BACKGROUND: Vascular leakage has been proven to play a critical role in the incidence and development of explosive pulmonary barotrauma. Quantitatively investigated in the present study was the severity of vascular leakage in a gradient blast injury series, as well as ultrastructural evidence relating to pulmonary vascular leakage.
METHODS: One hundred adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups according to distance from the detonator (10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and sham control). Value of pulmonary vascular leakage was monitored by a radioactive 125I-albumin labeling method. Pathological changes caused by the blast wave were examined under light and electron microscopes.
RESULTS: Transcapillary escape rate of 125I-albumin and residual radioactivity in both lungs increased significantly at the distances of 10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm, suggesting increased severity of vascular leakage in these groups. Ultrastructural observation showed swelling of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells and widened gap between endothelial cells in the 10-cm and 15-cm groups.
CONCLUSION: Primary blast wave can result in pulmonary capillary blood leakage. Blast wave can cause swelling of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells and widened gap between endothelial cells, which may be responsible for pulmonary vascular leakage.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to develop new experimental burn injury model using conventional infrared heaters.
METHODS: 21 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups. Portion of dorsal area was exposed to infrared radiation from distance of 50 cm to create burn injury. Length of exposure to heat for Group 1 was 5 minutes; Group 2 was exposed for 7½ minutes, and Group 3 was exposed for 10 minutes. Macroscopic and histopathological evaluations were utilized to demonstrate depth and characteristics of injury.
RESULTS: There was no burn injury in first group. Group 2 developed partial thickness burn, and result was full thickness burn injury in Group 3. In Groups 2 and 3 there was statistically significant difference in dermal collagen denaturation. Dermal injury depth was statistically significantly higher in Group 3 compared to Group 2.
CONCLUSION: New experimental burn injury model is described using conventional infrared heaters. Standard variables pertaining to model were defined to produce burn injuries at predictable depth: 10 minutes of exposure from 50 cm distance for full thickness burn, and 7½ minutes of exposure from the same distance for partial thickness injury.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine possible protective effect of betaine treatment against oxidative injury in pulmonary tissue induced with thermal trauma.
METHODS: Under ether anesthesia, shaved dorsum of Wistar albino rats was exposed to a 90°C water bath for 10 seconds to induce burn injury. Betaine was administered orally (250 mg/kg) for a period of 21 days before burn injury, and single dose of betaine was administered after thermal injury. Control group rats were exposed to 25°C water bath for 10 seconds. Upon conclusion of experiment, rats were decapitated and blood was collected for analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Lung tissue samples were taken to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and Na+/K+-ATPase activity, in addition to histological analysis.
RESULTS: Burn injury caused significant increase in both cytokine levels and LDH activity. In lung samples, raised MDA levels, MPO activity, and reduced GSH levels and Na+/K+-ATPase activity were found due to burn injury.
CONCLUSION: Treatment of rats with betaine significantly restored GSH level and Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and decreased MDA level and MPO activity. According to the findings of the present study, betaine significantly diminishes burn-induced damage in tissue.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natural antioxidants resveratrol and quercetin on oxidative stress and secondary cell damage in rats with acute spinal cord injury.
METHODS: In this experimental study, 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Spinal cord injury was performed with clip compression method at level of T4-5. The study was conducted using 6 groups: control, trauma, trauma and solvent, trauma and resveratrol, trauma and quercetin, and trauma with combined resveratrol and quercetin. All rats were euthanized 48 hours after the procedure. Effects of resveratrol and quercetin on serum and tissue total antioxidant capacity and paraoxanase activity level were examined.
RESULTS: Compared to trauma group, there was a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity and paraoxanase activity level in resveratrol, quercetin, and combined treatment groups. There was no significant difference between resveratrol and quercetin groups with regard to total antioxidant capacity and paraoxanase activity level. Total antioxidant capacity and paraoxanase activity level were significantly higher in solvent group than trauma group. In histopathological evaluation, there was a decrease in polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in solvent, resveratrol, quercetin, and combined treatment groups.
CONCLUSION: Biochemical and histological staining results of present study showed that resveratrol and quercetin may be effective in preventing secondary damage in spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: The present study is an evaluation of clinical features and management outcomes of patients operated on for intraorbital foreign bodies (FBs).
METHODS: Medical records of 24 patients who underwent surgery for intraorbital FBs within a 10-year period were reviewed.
RESULTS: Twenty patients (83%) were male and 4 (17%) were female (mean age: 28 years; range: 4-69 years). Ten patients (42%) presented within 48 hours of injury, 7 (29%) within 3 days to 1 month, and 7 (29%) more than 1 month after injury. FBs were inorganic in 19 patients (79%), and organic in 5 (21%). Major ocular morbidities were orbital cellulitis (n=5), traumatic optic neuropathy (n=3), globe perforation (n=2), and rupture of rectus muscle (n=2). FBs could be completely removed in all cases. Mean follow-up time was 26 months (range: 1 month-10 years).
