• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2009

Purpose: Malignant melanoma is recognized as the most serious skin cancer. We examined anatomical distribution and 5 - year survival rate of each stage of malignant melanoma on lower leg. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 91 patients(46 males and 45 females) with malignant melanoma on lower leg from 1985 to 2008. Age, sex, anatomical distribution and 5 - year survival rates of each stage of malignant melanoma on lower leg were investigated. Also, 5 - year survival rates of each stage and invasion depth of malignant melanoma on heel pad were investigated. Results: On lower leg, most frequently 32 cases(35.1%) occurred on heel pad, 27 cases(29.7%) occurred on dorsum of foot, 18 cases(19.8%) in toe and 14 cases(15.4%) on others in lower leg. We used the excision margin as 3 ~ 5 cm. After wide excision, in stage III, IV, the patients underwent the immunologic / chemo - therapy. The incidences of each stage were 22 cases(24.2%) in stage I, 47(51.6%) in II, 17(18.7%) in III and 5(5.5%) in IV. The 5 - year survival rates of each stage were 85%, 53.2%, 47.1% and 40%. On heel pad, the incidences of each stage were 5 cases(15.6%) in stage I, 19 cases(59.4%) in II, 7 cases(21.9%) in III and 1 case(3.1%) in IV. The 5 - year survival rates of each stage were 80%, 63.2%, 42.9% and 100%. On heel pad, incidence of local recurrence was 2 and 5 - year survival rate of this case was 100%. And systemic recurrence was 9 and 5 - year survival rate of this case was 55.6%. Conclusion: The 5 - year survival rate of malignant melanoma on heel pad was higher than previous study. To maintain the weight - bearing function of foot, we recommend the active reconstructive surgery for heel pad reconstruction after wide excision of heel pad malignant melanoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2018

Purpose: Use of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is increasing in hypopharyngeal cancer. However, many show residual tumor after radiotherapy. Timing for treatment evaluation and salvage therapy is essential. However, optimal timing for salvage surgery has not been suggested. In this study, we tried to evaluate optimal timing for salvage surgery. Methods and Materials: Patients who were diagnosed with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2006 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Response of all treated patients were analyzed at 1, 3, and 6 months after radiotherapy. Any patients with progression before 6 months were excluded. Results: A total of 54 patients were analyzed. Complete remission (CR) rates at 1 month (CR₁), 3 months (CR₃) and 6 months (CR₆) were 66.7%, 81.5%, and 90.7%, respectively. Non-CR at 1 month (NCR₁), 3 months (NCR₃), and 6 months (NCR₆) showed poor locoregional recurrence-free survival rates (1-year rates of 63.7%, 66.7%, and 0.0%, respectively) compared to CR₁, CR₃, and CR₆ (1-year rates 94.3%, 88.0%, and 91.5%, respectively). Particularly significant differences were seen between CR₆ and NCR₆ (p < 0.001). Of 10 patients with NCR₃, 5 showed CR at 6 months (NCR₃/CR₆). There was no statistical difference in locoregional recurrence-free survival between CR₃ and NCR₃/CR₆ group (p = 0.990). Conclusion: Our data suggest half of patients who did not show CR at 3 months eventually achieved CR at 6 months. Waiting until 6 months after radiotherapy may be appropriate for avoiding additional salvage therapy.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2023

Purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a significant disease burden in children. This study aims to determine whether a short-course regimen is non-inferior to a standard-course regimen in children with UTIs without complication and presence of bacteremia, and to define, in the optimal way possible, the term "short-course" in this context. Methods: We conducted a rapid systematic review of research up to April 2021 in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. We included studies that compared clinical outcomes in pediatric UTIs treated with short-course(≤4 days) or standard (≥5-7 days) courses. Results: Our analysis suggests that short-course regimes have equivalent efficacy to standard-course regimens, with similar clinical cure rates and recurrence rates. All 10 studies comparing the clinical cure rates of short- and standard-course regimens reported comparable outcomes. The study evaluating renal scarring indicated no inferiority of short-course regimens compared to standard-course ones. Regarding UTI relapse, 8 out of 10 studies reported no significant difference in outcomes between short- and standard-course regimens. Conclusions: Our results purpose that short-course UTI regimens of 6 days or less are just as effective as standard-term regimens of 7 days or more in terms of infection cure and prevention of recurrence. Considering the equivalent rates of clinical cure and relapse between short- and standard-course regimens, it could be inferred that short-course regimens might be a more optimal strategy for managing pediatric UTIs without increasing the risk of complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 2005

Background: Chemical lumbar sympathetic ganglion block could potentially be used to treat plantar hyperhidrosis; therefore, we analyzed the outcome of lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol for the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis. Methods: Between March 1992 and June 2003, 356 patients with plantar hyperhidrosis underwent lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol. All 356 patients were followed up for 2 years and the results evaluated. There were 185 and 171 male and female patients, respectively, with a mean age of 25.1 years, ranging from 15.3 to 56.5 years old. Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol was performed with fluoroscopic guidance under local anesthesia. Results: The recurrence rate after 2 years was 34%. Compensatory hyperhidrosis, ejaculation failure, lower back pain and genitofemoral neuritis developed as complications in 132, 4, 12 and 2 patients, respectively. Of the 356 patients, 65% were satisfied. Conclusions: Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol is an effective and safe method for the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis, but more information about the complications and relatively high recurrence rates should be provided to the patient.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8549-8556
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• 2014

