• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.4609-4614
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• 2015

Background: In recent decades, the prognosis for childhood leukemia has improved, especially for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In Thailand, though, the survival rate for ALL is unimpressive. In 2006, standard national protocols for childhood leukemia treatment were implemented. We herein report the outcome of the ALL national protocols and explanations behind discrepancies in outcomes between institutions. Materials and Methods: Between March 2006 and February 2008, 486 children with ALL from 12 institutions were enrolled in the Thai national protocols. There were 3 different protocols based on specific criteria: one each for standard risk, high risk and Burkitt's ALL. We classified participating centers into 4 groups of institutions, namely: medical schools in Bangkok, provincial medical schools, hospitals in Bangkok and provincial hospitals. We also evaluated supportive care, laboratory facilities in participating centers, socioeconomics, and patient compliance. Overall and event-free survival were determined for each group using the Kaplan Meier method. Statistical differences were determined using the log-rank test. Previous outcomes of Thai childhood ALL treatment between 2003 and 2005 served as the historic control. Results: Five-year overall survival of ALL treated using the Thai national protocol was 67.2%; an improvement from the 63.7% of the 12-institute historical control (p-value=0.06). There were discrepancies in event-free survival of ALL between centers in Bangkok and up-country provinces (69.9% vs 51.2%, p-value <0.01). Socioeconomics and patient compliance were key elements in determining the outcome (65.5% vs 47.5%, 59.4% vs 42.9%) (p-value < 0.02). Conclusions: Implementation of standard national protocols for childhood leukemia in Thailand did not significantly improve the outcome of ALL. Factors leading to better outcomes included (a) improvement of treatment compliance (b) prevention of treatment abandonment and (c) financial support to the family.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제58권7호
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• pp.263-266
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• 2015

Purpose: Ventricular repolarization is assessed using the QT interval corrected by the heart rate (QTc) via an electrocardiogram (ECG). Prolonged QTc is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and cardiac mortality. As there have been few reports regarding the effects of hyperthyroidism on ventricular repolarization, we studied the association between serum free thyroxine (free T4 [fT4]) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and the QTc interval. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with hyperthyroidism (<30 years old) were included, and we used their clinical records and available ECGs (between August 2003 and August 2011) to evaluate the association between their fT4 and TSH levels and their QTc interval. In addition, we studied the ECGs of 72 age-matched patients with no hyperthyroidism (control group) and compared their data with that from the patients group. Results: The QTc duration in patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly prolonged compared to that in the control subjects (P<0.001). In addition, the number of hyperthyroid patients with abnormal prolonged QTc was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). Among the patients with hyperthyroidism, patients with prolonged QTc and borderline QTc had higher fT4 levels and there was positive correlation between their fT4 levels and their QTc interval (P<0.05). However, no correlation was observed between their TSH levels and their QTc interval. Conclusion: We report that hyperthyroidism is associated with QTc prolongation. The correlation between the fT4 levels and the QTc interval suggests that thyroid status is associated with QTc values and the risk of cardiac mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.148-154
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• 2019

Background: This study investigated the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of primary chest wall soft tissue sarcoma (CW-STS). Methods: Thirty-one patients who underwent surgery for CW-STS between 2000 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The disease-free and overall survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The median follow-up duration was 65.6 months. The most common histologic type of tumor was malignant fibrous histiocytoma (29%). The resection extended to the soft tissue in 14 patients, while it reached full thickness in 17 patients. Complete resection was achieved in 27 patients (87.1%). There were 5 cases of local recurrence, 3 cases of distant metastasis, and 5 cases of combined recurrence. The 5-year disease-free rate was 49%. Univariate analysis indicated that incomplete resection (p<0.001) and stage (p=0.062) were possible risk factors for recurrence. Multivariate analysis determined that incomplete resection (p=0.013) and stage (p=0.05) were significantly associated with recurrence. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 86.8% and 64.3%, respectively. No prognostic factor for survival was identified. Conclusion: Long-term primary CW-STS surgery outcomes were found to be favorable. Incomplete microscopic resection and stage were risk factors for recurrence.

• 인터넷정보학회논문지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.77-88
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• 2018