CONCLUSION: Intraorbital FBs are usually inorganic and metallic, and occur more frequently in young males. Orbital cellulitis, considered typical for organic FBs, may also occur with metallic that perforate lacrimal sac or paranasal sinuses. With appropriate caution, intraorbital FBs can be removed safely with current orbitotomy techniques.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate risks and consequences of traumatic wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).
METHODS: Data regarding 34 eyes of 34 patients who were treated for traumatic wound dehiscence after PK between 1995 and 2014 were studied. Patient records were reviewed for type and time of insult, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), clinical presentation signs, operative method, and outcome.
RESULTS: The interval between PK and trauma ranged from 1 month to 100 months, with median of 14 months. Median age at trauma was 31.5 years (range: 5–81 years). Wound dehiscence occurred at donor-recipient interface in all patients. In 58.8% of patients, extent of dehiscence was ≥6 clock hours. Most frequent type of trauma was blunt trauma by hand/finger (35.2%). Median CDVA before and just after trauma were 0.5 logMAR (range: 0.1–3.0 logMAR) and 3.0 logMAR (range: 0.7–3.0 logMAR), respectively. Wound dehiscence was managed with primary wound closure in all patients. Most frequent additional surgical procedure was anterior vitrectomy (26.4%). Anatomical globe loss occurred in 2 patients. Median CDVA was 0.7 logMAR (range: 0.1–3.0 logMAR) at final visit. Most common complication after primary suturation was graft failure (23.5%). Graft remained clear in 67.6% of patients.
CONCLUSION: Traumatic wound dehiscence is one of the potentially devastating postoperative complications that can occur following PK. Prognosis depends on existence and severity of additional anterior/posterior segment damage. In order to prevent this catastrophic condition, patients should be warned against ocular trauma after undergoing PK.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related perforation is an infrequent complication. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The present study is an evaluation of experience with management and outcomes of ERCP-related perforations and a review of relevant literature.
METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2015, a total of 9383 ERCPs were performed in endoscopy unit. A total of 29 perforations (0.33%) were identified and retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS: Of the 29 patients, 18 were female and 11 patients were male, with mean age of 70.5 years (range 33–99 years). According to Stapfer’s classification, the 29 patients with ERCP related perforations included 5 type 1 perforations, 14 type 2 perforations, 7 type 3 perforations, and 3 cases of type 4 perforation. In total, 15 of 29 patients with ERCP perforation were operated on. Nine (60%) of those who underwent surgery were discharged uneventful, but 6 (40%) patients died due to postoperative complications and/or associated comorbidities. Seven (24.1%) of 29 patients had undergone endoscopic treatment and 5 of the 7 were discharged from the hospital without any problems; however, peritonitis occurred in 2 patients whose initial endoscopic treatment failed. The first of these 2 patients underwent surgery and was discharged uneventfully, but second patient, who refused surgery, died due to sepsis. Six patients were successfully treated with conservative management. Surgery could not be performed in the remaining 2 patients, who died of sepsis following peritonitis; 1 refused surgery, the other had sudden cardiopulmonary arrest during induction of general anesthesia. Mean hospital stay was 13.2 days (range: 2–57 days). In all, 9 (31%) patients died during period of the study.
CONCLUSION: ERCP-related perforation is uncommon complication, but an extremely serious condition. Early diagnosis and prompt management are most important to reduce associated significant morbidity and mortality rates. The most appropriate treatment course should be determined on case-by-case basis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to retrospectively evaluate traumatic aortic transection patients and their bedside plain chest radiographs for signs of aortic injury.
METHODS: Emergency department (ED) patients from a 5-year period with traumatic aortic transection who were over 18 years of age were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, mechanism of trauma, Revised Trauma Score, Glasgow Coma Score, vital signs, physical exam findings, laboratory parameters, length of stay in the ED, and patient outcomes were documented. Bedside plain chest radiograph images were interpreted by 2 emergency medicine specialists and 1 radiologist.
RESULTS: Thirty patients, mean age 45.87±16.14 years (70% male), were enrolled. Most common trauma mechanism was motor vehicle accident (53.3%). Agreement rates between emergency medicine specialists and radiologist were found to be “excellent” and “substantial” in identifying mediastinal widening and multiple left sided rib fractures; and “fair” in identifying widened paraspinal line, and transthoracic vertebral fractures.
CONCLUSION: Though not completely reliable, bedside plain chest radiographs and physical examination findings may be useful in detecting aortic injury during primary survey when the patient is unstable and cannot be sent for chest computerized tomography. Appropriate further imaging studies should be carried out as appropriate based on patient’s hemodynamic status.

