• Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.154-159
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• 2018

Purpose: Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in children. While most patients can be treated by enema reduction, about 20% require surgery. We investigated the usefulness and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery and the intraoperative risk of bowel resection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients who underwent surgery for intussusception from 2010 to 2017. We collected data for age, gender, body weight, associated symptoms, duration of symptoms, white blood cell count, operating time, and postoperative complications. Results: Of 155 patients, 37 (23.8%) underwent surgery due to enema reduction failure in 29 (78.3%), recurrence in 6 (16.3%), a suspicious lead point in 1, and suspicious ischemic change observed on ultrasonography in 1. The mean age was $26.8{\pm}18.9$ months (range, 3.5~76.7 months), and the mean body weight was $12.9{\pm}3.9kg$ (range, 5.4~22.2 kg). Laparoscopic surgery was successful in 29 patients (78.4%), and 7 (18.9%) needed bowel resection and anastomosis. The mean operating time was $56.7{\pm}32.8min$. A lead point was found in 3 patients in the bowel resection group (p=0.005); in addition, the operating time and hospital stay were longer in this group. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery was successful in 78.4% of the patients with a short hospital stay and early oral intake. The only predictive factor for bowel resection was the presence of a lead point. Laparoscopic surgery may be an optimal treatment intervention for children with intussusception, except for those who show initial peritonitis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.352-367
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• 2021

Purpose: Minimally invasive gastrectomy is a promising surgical method with well-known benefits, including reduced postoperative complications. However, for total gastrectomy of gastric cancers, this approach does not significantly reduce the risk of complications. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for the severity of complications associated with minimally invasive total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The study included 392 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent either laparoscopic or robotic total gastrectomy between 2011 and 2019. Clinicopathological and operative characteristics were assessed to determine the features related to postoperative complications after minimally invasive total gastrectomy. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify the risk factors for overall complications and mild and severe complications, respectively. Results: Of 103 (26.3%) patients experiencing complications, 66 (16.8%) and 37 (9.4%) developed mild and severe complications, respectively. On multivariate multinomial regression analysis, independent predictors of severe complications included obesity (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.02-6.43; P=0.046), advanced stage (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.13-7.43; P=0.026), and more intraoperative bleeding (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; P=0.001). Operation time was the only independent risk factor for mild complications (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.001-1.13; P=0.047). Conclusions: The risk factors for mild and severe complications were associated with surgery, indicating surgical difficulty. Surgeons should be aware of these potential risks that are related to the severity of complications so as to reduce surgery-related complications after minimally invasive total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.303-314
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• 2023

Purpose: The incidence of early gastric cancer is increasing in older patients alongside life expectancy. For early gastric cancer of the upper third of the stomach, laparoscopic function-preserving gastrectomy (LFPG), including laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) and laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy (LSTG), is expected to be an alternative to laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). However, whether LFPG has advantages over LTG in older patients remains unknown. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of consecutive patients aged ≥75 years who underwent LTG, LPG, or LSTG for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer between 2005 and 2019. Surgical and nutritional outcomes, including blood parameters, percentage body weight (%BW) and percentage skeletal muscle index (%SMI) were compared between LTG and LPG or LSTG. Survival outcomes were also compared between LTG and LFPG groups. Results: A total of 111 patients who underwent LTG (n=39), LPG (n=48), and LSTG (n=24) were enrolled in this study. To match the surgical indications, LTG was further categorized into "LTG for LPG" (LTG-P) and "LTG for LSTG" (LTG-S). No significant differences were identified in the incidence of postoperative complications among the procedures. Postoperative nutritional parameters, %BW and %SMI were better after LPG and LSTG than after LTG-P and LTG-S, respectively. The survival outcomes of LFPG were better than those of LTG. Conclusions: LFPG is safe for older patients and has advantages over LTG in terms of postoperative nutritional parameters, body weight, skeletal muscle-sparing, and survival. Therefore, LFPG for upper early gastric cancer should be considered in older patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.487-498
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• 2023

