Gossypiboma: Retained Surgical Sponge after a Gynecologic Procedure

We report on a case of gossypiboma. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal mass. She had undergone a caesarean operation 23 years previously. The mass in the right abdominal quadrant was suspected by abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The mass was removed by laparotomy excision and the final diagnosis was gossypiboma

Our experience on brachial plexus blockade in upper extremity surgery

Objective: Peripheral nerve blocks are usually used either alone or along with general anesthesia for postoperative analgesia. We also aimed to present the results and experiences.Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted to scan the files of patients who underwent orthopedic upper extremity surgery with peripheral nerve block between September 2009 and October 2010. After ethics committee approval was obtained, 114 patients who were ASA physical status I-III, aged 18-70, performed upper extremity surgery in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic were included to study. Patients’ demographic data, clinical diagnoses, premedication status, peripheral block type, local anesthetic dose, stimuplex needle types, hemodynamic parameters at the during surgery, the first postoperative analgesic requirements, complications and patient satisfaction were recorded.Results: Demographic data were similar to each other. Brachial plexus block was commonly performed for the forearm surgery. Infraclavicular block was performed the most frequently to patients. As the classical methods in the supine position were preferred in 98.2% of patients, Stimuplex A needle (B. Braun, Melsungen AG, Germany) have been used for blockage in 80.7% of patients. Also, in 54.4% of patients, 30 ml of local anesthetic solution composed of bupivacaine + prilocaine was used for blockade. Blocks applied to patients had provided adequate anesthesia.Conclusion: Since the brachial plexus blockade guided peripheral nerve stimulator for upper extremity surgery provide adequate depth of anesthesia and analgesia, it may be a good alternative to general anesthesia because of unwanted side effect

Coexistence of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer

Objective: Thyroid cancer can be associated with thyrotoxicosis caused by Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, or toxic nodular goiter. The aim of this study was considered to be endemic in our region have received the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer is detected thyroidectomy performed and patients were retrospectively evaluate. Methods: We retrospectively studied 69 patients assessed for hyperthyroidism between 2006 and 2012. Clinical hyperthyroidism was diagnosed by elevated tri-iodothyronine/thyroxine (T3/T4) ratios and low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, with clinical signs and symptoms. The criteria for surgery were cytological evidence of malignancy, a goiter causing symptoms of tracheal or esophageal compression, side effects of antithyroid drug therapy, or Graves’ disease with multiple relapses after therapy withdrawal or responsiveness to antithyroid drugs. Results: Totally 69 patients were included. In 20 (28.9%) patients there was toxic multinodular goiter, in 28 (40.6%) Graves’s disease, and in 21 (30.5%) patients there was toxic nodular goiter. Of these patients, 12 (17.4%) had thyroid cancer. Conclusions: As a result; low likelihood of malignancy in patients with hyperthyroidism, though suspicious lesions detected in the lymph nodes and neck adenopathies be examined in detail

A rare cause of ileus: Wandering spleen

Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical condition resulting from an abnormally long splenic pedicle and the absence or weakening of the supporting splenic ligaments that help to hold the spleen stationary. WS is more commonly seen in females aged between 20 and 40 years. Congenital and acquired factors are reported as the predisposing factors for WS. Patients with WS may be asymptomatic, or may be evident with a painful abdominal mass or an acute abdomen due to gastrointestinal symptoms and torsion of the WS. The diagnosis of WS can be established incidentally or during the Ultrasonography (USG) or Computed Tomography (CT) explorations performed for other pathologies. A high index of suspicion aids in the diagnosis of WS. WS is mostly treated by surgery and splenopexy remains the method of choice. In the cases with persistent ischemia following detorsion, splenectomy should be performed either via laparoscopy or laparotomy. In the present report, we present a 37-year-old woman who presented with a wandering spleen causing ileus. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. Wandering spleen is a rare condition which should be suspected as a potential cause of ileus and acute abdomen

Granulomatous mastitis: A retrospective review of 49 patients

Objective: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, a rare, benign, chronic inflammatory condition of the breast, which usually mimics breast carcinoma. In this study, we report on the management of 49 cases of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and their clinical presentation. Methods: The breast and anatomical databases of one center were reviewed from 2007 to 2012 to identify patients with histological diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Clinical and demographic characteristics were retrieved and treatment modalities were were recorded. Results: The mean patient age was 37.71±7.1 years. There were no differences between the management groups about etiological and demographic factors. The rate of recurrence in group 1, group 2, and group 3 was 8.3%, 14.8% and 20%, respectively; there were no statistically significant difference among the groups. Conclusion: Steroids and surgical methods codified in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis may be preferred. We recommend steroid therapy as first-line treatment. However, prospective, randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the treatment algorithm