Background: As with any other invasive procedure, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) may lead to considerable anxiety in patients. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of sedated and non-sedated procedures on anxiety in patients undergoing EGD and to better recognize patient groups at risk for anxiety. Methods: In this prospective and 2-armed designed study, demographic data, including age, gender, comorbidities, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and educational background, were collected. In this study, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was administered to each patient before they were brought to the endoscopy unit. Subsequently, each patient who underwent EGD was telephoned on the seventh day after the procedure and the BAI was administered a second time. Results: Women population had higher pre-EGD and post-EGD BAI scores compared to men. No significant correlation was observed between educational background and BAI scores. Possible correlations between age, BMI, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and BAI scores were examined. There was a weak correlation between BMI and pre-EGD and post-EGD BAI scores. A strong and positive correlation was observed between the pre-EGD BAI score and post-EGD BAI and difference in BAI scores between groups (ΔBAI). Conclusion: Endoscopic procedures may cause anxiety in patients as with all other invasive procedures. Patients’ compliance with the procedure and having a lower level of anxiety are very significant for diagnostic and, if necessary, therapeutic success. In this study, the patient gender was evaluated as a predictor of anxiety level, whereas educational background was not a predictor.

Background and Objectives: Thyroid nodules are common, and distinguishing benign from malignant lesions is essential for clinical decision-making. While EU-TIRADS provides ultrasound-based risk stratification, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and the Bethesda System remain central diagnostic tools. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of EU-TIRADS and Bethesda classifications and to identify ultrasonographic features independently associated with malignancy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 824 patients (1132 nodules) who underwent FNAB between August 2021 and June 2024. All ultrasound examinations and FNAB procedures were performed by the same endocrinologist. Sonographic features, EU-TIRADS categories, Bethesda classes, surgical indications, and histopathology were analyzed. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using ROC curves, and multivariable logistic regression was applied to determine independent predictors of malignancy. Results: Among all nodules, 51.0% were EU-TIRADS 3, 28.6% were EU-TIRADS 4, and 19.2% were EU-TIRADS 5. Bethesda class II constituted 62.7% of FNAB results. Of the 289 surgically treated nodules, 53.3% were malignant. Malignant nodules were smaller, more often solitary and unilateral, and more frequently located in the upper pole (p < 0.05). Irregular margins (OR = 8.15, p < 0.001) and microcalcifications (OR = 10.01, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of malignancy. Taller-than-wide shape also showed significant association. ROC analyses demonstrated that EU-TIRADS (AUC = 0.808) and Bethesda (AUC = 0.869) were both significant predictors, with Bethesda showing higher specificity. Malignancy rates were 0% in EU-TIRADS II, 4.3% in III, 14.5% in IV, and 37.8% in V. Conclusions: EU-TIRADS is a practical and sensitive non-invasive tool for malignancy risk stratification; however, Bethesda classification remains superior in overall diagnostic accuracy. Microcalcification and irregular margins were the strongest ultrasonographic predictors of malignancy, while macrocalcification, parenchymal heterogeneity, and thyroiditis showed no significant association. These findings support the complementary roles of EU-TIRADS and FNAB and highlight key sonographic markers that enhance malignancy prediction in thyroid nodule evaluation.

Background: Although surgical treatment is curative for colorectal cancers, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the complications that affect the patient quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate sexual dysfunction in patients who underwent anterior resection (AR) and low AR (LAR) surgery secondary to rectosigmoid pathologies in our clinic, to analyze the effective variables, and to compare the results. Methods: In the retrospectively designed study, male patients who underwent surgery for malignancy or other surgical pathologies in the General Surgery Clinic between January 2017 and December 2022 were examined. Female gender, patients under 18 years of age, and patients who refused to participate in the study were excluded. Results: The high age of the patient increased the risk of severe ED in the postoperative period. However, surgical technique, alcohol use, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and Clavien-Dindo class were not determinants in the presence of severe ED. Conclusion: ED is an emerging medical problem that affects patients who undergo colorectal surgery adversely both in social and psychological aspects. Discussions on the issue are still ongoing. Clinicians’ concerns can be addressed in the future as the number of prospectively designed studies involving more homogeneous and larger populations increases.

Background: Management of Bethesda III–IV thyroid nodules remains challenging because of diagnostic uncertainty and variable malignancy risk. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and ultrasonographic (USG) features separately and in combination. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1800 patients with Bethesda III–IV thyroid nodules who underwent thyroidectomy between 2017 and 2025. FNAB results and USG features, including hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, and irregular margins, were analyzed. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were performed to determine predictors of malignancy and diagnostic performance. Results: The overall malignancy rate was 25%. Malignancy rates were 19.1% in Bethesda III and 37.4% in Bethesda IV nodules (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Bethesda IV category, microcalcifications, irregular margins and hypoechogenicity were independent predictors of malignancy (all p < 0.001). FNAB and USG alone showed limited discrimination (AUC 0.60 and 0.61, respectively), whereas the combined model demonstrated significantly improved performance (AUC 0.78). The combined model achieved 82.4% sensitivity, 70.1% specificity and 92.1% negative predictive value. Conclusions: USG features provide significant additional diagnostic value beyond cytology in Bethesda III–IV thyroid nodules. Combining USG findings with FNAB improves risk stratification and may support clinical decision-making in indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Aims: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is seen especially in young men, is often located in the sacrococcygeal region and negatively affects the quality of life and daily life of the person. In this study, we aimed to share our experience with the literature by examining our clinical approach and results in the patient group who underwent Modified Limberg flap technique electively in PSD. Methods: Patients who underwent elective modified Limberg flap application due to PSD in the general surgery clinic were included in the study. Demographic and clinical parameters of the patients were investigated retrospectively. Results: The mean age of 76 patients included in the study was 27.5±8.5 years (18-51 years). The median duration of hospitalisation was 2 days. The most commonly preferred prophylactic antibiotic at surgery was cefuroxime + metranidazole combination (60.5%) or cefuroxime alone (32.9%). Drain use was present in approximately 40% of the cases. Subcutaneous tissues were closed with a single layer of polyglactin suture in most cases (94.7%). During the median follow-up period of 12 months, postoperative recurrence was observed in only 6 cases (7.9%). Conclusions: Modified Limberg flap technique is a well-defined, safe and feasible surgical method. Since it is an effective off-midline technique, its application by experienced surgeons in complicated and recurrent cases in elective PSD surgery and its transfer to junior and resident surgeons will be effective in terms of moving away from midline techniques.