Appendix neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are the most common tumors of the appendix and are most often diagnosed incidentally. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate appendix NETs diagnosed incidentally in our clinic. Of 8304 patients who underwent appendectomy with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in Ankara Training and Re-search Hospital, General Surgery Clinic between January 2009 and January 2022, 33 had histopathology results evaluated as appendix NET, and a retrospective analysis was made of these cases. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, tumor infiltration, tumor location, tumor size, surgical margin, tumor World Health Organization grade, surgery performed, lymph node metastasis, Ki67 index, number of mitosis, follow-up time, and survival. The rate of appendix NET was found to be 0.4%. The 33 cases comprised 15 (45.5%) males and 18 (54.5%) females with a mean age of 35.48 years (range: 16-84 years). Positive surgical margin was determined in 1 (3.03%) case, in which right hemicolectomy was performed. All other cases were followed up after appendectomy. The median follow-up was 89 (7-145) months. No recurrence was observed in any case. Mortality developed during follow-up in one case due to non-tumoral causes. Appendix NETs are generally asymptomatic and appear incidentally after appendectomy due to acute appendicitis. Appendix NETs diagnosed incidentally are generally below 2 cm and have a good prognosis.

Background/aims: To evaluate the potential protective effects of Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) in an experimental obstructive jaundice (OJ) model. Materials and methods: The study included 26 female rats, which were divided into 3 groups. The sham group, consisting of 10 rats, (group 1) only received solely laparotomy. In the control group, consisting of 8 rats, (group 2), ligation was applied to the biliary tract and no treatment was implemented. In the treatment group, consisting of 8 rats, (group 3), following ligation of biliary tract, 0.5 mL/day ABS was given for 10 days. Liver tissue and blood samples were taken for histopathological and biochemical examination. Results : Compared to group 2, group 3 had higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total oxidant status (TOS) malondialdehyde (MDA), fluorescent oxidant products (FOP), and lower expression of albumin and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.05). In histopathological analysis, the mean scores of all histopathological parameters (fibrosis, portal inflammation, confluent necrosis, interphase activity, bile duct proliferation) have statistical significance between group 2 and group 3 (P < 005). Conclusions: ABS has promising results in the treatment of experimental OJ because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. It may be used in clinical practice after more extensive studies about the effects of ABS on OJ.

Aim: Acute pancreatitis is a common disease that can be fatal at advanced stages. Therefore, early evaluation of the prognosis of acute pancreatitis is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of monocyte distribution width in defining the prognosis of acute pancreatitis. Materials and Methods: The study included patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis between December 2019 and October 2020. The cases were evaluated in 2 groups as mild pancreatitis and non-mild pancreatitis. The groups were compared in terms of age, white blood cell, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, length of hospital stay, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, Monocyte Distribution Width, amylase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Results: A statistically significant difference was determined between the mild pancreatitis group (n:59) and non-mild pancreatitis group (n:48) in terms of white blood cell, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, Monocyte Distribution Width and length of hospital stay (p <0.05). When the cut-off value for Monocyte Distribution Width was taken as 703.00, sensitivity was 50.94% and specificity was 61.11.8%. Conclusion: The Monocyte Distribution Width value is a parameter that can be used to differentiate mild pancreatitis from non-mild pancreatitis. More extensive studies are needed for a clearer evaluation.

Background/aim: To investigate possible protective effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (R) (ABS) in an experimental liver ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) model. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 30 female rats separated into 3 groups as sham, control (IRI), and treatment (IRI + ABS) groups. In the IRI + ABS group, 0.5 mL/day ABS was given for 7 days before surgery. In the IRI and IRI + ABS groups, the hepatic pedicle was clamped for 30 min to apply ischemia. Then, after opening the clamp, 90-min reperfusion of the liver was provided. Blood and liver tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: Compared to the sham group, the IRI group had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), fluorescent oxidant products (FOP) and lower expression of albumin and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.05). Compared to the IRI group, the IRI+ABS group showed lower expression of AST, ALT, TOS, MDA and FOP and higher expression of albumin and TAS (P < 0.05). In the histopathological analysis, congestion scores were statistically significantly lower in the IRI + ABS group than in the IRI group. Conclusions: ABS has a strong hepatoprotective effect due to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects and could therefore be used as a potential therapeutic agent for IRI.