Foreign Body Reaction Mimicking Lymph Node Metastasis is Not Rare After Lung Cancer Resection

BACKGROUND

 Mediastinal lymphadenopathies with high 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in patients previously operated on for lung cancer are alarming for recurrence and necessitate invasive diagnostic procedures. Peroperative placement of oxidized cellulose to control minor bleeding may lead to a metastasis-like image through a foreign body reaction within the dissected mediastinal lymph node field at postoperative examinations. In this study, we investigated clinicopathological features and the frequency of foreign body reaction mimicking mediastinal lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

 Patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer between January 2016 and August 2021 and who were subsequently evaluated for mediastinal recurrence with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) were included. Patients were grouped according to the results of EBUS-TBNA as metastasis, foreign body, and reactive. Clinicopathological features of these patients were compared and characteristics of patients in the foreign body group were scrutinized.

RESULTS

 EBUS-TBNA was performed on a total of 34 patients during their postoperative follow-up due to suspicion of mediastinal recurrence. EBUS-TBNA pathological workup revealed metastasis in 18 (52.9%), foreign body reaction in 10 (29.4%) and reactive lymph nodes in 6 (17.6%) patients. Mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUVMax) for metastasis group and foreign body group were 9.39 ± 4.69 and 5.48 ± 2.54, respectively (p = 0.022). Time interval between the operation and EBUS-TBNA for the metastasis group was 23.72 ± 10.48 months, while it was 14.90 ± 12.51 months in the foreign body group (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

 Foreign body reaction mimicking mediastinal lymph node metastasis is not uncommon. Iatrogenic cause of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is related to earlier presentation and lower SUVMax compared with metastatic lymphadenopathy.

Differential Impact of Spread Through Air Spaces on Subtypes of Early-stage Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic significance of STAS (Spread through air spaces) and its effect on survival in the various types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye, between 2018 and 2021.

METHODOLOGY

Early-stage lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomy were included. STAS was defined as presence of tumour cell clumps, solid nests or set of single cells located in airway spaces apart from the main tumour border and determined by pathological work-up. The clinical significance of STAS was investigated by means of histopathological subtype, tumour size, and maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) on PET-CT scan in early-stage lung cancer by grouping it as adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma. Five-year overall and disease-free survival, and recurrence were the outcome measures.

RESULTS

A total of 165 patients were included in the study. No recurrence was observed in 125 patients, 40 patients developed recurrence. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 69.6% in STAS (+) cohort and 74.5% in STAS (-) cohort (p=0.88). Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 51.1% in STAS (+) cohort and 73.1% for STAS (-) cohort (p=0.034). While the absence of STAS in the adenocarcinoma group was associated with better DFS, lower SUVMax and smaller tumour size, similar results were not found to be at statistically significant level in the non-adenocarcinoma group.

CONCLUSION

STAS positivity makes a difference in DFS, tumour size and SUVmax, especially in adenocarcinoma, however, it does not create a significant difference in survival or clinic pathological features in the non-adenocarcinoma.

KEY WORDS

Lung Cancer, Lobectomy, Spread through air spaces, Survival, Prognosis.

Is intensive care necessary after major thoracic surgery? A propensity score-matched study

Background

This study aims to compare the surgical results, complications, mortality rates, and inpatient costs in two patient groups followed, whether in the intensive care unit or general ward after a major thoracic procedure and to examine clinical and surgical factors related to the development of complications.

Methods

Between January 2018 and June 2021, a total of 485 patients (150 males, 335 females; mean age: 58.3±13.2 years; range, 22 to 86 years) who underwent a major thoracic surgery in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as the intensive care unit patients (n=254) and general ward patients (n=231). In the former group, the patients were followed in the intensive care unit for a day, while in the general ward group, the patients were taken directly to the ward. The groups were compared after propensity score matching. All patients were analyzed for risk factors of morbidity development.

Results

After propensity score matching, 246 patients were enrolled including 123 patients in each group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in any features except for late morbidity, and inpatient costs were higher in the intensive care unit group (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Class 3, and secondary malignancy were found to be associated with morbidity (p<0.05).

Conclusion

In experienced centers, it is both safe and costeffective to follow almost all of the major thoracic surgery patients postoperatively in the general ward.

The Role of Inflammatory Markers in Predicting Mortality in Critical COVID-19 Patients: A SingleCenter, Retrospective, Observational Study

Introduction: This study aims to assess the association of inflammatory markers with the clinical progression of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Critically ill patients with COVID-19 were included. Prealbumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), transferrin, procalcitonin, ferritin, D-dimer, troponin T and C-reactive protein (CRP) were monitored. A comparison was performed between patients regarding their need for mechanical ventilation, duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay, discharge, mortality, complications, and response to treatment in order to reveal potential correlations. Results: A total of 107 patients were enrolled in the study. D-dimer levels on the 3rd and 6th days were significantly higher in the exitus group. Prealbumin and transferrin levels measured at baseline and on days three and six were significantly lower in the exitus group compared to the surviving group (p˂ 0.05). In the exitus group, the procalcitonin, CRP, LDH, troponin T, and ferritin levels were significantly higher on days zero, three, and six as compared to the surviving group (p˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that inflammatory markers may be useful as early indicators of mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Short-Term Outcomes of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy-guided Resection and Anastomosis Control in Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND

In thoracic surgery practice, bronchial closure and anastomosis are relatively easy in technical terms; however, it is also the procedure that is most open to the development of complications with high morbidity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of simultaneous evaluation of bronchial closure under fiberoptic bronchoscopy guidance during lung resection on the development of complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged over 18 years who underwent elective lung resection in our clinic between 2017 and 2021 were included in the study. Postoperative complications were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 61.4±10.4 years, and 267 patients were male (75.4%) and 87 (24.6%) were female. Thoracotomy was performed in 258 (72.9%) patients and lung resection with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery technique in 96 (27.1%) patients. During the follow-up, complications were observed during the first 30 days in 78 (22.0%) of the patients and later in 9 (2.5%). Surgical mortality occurred in 11 patients (3.1%), and the rate of readmission to the intensive care unit was 5.6% (n=20).

