Retropharyngeal Parathyroid Glands: Important Differences

Introduction

In primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), parathyroid ectopia is seen in up to 22% leading to more difficult surgery. We aimed to determine the rate and characteristics of retropharyngeal (RP) parathyroid glands.

Methods

A prospective database was queried for patients with sporadic PHPT who had surgery from 1997 to 2016. The data of RP patients were compared to those who had surgery for sporadic PHPT over the same time period with hyperfunctioning parathyroids in anatomically normal positions (N).

Results

RP glands occurred in 47/3006 (1.6%) patients and were more common at reoperative than initial surgery (5.5 vs 1.4%, p < 0.01). RP patients had prior failed surgery more often than N patients (17 vs 3.1%, p < 0.01). Preoperative calcium levels (p = 0.06), PTH levels (p = 0.15), and mean gland weights (p = 0.07) were similar among groups. For RP glands, ultrasound imaging was negative in all but one patient, while 99mTc-sestamibi accurately indicated a posterior midline position in only 13/47 (28%) and was negative in 21%. All RP glands were anatomically superior. RP patients more often required > 1 post-resection intraoperative PTH level (36 vs 21%, p = 0.02). Failure due to persistent PHPT was more likely in RP patients (4.7 vs 2.1%, p = 0.2).

Conclusion

In PHPT, hyperfunctioning RP glands are seen in 1.6% of cases and often associated with initial failure (17%). At reoperation, RP ectopia is 4X more common. RP glands are associated with a high rate of negative imaging, but imaging results suggestive of a midline abnormality can guide exploration. The RP space should be evaluated prior to ending an otherwise unfruitful surgery.

     

Comparison of Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy with Open Thyroidectomy for Graves’ Disease

Background

There is an ongoing debate about whether robotic thyroidectomy (RT) is appropriate for Graves’ disease. The aim of this study was to compare the safety of bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) RT with that of open thyroidectomy (OT) in patients with Graves’ disease.

Methods

From January 2008 to June 2014, 189 (44 BABA RT and 145 OT) patients underwent total thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease. Recurrence of Graves’ disease, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and complication rates including recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy and hypoparathyroidism were analyzed between BABA RT and OT groups, after propensity score matching according to age, gender, body mass index, surgical indication, the extent of operation, excised thyroid weight, and follow-up period.

Results

No patient experienced recurrence of Graves’ disease after median follow-up of 35.0 months. Intraoperative blood loss (151.8 ± 165.4 mL vs. 134.5 ± 75.4 mL; p = 0.534) and hospital stay (3.4 ± 0.7 day vs. 3.3 ± 0.7 day; p = 0.564) were not different between BABA RT and OT groups. Complication rates including transient RLN palsy (11.4 vs. 11.4 %; p = 1.000), transient hypoparathyroidism (18.2 vs. 20.5 %; p = 0.787), permanent RLN palsy (0 vs. 2.3 %; p = 0.315), and permanent hypoparathyroidism (2.3 vs. 2.3 %; p = 1.000) were also comparable between groups.

Conclusions

BABA RT for Graves’ disease showed comparable surgical completeness and complications to conventional OT. BABA RT can be recommended as an alternative surgical option for patients with Graves’ disease who are concerned about cosmesis.

     

Risk Factors for Early Recurrence of Single Lesion Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Resection

Background and objectives

Hepatic resection is established as the treatment for HCC. However, patients sometimes experience early recurrence of HCC (ER HCC) after curative resection.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted for 193 patients with single HCC who underwent curative liver resection in our medical center between April 2000 and March 2013. We divided the cohort into two groups; early recurrence group (ER G) which experienced recurrence within 6 months after resection, and non-early recurrence group (NER G). Risk factors for ER HCC were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-nine out of 193 (20.2 %) patients had ER HCC. Univariate analysis showed Glasgow prognostic score (GPS, p = 0.036), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR, p = 0.001), level of PIVKA-II (p = 0.0001), level of AFP (p = 0.0001), amounts of blood loss (p = 0.001), operating time (p = 0.002), tumor size (p = 0.0001), stage III and IV (p = 0.0001), and microvascular invasions (portal vein: p = 0.0001 and hepatic vein: p = 0.001) to be associated with ER HCC. By multivariate analysis, there were significant differences in high NLR (p = 0.029) and high AFP (p = 0.0001) in patients with ER HCC.

