Evaluation of the Effect of Morphological Structure on Dilatational Tracheostomy Interference Location and Complications with Ultrasonography and Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is the most commonly performed minimally invasive intensive care unit procedure worldwide. This study evaluated the percentage of consistency between the entry site observed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and the prediction for the PDT level based on pre-procedural ultrasonography (USG) in PDT procedures performed using the forceps dilatation method. The effect of morphological features on intervention sites was also investigated.

The Impact of CoronaVac Vaccination on 28-day Mortality Rate of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in Türkiye.

Background: Vaccines against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) have been effective in preventing symptomatic diseases, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. However, data regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing mortality among critically ill patients with COVID-19 remains unclear.

Aims: To determine the vaccination status and investigate the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on the 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Albumin effect on hemorheological parameters in patients with liver transplant.

Background: Liver transplantation is a life-saving treatment in end-stage liver failure. Hemorheological features as blood fluidity and red blood cell aggregation may alter effective tissue perfusion, graft function and hemodynamic variables.

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate effect of albumin infusion on red blood cell deformability and aggregation, blood viscosity and hemodynamics in liver transplant patients.

Birth of a Healthy Baby 9 Years After a Surgically Successful Deceased Donor Uterus Transplant.

Objective: To describe surgical procedures, previous failed pregnancies, methods for overcoming pregnancy failure and, most importantly, birth of a healthy infant, in a uterus transplantation from a deceased donor.

Background: Majority of uterus transplants have involved live donors, but several advantages make deceased donor transplantation a practicable option, principally by eliminating surgical risks to the live donor.

Methods: Uterus transplantation from a deceased donor was performed in September 2011 in Turkey.

Evaluation of the early cervical structural change in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy.

In this double-blind, controlled, cross-sectional study, we compared structural changes in the cervical vertebrae of patients with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthropathy (nr-axSpA), patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and a control group. We used the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) to determine whether the involvement of the cervical spine occurs earlier and is more severe than that of the lumbar spine in axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA). A statistically significant difference was found in the total mSASSS between the AS and nr-axSpA groups (p = 0.

Liver Transplantation and Early Culture Growth: Risk and Impact?

Objective: Despite advances in immunosuppressive drugs, postoperative care, and surgical techniques, bacterial infections remain the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in liver transplant patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of culture results taken on the first day of admission to intensive care unit on mortality, graft rejection, mechanical ventilation duration, and length of intensive care unit stay. Our study has clinical importance because it is the first study evaluating the cultures obtained on the first day of intensive care unit stays in liver transplant patients.

Factors Affecting Cost of Patients with Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting cost in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2013 and December 2016. A total of 291 sequential patients with severe CAP were included in the study.

Anaesthetic Management for Face Transplantations: The Experience of Akdeniz University.

Objective: Solid organ transplantation is a rescue therapy, whereas face transplantation, as well as other composite tissue allotransplantations, offers treatment options to enhance the quality of life. Difficult airway, severe haemorrhage and prolonged operative length are among the frequently encountered complications of anaesthetic management in patients with a history of multiple reconstructive surgeries.

Methods: Five face allotransplants that were performed in our institute, arising from four full and one partial face transplantations, were reviewed.

Face allotransplantation for various types of facial disfigurements: A series of five cases.

Background: The aim of this report is to present our long-term experiences with a series of 5 face-transplanted patients in terms of surgical aspects and postoperative outcomes, and to describe possible salvage strategies in case of difficulties.

Methods: Five patients, 4 receiving full-face transplantation and 1 undergoing partial transplantation at our institution were included. The patients were aged between 19 and 54 years.

Effect of magnesium supplementation on blood rheology in NOS inhibition-induced hypertension model.

This study investigated the effects of magnesium on blood rheological properties and blood pressure in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition-induced hypertension model. Hypertension was induced by oral administration of the nonselective NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 25 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks and systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. The groups receiving magnesium supplementation were fed with rat chow containing 0.

