BACKGROUND: Protocatechuic acid (PCA), which has antioxidant property, is a simple phenolic compound commonly found in many plants, vegetables, and fruits, notably in green tea and almonds. Present study was an investigation of the effects of PCA on rat kidney with ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury.
METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) Sham, (2) Renal IR, (3) Renal IR+Vehicle, and (4) Renal IR+PCA. Renal reperfusion injury was induced by clamping renal pedicle for 45 minutes after right nephrectomy was performed, followed by reperfusion for 3 hours. Dose of 80 mg/kg PCA was intraperitoneally administered to 1 group immediately before renal ischemia; 33% polyethylene glycol was used as vehicle. Total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 levels were measured in blood and kidney tissue samples taken from sacrificed rats. Kidney tissue samples were examined and scored histopathologically. Terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP digoxigenin nick end labeling assay method was used to detect apoptotic cells.
RESULTS: It was found that PCA significantly reduced serum MDA, TNF-α, and kidney MDA levels, while it increased serum and kidney TAS and SOD levels. Histopathological scores were significantly higher for the group given PCA.
CONCLUSION: PCA reduced oxidative stress and can be used as an effective agent in treatment of renal IR injury.

BACKGROUND: Presently described is research examining the ”stuffed nerve” technique to repair peripheral nerve defects.

