Rasim Gencosmanoglu

Hemorrhoidectomy: open or closed technique? A prospective, randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Hemorrhoidectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with third-degree or fourth-degree hemorrhoids. However, whether the closed or open technique yields better results is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare these techniques with respect to operating time, analgesic requirement, hospital stay, morbidity rate, duration of inability to work, healing time, and follow-up results. METHODS: In this prospective and randomized study, 80 patients with third- degree or fourth-degree hemorrhoidal disease were allocated to either the open- hemorrhoidectomy (Group A, n = 40) or the closed-procedure group (Group B, n = 40). Open hemorrhoidectomy was performed according to the St. Mark’s Hospital technique, whereas the Ferguson technique was used for the closed procedure under general anesthesia with the patient in the jackknife position. RESULTS: Mean operating time was significantly shorter in Group A (35 ± 7 vs. 45 ± 8 minutes, P < 0.001). Analgesic requirement on the day of surgery and the first postoperative day was also significantly lower (P < 0.05). The morbidity rate was higher in Group B (P < 0.05). Length of hospital stay and duration of inability to work were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Healing time was significantly shorter in Group B (2.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.5 weeks, P < 0.001). Median follow-up time was 19.5 (range, 4–40) months. The only late complication (anal stenosis) was observed in one patient in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Although the healing time is longer, the open technique is more advantageous with respect to shorter operating time, less discomfort in the early postoperative period, and lower morbidity rate. Gençosmanoğlu R, Ŝad O, Koç D, İnceoğlu R. Hemorrhoidectomy: open or closed technique? A prospective, randomized clinical trial. Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:70–75.

Xanthelasmas of the upper gastrointestinal tract

BackgroundGastric xanthelasma is a benign and uncommon lesion with a variably reported frequency, while esophageal and duodenal xanthelasmas are quite rare.MethodsSeventeen patients who had the diagnosis of xanthelasma in the upper gastrointestinal tract were analyzed retrospectively with respect to their demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic features. All lesions suspected as xanthelasma were totally removed by either hot biopsy forceps or a snare with the technique of endoscopic mucosal resection.ResultsThe incidence of upper gastrointestinal xanthelasmas in 7320 patients who had upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy was 0.23%. There were 9 (53%) men and 8 (47%) women, with a median age of 50 years (range, 24–80 years). The most common location of xanthelasmas was the stomach (76%), followed by the esophagus (12%) and duodenum (12%). All lesions were observed as yellow-white colored plaques at endoscopy. Multiple xanthelasmas were detected in 4 patients (24%); in the duodenum in 2, esophagus in 1, and stomach in 1. One patient had xanthelasma within a gastric hyperplastic polyp. The size of the lesion was less than 5 mm in diameter in 14 (82%) patients and between 5 and 10 mm in diameter in 3 (18%). Thirteen (76%) patients had moderate to severe atrophic gastritis, while the remainder had normal gastric mucosa.ConclusionsXanthelasmas of the upper gastrointestinal tract were mostly located in the stomach in the present series, which includes the second and third reported cases of duodenal xanthelasma, the second case of xanthelasma developed within a hyperplastic gastric polyp, and the fourth and the fifth cases of esophageal xanthelasma.

The buried bumper syndrome: migration of internal bumper of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube into the abdominal wall.

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube was inserted in a 59-year-old man who was undergoing craniotomy due to subarachnoid hemorrhage, because it was estimated that he could not have oral intake for a period of 4 weeks. Seventy days after the insertion, the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube was replaced because of its accidental removal by the patient. Two months after the second insertion, the tube had to be replaced due to nonfunctioning. The buried bumper syndrome was diagnosed on physical examination, and was confirmed by endoscopy, with findings of mucosal dimpling and nonvisualization of the internal bumper. The tube was removed by external traction without any abdominal incision, and the same site was used for the insertion of a replacement tube over a guidewire. The patient remained symptom-free during 18 months of follow-up.

Isolated metachronous splenic metastasis from synchronous colon cancer

BackgroundIsolated splenic metastases from colorectal cancer are very rare and there are only 13 cases reported in the English literature so far. Most cases are asymptomatic and the diagnosis is usually made by imaging studies during the evaluation of rising CEA level postoperatively.Case presentationA 76-year-old man underwent an extended left hemicolectomy for synchronous colon cancers located at the left flexure and the sigmoid colon. The tumors were staged as IIIC (T3N2M0) clinically and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. During the first year follow-up period, the patient remained asymptomatic with normal levels of laboratory tests including CEA measurement. However, a gradually rising CEA level after the 14th postoperative month necessitated further imaging studies including computed tomography of the abdomen which revealed a mass in the spleen that was subsequently confirmed by 18FDG- PET scanning to be an isolated metastasis. The patient underwent splenectomy 17 months after his previous cancer surgery. Histological diagnosis confirmed a metastatic adenocarcinoma with no capsule invasion. After an uneventful postoperative period, the patient has been symptom-free during the one-year of follow-up with normal blood CEA levels, although he did not accept to receive any further adjuvant therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this 14th case of isolated splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is also the first reported case of splenic metastasis demonstrated preoperatively by 18FDG PET-CT fusion scanning which revealed its solitary nature as well.ConclusionIsolated splenic metastasis is a rare finding in the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients and long-term survival can be achieved with splenectomy.

