Background. In peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), increased life span and disease-free survival times are shown in patients with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) following cytoreductive surgery (SRC). In this study, our main objective was to present our experience of performing SRC and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC and EPIC) on patients with PC, in light of the literature. Methods. Demographic data, follow-up results, peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) score, and morbidity and mortality rates of 180 patients treated with SRC + HIPEC + EPIC for PC at the Department of Surgical Oncology at Sivas Cumhuriyet University between January 2008 and July 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Results. Distribution of 180 PC cases according to primary organs included 53 ovarian, 39 colorectal, 33 stomach, 25 primary peritoneum, 10 uterus, 10 tuba, five soft tissue, and five appendix originated carcinoma. The average PCI of the cases detected preoperatively was 21 (5-30). Completeness of cytoreduction scores of CCR-0 in 102 cases, CCR-1 in 67 cases, CCR-2 in eight cases, and CCR-3 in three cases was obtained. Median operation time was 300 (200-540) minutes. Perioperative morbidity rate was 47.0%, and perioperative mortality rate was 13.5%. Conclusion. The peritonectomy procedure is a difficult, long-lasting, troublesome intervention, but it is the most important treatment option with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in patients selected for PC treatment in experienced centers.

Introduction. Non-diagnostic (ND) fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results are problematic for clinicians who want to accurately diagnose malignancy and avoid unnecessary thyroidectomies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of malignancy in nodules whose first FNAB result was ND, and ultrasonography (USG) findings affecting malignancy and the effectiveness of repetitive biopsies. Patients and Method. In our clinic, 156 consecutive nodules whose first FNAB were ND according to the Bethesda system and underwent thyroidectomy between 1 January 2011 and 1 January 2018, directly or after repeated biopsies, were retrospectively analyzed. Results. Malignancy was detected in 44 (28%) of 156 nodules that were ND in the first FNAB. Twenty-two (31%) of 72 nodules that underwent FNAB for the second time resulted in ND again. The malignancy rate of nodules with two consecutive ND results was 23%. Of the USG features, a significant correlation was found between malignancy and solid nodule structure (p<0.001), microcalcification (p=0.025), cervical lymphadenopathy (LAP) (p=0.004) and medium-high risk USG pattern (p=0.002). In multivariate analysis, only the solid nodule structure (p<0.002) and the presence of cervical LAP (p=0.013) resulted as independent predictive factors. Conclusion. Diagnostic thyroidectomy is an effective method for reaching the diagnosis in selected patients considering the USG findings.

Following the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, surgical associations have issued their different recommendations for managing the acute cholecystitis (AC) clinic during the pandemic. We aimed to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic period on our clinical approach in patients who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and were diagnosed with AC. Medical records of patients diagnosed with AC in the emergency room between 11 March 2020 and 10 March 2021 and in the same period of one year before the pandemic were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups as COVID-19 period (Group 1) and non-COVID period (Group 2). Demographics and clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of these two groups were compared. The number of patients diagnosed with AC in the emergency department decreased during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. When the time between the onset of the complaints and the admission to the emergency service was evaluated, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p>0.05). The distribution of cholecystitis type and TG18 severity grading for AC were similar in both groups (p>0.05). While percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is more preferred in the treatment of AC during the pandemic period and the number of delayed interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreased, AC management was similar in both periods with no significant statistical difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, our clinical approach and management in the treatment of AC did not differ when compared to the pre-pandemic period.