BACKGROUND: There are varying opinions on the feasibility of the placement of synthetic materials in contaminated surgical fields. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of the use of a commercially available composite mesh in the presence of abdominal infection.
METHODS: Twenty-four hours after the induction of experimental peritonitis, 20 rats were randomized into 2 groups of 10 subjects. After abdominal cleansing with a second laparotomy, the abdomen was closed with running sutures in the control group and the composite mesh was applied in the experimental group before closure. The rats were followed up for findings of sepsis, mortality, and wound infection. On the 28th day, the rats were sacrificed and evaluated for abdominal infection, abdominal adhesions, and bacterial growth in the mesh and tissue cultures.
RESULTS: The mortality rate was 0% and 30% in the control and mesh groups, respectively (p=0.21), and the wound infection rate was 20% and 57.1% (p=0.162). In the mesh group, the adhesions were significantly more intense (p=0.018) and significantly more microorganisms proliferated in the tissue cultures (p=0.003).
CONCLUSION: The significant increase in the intensity of adhesions and bacterial proliferation, as well as the higher rate of mortality and wound infection in the mesh group indicated that this composite mesh cannot be used safely in the repair of abdominal defects in the presence of abdominal infection.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to investigate the value of the ischemic biomarkers endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) and signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein-1 (SCUBE-1) in the diagnosis and assessment of early-stage and irreversible damage in acute mesenteric ischemia.
METHODS: An experimental mesenteric ischemia reperfusion model was designed using 54 rats. Nine groups were created: Three sham groups [Groups I (30th minute), IV (2nd hour), and VII (6th hour)], in which only blood and tissue specimens were sampled; 3 ischemia groups [Groups II (30th minute), V (2nd hour), and VIII (6th hour)], in which blood and tissue specimens were sampled after ligation of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA); and 3 reperfusion groups [Groups III (30th minute), VI (2nd hour), and IX (6th hour)], in which blood and tissue specimens were sampled after declamping the SMA and reperfusion for 1 hour. SCUBE-1 and endocan samples obtained from blood and tissue were examined histopathologically.
RESULTS: The SCUBE-1 level was higher in the ischemia groups when compared with the sham groups (p<0.05), and the endocan level was markedly different in the late ischemia (6th hour) group. When these 2 markers were used together to assess irreversible mesenteric damage in the histopathological examination, the sensitivity in distinguishing between reversible or irreversible damage was 94.1% with a specificity of 73.7%.
CONCLUSION: The elevation of SCUBE-1 alone seems to be significant for predicting early mesenteric ischemia in laboratory rats. The combination of SCUBE-1 and endocan may be useful to detect irreversible intestinal damage.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral access sheaths (UASs) are commonly used in retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS). Despite their advantages, there is a risk of ureteral trauma during their placement and subsequent stricture following surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the UAS force of insertion (FOI) during placement and its impact on ureteral trauma.
METHODS: Seven female patients who underwent RIRS for kidney stones were included in the study. A digital force gauge (Chatillon DFX II; Ametek Test and Calibration Instruments, Largo, Florida, USA) was connected to the distal end of the UAS and the UAS FOI was continuously measured during insertion. UASs of different sizes were used and ureteral injury was evaluated under direct vision with the Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) score.
RESULTS: Five pre-stented patients and 2 non-stented patients were included in the study. The size of the UASs used in non-stented patients was 9.5/11.5-F and 10/12-F, whereas one 11/13-F and four 12/14-F sheaths were used in the pre-stented patients. The highest maximal UAS FOI observed was 5.9 Newton (N) in a pre-stented patient with a 12/14-F UAS, where a second attempt was performed after initial failure. The lowest maximal UAS FOI was 0.91 N in a non-stented patient using a 9.5/11.5-F UAS. A semirigid ureteroscopy with a 7.8-F sheath was performed in this patient prior UAS placement. The PULS score was 1 in the 2 non-stented patients and 0 in all of the pre-stented patients.
CONCLUSION: In this small cohort, a preoperative JJ stent seemed to protect the ureter, even with larger diameter UASs of 12/14- F. Non-stented RIRS with a UAS is possible, but may cause low-grade ureteral trauma.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral pneumothorax (BPTx) can become tension PTx and a cause of mortality, especially in severe multi-trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence, morbidity, mortality, and associated factors of BPTx in multi-trauma patients in order to highlight the importance of the management of these cases, as well as complications, morbidity, and mortality.
