BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on prevention of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rat hindlimb ischemia model.
METHODS: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats. Hindlimb composite island flaps were raised in all rats. Clamps were applied to femoral vessels of all subjects, but immediately released without causing ischemia in Group 1. In Group 2, after 4 hours of ischemia, 24 hours of reperfusion was performed. Following 4 hours of ischemia, saline was administered to rats in Group 3 and flaps were reperfused for 24 hours. In Group 4, ALA was administered intraperitoneally after 4 hours of ischemia and flaps were reperfused for 24 hours.
RESULTS: In Group 4, there was a significant decrease of liver malondialdehyde compared to Group 2 and decrease of muscle tumor necrosis factor-alpha compared to Group 3. There was also increase in levels of glutathione in erythrocytes compared to Group 3 and increase of plasma vitamin C compared to all groups.
CONCLUSION: ALA was found to be effective in prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Further studies are needed before clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common reason for abdominal surgery in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medical treatment on histological findings in rabbits with AA.
METHODS: Twenty-one male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups: appendix ligation and medical treatment, appendix ligation and no treatment, and control group, which underwent only laparotomy.
RESULTS: In appendix ligation without treatment group, AA findings were much more severe.
CONCLUSION: Medical treatment reduced inflammation of AA.

BACKGROUND: This experimental study was an investigation of the efficacy of erythropoietin and tadalafil in rats with induced spinal cord injury (SCI).
METHODS: Thirty-five Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into 5 groups. First group was used for normal biochemical values. Spinal cord injury was induced in 4 remaining groups with clip compression technique after laminectomy process to T10 vertebra. Second group was designated solvent group and received 1 cc physiological serum after injury. Third group was medicated with intraperitoneal 2000 u/kg single dose erythropoietin after injury. Orogastric 2 mg/kg single dose tadalafil was administered to fourth group after injury. Fifth group did not receive any treatment and was used for biochemical values with injury. All subjects were sacrificed 48 hours after application. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) values were evaluated using blood and tissue samples.
RESULTS: Lowest serum and tissue MDA values were found in group with erythropoietin intake. While highest serum TAOC values of all groups were seen in tadalafil group, highest tissue TAOC values were observed in group given erythropoietin.
CONCLUSION: It was concluded that by decreasing oxidative stress, tadalafil and erythropoietin can inhibit secondary damage in SCI.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on acute nerve injury.
METHODS: A rat model of crush injury of the sciatic nerve was used. Animals were divided into 3 groups: control, trauma, and TQ treatment groups (n=6 per group). Seven days after injury, sciatic nerve specimens were obtained from the site of the injury and analyzed histologically and stereologically. Axon diameter, myelin thickness, and axon density were measured.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in axon diameter, myelin thickness, or axon density among groups.
CONCLUSION: TQ has no acute therapeutic effect on acute nerve injury.

BACKGROUND: The present study is an evaluation of the efficacy of endovascular treatment in emergency setting for patients with acute peripheral and visceral arterial injury secondary to penetrating or blunt trauma.
METHODS: Twelve patients (11 men) aged 35.8±11.3 years (range: 18–56 years) with penetrating or blunt trauma who underwent endovascular treatment in our department between March 2010 and June 2014 for peripheral and visceral arterial injury were retrospectively reviewed. Selective coil embolization was performed on 11 patients and particle embolization of the injured vessel was performed on 1 patient. Criteria for endovascular treatment included active extravasation or pseudoaneurysm on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and decrease in hemoglobin level or temporary hemodynamic instability.
RESULTS: Arterial injuries were secondary to penetrating injury due to gunshot wound in 4 patients and stab wound in 5, and blunt abdominal injury as result of traffic accident in 3 patients. Traumatic lesions were in the right hepatic artery (n=3), left hepatic (n=2), right hepatic and right renal (n=1), left inferior epigastric (n=2), left facial (n=1), anterior tibial (n=1), and deep femoral (n=1) arteries. Technical success with no procedural complications was seen in all cases. Two patients died due to coexisting injuries on 29th and 43rd days of hospitalization. Median hospitalization period was 6.0 days (range: 1–43 days) and mean intensive care unit hospitalization was 7.7 days (range: 0–43 days).
CONCLUSION: In our experience, endovascular treatment was a safe and effective option for acute traumatic peripheral and visceral arterial lesions.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the fifth leading cause of death in patients 65 years and older. This study is a comparison of results of Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) in prediction of mortality in cases of geriatric trauma.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of records of 352 elderly trauma patients who were admitted to Pour-Sina Hospital in Rasht between 2010 and 2011. Injury scoring systems were compared in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and cut-off points using receiver operating characteristic curve of patient prognosis.
RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 71.5 years. Most common mechanism of injury was traffic accident (53.7%). Of the total, 13.9% of patients died. Mean ISS was higher for patients who did not survive. Mean of TRISS and RTS scores in elderly survivors was higher than non-survivors and difference in all 3 scores was statistically significant (p<0.001). Best cut-off points for predicting mortality in elderly trauma patients in RTS, ISS, and TRISS systems were ≤6, ≥13.5, and ≤2, with sensitivity of 99%, 84%, and 95% and specificity of 62%, 62%, and 72%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: TRISS was the strongest predictor of mortality in elderly trauma patients as result of combination of both anatomical and physiological parameters.