CONCLUSION

We consider that the control of the resection line with the active use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy during surgery is important for the prevention of the development of bronchial morbidity. Complications in the early period can be reduced by ensuring that the remaining bronchus is not narrowed, there are no residual stump structures that may disrupt the bronchial line, such as cartilage, and bronchial washing is frequently undertaken.

Relationship of chest computed tomography score with disease severity and laboratory values in children with COVID-19

AIM

Although chest computed tomography (CT) score has been well evaluated in adult coronavirus disease (COVID-19), its use in paediatric cases is insufficiently studied. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship of chest CT score with disease severity and laboratory parameters.

METHODS

Seventy-six paediatric patients with confirmed COVID-19 and chest CT evaluation on admission have been included in this study. Chest CT score was calculated for each of the five lobes considering the extent of anatomical involvement, as follows: 0: 0%; 1: <5%; 2: 5%-25%; 3: 26%-50%; 4: 51%-75% and 5: >75%. The resulting total CT score was the sum of each individual lobar score; the range was between 0 and 25.

RESULTS

Total chest CT score was found to be positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase and d-dimer, and negatively correlated with lymphocyte count. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, total chest CT score had area under the curve 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.00) at cut-off 2 with 95% sensitivity and 96% specificity for the severe disease. Furthermore, in-depth analysis of lobar CT scores showed a correlation between left upper lobe with lymphocyte count, left lower lobe with d-dimer, right middle and lower lobes with alanine aminotransferase and right upper lobe with leukocyte count.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant relationship between chest CT score and COVID-19 severity and laboratory findings in children. This suggests that chest CT scores can be used to assess the severity of the disease and can play an important role in paediatric clinical practice.

A New and Alternative Route: Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Scarless Surgery (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) For Class 2 and Class 3 Obese Patients Suffering From Benign and Malignant Gynecologic Pathologies

Background. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) gynecologic scarless surgery in benign and malignant class 2 and class 3 obese patients. Materials and methods. The class 2 and class 3 obese women undergoing vNOTES scarless surgery for benign and malign indications at a tertiary referral medical center between January 2019 and April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and surgical outcomes were measured. Results. In this study, 81 class 2 and class 3 obese patients underwent gynecological procedures using vNOTES scarless surgery. Of the 81 operations, 55 of the class 2 obese patients with benign pathologies, and 26 of the class 3 obese patients had malign pathologies. No conversion to conventional laparoscopy or even laparotomy was needed in any of the procedures. All of the surgeries were performed by the same surgeon (Prof. Dr Ahmet Kale). vNOTES scarless surgery was performed on 26 class 3 obese patients with malign pathologies. Of the 26 class 3 obese patients, 22 of the class 3 obese patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma had very high mean body mass index 41.5 kg/m2 (range 20.6-56) and 4 of the class 3 obese patients had ascites with unknown cause and diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The mean postoperative pain VAS scores of class 2 obese patients undergoing vNOTES scarless surgery with benign pathology at 6, 12, and 24 h were 3.19, 1.11, and .66, respectively, and the mean postoperative pain VAS scores of class 3 obese patients underwent vNOTES scarless surgery with malign pathology at 6, 12, and 24 h were 3.30, 1.76, and 1.03, respectively. Conclusion. vNOTES scarless surgery is an alternative surgical method for diagnosis and treatment not only in benign obese cases, but also in severely obese patients with early stage endometrial cancer and patients had with ascites with unknown cause. In the near future, vNOTES scarless surgery will become more preferable by experienced surgeons in benign and malignant obese cases as it has increased satisfaction with esthetic results such as less pain, and improved postoperative quality of life in the short and long term.

Proposal to protect patients and healthcare professionals undergoing elective surgery during COVID-19 outbreak

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) scale on chest computerized tomography (CT) in addition to the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test in diagnosis of COVID-19 on patients who will undergo elective surgery to protect patients and healthcare professionals during the intense pandemic period and the correlation between CO-RADS scale and Total Severity Score (TSS).  During the intensive pandemic until normalization, 253 patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent elective surgery with two negative RT-PCR results within the last 5 days and CO-RADS scale ≤ 3 on chest CT were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, type of anesthesia and surgery, department of clinic, chest CT findings, scale of CO-RADS and TSS on CT, patients’ postoperative hospital stay, follow-up time, and vital status (whether or not COVID-19 disease) at the hospital and discharge information were collected for each patient.

Results

The most frequently calculated CO-RADS score was found to be 1 (73.1%). It was followed by scale of CO-RADS 2 (20.9%). Regarding TSS, the most common TSS for the right and left lungs was 0 (91.7% and 92.5%, respectively). COVID-19 was not detected in any of the patients who were hospitalized for an average of 4.9 ± 6.4 days and followed-up for an average of 14.3 ± 8.2 days. It was observed that the CO-RADS score and TSS were positively and moderately correlated with each other (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

It was concluded that in early diagnostic of COVID-19, chest CT scans serve like a complementary diagnostic method in addition to RT-PCR testing to keep safe both the patients and health professionals and the scale of CO-RADS and TSS on CT are valuable in correlation with each other.