Antral hyperplastic polyp causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction: case report.

BackgroundHyperplastic polyps are the most common polypoid lesions of the stomach. Rarely, they cause gastric outlet obstruction by prolapsing through the pyloric channel, when they arise in the prepyloric antrum.Case presentationA 62-year-old woman presented with intermittent nausea and vomiting of 4 months duration. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 30 mm prepyloric sessile polyp causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction. Following submucosal injection of diluted adrenaline solution, the polyp was removed with a snare. Multiple biopsies were taken from the greater curvature of the antrum and the corpus. Rapid urease test for Helicobacter pylori yielded a negative result. Histopathologic examination showed a hyperplastic polyp without any evidence of malignancy. Biopsies of the antrum and the corpus revealed gastritis with neither atrophic changes nor Helicobacter pylori infection. Follow-up endoscopy after a 12-week course of proton pomp inhibitor therapy showed a complete healing without any remnant tissue at the polypectomy site. The patient has been symptom-free during 8 months of follow-up.ConclusionsSymptomatic gastric polyps should be removed preferentially when they are detected at the initial diagnostic endoscopy. Polypectomy not only provides tissue to determine the exact histopathologic type of the polyp, but also achieves radical treatment.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in the neurosurgical intensive care unit: complications and outcome.

BACKGROUND Even with a functioning gastrointestinal tract, it is not always easy to initiate oral feeding in some neurosurgical patients because of their persistently depressed neurologic status or severe lower cranial nerve palsies. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may be required for long-term feeding in these patients. The purpose of the present study is to report our experience with PEG chosen for establishing an enteral route in patients of neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS The outcome and complications of PEG in neurosurgical ICU patients of Marmara University Institute of Neurological Science between January 2001 and November 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS Thirty-one patients, with the median age of 51 years (range, 14-78 years) underwent PEG placement. PEG was placed before the craniotomy in 2 patients and after in 29. Indications for PEG were absent gag reflex in 10 patients and low Glasgow Coma Scale score in 21. Before the PEG tube insertion, 18 patients had enteral nutrition by a nasogastric tube and 10 had parenteral nutrition (PN), with a median duration of 14.5 (range, 4-60) and 12 (range, 7-25) days, respectively. Two patients accidentally pulled out the gastrostomy tubes 10 and 11 days after insertion. Buried bumper syndrome developed in 1 patient. Two patients died 8 and 34 days after the procedure in the neurosurgical ICU. Twenty-nine patients were discharged from the hospital while being fed via the PEG tubes. In 11 patients who were able to resume oral feeding, the tube was removed, with a median interval of 62 (range, 25-150) days. Procedure-related mortality, 30-day mortality, and overall mortality of the patients were 0%, 6.4%, and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSION PEG is a safe and well-tolerated gastrostomy method for neurosurgical ICU patients with depressed neurologic state or severe lower cranial nerve palsies.

The utility of cytokeratins 7 and 20 (CK7/20) immunohistochemistry in the distinction of short-segment Barrett esophagus from gastric intestinal metaplasia: Is it reliable?

BackgroundThe purpose of the present correlative immunohistochemical study was to assess the utility of cytokeratin (CK7 and CK20) expression in the diagnosis of short-segment Barrett esophagus, particularly its efficacy in differentiating Barrett mucosa from intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia and corpus.MethodsTwo groups of endoscopic biopsy specimens were examined, including 20 endoscopic biopsy specimens of short-segment Barrett esophagus (Group A) and equal number exhibiting Helicobacter pylori associated intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia and corpus (Group B). All were investigated by immunohistochemistry using the standard ABC method for CK7 and CK20 expression. Fishers exact test was used for statistical analysis of Barrett CK7/20 and gastric CK7/20 patterns between the groups.ResultsThe anticipated pattern of reactivity in Barrett mucosa (CK7: strong diffuse positivity in superficial and deep glands; CK20: positivity in surface epithelium and superficial glands) was seen in 2 cases of Group A specimens. The expected gastric pattern (CK7: patchy immunostaining with variable involvement of deep glands; CK20: patchy immunostaining of superficial and deep glands in incomplete intestinal metaplasia / absence of CK7 immunoreactivity with strong CK20 staining in superficial and deep glands in complete intestinal metaplasia) was seen in 8 cases of Group B specimens. The respective sensitivity and false-negativity values of CK7/20 staining for Barrett pattern in Group A were 10% and 90%, respectively. These values for gastric pattern in Group B were 40% and 60%, respectively. The specificity and false-positivity values of both patterns were same (100% and 0%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference for Barrett pattern between the two groups (P = 0.487), while the observation of gastric pattern was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (P = 0.02).ConclusionsWe concluded that these hypothesized and recently applied diagnostic criteria involving CK7 and CK20 immunoreactivity are not reliable in distinguishing short-segment Barrett esophagus from intestinal metaplasia as seen in gastric cardia and corpus.