BACKGROUND: Female gender is accepted as a poor prognostic factor for Fournier’s gangrene (FG). However, there is a paucity of data in the literature regarding this matter. This case-matched study was designed to investigate the impact of gender on outcomes of FG.
METHODS: Study patient data were retrieved from 120-patient, prospectively maintained database. Thirty-two female patients with FG were case-matched to 32 male patients based on symptom duration (days), FG severity index score, patient age, etiology, and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) terms. Outcomes of FG were compared between the 2 groups.
RESULTS: Median age was 57 years (range: 22-80 years), and 35 (54.7%) patients had DM. Patients underwent average of 3 debridement procedures (range: 1–9 debridements), and 15 (23.4%) received diverting stoma. Overall mortality rate was 28.1% (18 of 64 patients). Female gender was associated with widespread disease (p=0.009), increased need for consecutive debridements (p=0.005), prolonged length of intensive care unit stay (p=0.035), and increased requirement for split-thickness skin graft reconstruction (p=0.040). However, mortality rates were comparable between genders (p=0.264).
CONCLUSION: FG is often more extensive in females and seems to be associated with anatomical features of female pelvis. However, female gender is not a factor affecting prognosis of patients with FG.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common cause of acute abdomen during pregnancy. Most of the signs of appendicitis are also found during normal pregnancy period, however, and diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy remains challenging. The aim of the current study was to report our clinical experience of AA during pregnancy and investigate optimal management of this difficult situation.
METHODS: Records of 20 pregnant women with diagnosis of AA who underwent appendectomy between 2005 and 2015 were included in this study. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients were evaluated according to age, signs and symptoms, gestational age, physical findings, serum white blood cell count, ultrasound (US) findings, pathology reports, surgical technique, operation time, and complications.
RESULTS: Of 20 patients, 16 (80%) underwent open appendectomy and 4 (20%) underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Mean age of patients was 29.6±5.6 years. Most common symptom was abdominal pain (95%). Six (30%) patients were in first trimester, 9 (45%) patients were in second trimester and 5 (25%) patients in were in third trimester. US findings consistent with AA were found in 12 (60%) patients. Negative appendectomy rate was 30%. Maternal complication was seen in only 1 (5%) patient. No fetal complication was observed.
CONCLUSION: Accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment of AA in pregnant women should be performed due to high rates of maternal and fetal complications.

