Center In Turkey Research Articles

The effect of body mass index on complications in cardiac implantable electronic device surgery.

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures are prone to complications. In our study, we investigated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on CIED-related complications. 1676 patients who had undergone CIED surgery (de novo implantation, system upgrade, generator change, pocket revision or lead replacement) at two heart centers in Turkey and met the study criteria were included in our study. For analysis of primary and secondary endpoints, patients were classified as non-obese (BMI<25kg/m2 ), overweight (25 ≤ BMI<30kg/m2 ), and obese (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2 ). The primary endpoint was accepted as cumulative events, including the composite of clinically significant hematoma (CSH), pericardial effusion or tamponade, pneumothorax, and infection related to the device system. Secondary outcomes included each component of cumulative events. The rate of cumulative events, defined as primary outcome, was higher in the obese patient group, and we found a significant difference between the groups (3.0%, 4.3%, 8.9%, p=.001). CSH and pneumothorax rates were significantly higher in the obese patient group (0.3%, 0.9%, 1.9%, p=.04; 1.0%, 1.4%, 3.3%, p=.04, respectively). According to our multivariate model analysis; gender (OR:1.882, 95%CI:1.156-3.064, p=.01), hypertension (OR:4.768, 95%CI:2.470-9.204, p<.001), BMI (OR:1.069, 95%CI:1.012-1.129, p=.01) were independent predictors of cumulative events rates. Periprocedural complications associated with CIED (especially hematoma and pneumothorax) are more common in the group with high BMI.

Clinical Characteristics of Children with Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency and the Effects of Growth Hormone Treatment.

We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with congenital combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) and evaluate the first-year growth responses of individuals with CPHD and isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) in order to establish the influence of other hormone deficiencies on growth response. This retrospective study was conducted in four tertiary care centers in Turkey. The records of patients diagnosed with CPHD (n=39) and severe IGHD (n=50) were collected. Cases with acquired lesions or chronic diseases were not included in the study. Data are presented as median (interquartile range). Among 39 patients (13 females; 33%) with a diagnosis of CPHD, the majority of patients (64%) presented initially with combined deficits at baseline examination, whereas isolated deficiencies (36%) were less prevalent. Among all patients with GH deficiency, TSH, ACTH, FSH/LH, and ADH deficiencies were present in 94%, 74%, 44%, and 9% of patients, respectively. Patients with CPHD were diagnosed at a younger age (4.9 (8.4) vs. 11.6 (4.1), p<0.001, respectively) and had lower peak GH concentrations (0.4 (1.8) vs. 3.7 (2.9), p<0.001, respectively) than patients with IGHD. Patients with IGHD and CPHD had similar first-year growth responses (Δheight SD score of 0.55 (0.63) vs. 0.76 (0.71), respectively, p=0.45). We established the nature and timing of numerous hormonal deficits emerging over time. We also identified that the existence of CPHD did not hinder growth response.

Evaluation of Predictors Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia in Rheumatic Patients Using Biological or Targeted Therapies: Results from a Tertiary Center in Turkey

Evaluation of Predictors Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia in Rheumatic Patients Using Biological or Targeted Therapies: Results from a Tertiary Center in Turkey

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Traumatic Bone Fracture Patterns and Hospital Outcomes in 1646 Elderly Patients: A Retrospective Study in Turkey.

BACKGROUND During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related lockdowns, modifications in trauma-related behavior and other factors in the elderly population may have occurred. The present retrospective study aimed to compare outcomes from emergency admissions to a major trauma center in Turkey of 1646 elderly patients with traumatic bone fractures that occurred before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cohort of 1646 elderly trauma patients admitted between September 15, 2019 and September 15, 2020 were retrospectively scanned from the hospital registry system and were grouped as admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic before (Group 1), during (Group 2), or after (Group 3) the lockdown restrictions. Demographic and clinical data were examined by making comparisons between the 3 groups. RESULTS In all groups, female sex was more prevalent. Fractures were more common in the ulna and femur than in other bones (P=0.026, P=0.035). Among the groups, in Group 2, injuries due to the mechanism of falling from one's own height on the ground were more prominent (79.2%). Hospital costs were lower in Group 1 (P<0.001). The majority of hospitalized patients (n=874; 53.1%) were in Group 2 (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS During pandemic lockdowns, the mechanism of falling from one's own height was more common in the elderly population. The ulna and femur were the predominant bones fractured. Therefore, during lockdown periods, precautions should be taken to prevent the elderly from falling from their own height.

