• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2005

Purpose: Palliative procedures or surgical interventions not only manage various symptoms of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction, but also improve the quality of life. We investigated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of terminal cancer patients with palliative procedures for malignant gastrointestinal obstruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 48 terminal cancer patients with palliative procedures for malignant gastrointestinal obstruction at Sam Anyang hospital from May in 2002 to May in 2005. We excluded patients with palliative tumor resection. We analyzed prognostic factors in symtom-free survival and overall survival using Kaplan-Meier method, univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: There were 25 males (52%) and 23 females (48%), and median age of 48 patients was 65 years. The most common cause of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction was colorectal (26 patients, 55%), followed by stomach (10, 21%). Twenty patients (42%) received previous treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy) and 28 (58%) never received any. Eighteen of 20 had received chemotherapy. The most common symptom was pain (15 patients, 31%). Twenty three patients (48%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG) performance status of 1 or 2 score and 25 patients (52%) 3 or 4 score. The most common palliative procedure was colostomy and there was no mortality concerning the palliative procedures. By univariate and multivariate analysis, performance status was the only independent prognostic factor in overall survival and symptom-free survival. Overall survival was 150 days and symptom-free survival was 90 days. Conclusion:. We confirmed that perftatdormance status is significant independent prognostic factor in terminal cancer patients with palliative procedures for malignant gastrointestinal obstruction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 1990

Between Jan. 1962 and Dec. 1988 380 cases of palliative operations were done in 357 patients for congenital heart disease. These includes 55 cases of classic Blalock-Taussig shunt, 212 cases of modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, 17 cases of Glenn shunt, 26 cases of Waterston shunt, 3 cases of Brock procedure, 33 cases of pulmonary artery banding, 6 cases of transpulmonary valvotomy, 4 cases of unifocalization, and 10 cases of open atrial septectomy. We divided the operative procedures into the conventional and the unconventional. Under the unconventional procedures, the cases since April, 1986 were only included. The number of patients who died within the early 30 days after operation is the following: 40 in systemic-pulmonary shunts, 2 in Brock procedure, 12 in PAB, 15 in unconventional procedures. The age of the patients who need palliative operation is lowering more and more and their characteristics of the disease is being transferred to the more complexities. So the role of palliative surgery in the congenital heart disease is changing.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2018

Purpose: Little is known regarding the extent to which dying patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receive life-sustaining procedures and palliative care in U.S. hospitals. We examine hospital cost trends and the impact of palliative care utilization on the use of life-sustaining procedures in this population. Methods: Retrospective nationwide cohort analysis was performed using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 2005 and 2014. We examined the receipt of both palliative care and intensive medical procedures, defined as systemic procedures, pulmonary procedures, or surgeries using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9-CM). Results: We used compound annual growth rates (CAGR) to determine temporal trends and multilevel multivariate regressions to identify factors associated with hospital cost. Among 77,394,755 hospitalizations, 79,314 patients were examined. The CAGR of hospital cost was 5.83% (P<0.001). The CAGRs of systemic procedures and palliative care were 5.98% and 19.89% respectively (each P<0.001). Systemic procedures, pulmonary procedures, and surgeries were associated with increased hospital cost by 59.04%, 72.00%, 55.26%, respectively (each P<0.001). Palliative care was associated with decreased hospital cost by 28.71% (P<0.001). Conclusion: The volume of systemic procedures is the biggest driver of cost increase although there is a cost-saving effect from greater palliative care utilization.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2004

