• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 2009

Background: Primary focal hyperhidrosis is characterized by overactivity of the sympathetic nervous function, and this has been effectively treated with endoscopic thoracic sympathetic denervation (ESD). The imbalance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system that's created by ESD may affect the heart, lung and other thoracic organs. We analyzed the heart rate and ECG changes after performing ESD at our hospital, and this is the first such study that has been conducted on this. Material and Method: Of the 263 patients who underwent ESD between October 1996 and October 2006, 130 had ECG before and after ESD, and they were classified into 3 groups according to the level of ESD: Group I (n=40) patients underwent ESD at the 2nd rib (T2ESD), Group II (n=80) at the 3rd rib (T3ESD) and Group III (n=10) at the 4th rib (T4ESD). Result: There was no mortality or major morbidity. Heart rate (HR) was significantly decreased from $71.6{\pm}10.6/min\;to\;66.8{\pm}10.2/min$ after ESD (p<0.01); however, the PR (from $148.6{\pm}21.2$ msec to $152.8{\pm}20.5$ msec) and QTc (from $399.2{\pm}15.4$ msec to $404.0{\pm}15.1$ msec) intervals were significantly increased after ESD in the patients who suffered with primary hyperhidrosis (p<0.01). According to the level of ESD, there were significant changes in the HR and QTc interval in group I (T2ESD), the HR and PR interval in group II and the QTc interval in Group III. Conclusion: There were significant changes in the heart rate and ECG findings after ESD. The thoracic sympathetic denervation of T2, T3 and T4 affected the electrical activity of the heart at the resting state.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.215-222
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• 2009

Purpose: Billroth II gastroenterostomy is a typical reconstruction method after distal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma, but it has problems, especially frequent reflux esophagitis. Various methods have been tried to address this problem. Among them are Braun enteroenterostomy and Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy, which are performed separately according to the size of the gastric remnant. The aim of our study was to determine whether these applications are compatible. Materials and Methods: Between September 2003 and April 2007, we performed Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy operations (14 patients) when the size of the gastric remnant was <10%, Braun enteroenterostomy (17 patients) when the size was between 10 and 20%, and Billroth II gastroenterostomy (14 patients) when the size was between 20 and 40% after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer by a single surgeon at our hospital. We analyzed the results of each treatment. We evaluated the symptoms and endoscopic findings using questionnaires and hospital records. To evaluate nutritional states, we reviewed albumin and hemoglobin levels and body weight changes. Results: All operations were performed safely mortality was 0% and postoperative complications were 8.9%. On endoscopy, reflux gastritis was observed to occur in 7.63%, 18.65% and 40.0%, respectively, of patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y, Braun and Billroth II operations (P=0.13). Reflux esophagitis was observed in 1 patient in the Roux-en-Y group and 1 patient in the Braun group. Endoscopic gastrostasis was observed in 2 patients in the Roux-en-Y group, one of which was thought to cause reflux esophagitis. Patients in the Roux-en-Y group and Braun groups ingested a lower volume of food than did those in the Billroth II group (respectively, 7.1%, 0.0% and 28.7%) and complained less of postprandial discomforts (respectively, 14.3%, 23.5% and 57.1%) and reflux symptoms (respectively 0.0%, 11.8% and 42.9%). Conclusion: The application of Braun enteroenterostomy and Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy to the small gastric remnant may be effective for reducing reflux symptoms and abdominal discomfort after distal gastric resection. We recommend Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy when the size of the gastric remnant is <10%, and Braun anastomosis in the others. It will need to be determined which reconstructive procedure is better for many different conditions.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify potential dangers involved in procedure and evaluate complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) comparing to surgical gastrostomy (SG). Methods: A retrospective study of 66 children with feeding gastrostomy between 1994 and 2002 was done. Results: Of 66 children, 23 (mean age 29 months) had PEG and 43 (mean age 49 months) had SG. 31 cases of SG group had fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. PEG groups were followed up with an average 13 months and SG groups with 21 months. Major complications occurred in 33% of PEG group (8/23) and 55% of SG group (24/43). Major complications were significantly lower in PEG group than SG group and minor complications, too (p<0.05). Of major complications, aspiration pneumonia was the most common but paralytic ileus was significantly higher in SG group than PEG group. 8 patients died of underlying disease but not related to gastrostomy. Removals of stomata were done in 5 of PEG group and 3 of SG group. GER recurred in 25% of SG group with fundoplication and newly developed in 17% of SG group. GER persisted in 17% and newly developed in 5% of PEG group. Conclusion: The gastrostomy was a significant procedure with the potential to produce complications. PEG is recommended as an initial procedure in children requiring a feeding gastrostomy but should be considered a major undertaking.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2007

