Tonguc Utku Yilmaz

Effects of two conventional preoperative radiation schedules on anastomotic healing in the rat colon.

Background: Preoperative radiotherapy (RT) is an increasingly popular form of adjunct therapy for rectal cancer; however, little is known about its effects on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in colonic anastomotic healing. Methods: Wistar rats were irradiated to a total dose of 25 or 40 Gy. Four days after the end of RT, an end-to-end colorectal anastomosis was performed. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 3, and 7 days after the anastomosis. A control group was studied similarly, but was not irradiated. Results: No significant differences were found in peritonitis rate and anastomotic complications. The average bursting pressure and breaking strength were only reduced significantly in the rats irradiated with 40 Gy. However, the concentration and the content of hydroxyproline in anastomotic tissues were unchanged. In irradiated rats, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly increased at 40 Gy, but not at 25 Gy. On the other hand, 25-Gy irradiation induced a smaller increase in the levels of the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 compared with the controls. Conclusion: Anastomotic strength is adversely affected by high-dose fractionated preoperative RT. In contrast, preoperative RT at 25 Gy in five fractions over 5 days is safe with regard to the maintenance of wound strength in colorectal anastomosis.

Effect of adrenomedullin on hepatic damage in hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Aims: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional peptide with a putative beneficial role after an ischaemic insult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AM on partial hepatic ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Exogenous Recombinant Adiponectin Improves Survival in Experimental Abdominal Sepsis

BACKGROUND Adiponectin, which has anti-inflammatory features, is an important substance in several metabolic mechanisms. AIMS The aim of this study is to evauate the effects of exogenous intraperitoneal administration of adiponectin on the survival, intrabdominal adhesion and inflammatory cytokine levels in an experimental sepsis model. STUDY DESIGN Animal experimentation. METHODS Ninety rats were divided into a control group, adiponectin group and sham group. A cecal puncture abdominal sepsis model was performed in the adiponectin and control groups. Every three hours, exogenous adiponectin was administrated to the adiponectin group. At the 3(rd) and 24(th) hours, 10 rats were sacrified in each group in order to measure plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) 10, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, IL-6 and macrophage inhibitory factor levels, and the activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kB. The remaining rats were followed for survival. RESULTS The plasma levels of TNF-α, soluable ICAM-1, IL-6, and macrophage inhibitory factor were significantly higher in the control group than in the adiponectin and sham group (p<0.05). The increase in inflammatory cytokines with time was more prominent in the control group. The activity of NF-kB in the control group was higher than in the adiponectin group (p<0.05). The survival rate of the adiponectin group was higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION Administration of exogenous adiponectin to the peritoneum in abdominal sepsis increased survival and decreased intrabdominal adhesions by decreasing the inflammatory response.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy

After technological advances and increased experiences, more complicated surgeries including distal pancreatectomy can be easily performed with acceptable oncologic results, and decreased mortality and morbidity. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has been shown to have several advantages including less blood loss, less hospital stay, less pain. Several studies comparing open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) and LDP resulted that both techniques have similar results according to pancreas fistulas, oncological results, costs and operation indications. Morbidity is very low in high volume centers, for this reason at least ten cases should be performed for the learning curve. Several authors remarked important technical points in LDP in order to perform safe and acceptable LDP in several studies. Here in this review, we aimed to overview the results of previous studies about LDP and discuss the technical points of LDP.

Spontan hepatosellüler karsinoma kanaması: Olgu sunumu

Bleeding from hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma. Difficulties in diagnosis and treatment represent the greatest challenges. A 49-year-old man with cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus had admitted to the hospital because of abdominal pain lasting for two days. The patient had tachycardia and hypotension, and abdominal distension. The levels of bilirubin and albumin were 8.2 mg/dl and 2 g/dl, respectively. The abdominal tomography revealed a 5x6 cm mass and hemorrhagic fluid. In the paracentesis, hemorrhagic fluid was aspirated. The patient underwent emergency surgery because of the hemorrhagic paracentesis fluid and existing shock. Bleeding from the mass in the 6th segment of the liver was controlled by suturing. The bleeding stopped, but the patient died on the 5th day due to liver insufficiency. Diagnostic difficulties, liver insufficiency, hemorrhagic shock, coagulation problems, and unknown masses are the risk factors for increasing mortality. Risk factors for bleedings should be evaluated during the follow-up of patients with cirrhosis.