Bahcesehir University

This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of patients treated for complex anal fistulas using standard laser fistula closure (FiLaC) versus FiLaC combined with an advancement flap (+FLAP).

A retrospective review was conducted on patients treated for complex anal fistulas between January 2022 and December 2023. Treatments included standard FiLaC and FiLaC combined with an advancement flap. Main outcome measures included operation duration, hospital stay, postoperative pain [Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score], complications, and success rate.

A total of 47 patients were included in the study, with 25 in the standard FiLaC group and 22 in the +FLAP group. The +FLAP group had significantly longer operation times (29.7 ± 4.7 min versus 18.7 ± 4.0 min, p < 0.001) and hospital stays (16.2 ± 5.04 h versus 3.9 ± 2.3 h p < 0.001). Postoperative pain scores were similar between groups. The mean follow-up periods for the FILAC and +FLAP groups were 10.5 ± 3.5 months and 8.4 ± 4.0 months, respectively. The success rate was significantly higher in the +FLAP group (95.5% versus 72%, p = 0.03).

In this study, we found that, compared with FiLAC alone, combining FiLaC with an advancement flap may significantly improve primary success rates in the treatment of complex anal fistulas, and we believe this approach could be a valuable option for enhancing treatment outcomes in complex cases. The increased operation and hospital stay durations appear to be balanced by the higher success rates.

Proximal femoral nailing (PFN) is a preferred treatment for intertrochanteric femoral fractures in elderly patients due to its minimally invasive nature and early mobilisation benefits. However, mechanical complications such as implant failure, cutout, and reduction collapse remain significant challenges. This study introduces the targeted surgical score (TSS), a novel scoring system designed to predict and mitigate mechanical complications by evaluating modifiable surgical factors.

A retrospective analysis of 586 patients aged 65 and older treated with PFN between 2015 and 2022 was conducted. Data on demographic characteristics, fracture classifications, and surgical parameters were collected. Radiographic assessments included tip-apex distance (TAD) and lag screw positioning for implant placement quality, medial and anterior cortical support (MCS and ACS), and fracture alignment in both AP and lateral planes for reduction quality. Each parameter was scored, resulting in a cumulative TSS ranging from 0 to 8. Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were performed to evaluate the predictive capacity of TSS.

The average TSS was 4.06 ± 2.22 in the complication group and 6.14 ± 1.56 in the non-complication group (p < 0.001). A one-point increase in TSS was associated with a 44.9% reduction in complication risk (OR 0.551; p < 0.001). Independent risk factors included lag screw placement (non-central superior quadrants), inadequate cortical support in AP and lateral planes (MCS and ACS), and TAD (≥ 25 mm). The TSS demonstrated relatively good discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.768.

TSS may aid in predicting and mitigating mechanical complications while potentially guiding surgical applications in PFN, but further prospective multicentre validation is required. While certain parameters of TSS could be considered intraoperatively, its full implementation may be more practical for postoperative risk assessment.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal, progressive lung disease characterized by extensive scarring and thickening of lung tissue that leads to respiratory failure. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for monitoring disease progression and assessing therapeutic efficacy. While imaging modalities such as radiological X-rays and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) are commonly employed, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers significant advantages, including superior soft tissue contrast and the absence of ionizing radiation. However, in lung MRIs are hindered by short transverse relaxation times, low proton density, and motion artifacts which is addressed herein by developing theranostic platform combining MRI imaging with targeted drug delivery using melanin nanoparticles conjugated with nintedanib (MNP-NIN). Chelation with ferric ions (MNP-NIN-Fe³⁺) enhanced MRI visibility enabling non-invasive imaging and drug tracking. MNP-NIN and MNP-NIN-Fe³ ⁺ nanoparticles were built with mean diameters of 189 ± 44 nm and 182 ± 35 nm, respectively and demonstrating successful NIN conjugation. Controlled NIN release followed zero-order kinetics over 36 days. MNP conjugation reduced cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B and A549 cells improving the drug's safety. MRI experiments conducted with a 7.0 T animal scanner demonstrated enhanced imaging contrast with MNP-NIN-Fe solutions compared to saline underscoring their potential for localized visualization and tracking within lung tissues. By integrating MRI diagnostics and targeted drug delivery, the MNP-NIN-Fe³ ⁺ system offers a promising solution to overcome current challenges in IPF management. This theranostic platform addresses the limitations of conventional imaging techniques while providing an innovative strategy for reducing drug-related systemic side effects and improving therapeutic efficacy.