Acupuncture plus night splint for quality of life and disability in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Nihal Tezel,Ebru Umay,Volkan Yilmaz,Aytul Cakci 한국한의학연구원 2019 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.8 No.4

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture plus night splinting on quality of life, function and pain in patients with CTS. Methods: This research is a prospective randomized, single-center trial. Acupuncture and night splinting was applied two times a week for five weeks, while the control group received night splinting only. Outcomes measured were Quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile, NHP), function (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) and pain (visual analogue scale, VAS). Results: At the end of the treatment, the acupuncture plus splinting group showed more reduction in the pain level than the splinting group (p = 0.007). The change in the pain subscale of the NHP was significantly reduced in the acupuncture plus night splinting group than the night splinting group (p = 0.001). The change in sleep and physical activity subscale of the NHP score failed to show significant differences between the two groups. The functional scores also failed to show the signficant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The effect of acupuncture plus night splinting may show significant reduction on pain but failed to show significant differences on the other outcomes compared to the night splinting group. Further studies with larger sample size may confirm the findings.

Assessment of Cervical Cancer Risk in Women between 15 and 49 Years of Age: Case of Izmir

Sogukpınar, Neriman,Saydam, Birsen Karaca,Can, Hafize Ozturk,Hadımli, Aytul,Bozkurt, Ozlem Demirel,Yucel, Ummahan,Kocak, Yeliz Cakir,Akmese, Zehra Baykal,Demir, Dogan,Ceber, Esin,Ozenturk, Gulsun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: The aim of the study was to determine risk factors for cervical cancer for women in Izmir. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive field covered a population of 4319 women of reproductive age (15-49) (household registration in the Mukhtar's office-2007). A total of 1,637 women were included in the sample given a four-part questionnaire through face-to-face interview by visiting the women in their homes in order to determine socio-demographic factors, obstetric history, genital hygiene and the use of family planning methods. In addition, during the data collection process, the women were given group training in order to raise awareness of cervical cancer. The number and percentage distributions of the data were calculated. Results: While the average age of the women was $31.9{\pm}9.77$ (Min: 15.00-Max: 49.00), education level of 43.4% of them was elementary school only. It was determined that 70.3% of the women experienced at least one pregnancy, 71.0% had vaginal delivery and 75.9% used a contraceptive method. In the study it was determined that among the cervical cancer related risks vaginal delivery, vaginal lavage and having three or more pregnancies had the highest rates, while having sexual intercourse before 16 years of age and having more than one sexual partner constituted lower rates. The rate of the women who stated not having a smear in the last three years was 82.4%. Conclusions: Considering the case in terms of having Pap smear test, women's awareness on the risk factors and early diagnosis of cervical cancer was found to be low. Due to this reason, awareness of women has to be raised through education.

Brachial Plexus Injuries in Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury : A Retrospective Study

Tezel, Nihal,Can, Asli,Cankurtaran, Damla,Akyuz, Ece Unlu,Cakci, Aytul The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2021 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.64 No.2

Objective : We aimed to investigate the presence of brachial plexus injury (BPI) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to draw attention to BPI, which can be overlooked by physicians in TBI patients. Methods : The study was designed retrospectively by examining the files of 58 patients with moderate to severe TBI to investigate coexistence of TBI and BPI. Results : BPI was detected in six of 58 TBI patients (10.3%). BPI was detected after an average 116 days from the initial injury. Three patients had lower trunk BPI and three patients had panplexopathy. Conclusion : Diagnosis of BPI in patients with TBI is delayed in the acute period of injury. The clinicians should keep in mind that BPIs may occur and remain undiagnosed in patients with TBI.

The effects of scalpel, harmonic scalpel and monopolar electrocautery on the healing of colonic anastomosis after colonic resection

Gokhan Karaca,M. Recep Pekcici,Canan Altunkaya,Vildan Fidanci,Aytul Kilinc,Huseyin Ozer,Ahmet Tekeli,Kuzey Aydinuraz,Osman Guler 대한외과학회 2016 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.90 No.6

