Treatment Options and the Management of Complications in Hydatid Cysts of the Liver in Endemic Regions

BACKGROUND

Hydatid cyst of the liver induced by Echinococcus granulosus is a pervasive zoonotic disease in our region. Its incidence varies across age groups, contingent on community lifespans and hygiene standards. Therapeutic modalities include Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, Re-aspiration (PAIR), and surgery. Due the limited feasability of PAIR, we suggest that surgery represents the optimal treatment in all stages, especially in endemic regions, depending on patient-specific variables.

METHOD

Patients with hydatid cyst of the liver treated with PAIR and surgery in our center between January 2016 and January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. PAIR or cystectomy were applied in treatment. These were then compared in terms of efficacy, feasibility, and complications.

RESULTS

A single hydatid cyst of the liver was detected in 184 of the 225 cases, two cysts in 33, and three or more cysts in eight. The largest cyst diameter was 233 × 124 mm in the surgery group and 100 × 90 mm in the PAIR group. One hundred thirty-three of the 225 patients underwent open surgery, and no recurrence was encountered in these. However, recurrence was observed 19 patients treated with PAIR. Allergic reaction developed in one case during surgery, postoperative abscess in two cases, biliary fistula in five, and pneumonia in one.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment should represent the standard procedure since it is safe and effective, ensures complete elimination of the parasite, involves no intraoperative shedding, preserves healthy tissues, and minimizes the risk of long-term recurrence and cavity-related complications.

Endoluminal Vacuum Therapy (EVT) for the Treatment of Rectal Perforation Following Cleansing Enema Application

Traumatic rectal injuries (TRIs) are challenging for surgeons because of their high morbidity and mortality. Considering the well-known predisposing factors, enema-associated rectal perforation seems to be the most overlooked entity that leads to devastating rectal injuries. A 61-year-old man with a three-day history of painful swelling around his perirectal area after enema application was referred to the outpatient clinic. CT demonstrated the presence of a left posterolateral rectal abscess compatible with an extraperitoneal rectal injury. Sigmoidoscopy revealed the perforation started 2 cm above the dentate line with a diameter of 10 cm and a depth of 3 cm. Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) and laparoscopic sigmoid loop colostomy was performed. The patient was discharged after removing the system on postoperative Day 10. On his follow-up, the perforation side was totally closed and pelvic abscess was completely resolved two weeks after his discharge. EVT appears to be a simple, safe, well-tolerated and cost-effective therapeutic procedure in the management of delayed extraperitoneal rectal perforations (ERPs) with large defects. To our knowledge, this is the first case that reveals the potency of EVT in the management of a delayed rectal perforation associated with an uncommon entity.

Gastric cancer diagnosis and staging in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyze whether COVID-19 cause a delay in the diagnosis of gastric cancer patients particularly in the TNM staging of the tumor, or not.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective single-center study included the patients diagnosed with gastric cancer from March, 2019 to December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: baseline and the pandemic groups. The following parameters were compared between the groups; demographic data, numbers of newly diagnosed patients, type of the surgery, location of the tumor, frequency of neoadjuvant treatment, ASA score, length of hospital stay, clinical staging and pathologic TNM staging.

RESULTS

The mean monthly number of newly diagnosed gastric cancer patients showed a significant decline from 7.5 to 5.6 (p< .001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to the demographic factors, except CA 19-9 levels. Patients in the pandemic group had higher both clinical and pathological T-stages (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed a decline in the number of the newly diagnosed patients with gastric cancer during the pandemic and also more patients presented with advanced stage during the pandemic period. This study showed that the pandemic causes a potential delay in the diagnosis of gastric cancer patients.

KEY WORDS

Cancer surgery, COVID-19, Gastric cancer, Gastric surgery SARS-COV-2, Pandemic.

