In complete urethral stricture, visual internal urethrotomy has not so high success rate because of the difficulty in determining the precise direction of incision and the inadequacy in scar tissue removal. Nd:YAG laser internal urethrotomy vaporizes the fibrotic scar tissue on strictured urethra and make for re-epithelization of urethra without scar tissue formation. We report experiences of 11 cases of two-staged Nd:YAG laser internal urethrotomy for complete urethral stricture. Age of patients was ranged from 25 to 61 (mean; 42) years old. All of 11 cases developed after urethral injury and was complete urethral stricture. The aim of first stage of operation is to make communication through region of urethral stricture. At second stage of operation, we reconfirmed the direction of neourethra, excised and vaporized the fibrotic scar tissue on strictured urethra using Nd:YAG laser at all directions to achieve normal appearance as possible. Follow-up duration was 6-18 (mean; 14) months. There was no recurrence at all. After 6 months, maximal flow rate was 21-29 (mean; 23.7) ml/sec, and we could not find any stricture portion on retrograde urethrogram. As a conclusion, two-staged Nd:YAG laser internal urethrotomy for complete urethral stricture is a new alternative method, which has many advantages such as technical simplicity, clear operative field due to less bleeding, unnecessity, of adjuvant urethral dilation, and no recurrence rate after the operation.
Cicatrix ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Urethra ; Urethral Stricture*

The sling operation is especially indicated in patients with intrinsic sphincter dysfunction (ISD). We evaluated of the effectiveness of the sling operation for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence patients with ISD. We operated 7 patients and followed up all of the patients for 214 (mean 8) months. Preoperative maximal urethral closure pressure was ranged from 23 to 74 (mean 38.4) cmH2O and valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) was ranged from 41 to 78 (mean 59.5) cmH2O. We applied rectus fascia or GoreTex mesh as sling material. As a results, genuine stress incontinence (GSI) had completely cured in all of 7 cases. However, postoperative urinary retention was developed in two cases. In one of these, we released suspension suture, and in another case, urethrolysis and Raz operation was underwent in other hospital. All of these two cases showed improvement of voiding and any recurrence of incontinence was not noted. In conclusion, GSI due to ISD can be cured by the technique of the sling operation, so we suggest that the sling operation is one of the treatment for GSI patient with ISD.
Fascia ; Humans ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Recurrence ; Sutures ; Urinary Retention

PURPOSE: Phyllodes tumors are characterized by a double-layered epithelial component arranged in cleft-like ducts surrounded by a hypercellular spindle-celled stroma. Currently, phyllodes tumors are classified as benign, borderline, or malignant based on microscopic features. The relatively high rate of recurrence is an unsolved management problem. If a malignant phllodes tumor is treated inadequately, it may show a propensity for rapid growth and metastatic spread. However, benign phyllodes tumor are often indistinguishable from fibroadenoma, and can be cured by local surgery. Percutaneous removal of benign breast tumors using the Mammotome system has recently been regarded as a feasible, safe method without serious complications. The Mammotome system has an expanding role in the surgical treatment of benign breast disease, and may further extend its role to the excision of small malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the Mammotome biopsy device in the treatment of benign phyllodes tumor, and to identify whether surgical excision is necessary for benign phyllodes tumors diagnosed and excised by Mammotome. METHODS: From Jan. 2003 to Feb. 2007, a total of 2,751 US- guided mammotome excisions were performed in 2,226 patients at Kangnam Cha hospital. Out of 2,751 lesions, 30 lesions were proved to be benign phyllodes tumors. All lesions were removed using an 8-gauge probe without any residual lesions. Ultrasonographic follow-up was performed at a 3- to 6-month interval to assess recurrence. The mean follow-up period was 33.2 months (max, 51 months; min, 2 months). RESULTS: The mean patient age was 31.4 years. The average size of the lesion was 1.5 cm (SD+0.43 cm). The majority of lesions, 73.3% (22 cases), were palpable, and 26.7% (8 cases) were nonpalpable. Twenty-two lesions (73.8%) were classified as BIRADS category 3, eight lesions (26.7%) were classified as category 4A by ultrasound. During the follow-up period, local recurrence developed in only one patient, making the local recurrence rate 3.3%. No distant metastasis was observed. CONCLUSION: Benign phyllodes tumors found on mammotome excision may not require surgical reexcision if surgeons are sure that the targeted lesions were excised completely and the follow-up ultrasound does not show any residual lesions, especially in small phyllodes tumors, the greatest dimension of which is less than 3 cm.
Biopsy* ; Breast Diseases ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Fibroadenoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phyllodes Tumor* ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography

We describe the use of a new urethral stent implanted in 6 patients with prostatic outflow obstruction. All patients were in a high risk group for surgery and treated successfully, for a follow-up of 6 to 13 (mean 8.5) months. The majority of patients were satisfied with the procedure, which provided a quick, safe and effective results, compared with conventional surgical treatment. The stent, woven from nitinol in the form of a tubular mesh, was inserted into the prostatic urethra via a delivery device using endoscopic control under local anesthesia. During follow-up period, the stent remained in situ and there were no urinary incontinence or other complications. The average maximum flow rate at postoperative 6 months was 19.5 ml/sec. This stent is a useful alternative to conventional surgical treatment in the high risk and large prostate patient.
Anesthesia, Local ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prostate ; Stents* ; Urethra ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: Occult papillary thyroid carcinomas (OPC) are defined as tumors measuring <15 mm. These tumors are believed to be a less aggressive subset of papillary cancers. They generally behave more like benign lesions and are often more conservatively treated. However, it is unclear if a cancer 1.0 to 1.5 cm in diameter will have a similar favorable clinical behavior as tumors <1.0 cm (micropapillary thyroid carcinoma). Therefore, a retrospective chart review study of patients with OPC in order was carried out in order to answer this question and characterize the biology and optimal treatment for OPCs. METHODS: From October 2001 to January 2007, Among the impalpable thyroid nodules detected incidentally during screening examinations, 260 patients underwent surgery for occult papillary thyroid cancer (OPC) at Kangnam Cha University hospital. The data from these patients was analyzed retrospectively. The mean follow up period was 25.6 +/- 14.5 (max: 63, min: 1) months. RESULTS: The mean age of these patients was 42.8 years, and 233 (89.5%) were female. 46.2% of patients underwent a total or neartotal thyroidectomy, and 54.6% underwent a central lymph node dissection. Of the 260 patients, 55 (21.2%) had lymph node metastases. The OPC presented with signs of aggressiveness including multifocality (34.2%), bilaterality (17.7%), capsular invasion (52.7%), and lymph node metastases (21.2%). A progressively increasing frequency of the signs of tumor aggressiveness was observed with increasing tumor size at presentation. LN metastases were associated with the tumor size (P=0.0063), extracapsular invasion (P=0.0015) and multfocallity (P=0.0020). However, there was no association with age and gender. With a follow-up of up to 63 months, 3 patients had a local recurrence (0.014%). No patients currently have active disease and no patients with OPC died during this period. CONCLUSION: In OPC patients, there is a progressively increasing frequency of the signs of tumor aggressiveness with increasing tumor size. Moreover, a small size itself cannot guarantee low risk and low recurrence rate. The prevalence of LN metastases and extracapsular invasion were higher in those with a tumor size >0.5 cm. A near-total or total thyroidectomy with a central lymph node dissection is the preferred treatment. The early detection and treatment of OPC might be warranted through the routine use of thyroid USG and USG-guided FNA.
Biology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Mass Screening ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroidectomy

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.