Purpose: In our study, the effects of harmonic scalpel, scalpel, and monopolar electrocautery usage on the health and healing of colon anastomosis after resection was investigated. Methods: In this study, 120 female albino Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups each containing 40 rats. Group A, resection with scalpel; group B, resection with monopolar electrocautery; group C, resection with harmonic scalpel. The groups were divided into 4 subgroups consisting of 10 rats and analysed in the postoperative 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days. Anastomotic bursting pressures, hydroxyproline levels and histopathological parameters were surrogate parameters for evaluating wound healing. Results: The tissue hydroxyproline levels did not show any significant difference between the groups and subgroups. The mean bursting pressure of group A on the 5th day was significantly higher than groups B and C (P < 0.001). When the fibroblast and fibrosis scores were evaluated, scores of group C on the 5th day were significantly higher than the other groups, but the results of bursting pressures and biochemical parameters did not support the fibroblast and fibrosis scores. There were not any significant differences between the groups in other histopathologic parameters. Conclusion: The use of monopolar electrocautery needs more attention since the device causes tissue destruction. The obliterating effect of harmonic scalpel on luminal organs is an important problem, especially if an anastomosis is planned. Despite the disadvantages of scalpel, its efficacy on early wound healing is better than the other devices.

Does the abdominal ultrasonography reliable in the diagnosis of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy in the first postoperative week?

Erdem Kinaci,Mert Mahsuni Sevinc,Savas Bayrak,Ceyda Turan Bektas,Aytul Hande Yardimci,Abdulkerim Ozakay 대한외과학회 2016 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.91 No.5

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) in the early postoperative period after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) to diagnose postoperative-pancreatic-fistula (POPF). Early diagnosis is important to prevent POPF-dependent mortality after PD. The value of radiological modalities for early diagnosing POPF is not clear. Methods: Forty-five patients who underwent transabdominal-US in the first postoperative week after PD were retrospectively evaluated. Two types of grouping methods were performed. Firstly, peripancreatic or perianastomotic fluid collections at least 2 cm in diameter were considered to be a primary positive result on US. Patients then divided into 2 groups: group 1, US-positive and group 2, US-negative. Secondly, to increase the power of US, in addition to primary positive results, the presence of fever, leukocytosis or hyperamylasemia was considered to be a secondary positive result (group 1S). The remaining patients were considered to have secondary negative results (group 2S). The sensitivity and specificity for both grouping methods were calculated for the diagnosis of PF and clinically important PF (ciPF), according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria. Results: For the first grouping method, the sensitivity was 36% and 28% and the specificity was 80% and 85% for PF and ciPF, respectively. For the second grouping method, the sensitivity was 36% and 29% and the spesificity was 74% and 81% for PF and ciPF, respectively. The unloculated fluid collections were not related to a significant increase in the risk of POPF (P = 0.694). Conclusion: Abdominal-US has low sensitivity and high specificity for the early diagnosis of POPF after PD.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Gastric Carcinoma: 10 years Follow-up of 244 cases from a Single Institution

Misirlioglu, Hasan Cem,Coskun-Breuneval, Mehtap,Kucukpilakci, Bulent,Ugur, Vahide Isil,Elgin, Yesim,Demirkasimoglu, Taciser,Kara, Sakire Pinar,Ozgen, Aytul,Sanri, Ergun,Guney, Yildiz Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Background: Postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of gastric carcinoma improves survival among high-risk patients. This study was undertaken to analyse long-term survival probability and the impact of certain covariates on the survival outcome in affected individuals. Materials and Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2005, 244 patients with gastric cancer underwent adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in our institution. Data were retrieved retrospectively from patient files and analysed with SPSS version 21.0. Results: A total of 244 cases, with a male to female ratio of 2.2:1, were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patients was 52 years (range, 20-78 years). Surgical margin status was positive or close in 72 (33%) out of 220 patients. Postoperative adjuvant RT dose was 46 Gy. Median follow-up was 99 months (range, 79-132 months) and 23 months (range, 2-155 months) for surviving patients and all patients, respectively. Actuarial overall survival (OS) probability for 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year was 79%, 37%, 24% and 16%, respectively. Actuarial progression free survival (PFS) probability was 69%, 34%, 23% and 16% in the same consecutive order. AJCC Stage I-II disease, subtotal gastrectomy and adjuvant CRT were significantly associated with improved OS and PFS in multivariate analyses. Surgical margin status or lymph node dissection type were not prognostic for survival. Conclusions: Postoperative CRT should be considered for all patients with high risk of recurrence after gastrectomy. Beside well-known prognostic factors such as stage, lymph node status and concurrent chemotherapy, the type of gastrectomy was an important prognostic factor in our series. With our findings we add to the discussion on the definition of required surgical margin for subtotal gastrectomy. We consider that our observations in gastric cancer patients in our clinic can be useful in the future randomised trials to point the way to improved outcomes.