PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the risk of local recurrence such as patients who were treated for Dukes stage B and C low rectal cancer by abdominoperineal resection (APR) or low anterior resection (LAR). METHODS: From 1985 to 1995, 81 patients with low rectal cancers which were within 3~8 cm from the anal verge were treated by curative resection, 38 by APR and 43 by LAR. The present study examined clinical and tumor characteristics, type of intervention as potential predictors of local recurrence. Retrospective data were analysed by univariate Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Local recurrence was diagnosed in 17 of 81 patients with a median follow-up period of 24 months. The local recurrence rate was 23.6% (9 of 38) after APR and 18.6% (8 of 43) after LAR. There was no difference in local recurrence between patients who had APR and LAR (P=0.58). Also we could not find any significant differences among age (< or =65 vs >65 years, P=0.53), sex (M vs F, P=0.57), sized of tumors (< or =5 vs >5 cm, P=0.32), distance from anal verge (< or =5 vs >5 cm, P=0.57), Dukes stage (B vs C, P=0.22), histological grade (well and moderate vs poorly, P=0.17), distance from distal resection margin (< or =2 vs >2 cm, P=0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The tumor factors such as Dukes' stage were more critical for pelvic recurrences than other patient factors.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: There is still much controversy about the prognosis of breast cancer developed in young women compared with old women. We performed this study to evaluate the pragnosis of the breast cancer in young women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1985 to 1994, 1189 women received opetaticms for breast cancers at Severance Hospital. The study group included patients less than 36 years old who had unilateral, invasive and primary operable breast eancers (N=158). The control groups included patients between 36 and 50 years old (N=518) and those between 51 and 65 years old (N=269) who had the same conditions as the study group. The 5-year survival and 5-year disease-free survival rate for three groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank method. To evaluate the age as an independent prognostic factor in premenopausal women Coxs proportional hazard model was used. RESULT: The overall 5-year survival rate and 5-year disease-free survival rate ot the study group were significantly lower than those of control groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in 5-year survival and S-year disease free survival between the two control groups. The Coxs propotional hazard model analysis revealed that the stage is the most important prognostic factor and the age was also an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of breast cancer less than 36 year old was poorer than that of 36-51 year old and 51-65 year old, suggesting that the age may be an independent prognostic factor in premenopausal women. More aggessive adjuvant treatment is required for breast cancer patients less than 36 year old of age.
Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: A retrospectiye study was done for understanding morbidity and mortality after major lung resection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 1994 to August 1998, 203 patients received major lung resections for various causes. There were 142 males and 62 females with a mean age of 47.5 years. Initial complains were cough in 47.8%, sputum in 33.0%, hemoptysis or blood-tinged sputum in 23.2%, dyspnea in 18.2%, chest pain in 15.3%, weight loss in 10.8%, fever and chill in 4.9%. There were no complaints in 5.9% of the total patients. The underlying diseases were lung tumor(102 cases/50.2%), bronchectasis(28 cases/13.8%), aspergillosis(24 cases/1.8%), tuberculosis(20 cases/9.9%) and others (29 cases/66.5%) and pneumonectomy(68 cases/33.5%). The postoperative complications were classified as : empyema, BPF, respiratory problem, persistent air leakage over 7 days, arrhythmia, ventilator applied over 24 hours, bleeding, wound infection and chylothorax. The postlobectomy complications were revealed as follow: empyema(3.7%), BPF(2.2%), respiratory problem(5.2%), persistent air leakage over 7days(8.9%), arrhythmia(2.2%), ventilator applied over 24 hours(2.2%), bleeding(1.5%), wound infection(2.9%), chylothorax(0.7%). The postpneumonectomy complications were revealed as follow : empyema(5.9%), BPF (5.9%), respiratory problem(17.6%), persistent air leakage over 7days(0%), arrhythmia(5.4%), ventialtor apply over 24 hours(7.4%), bleeding (7.4%), wound infection(2.9%) and chylothorax(1.5%). Reoperation was done in 8 cases (4.0%). There were 5.8% operative mortalities in pneumonectomy and 0.7% in lobectomy.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Chest Pain ; Chylothorax ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Empyema ; Female ; Fever ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung* ; Male ; Mortality* ; Pneumonectomy ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies* ; Sputum ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weight Loss ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

The somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), following stimulation of both the posterior tibial nerve (PTSEP) and pudendal nerve (PNSEP), comprise of the lumbar negative, subcortical and cortical potential. These can be used to assess the long somatosensory pathway, including peripheral, intraspinal and intracranial conduction along the entire length. This study aimed to compare the central conduction time between the PTSEP and the PNSEP, and to investigate the relationship between the intraspinal and intracranial conduction time in the SEP pathway. The SEPs following stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve at the ankle and the pudendal nerve at the shaft of the penis were analyzed in 20 normal male subjects. The central conduction of the PNSEP was found to be slower than that of the PTSEP (p <0.05). This difference is due to a delay in conduction rather than that of intracranial conduction.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory* ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Neural Conduction* ; Penis/innervation* ; Tibial Nerve/physiology* ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between meteorological factors and occurrence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) according to age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 735 ICH patients in a metropolitan hospital-based population. Observed and expected numbers of ICH patients were obtained at 5degrees C intervals of ambient temperature and a ratio of observed to expected frequency was then calculated. Changes in ambient temperature from the day before ICH onset day were observed. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to test differences in meteorological variables between the onset and non-onset days. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison of meteorological variables across gender and age. RESULTS: ICH was observed more frequently (observed/expected ratio > or = 1) at lower mean, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature (p = 0.0002, 0.0003, and 0.0002, respectively). Significantly lower mean, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure (p = 0.0003, 0.0005, 0.0001, 0.0013, 0.0431, and 0.0453, respectively) was observed for days on which spontaneous ICH occurred. In the subgroup analysis, the ICH onset day showed significantly lower mean, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, and higher atmospheric pressure in the older (> or = 65 years) female group (p = 0.0093, 0.0077, 0.0165, 0.0028, 0.0055, and 0.0205, respectively). CONCLUSION: Occurrence of spontaneous ICH is closely associated with meteorological factors and older females are more susceptible to lower ambient temperature.
Atmospheric Pressure ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Female ; Humans ; Humidity ; Meteorological Concepts* ; Meteorology ; Retrospective Studies ; Wind

BACKGROUND: Traumatic cardiac injury is very rare but mortality is very high when the diagnosis and management are delayed. We reviewed our case retrospectively. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From March 1995 to July 2003, 17 patients were diagnosed as having traumatic cardiac rupture. Five patients were stabbed, seven patients were motor vehicle accidents, four patients had fallen down, and the cause was unknown in one patient. Emergency operations were done and six patients were operated under CPB. RESULT: Four patients died during or after operation. The mean ICU stay period was 3.86+/-3.35 days and the mean hospital stay was 18.27+/-14.99 days. No mortality was observed in those whose vital signs were stable in the operating room. CONCLUSION: Preoperative vital status was very important and thoracic traumatic patient should be suspected as having cardiac injury.
Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Heart Injuries ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Motor Vehicles ; Operating Rooms ; Retrospective Studies ; Vital Signs

The authors designed a new biplanar method of measuring femoral anteversion, which may be considered a modified Magilligan's method. In addition to true A-P view, a true lateral view is taken, instead of trans-cervical lateral view in the Magilligan's technique. Acute angles(α and r) between the long axis of the femoral shaft and the femoral neck on both the A-P and lateral films are measured. The true angle (r1) of anteversion is calculated by substituting the values of tan(90-α) and tan (90-r) for the trigonometric formula tan r1 = tan(90-α)/tan(90-r). The measurement by the Magilligan's and the author's methods and the conventional CT method were compared with direct measurement for their accuracy in 20 sdult dried femora. Also correlativity among these three methods were analyzed clinically in 40 femora of 20 children. Following results were obtained, 1. Compared with the direct measurement, the Magilligan's, suthor's methods and CT method deviated an average of + 6.050 degrees, + 3.600 degrees and −1.150 degrees, respectively, all three being statistically accurate(p>0.05). The values for the latter two were closer to that of direct measurement. However, there was no statistical difference between the two. 2. The Magilligan's method overestimated in 95% and underestimated in 5% of the cases, and there was over-or under- estimation of less than 5 degrees in 20% and less than 10 degrees in 95%. The author's method overestimated in 70% and underestimated in 0% of the cases, and there was over-or under-estimation of less than 5 degrees in 55% and less than 10 degrees in 100%. The CT method overestimsted in 30% and underestimated in 60% of the cases, and there was over-or under-estimation of less than 5 degrees in 95 and less than 10 degrees in 100%. Both Magilligan's and autor's methods tended to overestimate and the CT method tended to underestimate(p<0.05). 3. The correlation coefficients among the Magilligan's and author's methods, the Magilligan's and CT methods, and author's and CT methods were 0.830, 0.592, 0.478 respectively, in clinical aspects. It is concluded that author's new method of biplanar measurement of femoral anteversion is more accurate than the Magilligan's method, while it is not less accurate than the conventional CT method.
Child ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Methods ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl

Spontaneous acute epidural hematoma (AEDH) co-occurring with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the skull is rare, with only 7 documented cases in existing literature. This report describes the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with decreased consciousness following intermittent headaches following minor head trauma. Computed tomography imaging revealed an AEDH, prompting surgical intervention. Despite preliminary assumptions linking the causes of the trauma, surgical exploration revealed no evidence of traumatic injury. Instead, an infiltrative soft-tissue mass within the skull was identified.Histopathological examination confirmed that the mass was a metastatic HCC. Despite the successful hematoma evacuation, the patient’s neurological status did not improve. This case underscores the importance of considering metastatic disease in the differential diagnosis of AEDH, particularly in patients with a history of malignant tumors, irrespective of prior indications of bone metastasis. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for such complex cases.

PURPOSE: Surgery remains the treatment of choice for a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confined within the liver. When there is no underlying liver disease, resection is the preferred option. In cases of HCC with cirrhosis, impaired hepatic reserve often precludes safe resection. Recently, acceptable transplantation outcomes have been shown in selected HCC patients. The aim of this study was to review the results of liver transplantation for HCC at the Asan Medical Center. METHODS: 73 HCC patients were treated by liver transplantation between August 1992 and April 2001. There were 7 in-hospital mortalities. The mean age of the patients was 51 years. The period of the median follow-up was 22 months. By reviewing the patients' medical records, we investigated tumor size, and number, TNM stage, survival rates, and recurrences. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 5.1 and SPSS 9.0. RESULTS: Among 67 patients, 8 (12%) developed a tumor recurrence or distant metastasis following the liver transplantation. The 3 year and 5 year survival rate were 88 and 57%, respectively. There were 12 incidentalomas. The 1 year and 3 year disease free survival rates of 54 cases, with the exception of the incidentalomas, were 80 and 50%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the survival rates between the groups, with and without preoperative TACE (P=0.70). Also, there were no statistically significant differences in the survival rates between cadaveric donor liver transplantations (CDLT) and living donor liver transplantations (LDLT). CONCLUSION: We assume that transplantation for HCC, in carefully selected patients, may be the solution to HCC in cirrhotic livers. If the donor safety with a LDLT can be ensured, its application to patients with cirrhosis and early HCC may be a solution to the donor shortage, which could improve the survival of this group of patients.
Cadaver ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Living Donors ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: Although there has been recent progress in surgical techniques, such as perioperative management, immunosuppresive regimen and intervention radiology, a liver retransplantation remains as the only therapeutic option for patients with a failing liver allograft. The purpose of this study was to review our clinical experiences of liver retransplantation, performed at the Asan Medical Center. METHODS: Between August 1992 and March 2001, 400 cases of liver transplantations, including 331 in adults and 69 in pediatrics, were performed. Of the 331 adult cases, 10 cases of liver retransplantation, during the same period, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the 331 cases of adult liver transplantation, 232 cases of living donor and 99 of cadaveric liver transplantations were carried out. The 331 adult cases also included 10 liver retransplantations. Therefore, the overall liver retransplantation rate was 3%. Primary non-function (PNF) was the leading cause of retransplantation. The conversion of living donor liver transplantation to a cadaveric liver retransplantation was the most common type of retransplantaion, with a cadaveric to cadaveric type the second most common. The in-hospital mortality was 40%. The causes of in-hospital mortality were hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm rupture, Aspergillus pneumonia, and multiple organ failure, initiated by jejuno-jejunostomy site bleeding and massive hepatic necrosis. CONCLUSION: In the current era of extreme organ shortage, retransplantation is the only therapeutic alternative for irreVersible graft failure, especially if the patient has no multiple organ failure (MOF) prior to the operation. Therefore, the careful selection of patients for a retransplantation is required. They should be given superurgent priority if the circumstances permit, and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) offer a promising alternative.
Adult ; Allografts ; Aneurysm, False ; Aspergillus ; Cadaver ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatic Artery ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Living Donors ; Massive Hepatic Necrosis ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Pediatrics ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Transplants