Cytoplasmic Pattern Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (cANCA)-positive Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Induced by Propylthiouracil: A Case Report

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is a medication commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism, but it has various rare side effects such as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)- associated vasculitis (AAV). In the last decades, multiple cases of PTU-induced AAV have been reported, some being fatal. While AAV is primarily related to perinuclear-staining ANCA/anti-myeloperoxidase (pANCA/anti-MPO), it can occur to a lesser extent in association with cytoplasmic staining ANCA/ proteinase 3 (cANCA/PR3). A case is presented of a 62-year-old female with a history of hyperthyroidism due to toxic multinodular goiter treated with a standard dose of PTU. Approximately 3 years after starting therapy, she noticed formation of skin ulcerations on both of her ear lobes, nose and bilateral limbs. Detailed hospital work-up detected cANCA positivity. Biopsy of the affected skin revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis and additional tests excluded systemic vasculitis. The patient was diagnosed as PTU-induced vasculitis, a form of drug-induced vasculitis. Although clinical manifestations improved slightly after total thyroidectomy, the patient could not be saved because of the fulminant course of infected and disseminated skin ulcers. Conclusion: PTU is one of the causes of AAV. However, the presence of cANCA positivity when pANCA is negative in PTU-induced AAV is extremely rare. Here, we present a rather unusual case of PTU-induced AAV associated with cANCA. [Med-Science 2016; 5(2.000): 645-54

Effect of bariatric surgery on humoral control of metabolic derangements in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: How it works

Obesity and diabetes is a co-pandemic and a major health concern that is expanding. It has many psychosocial and economic consequences due to morbidity and mortality of this disease combination. The pathophysiology of obesity and related diabetes is complex and multifactorial. One arm of this disease process is the genetic susceptibility. Other arm is dependent on the intricate neuro-humoral factors that converge in the central nerve system. Gut hormones and the adipose tissue derived factors plays an important role in this delicate network. Bariatric surgery provides the only durable option for treatment of obesity and furthermore it provides a remission in the concomitant diseases that accompany obesity. This review provides a brief insight to all these mechanisms and tries to deduce the possible reasons of remission of type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery

Effect of bariatric surgery on humoral control of metabolic derangements in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: How it works

Obesity and diabetes is a co-pandemic and a major health concern that is expanding. It has many psychosocial and economic consequences due to morbidity and mortality of this disease combination. The pathophysiology of obesity and related diabetes is complex and multifactorial. One arm of this disease process is the genetic susceptibility. Other arm is dependent on the intricate neuro-humoral factors that converge in the central nerve system. Gut hormones and the adipose tissue derived factors plays an important role in this delicate network. Bariatric surgery provides the only durable option for treatment of obesity and furthermore it provides a remission in the concomitant diseases that accompany obesity. This review provides a brief insight to all these mechanisms and tries to deduce the possible reasons of remission of type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery

Conversion to open surgery in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Changing rates and reasons in geriatric patients

Objective: Compared to open surgery; laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard of care for the treatment of cholelithiasis at any age over the last two decades. In the present study, the aim was to identify and to compare the rates and reasons involved in conversion to open procedure in elective surgery for cholelithiasis in geriatric patients over the course of fourteen years. Methods: To assess the possible differences in the conversion rates and reasons over time, 207 patients over 65 years of age undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis were analyzed in two groups - the first ten years (n=141) and the last four years (n=66). Acute cholecystitis, gallbladder malignancy and/or polyps were excluded. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, history of previous abdominal surgery, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the reasons and rates involved in conversion to open cholecystectomy were all analyzed. Results: In male and female patients, the conversion rate was 18.8% and 5.07 %, respectively (p=0.02). In the first ten years, the conversion rate was 11.3%, while in last four years, it was 6.1% (p=0.230). In first ten years, 62.5% of the reason for conversion was found to be dense pericholecystic adhesions related, but in last four years, this rate decreased notably to 25%. Conclusions: Although there was no statistical significance, in last four years, surgeons seemed to more easily overcome difficult cholecystectomies. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2016; 5(1.000): 27-32

Laboratory Risk Indicators for Necrotizing Fasciitis and Associations with Mortality

