p-ISSN: 1306-696x | e-ISSN: 1307-7945
Volume : 29 Issue : 11 Year : 2025

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Turkish Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery - Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg: 29 (11)
Volume: 29  Issue: 11 - November 2023
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1. Front matters

Pages I - V

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
2. Histological and electroencephalographic demonstration of probiotic effect for reduce of oxidative stress and apoptosis in experimental traumatic brain injury
Emine Müge Karakayalı, Erdoğan Kocamaz, Şüheda Alpay, Tuna Önal, Mustafa Öztatlıcı, Rabia Duruşma, Hasan Fehmi Özel, Mesut Mete, Mustafa Barutcuoglu, Necip Kutlu, Mehmet İbrahim Tuğlu
PMID: 37889022  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.80743  Pages 1203 - 1211
BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota modulates nervous system function. In the literature, it has been shown that this modula-tion is used in many nervous system injuries through oxidative stress (OS) and apoptosis mechanisms. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of probiotic (PB) treatment in a rat traumatic brain injury (TBI) model with histological and electroencephalographic (EEG) data.
METHODS: Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was the control group (CONTROL, n=10) and no trauma was applied. Group 2 was the trauma group with the weight-drop technique (TBH, n=10). Group 3 was the sham group (SHAM), (TBH+sterile saline [SS], n=10) rats were given 500 µL of SS per day by oral gavage. Group 4 was the PB treatment group, (TBH+PB, n=10) rats were treated daily for 7 days with 500 µL of PB oral gavage. Brain samples were collected 7 days after trauma. Histopathological evaluation of brain samples was done with HE. OS with Endothelial nitric oxide synthase, vascularization with Vas-cular Endothelial Growth Factor, gliosis with S100, and apoptosis with caspase 3 were evaluated immunohistochemically. Apoptotic index was determined with TUNEL. In addition, EEG and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) recording findings were compared.
RESULTS: It was determined by HE staining that there was a significant (P<0.001) damage in the TBI and sham groups compared to the control group. It was found that PB treatment provided a significant (P<0.01) improvement in the damage created. While OS (P<0.01), gliosis (P<0.01), and apoptosis (P<0.05) decreased with PB treatment, angiogenesis (P<0.01) increased. In support of these findings, in the software-mediated EEG and SUP examination; Delta wave power and theta/alpha ratio increased with TBI and de-creased with PB treatment.
CONCLUSION: The results showed that PB treatment provided a significant improvement in rats by reducing OS, apoptosis, and gliosis and increasing vascularity. To the best of our knowledge in the literature, it was shown for the 1st time that histological results for the treatment of PB were supported by software-mediated EEG and SEP analysis.