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the world top ten most common cancers with its highest occurrence in the Indian subcontinent and different aggressive and etiological behavioural patterns. The scenario is only getting worst with the 5 year survival rates dropping to 50%, persistent treatment failures and frequent cases of relapse/recurrence. One of the major reasons for these failures is the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small population of cancer cells that are highly tumourigenic, capable of self-renewal and have the ability to differentiate into cells that constitute the bulk of tumours. Notably, recent evidence suggests that cancer stem cells are especially resistant to conventional therapy and are the "drivers" of local recurrence and metastatic spread. Specific markers for this population have been investigated in HNSCC in the hope of developing a deeper understanding of their role in oral cancer pathogenesis, elucidating novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and newer therapeutic strategies. This review covers the fundamental relevance of almost all the CSC biomarkers established to date with a special emphasis on their impact in the process of oral tumourigenesis and their potential role in improving the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of OSCC patients.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.239-244
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• 2015

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by microbial imbalance of the vaginal ecosystem and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. The antibiotic treatment often results in very high recurrence of BV because it disturbs the vaginal ecosystem. The high recurrence rates suggest a need for alternative therapeutic methods and probiotics are being recognized as alternative or additional treatment method for BV. The purpose of this study was to investigate how human vaginal isolates of Lactobacillus spp. inhibit the BV-associated pathogen Gardnerella vaginalis. Results show that selected strains significantly reduced the viability of G. vaginalis. Among these selected strains KLB410 and KLB416 were further selected based on acid/bile tolerance and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing being Lactobacillus plantarum. Further studies are underway to demonstrate that the selected strain can be applied as potential probiotics for recovering vaginal ecosystem.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2016

Background: Arthroscopic surgical repair is a better intervention than non-operative (conservative) treatment for patients with shoulder dislocations. This systematic review determined the numbers-needed-to-treat (NNT) and relative risk reduction (RRR) associated with arthroscopic surgical repair versus non-operative treatment in reducing recurrence rates among patients with first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations. Methods: We searched Google Scholar, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL from inception in 2015. All articles had to compare arthroscopic surgical repair and non-operative treatment and be written in English. We used the total number of subjects and the number of recurrent dislocations within each treatment to calculate the NNT and RRR for each study and the pooled data. Results: Six articles were selected and all clearly demonstrated that the arthroscopic surgical repair was more effective than non-operative treatment in reducing the recurrence episodes. The pooled NNT was 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]=NNT to benefit 1.50-2.13) and the pooled RRR was 86.0% (95% CI=77.0%-92.0%) among individuals who underwent arthroscopic repair. The average follow-up time was 56 months. Conclusions: A Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy level of evidence of 1 with a grade A recommendation supports the use of arthroscopic surgical repair over non-operative treatment in prevention of first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations. We suggest that sports medicine practitioners consider the patients' age, occupation, and physical activity level when making a clinical decision.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.74-77
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• 2021

Lymphorrhea is a rare but potentially severe complication that occurs after various surgical procedures. Untreated lymphorrhea may lead to wound dehiscence, infection, and prolonged hospital stay. Currently, there is no standard effective treatment. Early management usually includes leg elevation, drainage, and pressure dressing. However, these methods are associated with prolonged recovery and high recurrence rates. We report a case of lymphorrhea from a calf wound after endoscopic great saphenous vein (GSV) harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The patient presented with intractable oozing from the postoperative wound on the right calf. Lymphorrhea persisted for 6 weeks despite negative-pressure wound therapy with a long-acting somatostatin. We performed unilateral pedal lymphangiography that confirmed wound lymphorrhea, followed by glue embolization. No recurrence was observed after 8 months of follow-up. This case report demonstrates the successful use of lymphangiography with glue embolization in the control of lymphorrhea after GSV harvesting for CABG.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.274-278
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• 2023

Ingrown toenails are most common among school-age children and adolescents though they can be observed at any age. Causes of ingrown toenails are increased curvature, trauma, and external pressure. Treatment of ingrown toenails can be broadly characterized as conservative and surgical. Conservative treatment can be performed using various methods, such as a gutter splint, dental floss, and cotton. Surgical treatments may be divided into two main approaches; narrowing of the nail plate and debulking of periungual tissues. However, these various conservative and surgical treatments have high recurrence rates, and thus, the author used a permanent surgical method based on the use of a paronychium flap to treat a 15-year-old male adolescent with excessive periungual tissues and curved ingrown toenails who did not improve despite conservative and several surgical treatments over 4 years. Subsequently, toenail shape was maintained without recurrence 22 months after surgery, and there were no complaints of inflammation or pain while walking. This simple surgical method can be performed on patients with advanced ingrown toenails due to excessive periungual tissues and nail curvature and can be expected to have permanent effects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.563-567
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• 2023

Ear keloids are challenging lesions to treat due to high recurrence rates postexcision. Conservative compression techniques as adjunct treatment have been reported to be effective. An innovative technique of using computer-aided design/computed-aided manufacturing to print a customized auricular splint improves efficiency and comfort level for patients compared with conventional methods. The ear is scanned using an intraoral scanning 2 weeks postsurgery. A two-piece auricular splint is designed on the digital model, incorporating perforated projections for three nylon screws for retention of the splint. The splint is printed with clear acrylic material, postprocessed, and finished. The patient is taught to assemble the components of the splint and instructed to wear for at least 8 hours daily. The surgery site reviewed for any ulceration, pain, or recurrence of keloid for 6 months. During the 6-month review, the excision scar remained flat and pink. The patient also reports unrestricted daily activities. The digital workflow increases comfort for the patient and reduces the number of hours required to produce a customized auricular splint compared with conventional methods. A fully digital workflow for a printed auricular splint should be considered for adjunctive treatment to excision of ear keloids.