Comparative Outcomes of Early, Elective, and Delayed Treatment for Lateral Condyle Fracture of the Humerus in Children: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center in Turkey (2013-2021).

BACKGROUND Lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in children should be diagnosed and treated quickly to avoid the complications of malunion and varus deformity of the elbow. Worldwide, pediatric orthopedic departments experienced delays in patient diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This retrospective study from a single center in Turkey aimed to compare outcomes from early treatment, elective treatment, and delayed treatment in 140 children with lateral condyle fracture of the humerus between 2013 and 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the study, 140 patients with Milch type 2 fractures were included. Patients underwent fixation with K-wires or screws after open or closed reduction. Data collected included age, sex, trauma details, surgery timing, operating conditions, perioperative issues, and rehabilitation outcomes. Fracture union and complications were monitored through clinical examinations and X-rays. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS There were 58 patients in the early group, 52 in the elective group, and 30 in the delayed group. Surgery durations varied among the groups (P=0.000). The early and delayed groups as well as the early and elective groups had significantly different incision sizes (P=0.000 for both). The early and delayed groups and the early and elective groups had significantly different MEPS scores (P=0.002 and P=0.011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In patients with late-presenting lateral condyle fractures, although complications increase, surgical treatment does not yield worse outcomes. Standardization of fracture management should be maintained during periods such as COVID-19.

Outcomes of Lumbosacral Fixation in Patients with Suicidal Jumper's Fractures: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND Suicide attempts that involve jumping from a great height may not be fatal but can result in lumbosacral facture-dislocations. This retrospective study aimed to present the experience from a single center in Turkey of 21 patients with lumbosacral facture-dislocations, or suicidal jumper fractures, treated with lumbosacral fixation between 2015 and 2022. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 21 patients. The diagnosis was established through X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations. Neurological damage was assessed using the Gibbons score. Among the patients, 2 were classified as Roy-Camille type 1, 12 as Roy-Camille type 2, and 7 as Roy-Camille type 3. Morphologically, 8 patients had H-type fractures, 7 had T-type fractures, and 6 had U-type fractures. Bilateral spinopelvic fixation was performed. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Majeed score. RESULTS The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 31.6±12.2. The mean duration of surgery was 123.6±44.9 minutes. According to the Majeed score, excellent results were observed in 8 individuals (40%), good results in 5 individuals (25%), fair results in 5 individuals (25%), and poor results in 2 individuals (10%). Out of 18 patients with neurological deficits, 14 showed improvement after surgery, while 4 continued to experience deficits. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study highlight the importance of obtaining a clear history of the cause of lumbosacral facture-dislocation, as attempted suicide by jumping from a height can cause specific types of injury to the lumbar spine and sacrum that require rapid diagnosis and management to reduce the incidence of permanent paraplegia.

Letter to: Endocrinological Approach to Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria: Experience of a Pediatric Endocrinology Department in a Tertiary Center in Turkey

Letter to: Endocrinological Approach to Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria: Experience of a Pediatric Endocrinology Department in a Tertiary Center in Turkey

In response to: “Letter to: Endocrinological Approach to Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria: Experience of a Pediatric Endocrinology Department in a Tertiary Center in Turkey”

In response to: “Letter to: Endocrinological Approach to Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria: Experience of a Pediatric Endocrinology Department in a Tertiary Center in Turkey”

Clinical outcomes of comparison between type-III cap and non-cap acute coronary syndrome patients in 3 year follow up

