RESUMEN

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: As a chronic inflammatory disease of an unknown origin, the treatment of granulomatous mastitis has always been controversial. According to some researchers, surgical treatment and certain medications, especially steroids, are more effective in treating the disease. This study aimed at evaluating the results of treatment in a group of patients with granulomatous mastitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study evaluated the treatment outcomes of 87 patients with pathology-confirmed granulomatous mastitis referred to the surgical clinic of Central Hospital in Sari, Iran. Demographic, clinical, and pathological information, treatment methods and results, and the recurrence rate were analyzed. FINDINGS: A total of 87 female patients with granulomatous mastitis aged 22-52 years with a mean age of 34 years were evaluated. All patients had palpable masses; the breast masses were painful in 48.3% of patients, and 55.2% of patients suffered from erythema and inflammation, and8% had fistulas and ulcers at the inflammation site. The patients were followed-up for an average duration of 26 months (8-48 months) after treatment and recovery. The overall recurrence rate was 24.1%, and the recurrence rate was 29.4% in patients underwent surgery, 34.8% in patients received high-dose prednisolone, and 17% in those received low-dose prednisolone together with drainage (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, the low-dose prednisolone plus drainage was more effective with a lower recurrence rate than only surgical excision or high-dose prednisolone. In fact, the use of minimally invasive methods such as drainage plus low-dose steroids is a more effective method with fewer side effects than the other two methods.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Intramural hematoma of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can present as abdominal pain or obstruction, can be a rare complication of oral anticoagulants, in particular Warfarin. In this case report, we describe an 81-year-old female patient presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting with a previous history of rectorrhagia. The patient was receiving Warfarin therapy due to cardiac valve replacement for the past 8 years. Laboratory workup revealed elevated INR and anemia. Diagnosis of ileal intramural hematoma was based on ultrasound and CT scan findings. The patient was treated by conservative approaches including administration of fresh frozen plasma, cessation of oral intake, and fluid resuscitation. In CT images, a mass on the left breast and lymphadenopathy on the left axilla were also noticed. Given that most GI intramural hematomas caused by over-anticoagulation are treated non-surgically, considering a patient's drug history, especially in older patients with abdominal pain and obstruction symptoms, is of particular importance.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor widely used in treatment of hypercholesterolemia and prevention of coronary heart disease and has various pleiotropic effects. In this study, the efficacy of atorvastatin emulgel (2 %) in reducing postoperative pain at rest, pain during defecation and analgesic requirement after open hemorrhoidectomy was investigated. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids undergoing open hemorrhoidectomy were included in this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomly assigned to either atorvastatin emulgel or placebo immediately after surgery and then every 12 h for 14 days. The primary outcomes were intensity of pain at rest and during defecation, measured with a visual analog scale, and the analgesic requirement, measured by amount of pethidine and acetaminophen consumption, and percent of wound healing. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the average postoperative pain scores in the first 48 h (P 12h = 1, P 24h = 0.128 and P 48h = 0.079) after the surgery between the two groups, but at the week 1 the pain scores during defecation were considerably lower in the atorvastatin group than in placebo group (P = 0.004), which also was the same at the week 2 (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in the average pethidine and acetaminophen (mg) administration at 12 h and 24 h between the two groups after surgery. Regarding the data about wound healing, at the week two the healing was much better in the treatment group than it was in control group and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, atorvastatin emulgel reduced postoperative pain at rest and on defecation and could improve the healing process after open hemorrhoidectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT201404013014N8.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUNDS: Various methods were defined to prepare patients for the pilonidal sinus surgery including local, spinal, and general anesthesia. But there is no powerful evidence to differ these procedures. Therefore, in the current study, we compared local and general anesthesia in the pilonidal sinus surgery. METHODS & MATERIAL: in this clinical trial (IRCT201312031786N5) study 60 patients with the pilonidal sinus disease divided to two groups of local anesthesia versus general anesthesia. For local anesthesia we used 6ml of 2% lidocaine with an epinephrine (1:200,000), 6ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, 1ml fentanyl (50µg/ml), 1ml clonidine (75µg/ml) and for general anesthesia fentanyl 1.5 µg.kg-1, thiopental 3-5 mg.kg-1, followed by the trachea intubation facilitated by atracurim 0.5 mg.kg-1 with maintenance of isoflurane 1-3% in nitrous oxygen 70% and oxygen 30%. The student t-test and Chi-square test were applied to evaluate the differences. RESULTS: there were 30 patients with the mean age of 27.43±8.42 years in local anesthesia group and 30 cases with the mean age of 27.5±8.44 years underwent general anesthesia. The recovery time was significantly lower in the local anesthesia group (P=0.000). The oxygen saturation of the general anesthesia group was significantly higher at 1 and 20 minutes after the operation. The average of pain score was significantly higher in general anesthesia group at 3h and 6h after surgery (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in post-operative complications and hospital length of stay. CONCLUSION: this investigation revealed that local anesthesia has decreased pain during 48 hours after the surgery, shorter recovery time, and the less consumption of painkillers. So, we concluded that we can consider local anesthesia as a good alternative for the general anesthesia in the pilonidal sinus surgery.