Laparoscopic surgical approach for the treatment of piriformis syndrome: Intrapelvic decompression technique

Introduction:

Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon disease resulting from the piriformis muscle’s compression of the sciatic nerve. Pain and numbness in the buttocks and down the leg are the most common symptoms. This study analyzes the laparoscopic surgical treatment of piriformis syndrome.

Methods:

We report three cases of piriformis syndrome diagnosed in our hospital. The first case was a 40 years old woman with a 7-year history of intermittent low back pain and sciatica on her right side. Hyperesthesia and cutaneous allodynia were observed in the right sciatic nerve dermatome. The second case was a 30 years old woman with a 2-year history of sciatica on her left side. The third case was a 30 years old woman with a 2-year history of sciatica on her right side. All the patients underwent laparoscopic decompression surgery, which was performed to release the sciatic nerve or sacral nerve roots.

Results:

The patients were reexamined at the postoperative 3rd and 6th months. Their visual analog scale (VAS) scores were found to be decreased from 10/10, 9/10, and 7/10 to 0/10, 1/10, and 0/10, respectively.

Conclusion:

Due to the very few cases in the literature, pelvic piriformis syndrome is an exclusively clinical diagnosis. If the sciatica is refractory to conservative treatments, laparoscopic exploration and decompression surgery of the pelvic nerves and piriformis muscle could be an option.

Coinfection in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Children Patients

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to determine the coinfections with other respiratory pathogens in SARS-CoV-2 infected children patients in a pediatric unit in Istanbul.

METHODOLOGY

This retrospective descriptive study was conducted in a 1000-bedded tertiary education and research hospital in Istanbul. All children hospitalized with the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection had been investigated for respiratory agents in nasopharyngeal secretions. Laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 and the other respiratory pathogens were performed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

A total of 209 hospitalized children with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020-May 2020 were enrolled in this study. Among 209 children, 93 (44.5%) were RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 116 (55.5%) were RT-PCR negative. The most common clinical symptoms in all children with SARS-CoV-2 infection were fever (68.8%) and cough (57.0%). The other clinical symptoms in decreasing rates were headache (10.8%), myalgia (5.4%), sore throat (3.2%), shortness of breath (3.2%), diarrhea (2.2%) and abdominal pain in one child. In 7 (7.5%) patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, coinfection was detected. Two were with rhinovirus/enterovirus, two were with Coronavirus NL63, one was with adenovirus, and one was with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In one patient, two additional respiratory agents (rhinovirus/enterovirus and adenovirus) were detected. There was a significantly longer hospital stay in patients with coinfection (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the coinfection rate was low in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in our study, we found coinfection as a risk factor for length of hospital stay in the coinfected patient group.

Pulse Steroid Treatment for Hospitalized Adults with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

High-dose steroid has been shown to reduce the mortality rate in Corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19) patients who need oxygen support. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of pulse-steroid in case of unresponsiveness to treatment with high dose steroid.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study is a retrospective controlled trial. We divided the patients in three groups: Standard-care therapy alone, high-dose steroid treatment and pulse-steroid treatment (250 mg/day methy-prednisolone). One hundred fifty patients were enrolled in each group. All patients were hospitalized and needed oxygen support. We matched the patients according to disease severity at the onset of hypoxia, weight of co-morbidities, age and gender. We then compared three groups in terms of mortality, length of hospitalization, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation (MV), length of stay in ICU and duration of MV.

RESULTS

The pulse-steroid group had shorter ICU stay. The median ICU stay was 9.0(CI 95% 6.0-12.0) days in standard ?care group, 8.0(CI 95% 5.0-13.0) days in high-dose steroid group and 4.5(CI %95 3.0-8.0) days in pulse-steroid group. Moreover, although they were initially unresponsive to steroid therapy, they achieved similar results compared to the high-dose steroid group in other outcomes except for length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulse-steroid treatment would be an option for COVID-19 patients who do not respond to the initial high-dose steroid treatment.

Comparison of Laboratory and Radiological Findings of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women with Covid-19

OBJECTIVE

 Covid-19 became a pandemic, and researchers have not been able to establish a treatment algorithm. The pregnant population is also another concern for health care professionals. There are physiological changes related to pregnancy that result in different laboratory levels, radiological findings and disease progression. The goal of the present article is to determine whether the laboratory results and radiological findings were different in non-pregnant women (NPWs) of reproductive age and pregnant women (PWs) diagnosed with the Covid-19 infection.

METHODS

 Out of 34 patients, 15 (44.11%) PWs and 19 (55.8%) NPWs were included in the study. Age, comorbidities, complaints, vitals, respiratory rates, computed tomography (CT) findings and stages, as well as laboratory parameters, were recorded from the hospital database.