Conclusions

Preoperative high AFP (more than 250 ng/ml) and high NLR (more than 1.829) were independent risk factors for ER HCC.

     

Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism with Normal Non-suppressed Parathyroid Hormone can be Both Challenging and Successful

Background

Criteria for diagnosing primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) include hypercalcemia in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels that are either elevated (classic PHPT) or normal but non-suppressed. However, there is no standard definition of what constitutes normal non-suppressed levels, and data are lacking regarding the potential for surgical cure in these patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for sporadic PHPT between 2012 and 2014 was performed. Patients with normal PTH were compared to classic PHPT patients to assess demographics, imaging, operative findings, and outcomes.

Results

In total, 332 patients met study criteria, and 60 (18%) had normal PTH levels. Negative sestamibi scans were seen more often with normal PTH levels (18.3 vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001). Patients with normal PTH were more likely to have ≥2 glands removed (26.7 vs. 14.3%, p = 0.02), and the specimens were more likely to be classified as only mildly hypercellular or normocellular (20 vs. 2.9%, p < 0.001). Average follow-up was 24 months (range 6–55). Cure rate was 88% in the normal PTH group, compared to 96% in classic PHPT (p = 0.02). Among patients with normal PTH, those with PTH ≤ 55 pg/mL had an 83% cure rate, whereas those with PTH 56–65 had a 96% cure rate (p = 0.12).

Conclusions

Parathyroidectomy can have a high cure rate in the context of normal PTH levels despite an increased likelihood of negative imaging and multigland resection. Operative success is equivalent to classic PHPT when PTH levels are > 55 pg/mL.

     

Oxidative stress markers in type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic nephropathy

Background

Epidemiological studies show that 5–40 % of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients have diabetic nephropathy, and oxidative stress is one of several underlying mechanisms. We investigated associations between oxidative stress markers and severity of diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

Fifty-nine T2DM patients from the endocrinology outpatient department were included, and their levels of oxidative stress markers were measured. Three groups were determined by their urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR): group A (UACR < 30 mg/g, n = 22); group B (30 ≤ UACR < 300 mg/g, n = 22); and group C (UACR ≥ 300 mg/g, n = 15).

Results

Vitamin C levels correlated negatively and moderately with serum creatinine (γ = ?0.459, p < 0.001), urine albumin (γ _s = ?0.458, p = 0.001) and UACR (γ _s = ?0.408, p = 0.001), but only weakly with hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Vitamin C levels decreased as 8-OHdG, serum creatinine, albumin and UACR increased. T2DM patients with more severe diabetic nephropathy had lower vitamin C levels.

Conclusion

Our results identified several oxidative stress markers that may be clinically important in diabetic nephropathy. Studies with larger sample sizes should be undertaken to confirm these findings.

     

Small-Volume,Fast-Emptying Gastric Pouch Leads to Better Long-Term Weight Loss and Food Tolerance After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Introduction

Anatomical and functional influences on gastric bypass (GBP) results are often poorly evaluated and not yet fully understood.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the gastric pouch volume and its emptying rate on long-term weight loss and food tolerance after GBP.

Materials and Methods

Weight loss, food tolerance, pouch volumetry (V) by three-dimensional reconstruction, and pouch emptying rate by 4 h scintigraphy were evaluated in 67 patients. Cutoffs were identified for V and retention percentage (%Ret) at 1 h (%Ret1). From these parameters, the sample was categorized, looking for associations between V, %Ret, weight loss, and food tolerance, assessed by a questionnaire for quick assessment of food tolerance (SS).

Results

PO median follow-up time was 47 months; median V was 28 mL; %Ret at 1, 2, and 4 h were 8, 2, and 1%, respectively. There were associations between V ≤ 40 mL and higher emptying rates up to 2 h (V ≤ 40 mL: %Ret1 = 6, %Ret2 = 2, p = 0.009; V > 40 mL: %Ret1 = 44, %Ret2 = 13.5, p = 0.045). An association was found between higher emptying speed in 1 h and higher late weight loss (WL), represented by lower percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) regain (p = 0.036) and higher %EWL (p = 0.033) in the group with %Ret1 ≤ 12%, compared to the group %Ret1 ≥ 25%. Better food tolerance (SS > 24), was associated with lower %Ret1 (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Smaller pouch size is associated with a faster gastric emptying, greater WL maintenance, and better food tolerance. These data suggest that a small pouch with rapid emptying rate is an important technical parameter for good outcomes in GBP.