RESUMEN

Hypertrophic scars are abnormal scars that develop after wound-healing, especially in some ethnic backgrounds. The after-effects of these scars result in depression, posttraumatic stress syndrome, anxiety, impaired self-esteem and quality of life. Treatment of these scars still is a subject of different studies and is a challenging issue in reconstructive medicine. We reviewed the current published articles about the effects of vitamin E on scar formation and its clinical effectiveness. The application of vitamin E is popular interest, but it still needs more clinical studies to establish its perceived outcomes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The clinical characteristics, pathological subtypes and patients' survival in 40 patients with thyroid carcinoma between March 2007 and March 2012 were evaluated. This study included 33 (82.5 %) females and seven (17.5%) males (female to male ratio of 4.7:1). The median age of patients was 47.5 (range; 24-64). Papillary carcinoma was the commonest pathological subtype (23 patients, 57.5%), followed by follicular carcinoma (14 patients, 35%) and medullary carcinoma (3 cases, 7.5%). Total thryoidectomy was performed in 30 (75%), lobectomy in six (15%), subtotal and multifocal thryoidectomy in two (5%) patients. The median time of follow up was 3 years with range of 1-5 years. After ive years 34 (85%) patients were alive and six (15%) were dead. The overall 5-year actuarial survival was 85%, for papillary carcinoma 91.3%, for follicular carcinoma 85.7% and for medullary carcinoma it was 33.3%. The results suggest that total thryoidectomy had better outcome in comparison with other surgeries.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Oral Gastrografin®, a hyperosmolar water-soluble contrast medium, may have a therapeutic effect in adhesive small bowel obstruction. However, findings are still conflicting, as some authors did not find a therapeutic advantage. So, this prospective, randomized, and clinical trial study was designed to determine the value of Gastrografin in adhesive small bowel obstruction. The primary end points were the evaluation of the operative rate reduction and shortening the hospital stay after the use of Gastrografin. A total of 84 patients were randomized into two groups: the control group received conventional treatment, whereas the study group received in addition of 100 mL Gastrografin meal. Patients were followed up within 4 days after admission, and clinical and radiological (if needed) improvements were evaluated. Although the results showed that Gastrografin can decrease the need for surgical management by 14.5 %, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (P = 0.07). Nevertheless, the length of hospital stay revealed a significant reduction from 4.67 ± 1.18 days to 2.69 ± 1.02 days (P = 0.00). The use of Gastrografin in adhesive small bowel obstruction is safe and reduces the length of hospital stay. As a result, the cost of hospital bed occupancy is reduced. Hence, if there was no indication of emergency surgery, administration of oral Gastrografin as a nonoperative treatment in adhesive small bowel obstruction is also recommended.

RESUMEN

AIM: To investigate the impact of sex on white blood cells count after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: The study population included 48 patients who underwent total or subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Total white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts of pre and postoperative day 1, 3, and 5 were reviewed from hospital database from 15 March 2009 to 1 December 2011 retrospectively. RESULTS: This investigation involved 28 male patients (58.33%) and 20 female patients (41.66%). The mean age of male and female patients was 69.4±14.2 and 65.2±15.6 year. There was a significant change in total white blood cells counts in post-operative day 3 (p= 0.041) and post-operative day 5 (p= 0.022) between males and females. Significant change was noted in post-operative day 5 for lymphocytes counts (p= 0.049). Neutrophil values indicated significant alterations in all pre and post gastrectomy days; pre-operative (p= 0.039), post-operative day 1 (p= 0.034), post-operative day 3 (p= 0.012), post-operative day 5 (p= 0.0102). CONCLUSION: In this comparison between genders, there was a significantly increased proportion of total white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes in female subjects than in male individuals following gastrectomy. Our results revealed that female patients indicated more immune reactions to surgery than male patients. This research provided evidences that gender affects the cellular immunity after surgical stress.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Aloe vera is an herbal medicine, which has wound healing effects in burn injury. This study assessed the effects of Aloe vera cream in reducing postoperative pain, postdefection pain, and its promotion of wound healing after open hemorrhoidectomy. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted comparing the effects of a cream containing Aloe vera versus a placebo cream on posthemorrhoidectomy pain. The study preparations were applied by patients to the surgical site 3 times per day for 4 weeks after hemorrhoidectomy. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale immediately postoperatively and at hours 12, 24, and 48 after surgery and at weeks 2 and 4. Wound healing was examined and evaluated at the end of 2 and 4 weeks. The use of analgesics was recorded. RESULTS: Forty-nine (49) patients were randomly assigned to receive aloe (n = 24) or placebo (n = 25). Patients in the topical aloe cream group had significantly less postoperative pain at hours 12, 24, and 48 hours and at 2 weeks. Aloe cream reduced the pain after defecation in 24 and 48 hours postsurgery (p < 0.001). Wound healing at the end of the second postoperative week was significantly greater in the aloe group compared with the placebo group (p < 0.001). Patients required fewer additional analgesics posthemorrhoidectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Application of Aloe vera cream on the surgical site is effective in reducing postoperative pain both on resting and during defecation, healing time, and analgesic requirements in the patients compared with the placebo group.

Asunto(s)