METHODS: Twenty-one male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 7, and standard 10-mm defects were created in the sciatic nerve of all subjects. Rats were treated with autogenous nerve graft (Group 1), hollow vein graft (Group 2), or vein graft stuffed with shredded nerves (Group 3). After 12 weeks, electrophysiological and histomorphological analyses were performed to evaluate axonal regeneration.
RESULTS: Rat groups were compared in terms of latency period and peak-to-peak potential. Latency period was significantly shorter and peak-to-peak potential was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2. However, latency period and peak-to-peak potential did not differ significantly between Groups 1 and 3 or between Groups 2 and 3. To evaluate axonal regeneration, number of axons, axon diameter and myelin sheath thickness was compared between groups. Results indicated that axonal regeneration was similar in Groups 1 and 3, and was better than results seen in Group 2.
CONCLUSION: The stuffed nerve technique is an alternative to autogenous nerve grafting and produces similar electrophysiological and histomorphological properties.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is predominantly a disease of elderly people.
Cancer in nonagenarian patients presents an ethical dilemma for surgeons and oncologists, and management of this group of patients in emergency for complicated CRC is debated.
Presently described is retrospective study reporting experience of 6 departments of emergency surgery with management of nonagenarian patients sent to emergency surgery for CRC complications.
METHODS: Data concerning patients aged over 90 years hospitalized from January 2011 to June 2015 in 6 departments of emergency surgery for complicated CRC were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected in a dedicated database. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM software SPSS 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA); statistical significance was set at p=0.05.
RESULTS: In the period of study,19 patients aged over 90 underwent surgery in emergency department for complicated CRC. Of the total,
52.63% were female, with sex ratio F: M of 1.11: 1. Mean age was 92.52 years (range: 90-97 years; SD 1.49). Preoperative assessment of surgical risk was made using American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of in-hospital mortality between patients with ASA score ≤ 3 and patients with an ASA score >3. 
Primary anastomosis was performed in 6 of 19 patients (31.57%), all of whom had right-side colon cancer. Diverting stoma was created for 12 of 19 patients (63.15%).
There was a statistically significant difference in incidence of postoperative complications between patients with right-side colon cancer and patients with left-side colon cancer (p=0.0498).
Mean length of hospital stay was 12.78 days (range: 2–31 days; SD 6.31).
In-hospital mortality rate was 21.05% (n=4).
At follow up, overall survival was 47.36% (n=9).
CONCLUSION: Elective surgery is the best way to manage CRC in all patients affected.
Emergency surgery for CRC complications in patients over 90 is feasible with careful preoperative selection and evaluation of the patient.
One-stage surgery is the best choice, in selected patients. Two- and three-stage surgery is indicated in case of peritonitis, for frail patients, for hemodynamically unstable patients. If there is high risk of anastomotic leakage, decompressive stoma is suggested as bridge to elective surgery, and in advanced neoplastic disease, as palliative procedure. In emergency setting, diverting stoma is a good surgical option in nonagenarian patients to decrease surgical risk, morbidity, and mortality; however, clinical randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm this.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating cardiac injury (PCI) has highly mortal outcome. Therefore, management of this emergency situation is extremely important. The present study is an investigation of main factors that can affect mortality and morbidity in PCI.
METHODS: Records of 112 patients who were admitted to emergency department with PCI in the last decade were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, initial approach, transfer duration and conditions, vital status and findings, type of injury, localization, characteristics, and type of surgical application were recorded.
RESULTS: Demographic findings (age, sex, cause of injury) were not found to be significant factors affecting mortality. Early mortality (1-week observation period) occurred in 14 (12.5%) patients. Method of transfer to hospital (under medical team supervision by ambulance, or without supervision), transfer duration, initial vital findings upon arrival (blood pressure, rhythm, breathing, consciousness), operation timing (elective or emergency), and injuries to additional organs were determined to be important predictors of survival.
CONCLUSION: Cardiac injury is highly mortal emergency situation. Expert medical management is important for survival. However, basic first aid measures and immediate hospital transfer are as important as expert clinical management.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain seen in surgical clinics. Although it can be easily diagnosed, the picture may be confusing, particularly in premenopausal women and the elderly. The present study is an evaluation of 2 of the current scoring systems with respect to accurate diagnosis of the disease and indication of inflammation severity.
METHODS: A total of 105 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included in the study. Subsequent to Alvarado and Ohmann scoring, ultrasonography image was obtained and appendectomy was performed. A unique intraoperative severity scoring system was used to measure severity of inflammation and to compare Alvarado and Ohmann scoring system results to assess accuracy of predictive value for acute appendicitis.
RESULTS: Moderate positive correlation was found between Alvarado score and Ohmann score (r=0.508; p<0.001). Rate of Alvarado score successfully predicting diagnosis of acute appendicitis based on histopathological results was statistically significant (p=0.027), while rate of Ohmann score was not statistically significant (p=0.807). Correlation between both scores and grading of inflammation performed during the operation was weak, but statistical significance was observed between Alvarado scoring system and intraoperative severity scoring (r=0.30; p=0.002). No statistical difference was observed between Ohmann scoring and intraoperative severity scoring (r=0.09; p=0.384).
CONCLUSION: Alvarado score is better able to predict acute appendicitis and provide an idea of severity of inflammation. Ohmann score is more useful to provide guidance and eliminate acute appendicitis from consideration when conditions are more uncertain and obscured.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a common emergency seen by general surgeons. Optimal treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC); however, in cases where surgery cannot be performed due to high risk of morbidity and mortality, such as in elderly patients with comorbid diseases, other treatment modalities may be used. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is one alternative method to treat AC. PC can be used to provide drainage of the gall bladder and control infection. Subsequently, interval cholecystectomy can be performed when there are better conditions. Presently described is experience and results with PC in high risk, elderly patients with AC.