     

Epithelial–mesenchymal transformation markers E-cadherin and survivin predict progression of stage pTa urothelial bladder carcinoma

Purpose

To determine whether the immunohistochemical markers survivin and E-cadherin can predict progress at initially diagnosed Ta bladder cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively searched for every initially diagnosed pTa urothelial bladder carcinoma having been treated at our single-center hospital in Germany from January 1992 up to December 2004. Follow-up was recorded up to June 2010, with recurrence or progress being the endpoints. Immunohistochemical staining and analysis of survivin and E-cadherin of the TURB specimens were performed. Outcome dependency of progression and no progression with immunohistochemical staining was analyzed using uni- and multivariate regression analysis, Kaplan–Meier analysis and uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 233 patients were included. Forty-two percent of those were tumor free in their follow-up TURBs, 46 % had at least one pTa recurrence and 12 % even showed progress to at least pT1 bladder cancer. Aberrant staining of E-cadherin was found within 71 % of patients with progression in contrast to only 40 % in cases without progression (p = 0.004). Of all progressed patients, 92 % showed overexpression of survivin in their initial pTa specimen compared to 61 % without progression (p = 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed aberrant E-cadherin staining to be associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.005) as well as overexpression of survivin (p = 0.003). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, strong E-cadherin staining was an independent prognosticator for better PFS (p = 0.033) and multifocality (p = 0.046) and tumor size over 3 cm (p = 0.042) were prognosticators for worse PFS.

Conclusion

Adding the immunohistochemical markers survivin and E-cadherin could help to identify patients at risk of developing a progressive disease in initial stage pTa bladder cancer.

     

Coexistent Loss of the Expressions of BRCA1 and p53 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Background

To investigate the prognostic significance of altered breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) and p53 expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical expression of BRCA1 and p53 was examined in the tumor tissues of 465 TNBC cases and relations were sought with clinicopathological features and patient survival.

Results

Loss of BRCA1 expression was found in 29.5% (137/465) of TNBCs. Positive expression of p53 was observed in 49.9% (232/465). Patients with loss of BRCA1 expression had a tendency to have higher rate of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.075). An association between p53 expression and high histological grade was observed (p = 0.039). TNBC patients with loss of BRCA1 expression had a tendency to have poorer overall survival (OS) than those positive for BRCA1 (p = 0.09). TNBC patients with positive p53 expression showed better OS than those with p53 negativity (p = 0.001). In terms of combined expression patterns, significantly poorer overall survival (OS) was observed for BRCA1-negative/p53-negative TNBCs and best OS for BRCA1-positive/p53-positive TNBCs (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Combined expression patterns of BRCA1 and p53 could serve as useful prognostic markers in TNBC.

     

C5 nerve root palsy following decompression of cervical spine with anterior versus posterior types of procedures in patients with cervical myelopathy

Purpose

C5 palsy is a well-known complication of cervical spine decompression surgery. The complication develops in both posterior and anterior approaches. We aimed to review reports regarding postoperative C5 palsy in hopes for better prevention and treatment of this morbidity.

Method

We systematically reviewed and evaluated the abstracts and full texts of the identified papers in the literature. We reviewed and analyzed papers published between January 1970 and February 2015 regarding C5 palsy as a complication of cervical surgical procedures. We made statistical comparisons as much as possible.

Results

We did not find any statistical significance between the pathologies (p = 0.088) and between the surgical routes (p = 0.486). There was statistical significance between the types of procedures (p < 0.05). Posterior laminectomy had low incidence of C5 palsy when compared to laminectomy and fusion (p = 0.029) and laminoplasty (p = 0.37). There was no statistically significant difference between anterior cervical decompression and fusion and other procedures (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Some studies conclude that anterior procedure is more safe. Of all anterior procedures, the multilevel ACDF had the lowest incidence of C5 palsy. The hybrid technique can be chosen for more than two-vertebra corpectomy. In term of posterior procedures, laminectomy is safer. To prevent C5 palsy, electromyography can be used as a sensitive predictor and selective foraminotomy can be performed.

     

Impact of tumor histology and grade on treatment success of percutaneous renal cryoablation

Background

We analyzed oncological outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous renal cryoablation (PRC) with documented renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by perioperative biopsy.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective analysis of 153 patients [median follow-up 48 months] who underwent PRC from 09/2005 to 08/2014 was performed. We divided the cohort into patients who developed recurrence versus no recurrence. Kaplan–Meier analyses examined recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to grade and histology. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed to identify factors associated with tumor recurrence.