Purpose: Reduced port surgery (RPS) for gastric cancer has been frequently reported in distal gastrectomies but rarely in total gastrectomies. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of 3-port totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) with overlapping esophagojejunal (EJ) anastomosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 81 patients who underwent curative TLTG for gastric cancer (36 and 45 patients with 3-port and 5-port TLTG, respectively) were evaluated. All 3-port TLTG procedures were performed with the same method as 5-port TLTG, including EJ anastomosis with the intracorporeal overlap method using a linear stapler, except for the number of ports and assistants. Short-term outcomes, including the number of lymph nodes (LNs) harvested by station and postoperative complications, were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Clinical characteristics were not significantly different among the groups, except that the 3-port TLTG group was younger and had a lower rate of pulmonary comorbidity. There were no cases of open conversion or additional port placement. All operative details and the number of harvested LNs did not differ between the groups, but the rate of suprapancreatic LN harvest was higher in the 3-port TLTG group. No significant differences were observed in the overall complication rates between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Three-port TLTG with overlapping EJ anastomoses using a linear stapler is a feasible RPS procedure for total gastrectomy to treat gastric cancer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.202-206
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• 2023

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare complication that occurs in less than 1% of ectopic pregnancies, and uterine didelphys is one of the rarest uterine forms. We report a successful laparoscopic excision and repair of CSP in a woman with uterine didelphys and a double vagina. A 34-year-old gravida one, para one woman with a history of low transverse cesarean section presented to our hospital with a suspected CSP. She was confirmed to have uterine didelphys with a double vagina during an infertility examination 7 years earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 2.5-cm gestational sac-like cystic lesion in the lower segment of the right uterus at the cesarean scar. We decided to perform a laparoscopic approach after informing the patient of the surgical procedure. The lower segment of the previous cesarean site was excised with monopolar diathermy to minimize bleeding. We identified the gestational sac in the lower segment of the right uterus, which was evacuated using spoon forceps. The myometrium and serosa of the uterus were sutured layer-by-layer using synthetic absorbable sutures. No remnant gestational tissue was visible on follow-up ultrasonography one month after the surgery. This laparoscopic approach to CSP in a woman with uterine didelphys is an effective and safe method of treatment. In women with uterine anomalies, it is important to confirm the exact location of the gestational sac by preoperative imaging for successful surgery.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.438-444
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to analyze the learning curve of a low-volume veterinary surgeon for laparoscopic salpingectomy of Asiatic black bear. A total of 66 Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) were presented for sterilization using laparoscopic salpingectomy. These 66 bears were divided into three groups of 22 bears according to the order of surgery (A, B, and C groups, 22 bears per group). One veterinarian performed laparoscopic salpingectomy. There was no significant difference in age, body weight, or crown-rump length between groups. The hazard of completion for salpingectomy by 5 minutes was higher (p < 0.0001) in B and C groups than A group, whereas the hazard was not significant different between B and C groups. The factor that affected the hazard of completing salpingectomy by 5 minutes was heart rate, not age or weight. Operation time was 12.61 ± 8.04 minutes for group A, 5.35 ± 4.38 minutes for group B, and 2.80 ± 1.16 minutes for group C. The operation time for salpingectomy shortened over time. However, significant difference in operation time was present only between groups A and C (p = 0.001). The operation time for laparoscopic salpingectomy decreased rapidly for the first 7 bears (p < 0.05). It then decreased gradually until the 66th case. Operation time of laparoscopic salpingectomy was significantly decreased and stabilized after 33 cases (p < 0.05). As a result, the number of bears required for a low-volume veterinary surgeon to be proficient in laparoscopic salpingectomy is 33 or more.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.210-219
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• 2024

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate real-world surgical outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for advanced gastric cancer using Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA)-led nationwide data. Materials and Methods: A nationwide survey of patients who underwent surgical treatment for gastric cancer in 2019 was conducted by the KGCA. A total of 14,076 patients from 68 institutions underwent surgery, and 4,953 patients diagnosed with pathological stages IB-III gastric cancer were included. Among them, 1,689 patients who underwent MIS (MIS group) and 1,689 who underwent the open approach (open group) were matched using propensity score in a 1:1 ratio. Surgical outcomes were compared, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent factors for overall morbidity. Results: The MIS group had a lower proportion of D2 lymphadenectomy, total omentectomy, and combined resection. However, the number of harvested lymph nodes was higher in the MIS group. Better surgical outcomes, including less blood loss and shorter hospital stay, were observed in the MIS group, and the overall morbidity rate was significantly lower in the MIS group (17.5% vs. 21.9%, P=0.001). The mortality rates did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. In the multivariate analysis, the minimally invasive approach was a significant protective factor against overall morbidity (odds ratio, 0.799; P=0.006). Conclusions: Based on the Korean nationwide data, MIS for stage IB-III gastric cancer had better short-term outcomes than the open approach, including lower rates of wound complications, intra-abdominal abscesses, and cardiac problems.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.6-19
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• 2023