METHODS: The data of 181 patients with BPTx, from a total of 3782 trauma patients, were reviewed retrospectively. The details recorded were age, gender, mechanism of trauma, radiological findings, co-existing thoracic and extra-thoracic injuries, incidence of intubation, mortality, and injury severity score (ISS). The association between laterality of rib fracture, hemothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and BPTx, and the effect of age and gender on these injuries, mortality, and ISS were analyzed.
RESULTS: The patient group included 144 males, and the mean age was 36.07±15.77 years. The primary cause of trauma was a motor vehicle accident, seen in 67 (37.0%) patients. Bilateral rib fractures were detected in 75 (41.4%) patients. Hemothorax accompanied PTx in 41 (22.6%) patients bilaterally. The laterality of the rib fracture and hemothorax demonstrated a significant difference in the patient group over 60 years of age (p=0.017, p=0.005). Co-existing bilateral thoracic injuries were detected more often in this group. Twelve (17.6%) patients with only blunt chest trauma and 56 (82.4%) patients with multi-trauma were intubated. The difference between the 2 groups was not significant (p=0.532). The overall mortality rate was 18.2%. A comparison of ISS and mortality between the groups revealed no significant difference (p=0.22).
CONCLUSION: The incidence of BPTx after multi-trauma is approximately 5%, so it must be taken into consideration, especially in severe multi-trauma patients, to reduce mortality. Older age and the number of rib fractures were determined to be risk factors for morbidity and mortality in trauma with BPTx.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the major pathologies among gastrointestinal system diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the red cell distribution width (RDW) value and the C-reactive protein (CRP)/ albumin ratio in patients with AP.
METHODS: In this retrospective study, AP cases were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to the Ranson criteria as moderate or severe pancreatitis. The RDW and CRP/albumin values, length of hospitalization and stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the complications experienced were compared between these 2 groups.
RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were included in the study. Moderate pancreatitis was detected in 204 patients (77.2%) while severe pancreatitis was seen in 60 patients (22.8%) (p=0.081). There was no statistically significant difference in the RDW value between the groups (p=0.193). The CRP/albumin values were significantly higher in the severe pancreatitis group compared with the moderate group (p<0.001). The severe AP group also had a longer period of hospital care, both overall and in the ICU (p=0.001, p=0.047).
CONCLUSION: RDW was not a specific marker for predicting prognosis in AP, but the CRP/albumin ratio is an easy-to-apply, inexpensive, and reliable marker.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify factors predicting early mortality in trauma patients.
METHODS: This was a study of 6288 trauma patients admitted to the hospital between July 2011 and June 2016. Among the variables recorded for a prospective trauma registry, the following were selected for analysis: sex; age; a combination of the Glasgow Coma Scale score, age, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (GAP); a combination of the mechanism of injury, the Glasgow Coma Scale score, age, and SBP (MGAP); SBP; respiratory rate; peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 value); the Glasgow Coma Scale score; laboratory variables; and presentation time. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore associations between these variables and early mortality.
RESULTS: In total, 296 (4.6%) patients died within 24 hours. Univariate regression analysis indicated that age, the GAP, the MGAP, SBP, SpO2, the Glasgow Coma Scale score, base excess, hemoglobin level, platelet count, INR, and presentation time predicted early mortality. Multivariate regression showed that the GAP, the MGAP, SpO2, base excess, platelet count, and INR were independently predictive. The areas under the receiver operator curve comparisons for the GAP and MGAP models revealed the superiority of the GAP-based model.
CONCLUSION: The GAP model, SpO2, base excess, platelet count, and INR predicted the early mortality of trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of irisin by examining the serum level of this smooth muscle protein in patients presenting at the emergency department (ED) with acute abdominal pain.
METHODS: This research was performed as a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study. In all, 213 adult patients presenting at the ED with acute abdominal pain and 140 healthy controls were enrolled. The serum irisin level was correlated with the leukocyte, C-reactive protein, amylase, and creatine kinase values. The irisin level was compared between groups of those who were admitted or discharged, and those who received surgical or medical treatment.
RESULTS: The mean irisin level of the 213 patients and the 140 controls was 6.81±3.17 mcg/mL vs. 5.69±2.08 mcg/mL. The mean irisin value of the hospitalized patients (7.98±3.11 mcg/mL) was significantly higher than that of the discharged patient group (6.38±3.09 mcg/mL) and the controls (control vs. discharged: p=0.202; control vs. hospitalized: p<0.001; discharged vs. hospitalized: p=0.001). When compared with that of the control group, the irisin level was significantly higher in patients with gall bladder diseases, urolithiasis, and acute appendicitis (p=0.001, p=0.007, p=0.007).