3. The effect of Dermalix® on colon anastomosis leakage: experimental study
Şiyar Ersöz, Yasemin Konuk
PMID: 37889029  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.20194  Pages 1212 - 1217
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Dermalix® (Dx) on wound healing and anastomotic leakage in a rat model of end-to-end colon anastomosis.
METHODS: The study was carried out on 40 rats, as divided into three groups, including a negative control group (n=10, laparotomy only) control group (n=15, colon anastomosis), and the experimental group (n=15, colon anastomosis plus Dx applied to anastomo-sis site). The rats were sacrificed on the 3rd post-operative day, and resected colon segments were evaluated for bursting pressure (mmHg) using an infusion pump set-up and for pathological parameters of wound healing including neutrophil infiltration, epithelial regeneration, granulation tissue formation, local inflammatory response, neovascularization, and foreign body reaction.
RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage rate was significantly lower (1 rat vs. 6 rats, P=0.040). Moreover, mean bursting pressure was signifi-cantly (2.95 times) higher (mean 121 vs. 41 mmHg, respectively, P<0.05) in the Dx experimental group than in the control group. Dx was considered to significantly accelerate wound healing by increasing neovascularization (P<0.001). Control and experimental groups were similar in terms of other pathological parameters.
CONCLUSION: Based on significantly lower rate of anastomotic leakage and its positive effects especially on the bursting pressure and neovascularization, Dx seems to be considered as a promising technology in preventing anastomotic leakage.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
4. Investigation of the effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and curcumin on Achilles tendon healing – can they act synergistically?
Tuğçe Merve Öztürk, İrfan Özyazgan, Gülay Sezer, Betül Yalçın, Rümeysa Göç, Menekşe Ülger, Hakan Özocak, Birkan Yakan
PMID: 37889023  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.04203  Pages 1218 - 1227
BACKGROUND: It is known that curcumin and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) positively affect experi-mental tendon injury healing. This study investigated individual effects and potential synergistic effects of using curcumin and UC-MSCs alone and together.
METHODS: Eighty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, curcumin, sesame oil, MSCs, and Curcumin+MSCs groups. In all rats, punch tendon defect was created in both right and left Achilles tendons. While no additional treatment was applied to the control group, curcumin, sesame oil used as a solvent for curcumin, MSCs, and MSCs and curcumin com-bination were applied locally to the injury site, respectively, in the other groups. Curcumin was solved in sesame oil before application. In each group, half of the animals were euthanized in the post-operative 2nd week while the other half were euthanized in the post-operative 4th week. The right Achilles was used for biomechanical testing, while the left Achilles was used for histological evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis of type I, Type III collagen, and tenomodulin.
RESULTS: Histologically, significant improvement was observed in the curcumin, MSCs, and Curcumin+ MSCs groups compared to the control Group in the 2nd week. In the 2nd and 4th weeks, Type III collagen was significantly increased in the curcumin group com-pared to the control group. In week 4, tenomodulin increased significantly in the curcumin and MSCs groups compared to the control group. Tendon tensile strength increased significantly in MSCs and Curcumin+MSCs groups compared to the control group in the 4th week. No superiority was observed between the treatment groups regarding their positive effects on recovery.
CONCLUSION: Locally used curcumin and UC-MSCs showed positive effects that were not superior to each other in the healing of injury caused by a punch in the Achilles tendons of rats. However, synergistic effects on healing were not observed when they were applied together.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
5. The relationship between prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury and microRNA biogenesis proteins
Ayşe Çabukusta Acar, Şükran Burçak Yoldaş, Elif Sarıönder Gencer, İlker Öngüç Aycan, Suat Hayri Sanlı
PMID: 37889026  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.54859  Pages 1228 - 1236
BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate whether the expression levels of proteins involved in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis vary in early- and late-stage traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to evaluate its effect on prognosis.
METHODS: Dicer, Drosha, DiGeorge Syndrome Critical Region eight (DGCR8), Exportin5 (XPO5), and Argonaute2 (AGO2) levels were measured in the blood samples of severe TBI patients collected 4–6 h and 72 h after the trauma and compared with the control group. Prognostic follow-up of the patients was performed using the Glasgow Coma Scale score.
RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes in the expression of the miRNA biogenesis proteins Dicer, Drosha, DGCR8, XPO5, and AGO2 in patients with severe TBI. However, the expression of Dicer increased in the patients who improved from the severe TBI grade to the mild TBI grade, and the expression of AGO2 decreased in most of these patients. The Dicer expression profile was found to increase in patients discharged from the intensive care unit in a short time.
CONCLUSION: MicroRNAs and their biogenesis proteins may guide prognostic and therapeutic decisions for patients with TBI in the future.

6. The feasibility of falciformopexy in the repair of peptic ulcer perforation
Serdar Gokay Terzioglu, Firat Canlıkarakaya, Serhat Ocaklı, Cengiz Ceylan, İbrahim Ağaçkıran, Felat Akıncı, Murat Özgür Kılıç
PMID: 37889028  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.53246  Pages 1237 - 1241
BACKGROUND: Modified Graham omentopexy is the most commonly used operative technique in the repair of peptic ulcer perfo-ration (PUP); however, there is little data on falciformopexy in the literature. The aim is to investigate the feasibility of falciformopexy in the repair of PUP, comparing with modified Graham omentopexy.
METHODS: Data of 471 patients who were operated for PUP were retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ demographics, pre-operative basic laboratory findings, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, operative findings, and post-operative complications were recorded. The patients were classified into two groups modified Graham omentopexy and falciformopexy, and then compared with each other in terms of clinical characteristics, operative findings, and post-operative complications.
RESULTS: Modified Graham omentopexy and falciformopexy were performed in 425 (90.2%) and 46 (9.8%) patients, respectively. The two groups were similar in terms of basic patient characteristics and pre-operative laboratory findings (P>0.05). ASA physical status was significantly different between the groups (P=0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of complications, except for an anastomotic leak. Anastomotic leak was observed more frequently in patients who underwent falciformopexy than in patients with modified Graham omentopexy (P=0.017).
CONCLUSION: Although falciformopexy technique has a higher rate of leak compared to the modified Graham omentopexy method, it should be kept in mind as an alternative method for repair of PUP, especially in cases where omentopexy cannot be applied for various reasons such as the presence of unavailable or unsuitable omentum.

