Laparoscopy in Turkish Bariatric Surgery: Initial Experience

Background: The recent application of the laparoscopic method combines minimal invasiveness with reversibility, adjustability and shorter hospital stay. The first laparoscopic bariatric operation in Turkey was performed by us in 1998. Methods: We report the results in 50 consecutive patients who underwent the laparoscopic application of SAGB between April 1998 and April 1999.The operation setting was the same as for the laparoscopic antireflux procedure. After a closed CO pneumoperi2 toneum (16-18 mmHg), in the first 20 cases five and in the remaining 30 cases four trocars were inserted. A 30°laparoscope was placed on the line between the umbilicus and the xiphoid through a 10 mm trocar.We followed and respected the main steps of the operation as well. Pre and postoperative body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and percent excess weight (%EW) values were calculated and compared. Results: Our early results were quite satisfactory and promising. After an average follow-up period of 1 year (range 6-18 months), the 50 patients of our laparoscopic series showed a BW of 74 kg (range 56- 112), a BMI of 29 (range 21-40), and an EW of 62% (range 22-86). Conclusion: With its lower morbidity rate, shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results, the laparoscopic approach may be considered the first choice in bariatric surgery.     

Acute kidney injury in the elderly hospitalized patients

Objective: We aimed to evaluate acute kidney injury (AKI), occurrence of recovery and risk factors associated with permanent kidney injury and mortality in the elderly individuals. Design: Evidence for this study was obtained from retrospective cohort study from our center. Patients: A total of 193 patients (>65 years, mean age: 79.99?±?6.93) with acute kidney injury were enrolled in this study between 2011 and 2012. Patients with kidney failure or renal replacement therapy (RRT) history at admission were excluded. Intervention: Main outcome measurements: serum creatinine (SCr), estimated GFR (with CKD-Epi) and complete blood counts were evaluated at baseline and daily basis thereafter. The AKI was defined based on Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification. Results: Among 193 patients, 43 (22%) patients required RRT. Mortality rate was 18% (n?=?36) SCr levels were restored within 9.9?±?6.7days on average (8–39 days). Sixteen patients (12.7%) required RRT after discharge. The mean hospital stay was 10.1?±?8.6 days (7–41 days). Mortality rate of patients who have no renal recovery was higher (44.8% vs. 4.8%) than renal recovery group (p?0.01). Conclusion: The AKI represents a frequent complication in the elderly patients with longer hospital stay and increased mortality and morbidity. Our results show that dialytic support requirement is an independent predictor of permeant kidney injury in the elderly AKI patients. Older age, low diastolic blood pressure, high CRP and low hemoglobin levels were independent risk factors for mortality.     

Cost of renal replacement therapy in Turkey

BACKGROUND AND RESULTS: By the end 2000, 22224 patients were on renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Turkey. We investigated the cost of RRT in three medical faculties and one private dialysis centre. Yearly expenses were US dollars 22759 for haemodialysis (HD), US dollars 22350 for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and US dollars 23393 and US dollars 10028, respectively, for the first and second years of transplantation (Tx). In the first year, renal Tx was significantly more expensive than CAPD. However, after the first year of renal transplantation, Tx became significantly more economical than both CAPD and HD. The sum of all yearly RRT expenses for the country was US dollars 488958709, which corresponds to nearly 5.5% of Turkey's total health expenditure. CONCLUSION: Measures such as early construction of vascular access, promoting home dialysis and the reuse of the dialysers, strict control of the use of some expensive drugs like erythropoietin and active vitamin D, and also increasing the number of transplantations, especially if pre-emptive transplantation is possible, should be taken into account in order to reduce these expenses.     

Ocular and visual side effects of systemic cyclosporine.

In this study, we investigated the ocular and visual side effects of systemic cyclosporine used as an immunosuppressant in 51 renal transplant recipients during the postoperative period. Three different treatment schemes were used. The patients in the first group received cyclosporine and a corticosteroid. The second group was given azathioprine and a corticosteroid. Those in the third group were treated with azathioprine, a corticosteroid, and cyclosporine. Cotton-wool exudates, retinal hemorrhages, and retinal artery branch occlusion were observed only in one patient each in the second group, and these patients were excluded from the statistical evaluation. Macular hyperpigmentation was observed as a new finding in each group, but there was no statistical difference between the groups. The same results were found for cataract; this probably was related to the use of steroids. Trichomegaly, visual hallucinations, and cerebral blindness were not observed by contrast with previous studies. We suggest that systemic cyclosporine does not have significant ocular and visual side effects.     

A very rare cause of recurrent apnea: congenital nasopharyngeal teratoma

A three-month-old girl patient born at the 37th week of gestation as one of twins was admitted to our hospital with cardiac arrest. There was past medical history of multiple hospitalizations with symptoms of cyanosis, respiratory distress, and frequent and severe attacks of apnea since her birth. On nasopharyngeal computerized tomography a mass (25x24 mm) occupying the right side of the nasopharynx was detected. The pathological evaluation of the excised mass revealed benign teratoma. After the removal of the nasopharyngeal mass under general anesthesia, respiratory distress and attacks of apnea disappeared completely. In every neonate with unexplained stridor and recurrent apnea, beside the common causes like respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and asphyxia, the possibility of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal mass should be kept in mind.     

