Turkay Kirdak

Use of ligasure in thyroidectomy procedures : Results of a prospective comparative study

The thyroidectomy procedure requires many manupulations to achieve prompt hemostasis. This study assessed whether the outcomes of thyroidectomy using the Ligasure electrothermal vessel sealer were comparable with the conventional suture-ligation technique. We prospectively evaluated 58 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Patients were allocated into two groups according to their preference. There were 30 patients in the Ligasure group and 28 patients in the conventional surgery group. Complications, operating time, and hospital stay were compared between the two groups and suture-ligations performed in the Ligasure group were recorded. The age, sex, and indications were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). Complication rates and hospital stays did not show any difference according to the techniques used. Operating time was shorter in the hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy patients of the Ligasure group (mean ± SD: 77.38 ± 13.71 vs. 99.80 ± 12.53 minutes, p = 0.005; and 102.50 ± 16.69 vs.128.89 ± 19.74 minutes, p = 0.010). The mean ± SD number of suture-ligations for each patient in the Ligasure group was 1.83 ± 2.12. Thyroid surgery using the Ligasure is safe, and its complication rates are comparable to these found with the conventional surgical technique. Use of the Ligasure during hemithyroidectomy and total tyhroidectomy operations provides a significantly shorter operating time.

Impact of a Basic Nutrition Course for Residents at a Faculty Hospital

Background/Aims: To assess whether a basic nutrition course for residents at a faculty hospital improves their knowledge of nutrition and increases the number of consultation requests for nutrition by alerting participants to the high prevalence of undernutrition in hospitals. Methods: The residents from 34 departments of basic, internal and surgical sciences were recruited to take a 1-day course. Questionnaires, designed to assess knowledge of nutrition, were completed at the beginning and at the end of the course. The results of the questionnaires and the number of consultation demands for nutrition before and after the course were compared. Results: The results of 161 participants were evaluated. The mean (±SE) numbers of correct answers given to the first and second questionnaires were 14.9 ± 0.22 and 18.7 ± 0.21, respectively (p < 0.01). When the number of requests for nutrition consultation during 7-month periods (just before and after the course) were compared, the mean number of requests in each month during these periods were found to be 1.81 ± 0.58 and 4.06 ± 1.20, respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A short course of basic nutrition for residents improves their basic knowledge and leads to an increase in the number of consultation requests for nutritional support.

Dev multikistik malign feokromasitoma

Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor originating from the embryonic neural crest and secreting high levels of catecholamines. The average tumor size is approximately 7 cm, and the average weight is approximately 200 g in the previous publications. Sometimes these tumors may be bigger. In this report, a case of multicystic malignant pheochromocytoma with a huge size is presented, which is seldom reported in the past. A 37-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for etiological investigation of his recently diagnosed hypertension. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination was performed for further evaluation of the lesion and surrounding tissues. The lesion was 18×8×13 cm in size. It had lobulated margins, large cystic components, and peripheral and septal contrast enhancement. The levels of metanephrine, normetanephrine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, vanilmandelic acid, and dopamine were significantly elevated. The patient was prepared for surgery. In the pathological evaluation, the mass weighed 1018 g and was 18×8×13 cm in size. He was diagnosed with malignant pheochromocytoma. After eight months, a CT examination showed a recurrent mass, liver metastasis, and distant metastasis. The patient received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Multicystic malignant pheochromocytoma may reach huge sizes without causing any symptoms.

Outcomes of Parathyroid Autotransplantation During Total Thyroidectomy: A Comparison with Age- and Sex-Matched Controls

