• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.230-241
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for gastric cancer patients have shown improved outcomes in Asia. However, data on gastric cancer ERAS (GCERAS) programs in the United States are sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes before and after implementation of an GC-ERAS protocol at a National Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States. Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients surgically treated for gastric cancer with curative intent from January 2012 to October 2016 and compared the GC-ERAS group (November 1, 2015-October 1, 2016) with the historical control (HC) group (January 1, 2012-October 31, 2015). Propensity score matching was used to adjust for age, sex, number of comorbidities, body mass index, stage of disease, and distal versus total gastrectomy. Results: Of a total of 95 identified patients, matching analysis resulted in 20 and 40 patients in the GC-ERAS and HC groups, respectively. Lower rates of nasogastric tube (35% vs. 100%, P<0.001) and intraabdominal drain placement (25% vs. 85%, P<0.001), faster advancement of diet (P<0.001), and shorter length of hospital stay (5.5 vs. 7.8 days, P=0.01) were observed in the GC-ERAS group than in the HC group. The GC-ERAS group showed a trend toward increased use of minimally invasive surgery (P=0.06). There were similar complication and 30-day readmission rates between the two groups (P=0.57 and P=0.66, respectively). Conclusions: The implementation of a GC-ERAS protocol significantly improved perioperative outcomes in a western cancer center. This finding warrants further prospective investigation.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.44-48
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The treatment of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the face remains a difficult challenge in plastic surgery. Incomplete resection resulting in uncontrolled bleeding, postoperative enlargement of the remaining malformation, and a poor functional and cosmetic result could be the problems confronted by the surgeons. Methods: A 37 year-old male with large arteriovenous malformation in face treated with preoperative superselective transarterial embolization and free flap transfer. The size of the defect was $13{\times}9cm$. Sclerotheraphy without resection were performed several times but the results were unsatisfactory. Resection was performed the next day of embolization. We were able to repair with the thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap. And facial muscle reconstruction performed by simultaneous muscle and nerve transfer. Results: During the follow-up period 8 months the patient regained an acceptable cosmetic appearance. And he has shown no reexpansion of the malformation. Conclusion: The thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap could be a good choice for the reconstruction for massive defects of the face. A huge arteriovenous malformation could be safely removed and successfully reconstructed by the complete embolization, wide excision and coverage with a well vascularized tissue.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.300-303
• /
• 2013

Blunt abdominal trauma is commonly encountered in the emergency department. The lack of historical data and the presence of distracting injuries or altered mental status, from head injury or intoxication, can make these injuries difficult to diagnose and manage. We experienced a case of traumatic organized hematoma misdiagnosed as intra-peritoneal tumor with intestinal obstruction. A 52-year-old homeless male patient who have chronic alcoholism was admitted via emergency room with infra-umbilical abdominal pain. At admission, he was drunken status and so we could not be aware of blows to the abdomen. He had a unknown large operation scar on mid abdomen. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed the intestinal obstruction of the ileum level with 5.5cm sized mesenteric tumor. We performed adhesiolysis and widely segmental resection of small bowel including tumor with side-to-side anastomosis due to great discrepancy in size. He stated later that he was a victim of the violence before 3 weeks. A final pathologic report revealed well encapsulated, traumatic mesenteric hematoma with organizing thrombi, ischemia and abscess formation with multiple adhesion bands. Finally, the patient was discharged without complications on postoperative day 14.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.24-28
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: Systemic steroid therapy (SST) and intratympanic steroid injection (ISI) have been the treatment of choice for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). We studied the effect of ISI administered at different intervals on hearing outcomes in patients with SSNHL. Subjects and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 427 patients diagnosed with SSNHL at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, of whom 51 patients with SSNHL who received SST and four ISIs were included in this study. Patients were treated with four ISIs either every day for 4 days (group 1) or at intervals (mean duration of interval: 2.21 days) (group 2). Hearing outcomes were evaluated using the pure-tone test before the injection and 14 days, 1 month, and 3 months after the final injection. Recovery rates were classified based on Siegel's criteria. Results: The amount of improvement was 27.67 dB (±20.45) in group 1 and 32.79 dB (±21.42) in group 2. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p= 0.714). The recovery rates based on Siegel's criteria were 18/27 (66.7%) and 16/24 (66.7%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference (p=1.000). Considering only complete recoveries in hearing recovery, the recovery rates were 15/27 (55.6%) and 14/24 (58.3%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference (p=0.842). Conclusions: There were no significant differences in hearing outcomes or recovery rates after ISI administration every day or at intervals of 2-3 days.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.24-28
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: Systemic steroid therapy (SST) and intratympanic steroid injection (ISI) have been the treatment of choice for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). We studied the effect of ISI administered at different intervals on hearing outcomes in patients with SSNHL. Subjects and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 427 patients diagnosed with SSNHL at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, of whom 51 patients with SSNHL who received SST and four ISIs were included in this study. Patients were treated with four ISIs either every day for 4 days (group 1) or at intervals (mean duration of interval: 2.21 days) (group 2). Hearing outcomes were evaluated using the pure-tone test before the injection and 14 days, 1 month, and 3 months after the final injection. Recovery rates were classified based on Siegel's criteria. Results: The amount of improvement was 27.67 dB (±20.45) in group 1 and 32.79 dB (±21.42) in group 2. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p= 0.714). The recovery rates based on Siegel's criteria were 18/27 (66.7%) and 16/24 (66.7%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference (p=1.000). Considering only complete recoveries in hearing recovery, the recovery rates were 15/27 (55.6%) and 14/24 (58.3%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference (p=0.842). Conclusions: There were no significant differences in hearing outcomes or recovery rates after ISI administration every day or at intervals of 2-3 days.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.487-494
• /
• 2020