CONCLUSION: The serum irisin level in patients with abdominal pain may serve as a guide in diagnostic decision-making and determining the prognosis for cases of acute abdominal pain involving luminal obstruction in tubular intra-abdominal organs

BACKGROUND: The Karaman score is a novel diagnostic scoring system consisting of 6 parameters. The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic performance of the Karaman score in comparison with the Alvarado score.
METHODS: A total of 200 patients who underwent an appendectomy were enrolled in the study (research registry number: 2290).
RESULTS: The cutoff threshold of the Karaman score in distinguishing acute appendicitis from negative appendectomy was ≥9 with 84.3% sensitivity, 64.7% specificity, 92.1% positive predictive value (PPV), and 45.8% negative predictive value (NPV). The cutoff threshold of the Alvarado score in distinguishing acute appendicitis from negative appendectomy was ≥8 with 72.9% sensitivity, 70.6% specificity, 92.4% PPV, and 34.8% NPV. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, an Alvarado ≥8 score (Odds ratio [OR]: 6.644, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.854–15.466; p<0.001) and a Karaman ≥9 score (OR: 10.374, 95% CI: 4.383–24.558; p<0.001) were each individually predictive in distinguishing acute appendicitis from negative appendectomy when correction was made according to age and gender. However, when both scores were evaluated together, the Alvarado score ≥8 lost its efficacy (OR: 1.838, 95% CI: 0.517–6.530; p=0.347), whereas the Karaman score ≥9 retained its predictive power (OR: 6.586, 95% CI: 1.893–22.917; p=0.003).
CONCLUSION: The Karaman score was more predictive than the Alvarado score in distinguishing acute appendicitis from a negative appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the obstetric and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) performed for pregnant women at a single center. It was the hypothesis of this study that there would be no significant difference in the results.
METHODS: The medical records of 57 consecutive pregnant women who underwent an appendectomy between January 2009 and September 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: OA and LA. The collected data included age, gestational age, diagnostic modalities used, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality.
RESULTS: Eighteen (31%) patients underwent LA and 39 (69%) patients underwent OA. There were no significant differences in the demographic data. The duration of surgery was significantly less in the laparoscopic group (37 vs 57 minutes; p=0.005). There were no statistically significant differences in the outcomes of deep or superficial surgical site infection, length of hospital stay, pre-term delivery, or loss of the fetus. There was no mortality in either group.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that LA can be a safe option for both the pregnant patient and the child. Further prospective, randomized studies with a larger group of pregnant patients with appendicitis are needed to fully determine the effects of laparoscopy in these circumstances.

BACKGROUND: The Alvarado score (AS) and the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score (AIRS) were developed to diagnose acute appendicitis (AA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of AA using the AS and the AIRS tools.
METHODS: Patients who presented between January 2016 and December 2017 and underwent surgery for AA and who had a preoperative AS and AIRS value were evaluated retrospectively. The details of age, sex, pathological severity, the presence of local peritonitis or fecaloid, drainage, appendix diameter, and operation type were evaluated according to the AS and the AIRS.
RESULTS: A total of 578 patients were included in the study. Appendicitis was the most common pathological severity classification (44.4%). The most common appendix diameter group was 7–10 mm (59.2%). The difference observed in the AS and AIRS results for all of the pathological severity categories was statistically significant (p<0.05). The AIRS revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the detection of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. The AIRS difference was statistically significant for appendix diameter (p<0.05). The AS and the AIRS results were both statistically significant for drainage (p<0.05). The AS was correlated with pathological severity, local peritonitis, and drainage, while the AIRS was correlated with pathological severity, uncomplicated/complicated determination, appendix diameter, and drainage (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Both the AS and the AIRS can evaluate pathological severity, but only the AIRS can evaluate complicated or uncomplicated appendicitis and the diameter of the appendix. These tools can be used to reduce the number of unnecessary radiological or surgical interventions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting wound dehiscence due to blunt trauma following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and the clinical outcomes.
METHODS: The medical records of patients who experienced blunt traumatic wound dehiscence after PK between 1995 and 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence and etiology of the trauma, the time interval between PK and globe rupture, final graft clarity, best-corrected visual acuity, complications, secondary surgeries, and factors potentially affecting wound dehiscence size were recorded.
RESULTS: This study included a total of 39 patients with a mean age of 42.66±16.66 years, of whom 23 patients were male and 16 patients were female. The incidence of wound dehiscence was 2.3%. The mean interval between the PK procedure and wound dehiscence was 25.91±47.24 months and the mean follow-up time was 34.43±51.02 months. The most common trauma mechanism was force with a blunt object (53.8%) and the most frequent site of wound dehiscence was the temporal quadrant (30.8%), the wound ranging from 30° to 270° in size. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to wound dehiscence size. As the size of the wound dehiscence size increased, the male ratio increased, wound dehiscence was more commonly located in the nasal and superior quadrants, lens injury and posterior segment complications were more frequent, and graft transparency was achieved at a lower rate.
