Syntheses and antifungal activities of some 3-(2-phenylethyl)-5-substituted- tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thiones.

Ten new 3-(2-phenethyl)-5-substituted-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2- thiones were synthesized by the reaction of phenylethylamine with carbon disulfide and potassium hydroxide, followed by formaldehyde and appropriate amino acids. The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by UV, IR, 1H-NMR and elementary analysis. The antifungal activities of the compounds were tested by tube dilution method against yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. stellatoidea and C. pseudotropicalis) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined. All compounds proved to be highly effective against yeast-like fungi (MFC range: 1.56-12.5 micrograms/ml).     

The mechanism of cholestasis from hepatic hydatid cysts

Cholestasis is a common complication of hepatic hydatid cyst. We describe the various mechanisms of cholestasis in hepatic hydatid cyst as demonstrated by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 16 patients. In our patients, cholestasis was the result of rupture or mechanical pressure of the cyst on the biliary system. Direct visualization of the bile duct, especially by PTC, provided precise definitions of the pathology, and aided the surgeon in his approach. There were no adverse reactions. All preoperative diagnoses were confirmed at operation.     

Using two ipsilateral double j ureteral stents for extrinsic ureteral obstruction due to colon carcinoma

Although double J (DJ) ureteral stents are widely used in extrinsic ureteral obstruction, there are few studies using ipsilateral two DJ stents in the same ureter. We report using ipsilateral two ureteral DJ stents in the same ureter in a patient with extrinsic ureteral obstruction due to colon carcinoma.     

Laparoscopic removal of a swallowed sewing needle that migrated into the greater omentum without clinical evidence

We report a case of a sewing needle, presumably originating from the transverse colon or the ligament of Treitz, that migrated to the greater omentum. A 24-year-old woman was referred to our clinic with a complaint of abdominal pain which was exacerbated by breathing or any physical activity. Abdominal plain x-ray showed a needle in the left upper abdominal area. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and contrast enhanced x-ray studies was unable to reveal whether the needle was in the colonic lumen. Virtual colonoscopy examination demonstrated that the foreign body was not in the lumen. The foreign body was removed from the patient's greater omentum in a fluoroscopy- guided laparoscopic surgery. An accurate and rapid diagnosis of a perforation in the gastrointestinal tract as the result of an ingested foreign body is difficult in the absence of peritonitis or abscess formation. In such cases, the virtual colonoscopy is useful if there is uncertainty whether the foreign body is in the lumen. Perioperative fluoroscopy can be useful to overcome the lack of tactile discrimination in laparoscopy, in patients who have been scheduled for surgery who have no signs of the localization of the foreign body (such as abscess or solid organ migration).     

Reliability of free-flap coverage in diabetic foot ulcers

As microsurgery advances, microsurgical free-tissue transfers have become the reconstructive method of choice over staged or primary amputation, and enabling independent ambulation in difficult lower-extremity wounds. In this report, we present our experiences with free-tissue transfer for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in 13 diabetic foot ulcers. Following radical debridement, soft-tissue reconstruction was achieved in the following ways: anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap in 5 patients, radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap in 3 patients, lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap in 1 patient, gracilis musculocutaneous flap in 1 patient, tensor fascia latae flap in 1 patient, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in 1 patient, and a parascapular flap in the remaining patient. In 8 cases, diabetic wounds were in the foot, while wounds were at the level of the lower leg in the remaining patients. In all patients, vascular patency was confirmed by the Doppler technique. In suspicious cases, arteriography was then performed. While all flaps survived well in the postoperative period, one patient died from cardiopulmonary problems on postoperative day 16 in an intensive care unit. Amputation was necessary in the early postoperative period because of healing problems. In the remaining 10 cases, all flaps survived intact. In one case, arterial revision was performed successfully. The ultimate limb salvage rate was 83% for the 12 patients. Independent ambulation was achieved in these cases. During the follow-up period of 8 months to 2 years, no ulcer recurrence was noted, and no revascularization or vascular bypass surgery was needed before or after the free-tissue transfers. The authors conclude that free-tissue transfer for diabetic foot ulcers is a reliable procedure, despite pessimistic opinions regarding the flap survival and low limb salvage rates. It should be considered a useful reconstructive option for serious defects in well-selected cases.     

A rare and serious complication of the radial forearm flap donor site: osteomyelitis of the radius

Although the radial forearm flap has become a workhorse for the reconstructive surgeon, it has some known disadvantages, especially relating to donor area complications. The authors present a serious but rare complication of the radial forearm donor site. Osteomyelitis of the radius at the flap donor site was observed in a 48-year-old man 5 weeks after flap surgery. Although the flap was raised fasciocutaneously without a bony portion, infection of the radius was determined. The infection was successfully treated with surgical debridement and simultaneous administration of a proper antibiotic regimen. One should keep in mind that osteomyelitis of the radius may be encountered as one of the serious donor site complications of the radial forearm flap that may have detrimental effects on hand functions.     

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.     

Endoscopic and radiologic interventions as the leading causes of severe cholangitis in a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic factors became the leading mechanisms of severe cholangitis in a referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of the 58 patients treated for severe cholangitis between 1996 and May 2004 (inclusive) were evaluated. RESULTS: The most frequent underlying diseases were periampullary tumors and mid-bile duct carcinomas (22), followed by proximal cholangiocarcinomas (14). The triggering mechanism was an incomplete endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 32 patients, incomplete or inappropriate percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in 6, apparently successful ERCP and stenting in 1, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in 1. PTBD was the treatment of choice (38). Mortality was 29% (17/58); the major causes were refractory sepsis (8) and incomplete biliary drainage (advanced tumor, technical failure, or hemobilia) (8). CONCLUSIONS: In this series composed predominantly of patients referred after development of sepsis, ERCP and PTBD complications were the leading mechanisms of severe cholangitis. Nonoperative biliary manipulations are invasive procedures with potentially fatal complications. The decisions to perform such procedures and periprocedural management are responsibilities of an experienced multidisciplinary team.