RESULTS

 The mean age of the PWs was of 27.6 ±  0.99 years, and that of the NPWs was of 37.63 ±  2.00; when age was compared between the groups, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was found. The mean systolic blood pressure of the PWs was of 116.53 ±  11.35, and that of the NPWs was of 125.53 ±  13.00, and their difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05). The difference in the minimum respiratory rates of the patients was also statistically significant (p = 0.05). The platelet levels observed among the PWs with Covid-19 were lower than those of the NPWs (185.40 ±  39.09 × 109/mcL and 232.00 ±  71.04 × 109/mcL respectively; p = 0.05). The mean D-dimer value of the PWs was lower in comparison to that of the NPWs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

 The laboratory findings and imaging studies may differ between pregnant and non-pregnant populations. It is important to properly interpret these studies. Future studies with a higher number of patients are required to confirm these preliminary data.

Acute Limb Ischemia in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Background

COVID-19 is a multisystemic disorder. Hematologic and cardiovascular involvement of COVID-19 causes thromboembolic events across multiple organs which mainly manifest as venous thromboembolism, and rarely, peripheral arterial thromboembolic events. In-situ thrombosis of a healthy, non-atherosclerotic native artery is rare, and COVID-19 has been reported to be a cause of this phenomenon. We aimed to report our institutional experience with COVID-19 patients who developed acute limb ischemia (ALI) during hospitalization or after discharge.

Methods

This was a single-center cross-sectional study. Records of all patients ≥18 years of age admitted to a tertiary center with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection between September 1 and December 31, 2020 were retrospectively examined. Data regarding patient demographics, co-morbidities and outcomes were collected. Patients were followed-up during index hospitalization and for 30 days postdischarge. Acute limb ischemia was diagnosed by means of duplex ultrasound and computed tomography angiography in the presence of a clinical suspicion.

Results

A total of 681 consecutive patients (38.5% women) were hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during the study period. Median age was 63 years (IQR, 52–74). In-hospital mortality occurred in 94 (13.8%) patients. Ninety (13.2%) patients required intensive care unit admission at some point of their hospital stay. Six (0.9%) patients (one woman) with a median age of 62 years experienced ALI (IQR, 59–64.3). All patients were receiving low molecular weight heparin when they developed ALI. The median of duration between COVID-19 diagnosis and ALI symptom onset was 13 days (IQR, 11.3–14). Three patients underwent emergent surgical thrombectomy combined with systemic anticoagulation, and 3 received systemic anticoagulation alone. Two patients with ALI did not survive to hospital discharge. Among survivors, 1 patient underwent bilateral major amputations, and another underwent a minor amputation within 1 month of hospital discharge. Symptoms of ALI completely resolved in 2 patients without sequelae.

Conclusions

COVID-19 is a multisystemic disorder with involvement of hematologic and cardiovascular systems. Despite widespread use of thromboprophylaxis, hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of ALI, and subsequent limb loss or even death.

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Laboratory Features of Children With COVID-19 in Turkey

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by pediatric infectious disease specialists from 32 different hospitals from all over Turkey by case record forms. Pediatric cases who were diagnosed as COVID-19 between March 16, 2020, and June 15, 2020 were included. Case characteristics including age, sex, dates of disease onset and diagnosis, family, and contact information were recorded. Clinical data, including the duration and severity of symptoms, were also collected. Laboratory parameters like biochemical tests and complete blood count, chest X-ray, and chest computed tomography (CT) were determined. Results: There were 1,156 confirmed pediatric COVID-19 cases. In total, male cases constituted 50.3% (n = 582) and females constituted 49.7% (n = 574). The median age of the confirmed cases was 10.75 years (4.5-14.6). Of the total cases, 90 were younger than 1 year of age (7.8%), 108 were 1-3 years of age (9.3%), 148 were 3-6 years of age (12.8%), 298 were 6-12 years of age (25.8%), 233 were 12-15 years of age (20.2%), and 268 cases were older than 15 years of age (23.2%). The most common symptom of the patients at the first visit was fever (50.4%) (n = 583) for a median of 2 days (IQR: 1-3 days). Fever was median at 38.4°C (38.0-38.7°C). The second most common symptom was cough (n = 543, 46.9%). The other common symptoms were sore throat (n = 143, 12.4%), myalgia (n = 141, 12.2%), dyspnea (n = 118, 10.2%), diarrhea (n = 112, 9.7%), stomachache (n = 71, 6.1%), and nasal discharge (n = 63, 5.4%). When patients were classified according to disease severity, 263 (22.7%) patients were asymptomatic, 668 (57.7%) patients had mild disease, 209 (18.1%) had moderate disease, and 16 (1.5%) cases had severe disease. One hundred and forty-nine (12.9%) cases had underlying diseases among the total cases; 56% of the patients who had severe disease had an underlying condition (p < 0.01). The need for hospitalization did not differ between patients who had an underlying condition and those who do not have (p = 0.38), but the need for intensive care was higher in patients who had an underlying condition (p < 0.01). Forty-seven (31.5%) of the cases having underlying conditions had asthma or lung disease (38 of them had asthma). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest pediatric data about confirmed COVID-19 cases. Children from all ages appear to be susceptible to COVID-19, and there is a significant difference in symptomatology and laboratory findings by means of age distribution.

COVID-19 patients in the operating room: a concise review of existing literature

A novel Coronavirus was identified in late 2019 as the cause of COVID-19 disease which is highly contagious. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA, enveloped virus from the beta Coronavirus family. Intraoperative management of patients with COVID-19 is a high-risk procedure. An international attention has raised to develop recommendations for the management strategies. This review article was designed to synthesize the existing evidence and experience related to intraoperative management of COVID-19. This review provides a summary of clinical guidance and addresses six domains: principles of intraoperative monitoring, airway management and related difficulties, ventilation, type of anesthesia, medications and side effects, and intraoperative fluid management.