7. The role of C-reactive protein albumin ratio for predicting mortality in patients with Fournier’s gangrene
Halit Özgül, Yunus Uzmay
PMID: 37889021  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.08903  Pages 1242 - 1247
BACKGROUND: Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a rapidly progressing and life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis of the genital and perineal regions. To estimate the mortality rate associated with FG, Laor et al. developed the FG severity index (FGSI), an index with proven prognostic significance. On the other hand, the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (CAR) ratio is a proven objective marker of inflam-matory response. In light of the foregoing, the objective of this study is to assess the prognostic value of the CAR ratio in predicting mortality in patients with FG in comparison with FGSI.
METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 58 patients who were operated on for FG between 2019 and 2022. Research data were obtained from electronic and paper patient files, surgery notes, clinical follow-up forms, anamnesis, intensive care forms, and laboratory test results obtained from the hospital automation system. The clinical course of each patient was reviewed based on these records. The relationships between patients’ CAR ratios and their demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gender, and comorbidities, whether ostomy was performed, length of hospital stay, growth in wound culture, isolated bacterial species, FGSI scores, and laboratory test results (hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, albumin, and CRP levels, white blood cell counts, hematocrit values, glucose-to-potassium, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, platelet-to-lymphocyte, and lymphocyte-to-CRP ratios) and the prognostic power of CAR ratio in predicting the mortality associated with FG were investigated.
RESULTS: The mean age of the study group, 45 male and 13 female, was 57 (min. 17, max. 85) years. The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus (DM), which was present in 32 (55.1%) patients. The most common symptoms at admission were erythema (89.6%), swelling/hardening (82.7%), pain (41.3%), fever (31%), and purulent discharge (37.9%). Of the 58 patients included in the study, six had died. The most common comorbidity, second to DM (55.1%), was cardiovascular disease (39.6%). The median ages of patients who had died and survived were 60 (min. 56, max. 85) and 56 (min. 18, max. 80) years, respectively. CAR ratio effectively differentiated FG patients who had survived from those who had died (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.907 [0.824–0.984]). The CAR ratio cutoff value of 2.8 effectively differentiated FG patients and FSGI scores who had survived from those who had died (AUC: 0.904 [0.823–0.992]).
CONCLUSION: The study findings demonstrated that the CAR ratio might serve as an effective biomarker in predicting the mortal-ity associated with FG.

8. Efficacy of blood parameters as indicators of the need for overdue urgent cholecystectomy in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis
Mehmet Kubat, Serkan Şengül, Serdar Şahin
PMID: 37889024  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.75670  Pages 1248 - 1254
BACKGROUND: Although early cholecystectomy is recommended for patients with acute cholecystitis, conservative treatment followed by delayed cholecystectomy (DC) is a highly preferred modality, especially in older adult patients. However, some severe cases require overdue urgent cholecystectomy (OC). This study aimed to evaluate the ability of laboratory findings and Tokyo severity classification (TokyoSC) to differentiate those with the need for OC among elderly patients.
METHODS: Laboratory/radiological/clinical findings of geriatric patients with acute cholecystitis on admission and TokyoSC were retrospectively analyzed. The DC and OC groups were compared.
RESULTS: The mean age of the 164 patients was 72.3±6.4 years. White blood cell, neutrophil (NEU), immature granulocyte (IG), C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and TokyoSC parameters were all significant at P<0.001 in differentiation. NLR had a specificity of 98%, and TokyoSC had a sensitivity of 98%.
CONCLUSION: NLR, NEU, IG, and TokyoSC were effective in differentiating patients who needed OC while planning conservative treatment + DC for older adult patients who were followed up due to acute cholecystitis. If the NLR is >9.9 and TokyoSC is moderate/high, early cholecystectomy should be preferred instead of conservative treatment + DC in aged patients.