Objective : To analyze the incidence and characteristics of delayed postoperative fever in posterior cervical fusion using cervical pedicle screws (CPS). Methods : This study analyzed 119 patients who underwent posterior cervical fusion surgery using CPS. Delayed fever was defined as no fever for the first 3 postoperative days, followed by an ear temperature ≥38℃ on postoperative day 4 and subsequent days. Patient age, sex, diagnosis, laminectomy, surgical level, revision status, body mass index, underlying medical disease, surgical duration, and transfusion status were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Of 119 patients, seven were excluded due to surgical site infection, spondylitis, pneumonia, or surgical level that included the thoracic spine. Of the 112 included patients, 28 (25%) were febrile and 84 (75%) were afebrile. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that laminectomy was a statistically significant risk factor for postoperative non-pathological fever (odds ratio, 10.251; p=0.000). In contrast, trauma or tumor surgery and underlying medical disease were not significant risk factors for fever. Conclusion : Patients who develop delayed fever 4 days after posterior cervical fusion surgery using CPS are more likely to have non-pathologic fever than surgical site infection. Laminectomy is a significant risk factor for non-pathologic fever.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.19-31
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Correlations of the levels of the nonspecific inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and of the coagulation marker fibrinogen with the treatment period of wheel balanced cancer therapy were determined. Methods: Electronic charts of stage IV cancer patients hospitalized from February 1, 2008, to November 30, 2013, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients whose laboratory follow-up tests included at least two data points for at least one marker were included. Patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or having Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) levels exceeding 2 were excluded. Correlations of the markers with the length of treatment for treatment periods ${\geq}21$ and ${\leq}20$ days were determined by gender and whether or not surgery had been performed. Results: Analyses of the CRP and the ESR revealed a higher proportion of patients with stable marker levels than with increased or decreased levels. Also, only the ESR in female and the CRP in male groups had higher proportions of patients with stable marker levels than with increased or decreased levels. The ${\geq}21$ day group had a higher proportion of patients with stable CRP and ESR levels than the ${\leq}20$ days group. Only the ESR in female and the CRP in male groups had higher proportions of patients with stable marker levels in the ${\geq}21$ day than in the ${\leq}20$ day group. In addition, only the CRP in the surgery group and the ESR in the non-surgery group had higher proportions of patients with stable marker levels in the ${\geq}21$ day group than in the ${\leq}20$ day group. Conclusion: For stage IV cancer patients at hospitals that offer Korean medicine, more than 21 days of long-term wheel balanced cancer therapy (WBCT) should help maintain the CRP and the ESR levels and should have a favorable effect on the survival rate.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.686-694
• /
• 2015

