Research of Importance of Thiol, CRP and Lactate in Diagnosing Mesenteric Ischemia At An Early Stage: Animal Model

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

Acute mesenteric ischemia is especially seen in the elderly population. It has an increasing incidence in today's world where the average life expectancy is increasing. Early diagnosis is the most important factor reducing morbidity and mortality, and there is still no marker with high sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis.In this study, we aimed to find a more sensitive and specific serum marker in the early diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia by comparing thiol with the currently used markers C-reactive protein and lactate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In our study, 32 Wistar Albino male rats, 10-12 weeks old, weighing 250-300 g, were used. 32 rats were divided into 4 groups, one of which was the control group. The superior mesenteric artery of the other 3 groups was ligated. Blood samples were taken after 2 hours from the first group, 4 hours from the second group, and 6 hours from the third group. Then the rats were sacrificed. Mesenteric ischemia and its level were observed in sacrificed subjects. The samples were separated under appropriate conditions and analyzed biochemically.

RESULTS

As the ischemia time increased, CRP increased and this increase was found to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The changes in lactate were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference between the changes of total and native thiol values was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although CRP is a non-specific parameter in the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia, lactate maintains its importance as seen in our study. Differences in total thiol and native thiol changes were statistically significant. The fact that this significant difference is observed at the 4th hour values, reveals the importance of these parameters in early diagnosis. Thanks to the economic and fast results of thiol parameters, it is thought that new studies to be added to the literature can lead to the diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia.

A new, simple marker for predicting complicated appendicitis in patients with normal white blood cell count indicator; LUC

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a new marker that could be easily obtained to differentiate between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis in a patients with a white blood cell (WBC) count within the normal range.

METHODS

The patients who underwent surgery with histopathologically proven acute appendicitis (AA) between January 2021 and October 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were classified into two groups as uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis, based on the surgical and histopathological findings. Groups were compared in terms of laboratory parameters at the time of hospital admission.

RESULTS

During the study period, 2589 patients underwent an appendectomy, among these 612 patients who had a WBC count within the normal range at the time of admission were analyzed. Uncomplicated appendicitis was detected in 79.6% of the patients and complicated appendicitis in 20.4%. Neutrophil%, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher, whereas lymphocyte%, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, sodium levels, and large unstained cells (LUC)% were significantly lower in patients with complicated appendicitis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lower LUC% (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.45; 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 1.08-2.09; P=0.01) and higher total bilirubin levels (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.08-2.09; P=0.01) were independent risk factors for complicated appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

In patients with a diagnosis of AA with a normal WBC value, LUC% obtained from the complete blood count can be used as a new parameter predicting the diagnosis of complicated appendicitis.

Clinical course of percutaneous cholecystostomies: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Although cholecystectomy is the standard treatment modality, it has been shown that perioperative mortality is approaching 19% in critical and elderly patients. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) can be considered as a safer option with a significantly lower complication rate in these patients.

AIM

To assess the clinical course of acute cholecystitis (AC) in patients we treated with PC.

METHODS

The study included 82 patients with Grade I, II or III AC according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) and treated with PC. The patients’ demographic and clinical features, laboratory parameters, and radiological findings were retrospectively obtained from their medical records.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients, 45 (54.9%) were male, and the median age was 76 (35-98) years. According to TG18, 25 patients (30.5%) had Grade I, 34 (41.5%) Grade II, and 23 (28%) Grade III AC. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score was III or more in 78 patients (95.1%). The patients, who had been treated with PC, were divided into two groups: discharged patients and those who died in hospital. The groups statistically significantly differed only concerning the ASA score (P = 0.0001) and WBCC (P = 0.025). Two months after discharge, two patients (3%) were readmitted with AC, and the intervention was repeated. Nine of the discharged patients (13.6%) underwent interval open cholecystectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (8/1) within six to eight weeks after PC. The median follow-up time of these patients was 128 (12-365) wk, and their median lifetime was 36 (1-332) wk.

CONCLUSION

For high clinical success in AC treatment, PC is recommended for high-risk patients with moderate-severe AC according to TG18, elderly patients, and especially those with ASA scores of ≥ III. According to our results, PC, a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment, should be preferred in cases suffering from AC with high risk of mortality associated with cholecystectomy.

A novel simplified scoring system for predicting mortality in emergency colorectal surgery: prediction model development

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in surgical approaches, emergency colorectal surgery has high mortality and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to create a simple and distinctive scoring system, for predicting mortality among patients undergoing emergency colorectal surgery.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prediction model development study based on retrospective data-gathering.

METHODS

Patients who underwent emergency colorectal surgery between March 2014 and December 2016 at a single tertiary-level referral center were included in our study. Patient demographics, comorbidities, type of surgery, etiology and laboratory and radiological findings were collected retrospectively and analyzed. A new clinical score (named the Numune emergency colorectal resection score) was constructed from the last logistic regression model, in which one point was assigned for the presence of each predictive factor.

RESULTS

138 patients underwent emergency colorectal surgery. These comprised 64 males (46.4%) and 74 females (53.6%), with a mean age of 64 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that blood urea nitrogen level > 65 mg/dl (odds ratio, OR: 8.03; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.16-15.77), albumin level < 0.7 -mg/-dl (OR: 4.43; 95% CI: 1.96-14.39) and American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥ 3 (OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 0.81-9.18) were associated with postoperative complications. The Numune score was graded from I to III. The risk of mortality was found to be 63.2% in the group with grade III, which accounted for 35.2% of the subjects. There were 37 postoperative deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons need scoring systems, especially to predict postoperative mortality. We propose the Numune emergency colorectal resection score for emergency surgical procedures as a practical, usable and effective system for predicting postoperative morbidity.

Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Patients with a Normal White Blood Cell Count; A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective

To investigate the clinical, imaging and laboratory findings for diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) in patients with a normal white blood cell count (WBCC).

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, during a 1-year period. To determine diagnostic factors in AA in patients with normal WBCC, medical records of eligible patients were reviewed for demographic and clinical variables, as well as patient outcome.

Results

A total of 105 patients that had undergone appendectomy and were found to have a normal WBCC were included in the study. Of these patients, 53 (50.5%) were men and 52 (49.5%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 34.2±12.3 (min 14, max 78). The negative exploration rate was identified as 19%. In the multivariate analysis, only the diameter of appendix was statistically significant (p=0.002). ROC analysis revealed the cut off appendiceal diameter as 8 mm.

Conclusion

In patients suspected of AA due to ≥8 mm appendiceal diameter determined by imaging, we recommend surgical treatment even if WBCC and neutrophil count are normal.