Synovectomy of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis has been recommended as an effective procedure which improved symptoms such as pain, swelling, and limitation of motion. But some problems, such as limitation of range of motion, infection, long hospital days, occured in open synovectomy. Arthroscopic synovectomy yields reliable result compatible to open synovectomy with less invasiveness and postoperative morbidity. The authors analyzed 20 knees of 14 patients who has done synovectomy of knee in Kyung Hee University Hospital from September 1989 to October 1992. Of the 14 patients, thirteen were females and only one was male, ten knees were affected on the right and ten on the left respectively. Five knees were operated as open synovectomy and fifteen knees as arthroscopic synovectomy. In six patients, both knees were operated either open or arthroscopic synovectomies. The preoperative diagnosis of 20 knees were rheumatoid arthritis as clinically, serologically and radiologically, 13 knees are confirmed as pathologically. Average hospital days after operation were 19 days in open synevectomy and 11 days in arthroscopic synovectomy. Average operation time were 72 minutes in open synovectomy and 84 minutes in arthroscopic synovectomy. No complication occured as a result of these synovectomies. After average follow up of 19 monthes, 1 knee from 5 knees in open synovectomy and 3 knees from 15 knees in arthroscopic synovectomy had pain and intermittent swelling as postoperatively. And only 1 knee in open synovectomy had loss of range of motion. No other patients lost motion in their knees. Preoperatively 17 knees showed radiographic change of rheumatoid arthritis and 16 knees showed no progressive radiographic deterioration at final follow up. And patients overall showed a significiantly increased functional status postoperatively. In conclusion, the result obtained after arthroscopic synovectomy are comparable with those obtained after open synovectomy. In addition arthroscopic procedure had lessened postoperative morbidity as loss of range of motion, postoperative infection, long hospital days and useful as palliative surgery in advanced rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Palliative Care ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: Several guidelines have been proposed for surveillance colonoscopy after polypectomy. However, some discrepancies still exist between the guidelines and clinical practice. This study was conducted to identify Korean doctors' recommendations for the colonoscopic surveillance interval after polypectomy. METHODS: A survey of the attendees at the symposium of the 64th Annual Congress of the Korean Surgical Society was conducted. When the prepared clinical scenarios were given, attendees answered using a wireless radio-frequency audience response system. All responders' results were automatically counted immediately. Frequencies of different answers to each question were calculated, and our results were compared with those of previous surveys performed using the same questionnaire in the United States or Japan. RESULTS: The number of responder varied from 38 to 41. About 50% of valid responders selected 'follow-up in 3 years' for low-risk lesions, such as a 6-mm hyperplastic polyp, a 6-mm tubular adenoma, or two 6-mm tubular adenomas. Responders most-commonly selected 'follow-up in 1 year' for high-risk lesions, such as a 12-mm tubular adenoma with high grade dysplasia or a 12-mm tubulovillous adenoma. The majority of Korean doctors recommend postpolypectomy colonoscopic surveillance more frequently than American physicians did. CONCLUSION: A discrepancy between the guidelines and clinical practice for the surveillance after polypectomy still exists in Korea. A surveillance program that can be easily and widely applied in clinical practice needs to be established.
Adenoma ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Japan ; Korea ; Polyps ; United States ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is the integration of laparoscopic minimally invasive surgical techniques with flexible endoscopy technology. Surgical treatment has been in constant evolution in the search for minimizing incisions, regardless of the complexity of the operation. NOTES represents another step in this ongoing progression toward less invasive procedures. The advantages of such an approach include reduced incisional pain, decreased wound complications, such as infections and hernias, improved cosmetic results, and potentially faster recovery and return to work. Until substantial improvement in NOTES instrumentation are made to optimize this approach, these procedures are likely to require laparoscopic assistance. Critics challenge the safety and advantages of this technique in the face of effective minimally invasive surgical options such as laparoscopic surgery. Here, we discuss the current NOTES status and techniques.
Endoscopy ; Hernia ; Korea* ; Laparoscopy ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery* ; Return to Work ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Lymphomatoid Papulosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Tuberculosis*

No abstract available.
Lymphomatoid Papulosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Tuberculosis*

No abstract available.
Carcinoid Tumor

In the article, Methods of Hematoxylin and Erosin Image Information Acquisition and Optimization in Confocal Microscopy, there was a typographical error in the title.

Flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a fundamental skill in surgical practice, offering both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for a wide range of GI diseases. In Korea, the incidence estimates for gastric and colorectal cancers rank among the highest worldwide, underscoring the critical need for well-trained endoscopists. Surgeons play a pivotal role in managing GI diseases, reinforcing the necessity of systematic and comprehensive endoscopic education.This paper reviews the status of surgical endoscopy education in Korea, focusing on its historical evolution, structured training programs for residents and fellows, certification processes, and continuing medical education initiatives. Despite significant advancements led by organizations such as the Korean Surgical Society, challenges persist, including disparities in training opportunities across institutions and limited access to advanced therapeutic endoscopy. To address these issues, strategic recommendations include standardizing educational curricula, optimizing residency workloads for dedicated endoscopy training, enhancing simulation-based education through high-fidelity simulators and artificial intelligence, and fostering international collaboration to encourage global best practices.Implementing these strategies will strengthen Korea’s GI endoscopy education system,ensuring that future surgeons are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of patient care.

Flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a fundamental skill in surgical practice, offering both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for a wide range of GI diseases. In Korea, the incidence estimates for gastric and colorectal cancers rank among the highest worldwide, underscoring the critical need for well-trained endoscopists. Surgeons play a pivotal role in managing GI diseases, reinforcing the necessity of systematic and comprehensive endoscopic education.This paper reviews the status of surgical endoscopy education in Korea, focusing on its historical evolution, structured training programs for residents and fellows, certification processes, and continuing medical education initiatives. Despite significant advancements led by organizations such as the Korean Surgical Society, challenges persist, including disparities in training opportunities across institutions and limited access to advanced therapeutic endoscopy. To address these issues, strategic recommendations include standardizing educational curricula, optimizing residency workloads for dedicated endoscopy training, enhancing simulation-based education through high-fidelity simulators and artificial intelligence, and fostering international collaboration to encourage global best practices.Implementing these strategies will strengthen Korea’s GI endoscopy education system,ensuring that future surgeons are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of patient care.

Flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a fundamental skill in surgical practice, offering both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for a wide range of GI diseases. In Korea, the incidence estimates for gastric and colorectal cancers rank among the highest worldwide, underscoring the critical need for well-trained endoscopists. Surgeons play a pivotal role in managing GI diseases, reinforcing the necessity of systematic and comprehensive endoscopic education.This paper reviews the status of surgical endoscopy education in Korea, focusing on its historical evolution, structured training programs for residents and fellows, certification processes, and continuing medical education initiatives. Despite significant advancements led by organizations such as the Korean Surgical Society, challenges persist, including disparities in training opportunities across institutions and limited access to advanced therapeutic endoscopy. To address these issues, strategic recommendations include standardizing educational curricula, optimizing residency workloads for dedicated endoscopy training, enhancing simulation-based education through high-fidelity simulators and artificial intelligence, and fostering international collaboration to encourage global best practices.Implementing these strategies will strengthen Korea’s GI endoscopy education system,ensuring that future surgeons are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of patient care.