Background Rosa damascena, a type of herb, has been used for wound healing in Eastern folk medicine. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of rose placenta from R. damascena in a full-thickness wound model in mice. Methods Sixty six-week-old C57BL/6N mice were used. Full-thickness wounds were made with an 8-mm diameter punch. Two wounds were made on each side of the back, and wounds were assigned randomly to the control and experimental groups. Rose placenta ($250{\mu}g$) was injected in the experimental group, and normal saline was injected in the control group. Wound sizes were measured with digital photography, and specimens were harvested. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$), and CD31. Vessel density was measured. Quantitative analysis using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for EGF was performed. All evaluations were performed on postoperative days 0, 2, 4, 7, and 10. Statistical analyses were performed using the paired t-test. Results On days 4, 7, and 10, the wounds treated with rose placenta were significantly smaller. On day 2, VEGF and EGF expression increased in the experimental group. On days 7 and 10, TGF-${\beta}1$ expression decreased in the experimental group. On day 10, vessel density increased in the experimental group. The increase in EGF on day 2 was confirmed with ELISA. Conclusions Rose placenta was found to be associated with improved wound healing in a mouse full-thickness wound model via increased EGF release. Rose placenta may potentially be a novel drug candidate for enhancing wound healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.482-489
• /
• 2017

Background Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is known to have anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects and to accelerate wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PDRN could improve peripheral tissue oxygenation and angiogenesis in diabetic foot ulcers. Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. Twenty patients with a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer were randomly distributed into a control group (n=10) and a PDRN group (n=10). Initial surgical debridement and secondary surgical procedures such as a split-thickness skin graft, primary closure, or local flap were performed. Between the initial surgical debridement and secondary surgical procedures, 0.9% normal saline (3 mL) or PDRN was injected for 2 weeks by the intramuscular (1 ampule, 3 mL, 5.625 mg, 5 days per week) and perilesional routes (1 ampule, 3 mL, 5.625 mg, 2 days per week). Transcutaneous oxygen tension ($TcPO_2$) was evaluated using the Periflux System 5000 with $TcPO_2/CO_2$ unit 5040 before the injections and on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the start of the injections. A pathologic review (hematoxylin and eosin stain) of the debrided specimens was conducted by a pathologist, and vessel density (average number of vessels per visual field) was calculated. Results Compared with the control group, the PDRN-treated group showed improvements in peripheral tissue oxygenation on day 7 (P<0.01), day 14 (P<0.001), and day 28 (P<0.001). The pathologic review of the specimens from the PDRN group showed increased angiogenesis and improved inflammation compared with the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the control group and the PDRN group in terms of vessel density (P=0.094). Complete healing was achieved in every patient. Conclusions In this study, PDRN improved peripheral tissue oxygenation. Moreover, PDRN is thought to be effective in improving inflammation and angiogenesis in diabetic foot ulcers.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 2024

Background: Cervical esophageal cancer is a rare malignancy that requires specialized care. While definitive chemoradiation is the standard treatment approach, surgery remains a valuable option for certain patients. This study examined the surgical outcomes of patients with cervical esophageal cancer. Methods: The study involved a retrospective review and analysis of 24 patients with cervical esophageal cancer. These patients underwent surgical resection between September 1994 and December 2018. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.0±10.2 years, and 22 (91.7%) of them were male. Furthermore, 21 patients (87.5%) had T3 or T4 tumors, and 11 (45.8%) exhibited lymph node metastasis. Gastric pull-up with esophagectomy was performed for 19 patients (79.2%), while 5 (20.8%) underwent free jejunal graft with cervical esophagectomy. The 30-day operative mortality rate was 8.3%. During the follow-up period, complications included leakage at the anastomotic site in 9 cases (37.5%) and graft necrosis of the gastric conduit in 1 case. Progression to oral feeding was achieved in 20 patients (83.3%). Fifteen patients (62.5%) displayed tumor recurrence. The median time from surgery to recurrence was 10.5 months, and the 1-year recurrence rate was 73.3%. The 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 75% and 33.3%, respectively, with a median survival period of 17 months. Conclusion: Patients with cervical esophageal cancer who underwent surgical resection faced unfavorable outcomes and relatively poor survival. The selection of cases and decision to proceed with surgery should be made cautiously, considering the risk of severe complications.