BACKGROUND: Penile fracture is a surgical emergency defined as rupture of the tunica albuginea. Although most cases can be diagnosed with clinical evaluation, it has been stated in the literature that diagnosis in as many as 15% of cases can be challenging. In uncertain cases, imaging can help determine diagnosis.
METHODS: Present study included 20 cases where diagnosis could not be made with certainty and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. MR images were examined for tunical rupture and accompanying pathologies. When rupture was observed, localization and length of rupture were noted. All patients underwent degloving surgery. All imaging findings were compared to surgical findings.
RESULTS: MRI revealed 19 tunical ruptures. In 1 case, hematoma was seen with no sign of penile fracture. No urethral injuries were found. All MRI findings were confirmed during surgery.
CONCLUSION: Performing MRI in clinically equivocal cases can provide crucial data to make precise diagnosis and improve patient management.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate treatment effect and importance of posterior malleolus (PM) fixation in surgically treated trimalleolar fractures.
METHODS: A total of 57 cases of ankle joint fracture involving PM and treated with open reduction and internal fixation technique between 2004 and 2011 were evaluated. PM fixation was performed with cannulated screws in 46 cases, and in 11 cases, PM plate was used. All patients were assessed using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) foot and ankle questionnaire, and Visual Analog Score (VAS) pain scale. Ankle joint mobility was also compared with unaffected side.
RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 44.6 months (range: 24–108 months). There were 36 female patients and 21 male patients between 23 and 85 years of age (mean: 55.9 years). Average time to surgery was 1.1 day (range: 1–3 days). According to AOFAS assessment, result was excellent in 21 patients and good in 26 patients. AAOS score was 92.4 (range: 32–100). Mean VAS score when resting was 1.1, and mean score was 1.3 when walking (range: 0–10). When compared with uninjured side, there was no significant difference in plantar flexion of ankle (p=0.325) but there was significant difference in dorsiflexion of ankle joint (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation of PM provide satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes even in elderly patients where bone quality may make adequate fixation difficult. Fixation of even small PM fragments can facilitate rehabilitation by creating more stable construction.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to compare hand function in autistic children with history of upper extremity trauma with that of autistic children those who do not have history of trauma.
METHODS: The study group included total of 65 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and was divided into 2 groups: children with trauma history (Group I) and control group (Group II) (Group I: n=28; Group II: n=37). Hand function was evaluated with 9-Hole Peg Test and Jebsen Hand Function Test. Somatosensory function was evaluated using somatosensory subtests of Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. Results were analyzed with Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test using SPSS version 20 software.
RESULTS: Hand function and somatosensory perception test scores were statistically significantly better in children without upper extremity trauma history (p<0.05). When association between hand function tests and upper extremity somatosensory perception tests was taken into account, statistically significant correlations were found between all parameters of hand function tests and Manual Form Perception and Localization of Tactile Stimuli Test results (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Autistic children with upper extremity trauma history had poor somatosensory perception and hand function. It is important to raise awareness among emergency service staff and inform them about strong relationship between somatosensory perception, hand function, and upper extremity trauma in children with ASD in order to develop appropriate rehabilitation process and prevent further trauma.

Pancreatic injuries, though rare, are associated with high morbidity because of location of pancreas adjacent to the various hollow and solid organs. Difficulty in early diagnosis adds to morbidity. Condition of the pancreatic duct is an important factor in grading the injury and deciding upon course of management. Conservative management is the line of treatment in lower grade injuries. Higher grades of pancreatic injuries are usually managed surgically. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) has recently emerged as an effective diagnostic as well as therapeutic modality for hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathologies. Presently described is case of a 12-year-old boy who presented with post-traumatic complete transection of pancreatic duct, which was successfully managed by ERCP-guided stenting of the duct. Therapeutic advantages of ERCP in trauma setting and difficulties involved are highlighted.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare and usually asymptomatic congenital anomaly. Optimal management of this condition is still a subject of debate, including superiority of surgical resection or angiographic embolization of the aberrant arterial vessel. Presently described is rare case of a 51-year-old male who presented with hemoptysis related to pulmonary sequestration associated with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain caused by perforated appendicitis.

Presently described is case of a 52-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency department with 3-day history of epigastric pain. Abdominal examination revealed diffuse tenderness and muscle guarding. Plain abdominal X-ray showed free subdiaphragmatic air. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy with presumptive diagnosis of peptic ulcer perforation. Laparoscopy showed several inflamed, edematous jejunal loops with proximal obstruction and perforation by an impacted fish bone. Completely intracorporeal resection and anastomosis using laparoscopic linear stapler was performed and segment of resected bowel was removed through trocar site. Postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on fourth day.

Obturator hernia is a rare disease usually occurring in debilitated elderly women. Pain radiating down the medial thigh and knee (Howship-Romberg sign) is a specific sign of the disease. Presently described is a case of obturator hernia in a 73-year-old female patient who presented with severe left hip pain radiating down the medial thigh and knee, nausea, and loss of appetite. Initially, vertebral disc herniation was thought to be cause, but abdomino-pelvic computed tomography scan revealed left strangulated obturator hernia. Diagnosis of obturator hernia can be challenging. Physicians should consider obturator hernia in the differential diagnosis of knee and hip pain, and investigate for Howship-Romberg sign. Early diagnosis of the disease not only decreases morbidity and mortality, but also presents opportunity to treat with minimally invasive methods.