자궁경부암 예방을 위해 2016년 6월부터 만 12세 여아에 대한 자궁경부암 예방백신 무료접종이 실시되고 있다. 이 연구는 언론이 자궁경부암 예방백신 부작용이라는 리스크 정보에 대해 어떻게 보도하였는지 살펴보고, 정부의 위험 커뮤니케이션 및 정책홍보에의 함의를 제시하고자 하였다. 구체적으로 자궁경부암 예방백신 무료접종이 시작되기 전 6개월을 1기(정책결정 단계)로, 무료접종이 실시된 후 6개월을 2기(정책집행 단계)로 시기를 구분하여 자궁경부암 백신 부작용 및 안전성 관련 기사 314건을 분석하였다. 내용분석 및 네트워크 분석 결과, 1기보다 2기에 관련한 기사의 수가 증가하였으며, 질병관리본부에서 자궁경부암 백신의 안전성을 강조하고, 백신의 효과를 부각시키면서 접종을 권유한 내용이 언론보도의 한 축을 이루었다. 자궁경부암 백신의 부작용과 관련하여 1기에는 일본의 백신 접종 피해사례를 중심으로 보도되었고 이에 대한 학부모의 우려가 보도되었으나, 2기에는 일본 뿐만 아니라 유럽, 미국 등 세계 각국의 피해 사례가 빈번히 보도되었다. 향후 자궁경부암 예방백신 접종률을 높이기 위해서는 자궁경부암 백신 관련한 막연한 두려움이나 불안감이 증폭되지 않도록 전략적인 접근을 해야 할 시점이다.

• 한국정보시스템학회지:정보시스템연구
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.43-58
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• 2013

This work investigates factors that may affect the choice of real options by ERP project managers. Financial theory suggest that these factors include risk-free interest rate, time to maturity, volatility of net present value, and options exercise price. Other than these factors, we are interested in the exogenous risks related to external uncertainties about technological cost, user learning and consulting, and so forth and we argue these risks should have a significant impact upon the volatility of net present value. To validate these factors empirically, we collected survey questionnaires from ERP project managers in Korea. We find that perceived exogenous risks with regard to ERP projects influence volatility and additionally find that ERP project managers prefer contract options of the project when the volatility of the project is expected to be high. We expect that this work will not only validate theoretical propositions but help project managers consider ERP options strategically based on these factors.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Purpose: The main cause of flap loss in microsurgical tissue transfer is venous insufficiency. Whether or not multiple venous anastomoses prevents vascular thrombosis and reduces the risk of flap failure remains controversial. Some researchers are in favor of performing dual venous anastomoses, but the counterargument holds that performing a single venous anastomosis does provide advantages. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 15 cases of anterolateral thigh free flap for extremity reconstruction performed between January 2011 and December 2013. The patients were categorized into two groups: group A that received a single venous anastomosis and group B that received dual venous anastomoses. The time of the anastomosis, size of the flap, complications of the flap, and survival rate of each group were analyzed. Results: The total microsurgical time in the single venous anastomosis group ranged from 28 to 43 minutes (mean 35.9 minutes). The total time in the dual anastomoses group ranged from 50 to 64 minutes (mean 55.7 minutes). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with regards to postoperative complications and flap failure. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the use of a single venous anastomosis in the venous drainage of anterolateral thigh free flaps is a safe and feasible option for extremity reconstruction and provides shorter operative time and easy flap dissection.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.478-482
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• 2011

Purpose: Free flap reconstruction is performed on defects including benign and malignant tumors as well as trauma in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, but there are few reports of free flap reconstruction cases for oral cancer in patients in Korea. Methods: This study was designed to retrospectively analyze surgical outcomes and complications of 164 free-flap reconstructions performed at the Oral Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, during 2002~2011. A total of 164 free flaps were performed for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects which were caused by oral cancer and osteoradionecrosis in 155 patients. Results: The present study had 162 successful cases and 2 failed cases for a total of 164 cases. The study had a success rate of 98.8% for free-flap reconstructions. Flap donor sites included radial forearm free flap (n=93), fibula osteocutaneous free flap (n=25), anterolateral thigh flap (n=18), latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (n=16) and other locations (n=12). Postoperative medical complications were generally pneumonia and delirium. Postoperative local complications occurred including partial flap necrosis, delayed wound healing of the donor site, infection of the recipient site and salivary fistula. The incidence of postoperative complications and patient-related characteristics including age, sex, smoking, history of radiotherapy, hypertension (HTN) and diabetes Mellitus (DM) were retrospectively analyzed. Patient age ($P$=0.003) and DM ($P$=0.000) and HTN ($P$=0.021) were significant risk factors for complications overall. Conclusion: The present study had no mortality and confirms that free-flap reconstructions are extremely reliable in achieving successful results.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.171-178
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• 2018

Background: To evaluate mid-term oncological and functional outcomes in patients with prostate cancer treated by robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) at our institution. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 128 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RALP at our institution between February 2008 and April 2010. All patients enrolled in this study were followed up for at least 5 years. We analyzed biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and predictive factors for BCR using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Continence recovery rate, defined as no use of urinary pads, was also evaluated. Results: Based on the D'Amico risk classification, there were 30 low-risk patients (23.4%), 47 intermediaterisk patients (38.8%), and 51 high-risk patients (39.8%), preoperatively. Based on pathological findings, 50.0% of patients (64/128) showed non-organ confined disease (${\geq}T3a$) and 26.6% (34/128) had high grade disease (Gleason score ${\geq}8$). During a median follow-up period of 71 months (range, 66-78 months), the frequency of BCR was 33.6% (43/128) and the median BCR-free survival was 65.9 (0.4-88.0) months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high grade disease (Gleason score ${\geq}8$) was an independent predictor for BCR (hazard ratio=4.180, 95% confidence interval=1.02-17.12, p=0.047). In addition, a majority of patients remained continent following the RALP procedure, without the need for additional intervention for post-prostatectomy incontinence. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated acceptable outcomes following an initial RALP procedure, despite 50% of the patients investigated demonstrating high-risk features associated with non-organ confined disease.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.289-293
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• 2006