9. Unreported rare but serious complication: Major vascular injuries during bariatric surgery
Talar Vartanoğlu Aktokmakyan, Caghan Peksen, Osman Anıl Savaş, Aziz Sumer
PMID: 37889033  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.71829  Pages 1255 - 1260
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, and management of major vascular injuries during bariatric surgery, with a specific focus on the role of different access methods in abdominal cavity entry.
METHODS: A nationwide survey was conducted among bariatric surgeons to assess the prevalence of major vascular injuries. A questionnaire was distributed to 365 surgeons through WhatsApp groups of two national bariatric surgery societies, with 76 surgeons completing the survey. The study population included general surgeons practicing bariatric surgery, and the questionnaire consisted of 12 questions.
RESULTS: Among the participants, 16.9% reported experiencing a major vascular injury during bariatric surgery. The majority of injuries (75%) occurred at the trocar entrance, with the remaining cases during the dissection phase. Notably, 66.7% of surgeons used optical trocars for access, while 27.8% employed the Veress needle technique. Early detection varied, with 45% identifying the injury immediately and 30% recognizing it within three minutes. Most injuries (52.4%) were repaired laparoscopically, and only three surgeons sought assistance from cardiovascular surgeons.
CONCLUSION: Vascular injuries are infrequent but potentially serious complications in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Understand-ing their incidence, timely recognition, and proper management are crucial to minimize adverse effects. The findings of this study shed light on the patterns of vascular injuries and the potential role of specific access methods, providing valuable insights for enhancing patient safety in bariatric surgery.

10. Pre-operative predictors of mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: is the Harborview Medical Center mortality risk score enough?
Semih Murat Yücel, Fatih Çalışkan
PMID: 37889027  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.82770  Pages 1261 - 1268
BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the reliability of the Harborview Medical Center (HMC) mortality risk scoring system in predicting post-operative in-hospital mortality after open repair (OR) of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) and to inves-tigate the presence of other possible mortality risk factors.
METHODS: Patients who underwent OR for rAAA between January 01, 2004, and December 31, 2021, were retrospectively included in this single-center cohort study. The 30-day hospital mortality risk was calculated using the HMC risk scoring system. We as-sessed the relationship between mortality and other perioperative variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was utilized to obtain the predictive value of the HMC mortality risk score.
RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were included in this study. A statistically significant difference existed between the patients who survived and those who died. Univariate logistic regression analysis of the pre-operative patient data revealed that the hematocrit, lactate, shock index values, admission type, loss of consciousness, and HMC risk score significantly affected post-operative mortal-ity. However, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the HMC risk score was associated with post-operative mortality (P<0.001). The HMC risk score could predict 30-day mortality, with an AUC of 0.912 for all patients.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the HMC risk score could reliably predict in-hospital mortality, but it did not reveal any other parameters that further increased the reliability of this scoring system without compromising on its straightforward and practical calculation.

11. What is the effect of percutaneous cholesistostomy in patients with acute cholecystitis? when is the right time for the procedure?
Hakan Yirgin, Ümmihan Topal, Yunusemre Tatlıdil, Osman Sibic, Inci Kizildag Yirgin, Mehmet Abdussamet Bozkurt
PMID: 37889032  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.40090  Pages 1269 - 1279
BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is one of the most common emergency diseases in surgical practice. Although the gold standard treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is performed in some patients due to age, comorbidity, and delays in admission. We aimed to investigate the effect of timing on the clinical process of patients undergoing PC.
METHODS: Patients who underwent PC between February 2017 and December 2021 were included in the study. Those who un-derwent PC in the first 72 h were determined as the early PC group, and those who underwent PC after 72 h were determined as the late PC group. Demographic information of the patients, clinical information before drainage, biochemical values of the first 3 days, length of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality in the early and late period after drainage, and elective cholecystectomy information were recorded. These data were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two patients were included in the study. Early PC was performed in 98 patients (80.3%) and late PC was performed in 24 patients (19.7%). The median follow-up period was 26.6 months (min: 0.25-max: 67) in the early PC group and 26.4 months (min: 0.6-max: 66) in the late PC group (P=0.408). There was no statistically significant difference in mean age, distribu-tion of males and women, concomitant disease, Charlson Comorbidity Index, hepatopancreatobiliary pathology (HPBP), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in history and grade (TG18) compared to Tokyo classification (P>0.05). There was no difference between the biochemical parameters (P>0.05). In our study, the median length of hospital stay was 6 (min: 2-max: 36) days in the early PC group, and the median was 9 days (min: 5-max: 20) in the late PC group (P<0.001). A total of 25 patients developed HPBP after PC, 16 of which were AC. There was no statistically significant difference between the early and late PC groups in terms of HPBP develop-ment after PC (P=0.576). There was no statistically significant difference between the early and late PC group in terms of the rate of surgery and type of operation (emergency/elective, open/laparoscopic/conversion, total/subtotal, duration) (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Discussions about the right timing are ongoing. In our study, we found that patients who underwent early PC had shorter hospital stays. There was no difference between the early and late groups in terms of patient characteristics and severity of AC. PC procedure in AC should be based on algorithms determined by objective data instead of patient-based indications with ran-domized controlled trials.