METHODS: Medical records of all consecutive patients who underwent PC between January 2011 and January 2014 were identified. Tokyo Guidelines were used for definitive diagnosis and severity assessment of AC. Senior surgeon elected to perform PC based on higher risk-benefit ratio due to comorbidity, age, or duration of symptoms. All PC procedures were performed by the same interventional radiologist under local anesthesia with ultrasonographic guidance.
RESULTS: Total of 40 PC procedures were performed during the study period. Of those, 22 (55%) were male and 18 were (45%) were female, with median age of 70.5 years (range: 52–87 years). All of the patients had American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of either 3 or 4. Success rate of PC was 100% with complication rate of 2.5% (n=1). One patient was operated on shortly after PC procedure due to bile peritonitis complication. PC drains were kept in place for 6 weeks. Total of 16 patients (40%) had surgery following removal of PC drain. In 3 (18.8%) cases, conversion from LC was required. Remaining 23 (57.5%) patients did not have subsequent operation after drain removal. No disease recurrence was observed in follow-up.
CONCLUSION: When elderly patients present in emergency setting with AC and LC cannot be performed due to comorbid disease or poor general condition, PC can be performed safely. After removal of PC drain, LC may be performed with acceptable conversion rate of 18.8%.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies examining development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the various types of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Presently described is evaluation of risk factors and development of AKI in different groups of ICU patients.
METHODS: Present study was performed in 3 different ICUs. Development of AKI was measured using Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) classification system. Total of 300 patients who were treated in trauma, neurosurgery, or general ICU departments (due to head injury, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage [aSAH], or severe sepsis/septic shock, respectively) were assessed for incidence, risk factors, and development of AKI.
RESULTS: AKI did not develop in aSAH patients when evaluated based on serum creatinine level; however, it was observed in 5% of aSAH patients according to volume adjusted creatinine (VACr) level. AKI developed in 76% of sepsis group, and in 20% of head injury group, based on AKIN classification, according to both serum and VACr levels. Incidence of AKI was significantly higher in sepsis group (p<0.001). Only use of vasopressor was significantly related to AKI development in sepsis and head injury groups. Mortality rate was 8%, 22%, and 42% in aSAH, head injury, and sepsis groups, respectively. AKI development and vasopressor use were significantly related to mortality in sepsis group.
CONCLUSION: Despite similar characteristics and risk factors, there were fewer instances of AKI in aSAH group. Hypertension or hydration therapy used to treat vasospasm and polyuria due to cerebral salt-wasting syndrome may prevent aSAH patients from developing AKI.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of capsule endoscopy (CE) performed on patients who presented to emergency room with clinically evident gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from unknown source and were hospitalized for follow-up.
METHODS: Total of 38 patients who underwent CE and were followed-up for evaluation of clinically perceptible GI bleeding with no obvious etiology in Istanbul Medical Faculty emergency surgery department were included in the study. Patient data, which were collected between January 1, 2007 and June 1, 2015, were reviewed retrospectively.
RESULTS: Of the 38 patients included in this study, 12 (32%) patients were women and 26 (68%) were men. Average age was 55.57 years (range: 20–88 years). Nine patients were using anticoagulants. Ten patients were followed-up in intensive care, and 7 patients underwent angiography. Angioembolization was performed for 1 patient who was diagnosed as having active bleed with CE. Average erythrocyte suspension replacement was 20.7 units. Total of 13 patients underwent surgery for bleeding found with CE. Eleven (34%) patients underwent double-balloon endoscopy, during which 5 patients were treated with cauterization and sclerotherapy was performed on 2. Four (18%) patients died during the study period: 2 died as result of bleeding from unknown source, 1 died of cholangiocarcinoma recurrence, and 1 died of anastomotic leakage. One patient was readmitted to hospital due to recurrence of bleeding. Nineteen (50%) patients were treated successfully based on CE findings. Diagnostic yield of CE was determined to be 78.9%. Average length of hospital stay was 32.68 days (range: 3–153 days).
CONCLUSION: CE is an effective tool to detect source of GI bleeding. CE should be first choice of evaluation method for patients admitted to emergency room with obscure overt GI bleeding once radiological imaging determines absence of obstruction.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to present characteristic features and risk factors of paint thinner burns in order to raise awareness and help prevent these injuries.
METHODS: Records of patients admitted to the burn unit due to paint thinner burns were retrospectively reviewed, and patients with comprehensive data available were included in the study. Total of 48 patients (3 female and 45 male) with mean age of 27.79±11.49 years (range: 4–58 years) were included in the study.
RESULTS: Mean total hospitalization period was 30.25±27.11 days (range: 3–110 days), and mean total burn surface area was 32.53±24.06% (range: 3.0–90.0%). In 31 cases (64.6%), intensive care unit admission was required. Among all 48 patients, 9 (18.8%) died in hospital and remaining 38 were discharged after treatment. Primary cause of death was septicemia (n=7) or respiratory failure (n=6). Inhalation injury was present in 12 of the patients, 6 of whom died (50%). Statistically significant differences were found between expired and discharged patients when compared for presence of inhalation injury (p=0.01) and septicemia (p=0.031).
CONCLUSION: Ignition of paint thinner is an important cause of burn injuries that may result in very severe clinical picture. Patients require prompt and careful treatment. Clinicians should be aware that inhalation injury and sepsis are the 2 main factors affecting mortality rate in this group of patients. With increased awareness, preventive measures may be defined. Further studies are warranted to decrease mortality rate in this subgroup of burn patients.