Objectives: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is rare but life threatening soft tissue infection characterized by a necrotizing process of the subcutaneous tissues and fascial planes. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score has been verified as a useful diagnostic tool for detecting necrotizing fasciitis. A certain LRINEC score might also be associated with mortality. The aims of this study are to determine risk factors affecting the prognosis and to evaluate the prognostic value of the LRINEC score in NF. Methods: Twenty-five patients with necrotizing fasciitis treated in Samsun Education and Research Hospital between January 2008 and April 2013 were enrolled in the study. Surviving and non-surviving patient groups were compared regarding demographic data, co-morbidity, predisposing factors, causative agents, number of debridements and LRINEC score. Results: Mean age was 55.6±16.79 years (min: 17-max: 84), and the female/male ratio was 16/9. Mortality was observed in 6 (24%) patients. The most frequent comorbid diseases were diabetes mellitus (52) and peripheral circulatory disorders (24%), and the most frequent etiologies were cutaneous (32%) and perianal abscess (20%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was higher in the non-surviving group (p=0.006). The mean number of debridements and LRINEC score were higher in the non-surviving group than in the surviving group (p=0.003 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Pseudomans aeruginosa infection and multiple debridements are related with mortality. The LRINEC score might help predict mortality in NF

Oxidative stress markers in laparoscopic vs. open appendectomy for acute appendicitis: A double-blind randomized study

Background: Oxidative stress is a complicated process, which was defined as an increase in prooxidants and decrease in antioxidants caused by various mechanisms, including inflammation and surgical trauma. The association between acute appendicitis and oxidative stress has been showed in previous studies. However, comparison of oxidative stress in laparoscopic or open appendectomy (OA) has not been established. Patients and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed as acute appendicitis between October 2012 and January 2013 were randomized to open (OA, n = 50) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA, n = 50). Blood samples for oxidative stress markers (total oxidant status [TOS] and total antioxidant status [TAS]), C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBC's) were collected just before the surgery and 24 h after surgery. Results: There were no differences in preoperative values of WBC and CRP between LA and OA groups (P = 0.523 and 0.424), however, in postoperative 24th h, CRP was reduced in LA group (P = 0.031). There were no differences in preoperative levels of TOS, TAS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) between LA and OA groups. In the postoperative 24th h, TOS and OSI were found to be significantly higher in OA group when compared to LA group (P = 0.017 and 0.002) whereas no difference was detected in TAS level in the postoperative 24th h (P = 0.172). Conclusions: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial provides evidence that LA for uncomplicated appendicitis is associated with significantly lower oxidative stress compared with OA. Some of the advantages of LA may be attributed to the significant reduction of oxidative stress in these patients

Pre-opereative Parathormone Levels are Correlated with Mean Diameter of Parathyroid Adenoma and Pre-operative Serum Calcium and Alkaline Phosphatase Levels

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between biochemical parameters, mean diameter of parathyroid adenoma (MDPA) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients who underwent parathyroid surgery.Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from patients with hyperparathyroidism who were operated and followed in our hospital between September 2011 and April 2014. Twenty-nine (male/female = 8/21) patients with a mean age of 58.31 ± 12.59 years were enrolled into the study. The mean pre-operative serum calcium and intact PTH (iPTH) levels were 11.98±1.23 mg/dl and 386.52±374.96 pg/ml, respectively. Serum pre-operative calcium levels were found to be significantly higher in patients who had nephrolithiasis than those who did not, whereas pre-operative serum phosphate levels were lower. Pre-operative iPTH levels were found to be correlated with pre-operative calcium, alkaline phosphatase and MDPA but not with pre-operative serum phosphate. Also, pre-operative calcium levels were found to be significantly correlated with MDPA.Conclusion: Presence of nephrolithiasis is associated with higher pre-operative calcium and lower phosphate levels. Pre-operative iPTH and calcium levels were also found to be significantly correlated with MDPA; this suggests that serum iPTH and calcium levels can be useful in predicting MDPA. [Med-Science 2015; 4(3.000): 2401-13

Initial experience with laparoscopic gastrectomy in a low-volume center

Objective: Today, minimal invasive surgery has gained wide acceptance by general surgeons, even in complex oncological procedures. Despite the increased experience on laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, limited number of surgeons prefer laparoscopic total gastrectomy for proximal or middle-third gastric cancer, due to the concern of technical difficulties which can alter the quality of oncological outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed gastric cancer patients who underwent curative intent laparoscopic gastrectomy by single surgeon from October 2013 to April 2014. Five total gastrectomy + D2 (-No 10 and 11d) and 1 distal gastrectomy + D2 lymphadenectomy were analyzed for patient demographics, pathological characteristics, morbidity and in-hospital mortality. Results: The mean operating time was 255,8±37.2 minutes. The mean blood loss was 121.6±20.4 ml. In all patients, R0 resection were performed. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes were 22.6±7.3. The median number of metastatic lymph nodes was 16 (0-23). In one patient, less than 15 lymph nodes were retrieved. Complication rate was 33.3% (n=2). In one patient, who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, afferent loop syndrome developed. In another patient, who underwent total gastrectomy plus splenectomy a massive pulmoner embolism developed. The median hospital stay was 10 (6-18) days. Conclusion: With increased experience in advanced laparoscopic procedures, laparoscopic total gastrectomy may be considered as the first line treatment approach for gastric cancer patient even in a low-volume center