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Disease is more Severe on Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Providers: A Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

: Fear, anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation are common mental health disorders in COVID-19 disease. We aimed to analyse the risk for healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in a university hospital.

METHODS

Anesthesiologists, nurses and nurse anesthetists were invited to fill out the survey. The survey was consist of questions from ''The Fear of COVID-19 Scale'', ''Patient Health Questionnaire'' and ''Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index'' (PSQI). Each question was worth a point.

RESULTS

The data of 208 participants were analyzed. Mean age was 29 ± 7.748 years, 72.1% were male, 67.3% were nurses, 62% were working in intensive care units, 38% were in hospital wards, 62% of all participants were living alone. Moderate depression was the most frequently detected outcome (n = 90, 43.3%). Mean The Fear of COVID-19 Scale for all participants was 18.56 ± 7.731. The mean PSQI of patients was 6.18 ± 4.356 with a 45.7% rate of poor sleep quality. PSQI was found significantly higher in nurses (7.1 ± 4.7, p = 0.000). Nurses were the group with the highest deterioration in sleep quality (53.6%, p = 0.003). The rate of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms was significantly higher in intensive care unit nurses and physicians (p = 0.018). PSQI score was found significantly higher in intensive care unit nurses and physicians than hospital ward co-workers (7.02 ± 4.59 vs. 4.81 ± 3.57 respectively, p = 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between PSQI and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale total score in all patients (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Depression, anxiety, fear and sleep disorders may occur in healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak. Intensive care unit nurses were at highest risk.

Turkish Ministry of Health, 2nd Turkish Medical General Assembly Clinical Oncology Study Group Report

OBJECTIVE

There is an increase in the incidence of cancer, and consequently in mortality rates, both in the world and in Turkey. The increase in the incidence and mortality rate of cancer are more prominent in our country as well as in other developing countries. The aim of this workshop was to determine the current status on prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer in our country, to identify related shortcomings, specify solutions and to share these with health system operators, and to aid in implementation of these systems. Developments on palliative care were also evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The current situation in the practice of clinical oncology, related drawbacks, problems encountered during multidisciplinary approach and their solutions were discussed under several sub-headings during a 3-day meeting organized by the Turkish Ministry of Health (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sağlık Bakanlığı-TCSB) with participation of 16 scientists from Turkey and 6 from abroad, and the conclusions were reported.

RESULTS

It is expected that the newly established Turkish Health Institutes Association (Türkiye Sağlık Enstitüleri Başkanlığı-TÜSEB) and the National Cancer Institute (Ulusal Kanser Enstitüsü) will provide a new framework in the field of oncology. The current positive findings include the increase in the number of scientists who carry out successful trials in oncology both in Turkey and abroad, the implementation of the national cancer registry program by the Cancer Control Department and the breast cancer registry program by the Turkish Federation of Breast Diseases Societies (Türkiye Meme Hastalıkları Dernekleri Federasyonu-TMHDF), and introduction of Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Training Centers (Kanser Erken Tanı, Tarama ve Eğitim Merkezi-KETEM) for the application of community-based cancer screening programs. In addition to these, obvious shortcomings related to education, implementation, management and research issues were also determined, and policy and project proposals to address these issues were presented. Collaboration with relevant organizations in the implementation of these studies was supported.

CONCLUSION

Both the incidence and mortality rates of cancer are increasing in Turkey. The widespread deficiencies in population-based screening and in effective treatment lead to an increase in delay in diagnosis and mortality. Despite improvements in data recording, screening and treatment over the last 10 years, extensive, organized, population-based screening programs and fully equipped early diagnosis and treatment centers are required. Enhancement of basic cancer epidemiologic, translational, genetic and molecular research studies is essential in our country. Improvements on pain treatment and palliative care of patients with chronic and terminal cancer are also required.

A salvage maneuver for the caudal part of the pectoralis major muscle in the reconstruction of superior thoracic wall defects: The pectoralis kite flap

The pectoralis major muscle flap is the most commonly used option for chest wall reconstruction. However, its utilization should be avoided in chest wall tumors infiltrating the muscle. This article presents the utilization of the caudal part of the pectoralis major muscle as a pedicled flap in cases requiring the resection of the cranial part of the muscle due to tumor infiltration. Fourteen patients with a mean age of 60.3 years were operated for malignant thoracic wall tumors between 2011 and 2014. All tumors were located on the upper thoracic area with a mean defect size of 16.6 × 12 cm. During tumor resection, the thoracoacromial vessels and pectoral branch were preserved and dissected until reaching the pectoralis muscle. After the resection of the cranial part of the muscle, the caudal part is prepared as a pedicled island flap and used for the coverage of the resultant defect. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 10.9 months. All flaps survived without any partial or total flap loss. A case of local recurrence, two cases of hematoma requiring drainage, and two cases of local wound-healing problems were the encountered complications. The pectoral kite flap is a versatile and reliable option for the coverage of small to medium upper chest wall defects with minimal morbidity, and it gives the reconstructive surgeon the opportunity to use the non-infiltrated caudal part of the pectoralis muscle instead of an unnecessary resection of the whole muscle.

Accelerated treatment of concomitant empyema and lung cancer by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

The most common cause of pleural empyema are parapneumonic effusions, and lung cancer is a rare cause of empyema. The aim of the present study is to analyse the results of the thoracoscopic treatment of empyema before definitive oncological treatment.