Retrospective Analysis of Prognostic Factors of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in a University Hospital in Turkey.

Aim: To examine the use of prognostic factors such as age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, pupil reactivity and computerized tomography (CT) findings for predicting the prognosis of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in Turkey.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated TBI patients who were accepted to Akdeniz University Intensive Care Unit between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2009. Patient data were collected from the hospital information system.

Effect of magnesium on vascular reactivity in NOS inhibition-induced hypertension.

This study investigated the effect of magnesium on the vascular reactivity of conduit and resistance arteries in a nitric oxide synthase inhibition-induced hypertension model. The aorta and third-order branches of the mesenteric artery were dissected from normotensive control and hypertensive rats, and their constriction and dilation responses in physiological saline solution containing normal (1.2 mM) or high (4.

Fatal Disseminated Tuberculous Peritonitis following Spontaneous Abortion: A Case Report.

We describe a rare case of fatal disseminated tuberculous peritonitis in a young woman with rapid progressive clinical course following spontaneous abortion of 20-week gestation. Clinical and laboratory findings were initially unremarkable. She underwent diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed numerous tiny implants on the peritoneum and viscera.

A web-based intensive care clinical decision support system: from design to evaluation.

The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a web-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) containing clinical guidelines and protocols that will support intensive care unit (ICU) providers in making decisions more effectively and quickly. First, a survey was carried out with 38 physicians in order to determine their preferences, needs and concerns regarding decision support tools. After the survey, guidelines were prepared by a group of specialists in ICU, and a medical informatician converted the guidelines into algorithm forms.

Cost analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in Turkish medical-surgical intensive care units.

A study was carried out to assess treatment success and the overall costs of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In a prospective case control study, data were collected from 25 intensive care unit (ICU) beds. A total of 162 ICU patients who required mechanical ventilation were assessed.

Parameterization of red blood cell elongation index--shear stress curves obtained by ektacytometry.

Measurement of red blood cell (RBC) deformability by ektacytometry yields a set of elongation indexes (EI) measured at various shear stresses (SS) presented as SS-EI curves, or tabulated data. These are useful for detailed analysis, but may not be appropriate when a simple comparison of a global parameter between groups is required. Based on the characteristic shape of SS-EI curves, two approaches have been proposed to calculate the maximal RBC elongation index (EI(max)) and the shear stress required for one-half of this maximal deformation (SS(1/2)): (i) linear Lineweaver-Burke (LB) model; (ii) Streekstra-Bronkhorst (SB) model.

Maxillary sinusitis in patients ventilated for a severe head injury and with nostrils free of any foreign body.

Background: This study aims to determine the frequency of maxillary sinusitis in the patients with traumatic head injury and nostrils free of any foreign body. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) for the detection of the presence of fluid in maxillary sinuses were evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Forty patients with severe traumatic head injury were included in the study.

Comparison of three commercially available ektacytometers with different shearing geometries.

In December 2008, the International Society for Clinical Hemorheology organized a workshop to evaluate and compare three ektacytometer instruments for measuring deformability of red blood cells (RBC): LORCA (Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer, RR Mechatronics, Hoorn, The Netherlands), Rheodyn SSD (Myrenne GmbH, Roetgen, Germany) and RheoScan-D (RheoMeditech, Seoul, Korea). Intra-assay reproducibility and biological variation were determined using normal RBC, and cells with reduced deformability (i.e.

Effects of storage duration and temperature of human blood on red cell deformability and aggregation.

Blood samples used in hemorheological studies may be stored for a period of time, the effects of storage have yet to be fully explored. This study evaluated the effects of storage temperature (i.e.

Repeat percutaneous tracheostomy in the neurocritically ill patient.

Introduction: Percutaneous tracheostomy is a widely used and accepted method for long-term mechanical ventilation and airway protection. Neurocritically ill patients sometimes require repeat tracheostomy, which is traditionally considered a relative contraindication for percutaneous procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of repeat percutaneous tracheostomy in neurocritically ill patients with a history of previous tracheostomy.