Borderline-resectable Undifferentiated Carcinoma with Osteoclast-like Giant Cells of the Pancreas: upfront Surgery or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UDC-OGC) of the pancreas is an extremely rare entity, thus an obvious discrepancy regarding their treatment approach exists in the current literature. A 52-year female patient with a two-weeks history of jaundice was diagnosed as borderline-resectable pancreatic mass located in the uncinate process of a size of 5×4 cm. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with partial portal vein resection was successfully performed following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). The pathology was interpreted as UDC-OGC without lymph node involvement. Considering their aggressive behavior, NACT followed by surgery seems to be a good option in case of borderline-resectable UDC-OGC. Key Words: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, Pancreatic neoplasms, Undifferentiated carcinoma, giant cells, Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

A high-grade primary osteosarcoma arising in the splenic flexure of the colon: an extremely rare entity

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (ESOS) is an uncommon malignant mesenchymal tumour deriving from soft tissues or visceral organs without any evidence of a primary bone osteosarcoma. Although ESOS has been mainly reported in the extremities, it can also occur in unusual locations such as the colorectal region. A 58-year-old man with a 3-month history of dyspepsia, constipation and soreness in the left upper abdominal quadrant was admitted to hospital. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a huge, irregular, mixed cystic and solid, partially calcified mass measuring 116mm×140mm×200mm. Because of the patient’s obstructive symptoms, surgery was performed. A tumour involving the splenic flexure of the colon was excised in line with oncological principles by extended left hemicolectomy with end-to-side colo-colonic anastomosis. The specimen was interpreted as a primary osteosarcoma of the colon after immunohistochemical straining. Considering the limited data regarding ESOS arising in colon, we present the second case to date that involves the transverse colon, to further elucidate its clinical aspects, prognosis and treatment options.

Do biomarkers have predictive value in the treatment modality of the patients diagnosed with bowel obstruction?

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the ability of the biomarkers to predict the surgery treatment and mortality in patients above 18 years of age who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of bowel obstruction from the emergency department.

METHODS

This is a 2-year retrospective study. The patients' demographic data, laboratory parameters on admission to emergency department, treatment modalities, and the length of hospital stay were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups: conservative and surgical treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the value of biomarkers in predicting mortality and the need for surgery. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

A total of 179 patients were included in this study. Of these, 105 (58.7%) patients were treated conservative and 74 (41.3%) were treated operatively. The elevated procalcitonin (PCT) level, C-reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen-to-albumin ratio, and lactate-to-albumin ratio were significantly correlated with surgical treatment, length of hospital stay, and mortality. procalcitonin threshold value of 0.13 ng/mL was able to predict the need for surgical treatment, with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 70.3%. Procalcitonin threshold value of 0.65 ng/mL was able to predict the mortality rate of the patients, with a sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 78.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarkers, especially procalcitonin, may be useful in bowel obstruction treatment management and may predict mortality.

The Role of Ca 19-9, Ca 72-4, Cea and Cholesterol Levels in Predicting Malignancy in Gallbladder Polyps

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of malignancy potential of gallbladder polyps with tumor markers and cholesterol levels, and at which value the presence of malignancy should be suspected.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

University of Health Sciences, Adana City training and research Hospital from December 2017 to November 2020.

METHODOLOGY

Ninety patients diagnosed with gallbladder polyp by abdominal ultrasonography, were included in the study. Patients were divided into subgroups of true pseudopolyp, cholesterol-non-cholesterolpolyp, malignant-non-malignant polyp. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, polyp size, number of polyps, preoperative total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triglyceride, Ca 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9), Ca 72-4 (carbohydrate antigen 72-4), Cea (carcinoembryonic antigen) levels.

RESULTS

In the true polyp group, polyp size, Ca 19-9, Ca 72-4 and Cea median values were significantly higher (p=0.001, p=0.029, p=0.003, and p=0.007, respectively); whereas, triglyceride levels were significantly lower compared to the pseudopolyp group (p=0.002). Polyp size was significantly lower in cholesterol polyp group compared to non-cholesterol polyp group (p= 0.032), and LDL and triglyceride medians were significantly higher (p=0.031, and p<0.001) in cholesterol group. Among the true polyps, polyp size, Ca 19-9, Ca 72-4 and Cea levels were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma group than non-malignant polyp groups (p<0.05). Cut-off values were determined as >11 mm AUC: 0.906 for size, >24.1 U/mL. AUC: 1.00 for Ca 19-9, >9.6 U/mL AUC: 1.00 for Ca 72-4, and >40 ng/mL AUC: 0.984 for CEA, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Polyps larger than 11mm with high levels of CEA, Ca 72-4, Ca 19-9, evaluated together, may act as a guide for the clinician in predicting malignancy. The availability of economical and accessible parameters may allow a new algorithm to be developed in the treatment and follow-up approach of gallbladder polyps. Key Words: Gallbladder polpys, Ca 19-9 antigen, Ca 72-4 antigen, Tumor marker, Gallbladder cancer.