Purpose: Ingested foreign bodies are removed by endoscopy, surgery or spontaneous passage, however, the decision of therapeutic modality chosen depends on the type, size, shape and location of the ingested foreign bodies. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the rate and characteristics of foreign bodies that were passed spontaneously out of the intestine. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients who visited Samsung Medical Center for treatment of gastrointestinal foreign bodies between January 2001 to July 2007 were enrolled in this study. Related data was colleted by reviewing the medical records of patients with proven foreign bodies retrospectively, as well as by conducting phone interviews with the parents of the patients. All cases were classified based on the nature and location of the ingested foreign body, as well as whether it was treated by spontaneous passage. Results: Of the 160 cases involving the passage of foreign bodies in children were included in this study (95 boys and 65 girls), endoscopic removals, operative removals or spontaneous passages were conducted in 80, 3 and 77 patients, respectively. The spontaneous passage rates for each type of object were as follows; coins (36.5%), bead and baduk stones (83.3%), long and sharp materials (52.6%), magnets (69.2%) and disc batteries (50.0%). In cases involving round-shaped foreign bodies, such as coins, the diverse spontaneous passage rates were more diverse. When foreign bodies were stuck below esophagus, similar sized coins and baduk stones had spontaneous passage rates greater than 80% regardless of age. Conclusion: It is better for clinicians to wait for spontaneous passage to occur in cases involving coins or round-shaped foreign bodies that are located at or below the stomach.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2009

Purpose: To analyze the clinical spectrum of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after liver transplantation in children. Methods: From January 1988 to June 2009, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 8 PTLD cases among 148 pediatric patients underwent liver transplantation. The age at transplantation, time of presentation after transplantation, clinical manifestations, histologic diagnosis, results of EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) assessments, managements and outcomes of PTLD were investigated. Results: The prevalence of PTLD in liver transplant pediatric recipients was 5.4% (8 of 148). The mean age of patients was 25.4${\pm}$21.3 months (range 10 to 67 months). Seven of 8 patients (87.5%) underwent liver transplantation before 1 year of age. The common clinical presentations were persistent fever (8 of 8, 100%) and bloody diarrhea (6 of 8, 75%). PTLD was diagnosed with gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies in five patients and surgical biopsies in three. Histologic findings showed early lesion in three patients, polymorphic in two, and monomorphic in three. Burkitt lymphoma and lymphoblastic lymphoma were found in two of 3 monomorphic patients. Seven of 8 patients were found with EBV-positive. Eight patients were treated with dose reduction of immunosuppressants and infusion of ganciclovir. Rituximab was added to four patients. PTLD were successfully managed in all patients except one who died of sepsis during chemotherapy. Conclusion: Major risk factor of PTLD was to undergo liver transplantation before 1 year of age. Continuous monitoring for EBV viral load and gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsy may be useful to early detection of PTLD.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the factors correlated with the clinical course and outcome in patients of Henoch-Sch${\ddot{o}}$nlein Purpura. Methods: The medical records of 104 children diagnosed with Henoch-Sch${\ddot{o}}$nlein Purpura (HSP) from January 1996 to April 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and those without GI symptoms. When there were joint, scrotum, and renal symptoms except for skin lesion in whole HSP, those patients were excluded. The history of acute infection, duration of admission, treatment requirement, recurrence of HSP, CBC, stool occult blood test, abdominal ultrasonographic findings and GI endoscopic findings were reviewed. Results: Among 104 patients, patients with GI symptoms included 66 cases (63.5%), those without GI symptoms accounted for 38 cases (36.5%). GI symptoms included: abdominal pain in 57 cases (54.8%), vomiting 21 cases (20.2%), GI bleeding 5 cases (4.8%), nausea 3 cases (2.9%) and diarrhea 3 case (2.9%). Positive GI symptoms and GI mucosal lesions on GI endoscopy had a statistically significant correlation with increased admission duration, treatment requirement, recurrence of HSP, and positive stool occult blood. Six cases with small intestinal wall thickening were noted on abdominal ultrasonography. Six cases of hemorrhagic gastritis and hemorrhagic duodenitis, 3 cases of duodenal ulcer, 3 cases of hemorrhagic gastritis and duodenal ulcer, 2 cases of hemorrhagic duodenitis and colitis, and 1 case of colitis were noted on GI endoscopy. Conclusion: These results suggest that GI endoscopic examination may be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of children with HSP.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.3 s.19
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• pp.169-173
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• 2005

