History of neurosurgery and neurosurgical applications in Turkey

Although there is evidence of applications of cranial surgery in ancient times, it is commonly accepted that modern surgery started in the late 19th century. The advancements in anesthesiology and aseptic techniques were the main factors contributing to this process. Surgery of the nervous system, however, has a relatively shorter history than surgery of other systems. The process of surgical development in Turkey did not differ from most Western countries. Modern surgery started in 1890 in Turkey. In the beginning, neurosurgical applications were performed by general surgeons. Most of these applications included procedures for craniocerebral traumas and infections and procedures for pain relief. The first neurosurgeon, Dr. Tuner, started working in 1923, operating in some spinal cord and brain tumor and trigeminal neuralgia cases. Other neurosurgeons, Dr. Dilek, Dr. Baydur, and Dr. Kankat, were trained in France and started to work in the mid 1930s. The first neurosurgery department was established in Istanbul in 1923, and the first neurosurgery training program started in the late 1940s. Today, there are more than 50 neurosurgery training centers and more than 500 neurosurgeons in Turkey. There is an increasing number of publications by Turkish neurosurgeons, contributing to the total body of literature in neurosurgery. The current state of neurosurgery in Turkey is parallel to that of the advanced Western countries.     

End-to-side nerve coaptation: is an additional proximal coaptation useful when available?

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of end-to-side coaptation of the proximal end of a severed nerve to the same intact nerve, in addition to traditional end-to-side coaptation of the distal end, with an aim to use the intact nerve as a nerve conduit in a rat model and to compare the functional and histologic results of this modality to those obtained after nerve grafting and traditional end-to-side nerve coaptation. In group A, a peroneal nerve defect measuring 1 cm was created in the left hind limb, and a nerve graft 1 cm long was used to bridge the defect. In group B, only the distal stump of the peroneal nerve was coapted to the intact tibial nerve. In group C, both ends of the peroneal nerve defect were coapted to the intact tibial nerve in an end-to-side fashion 1.5 cm apart from each other, and in group D, the peroneal nerve defect was left unrepaired. Group E was consisted of nonoperated peroneal nerves that were used to obtain normative data. Although significantly higher myelinated axon densities were observed in groups B and C compared with group A and group E, total number of the myelinated axons was significantly higher only in group C. Peroneal functional index assessments demonstrated that nerve recovery in the peroneal nerve was similar in groups A and C, and both were better than those observed in groups B and D. Collectively, these results suggest that end-to-side coaptation of both ends of a severed nerve to an intact nerve, in case of a nerve defect in this length, may serve as an alternative for nerve grafting.     

Herophilus of Chalcedon: a pioneer in neuroscience

A review of the history of ancient medicine reveals that most of the knowledge is concentrated in the studies of a few scientists. The best-known names include Hippocrates, Rufus of Ephesus, Celsus, and Galen. The survival of their works throughout the ages has been the most important factor contributing to their popularity. However, there are other scientists who made great contributions to science, but whose writings have been lost or destroyed over the course of time. As a result, their names are not as well known as those of others and the value of their contributions is not appreciated. With the improvement of communication technology in the past 50 years, links between the studies of ancient science can be made more effectively and scientists who have remained hidden under the shade of time have begun, after thousands of years, to receive the appreciation they deserve. In the field of neuroscience, the historical record focuses on Galen of Pergamon. But, when his marvelous works are carefully studied, it is interesting to note two names he frequently referenced: Herophilus (335-280 BC) and Erasistratus (310-250 BC). These two scientists were the first to place scientific value on the dissection of the human body. Herophilus is considered the father of scientific anatomy, and Erasistratus was the first experimental physiologist. Attracted by the prospect of material advancement and eminent students, both migrated from their homes in Asia Minor to Alexandria. The works of Herophilus and Erasistratus have been lost entirely, but some details of their teachings may be recovered from the writings of Galen. In this study, we focus on Herophilus, a master of ancient medicine, whose important discoveries about the human body formed the basis for positive science and the foundation for neuroscience.     

Valve replacement surgery in patients with end-stage renal disease: long-term results

BACKGROUND: The life expectancy of patients with chronic renal failure who are dependent on dialysis is very poor. This study was undertaken to determine time-related outcomes in dialysis patients requiring cardiac valve replacement. METHODS: From 1994 to 2001, 29 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) program underwent 30 valve replacement operations: 29 received mechanical valves (97%), and one received bioprosthetic valves. The sites of valve replacement were 11 aortic (36.7%), 18 mitral (60%), and one both aortic and mitral (3.3%). Mean age was 42.46 +/- 14.26 years (range 17-75 years). Follow-up was completed in 28 patients (96.5%). RESULTS: Early postoperative mortality (in the first 30 days) was 3.4% (n = 1). The overall estimated Kaplan-Meier survival was 56.7% at 36 months, 46.7% at 60 months, and 43.3% at 96 months. HD program was discontinued for two patients after renal transplantation in the follow-up period. All patients, except the one with bioprosthesis, used warfarin sodium for anticoagulation and none of them had bleeding. One of the patients had a major cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and another one had a minor CVA at the follow-up (6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Life quality is better and life expectancy is longer after valve replacement in ESRD patients who have valvular disease. Also, longer life expectancy increases the probability for finding donors for kidney transplantation.     