Littoral Cell Angioma of the Spleen presenting with Thrombocytosis and Splenic Infarct

Littoral cell angioma is a non-hematologic vascular neoplasm originating from littoral cells lining the splenic red pulp. The diagnosis is usually made incidentally in splenectomy materials. It is often associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia, indicative of hypersplenism. We, herein present a case of symptomatic littoral cell angioma in a 32-year female, presumed to be accompanied by a hematologic malignancy manifesting with splenic infarct and thrombocytosis. Key Words: Littoral cell angioma, Splenic infarct, Thrombocytosis.

The Adjunctive Effect of DuraSeal® vs. 2-Octyl-Cyanoacrylate on Delayed Repair of Gastric Perforation: An Experimental Study

OBJECTIVE

Delayed primary suture closure of gastric perforation is prone to dehiscence hence the repaired area should be buttressed to avoid re-operation. We aimed to investigate whether DuraSeal®(DS) has a potent adjunctive effect on delayed closure of gastric perforation comparing with 2-octly-cyanoacrylate(CYN) in an experimental model.

METHODS

Sixty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. All subjected to gastric perforation, subsequently perforation areas were repaired by primary suturing, delayed repair was performed 12 h after surgery. According to DS or CYN application on anastomosis, the groups were classified as control(C), delayed control(CD), closure with CYN(CYN), delayed closure with CYN(D-CYN), closure with DS(DS), delayed closure with DS(D-DS).After euthanization on POD 7,anastomotic bursting pressure(ABP) were measured. Tissue samples were taken for histopathological examination and hydroxyproline(TH) assessment.

RESULTS

Delayed condition significantly reduced ABP and TH levels in CD group comparing with all groups(p < 0.01).Either CYN or DS application on delayed repaired area significantly raised the measure of ABP and TH up to the levels of C group(p < 0.05,comparing with CD).Microscopically,either CYN or DS application significantly improved tissue necrosis, submucosal bridging and collagen formation comparing with CD group(p < 0.012).There were no difference regarding ABP, TH and tissue healing between each CYN and DS groups.

CONCLUSION

DuraSeal® application on sutured gastric perforation area yielded a significant adjunctive effect both in normal and delayed conditions. However, DuraSeal® revealed no superior effect to CYN in both condition.Our results demonstrated that the clinical use of DuraSeal® can be considered for reinforcing the sutured line in patients undergoing delayed surgery for gastric perforation.

Evaluating the feasibility of performing elective gastrointestinal cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study with 60 days follow-up results of a tertiary referral pandemic hospital

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has interfered with the treatment algorithm for patients with gastrointestinal (GIS) cancer, resulting in deferral of surgery. We presented the outcomes of our patients to evaluate whether surgery could be safely performed and followed‐up without delaying any stage of GIS cancer during the pandemic.

Methods

This was an observational study of 177 consecutive patients who underwent elective GIS cancer surgery between March 11 and November 1, 2020. They were assessed regarding their perioperative and 60 days follow‐up results for either surgical or COVID‐19 status. Morbidity was determined according to the Clavien‐Dindo classification (CDC). Continuous and categorical data were presented as median ± SD and number with percentage (%), respectively.

Results

The study included 44 gastric, 33 pancreatic, 40 colon, and 59 rectal cancer patients. All patients underwent surgery and received neo/adjuvant treatments without delay. The overall morbidity (CDC grade II–IV) and mortality rates were 10.1% and 3.9%, respectively. None of the patients or medical staff were infected with COVID‐19 during the study period.

Conclusion

GIS cancer surgery can be safely performed even within a pandemic hospital if proper isolation measures can be achieved for both patients and health workers. Regardless of the tumor stage, surgery should not be deferred, depending on unstandardized algorithms.

The influence of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on colonic anastomosis healing impaired by intraperitoneal 5-flourouracil application. An experimental study

Purpose

5-flourourasil (5-FU) is commonly used for early intraperitoneal chemotherapy in colorectal or appendiceal cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Due to its effect, anastomosis healing can be impaired and leads to anastomotic leakage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential healing effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on colonic anastomosis impaired by intraperitoneal 5-flourouracil application.