METHODS

Retrospective descriptive study of 332 patients including different clinical variables between 2002 and 2010.

RESULTS

Among 332 patients with empyema, the etiology of this disease was lung cancer in 11 patients. Ten of these patients were male and one was female (median age, 57.9 years; range, 46-76). The initial treatment was tube thoracostomy in 8 patients and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 3 patients. Thoracoscopic debridement was performed in 4 patients whose tube thoracostomy underperformed because of insufficient drainage. The methods used for diagnosis of lung cancer were fiberoptic bronchoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Surgical resection was performed on 7 suitable patients following infection control. Postoperative bronchopleural fístula and empyema occurred after pneumonectomy in one case. No operative mortality was observed. The mean survival time was 32.8 months for patients undergoing resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Empyema could be a rare presentation of lung cancer and those suitable for surgical treatment should undergo standard treatment with reasonable results.

The experimental use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in pulmonary wedge resections

BACKGROUND

In this experimental study, the effectiveness of N-butyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive on preventing air leakage after pulmonary wedge resection was observed.

METHODS

Twenty pairs of sheep lungs were used. Before initiating the study, the sheep lungs were ventilated to identify any air leakage from the parenchyma. On positive results, those sheep lungs were then excluded from the study. Wedge resection was performed on the right and left lower lobes of sheep lungs by clamping the edges forming a triangle of 5 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm. One side of parenchyma was sutured by 3/0 vicryl (Group A) while the other side of parenchyma was sealed by N-butyl cyanoacrylate (Group B). After waiting for 5 min for N-butyl cyanoacrylate to dry, the sheep lungs were intubated by 6F endotracheal tubes. The lungs were soaked in a bath tub filled with 10 cm deep water and inflated by 40 mmHg pressure to record any air leakage from the parenchyma partially sutured by vicryl and sealed by N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

RESULTS

Air leakages were observed on the parenchyma surfaces of group of lungs (100%) sutured by vicryl (minimal 30%, mild 50% or massive 20% levels), while only on four of (20%) the other group of lungs sealed by N-butyl cyanoacrylate, minimal air leakage was observed on the parenchymal surface. There was an extremely significant difference between Group A and Group B in terms of the development of air leakage (p=000).

CONCLUSION

We consider that, N-butyl cyanoacrylate could be used effectively and safely to prevent air leakage from the pulmonary wedge resection surface.

Sensitivity of convex probe endobronchial sonographically guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenitis

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity and diagnostic value of convex probe endobronchial sonographically guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenitis.

METHODS

Patients clinically and radiologically suspected to have granulomatous mediastinal disease and followed in our clinic between October 2008 and July 2010 were included. Convex probe EBUS with local anesthesia and under conscious sedation and EBUS-TBNA from hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were performed after physical examination, chest radiography, computed tomography of the thorax, and routine biochemical analysis. Detection of noncaseating/caseating granulomas was accepted as sufficient for diagnosis of sarcoidosis/tuberculosis in the presence of clinical and radiologic findings. For patients whose EBUS-TBNA results were nondiagnostic, a definitive diagnosis was reached by invasive procedures. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of granulomatous lymphadenitis and diagnostic accuracy in granulomatous hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathies was calculated.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were included in study (20 male and 52 female; mean age ± SD, 46.22 ± 13.94 years). In 72 cases, 121 lymph node aspirations were performed. The average lymph node short axis was 1.96 cm. With EBUS-TBNA among the 72 cases, 35 were diagnosed as sarcoidosis and 16 as tuberculous lymphadenitis. A definitive diagnosis could not be reached with EBUS-TBNA in 21 cases. As a result, 9 of these EBUS-TBNA-negative cases were diagnosed as reactive lymphadenitis, 9 as sarcoidosis, and 3 as tuberculosis by invasive procedures. The sensitivity values of EBUS-TBNA for diagnosis of sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and granulomatous diseases were 79.5%, 84.2%, and 80.9%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for granulomatous diseases was 83.3%. No major complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

In the diagnosis of granulomatous lymphadenitis, EBUS-TBNA, with high sensitivity and a minimum complication rate, is an alternative to mediastinoscopy.

Cardiac and great vessel injuries after chest trauma: our 10-year experience

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular injuries after trauma present with high mortality. The aim of the study was to present our experience in cardiac and great vessel injuries after chest trauma.

METHODS

During the 10-year period, 104 patients with cardiac (n=94) and great vessel (n=10) injuries presented to our hospital. The demographic data, mechanism of injury, location of injury, other associated injuries, timing of surgical intervention, surgical approach, and clinical outcome were reviewed.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight (84.6%) males presented after chest trauma. The mean age of the patients was 32.5±8.2 years (range: 12-76). Penetrating injuries (62.5%) were the most common cause of trauma. Computed tomography was performed in most cases and echocardiography was used in some stable cases. Cardiac injuries mostly included the right ventricle (58.5%). Great vessel injuries involved the subclavian vein in 6, innominate vein in 1, vena cava in 1, and descending aorta in 2 patients. Early operations after admission to the emergency were performed in 75.9% of the patients. Thoracotomy was performed in 89.5% of the patients. Operative mortality was significantly high in penetrating injuries (p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should suspect cardiac and great vessel trauma in every patient presenting to the emergency unit after chest trauma. Computed tomography and echocardiography are beneficial in the management of chest trauma. Operative timing depends on hemodynamic status, and a multidisciplinary team approach improves the patient's prognosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome after the Addition of Lithium to Risperidone Treatment: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-threatening complication of antipsychotic therapy. The classic features of NMS include muscular rigidity, altered mental status, autonomic instability and hyperthermia. NMS is most often associated with conventional antipsychotic usage. It has also been reported with lithium and antidepressants especially when combined with antipsychotics. Herein, we report a case involving a 35-year-old man with schizoaffective disorder in whom signs and symptoms consistent with NMS developed after lithium was added to his therapy of risperidone. A firm diagnosis of NMS was made on the basis of his history, physical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings. He was then followed up and treated in the intensive care unit with supportive care measures including aggressive cooling, intravenous fluid hydration, nutrition by nasogastric tube and therapy with bromocriptine. The patient had an uneventful clinical course and was discharged from the intensive care unit after three weeks with no complications related to the NMS.