CONCLUSION: Traumatic wound dehiscence after PK is rare, but may lead to serious, lifelong consequences, including eye loss. Patients should be well informed about the risks and potential sequelae of wound dehiscence.

Background: Although nonoperative treatment approach is preferred for blunt liver and spleen trauma in childhood, there are significant differences in the algorithms used between clinics. Along with the absence of grade V liver and spleen injury in the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) guideline, approach to high-grade liver and spleen injury is still controversial. The aim of this study is to present our experience in non-operative treatment approach to patients with high-grade liver and spleen injury.
Materials and Methods: Patients who referred to Marmara University Hospital’s emergency department between January 2012 and January 2017 due to liver and spleen injury related to blunt abdominal trauma and followed up in our clinic were included in the study. The data were analyzed retrospectively in terms of age, sex, type of trauma, degree of organ damage, accompanying organ damage, duration of intensive care and hospital stay, need for transfusion, and treatment method (operative-nonoperative). Grade I, II, III organ damage is classified as low grade while grade IV and V organ lesions classified as high grade.
Results: 88 out of 2800 patients who were diagnosed by radiological imaging as liver and spleen injuries due to blunt abdominal trauma and were hospitalized to our clinic were included in the study. 41 of these patients had isolated liver injury while 39 had isolated spleen injury and 8 had injuries in both organs. 30 (34%) of the patients had accompanying organ injury. 83 (94%) patients underwent non-operative treatment and surgical approach was required for 5 patients (6%). Patients with high-grade liver injury had significantly higher duration of hospitalization, duration of ICU stay and transfusion requirement compared to patients with low-grade liver injury (p values are; 0.001, 0.001, and ˂0.001, respectively). Surgical approach was more frequent among patients with high-grade liver injury than patients with low-grade injury (p = 0.045). There was no difference among patients with high and low-grade spleen injury in terms of age, sex, duration of hospitalization, duration of ICU stay, transfusion requirement, and accompanying organ injury (p values were: 0.254, 0.739, 0.114, 0.135, 0.057, 0.721 respectively). Similarly, there was no difference in terms of nonoperative or operative treatment among these two groups (p = 0.488).
Conclusion: Non-operative treatment is feasible treatment method in patients with high grade blunt liver and spleen injury. However pediatric surgeons should consider that patients with high-grade liver damage may require more surgical treatment than those with low-grade liver damage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) during intramedullary reaming treatment for tibial diaphyseal fractures was safe, reduced blood loss, or affected cost effectiveness.
METHODS: A total of 70 patients with a tibia diaphysis fracture were randomized into 2 groups and prospectively followed for data on blood loss, thrombosis, and fracture healing. Preoperative TXA was administered intravenously to Group A, and Group B served as the control group.
RESULTS: While there was no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative 1-hour hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels of the patients, there was a statistically significant difference in the comparison of the postoperative 24-hour and 48-hour Hb and Hct levels. There was no need for an allogenic blood transfusion to any patient in Group A; however, 2 patients in Group B each received 1 unit of erythrocyte suspension because their Hct values dropped below 27%. There was no deep vein thrombosis or embolism observed in any of the patients.
CONCLUSION: The application of intravenous TXA during the preoperative period in the treatment of tibial fractures with intramedullary nailing reduced the bleeding seen in the postoperative period. It did not lead to intravascular thrombosis in the postoperative period, and had no adverse effect on bone healing.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of the use of single fluoroscopy versus double fluoroscopy during intramedullary nailing in the oblique position for intertrochanteric femur fractures in terms of surgery and radiation time.
METHODS: Fifty-two patients (20 men, 32 women; average age: 78.2 years; range: 69-88 years) were included in the study. While double fluoroscopy was used for 25 patients, single fluoroscopy was used for the remaining 27 patients. Data of the preparation time between anesthesia and surgery, surgery time, radiation time, bleeding volume, postoperative collodiaphyseal angle between the fractures and intact parts, and the tip-apex distance (TAD) were compared.
RESULTS: The surgery time in the double and single fluoroscopy groups averaged 34.48±8.92 minutes and 50.37±16.63 minutes, respectively (p<0.01). The radiation time was 42.72±16.00 seconds for the double-fluoroscopy group and 68.22±21.53 seconds for the single-fluoroscopy group (p<0.01). The surgical preparation time, bleeding volume, collodiaphyseal angle and TAD distance did not vary significantly between groups (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: The use of double fluoroscopy in the oblique position in the surgical treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures reduced the surgical time and the anesthesia time for patients, as well as the exposure to radiation, thereby also reducing the risk of complications.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of shrapnel distribution in the body and a possible relationship to the type of weapon and type of location of the conflict.