Abstract Background Coronary artery perforation(CAP) is potentially fatal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in acute coronary syndrome(ACS).There is no study in literature comparing long term clinical outcomes of type III-CAP-ACS and non-CAP-ACS patients. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate in hospital- 1-year and 3-year clinical outcomes of type III-CAP during PCI in ACS patients. Methods Data from ACS patients who had type III-CAP during PCI from January 2010 to Jaunary 2020 at different high volume centers in Turkey were collected.A retrospective cohort of 43,791 patients who underwent PCI was used:120 patients with CAP and 43,671 case-control patients were evaluated.Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the association between differing CAP. Clinical angiographic and procedural characteristics, their management and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively in 1-year and 3-year follow up.Multiple regressions were used to identify predictors of coronary perforation and its association with outcomes. Results The mean age of subjects was 66.5±11.9 years(61.8%males).Of all ACS patients were 247STEMI(37.9%), 216NSTEMI(33.2%) and 188UA(28.9%).Non significant differences were identified between the CAP and non-CAP groups in hospital follow-up for, cardiac death, major bleeding, and stent thrombosis except cerebrovascular event(p=0.003).At three year, differences remained different between myocardial infarction(MI)(p=0.038),coronary artery bypass graft(CABG)(p=0.001),stent thrombosis(ST)(p=0.002),major bleeding(p=0.029) and cerebrovascular event(CVE)(p=0.011)), was observed in the CAP/non-CAP group.Median follow-up of was 36 months.The all-cause mortality was 33.3% in CAP group versus 1.8% in non-CAP group at 1-year and 28.3% in CAP group versus 6.9% in non-CAP group at 3-years(p=0.001,p=0.001). Conclusions There was no significat difference between type-III-CAP and non-CAP group in hospital mortality.The procedural, clinical, 1 and 3-year outcomes of type III-CAP showed that relatively high risk of MI,CABG,CVE,ST and major bleeding under 1 and 3-year follow-up.Also, non-CAP ACS patients had better survival compared to type III CAP ACS patients in 3- year follow up.Figure 1Figure 2

Hematologic Parameters as Predictors of Long-Term Mortality in Infective Endocarditis Patients.

BACKGROUND Infective endocarditis (IE) is an endothelial infection that is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Early and accurate risk prediction is important in patients with IE. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is one of the hematological parameters that can be performed anywhere and is easily accessible, is a predictor of poor prognosis in many infectious and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association between laboratory parameters and 3-year mortality in 155 patients with infective endocarditis at a single center in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and echocardiographic data of 155 adult patients with definite IE according to the modified Duke Criteria, and we analyzed all laboratory results, such as hemoglobin, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, platelet distribution width, NLR, urea, creatinine, albumin, procalcitonin, and blood culture results. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 341 days (range, 2-4003 days). The out-of-hospital mortality rate was 31.6%. Among the discharged patients (n=106), there were 46 non-survivors, with an out-of- hospital mortality rate of 43.4%. The overall mortality rate was 61.3%. During the follow-up, the 1-year mortality rate was 47.1% and the 3-year mortality rate was 54.8%. We detected significant differences in the admission values of NLR between the patients with and without 3-year mortality (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The NLR on admission to a tertiary center was independently associated with 3-year mortality in IE patients (P<0.001). NLR is a parameter that can be obtained from a simple, widely available and inexpensive hemagroma as a useful marker in predicting long-term mortality in IE.

Pulmonary artery involvement due to Behçet's syndrome and Hughes Stovin syndrome: a comparative study.

Hughes-Stovin syndrome (HSS) is a rare inflammatory condition defined as pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAA) associated with deep vein thrombosis. It is similar to vascular involvement of Behçet's syndrome (BS), but differs in the absence of typical skin-mucosal findings. Whether HSS is a distinct entity or a form fruste of BS is debated. We formally compared HSS cases retrieved from the literature to BS patients with PAI followed by a tertiary centre. A systemic literature search using 'Hughes Stovin syndrome' as the key word covering the period between 2000 and 2023 revealed 58 (43 M/15 F) case reports (PROSPERO: CRD42023413537). We identified 74 (62M/12 F) BS patients with PAI followed up in a tertiary centre in Turkey from 2000 until 2020. We evaluated two cohorts head-to-head in terms of demographic and clinical features. BS and HSS patients were found to be comparable with regard to several demographic, clinical and histopathological features. However, PAA were significantly more frequent and isolated pulmonary artery thrombosis (PAT) less common in HSS than that found in BS. Moreover, patients with HSS were more likely to be treated with anti-coagulants and vascular or surgical interventions, whereas less likely to receive immunosuppressive treatment. Our study indicates that HSS is indeed an 'incomplete form of BS'. It can be considered as evidence supporting the notion that the vascular phenotype develops independently from skin-mucosa lesions and uveitis in BS. However, HSS has been described mainly focusing on aneurysms, overlooking the aspect of in-situ thrombosis.