Mid-esophageal ulceration and candidiasis-associated distal esophagitis as two distinct clinical patterns of tetracycline or doxycycline-induced esophageal injury.

Background: Tetracyclines may cause esophageal injury. Goals: The aims of this study are to describe 2 distinct clinical patterns of esophageal injury induced by tetracycline or its derivate doxycycline and to compare these patterns with respect to demographic, endoscopic, and clinical characteristics of the patients. Study: Forty-eight patients with the diagnosis of doxycycline- or tetracycline-induced esophageal injury by endoscopy were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were considered in 2 groups according to the type and the location of esophageal lesions (Group A: mid-esophageal ulceration, n = 18; Group B: distal esophagitis, n = 30). Results: Patients in Group A were significantly younger than in Group B (P = 0.0014). In Group A, 15 patients (83%) had single ulceration, 2 (11%) double, and 1 (6%) circumferential at the mid-esophagus. In Group B, all patients had multiple micro-ulcerations in the distal esophagus. Development of mid-esophageal ulceration was induced predominantly by doxycycline, whereas distal esophagitis was induced by tetracycline. The description of drug ingestion with little or no water by patients in Group A was significantly more frequent than in Group B (94% vs. 10%, P < 0.001). Associated medical and benign gastric diseases and esophageal candidiasis were significantly more frequent in Group B (P = 0.006, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Prompt response to medical therapy was observed in both groups with no significant difference (P = 0.093). Conclusions: The type of tetracyclines used by patients may give some clues to physicians on the pattern of esophageal injury because mid-esophageal ulceration seems to be more frequently associated with doxycycline and distal esophagitis with or without candidiasis with tetracycline.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a safe and effective bridge for enteral nutrition in neurological or non-neurological conditions.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is one of the most commonly used methods for nutritional support in patients who are unable to take food orally. Traditional surgical gastrostomy, percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy, and laparoscopic gastrostomy are the alternatives. The most common indication is neurogenic dysphagia followed by obstructive causes such as head and neck tumors. Ethically justified and clinically comprehensive guidelines should be followed during the decision-making process for PEG tube placement. A limited life expectancy; technical difficulties, such as the inability to bring the anterior gastric wall in apposition to the abdominal wall; or pharyngeal/esophageal obstruction, which compromise tube insertion, peritonitis, and uncorrectable coagulopathy are absolute contraindications. The “pull method” is the first described and still the most performed technique of PEG tube placement. The procedure is simple, safe, and effective and fulfills all requirements to provide an ideal route for nutritional support. This article summarizes the reported experience on PEG in the current literature and discusses its utility in patients with neurological conditions.

Fistulotomy and drainage of deep postanal space abscess in the treatment of posterior horseshoe fistula

BackgroundPosterior horseshoe fistula with deep postanal space abscess is a complex disease. Most patients have a history of anorectal abscess drainage or surgery for fistula-in-ano.MethodsTwenty-five patients who underwent surgery for posterior horseshoe fistula with deep postanal space abscess were analyzed retrospectively with respect to age, gender, previous surgery for fistula-in-ano, number of external openings, diagnostic studies, concordance between preoperative studies and operative findings for the extent of disease, operating time, healing time, complications, and recurrence.ResultsThere were 22 (88%) men and 3 (12%) women with a median age of 37 (range, 25–58) years. The median duration of disease was 13 (range, 3–96) months. There was one external opening in 12 (48%) patients, 2 in 8 (32%), 3 in 4 (16%), and 4 in 1 (4%). Preoperative diagnosis of horseshoe fistula was made by contrast fistulography in 4 (16%) patients, by ultrasound in 3 (12%), by magnetic resonance imaging in 6 (24%), and by physical examination only in the remainder (48%). The mean ± SD operating time was 47 ± 10 min. The mean ± SD healing time was 12 ± 3 weeks. Three of the 25 patients (12%) had diabetes mellitus type II. Nineteen (76%) patients had undergone previous surgery for fistula-in-ano, while five (20%) had only perianal abscess drainage. Neither morbidity nor mortality developed. All patients were followed up for a median of 35 (range, 6–78) months and no recurrence was observed.ConclusionsFistulotomy of the tracts along the arms of horseshoe fistula and drainage of the deep postanal space abscess with posterior midline incision that severs both the lower edge of the internal sphincter and the subcutaneous external sphincter and divides the superficial external sphincter into halves gives excellent results with no recurrence. When it is necessary, severing the halves of the superficial external sphincter unilaterally or even bilaterally in the same session does not result in anal incontinence. Close follow-up of patients until the wounds completely healed is essential in the prevention of premature wound closure and recurrence.