BACKGROUND: Physical violence is defined as deliberate use of physical force likely to result in trauma, bodily injury, pain, or impairment. Present study is pioneering effort to evaluate mechanisms and sociodemographic features of physical violence targeting the elderly in Turkey and to investigate preventive measures.
METHODS: Database records and forensic reports were analyzed in this retrospective study of 54 elderly patients with trauma as result of physical violence who were admitted to emergency department of Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital between January 2012 and July 2013.
RESULTS: Of the 54 patients evaluated, 50 (92.4%) were male. History of experiencing previous violence was described by 55.6% (n=30) of the patients. Instances of repeat violence and firearm injuries most often occurred in the home (p=0.006, p=0.007). Need for surgical treatment was also greater among cases that occurred in the home (p=0.016).
CONCLUSION: Firearm injury, recurrent violence, and surgical treatment rates were higher among cases that occurred in the home. Urgent preventive measures are especially needed for the elderly who have already been victims of physical violence.

BACKGROUND: Diverticulosis of the right colon is an uncommon entity. Aim of the present study was to report outcome in patients with right-sided diverticulitis diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) and treated conservatively.
METHODS: Twelve patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of cecal or right-sided diverticulitis who were treated conservatively between February 2013 and December 2014 were included. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS: Female to male ratio was 1: 1 with mean age of 45.08±14.4 years. Mean length of symptom history before admission was 2.08±1.3 days. Most common presenting symptom was right lower abdominal pain, seen in 72.7% of the patients. Abdominal ultrasound alone was performed for 10 patients, and 2 also had abdominal CT. Mean duration of hospitalization was 2.8±1.5 days. All patients were successfully treated with medical therapy. There was no recurrence during mean follow-up period of 8.2±5.6 months.
CONCLUSION: If uncomplicated diverticulitis of the right colon is correctly diagnosed with radiological evaluation, antibiotic therapy and bowel rest should be considered as treatment modality, as there was no recurrence observed in short-term follow-up period and this option presents advantage of avoiding surgical intervention.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate functional and anatomical success of traumatic canalicular laceration repair.
METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented at Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic, İzmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine and had canalicular laceration repair performed by the same surgeon between January 2009 and December 2014 were included in the study. Demographic data, length of time between injury and surgery, and cause of the trauma, surgical method employed, and duration of follow-up were recorded. Postoperative epiphora was evaluated using Munk score. Patency of lacrimal system was assessed with canalicular irrigation.
RESULTS: Thirty-five male and 6 female patients were included in the study. Mean age of 41 participants was 31.85±18.9 years (range: 1–79 years). Avulsive injury was observed in 66% (n=27), and direct (penetrating) injury in 34% (n=14). Distribution of injured canaliculi was as follows: left inferior canaliculus 63.4% (n=26), right inferior canaliculus 19.5% (n=8), right superior canaliculus 9.8% (n=4), and left superior canaliculus 7.3% (n=3). Thirty-four patients had monocanalicular tube implantation (mini-Monoka) and 10 patients had bicanalicular annular intubation using pigtail probe. Average follow-up time was 6±5.7 months. Munk score was Grade 0 in all patients. Canalicular irrigation indicated all canaliculi were patent.
CONCLUSION: Recent microsurgical techniques result in successful repair of canalicular laceration.

Warfarin is the most commonly used oral anticoagulant and is widely prescribed to prevent thromboembolic events. Warfarin-dependent spontaneous breast hematoma is a very rare complication. Presently described is rare case of warfarin-induced breast hematoma.

Small intestinal stricture forming in the late phase following nonpenetrating abdominal trauma is rare cause of ileus. It has often been suggested that it is result of localized feeding deficiency on the intestinal wall related to minor trauma in the mesentery. Laparoscopy has been increasingly used for diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis should be supported by pathological analyses in case of intestinal stenosis related to blunt abdominal traumas.

An intrahepatic foreign body (FB) is rarely observed. In most cases, object passes from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver via migration. Uncomplicated intrahepatic FB can be followed without surgical intervention; however, complicated intrahepatic FB requires laparoscopy or laparotomy. Presently described is laparoscopic operation on 22-year-old female patient who had incidental sewing needle in the right liver lobe. As there were initially no complications, follow-up monitoring was recommended. However, the patient subsequently complained of stomach pain and developed fever. Laparoscopic exploration located sewing needle in the right liver lobe lateral to the gall bladder with end of needle protruding from the liver. Needle was removed with laparoscopic grasper. Review of the literature regarding 23 other intrahepatic sewing needle cases is also presented.

Hydatid acute pancreatitis is a rare condition and always presents as consequence of acute edematous pancreatitis. Intrabiliary rupture of hepatic hydatid cysts and obstruction of papillary orifice with hydatid membrane is possible mechanism. A 49-year-old man was admitted with epigastric and right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography scan showed 5 x 5 cm cyst in left hepatic lobe, which had ruptured into the biliary tract and caused necrotizing pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography trial failed. Surgical choice was drainage of cyst, insertion of T-Tube, exploration of common bile duct and omentoplasty. No additional necessary surgical intervention was necessary for necrotizing pancreatitis. Clinical and laboratory findings resolved rapidly and there was no recurrent pancreatitis episode during 1 year of follow-up. Hydatid edematous and necrotizing pancreatitis have similar progress. Recovery is quick and uneventful after elimination of mechanical obstruction of papillary orifice.