12. The relationship between computed tomography findings and ocular trauma and pediatric ocular trauma scores in pediatric globe injuries: Does imaging have prognostic and diagnostic value?
Dilara Pirhan, Sevgi Subasi, Büşra Kurt Musaoğlu, Burcu Alparslan, Levent Karabaş
PMID: 37889035  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.72470  Pages 1280 - 1287
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between computed tomography (CT) findings in open globe injuries (OGIs) in pediatric patients and the pediatric ocular trauma score (POTS) and OTS in pediatric ocular trauma.
METHODS: In 34 pediatric patients with OGI, CT findings were categorized into nine main categories: Scleral irregularity, lens dislocation, abnormal vitreous density, choroid-retinal layer thickening, preseptal thickness increase, intraocular foreign body and air, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and perforation. The relationship between different types and numbers of CT findings and the POTS and OTS was evaluated.
RESULTS: The mean age of trauma was 6.6±3.1. Of the patients, 9 (26.5%) were female and 25 (73.5%) were male. The most com-mon CT findings are scleral irregularity and increased preseptal thickness (47.1%). In univariate analysis, a P<0.05 was found between 16 patients with 1 or less CT findings (median POTS value 80 [71.25–90.0]) and 11 patients with 2 or 3 CT findings (median POTS value 60 [15–70]). A P<0.05 was found between 16 patients with 1 or less CT findings (median POTS value 80 [71.25–90.0]) and 7 patients with 4 or more CT findings (median POTS value 45 [25–80]). A P > 0.05 was found between 11 patients with 2 or 3 CT findings (median POTS value 60 [15–70]) and 7 patients with 4 or more CT findings (median POTS value 45 [25–80]). No significant difference was found between the number of CT findings and OTS stages. While POTS was significant (P<0.05) in patients with ab-normal vitreous density (median 45 [30–69.6]), OTS value was not significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between POTS and OTS in other CT findings.
CONCLUSION: The number of CT findings may assist in predicting POTS and, consequently, estimating visual prognosis in pediatric patients with OGI. In emergency situations where, sufficient clinical data are unavailable, the objective findings from CT may help in assessing the severity of ocular trauma and potentially predicting long-term visual outcomes.

