Tugan Tezcaner

Management of acute calculous cholecystitis in high-risk patients: percutaneous cholecystotomy followed by early laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in patients with significant comorbidities and high-risk surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, possible advantages, and complications of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) followed by an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in relation to conservative treatment followed by a delayed LC in high-surgical risk patients. Between 2002 and 2004, patients were randomly classified into 2 groups: the first group consisted of patients who had PC followed by an early LC (PCLC group, n = 31) and the second group consisted of patients who had conservative treatment followed by a delayed LC (DLC group, n = 30). The groups were statistically compared regarding their demographic, comorbidity, hospital stay, conversion, and complication rates. PC was technically successful in 31 patients with no attributable mortality or major complications. No difference had been found in regarding demographic, comorbidity, and complication rates. In PCLC group, all the patients experienced symptom relief within 24 hours, and early LC was attempted in 31 patients once their clinical condition was sufficiently stable, this was successfully accomplished in 29 (93.5%). In the DLC group, delayed LC was attempted in 30 patients, and this was successfully accomplished in 26 (86.6%). The hospital stay was shorter and cost was in the PCLC group was lower than in the DLC group. PC allows resolution of sepsis in patients at high surgical risk. Early LC could be safely performed once sepsis and acute infection resolved in these patients.

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence after partial spinal injury: preliminary report

BackgroundThis study evaluated the possible effects of posterior tibial nerve stimulation in two patients with faecal incontinence due to partial spinal cord injury.MethodsPosterior tibial nerve stimulation was performed for 30 min, every other day for 4 weeks, and was then repeated every 2 months for three months. Clinical examination, anorectal physiological work-up, faecal incontinence severity index, and quality of life assessments were performed before and after the treatment.ResultsAfter posterior tibial nerve stimulation, patients showed improvement in rectal sensory threshold, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, Wexner faecal incontinence score, faecal incontinence severity index, faecal incontinence quality of life scales, resting pressure, and maximum squeeze pressure measurements.ConclusionsPosterior tibial nerve stimulation can be an effective method for the treatment of faecal incontinence caused by partial spinal cord injury.

Results of Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy for Chronic Anal Fissure With Particular Reference to Quality of Life

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lateral internal sphincterotomy on quality of life in patients with chronic anal fissure using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale.MethodsAdult patients with chronic anal fissure underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy with the open technique. Two hundred forty-four patients completed the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire at admission and at 12 months postoperatively. The Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score was calculated preoperatively and at 2 and 12 months postoperatively. The Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale was administered to any patient who had a Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score greater than 0 at 12 months postoperatively.ResultsThe mean preoperative Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score was 118.34 ± 6.33, which developed to 140.74 ± 2.38 postoperatively (P< 0.001). At the two-month follow-up, 18 patients (7.38 percent) had a Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score greater than 0. By 12 months, the number of patients with Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score greater than 0 was reduced to seven (2.87 percent). These seven patients had a Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score similar to that of the group with postoperative Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score of 0, and only three patients (1.22 percent) had evident deterioration in the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. The 12-month total Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score of the three patients who developed anal abscess/fistula after sphincterotomy (139.33 ± 3.21) was similar to the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score of those without complications. However, the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score of the recurrent cases (111.53 ± 3.53) was apparently low.ConclusionThe gastrointestinal quality of life improved significantly following lateral internal sphincterotomy, regardless of the surgical complications or postoperative disturbances of continence. Only 1.2 percent of the patients experienced deterioration in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale.

Elastic one-stage cutting seton for the treatment of high anal fistulas: preliminary results

BackgroundThe management of high and complicated anal fistulas remains a therapeutic challenge, and the oldest and theoretically the simplest technique is to use a seton. In this article, we document our recent experience in managing high anal fistulas with a simple modification of the cutting seton.Patients and methodsSurgical outcomes of patients treated by the elastic cutting seton for anal fistulas that involved more than half of the sphincter muscles or for anterior trans-sphincteric fistulas in female patients were analyzed. The elastic seton, which was created by cutting a thin (2–3 mm) circular strip from a surgical glove, including its thicker sleeve, was inserted through the remaining tract in a double-strand fashion, and then tied on the sphincter with two knots in a slightly tight manner.ResultsComplete healing was achieved in 9 cases (45%) at 1 month and in all cases (100%) at 3 months postoperatively. Recurrent fistula was noted in a single patient (5%) at 8 months. Worsening of preoperative continence was noted in 4 patients (20%). However, the postoperative incontinence score (0.70±1.22) did not differ significantly from the preoperative score (0.41±0.41; p=0.059, Wilcoxon’s test).ConclusionsThe preliminary results of this series suggest that the elastic cutting seton may be a valid alternative for the treatment of high anal fistulas. The possible positive contribution of the slow and stable cutting of the sphincter on the maintenance of continence is further supported. An important practical disadvantage of the conventional seton treatment, namely the need for postoperative adjustments, is also eliminated.