[Spontaneous pneumothorax: retrospective analysis of 348 cases]

BACKGROUND

In this study, spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) cases were divided into two groups and retrospectively evaluated according to age, sex, diagnostic methods, treatments, and results.

METHODS

Between June 1997 and May 2005, 348 patients (320 males, 28 females; mean age 34.5; range 14 to 80 years) with SP were enrolled into our study. There were 274 (78.7%) primary SP and 74 (21.3%) secondary SP patients. Tuberculosis was the most common cause in secondary SP patients. Nasal oxygen and aspiration was the first-line therapeutic option in 10% of patients and tube thoracostomy was performed in 90%.

RESULTS

Nasal oxygen and aspiration success ratio was 85.7% in primary SP patients and 66.7% in secondary SP patients. Tube thoracostomy success ratio was nearly the same in patients with primary and secondary SP (88.4% and 85.7%). Of the 29 patients (11.6%) with primary SP with unsuccessful result of tube thoracotomy, 15 underwent axillary thoracotomy and 14 underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). One patient among these 14 who underwent VATS (7.1%) had recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Tube thoracostomy success ratio was high in both primary and secondary SP patients. Surgical procedures can be applied safely, with low recurrence rate, when the tube thoracostomy remains unsuccessful.

Comprehensive analysis of 4205 patients with chest trauma: a 10-year experience

Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In this retrospective study, we present our 10-year experience in the management and clinical outcome of 4205 cases with chest trauma associated with blunt and penetrating injuries in a level I trauma hospital in Turkey. In 66% of the cases, blunt injury mostly related to traffic accidents was the cause of chest trauma. Additional organ injuries were found in 35% (n=1471). Conservative treatment was administered for most patients. Tube thoracostomy was administered in 40% of all cases, whereas thoracotomy was performed in 6% (n=252), of which 209 were early interventions (P=0.001). The morbidity rate in all victims was 25.2%. The mortality rate was 9.3% for all patients and was 6.8% in blunt, 1.4% in penetrating, and 17.7% in associated organ injuries. Mortality and injury severity score (ISS) increased in patients having early surgery (P=0.001). Although most patients could be managed with conservative approaches, early thoracotomy was required in some cases. We believe that urgent hospital admission, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary approach are very important to improve outcome.

The value of surgical resection in patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) still continues to be a serious health problem throughout the world. Although main treatment of MDR-TB is medical, surgical resection with adjuvant medical therapy may increase the chance of cure in selected patients.

METHODS

We performed surgical resections in 55 patients between 1997 and 2005; 36 were male and 19 were female with a median age of 34 years (range 13 to 66 years). Sputum was negative for 49 patients and positive for 6 patients in the preoperative period. Patients were treated according to a new therapy protocol for a mean of 3.7 months before the operation.

RESULTS

Lobectomy was performed in 37 patients, pneumonectomy in 17 patients and lobectomy + segmentectomy in 1 patient. One patient with positive sputum preoperatively died in the early postoperative period (mortality: 1.81 %). Various complications occurred in 16 (29.09 %) patients. Prolonged air leak was the most common complication (n = 8). Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) + empyema occurred in 2 (3.63 %) patients. In the postoperative period, sputum negativity was achieved in all patients except three cases throughout the 57 months of follow-up (cure rate 94.5 %). Patients received drug therapy for 24 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection with adjuvant drug therapy increases the chance of cure in patients with localized disease if they have an adequate cardiopulmonary reserve, favorable nutritional status and are treated with a new therapy protocol for at least 3 months.

Videothoracoscopic approach to recurrence primary spontaneous pneumothorax: using of electrocoagulation in small bulla/blebs

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of electrocoagulation of bullae/blebs and apical pleurectomy via videothoracoscopic approach.

METHODS

We reviewed 42 patients who underwent Videoassisted thoracoscopy (VATS) procedure for recurrence primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) from 200022006. There were 30 male and 12 female patients with a median age of 30 years. The percentage of pneumothorax was calculated median of 60% (British Thoracic Society Guideline - 2003). Thirty-two (76.2%) bullae/blebs were observed with the median diameter of 15 mm (5-30).

RESULTS

Bulla ablation via cauterisation and apical pleurectomy was performed in 32 patients. Ten patients underwent only apical pleurectomy/abrasion because in this group there was not any either bulla or bleb could be found. The median duration of drainage time was 3 days. There was no mortality and complications occurred in five (11.9%) patients. Only two (4.76%) recurrence occurred during the 52 months (5 to 76) median follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Videothoracoscopic bulla ablation with apical pleurectomy is a safe method for recurrence PSP. Especially, if the bulla or bleb is smaller than 20 mm the ablation via cauterisation reduces the expenses of VATS procedure by avoiding the use of stapler devices.