13. A rare cause of intestinal obstruction in children trichobezoar: How to diagnose?
Meltem Kaba, Çetin Ali Karadağ, Nihat Sever, İlayda Ser, Mesut Demir, Abdullah Yıldız, Ayşe Merve Usta
PMID: 37889030  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.08434  Pages 1288 - 1295
BACKGROUND: Trichobezoar is a rare clinical condition in children, which is caused by the accumulation of swallowed hair mass in the digestive tract. This condition is most common in young women with psychiatric histories who suffer from trichotillomania (TTM), where they have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair. Diagnosis and treatment of this pathology, which is already extremely rare, and its variable clinical presentations are challenging. The aim of this study was to increase awareness of trichobezoar in the differential diagnosis of signs of intestinal obstruction in children and to evaluate the diagnosis and management of this rare pathology.
METHODS: The clinical data of six patients who were treated for trichobezoars in the pediatric surgery department of our hospital between 2009 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS: Six female patients were treated with the diagnosis of trichobezoar during this period. Patients were diagnosed with the help of anamnesis, physical examination, abdominal ultrasonography (USG), and finally, endoscopy. USG can predict the intestinal wall infiltration and the tail extended to the duodenum through pylorus in the series. All patients were evaluated with contrast-enhanced abdominal radiography. Five surgical interventions were performed in four of the cases. In a case who underwent surgery twice, the distal intestinal satellite bezoar was not noticed in the first operation. Two patients were diagnosed to have trichobezoar, but surgery was not required. These patients were younger and had early-onset TTM (before 10 years old). The patients were followed for an average of 10.8 years and no recurrence was detected.
CONCLUSION: Trichobezoar is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in children with fatal complications when diagnosed late. Failure to follow an algorithm for the management of the disease causes difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment. Especially in pa-tients with a known psychiatric history, whole abdominal USG and laparoscopy performed with awareness can prevent unnecessary examinations.

14. Reduction of the scar burden at the donor area of the radial forearm flap with the aid of an endoscopic pedicle preparation
Mehmet Sağır, Erdem Güven, Aret Cerci Ozkan, Erol Kozanoğlu
PMID: 37889031  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.62186  Pages 1296 - 1302
BACKGROUND: The radial forearm flap is one of the most commonly used flaps of reconstructive microsurgery with its long pedicle and thin structure. The donor site at the forearm is a visible anatomic region that has high mobility and functional importance. In this study, a longitudinal and large scar was avoided on the forearm during pedicle dissection of the conventional radial forearm flap with the utilization of an endoscope. Furthermore, arterial, venous, and nervous injuries were avoided by performing a separate inci-sion of 2–3 cm at the cubital fossa to reduce flap failure and donor site morbidity.
METHODS: The patients who underwent pedicle dissection of the radial forearm flap with the aid of an endoscope for head-neck reconstruction between 2014 and 2021 were included in this study. The flap was harvested from the subfascial plane. The cephalic vein was used in all of the patients. When the pedicle dissection reached the antecubital region, an incision of 2–3 cm was performed from the skin. Two vein anastomoses were performed for each patient.
RESULTS: This retrospective study consists of 51 patients. While 45 of the patients were the result of head and neck cancer, six of them had a defect caused by trauma. The average area of skin islands was 40.3 cm2, while the full-thickness skin graft size was 24.2 cm2. An average of 2.6 cm of scar tissue was formed at the antecubital region. No venous or arterial compromise was observed in the post-operative period. There was no partial or total flap loss in any patient. Localized numbness persisted in the skin area where the superficial sensory branch of the radial nerve is located in 6 (11.7%) patients.
CONCLUSION: With endoscopic radial forearm flap harvesting, the longitudinal incision in the forearm and wound healing prob-lems are avoided. The absence of partial or total flap loss has shown that endoscopic harvesting of the radial forearm flap is a safe and reliable method.

15. Thoracolumbar fractures after the 2023 Türkiye earthquake and controversial mechanism of occurrence
Mehmet Can Ezgü
PMID: 37889034  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.75976  Pages 1303 - 1307
BACKGROUND: Earthquakes are devastating events that may severely injure the human body. The spine is one of the important parts of the human body that may be affected by earthquake trauma. The aim of this study is to focus on thoracolumbar fractures secondary to the 2023 Turkey Earthquake.
METHODS: The data of 15 patients who were affected by the earthquake, rescued from the rubble, and subsequently treated for spinal fractures in our department were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical, radiological, and surgical features of the patients were recorded, and the outcomes were investigated.
RESULTS: Among the 15 patients, 12 were female, and 3 were male. Their ages ranged from 22 to 79 years. The average duration of being trapped under debris was 4.7 hours. According to the Frankel classification, 12 patients (80%) were categorized as Frankel E, 2 patients (13.3%) as Frankel A, and 1 patient (6.6%) as Frankel C. Of these patients, 6 underwent surgical treatment, while a total of 9 patients received conservative treatment. Multiple vertebral fractures were identified in 4 patients. While 3 patients with multiple fractures were treated conservatively, 1 patient underwent surgery due to an L1 fracture. All surgeries consisted of spinal canal de-compression and spinal instrumentation. Among patients without thoracolumbar junction fractures, 1 had a T8 fracture, 1 had an L4 fracture, and 1 had a sacral fracture along with an accompanying lumbar plexus injury.
CONCLUSION: Thoracolumbar fractures are frequently observed after earthquakes. However, the exact mechanism of these fractures is not well known. Surgical management should be reserved for patients with progressive neurological deficits, while conservative treatment is the option for stable fractures.