BACKGROUND: As in the rest of the world, the prevalence of obesity in Turkey has been increasing in recent years and has become a major public health issue. Although many trials have been conducted to study the effects of obesity on internal diseases, there are few studies investigating the effects of obesity on prognosis of trauma patients. The present study analyzed the effects of body mass index (BMI) on trauma severity and prognosis in trauma patients.
METHODS: This study was prospectively conducted with trauma patients older than 15 years of age who presented at the Dicle University Faculty of Medicine emergency medicine department trauma unit between June 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014. Patients were grouped into high-energy trauma and low-energy trauma groups based on trauma severity. In addition, 4 groups were made according to BMI value (kg/m2). Group I was defined as BMI <25 (normal weight). Group II patients had BMI of 25–29.9 (overweight). Group III had BMI of 30–34.9 (obese), and Group IV was made up of patients with BMI ≥35 (morbidly obese).
RESULTS: Comparison of whole patient population for inter-group differences showed significant differences between rate of head injury, thoracic injury, extremity injury, multitrauma, clinic admission rate, and mortality rate (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between groups in abdominal injury rate (p=0.347).
CONCLUSION: Clinic admission rate, length of intensive care unit stay, mortality rate, multitrauma rate, and injury severity score increased in proportion to greater BMI.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative serum inflammatory cytokine levels are thought to reflect the magnitude of surgical stress. Cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an early marker of systemic inflammatory response and tissue damage. This study evaluated levels of IL-6 after open and laparoscopic appendectomy to compare the degree of surgical stress associated with these procedures.
METHODS: IL-6 levels were measured pre- and postoperatively in the plasma of 200 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. After preoperative randomization, 100 patients underwent open appendectomy, and 100 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy.
RESULTS: Preoperative concentrations of IL-6 were 65.22±4.76 pg/mL in the open appendectomy group and 65.73±6.34 pg/mL in the laparoscopic appendectomy group (p=0.752). Postoperative levels were 105.28±16.14 pg/mL and 76.11±16.18 pg/mL, respectively (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Lower postoperative serum IL-6 levels suggest that laparoscopic surgery is associated with lower degree of surgical stress. Laparoscopic appendectomy has significant advantage over open appendectomy due to more rapid postoperative recovery.

BACKGROUND: Etiology of acute appendicitis (AA) rarely involves parasitic infections of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Preoperative diagnosis of parasitic infections in appendix remains difficult, although parasites can sometimes be observed inside the lumen during histopathological examination. The aim of the present study was to prospectively screen prevalence and species of intestinal parasites and adherence of fecal occult blood (FOB) in patients admitted to emergency department (ED) with clinical symptoms of AA who underwent appendectomy.
METHODS: Demographic and stool analysis data of a total of 136 patients (≥13 years old) who underwent appendectomy between July 2009 and December 2014 were prospectively assessed, and histopathological data of all patients were retrospectively assessed.
RESULTS: In histopathological examination after appendectomy, of 136 patients, 75.5% (n=103) had AA, 11.1% (n=15) had perforated appendicitis (PA), and 13.2% (n=18) had a negative appendicitis (normal appendix, NA). Pre-operative stool analysis revealed that 25% (n=34) had intestinal parasites and 14.7% (n=20) of patients had positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Those with positive FOBT represented 9.7% (n=10) of 103 AA patients, 53.3% (n=8) of 15 PA patients, and 11.1% (n=2) of 18 NA patients; this was statistically more significant for PA than other groups (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Presence of intestinal parasites in stool might not be associated with appendicitis, but it can occasionally lead to pathological findings of appendicitis. A positive FOBT may be a predictor for PA.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate safety and efficiency of the semi-sterile technique used in recent years in treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures (SHF).
METHODS: Total of 712 patients who were treated for SHF via closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with semi-sterile technique were enrolled in present study. Patients were evaluated for postoperative infection and other complications. Clinical and radiological assessments were also made.
RESULTS: It was found that there were 52 (7.3%) pin tract infections, which responded to oral antibiotic administration and pin care without need for early pin removal (before 3 weeks). There were no deep infections. Loss of reduction was observed in 82 patients (11.5%). There were 59 iatrogenic nerve injuries (8.3%), of which 52 (7.3%) were ulnar palsy. Clinically apparent cubitus varus was observed in 29 (4.1%) patients.
CONCLUSION: Though semi-sterile technique is an effective treatment in closed percutaneous pinning of SHF, increased pin tract infection risk is a matter of concern.

BACKGROUND: Supracondylar humerus fracture is the most common fracture of the elbow in children. Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is considered to be the optimal treatment strategy; however, in some instances, open reduction may be necessary. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare clinical and functional results of triceps-splitting posterior versus lateral approach in pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture surgery.