Evaluation of Child Visitation Centers in Turkey

Divorce rates in Turkey have increased over the years and the number of children subject to custody after divorce rise rapidly. Courts decide whether a child whose custody is given to one of his parents should establish a personal relationship with the other parent. Children with divorced parents need to meet with their parents. Additionally, the right of the parent who lost custody to establish personal contact and meeting with his child is a right provided by the court. The process of meeting parents who have lost custody with their children cannot be done in a healthy way due to the problems experienced between divorced parents. Based on this problem, this study addressing the purpose of establishment and functioning of Child Visitation Centers established in Turkey in 2022, is to present a conceptual framework and make suggestions for implementation

Effects of Antibodies in the Serum After the Administration of COVID Vaccines and Their Hematological and Cardiovascular Complications.

The outbreak of COVID-19 was seen first in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. Following this, the virus has emerged, mutated, and spread to all parts of the world, taking many lives. Scientists and healthcare workers all over the world have been involved in developing vaccines and drugs to prevent the deadly virus from spreading. In this review article, we focus on how the human body responds to immune responses by producing antibodies against our immune system and serum levels in different age groups. Few studies are being considered, which include data collected from adults in the UK community, health workers from Oxfordshire, studies from the UK, healthcare workers at a university healthcare center in Turkey, and lastly, non-seropositive and seronegative healthcare workers in the USA children's hospital, respectively, and their responses to the goal. In addition to focusing on this study and its results, we also discuss the role of different vaccines and their development and antibody responses in the body due to natural and post-vaccine infections that include both doses in humans. We focus mainly on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the serum produced by plasma cells, as they are involved in the first line of defense against the disease. With the development of effective vaccines and their production, trial, and market distribution to needy people, there are certain prospects for slowing down the progression of the virus, reducing mortality, and preventing re-infection in humans. However impactful and beneficial these vaccines have proven, they also carry a certain amount of danger to the people taking them. We also discuss in this article certain infrequent hematological and cardiovascular complications of the vaccine and their effect on the population.

Does decision tree analysis predict oral ulcer activity-related factors in patients with Behçet's syndrome?

The study aimed to identify the interactions among treatment protocols and oral ulcer activity related factors in patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm. In this cross-sectional study, 979 patients with BS were included from16 centres in Turkey, Jordan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. In the CART algorithm, activities of oral ulcer (active vs. inactive), genital ulcer (active vs. inactive), cutaneous involvement (active vs. inactive), musculoskeletal involvement (active vs. inactive), gender (male vs. female), disease severity (mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal involvement vs. major organ involvement), smoking habits (current smoker vs. non-smoker), tooth brushing habits (irregular vs. regular), were input variables. The treatment protocols regarding immunosuppressive (IS) or non-IS medications were the target variable used to split from parent nodes to purer child nodes in the study. In mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal involvement (n=538), the ratio of IS use was higher in patients with irregular toothbrushing (ITB) habits (27.1%) than in patients with regular toothbrushing (RTB) habits (14.2%) in oral ulcer activity. In major organ involvement (n=441), male patients with ITB habits were more likely treated with IS medications compared to those with RTB habits (91.6% vs. 77.6%, respectively). Male BS patients on IS who have major organ involvement and oral ulcer activity with mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal involvement have irregular toothbrushing habits. Improved oral hygiene practices should be considered to be an integral part for implementing patient empowerment strategies for BS.