Results

One hundred and fifty-three patients were analyzed [18 patients (11.8 %) with recurrence and 135 (88.2 %) patients without recurrence]. There were no differences between the groups with respect to demographics, RENAL score, and number of probes utilized. Recurrence group had larger tumor size (3.1 vs. 2.4 cm; p = 0.011), upper pole tumor location (p = 0.016), and greater proportions of high-grade tumor (33 vs. 0.7 %; p < 0.001) and clear cell histology (77.8 vs. 45.9 %; p = 0.011). Four-year RFS was 100 versus 80 % for grade 1 versus grade 2/3 tumors (p = 0.0002), and 97 versus 88 % for other RCC versus clear cell RCC (p = 0.07). MVA demonstrated tumor size >3 cm (OR 2.46; p = 0.019), clear cell histology (OR 2.12; p = 0.027), and high tumor grade (OR 2.33, p < 0.001) as independent risk factors associated with tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

Association of higher grade and clear cell histology with recurrence and progression suggests need for increased emphasis on preoperative risk stratification by biopsy, with grade 1 and non-clear cell RCC being associated with improved treatment success than higher grade and clear cell RCC.

     

Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiency in Patients with Morbid Obesity Before Bariatric Surgery

Background

Postoperative micronutrient deficiency is a known side effect of bariatric surgery. In this study, we examined the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in patients with morbid obesity (MO) preoperatively.

Methods

A total of 1732 patients with MO wishing to undergo bariatric surgery (age: 40 ± 12 years, mean BMI: 44 ± 9 kg/m², means ± SD, 77.3% female) were analyzed in this cross-sectional examination. Iron state, vitamin B12, folic acid, 25hydroxy(OH)-vitamin D, PTH, vitamin A, and vitamin E levels were determined. Subsequently, patients underwent nutritional counseling and were substituted accordingly.

Results

A total of 63.2% (n = 1094) of the patients had a deficit in folic acid (< 5.3 ng/ml), 97.5% (n = 1689) in 25OHvitamin D (< 75 nmol/l), and 30.2% (n = 523) had a PTH elevation (> 56.9 pg/ml). A total of 5.1% (n = 88) of the patients presented with a deficit in vitamin B12 (< 188 pg/ml) and 6.2% (n = 107) in vitamin A (< 1.05 μmol/l). A total of 9.6% (n = 166) exhibited iron deficiency (ferritin < 15 μg/l). None of the patients had a deficit in vitamin E. There were no gender differences except for ferritin deficiency (women 11.8% vs. men 1.5%, p < 0.001). Patients in the highest BMI tertile had significantly more often a deficit in vitamin D (p = 0.033) and folic acid (p < 0.001). Patients in the lowest age tertile had significantly more often a deficit in folic acid (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our data show a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in patients with morbid obesity preoperatively and emphasize the importance of exact preoperative evaluation and adequate substitution as well as postoperative surveillance.

     

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Cyanoacrylate Glue Versus Suture Fixation in Lichtenstein Hernia Repair: 7-Year Outcome Analysis

Background

Lichtenstein hernioplasty has relatively low recurrence rate, but chronic inguinal pain may cause harm to the patient. The aim of our study was to compare long-term results of cyanoacrylate glue versus absorbable sutures for mesh fixation in Lichtenstein hernioplasty.

Methods

Lichtenstein hernioplasty (n = 302) was performed under local anesthesia in three hospitals. The patients were randomized to receive either 1 ml of butyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue glue (Glubran^®; 151 hernias) or absorbable polyglycolic acid sutures (Dexon^®; 151 hernias) for mesh fixation (Optilene^® mesh). Short-term results were published previously. Chronic groin pain, foreign body sensation, use of analgesics, recurrence and re-operations were analyzed 7 years after surgery.

Results

We reached 236 patients (78%) to present study. In the glue group (n = 115), there were five (4.3%) and in the suture group (n = 121) three (2.5%) recurrent hernias (p = 0.491). The prevalence of chronic pain (NRS ≥ 3) in the patients without re-operations was similar in two groups: 15/118 (13%) and 13/111 (12%), respectively (p = 0.843). There were no significant differences in the foreign body sensation (8/14, p = 0.267) or in the need of analgesics (2/2, p = 1.00) between the two study groups.