Methods

After ten rats were sacrificed for preparing PRP, forty Wistar-albino rats were subjected to colonic anastomosis, and randomly allocated into four groups including 10 rats each. According to receiving PRP and/or 5-FU application, the groups were formed as control (C), 5-FU without PRP (CT), anastomosis with PRP (C-PRP), and 5-FU with PRP (CT-PRP). CT and CT-PRP groups also received 5-FU intraperitoneally on postoperative day 1 (POD 1). All animals were euthanized on pod 7. The body weight change, anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP), tissue hydroxiprolin (TH) and histopathological examination of each group were analyzed.

Results

5-FU application significantly reduced ABP levels when compared with group C, C-PRP and CT-PRP (for each comparison, p<0,01). PRP application in CT-PRP group raised the measure of ABP up to the levels of C group. Although tissue hydroxyproline levels (THL) levels of CT-PRP group were found higher than CT group, it was not significant (p=0.112). Microscopically, comparing with CT group, PRP application significantly promoted the healing of colonic anastomosis subjected to 5-FU application by improving tissue edema, necrosis, submucosal bridging and collagen formation (p<0.05). Tissue healing in CT-PRP group was observed as good as the control groups. (C, C-PRP, p=0.181, p=0.134; respectively).

Conclusion

PRP administration on colonic anastomosis significantly promotes the healing process of anastomosis in rats receiving 5-FU. This result encourages further clinical use of PRP to reduce the frequency of AL in patients receiving EPIC.

Recurrent Pilonidal Sinus Cyst on Penis

Pilonidal sinus, including one or more sinus canals and hairs, is a disease with a chronic course showing acute attacks which is often encountered in the general population, usually affecting young adults, at a rate in males twice that of females. Pilonidal sinus on the penis is so rare that very few cases have been reported in literature. A 20-year-old male presented to the urology outpatient clinic with the complaint of a suppurative lesion with discharge on the skin of the penis which had been ongoing for approximately three months. Clinical examination revealed an indurated, erythematous, ulcerative lesion, 3 cm x 2 cm in size, in the middle of the ventral aspect of the penile shaft. We present the first case in literature of recurrent pilonidal sinus related to Actinomyces israelii, located on the penis.

The potential efficacy of Survanta (r) and Seprafilm (r) on preventing intra-abdominal adhesions in rats

PURPOSE

To investigate the potential efficacy of beractant (Survanta(r)) and Seprafilm(r) on the prevention of postoperative adhesions.

METHODS

Forty Wistar-albino female rats were used. The rats were randomly allocated into four groups of 10 rats each as control group (CG), beractant group (BG), Seprafilm(r) group (SG), and combined group (COG). All rats underwent cecal abrasion via midline laparotomy. Before abdominal closure, isotonic saline, beractant, Seprafilm, and combined agents were intraperitoneally administered. Adhesions were classified macroscopically with Canbaz Scoring System on postoperative day 10. Ceacum was resected for histopathological assessment.

RESULTS

Macroscopic adhesion scores were significantly lower in BG, SG, and COG than CG (p<0.05); (45%, 15%, 25%, and 15%; respectively). Histopathological assessment revealed a reduced inflammation and fibrosis score in the study groups than CG (p<0.05). In BG, adhesion development, inflammation and fibrosis scores were lower than SG; however, it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-abdominal application of beractant is significantly effective for the prevention of adhesion formation with no adverse effect by covering the whole peritoneal mesothelium with excellent gliding properties in a rat model. The combination of both agents is also effective in reducing adhesion formation, however, not superior to single beractant application.

The Effects of Direct Oxygen Supply During Static Cold Preservation of Rat Livers: An Experimental Study

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the biochemical and histopathologic effects of direct oxygen supply to the preservation fluid of static cold storage system with a simple method on rat livers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group, which contained Ringer's lactate as preservation fluid; and the oxygen group, which contained oxygen and Ringer's lactate for preservation. Each liver was placed in a bag containing 50 mL Ringer's lactate and placed in ice-filled storage containers. One hundred percent oxygen supplies were given via a simple, inexpensive system created in our laboratory, to the livers in oxygen group. We obtained samples for histopathologic evaluation in the 12th hour. In addition, 3 mL of preservation fluid was subjected to biochemical analysis at 0, sixth, and twelfth hours. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and pH levels were measured from the preservation fluid.

RESULTS

In oxygen-supplemented group, the acceleration speed of increase in alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels at sixth hour and lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels at 12th hour were statistically significantly reduced. In histopathologic examination, all parameters except ballooning were statistically significantly better in the oxygen-supplemented group.

