Quality of life measures in Islamic rectal carcinoma patients receiving counselling

Aim This prospective study was conducted to compare changes in the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and religious practices of patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer. Method We prospectively followed 93 Muslim patients after surgery for colorectal carcinoma: abdominoperineal excision (APE, n = 50), sphincter‐saving resection (LAR, n = 22) or anterior resection including sigmoid colectomy (AR, n = 21). The HRQoL was measured pre‐ and postoperatively at 15–18 months with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36) and a modified version of the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Fecal Incontinence questionnaire. Life standards, including religious practice, were measured using the Ankara University Life Standard Questionnaire. Results No difference was detected in any SF‐36 Health Survey HRQoL domain among the groups, although there were differences within groups before and after surgery. The ASCRS Fecal Incontinence questionnaire scales of lifestyle, coping/behaviour and depression/self‐perception were similar in the APE and AR groups and were significantly worse than in the AR group (P ≤ 0.004). The embarrassment scale was worse in the APE than in the LAR and AR groups (P < 0.001). Religious worship (praying alone, praying in mosques, fasting during Ramadan and purifying alms) was not significantly different among the groups. Conclusion HRQoL measured by the SF‐36 questionnaire and religious practices were not significantly different after APE compared with AR. Ostomy support and pre‐ and postoperative health‐related and religious counselling may have had beneficial effects.     

Internet search by the patients undergoing hernia surgery about the disease and surgeon selection

Hernia - To find out the current status of the internet use of patients who undergo surgery for repair of their hernias. The patients who were diagnosed with abdominal wall hernia and scheduled for...     

Unroofing and Curettage for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Pilonidal Disease

Background  

Various surgical techniques are available in the management of pilonidal sinus, but controversy concerning the optimal surgical approach persists. The present study analyzes the outcome of unroofing and curettage as the primary intervention for acute and chronic pilonidal disease.     

Breast hamartoma: a clinicopathologic analysis of 27 cases and a literature review

OBJECTIVES:

Breast hamartoma is an uncommon breast tumor that accounts for approximately 4.8% of all benign breast masses. The pathogenesis is still poorly understood and breast hamartoma is not a well-known disorder, so its diagnosis is underestimated by clinicians and pathologists. This study was designed to present our experience with breast hamartoma, along with a literature review.

METHOD:

We reviewed the demographic data, pathologic analyses and imaging and results of patients diagnosed with breast hamartoma between December 2003 and September 2013.

RESULTS:

In total, 27 cases of breast hamartoma operated in the Ankara University Medicine Faculty''s Department of General Surgery were included in the study. All patients were female and the mean age was 41.8±10.8 years. The mean tumor size was 3.9±2.7 cm. Breast ultrasound was performed on all patients before surgery. The most common additional lesion was epithelial hyperplasia (22.2%). Furthermore, lobular carcinoma in situ was identified in one case and invasive ductal carcinoma was observed in another case. Immunohistochemical staining revealed myoid hamartoma in one case (3.7%).

CONCLUSION:

Breast hamartomas are rare benign lesions that may be underdiagnosed because of the categorization of hamartomas as fibroadenomas by pathologists. Pathologic examinations can show variability from one case to another. Thus, the true incidence may be higher than the literature indicates.     

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form

The goal of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM–5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form. The scale was prepared by translating and then back-translating the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale. The study groups included one group of 30 patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who were treated in a child and adolescent psychiatry unit and another group of 83 healthy volunteers from middle and high schools in the community. For assessment, the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (ADES) was used in addition to the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale. Regarding the reliability of the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale, Cronbach’s alpha was .824 and item–total score correlation coefficients were between .464 and .648. The test–retest correlation coefficient was calculated to be r = .784. In terms of construct validity, one factor accounted for 45.2% of the variance. Furthermore, in terms of concurrent validity, the scale showed a high correlation with the ADES. In conclusion, the Turkish version of the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form is a valid and reliable tool for both clinical practice and research.     

Validation of the Turkish translation of the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score

Techniques in Coloproctology - Long-term bowel dysfunction after resection for rectal cancer, known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), is observed in many patients. The LARS score was...