Purpose: Various reconstruction methods have been proposed to reduce reflux after proximal gastrectomy, and we report here a double shouldering technique. The purpose of this study is to compare the novel double shouldering technique with conventional esophagogastrostomy in terms of short term and 3-year clinical outcome. Methods: A retrospective observational case control study was performed on 63 patients for cT1N0 upper third gastric cancer who underwent proximal gastrectomy from January 2012 to November 2016 at the National Cancer Center, Korea. There were 26 patients with conventional esophagogastrostomy, and 37 patients with novel double shouldering technique. The primary outcome was endoscopic reflux esophagitis findings one and three year after surgery according to Los Angeles classification. Secondary outcomes were short term surgical outcome and reflux symptom. Results: There was no significant difference in reflux esophagitis on endoscopic findings at 1 and 3 years after surgery between the two group. The double shouldering (DS) technique group showed significantly better postoperative outcomes with bile reflux at one and three years via endoscopic findings versus conventional esophagogastrostomy (CEG). Operative time and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the CEG group than the DS group. There was no significant difference in terms of reflux symptoms and complications. Conclusion This novel DS technique is a reconstruction method for use after proximal gastrectomy. It did not show a significant clinical benefit. Development of surgical techniques and further study is needed to identify the optimal reconstruction method after proximal gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to develop telesurgical conference system by establishing a gigabit broad-banded network between hospitals in Korea and Japan using Digital Video Transport System(DVTS) on internet protocol, and to audit performance of this system through questionnaire study. METHODS: The Korea Advanced Research Network(Korean side), the Fukuoka Gigabit Highway(Japanese side), and the Korea-Japan Cable Network(international line)were used for assuring a high speed network connectivity. DVTS streaming was propagated with 30 M bps bandwidth for two channels on IPv4 network. Network security was built with virtual private network solution to guarantee protecting patient's privacy. Technological performance and satisfaction of users were evaluated following the events. RESULTS: The teleconference sessions and live surgery transmission with DVTS on internet protocol using advanced research network were performed successfully. Bandwidth of 60 Mbps for two-line transmission was maintained throughout the conference. The quality of the transmitted pictures had no frame loss with the rate of 30 frames per second. The sound was also clear and the time delay was less than 0.3 sec. Effectiveness of telesurgical conference using advanced network was felt beneficial for 94% of the attendants in questionnaire study. CONCLUSION: Establishing an international telesurgical conference system with high quality digital video transmission over internet protocol using international gigabit network was performed successfully. With the improvement of network engineering, this system is expected to contribute penetration of medical skills and knowledge through network infrastructure.
Internet ; Japan ; Korea ; Privacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rivers ; Telecommunications*