Purpose: As for the malignant bowel obstruction of terminal cancer patient, a prognosis is relatively bad. Physicians consider palliative procedures or surgery for the quality of life, but sometimes it is hard to decide. After diagnosis of a malignant bowel obstruction in terminal cancer patients, we investigated the clinical characteristics, the prognostic factors and the survival of patients with palliative procedures or surgery. Methods: we retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 40 malignant bowel obstruction patients who had been diagnosed as terminal cancer from May in 2002 to May in 2004. Results: There were 21 males (53%) and 19 females (47%), and median age of patients was $64.1{\pm}1.58$ years. The most common cause of malignant bowel obstruction was colorectal cancer (18 patients, 45%), followed by stomach cancer (11, 28%), pancreatic cancer (4, 10%), others (7, 19%). Metastases were carcinomatosis peritonei (14 patients, 35%), liver (13, 33%). During a bowel obstruction, symptoms were vomiting (15 patients, 38%), abdominal pain (10, 25%), constipation (6, 15%), abdominal distension (5, 13%). Performance status (ECOG) was 2 score (16 patients, 40%), 3 score (20, 50%), 4 score (4, 10%). Palliative procedure group were 30 patients, the others 10. Median survival in palliative procedure group was 142 days, that of no palliation group 30. Median survival time of palliative procedure group from palliative procedures or surgery were significantly higher than that of no palliation group from diagnosis of malignant bowel obstruction. Prognostic factors of palliative procedure group were PS, site of obstruction and primary cancer. Median survival in PS 2, lower GI obstruction and colorectal cancer was higher than PS 3, upper GI obstruction and others, respectively. Conclusion: we recommend aggressively palliative procedures or surgery in malignant bowel obstruction patients diagnosed with terminal cancer if palliative procedures or surgery could be performed effectively.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

As advance care planning is taking center stage in the field of end-of-life care, various tools have been developed to aid in the often emotional and difficult decision-making process. Video decision support tools are one of the most promising means of assistance, of which the modus operandi is to provide more comprehensive and precise information of medical procedures to patients and their families, allowing them to make better informed decisions. Despite such value, some are concerned about its potential negative impact. For example, video footages of some procedures may be shocking and unpalatable to non-medical professionals, and patients and families may refuse the procedures. One approach to soften the sometimes unpleasant visual of medical procedures is to show less aggressive or more relaxing scenes. Yet another potential issue is that the objectivity of video decision support tools might be vulnerable to the very stakeholders who were involved in the development. Some might argue that having multiple stakeholders may function as checks and balances and provide collective wisdom, but we should provide more systematic guarantee on the objectivity of the visual decision aids. Because the decision of the modality of an individual's death is the last and most significant choice in one's life, no party should exert their influence on such a delicate decision. With carefully designed video decision support tools, our patients will live the last moments of their lives with dignity, as they deserve.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.348-356
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• 1989

Seventeen patients of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum were underwent operation during 4.8years period from Jan. 1983 to Aug. 1988 at Seoul National university Hospital. The patients were composed of 8 males and 9 females, aging 1day to 2.5 years [mean 88 days]. We classified pulmonary atresia according to right ventricular morphology; those with tripartite ventricles in 12, those with no trabecular portion to the cavity in 0, and those with inlet portion only in 5. The tripartite approach to right ventricular morphology is helpful in selecting the type of initial palliative procedures. Palliative procedures were as follows; pulmonary valvotomy in 5 with 3 early survivors, mod B-T shunt in 4 with 3 early survivors, and palliative right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in 4 with 1 early survivor. Effective preliminary palliation of pulmonary atresia are pulmonary valvotomy or palliative right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in those with tripartite right ventricle, and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in those with no infundibular portion. The approach to definitive repair is based primarily on the actual size of the tricuspid annulus and the right ventricular cavity. Definitive repair was as follows: definitive right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in 4 with all survivors and mod. Fontan operation in 2 with one survivors. Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction can be done as complete repair for patients who had adequate tricuspid annulus and right ventricular cavitary size and mod. Fontan operation for patients who severely hypoplastic tricuspid valve annulus or small right ventricular cavity.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2022

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed medications in the hospice and palliative care setting, as well as in many other healthcare settings. The overuse or negligent use of antibiotics is associated with the harmful consequence of fostering the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Thus, there is an urgent need to critically examine and audit antibiotic use in all aspects of healthcare. In the status quo, there is a lack of consistent standards and guidelines surrounding the use of antibiotics in hospice and palliative care settings, leading to significant variations in how antibiotics are prescribed and administered in end-of-life care. It is apparent that greater thought needs to go into antibiotic decisions for patients receiving hospice or palliative care, especially considering the harmful consequences of the overprescription of antibiotics. The literature suggests that many clinicians prescribe antibiotics inappropriately for patients who would not benefit from their use or prescribe them without adequate documentation. Clinicians should be deliberate about when they prescribe antibiotics and adhere to the appropriate documentation standards and procedures within their institution or community. Future research should seek to generate generalizable knowledge about which patients will benefit most from antibiotic therapy during end-of-life care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6331-6334
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• 2015

