Background: In this study, we present our experiences with local injections of triamcinolone and prilocaine in patients diagnosed with Tietze syndrome. Methods: Between January 2016 and January 2019, a total of 28 patients (12 males, 16 females; median age: 33 years; range, 21 to 51 years) who were diagnosed with TS in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Triamcinolone hexacetonide and prilocaine hydrochloride were injected into painful joints. At first week, pain sensation of the patients was recorded using the Pain Rating Scale developed by the British Pain Society. Pain was also assessed at one, two, and three weeks after injections qualitatively and based on physical examination. Results: At one week, the pain severity before the local injection treatment was above average the pain-related discomfort rates, and the response was quite favorable after the treatment (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively). A statistically significant rating was observed for treatment response and success (p=0.003). Totally 75% of the patients experienced more than 70% reduction in pain level after the injection. Conclusion: Our treatment approach involving injection of a mixture of steroid and a local anesthetic provides a rapid relief from pain, irrespective of age, sex, or employment status in patients diagnosed with Tietze syndrome.

OBJECTIVE After the world health organization declared the Covid-19 epidemic as a pandemic, serious changes were made in the functioning of health institutions along with restrictions in social life. The aim of this study is investigating the operations and clinical procedures performed in a thoracic surgery clinic during covid pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHOD In this study, the surgical procedures performed in the thoracic surgery clinic between March 2020 and June 2020 which is accepted as the first wave dates for Covid-19 in our country are presented. RESULTS Totally, nineteen patients are operated during this period. Average age was 44 (12-68) years old. Forty-three covid PCR tests were performed for a total of 19 patients. Three of them were positive results for Covid-19. After operations one patient died due to septic shock during postoperative period. CONCLUSION Malignancy and emergency surgeries can be performed by following precautions in the outbreak of Covid-19.

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Aim: Traumatic rib fractures are a common injury in the trauma population and may cause severe pain in cases of both isolated rib fractures and chest injuries. The aim of our study was to compare the early pain control of intercostal block with that of intravenous analgesia + intercostal nerve block in patients with rib fractures admitted to the emergency department due to blunt thoracic trauma. Materials and Methods:Patients admitted to the emergency department due to blunt thoracic trauma in a tertiary medical facility were evaluated retrospectively. Forty-eight patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: on in which only intercostal nerve block was performed and another in which intravenous analgesia + intercostal block were performed concurrently.Results: Nine patients (18.7%) were given only intercostal block, while 39 patients (81.3%) were given intravenous analgesia + intercostal nerve block. Considering the early pain results of group A (intercostal nerve block) and group B (intravenous analgesia + intercostal nerve block), significant improvement was observed in group B in terms of pain results after the first 15 minutes. Conclusion:We conclude that the combination of intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioid derivatives and intercostal nerve block would be an effective combination in pain control in patients with rib fractures. In addition, intercostal nerve block would be beneficial in pain control and increase respiratory efficiency in patients with rib fractures, since it is both easy to apply and accelerates healing by providing effective analgesia. Due to these positive effects, we believe that it reduces the duration of hospital stay and would offer great advantages in terms of efficiency and cost.