CONCLUSIONS

This simple system for oxygenation of liver tissues during static cold storage was shown to be effective with good results in biochemical and histopathologic assessments. Because this is a simple, inexpensive, and easily available method, larger studies are warranted to evaluate its effects (especially in humans).

Intra-abdominal Gossypiboma Revisited: Various Clinical Presentations and Treatments of this Potential Complication

Gossypiboma is the term used to describe a retained non-absorbable surgical material that is composed of cotton matrix which leads to serious surgical complications for both patient and surgeon. Its incidence is not precisely known probably due to medico-legal importance of this potential complication. The condition may manifest either as asymptomatic or severe gastrointestinal complications. The increasing number of recent reports in the literature implies that this issue still remains as an important problem to be solved after intra-abdominal surgery. In this report, we aimed to emphasize this potential complication by presenting the clinical outcomes of our 14 patients who underwent different surgical interventions for gossypiboma. Between February 2009 and October 2014, a total of 14 patients who underwent surgery for gossypiboma were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were analyzed with regard to demographic characteristics, initial diagnosis-prior surgery, clinical presentation, the interval period from the first operation to last definite operation, diagnostic methods, gossypiboma location, definite surgery, and postoperative outcomes. A total of 14 patients including 6 (42.9 %) male and 8 (57.1 %) female with a median age of 41.4 ± 12 years (22-61 years) enrolled in this study. The prior surgery of 10 (71.4 %) patients was performed by general surgeons, while 4 (28.6 %) patients were operated by gynecologists. The interval period from prior surgery to definite surgery ranged from 14 days to 113 months. Three (21.4 %) patients were asymptomatic, whereas the vast of the patients were complicated (fistula, ileus, wound infection). Gossypiboma was removed by open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and endoscopic intervention in 10, 2, and 1 patient, respectively. Removal was performed from perineal wound side in one patient. Removal was enough for definitive treatment in 10 (71.4 %) patients whereas bowel resection and primary repair was performed in 4 (28.6 %) patients due to fistula or perforation. One patient died from intra-abdominal sepsis on postoperative 13th day. Gossypiboma should strongly be considered in differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient with mild gastrointestinal symptom or with persistent wound infection. Adequate surgical intervention should be planned as soon as possible either to prevent further complications or to overcome medico-legal problems, when gossypiboma is detected.

Ligation under vision in the management of symptomatic hemorrhoids: A preliminary experience

AIM

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of 47 patients who underwent hemorrhoidal arterial ligation under vision (LUV) for symptomatic Grade II and Grade III hemorrhoids.

METHODS

A total of 47 patients who underwent LUV between May 2005 and February 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were evaluated with regard to demographic data, grade of the disease, symptoms, medical and/or surgical treatment previously received, operation time, pain scores, analgesic requirement, length of hospital stay, and complications related to the procedure.

RESULTS

The study population (n = 47) included 31 (65.9%) men and 16 (34.1%) women with a median age of 37.4 ± 11.7 (range, 19-63) years. Of these 47 patients, 18 (38.3%) patients had Grade II hemorrhoidal disease (HD) and 29 (61.7%) patients had Grade III HD. On average, six ligatures (range, 3-8) were used. The mean operation time was 27 ± 4.8 (range, 15-35) minutes. No major complication that required surgical intervention occurred in the early postoperative period for any of the patients except for two patients with rectal submucosal hematoma. The mean hospital stay was 1.2 ± 0.65 (range, 1-4) days. The median follow-up period was 21.5 ± 7.7 (range, 12-44) months. At the last follow-up, 38 (80.8%) patients remained asymptomatic; two (4.2%) patients with Grade II HD and four (8.5%) patients with Grade III HD were still suffering from bleeding but with a reduction in the frequency; prolapsed hemorrhoids were detected only in three (6.3%) patients.

CONCLUSION

LUV is a safe and easily applied alternative technique with low postoperative complications for the surgical treatment of symptomatic Grade II and III HD.