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm after a vascular access port catheter implantation

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm is an unusual complication of surgically implantable central venous port catheters. We experienced a case of a 57-year-old man with gastric malignancy, in which a port catheter had been previously implanted for chemotherapy. Because of a puncture site that was also medial for the subclavian vein, the catheter tip fractured between the first rib and the clavicle, and embolized in the left pulmonary artery, which caused a 5 x 4 cm pseudoaneurysm that mandated surgical resection with a lobectomy. The diagnostic work-up and a review of the literature are presented.

Management of postpneumonic empyemas in children

OBJECTIVE

The optimal treatment of children with empyema remains controversial. The purpose of this clinical retrospective study was to assess different treatment options in the management of postpneumonic pediatric empyemas.

METHODS

From April 1997 to October 2005, 111 consecutive children (57 boys and 54 girls) were managed for pleural empyema. The mean age was 7.07 years (range: 18 months-14 years). Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the treatment received: group I, chest tube alone (n = 89); group II, chest tube with fibrinolytics (n = 22); group III, thoracotomy with decortication (n = 19, consisting of 9 patients of group I and 10 of group II with unsuccessful treatment results).

RESULTS

Chest tube alone, chest tube with fibrinolytics, and thoracotomy with decortication had complete response rates of 89.9%, 54.5%, and 100%, respectively. The hospital stay was 11.46 +/- 3.79 days for group I, 9.08 +/- 2.07 days for group II, and 6.32 +/- 2.54 days for group III. There was no statistically significant difference between group I and group II with regard to hospital stay (P = 0.040). Mild pain occurred in 4 children of group II after streptokinase instillation. Only one atelectasis appeared in group III during the postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

Chest tube drainage is a safe, effective primary treatment of postpneumonic pediatric empyema. In cases where it is insufficient, thoracotomy with decortication can be used successfully with low morbidity and mortality rates.

[Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture: analysis of 48 cases]

BACKGROUND

Our aim is to investigate treatment modalities and the results of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in our trauma patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 48 patients admitted to our hospital between 1997-2000 with diaphragmatic injury were evaluated according to the type of injury, diagnostic methods, associated organ injury, treatment modality, morbidity and mortality. Injury severity score (ISS) was used in patients with associated organ injury to assess the effect on mortality.

RESULTS

There was penetrating injury in 69% and blunt injury in 31% of patients. Physical examination and X-ray films were enough in the diagnosis of 66.6% of patients. There was associated organ injury in 83.3% and isolated diaphragm injury in 16.6% of patients. The morbidity and mortality ratio were 8.3% and 10.4% respectively. There was no difference between mortality ratio of penetrating and blunt trauma statistically (p > 0.05). On the other hand, in regard with morbidity and mortality; the injury severity score was higher in patients with associated organ injury (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is usually seen with associated organ injury and mortality and morbidity are higher in this case.

[Evaluation of 572 cases of blunt and penetrating thoracic trauma]

We retrospectively evaluated 572 patients with thoracic trauma from total of 2163 trauma patients who admitted to 2nd General Surgery Emergency Service of Kartal Education and Research Hospital from January 1997 to February 2000. 501 of the patients (87.5%) were male and 71 (12.5%) were female. The range of ages 2-84 and mean age was 32.2. 337 (59%) patients had blunt and 235 (41%) had penetrating thoracic trauma. While traffic accidents (72%) were determined as the most common ethiological factor for blunt thoracic trauma, penetrating and cutting instruments injuries (82%) were the most common factor for penetrating thoracic trauma. Accompanying trauma were observed in 37.5% of cases. 332 (58%) tube thoracostomy, 185 (32.5%) conservative treatment, 41 (7.1%) thoracotomy 14 (2.4%) mechanical ventilation were carried out. The rates of mortality were 6.8% and of morbidity 3.3%. Early diagnosis and immediate appropriate treatment in thoracic trauma increases the survival.

Bullet embolism of the right external iliac artery following cardiac gunshot wound (a case report)

Penetrating cardiac injury (PCI) frequently cause hemorrhage and cardiac tamponade. However peripheral embolization is very rare. In this manuscript one of the rare case of bullet embolism in the right external iliac artery, which occurred after cardiac gunshot wound is reported under the light of literature.

[Evaluation of patients wounded in the 17 August 1999 Marmara earthquake]

This study describes the experience of Kartal Research and Training Hospital in the Marmara Earthquake. We reviewed medical records of 698 patients admitted to our hospital in a 30 days' period after the earthquake and analysed the types of injuries, treatment, morbidity and mortality rates. The hospitalized 273 patients were grouped according to the major injury; patients with crush syndrome were analysed separately. The most frequent injuries were crush injury (23.1%), extremity fractures (16.8%) and pelvis and spine injuries (16.1%). More than two system injuries were seen most frequently in the abdominal injury (45.5%), crush injury (24.4%), and pelvis and spine injury (27.3%) groups (p < 0.05). Overall mortality rate was 7.3%. The highest mortality rates were seen in the abdominal injury (27.3%) and crush injury (20%) groups (p < 0.05). 61.9% of the patients with crush syndrome underwent fasciotomy due to the compartment syndrome; hemodialysis was performed in 31 patients. The most serious problem with earthquake is organization in the earthquake area, between hospitals and in hospitals. Crush injury is the major injury seen earthquakes. Early diagnosis and proper treatment should be done to improve survival.