Conclusion

Both cyanoacrylate glue and mesh fixation with absorbable sutures were equal in terms of chronic pain and rate of recurrences in Lichtenstein hernioplasty after 7-year follow-up.

Trial registration number

NCT00659542.

     

The prognostic role of pre-cystectomy hemoglobin levels in patients with invasive bladder cancer

Purpose

To determine whether pre-treatment hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients with bladder cancer impact on oncological outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC).

Methods

A consecutive, contemporary series of 246 patients undergoing RC and pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder cancer. Decreased Hb level was defined as ≤12 g/dL. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate recurrence-free (RFS), cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS). The Fisher exact/Chi-square test was used to investigate differences between both groups. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis addressed risk factors for recurrence, cancer-specific death and overall death. The median follow-up was 30 months (2–116).

Results

Of the 246 patients, 182 (74 %) had normal (>12 g/dL) and 64 decreased (≤12 g/dL) preoperative Hb (26 %). In univariable analysis, decreased Hb was associated with increased age, extravesical disease, hydronephrosis (all p < 0.001), node-positive disease and positive resection margins (both p = 0.01). Subanalyzed for patients with organ-confined disease (defined as ≤pT2bN0R0; N = 109), the 3-year RFS, CSS and OS was significantly lower in patients with decreased (34.9, 35.5 and 19.8 %) compared to normal Hb level (69.7, 86.3 and 77.6 %; p = 0.01/p = 0.002/p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, RFS, CSS and OS were significantly lower in patients with decreased Hb (p = 0.007, p = 0.001 and p = 0.002), pathologically locally advanced tumor (≥pT3a; p = 0.023, p = 0.036 and p = 0.065) and nodal stage (p < 0.001, p = 0.006 and p = 0.001) and positive soft tissue surgical margins (p = 0.040, p = 0.004 and 0.012).

Conclusions

Pre-cystectomy Hb levels are associated with adverse histopathologic characteristics and provide additional prognostic information especially for patients with pathologically localized bladder cancer.

     

Rod fracture and lengthening intervals in traditional growing rods: is there a relationship?

Purpose

Is there any relationship between lengthening intervals and rod fracture in traditional growing rod (TGR) surgery?

Methods

A multicenter EOS database was queried for patients who had: (1) dual growing rods for EOS; (2) minimum 2-year follow-up; (3) a minimum of 2 lengthenings; and (4) revision surgery due to rod fracture. Of 138 patients who met the criteria: 56 patients experienced at least one-rod fracture (RF group) and 82 patients had no rod fractures (NRF group). In addition to each patient’s lengthening intervals, demographics, construct details, and radiographic parameters were compared.

Results

RF and NRF patients had a mean pre-op age of 5.7 years (range 1.3–10.7) and 7.3 years (range 1.6–12.8), respectively (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between etiologies and rod fracture or between BMI and rod fracture (p = 0.979). There was no significant difference between lengthening intervals between the RF and NRF groups (p > 0.05). RF and NRF patients had statistically similar mean pre-op major curve size and max kyphosis (p = 0.279; p = 0.619, respectively). Stainless steel rods fractured more frequently compared with Titanium rods (SS 49.2 % vs. Ti 38 %; p = 0.004). Rod fracture occurred more in rods smaller than 4 mm (p = 0.011).

Conclusions

Lengthening intervals were not statistically different in RF and NRF groups and there was no association between lengthening interval and rod fracture in TGR cases. It was shown that patients who had rod fracture were younger and were more likely to have SS rods with smaller than 4 mm diameter.

     

The comparison of adductor canal block with femoral nerve block following total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Purpose

Although several studies have compared the clinical efficacy of an adductor canal block (ACB) to that of a femoral nerve block (FNB) for analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), disputes mainly exist in the recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability between the two methods. The aim of the present study was to compare, in a systematic review and meta-analysis, the clinical efficacy of ACB with that of FNB.

Methods

We systematically searched randomized controlled trials comparing FNB with ACB for analgesia after TKA in Pubmed and the Cochrane Library from inception to April 30th 2015. There was no limitation of publication language. Trial quality was assessed using the modified Jadad scale, and eligible data were pooled for meta-analysis.