METHODS: A total of 38 patients underwent surgery; Group 1 consisted of 30 patients on whom posterior approach was used, while lateral approach was used on the 8 patients in Group 2. Flynn criteria were used to evaluate cosmetic and clinical results. Fracture healing was assessed with anteroposterior and lateral x-rays. Patients and parents were asked to describe time needed for complete return of full elbow range of motion (ROM) and overall satisfaction.
RESULTS: Mean fracture union time was 44.1 days and 46.3 days, and time required to regain complete or near complete elbow ROM was 57.5 days and 55.7 days after splint removal for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Twenty-one of 30 (70%) patients (and parents) in Group 1, and 6 of 8 (75%) patients (and parents) in Group 2 were totally satisfied with the results. Twenty-one of 30 (70%) patients in Group 1, and 6 of 8 (75%) patients in Group 2 had excellent cosmetic and functional results according to Flynn outcome criteria.
CONCLUSION: In cases of pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture, early closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is preferred; however, when this method is not applicable, triceps-splitting posterior approach is a safe and comparable method to lateral approach with advantages of easier fracture reduction and shorter operating time.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the sleep quality of patients treated at burn center.
METHODS: The present study is descriptive research conducted between January 2014 and July 2015 at a university hospital. The study included 36 patients. Patient information form and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to collect data. SPSS software (version 22.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the analysis of the data, and statistical significance was regarded as p<0.05 in all analyses.
RESULTS: The average age of the 36 patients included in the study is 26.69±9.63 years (age range: 19–60 years) and 11.1% are female, while 88.9% are male. Burn injuries of 50% of the patients were due to flash burn that occurred in the house. Complications developed in 52.8% of the patients. PSQI score average of the patients was 9.30±4.03 and 86.5% of them suffer from poor sleep quality. It was found that there was a statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality averages and patient being in the intensive care unit (ICU), education level, percentage of area burned, length of time that had passed since the burn, and medication (antidepressant or antipsychotic).
DISCUSSION: The sleep quality of patients in the study was found to be of poor degree. It is known that after burn injury, sufficient sleep enhances the function of natural defense cells, protein synthesis, and release of growth hormones, thereby healing the burn injuries. Information about patient sleep quality and sleep problems can lead to the development of nursing care for patients suffering from burns.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of splenic vessels is rare. It is most commonly caused by spontaneous rupture of an extant splenic artery aneurysm into an adjacent vein, or by traumatic or iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm. Blunt abdominal trauma can sometimes lead to vascular damage to spleen, resulting in AVF formation. Presently described is case of an elderly patient with high-grade splenic injury. Early post-traumatic AVF was detected by volume-rendered 3D reconstruction using fused arterial and venous phase computed tomography (CT) images.

Aspergillus fungi can cause serious infections, including intra-abdominal infection, particularly in patients with compromised immune system. Described in the present report is case of 46-year-old female patient who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) at another healthcare facility. In early postoperative period, she had increasing complaints of swelling, nausea, and vomiting. On postoperative 19th day, she was referred to our clinic with diagnosis of acute abdomen. Surgery was performed with suspected possibility of bile leakage. However, pathological examination of soft, yellow-green mass found in subhepatic space determined it was fungus ball caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Patient was diagnosed postoperative intra-abdominal aspergillosis (IAA).

Lipoma is the most common benign tumor of adipose tissue. Lipomas can occur almost anywhere in the body, but are rarely found in parietal peritoneum of abdominal wall. Occasionally lipomas are detected incidentally during abdominal surgery for other organ pathologies. Presently described is rare case of torsion of pedunculated lipoma originating in parietal peritoneum of anterior abdominal wall causing abdominal pain that mimicked acute appendicitis in 35-year-old woman.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening soft tissue infection characterized by progressive necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissues and fascia. Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a serious and aggressive form of infective necrotizing fasciitis involving perineal region and genitalia. Presently described are 2 pediatric cases of FG with widespread necrosis of surrounding tissue following anorectal surgery, causing severe septic shock. Case 1: Six-month-old female patient with anal stenosis and duplication presented at emergency clinic with fever, somnolence, irritability, and feeding difficulty. Physical examination upon admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with septic shock determined she had ecchymosis in anal region. At 12fth hour after admission, lesion had become necrotic and patient was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics after surgical debridement. Cultures were negative and patient had complete recovery 2 months after admission.
Case 2: Nine-month-old male patient was admitted to ICU for convulsions and sepsis eight hours after fistulectomy. Scrotal, gluteal, and perianal edema and ecchymosis were observed on physical examination. Perianal debridement and colostomy were performed, and patient was given broad-spectrum antibiotics after basic life support strategies for septic shock. Complete recovery was achieved after hyperbaric oxygen treatment for perianal lesion and patient was discharged from the hospital in third month after admission.
After anorectal surgery, every patient should be observed carefully for FG. Early debridement, proper antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen treatment can be life-saving.