The Influence of Concept Cartoon-Supported Issue of Demarcation-Based Scientific Argumentation on Argumentation Skills and Pseudoscientific Beliefs

Studies have found that argumentation may lessen students' pseudoscientific beliefs. However, few studies of argumentation have been handled in the context of pseudoscientific beliefs. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of concept cartoon-supported issue of demarcation-based scientific argumentation on middle school students’ pseudoscientific beliefs. A pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design including a control group was employed. Participants were 22 grade 7 Turkish female middle school students sampled from two classes of a single-sex school located at the edge of a southeastern town center in Turkey. When supported by the use of concept cartoons, issue of demarcation-based scientific argumentation significantly reduced the pseudoscientific beliefs with a large effect size and this decrease was retained even after 10 months. In addition, students’ argumentation skills significantly improved. Instructors should offer metacognitive tools in pedagogical approaches along with argumentation to foster middle school students’ argumentation skills and lessen their pseudoscientific beliefs.

Determination of the Quality of Life of Parents with Children Treated in the Pediatric Oncology Clinic during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Affecting Factors

Abstract Introduction Even in the absence of a pandemic, pediatric oncology patients have decreased immunological levels. This condition requires families to monitor their children's risk of infection on a frequent basis. The possibility of being exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a hospital or community environment has created significant concern among cancer families. Objectives This study sought to ascertain the quality of life of parents who sought treatment for their children at a pediatric oncology clinic during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the factors that influenced it. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 62 parents with children ages 0 to 19 who receive treatment for their children at the pediatric oncology clinic of an application and research center in Turkey's Western Black Sea area. “The Participant Information Form” and “The Scale of Quality of Life-Family Version (QOL-FV)” were used to collect data. The researchers used the face-to-face interview approach to obtain data. To investigate the differences in scale levels based on the descriptive characteristics of the parents, one-way analysis of variance, t-test, and post hoc (Tukey, least significant difference) analyses were used. Results The total mean score of the parents' QOL-FV was found to be 148.097 ± 25.843 (87–258). In the study, it was determined that financial difficulties, difficulties in accessing the hospital during the treatment process, and changes in daily activity/behavior had negative effects on parents' quality of life. Conclusion Most of the parents who participated in our study stated that their quality of life got worse with the pandemic. It was determined that the COVID-19 pandemic had effects on the quality of life of parents of pediatric oncology patients in various ways.

An Examination Of The Role Of Vocational Training Centers In Ensuring School-Industry Cooperation From Employer's Perspective: The Ostim Case

This study examines the role of Vocational Training Centers in school-industry cooperation from the perspective of employers. Within the scope of the research, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 business owners operating in Ankara Organised Industrial Zone who have cooperated with Vocational Training Centers. The research reveals that vocational education centers in Turkey are of great importance in terms of training graduates in line with the needs of the business world. However, employers have serious difficulties in recruiting staff and mostly meet their labour force needs by employing foreign workers. Furthermore, school-industry cooperation is essential so that the education curriculum can better meet the needs of the business world and provide students with workplace experience.Employers value the "certificate of mastery" obtained at the end of training to increase employability. The study also underlines the need for effective school-industry co-operation mechanisms. A strong partnership between business and educational institutions can improve the vocational education system in Turkey and prepare the future workforce.

The care burden of mothers of children with disability: Association between family quality of life and fatigue

AimThis study was performed with the aim of investigating the correlation between care burden, family quality of life and fatigue of mothers of children with disability. Material and methodThe sample for this descriptive study comprised the mothers of 280 children with disabilities accepting participation in the study, meeting the inclusion criteria, and registered in special education and rehabilitation centers in Turkey. Data were collected with the Mother-Child Descriptive Information Form, Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS), Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale (BCFQOLS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). ResultsMothers, mean BCOS scores were 63.29 ± 17.47, mean BCFQOLS scores were 93.74 ± 14.63, and mean FSS scores were 3.84 ± 1.43. There was a statistically significant positive, moderate intensity correlation between the BCOS scores and BCFQOLS scores of mothers (r = 0.404, p < 0.001); a statistically significant negative weak correlation between BCOS scores and FSS scores (r = −0.346,p < 0.001); and a statistically significant negative weak correlation between BCFQOLS scores with FSS scores (r = −0.22,p < 0.001). According to regression analysis, the care burden of mothers was identified to be a significant determinant of family quality of life and fatigue severity (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe results of the study showed that as the care burden of mothers of children with disability increases, family quality of life reduces and fatigue levels increase. Practice implicationsIt is recommended to support the mother in the care process, to plan activities and trainings to reduce the burden and fatigue of care, to increase the quality of family life, and to provide psychological support.