Results

Five studies of 348 patients were included. Outcomes showed that patients who received ACB had similar or better recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability than those that underwent FNB. Similar efficacy was found between the two strategies regarding adductor strength, pain scores [at rest (p = 0.86), at or after knee flexion (p = 0.31)], opioid consumption (p = 0.99), opioid-associated adverse effects (p = 0.60), length of hospital stay (p = 0.42), patient satisfaction (p = 0.57), and success rate of blockade (p = 0.20).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that TKA patients who receive ACB can achieve similar or even better recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability than those treated with FNB. Taken as a whole, ACB may be a better analgesia strategy after TKA at present.

     

Tumor diameter accurately predicts perioperative outcomes in T1 renal cancer treated with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy

Purpose

To compare diameter as a continuous variable with categorical R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RNS) in predicting surgical outcomes of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients receiving RPN at our institution between July 2007 and June 2014 (n = 286). Three separate multivariate analyses were performed to assess the relationship between RNS components (R = radius, E = endophyticity, N = nearness to collecting system, L = location relative to polar lines), total RNS, and diameter as a continuous variable with operating time, warm ischemia time (WIT), and estimated blood loss (EBL). Each linear regression model’s quality of fit to the data was assessed with coefficients of determination (R ²).

Results

Continuous tumor diameter and total RNS were each significantly correlated to operative time, EBL, and WIT (p < 0.001). Categorical R related to operative time (R = 2 vs. R = 1, p = 0.001; R = 3 vs. R = 1, p = 0.001) and WIT (R = 2 vs. R = 1, p = 0.003; R = 3 vs. R = 1, p = 0.016), but not to EBL. For each of these outcomes, diameter outperformed both R and total RNS, as assessed by R ². Age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and anterior versus posterior location did not correlate with surgical outcomes.

Conclusions

In this series of RPN from a high-volume center, surgical outcomes more closely related to tumor diameter than RNS. While RNS provides surgeons a standardized tool for preoperative planning of renal masses, tumor size may be employed as a more familiar measurement when counseling patients on potential outcomes.

     

The distribution of infection with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Propionibacterium acnes</Emphasis> is equal in patients with cervical and lumbar disc herniation

Background

Cervical and back pains are important clinical problems affecting human populations globally. It is suggested that Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is associated with disc herniation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the distribution of P. acnes infection in the cervical and lumbar disc material obtained from patients with disc herniation.

Methods and material

A total of 145 patients with mean age of 45.21 ± 11.24 years who underwent micro-discectomy in cervical and lumbar regions were enrolled into the study. The samples were excited during the operation and then cultured in the anaerobic incubations. The cultured P. acnes were detected by 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In this study, 145 patients including 25 cases with cervical and 120 cases with lumbar disc herniation were enrolled to the study. There was no significant difference in the age of male and female patients (p = 0.123). P. acnes infection was detected in nine patients (36%) with cervical disc herniation and 46 patients (38.3%) with lumbar disc herniation and no significant differences were reported in P. acnes presence according to the disc regions (p = 0.508.). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the presence of P. acnes infection according to the level of lumbar disc herniation (p = 0.028).

Conclusion

According to the results, the presence of P. acnes is equal in patients with cervical and lumbar disc herniation. There was a significant difference in the distribution of P. acnes infection according to level of lumbar disc herniation.

Level of Evidence

II

     

The Reliability of Bariatric Surgery Videos in YouTube Platform

Background

The growing number of bariatric surgery videos shared on YouTube highlights the need for content and quality assessment. The aim of this study was to answer the question ‘Is watching these videos useful to surgeons and patients?’

Methods

YouTube was searched using the keywords ‘obesity surgery’, ‘bariatric surgery’ and ‘weight loss surgery’, and 100 videos retrieved using each keyword were classified based on their ‘usefulness score’ as very useful, useful and not useful. Video content; source; length and number of views, likes and dislikes were recorded. Upload sources included doctors or hospitals (DH), medical web sites or TV channels (MW), commercial web sites (CW) or civilians (CI). Between-group differences were compared.

Results

Of the 300 videos watched, 175 were included in the study; 53.7% were useful and 24.6% were very useful. There were no between-group differences in the number of likes (p = 0.480), dislikes (p = 0.592) and views (p = 0.104). Most videos were uploaded by MW and DH, also with no significant differences in the number of likes (p = 0.35), dislikes (p = 0.14) and views (p = 0.93). No videos were found with misleading information.

Conclusions

The popularity of bariatric surgery and interest of both patients and surgeons are increasing daily. Although videos on bariatric surgery on YouTube may be more useful than those on other surgical procedures, it is important that the videos are uploaded by medical professionals and that specific upload and retrieval filters are applied.