Urgent Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Is the Best Management for Biliary Colic

Background/Aim: Delay of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after the diagnosis of biliary colic may increase the probability of recurrent emergency admission while awaiting elective cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the possible advantages and safety of urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ULC) with elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) in patients with biliary colic. Patients and Methods: Between 2001 and 2003, 75 patients with biliary colic were included in this study. The patients were classified into following two groups: patients who had ULC in 24 h were in group I (n = 28) and patients who had ELC (mean interval 4.22 ± 1.42 months) were in group II (n = 35). Conversion to open cholecystectomy, operative time, postoperative hospital stay, costs, and complications were evaluated. Results: In group II, 9 patients made a total of 13 return visits to the emergency department with recurrent attacks of biliary colic or complications of gallstone disease. Mean operative time increased from 35.1 ± 6.74 min for urgent laparascopic cholecystectomy to 49.9 ± 6.12 min for ELC (p > 0.05) and hospital stay time increased from 1.06 ± 0.4 to 2.31 ± 2.36 days (p < 0.05). Conversion to open cholecystectomy increased from 0% in group I to 17.2% in group II (p < 0.05). Discussion: ULC for biliary colic may be the most medically efficacious and cost-effective treatment.

The Effect of Platelet Activating Factor Antagonist BN 52021 on Bacterial Translocation and ICAM-I Expression in Experimental Obstructive Jaundice

Expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in an obstructive jaundice model and the potential protective role of platelet activating factor antagonist over small intestine and liver together with its effects on bacterial translocation are examined in this study. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were assigned into four equal groups of 12. In groups I and II, animals were sham operated. In groups III and IV, common bile duct ligation and division were performed. In group I and group III, 0.5 ml/day normal saline was applied intraperitoneally daily from day 2 to 6 of the study; in group II and group IV, 1 mg/kg/day BN 52021 was applied intraperitoneally daily from day 2 to 6 of the study. All animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 7. ICAM-1 expression (CD54 positivity) was analyzed in the liver and ileum tissue by immunohistochemical method. Samples from blood, liver mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen were cultured under aerobic conditions. It is revealed that ICAM-1 expression was statistically higher in group III, with highest bacterial translocation and liver and spleen injury when compared to other groups. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), bilirubin, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interleukin 1β(IL-1β) values were at the highest level in group III, and there was a statistical decrease in group IV compared to group III. The administration of BN52021 in experimental obstructive jaundice is a useful way to reduce liver and intestinal mucosal villi damage by inhibiting bacterial translocation and systemic inflammatory response.

Acute hemiscrotum due to inguinoscrotal Littre hernia: a case report.

Meckel diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract that is generally asymptomatic and only manifests in a specific way when complications exist. An unusual complication of MD is known as Littre hernia. It comprises less than 1% of all MD. Littre hernia is the protrusion of an MD through a potential abdominal opening. Usual sites of Littre hernia are right inguinal (50% of cases), umbilical hernia (20%), and femoral hernia (20%). We report a case of Littre hernia in a boy who presented with acute scrotal pain and swelling.

The value of breast ductoscopy in radiologically negative spontaneous/persistent nipple discharge.

Abstract:  Breast ductoscope is a fiberoptic endoscope used for examining the distal breast ducts under direct vision in order to identify the source of pathologic nipple discharge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of intra‐operative breast ductoscopy in patients with pathologic nipple discharge, which could not be identified by radiologic tests. Between April 2002 and March 2007, breast ductoscopy was performed in 34 patients who had pathologic nipple discharge with no radiologic evidence about the source. The procedures were carried out under general anesthesia and ductoscopic findings were as well as the histopathology of the specimens were recorded and documented. In 88%, (30 of 34) of the patients, endoscope was successfully introduced into the external orifice of the ducts at the nipple and proximal breast ducts were successfully visualized. Ductoscopy revealed intraductal lesions (i.e., ductal obstruction, intraductal papilloma, red patches, and erythematoid platter) in 20 patients (66%). Among the 20 patients with visible endoluminal pathology, nine had a papilloma and eight had signs of either acute inflammation (bleeding, erythema) or previous inflammation with healing (adhesions and blocked ducts). In two cases, invasive breast carcinoma was identified, one of which was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with minimal invasion. In both cases, there had been blocked ducts. In one case DCIS was identified. Breast ductoscopy is a reliable and easy‐to‐use method to demonstrate the source of pathologic nipple discharge in cases with bleeding and other intraductal lesions.

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.