Emerging importance of multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections in neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary center in Turkey

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging multi-drug resistant, opportunistic pathogen in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, clinical features, antibiotic susceptibility, and treatment options of S. maltophilia infection among the healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the neonatal unit. In this study, the patients who were hospitalized in the NICU between January 2020 and December 2021 with S. maltophilia isolated from clinical samples were included. Demographic, clinic features, and microbiological findings of the patients were retrospectively evaluated by using the medical records. The samples (lower respiratory tract, urine, peritoneal fluid) were first examined microscopically by gram preparation and cultured. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed according to the recommendations of The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) for TMP-SMX. S. maltophilia was isolated in 38 clinical samples of the 20 patients who were hospitalized at the NICU between January 2020 and December 2021. A total of 40% (n=8) of samples from different patients were accepted as colonization. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was determined in 55% (n=11), and urinary tract infection in 5% (n=1). S. maltophilia-associated bacteremia was not detected in any of the cases. The TMP-SMX susceptibilities of the strains were as it follows: 3 (15%) were resistant (R), 7 (28%) were susceptible (S), and 10 (47%) were susceptible-increased exposure (I). Three of these patients were given dual antibiotics therapy (levofloxacin plus TMP-SMX) and nine of them were given only TMP-SMX. The most common hospital-acquired infectious agents are Gram negative microorganisms (51%), followed by coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS), Staphylococcus aureus (24%) and S. maltophilia (24%). Increasing TMP-SMX resistance and specific drug and dosage-related problems in the neonatal unit are important problems in treatment management.

Clinical effects of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in term neonates diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries.

Transposition of the great arteries is a severe CHD that affects term neonates. The presence of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in neonatal transposition of the great arteries patients is rare. This study investigated the clinical and haemodynamic implications of the presence of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in neonatal transposition of the great arteries patients who underwent an arterial switch operation. The study was a retrospective analysis conducted on neonates diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries who underwent arterial switch operation within the period from 1 May 2020 to 1 January 2023 at two high-patient-volume paediatric cardiac surgery centres in Turkey. The patients' demographic characteristics, echocardiographic features, and clinical data were analysed. Additionally, the possible clinical effects of the presence of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries were statistically evaluated. Two hundred cases of neonatal transposition of the great arteries were included in this study, with 55% of the cases male. All the patients underwent arterial switch operation. The median age at the time of arterial switch operation was 5 days (interquartile range 3-7), with a median weight of 3,100 g (interquartile range 2,900-3,400). The median pre-operative saturation level was 76% (interquartile range 70-82%). Prior to arterial switch operation, 32 patients underwent balloon atrial septostomy.In all the patients, the interatrial septum was checked to determine if the atrial septum was intact. A patent foramen ovale (≤ 3 mm) was found in 112 patients, and a non-restrictive atrial septal defect (> 3 mm) was found in 88. Forty-eight patients had ventricular septal defects, and 72 had coronary anomalies. Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries were found in 4 patients pre-operatively and in 12 patients after arterial switch operation (echocardiography, n = 8; angiography, n = 4). Of the patients with post-operative detection of cumulative number of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries were on post-operative day 1 in 2 patients, on post-operative day 3 in 5 patients, on post-operative day 7 in 6 patients, and on post-operative day 14 in 11 patients.Transcatheter closure was performed in 3 cases due to recurrent extubation failure. Major aortopulmonary collateral artery shrinkage was observed in one case under medical treatment. The length of paediatric cardiac intensive care unit stay (10 days versus 8 days; p < 0.005), mechanical ventilator time (4 days versus 2 days; p = 0.02), and inotrope use time (5 days versus 3 days; p = 0.04) were higher in the major aortopulmonary collateral artery cases than patients without major aortopulmonary collateral artery. Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries are frequent in transposition of the great arteries patients and may have clinical effects. The presence of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries should be investigated in patients who do not have a favourable post-operative course after arterial switch operation.