Treatment outcome of nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma

PURPOSE: Most authors recommend aggressive management for sinonasal carcinoma treatment. In an attempt to determine the optimal treatment, we assessed the treatment results of our patients with nasal cavity and paranasal sinus carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1980 to December 2001, 40 patients with malignant tumours of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses were treated. The median follow-up was 6 years. Thirty-two patients had tumours originating from the maxillary sinus. Thirteen patients had T1-T2 (32.5%) tumours and 27 patients had T3-T4 (67.5%) tumours. The treatment method was surgery plus radiotherapy in 24 patients (60%) and radiotherapy alone in 16 patients (40%). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was 61%, whereas it was 65% for T1-T2 disease and 56% for T3-T4 disease. The 5-year local control rate was 58%, whereas it was 75% and 50% (p = .219) for T1-T2 and T3-T4 disease, respectively. In multivariate analysis; localization (p = .016), adjuvant radiotherapy (p = .040), local control (p = .05), and gender (p = .013 for female) were statistically significant factors. CONCLUSION: The prognosis for patients with tumours of the sinonasal area is dependent on localization, tumour stage, and treatment modality. Because the most common site of treatment failure is the primary site, efforts to maximize local control should be undertaken.     

Effects of coasting on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer cycles

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of 'coasting' on the outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: IVF Centre, Ozel Ege Tup Bebek Merkezi, Izmir, Turkey. SAMPLE: Twenty-six coasted and 52 non-coasted COH and ICSI-ET patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. METHODS: Coasted patients were enrolled consecutively during the study period, and two non-coasted controls were selected from our database for each coasted patient. Coasting was decided when serum oestradiol level was > or = 4000 pg/mL. Groups were compared using chi2 and Mann-Whitney U-tests for statistical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of oocytes collected, metaphase II (MII) oocytes and cleaving embryos, the fertilisation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Number of oocytes collected, number of MII oocytes, number of cleaving embryos, fertilisation rate and clinical pregnancy rate for the coasted and non-coasted groups were 15.5 +/- 5.2 and 14.0 +/- 7.1, 9.7 +/- 4.8 and 9.3 +/- 3.9, 6.8 +/- 3.9 and 5.8 +/- 3.1, 0.85 +/- 0.18 and 0.78 +/- 0.18, 13/26 and 24/52, respectively; these differences were not statistically significant. None of the patients in the coasted group were hospitalised for signs or findings of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Coasting does not adversely affect the number and the function of mature oocytes and the clinical pregnancy rate.     

The effect of mid-luteal estradiol level on the outcome of ICSI-ET cycles

Methods We investigated if mid-luteal estradiol levels could predict the outcome in intracytoplasmic sperm injection embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) cycles (n=231). Pregnant and non-pregnant women were compared regarding their peak estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection day, and mid-luteal estradiol levels on the 7th day following oocyte recovery. Pregnancy rates of the groups that were designed according to the "peak/mid-luteal estradiol level" and the mid-luteal estradiol levels were also compared.Results Peak and mid-luteal estradiol levels in pregnant women were higher than in non-pregnant women in all patients, although the difference between peak and mid-luteal estradiol levels were similar in pregnant and non-pregnants. Pregnant women had higher mid-luteal estradiol levels in good responders, but the peak estradiol levels of pregnant and non-pregnant women were similar. In poor responders, pregnant and non-pregnant women were similar with respect to peak and mid-luteal estradiol levels. Both in all patients and good responders, women with mid-luteal estradiol levels <200 pg/ml had lower pregnancy rates than those with >2,000 pg/ml. Peak/mid-luteal estradiol ratios of pregnant and non-pregnant women were not significantly different in all patients, good responders and poor responders; although a tendency for a lower ratio in pregnants was encountered in good responders. Pregnancy rates of the groups according to the "peak/mid-luteal estradiol ratio" were similar; in all patients, good responders and poor responders.Conclusion A relation between the mid-luteal estradiol level and the outcome is encountered only in good responders.     

The 'true' acetabular index in children with cerebral palsy

INTRODUCTION: The acetabular index is a measurement used to determine whether or not an acetabular osteotomy may be required at the time of hip reconstruction in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of pre- and postoperative values of the acetabular index was carried out on two groups of children. One group of children had an acetabuloplasty and the other did not during hip reconstruction, the decision being made at the time of open reduction, based on lack of hip congruity. RESULTS: When the pre-operative acetabular index measurements were reviewed, the mean difference between the two groups was only 7 degrees. Range of measurements was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The acetabular index is difficult to measure in some children with cerebral palsy. The bony landmarks are difficult to standardise. This may explain the similar pre-operative values between the two groups of children in this study. We, therefore, recommend that before hip reconstruction in children with cerebral palsy, the measurement of the acetabular index should be abandoned. Decisions as to whether to undertake an acetabuloplasty or not should be made at the time of open reduction.     

The role of smooth muscle cell differentiation in the mechanism of obliteration of processus vaginalis

Background/Purpose

Development of indirect inguinal hernia and hydrocele in childhood is readily explained by the persistence of smooth muscle component around the processus vaginalis (PV) after the descent of the testis into the scrotum. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM MHC) isoforms as the markers of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation in childhood inguinal hernia and hydrocele and in age-matched controls.

Methods

The authors analyzed sacs from patients with inguinal hernia (male, 10; female, 10) and hydrocele (n = 10) immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin, SM1, SM2 and SMemb. Peritoneal samples (male, 5; female, 5) obtained from age-matched patients served as controls. Immunostaining was evaluated with semiquantitative scoring and χ² test.

Results

The expression pattern of SM MHC isoforms did not differ among sacs obtained from female inguinal hernia when compared with that of controls. However, strong expression of SMemb within the sac walls of male inguinal hernia and SM1 in hydrocele groups were observed.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that SMC differentiation may play an important role in the obliteration of processus vaginalis in male inguinal hernia and hydrocele after the descent of the testis.