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the effect of parathyroid autotransplantation (PA) on postoperative hypocalcemia in cases of total thyroidectomy. Materials and Methods: Cases undergoing total thyroidectomy and PA were compared with age and sex-matched controls who had not undergone PA. The postoperative percentage changes (PC) of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium (Ca+2) in the first 12–24 hours (12–24hr→preop), between the 1st-3rd weeks (1-3wk→preop) and at the 6th month (6mo→preop), the rates of hypocalcemia (Ca+2< 8mg/dL) and low PTH level (PTH< 15 pg/mL), permanent hypocalcemia, inadvertent parathyroidectomy in both groups were compared. Results: The number of patients with PTH12-24hr<15 pg/mL was significantly higher (n:34,(55.7%)) than the number of patients in the control group (n:16(26.2%)), (p=0.001). The rate of decrease in the blood Ca+2 median PC (6mo→preop) was significantly higher in the PA group (4.2%) than the control group (1.1%), (p=0.008). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of the postoperative frequency of hypocalcemia (p>0.05). In the PA&age≤50 group, the rate of inadvertent parathyroidectomy was higher than that of cases over age 50 (p=0.029). Conclusion: In spite of the presence of an increased postoperative hypocalcemia trend in cases requiring PA during total thyroidectomy, the rates of transient and permanent hypocalcemia were not different to the control cases. But the frequency of cases with low PTH level in cases undergoing PA was higher than that of the control cases. In cases of 50 years of age and under, who had undergone PA, the possibility of inadvertent parathyroidectomy increased.

Thyroid carcinoma with insular component: report of three cases with different clinical pictures.

Insular carcinoma of the thyroid is situated morphologically and biologically in an intermediate position between the well-differentiated and undifferentiated tumors and presents a variable clinical course in a widely heterogeneous spectrum. The present cancer staging system (TNM) for thyroid cancer considers differentiated and undifferentiated tumors while ignoring this intermediate type, which is also called poorly differentiated tumor. In addition to the limited data on this rare disease, some poorly differentiated thyroid tumors contain differentiated cancer areas at various rates. These factors may cause difficulties in estimating disease aggressiveness and prognosis. To solve this problem, various microscopic and immunohistochemical parameters can be assessed. In this paper we describe 3 patients affected by thyroid carcinoma with an insular component, who presented different clinical pictures. When these cases were examined, the TNM system failed in stage grouping for poorly differentiated thyroid tumors. Case 1 and case 2 had similar clinical stages according to the TNM staging system for differentiated tumors, but had different prognoses. Case 3, with more limited disease, had the highest rate of poorly differentiated areas but the lowest Ki-67 proliferation index. In conclusion, it is difficult to make claims about the clinical behavior and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma with an insular component based on the 3 cases reported in this study, but it can be speculated that there is a gap in the TNM system with regard to the staging of insular thyroid carcinoma. In this situation the assessment of microscopic and immunohistochemical features of the tumor may help to predict disease aggressiveness and patient risk. However, it is clear that there is a need for large-scale studies evaluating the prognostic importance of histopathological and immunohistochemical features in determining risk groups.

Primary thyroid lymphoma.

Primary thyroid lymphoma is an uncommon thyroid malignancy. The treatment modalities significantly differ from other thyroid malignancies. Frequently it is accompanied by Hashimotos thyroiditis, and it may be difficult to differentiate the two entities histologically. Patients typically present with suddenly growing mass in the thyroid gland. Discrimination between primary and secondary lymphoma is important due to variations in diagnostic tools, treatment modalities and prognosis. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combinations of these modalities may be applied in treatment. In this report, three cases with primary thyroid lymphoma in which three different treatment modalities have been applied are presented.

Surgery in Hyperthyroidism: Toxic Adenoma and/or Multinodular Goiter

Toxic multinodular goiter is observed in areas of endemic iodine deficiency and commonly in elderly individuals. Diagnosis and assessment are made easily by physical examination, serum thyroid function tests, ultrasonography, and scintigraphy. The disease presents with subclinical hyperthyroidism in a significant part of the patients. Radioactive iodine therapy and surgery are two basic treatment methods of the disease with specific advantages and disadvantages. Selection of the treatment method is made upon factors about the disease, patient, and physician. This paper presents a case with toxic nodular goiter and discusses treatment options.