By means of microsurgical free-tissue transfer providing a large amount of required tissue, the surgeon can resect tumoral tissue more safely, which allows tumor-free margins and enhances the reliability of the ablative surgery that otherwise could not be performed radically. The morbidity of elective free-tissue transfer seems to be quite low, carrying acceptable risks for most patients. But the elderly patients are at risk for cardiac and respiratory problems, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli and infection merely as a function of age. This study was undertaken to define further risks of the elderly population with regards to free-tissue transfer. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 110 microsurgical free-tissue transfers for head and neck reconstruction in patients greater than 60 years of age. Microsurgical procedures in all cases were preformed by the plastic and reconstructive department at Yonsei medical center. The investigated parameters were patient demographics, past medical history, American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) status, site and cause of defect, the free tissue transferred and postoperative complication including free-flap success or failure. There were 46 patients in the age group from 60 to 64 years, 34 patients from 65 to 70 years, and 30 patients 70 years or older. There happened 3 flap losses, resulting in a flap viability rate of 97%. Patients with a higher ASA designation experienced more medical complication(p=0.05, 0.01, 0.03 in each age group I, II, III) but not surgical complication p=0.17, 0.11, 0.54 in each age group I, II, III). And the relationship between postoperative complication and age groups was not significant. These observations suggest that major determinant for postoperative medical complication be the patient's American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and chronologic age alone should not be an exclusion criterion when selecting patients for free-tissue transfer

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제36권8호
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• pp.566-575
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• 2003

저자들은 본 연구에서 양대혈관우심실기시증에 대한 양심실 교정의 18년간의 임상 성적을 보고하고자 하였다 대신 및 방법: 1986년 5월부터 2002년 9월까지 양대혈관우심실기시증으로 양심실교정을 받은 112명의 환자를 대상으로 하여(남자 80명, 여자 32명) 형태학적 특성, 수술방법, 조기 사망과 재수술에 대한 위험 인자를 분석하였고, 생존율과 무재수술 생존율을 살펴보았다. 결과: 심실중격결손의 유형은 대동맥하형이 가장 흔하였고(n=58, 52%) 비교통형이 두 번째로 많은 유형이었다 n=32, 29%). 수술 방법은 심실 내 배플 수술(n=71, 63%),좌심실-대동맥 배플 후 우심실-폐동맥 인조도관 삽입술 또는 REV수술(n=24, 21.4%), 동맥전환술(n=14, 12.5%), Senning 술식(n=3, 2.7%) 등이었다. 34명(30%)에서는 교정 수술 전 고식 수술이 필요하였으며, 23명(21%)의 환아에서는 교정술 후 재수술이 필요하였다. 조기 사망은 12명(10.7%)이었고, 4예의 만기 사망이 있었다. 조기 사망의 위험인자로는 수술 당시 3개월 이하의 연령군(p=0.003), 심폐기 가동시간 및 대동맥 차단시간(p=0.015, p=0.067), 수술방법(동맥전환술)(p <0.001)과 심실중격결손의 유형(폐동맥하형(p=0.002)이 있었고, 다변량 석에서 3개월 이하의 수술 연령이 의미있는 위험 인자였다(p=0.011). 재수술의 위험인자는 교정술시 연령(1세 미만, p=0.02), 교정술 시 폐동맥분지성형술(p=0.024), 심실중격결손증의 유형(비교통형)(p=0.001), 수술 유형(인조도관 삽입술 및 REV수술)(p=0.028, p=0.017)이었고, 다변량분석에서 의미 는 위험 인자는 발견되지 않았다. 추적 관찰은 91명에서 이루어졌으며 평균 추적 관찰 기간은 10.8$\pm$56.4 (2~201)개월이었다. 5년, 10년 및 15년 생존율은 86.5%, 85%, 85%이었고 무재수술 생존율은 85%, 71.5%, 70% 이었다. 결론: 연구 결과 3개월 이하의 수술 연령군, 폐동맥하형 심실중격결손의 경우 조기 사망률이 의미있게 높았으며 이들 대부분은 동맥전환술을 받은 환아였다. 또한 비교통형 심실중격결손 환아와 페동맥 인조도관 삽입술 및 REV수술에서 재수술률이 높았다. 본 연구를 통해, 형태학적 특성과 연령을 고려하여 양대혈관우심실기시증에 대한 수술 전략을 수립하면 양심실 교정은 좋은 장기 성적을 기대해 볼 수 있다는 사실을 확인하였다.