Background: The main purpose of this study was to survey the education and training of certified gynecologic oncologists and fellows in Thailand. A secondary objective was to study the problems in fellowship training regarding palliative care for gynecologic cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted by sending a questionnaire regarding palliative care education to all certified gynecologic oncologists and gynecologic oncology fellows in Thailand. The contents of the survey included fellowship training experience, caring for the dying, patient preparation, attitudes and respondent characteristics. Statistics were analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation and chi-square. Results: One hundred seventy completed questionnaires were returned; the response rate was 66%. Most certified gynecologic oncologists and fellows in gynecologic oncology have a positive attitude towards palliative care education, and agree that "psychological distress can result in severe physical suffering". It was found that the curriculum of gynecologic oncology fellowship training equally emphasizes three aspects, namely managing post-operative complications, managing a patient at the end of life and managing a patient with gynecologic oncology. As for experiential training during the fellowship of gynecologic oncology, education regarding breaking bad news, discussion about goals of care and procedures for symptoms control were mostly on-the-job training without explicit teaching. In addition, only 42.9 % of respondents were explicitly taught the coping skill for managing their own stress when caring for palliative patients during fellowship training. Most of respondents rated their clinical competency for palliative care in the "moderately well prepared" level, and the lowest score of the competency was the issue of spiritual care. Conclusions: Almost all certified gynecologic oncologists and fellows in gynecologic oncology have a positive attitude towards learning and teaching in palliative care. In this study, some issues were identified for improving palliative care education such as proper training under the supervision of a mentor, teaching how to deal with work stress, competency in spiritual care and attitudes on responsibility for bereavement care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 1993

From February 1982 to December 1991, 49 neonates and 105 infants in less than 3 months of age underwent open heart surgery in Seoul National University Hospital. There were 98 males and 56 females, and their mean ages were 16 days in neonatal group and 67 days in early infant group. Their body weight and height were less than 3 percentile of normal developmental pattern. In order of decreasing incidence, the corrected conditions included Transposition of great arteries with or without ventricular septal defect [43], isolated ventricular septal defect [34], Total anomalous pulmonary venous return [21], Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum [9] and others [47]. Various corrective or palliative procedures were performed on these patients; Arterial switch operation [36], patch closure for ventricular septal defect [34], Repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous return [21], RVOT reconstruction for congenital anomalies with compromised right ventricular outflow tract [17]. Profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest were used in 94 patients [ 61% ]: 42 patients [ 85.7% ] for neonatal group and 52 patients [ 49.5% ] for early infant group. The durations of circulatory interruption were within the safe margin according to the corresponding body temperature in most cases [ 84% ]. The hospital mortality was 36.4% ; 44.9% in neonatal group and 32.4% in infant group 1 to 3 months of age. The mortality was higher in cyanotic patients [ 46.6% ], in those who underwent palliative procedures [ 57.8% ], in patients whose circulatory arrest time was longer than safe periods [ 60% 0] and in patients who had long periods of cardiopulmonary bypss and aortic crossclamping. In conclusion, there has been increasing incidence of open heart surgery in neonates and early infants in recent years and the technique of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest was applied in most of these patients, and the mortality was higher in cyanotic neonates who underwent palliative procedures and who had long cardiopulmonary bypass , aortic cross-clamping and circulatory arrest.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 1984

From Jan. 1962 to Aug. 1983, one hundred patients with cyanotic heart disease underwent various palliative operations at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, S.N.U.H. In the period from Jan. 1962 to Dec. 1973, in which the open heart surgery was not routinely performed, sixty-two operations including 2 cases of second shunt operation were performed in sixty patients, and all of them were tetralogy of Fallot except three cases. Various palliative procedures such as Glenn, Brock, Waterston and Blalock-Taussing operation were used in this period with overall mortality rate of 16%. In the period from Jan. 1980 to Aug. 1983, forty patients with cyanotic heart disease were operated and majority of them was complex anomalies. Only Blalock-Taussing operation was used in this period with a mortality rate of 20%. These two groups of patients were compared according to age, diagnosis and results of operations, and it appears that Blalock-Taussing operation is effective palliation for patients with cyanotic heart disease, especially with complex anomaly, with an acceptable mortality.