Evaluation of the effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on intraperitoneal adhesions

OBJECTIVES The goal was to examine the efficiency of local implementation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, in preventing the intra-abdominal adhesions in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 7 rats in each: Group 1 was defined as the control group, Group 2 as the sham group, and Group 3 as the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell group. A 6 cm mid-abdomen incision in the all the rats was performed. The cecum serosa and sub-serosa were injured by rubbing with a gauze. No agent was applied intraperitoneally for the rats in Group 1; 1.5 mL saline and 2x106/kg allojenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the 1.5 mL saline were injected into peritoneum of rats in Groups 2 and 3, respectively. Laparotomy was performed on the 14th day. Adhesion scores, histopathological examination, E-cadherin expression, and the tissue hydroxyproline level were evaluated. RESULTS The general adhesion score and collagen deposition in Group 3 were found to be significantly higher than in Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.003 and p=0.009, respectively). In the inflammatory cell comparison, a significant decrease was found in Group 3 in proportion to Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.001, p=0.005, respectively). The E-cadherin levels were found to be higher in Group 3 (p=0.003). CONCLUSION Severe adhesion was observed in the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells group. Collagen intensity and E-Cadherin expression also increased in the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells group. The anti-inflammatory effect was also seen in the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells group.

Analysis of the Effect of Locally Applied Bovine Collagen Sponge and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Seroma Development in Rats Undergone Mastectomy and Axillary Dissection

ABSTRACT Purpose: Seroma is the most frequently seen complication after the mastectomy and axillary dissection. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of locally applied bovine collagen sponge and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on seroma development in rats that undergone mastectomy and axillary dissection. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10 per group). For the rats in Group 1, 1 ml 0.09% NaCl was implemented. 2 × 106/kg adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell was implemented within 1 ml 0.09% NaCl for the rats in Group 2, and 3 cm2 bovine collagen sponge were locally applied for the rats in Group 3. Adhesion scores, histopathological examination, E-cadherin expression and tissue seroma volume were evaluated. Results: The seroma volume of Group 3 were significantly lower than those of Groups 2 and 1 (p < 0.001). General adhesion scores of Group 3 were significantly higher than those of Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Statistically significant increase was observed in Group 3 compared to Group 1 in terms of fibroblast, neovascularization and collagen density (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Local application of bovine collagen sponge and ADSCs in rats, which have undergone experimental mastectomy and axillary dissection, can be told to decrease the seroma formation and to increase the neovascularization and collagen deposition. This effect is more significant in bovine collagen sponge group.

An unusual case of adult-onset multi-systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis with perianal and incident thyroid involvement

Summary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare sporadic disease characterized by histiocytic neoplastic infiltration of various organ systems and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from benign and self-limiting to lethal. Herein, we report a rare case of adult-onset multi-systemic LCH in a 36-year-old male patient with an initial perianal presentation and incidental finding of subsequent thyroid gland involvement in the follow-up period. The patient with a history of perianal LCH treated with surgical excision and local radiotherapy was referred to our Endocrinology Department upon detection of hypermetabolic nodular lesions in the left lateral lobe of thyroid gland on positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET/CT) scan in the nineth month of follow-up. Current evaluation revealed euthyroid status, a hypoechoic solid lesion of 13 × 9 mm in size with irregular borders in the left thyroid lobe on thyroid USG and cytologic assessment of thyroid nodule. The patient was diagnosed with suspected, oncocytic lesion, Hashimoto thyroiditis or LCH. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and pathological assessment confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Assessments in the sixth month of postoperative follow-up revealed euthyroid status with no thyroid tissue remnants or pathological lymph node on thyroid USG. In view of the multifocal lesions indicating multi-system disease, a systemic chemotherapy protocol with combination of prednisone (PRED) and vinblastine (VBL) has been planned by the hematology department. Learning points: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) shows a wide clinical spectrum and prognosis that ranges from benign and self-limiting single-system disease (with single or multifocal lesions) to a potentially lethal multi-system disease with severe organ dysfunction and death in some cases. It has been stated that the diagnosis is often delayed in perianal LCH unless LCH is specifically considered in the etiology, despite the fact that mucosal involvement may precede systemic involvement. Our findings support the statement that most of patients with LCH were PET positive at the time of initial diagnosis, while also emphasize the inclusion of this imaging modality as a part of the diagnostic workflow as well as in the setting of treatment response evaluation among adult LCH patients.