METHODS: The records of 246 patients admitted to a level-III trauma center with any kind of firearm injury were examined retrospectively. Ninety patients who had at least 1 radiologically-proven piece of shrapnel in their body were included in the study. For the purposes of the study, the body was divided into 5 regions (head/neck, thorax/back, abdomen/pelvis/waist, upper extremities, and lower extremities) and shrapnel distribution was noted according to these divisions. Medical data and detailed information regarding the weapon type (long-barreled weapon, rocket-propelled grenade [RPG], or improvised explosive device [IED]), conflict location (residential or rural area), and all radiological examinations (radiography and/or computed tomography) were carefully reviewed. The relationship between these variables and the shrapnel distribution in the body was investigated.
RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were seen between weapon type and shrapnel distribution (p>0.05), except a significantly higher percentage of head/neck region shrapnel injuries as a result of RPG and IED injuries (p=0.002). There was no statistically significant relationship between the shrapnel distribution characteristics and conflict location, classified as either residential or rural (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Secondary blast injuries induced by penetrating shrapnel are the most common type of explosion- and combatrelated injuries. In the current study, a significantly higher rate of head/neck region shrapnel injuries was observed in RPG and IED injuries compared with long-barreled weapon-induced injuries. The primary reason is likely the more unexpected nature of those 2 types of attacks, which allow no time to shield that part of the body.

A spontaneous intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare complication in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. Presently described
is a case of intramural duodenal hematoma in a patient with a cadaveric renal transplant who was under oral anticoagulant treatment
due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The patient was admitted with intense abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a total obstruction of
duodenum. After a diagnosis of intramural hematoma, a good prognosis was achieved with conservative care.

The reported rate of sex crimes, some of the most severe acts of violence that can be perpetrated against an individual, is increasing across all societies, regardless of gender or age of the victim. Sexual abuse has been defined, in part, as the involvement of a child in sexual activity for which they are incapable of giving consent, that they cannot fully comprehend, or for which they are developmentally immature. Molestation of the anorectal region is frequently encountered when the victim of sexual abuse is a male child. Tenderness around the anus, ecchymosis, and detachment in the anal sphincter and rectum mucosa may be observed in the acute examination of children who have been subjected to aggravated sexual abuse; however, injuries related to the anus or the rectum may also occur as a result of an accident. An 11-year-old male patient was referred from another health center with a report of being at risk of death. The injury that was said to be the result of accidentally sitting on a knife. An examination in the lithotomy position revealed perianal ecchymosis, a superficial laceration at 1 and 6 o’clock, and a deep laceration at 7 o’clock. Based upon a suspicion of sexual abuse, anal and rectal swab specimens were obtained. The pediatric surgery department performed a primary repair of the lacerations. The microscopic examination of the swab specimens revealed cells showing sperm morphology, and therefore the appropriate forensic statements were made and the swab specimens were sent to the judicial authority for genetic analysis. This report emphasizes the importance of the awareness of physicians regarding the prompt collection and submission of potentially evidential biological samples in a case of suspected sexual abuse though it may be presented as an accident.

Presently described is a case treated via stent and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC). The patient developed an oesophagojejunostomy leak (OL) on the ninth postoperative day after a radical total gastrectomy. The patient was a 55-year-old male patient with adenocarcinoma localized to the small curvature on the corpus of the stomach. Relaparatomy was performed for the OL, including placement of an uncovered stent. The abdomen was washed 4 times. As the OL did not decrease, 2 covered stents (22 mm and 18 mm in diameter and 80 mm long) were inserted endoscopically. The OL continued to contaminate the abdomen. One tip of the VAC sponge was placed next to the anastomosis, and the other tip was removed from the left upper quadrant. Another VAC closure set was placed in the abdomen. Both VAC closures were connected to separate vacuum devices with 75 mmHg of pressure. VAC dressings were changed at regular intervals every 3 days, and these steps were repeated 7 times over 21 days. The covered stents were removed endoscopically in the final operation. Fistulography revealed that the OL was completely closed, and the VAC dressings were removed. The skin was closed by separating the subcutaneous oil layer of the fascia. VAC therapy can not only provide serious abdominal sepsis treatment and primary source control, but also accelerate granulation development and, in this case, quickly closed the anastomotic leakage.