A systematic review was conducted in compliance with PRISMA statement standards to identify all studies reporting outcomes of laparoscopic resection of benign or malignant lesions located in caudate lobe of liver. Pooled outcome data were calculated using random-effects models. A total of 196 patients from 12 studies were included. Mean operative time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 225 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI], 181-269 minutes), 134 mL (95% CI, 85-184 mL), and 7 days (95% CI, 5-9 days), respectively. The pooled risk of need for intraoperative transfusion was 2% (95% CI, 0%-5%). It was 3% (95% CI, 1%-6%) for conversion to open surgery, 6% (95% CI, 0%-19%) for need for intra-abdominal drain, 1% (95% CI, 0%-3%) for postoperative mortality, 2% (95% CI, 0%-4%) for biliary leakage, 2% (95% CI, 0%-4%) for intra-abdominal abscess, 1% (95% CI, 0%-4%) for biliary stenosis, 1% (95% CI, 0%-3%) for postoperative bleeding, 1% (95% CI, 0%-4%) for pancreatic fistula, 2% (95% CI, 1%-5%) for pulmonary complications, 1% (95% CI, 0%-4%) for paralytic ileus, and 1% (95% CI, 0%-4%) for need for reoperation. Although the available evidence is limited, the findings of the current study might be utilized for hypothesis synthesis in future studies. They can be used to inform surgeons and patients about estimated risks of perioperative complications until a higher level of evidence is available.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.388-393
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Acute cholecystitis is a rare condition in pregnant women, potentially affecting the maternal and fetal prognosis. Our aim was to report the main clinical and paraclinical features of acute cholecystitis during pregnancy and therapeutic modalities. Methods: We conducted a case series analysis recording pregnant patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to our surgery department over a period of 11 years. We collected clinical data, paraclinical features, and management modalities related to cholecystitis. Results: There were 47 patients. Twenty-eight percent was in the first trimester of pregnancy, 40% in the second, and 32% in the third trimester. Abdominal pain was located in the right hypochondrium in 75% of cases. Fever was noted in 21% of cases. C-reactive protein was elevated in 39% of patients. Cholestasis markers were high in four patients. Abdominal ultrasound showed a distended gallbladder in 39 patients, with thickened wall in 34 patients, and gallbladder lithiasis in all cases. No patient had a dilated main bile duct. All patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy. Tocolysis was indicated in 32 patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 32 cases (68%), and open cholecystectomy in 15 cases (32%). Postoperative course was uneventful in 42 patients, and complicated in 5 patients. Rate of complications was statistically higher after open cholecystectomy (p = 0.003). Morbidity rate was higher in the third trimester (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Delay in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis during pregnancy can lead to serious complications. Management is based on antibiotic therapy and cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be less morbid than open cholecystectomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2007

Purpose: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been on the increase. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experience, to determine the safety and feasibility of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy with various types of intracorporeal anastomosis using laparoscopic linears stapler in treating early gastric carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We investigated the surgical results and clinicopatholgical characteristics of 81 patients that underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at our department between June 2004 and May 2007. The intracorporeal anastomoses were performed by using laparoscopic linear staplers. Results: The mean operative time was 287 minutes, the mean anastomotic time was 40 minutes, and the mean number of laparoscopic linear staplers used for an operation was 7.5. The mean time to the first flatus, the first food intake, and discharge from hospital was 2.9, 3.6, and 10.3 days respectively. There were 11 cases of postoperative complications, but no case of postoperative mortality or conversion to an open procedure. In 75 patients with an adenocarcinoma, the mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 38.1 and the stage distribution was as follows: stage I, 72 patients; stage II, 2 patients; stage IV, 1 patient. During the mean follow-up period of 14 months, 5 patients died of other causes and there were no cases of cancer recurrence. Conclusion: A total laparoscopic gastrectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis by using a laparoscopic linear stapler was found to be safe and feasible. We were able to obtain acceptable surgical outcomes in terms of minimal invasiveness.