Transgastric migration of gossypiboma remedied with endoscopic removal: a case report

Background

Retained surgical instrument or sponge following an intra-abdominal surgery is a potentially dangerous medico-legal problem. The condition may manifest either as asymptomatic or severe gastrointestinal complications. Transmural migration of gossypiboma is a rare entity that may lead to bowel or visceral perforation, obstruction and/or fistula formation. Transmural migration of an intra-abdominal gossypiboma has been reported to occur in stomach, ileum, colon, bladder, vagina and diaphragm. To our knowledge, this is the fifth case reported in the medical literature. However, we report the first case of the largest gossypiboma to date: a surgical gas compress measuring 20 × 20 cm which was successfully treated endoscopically.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old woman with obstructive jaundice was referred to our clinic. She had a medical history of cholecystectomy and T-tube drainage for choledocholithiasis a year previously. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a mass located into the stomach which was compatible with gastric carcinoma. On the gastroscopy, a surgical gas compress that had totally migrated into the stomach was observed. The compress was successfully removed by gastroscopy through the esophagus. The recovery of the patient was uneventful.

Conclusion

Transmural migration of gossypiboma into the stomach should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient with obstructive jaundice symptoms. Endoscopy may be feasible for both diagnosis and treatment even though the size of gossypiboma is large. However, surgery should be considered in case of fixed reaction or incomplete migration of gossypiboma located into the stomach.

Comparison of standard 4-row versus 6-row3-D linear cutter stapler in creation of gastrointestinal system anastomoses: a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of a 6-row 3-D linear cutter with the standard 4-row linear cutter in patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal surgery anastomosis.

METHOD

Patients who underwent elective open gastrointestinal surgery that included stapled anastomosis using a linear cutter (Proximate®, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH) between January 2011 and May 2011 were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to the linear cutter that was used in the surgery: the standard 4-row cutter (the S group) or the new 6-row cutter (the N group). The groups were compared based on the patient demographic data, the laboratory parameters, the preoperative diagnosis, the surgery performed, the operation time, intra-or postoperative complications, the time to oral tolerance and the length of the hospital stay.

RESULTS

The S group included 11 male and nine female patients with a mean age of 65 ± 12 (35-84) years, while the N group included 13 male and eight female patients with a mean age of 62 ± 11 (46-79) years (p =0.448, p = 0.443, respectively). Anastomotic line bleeding was observed in eight (40%) patients in the S group and in one (4.7%) patient in the N group (p = 0.006). Dehiscence of the anastomosis line was observed in two (10%) patients in the S group and none in the N group (p =0.131). Anastomotic leakage developed in three (15%) patients in the S group and in one (4.7%) patient in the N group (p = 0.269). The mean hospital stay was 12.65 ± 6.1 days in theS group and 9.52 ± 2.9 days in the N group (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

The 6-row 3-D linear cutter is a safe and easily applied instrument that can be used to create anastomoses in gastrointestinal surgery. The new stapler provides some usage benefits and is also superior to the standard linear cutter with regard to anastomotic line bleeding.

Videoanoscope-assisted stapled haemorrhoidopexy: analysis of 18 patients

An optimal stapled haemorrhoidopexy requires the purse-string suture to be placed circumferentially at a constant distance from the dentate line and to pass through an appropriate thickness of rectal mucosa. An unsuitable purse-string suture may increase the risk of postoperative complications. We developed a new anoscope (the videoanoscope) to prevent the difficulties during application of the purse-string suture, and we used the videoanoscope in 18 stapled haemorrhoidopexy procedures. The videoanoscope is made up of three pieces. The front part is in the form of an open half-cylinder. The second piece is a sliding lid that covers the front piece. The rear part of the anoscope includes a hollow handle in which a scope can be inserted, and the whole procedure can be transmitted to a monitor via this scope. The opening on the anoscope can be adjusted by sliding the lid. A purse-string suture is placed on the rectal mucosa protruding through this adjustable opening. The anoscope is rotated to apply the subsequent suture bites and when the starting point is reached again the purse-string is completed. Then the stapled haemorrhoidopexy procedure is continued in the usual fashion. Videoanoscope-assisted stapled haemorrhoidopexy was easily performed in 18 patients (12 men, 6 women; mean age 48.9 years). The mean operative time was 32.8 minutes. The excised rectal mucosal rings were complete in all of the patients. Optimal purse-string depth was reflected in the presence of only mucosa and submucosa in all specimens, without incorporation of muscle cells. Postoperative complications were urinary retention in one patient and bleeding in five patients, one of whom requiring sutures for haemostasis. Further studies are required to assess the potential advantages of this technique.