16. Deconstructive vs. reconstructive endovascular treatment paradigms in acute carotid blowout
Murat Dökdök, Abdullah Yakupoglu
PMID: 37889036  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.78176  Pages 1308 - 1313
BACKGROUND: Carotid Blowout (CBO), a neuro-oncological emergency characterized by the rupture of the carotid artery, has been predominantly reported in patients with head and neck cancer who have undergone radiation therapy. In this study, our objective is to share our experience with deconstructive and reconstructive endovascular treatments for CBO.
METHODS: This study includes 17 patients who experienced intractable acute CBO, presenting with ear, oral, or nasal bleeding, between 2003 and 2022. We employed deconstructive embolization using vascular plugs, expanding hydrogel coils, glue, and balloons. If vascular anatomy and pathology permitted, we opted for reconstructive treatment using a covered stent. All patients underwent clini-cal follow-up visits, and we used the modified Rankin Scale to evaluate the clinical success of the procedures. We compared outcomes in terms of complications between the deconstructive and reconstructive treatment methods using the Chi-square test.
RESULTS: The patient cohort had an age range of 20–64 years (mean 50.9), including three females (18%) and 14 males (82%). We conducted 15 endovascular procedures on 14 patients during 19 angiography sessions. All 15 treatments achieved immediate hemo-stasis, resulting in complete technical success (p=1.0). Six patients (35%) underwent reconstructive treatments with covered stents in the internal carotid artery, while nine patients (65%) underwent deconstructive embolization in either the external or internal carotid artery. We found no significant association between the treatment paradigms (deconstructive vs. reconstructive) and the development of complications using a Chi-square test of independence X² (2, n=15)=0.07, p=0.79.
CONCLUSION: Recent advancements in endovascular treatments have shown promising results in managing life-threatening acute CBO cases. Our study found no significant difference in outcomes between deconstructive and reconstructive endovascular paradigms in such patients. However, it is important to note that the available data, including ours, is heterogeneous and scarce, necessitating higher levels of evidence to draw more definitive conclusions.

17. Outcomes of cable fixation after Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures
Ali Erkan Yenigül, Cenk Ermutlu, Cem Önder, Teoman Atıcı, Kemal Durak
PMID: 37889025  doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.87425  Pages 1314 - 1319
BACKGROUND: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the patients who underwent cable plate fixation due to a Vancouver-type B1 periprosthetic femur fracture and their clinical results.
METHODS: Vancouver-type B1 patients who were operated on for periprosthetic fractures between 2014 and 2019 were investi-gated. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), follow-up time, operation time, bleeding amount, non-union fracture, last surgery before fracture, the time between previous surgery and fracture, implant survival, patient survival, and complications were recorded. In addi-tion, the postoperative clinical functions of these patients were compared.
RESULTS: 23 patients who met the study criteria (Vancouver type B1 fracture) were identified. The mean age of the patients was 60 (49–76) years, the mean BMI was 26.3 (17.5–40.7), and the postoperative mean follow-up period was 14 (6–36) months. Considering the gender distribution, there were 5 (22%) men and 18 (78%) women. The mean time between the last surgery before the fracture and the fracture was 6 months (0–30). While the mean operation time was 95 min (60–180), the average amount of bleeding was 310 mL (150–600). Functional evaluations of patients: In total, five patients had decreased ambulatory abilities after surgery. Nonunion was observed in 2 patients during the follow-ups, and these patients underwent open surgery for treatment.
CONCLUSION: Cable and locking plate applications are successful in Vancouver type B1 fractures, which are one of the most common forms of periprosthetic fractures. In this technique, the duration of the operation can be shortened under ideal conditions, and the need for blood and blood products is reduced as blood loss is reduced. If there is a complication, you still have the chance to treat it with the option of revision arthroplasty.