Background: Gastric polyps encompass a wide variety of lesions that most commonly arise from the gastric epithelium. However, coincidental gastric carcinomas have rarely been reported, being found in $1.5{\sim}2.1%$ of patients with hyperplastic polyps. The sizes and the pathologies of polyps seem to be important in the application of treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to classily gastric polypoid lesions after a gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: During a follow-up endoscopy study, 23 patients were found to have developed gastric polyps after a gastrectomy. Most of those polyps were removed by using an endoscopic polypectomy. We performed clinical and pathologic evaluations of the gastric polyps in the remainding in the stomach after a gastrectomy, Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.5 years old with the incidence of polyps remainding in the stomach after a gastrectomy increasing after the first year following the gastrectomy. The sizes of the polyps ranged from 0.3cm to 3.5cm in diameter and the numbers of polyps below 1.0cm were 19 (82.6%). The anastomotic site was the most prevalent place 10 (43.2%), followed by the cardia 6 (26.0%) and the body 4 (17.3%). Among 23 gastric polypoid lesions Yamada types of gastric polyps in the remainding in the stomach were as follows: 1 case in type I, 12 cases in type II, 9 cases in type III, 1 case in type IV. The pathologic diagnoses of the polyps were hyperplastic polyps in 6 cases, tubular adenomas in 2 cases and inflammatory polyps in 15 cases. Conclusion: Endoscopic polypectomy is believed to be important in assessing the precise diagnosis of gastric polyps remainding in the stomach. In this study, hyperplastic polyps were found to have no malignant potential, despite their sizes. As a result aggressive biopsy with a polypectomy of gastric polyp afier gastrectomy is recommended and frequent follow-up be performed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2002

Purpose: Foreign body swallowing is common in children. Most of foreign bodies passed upper esophagus are removed spontaneously. But recently, therapeutic endoscopy in children is widely used. In this study, we reviewed gastric foreign bodies regarding types, location, interval from swallowing, complications, and treatment or method of removal. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 96 cases with foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract at Department of Pediatrics in Gyeongsang National University Hospital (GNUH) from Feb 1987 to Feb 2002. Results: The peak age of patients (male=60, female=36) with foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract was 2 to 5 years of age. Sixty two patients (64.5%) were asymptomatic. The location of foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract were detected by simple X-ray in eighty one patients (86.0%), barium study (1 case), and gastroduodenoscopy in 37 cases. The most common location was stomach (63.5%). The most common foreign body was coin (41.7%). In thirty seven cases (38.5%), foreign bodies were removed with flexible gastroduodenoscopy. Fifty four patients (56.3%) visited GNUH in 24 hours after swallowing foreign bodies. The long interval (over 24 hours) of swallowing of foreign bodies is related with high frequency of endoscopic removal. Conclusion: The flexible gastroduodenoscopy was effective in diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies. Further studies for indication and validity of endoscopic removal of foreign bodies in upper gastrointestinal tract are needed.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2013

There is no established treatment for esophageal carcinoma with metastasis. For the metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, chemotherapy or best supportive care according to patient's performance status are accepted as an available treatment. We report a case of complete remission after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with metastatic lesion in 5th thoracic vertebrae. A 57-year-old man with ongoing dysphagia and weight loss was admitted to our hospital. On the endoscopic and radiologic imaging evaluation,the patient was diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus with solitary metastatic lesion in 5th thoracic vertebrae. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin) and concurrent radiotherapy for two months to relieve dysphagia. Because metastatic lesion in thoracic vertebrae was located near the primary esophageal tumor, the metastatic lesion could be included within the radiation field. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, consecutive 4 cycles of chemotherapy had been carried out. Primary esophageal tumor with metastatic lymph nodes and metastatic lesion in 5th thoracic vertebrae disappeared on follow up computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT). Follow up endoscopic biopsy revealed no remnant malignant cells at previous primary cancer lesion.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.403-414
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is recommended in fit patients with a carcinoma (PDAC) of the pancreatic head, and a delayed resection may affect survival. This study aimed to correlate the time from staging to PD with long-term survival, and study the impact of preoperative investigations (if any) on the timing of surgery. Methods: Data were extracted from the Recurrence After Whipple's (RAW) study, a multicentre retrospective study of PD outcomes. Only PDAC patients who underwent an upfront resection were included. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemo-/radiotherapy were excluded. Group A (PD within 28 days of most recent preoperative computed tomography [CT]) was compared to group B (> 28 days). Results: A total of 595 patents were included. Compared to group A (median CT-PD time: 12.5 days, interquartile range: 6-21), group B (49 days, 39-64.5) had similar one-year survival (73% vs. 75%, p = 0.6), five-year survival (23% vs. 21%, p = 0.6) and median time-to-death (17 vs. 18 months, p = 0.8). Staging laparoscopy (43 vs. 29.5 days, p = 0.009) and preoperative biliary stenting (39 vs. 20 days, p < 0.001) were associated with a delay to PD, but magnetic resonance imaging (32 vs. 32 days, p = 0.5), positron emission tomography (40 vs. 31 days, p > 0.99) and endoscopic ultrasonography (28 vs. 32 days, p > 0.99) were not. Conclusions: Although a treatment delay may give rise to patient anxiety, our findings would suggest this does not correlate with worse survival. A delay may be necessary to obtain further information and minimize the number of PD patients diagnosed with early disease recurrence.