serum concentrations of DKK-1 in gastric adeno cancer patients were significantly higher than control patients (p<0.001). The optimal cut-off for sDKK-1 levels order to discriminate control group from gastric cancer patients was 25U/mL with sensitivity equal to 100% and specificity equal to 100%. CONCLUSIONS Serum DKK-1 levels may be a potentially useful novel serologic marker for gastric cancers.

Predictive Factors for Conversion to Open Surgery in Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the standard surgical procedure for symptomatic gallbladder disease. The aim of this study was to identify factors that may be predictive of cases that would require a conversion to laparotomy. METHODS In the period of 2002-2007, 2015 patients who underwent elective LC were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 1914) consisted of patients whose operation was successfully completed with LC. Group 2 (n = 101) consisted of patients who had a conversion. A prospective analysis of parameters, including patient demographics, laboratory values, radiologic data, and intraoperative findings, was performed. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was used to determine those variables predicting conversion. RESULTS One-hundred and one (5.0%) patients required a conversion. Significant predictors of conversion to open cholecystectomy in univariate analysis were increasing age, male gender, previous upper abdominal or upper plus lower abdominal incisions, an elevated white blood cell count, high aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin levels, preoperative ultrasound findings of a thickened gallbladder wall and dilated common bile duct, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), high-grade adhesion, and scleroatrophic appearance of the gallbladder intraoperatively. Multivariate analysis revealed that a history of previous abdominal surgery, preoperative ERCP, high-grade adhesion, and scleroatrophic appearance of the gallbladder predicted conversion. CONCLUSIONS Patient selection is very important for efficient, safe training in LC. Based on the presented data, pathways could be suggested that enable the surgeon to precisely decide, during LC, when to convert to open surgery.

Topical Ankaferd Application to Presacral Bleeding due to Total Mesorectal Excision in Rectal Carcinoma

Kerem Karaman, MD, Erdal Birol Bostanci, MD, and Metin Ercan, MD Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey Mevlut Kurt, MD Department of Gastroenterology, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey Zafer Teke, MD, Enver Reyhan, MD, and Musa Akoglu, MD Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Laparoscopic Treatment of Small Bowel Phytobezoar Obstruction

An intestinal bezoar causing obstruction is usually treated by an open approach, either with manual mechanical fragmentation or with enterotomy and removal of the bezoar. In this article, we report the minimally invasive surgical management of a 59-year-old man in whom a bezoar obstructing the small intestine developed at the site of an adhesion from a previous gastric surgery. The bezoar was laparoscopically broken down and milked through the ileocecal valve. In the future, the laparoscopic approach may be the treatment of choice for patients with a bezoar when surgery is indicated.

Surgical Outcome of Patients with Perforation After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND The most important criterion in the management of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related perforations is the delineation of the injury pattern. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a retrospective manner the patients who undergo surgery due to ERCP-related perforations. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2006 and December 2010, a total of 9209 ERCPs were performed at Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. From these, perforation was diagnosed in 52 patients (0.56%). Twenty-four patients (46.2%) underwent surgery. Patients were evaluated according to age, gender, ERCP indication, comorbid disease, the time between diagnosis and perforation, the time between ERCP and surgical intervention, radiological and clinical signs, localization of the perforation, surgical procedure, hospitalization period, and postoperative outcome. RESULTS Twenty-four patients underwent surgery. Thirteen patients (54.1%) had lateral duodenal wall perforation, 4 patients (16.7%) had perforation in the afferent loop (these patients had Billroth-II gastroenterostomy at ERCP admission), 2 patients (8.3%) had bile duct perforation, and 1 patient (4.1%) had esophageal perforation. In 4 patients (16.7%), the localization of the perforation could not be found. Nine patients (37.5%) died in the postoperative period. Six patients had lateral duodenal wall perforation, 2 patients had afferent loop perforation, and one patient had esophagus perforation. Three patients died of nonsurgical reasons (myocardial infarction, serebrovascular occlusion, and cardiac dysrhythmia). CONCLUSIONS Duodenal wall perforations have a serious fatal outcome even if early surgical intervention is performed. In contrast to duodenal wall injuries, perivaterian and choledochal injuries have a better outcome.