Internal herniation concurrent with ileosigmoid knotting or sigmoid volvulus: Presentation of 12 patients

BACKGROUND: Internal herniation concurrent with ileosigmoid knotting or sigmoid volvulus is an unusual and complex form of closed-loop obstruction that may result in a fatal outcome unless treated timely and properly. The aim of this article was to review our experience with this condition, with emphasis on the etiopathogenesis, clinicopathologic features, and treatment options. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of 12 patients treated at 2 university hospitals over a period of 30 years between 1970 and 2000. RESULTS: In this series, the internal herniation resulted in ileosigmoid knotting in 8 cases, whereas it was concomitant with sigmoid volvulus in 4 cases. The types of internal herniation were identified as transmesenteric through the Treves field in 8 patients and as transomental, intersigmoidal, pericecal, and around omphalomesenteric fibrous cord in 1 patient each. The rate of gangrenous bowel was 100%. En bloc resection for combined gangrene of small bowel and large bowel was the treatment of choice in 7 patients, of whom 5 underwent the Hartmann's procedure and 2 underwent primary sigmoidectomy-anastomosis in addition to primary enterectomy-anastomosis. Primary sigmoidectomy-anastomosis and Mikulicz's procedure were performed in 2 patients for gangrenous sigmoid colon only. Three patients underwent primary enterectomy-anastomosis for gangrenous small bowel only. The morbidity rates and the mortality rate were both 33.3%. The mean length of hospital stay following emergency operations was 11.2 days. CONCLUSIONS: In particular, surgeons who are from developing countries that form the world's "volvulus belt" should be aware of this entity's features and be ready to perform an appropriately selected surgical option for a given patient to accomplish the optimal clinical outcome.     

Retropharyngeal space and lymph nodes: an anatomical guide for surgical dissection

Identification of the alar fascia is the key part of surgical dissection of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs). In cases where mandibulotomy is not performed for the removal of the primary tumor and/or the posterior pharyngeal wall is not incised, the medial or lateral approaches described in this paper can be performed.Surgical dissection of the RPLNs may improve prognosis and locoregional control in oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinomas. There have been no previous anatomical studies concerning landmarks and approaches for the surgical dissection of the RPLNs. This study was designed to illustrate the fascial anatomy of the retropharyngeal region (RPR), provide anatomical guidelines for RPLN dissection and describe and compare approaches for surgical removal of the RPLNs.Twelve fixed cadavers were used. Slices were obtained from the necks of the first three cadavers and the RPRs of the slices were dissected under an operating microscope. The other nine cadavers were dissected in a surgical position to expose the RPLNs and the fasciae of the RPR.In the coronal plane, the alar fascia divides the space between the buccopharyngeal and prevertebral fasciae into two compartments and constitutes the posterior border of the retropharyngeal space, which contains the RPLNs. The alar fascia, an important landmark for reaching the RPLNs, can be identified by the cervical sympathetic trunk, superior sympathetic ganglion and superior laryngeal nerve. Two approaches can be performed to remove the RPLNs, namely medial or lateral to the internal and external carotid arteries, internal jugular vein and vagus nerve.     

Pseudoaneurysm and aortobronchial fistula after aortic coarctation repair by patch aortoplasty

Pseudoaneurysm and aortobronchial fistula are very rare complications of aortic coarctation repair by means of patch aortoplasty, and are usually fatal if not treated surgically. A 26-year-old man with recent-onset massive hemoptysis had undergone aortic coarctation repair by means of Dacron patch aortoplasty at the age of 10 in our hospital. Computed tomography of the chest showed a descending aortic pseudoaneurysm. Left heart bypass was used for distal perfusion while the patient underwent graft interposition. Lung parenchyma around the fistula was repaired, and the patient was discharged after an uneventful postoperative course. When hemoptysis occurs in a patient with a history of thoracic aortic surgery, aortobronchial fistula should be suspected. Close follow-up is mandatory for patients who have undergone coarctation repair.     

Ultrasound-guided versus 'blind' intraparotid injections of botulinum toxin-A for the treatment of sialorrhoea in patients with Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intraparotid botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injections into parotid gland using ultrasound-guided versus nonguided techniques for the treatment of sialorrhoea in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: 15 patients with PD and sialorrhoea were included and divided into two groups. Group A patients (n=8) were injected with BTX-A using ultrasound guidance. Group B patients (n=7) were injected with BTX-A without ultrasound guidance. Saliva secretion was assessed quantitatively at baseline and at weeks 1, 4, and 12. Patients and/or caregivers also assessed the saliva secretion using visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: All patients except one reported subjective improvement in sialorrhoea at the first week. Group A patients showed significantly higher rate of saliva reduction at the first week, whereas in Group B the reduction was not statistically significant from baseline at the first week (P>0.05). Comparisons of quantitative saliva assessments at each follow-up visit also showed that ultrasound-guided injections were superior to blind injections for saliva reduction. VAS scores showed an improvement in the mean rate of saliva secretion in each group at first week (P<0.05). Two patients suffered from dry mouth in mild severity lasting 1 month. CONCLUSION: Intraparotid BTX-A injections using ultrasound guidance may be an effective, easy, and safe treatment for parkinsonian sialorrhoea.