PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise participation experiences of colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: A phenomenological method was used in this study. Ten adult colorectal cancer survivors were recruited and data were collected through in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The factors involved in the experiences of colorectal cancer survivors' exercise participation were categorized into 3 parts: (1) mental depression and isolation due to physical change, (2) barriers of exercise, (3) exercise participation for recovery. Though participants were aware of their changed body after cancer treatment and faced difficulties participating in exercise, they want to overcome these challenges through exercise participation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the exercise participation experiences of colorectal cancer survivors. Based on these findings, exercise maintenance can be promoted more effectively, and a higher exercise adherence of colorectal cancer survivors can be achieved.

Background/Aims: Guide tube-assisted endoscopy for procedures that require repeated endoscopic access is safer and more effective than conventional endoscopy. However, its effectiveness has not been confirmed in animal studies. We assessed the usefulness of guide tube-assisted endoscopic procedures in an in vivo porcine model. Methods: Five different guide tube-assisted endoscopic procedures were performed by experienced endoscopists on a pig weighing 32 kg. To evaluate the efficacy of these procedures, we compared the endoscopic approach time when a guide tube was used to that when it was not. Additional endoscopic procedures using a guide tube were performed, including multiple foreign body extractions, multiple polypectomies, and multiple submucosal dissections. To evaluate safety, we compared the insertion force into the proximal esophagus between the guide tube and conventional overtube methods. Results: Using the endoscopic approach with a guide tube required a shorter average approach time to reach the three target lesions than when using the endoscopic approach without a guide tube (p<0.001). Compared to the conventional overtube method, the guide tube method produced a lower average resistance during insertion into the upper esophagus (p<0.001). Conclusions Guide tube-assisted endoscopic procedures are effective and safe for repeated endoscopic access in an in vivo porcine model.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of oral spironolactone (SPRL) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Materials and Methods: The medical records and imaging data of patients diagnosed with CSC and treated with SPRL were retrospectively reviewed. Central macular thickness (CMT), subretinal fluid (SRF) height, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline, at 1, 3, and 6 months, and at the last visit after the treatment were analyzed. Results: In total, 103 patients with 107 eyes were included. The mean age of the patients was 51.5±9.3 years, and 77 (72.0%) were male. The mean follow-up duration was 48.6±40.2 weeks. The mean duration of oral SPRL therapy was 15.5±13.4 weeks. CMT, SRF height, and SFCT improved significantly at 1, 3, and 6 months after SPRL therapy and at the last follow-up. BCVA, however, showed no significant change at any time point. The rate of complete resolution of SRF at 1 month was higher in those with chronic CSC than in those with acute CSC (21.1% vs. 6.0%, respectively). Recurrence occurred in 14 (13.1%) eyes after the complete resolution of SRF. Older age (p=0.001), a greater number of previous intravitreal bevacizumab injections (p=0.006), and poor initial visual acuity (p=0.048) were associated with recurrence. No permanent adverse effects were observed. Conclusion Oral SPRL showed therapeutic benefits in patients with CSC in terms of SRF resolution, but relatively frequent recurrence was observed, especially in older patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of exercise participation among patients following transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction surgery. Methods: A phenomenological method was used in this study. Exercise experiences for twelve patients, who had undergone TRAM flap breast reconstruction, were collected through focus group interviews. Results: The factors that contributed to exercise barriers in the experience of TRAM flap breast reconstruction patient exercise participation were categorized into 3 groups: ‘fear of exercise after surgery’, ‘weakened emotional condition’, and ‘lack of exercise information’. Exercise facilitators after TRAM flap breast reconstruction were also categorized into 3 groups: ‘desire to improve appearance’, ‘feasiable exercise program’, and ‘exercise experience’. Conclusion The results of this study reveal the exercise barriers and facilitators for patients following TRAM flap breast reconstruction, which should be considered to develop effective exercise programs.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited disease characterized by the development of hundreds of colorectal adenomas, leading to a 100% lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. A prophylactic colectomy is recommended for patients with FAP to prevent colorectal cancer. Four surgical strategies are available for patients with FAP: proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy, colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, proctocolectomy with Koch's pouch continent ileostomy (Koch), and restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Koch and IPAA, which make ileal pouch, have theoretical advantage of the elimination of the risk of colorectal cancer and adenomas and good functional outcome of reduced defecation frequency. However, recent reports have shown frequent development of adenomas and carcinomas in the ileal pouch after Koch or IPAA. We experienced 2 cases of multiple pouch adenomas after pouch surgery in FAP patients. Both patients were treated with endoscopic mucosal resection without complications. We report these 2 cases with a review of literatures.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric cancer. The correlation between H. pylori, AG and colorectal neoplasm (CRN) has only been examined in a limited number of studies, and findings have been inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection status, AG and advanced CRN. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the presence of serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies, AG, and advanced CRN in 6,351 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who underwent a screening colonoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 316 participants (5.0%) had advanced CRN. H. pylori seropositivity was 61.3%. In a univariate analysis, the presence of H. pylori infection was associated with advanced CRN (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.91; p=0.001). H. pylori infection was associated with an increased risk of advanced CRN after adjusting for clinically relevant confounders (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.72; p=0.023). H. pylori-related AG was significantly associated with the risk of advanced CRN (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.91; p=0.030), whereas H. pylori infection without AG was not. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection increased the risk of advanced CRN, especially when it was combined with AG. Strict colonoscopy screening and surveillance may be warranted in those with H. pylori-positive AG.
Antibodies ; Atrophy ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Gastritis ; Gastritis, Atrophic* ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mass Screening ; Risk Factors* ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric cancer. The correlation between H. pylori, AG and colorectal neoplasm (CRN) has only been examined in a limited number of studies, and findings have been inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection status, AG and advanced CRN. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the presence of serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies, AG, and advanced CRN in 6,351 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who underwent a screening colonoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 316 participants (5.0%) had advanced CRN. H. pylori seropositivity was 61.3%. In a univariate analysis, the presence of H. pylori infection was associated with advanced CRN (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.91; p=0.001). H. pylori infection was associated with an increased risk of advanced CRN after adjusting for clinically relevant confounders (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.72; p=0.023). H. pylori-related AG was significantly associated with the risk of advanced CRN (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.91; p=0.030), whereas H. pylori infection without AG was not. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection increased the risk of advanced CRN, especially when it was combined with AG. Strict colonoscopy screening and surveillance may be warranted in those with H. pylori-positive AG.
Antibodies ; Atrophy ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Gastritis ; Gastritis, Atrophic* ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mass Screening ; Risk Factors* ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The pathophysiologic mechanism of rectal hyposensitivity (RH) is not well documented, and the significance of RH in biofeedback therapy (BFT) has not been evaluated. Thus, we aimed to assess the effect of BFT in constipated patients according to the presence of RH. METHODS: Five hundred and ninety constipated patients (238 males and 352 females) underwent anorectal physiologic assessments. Of these, anorectal manometry was performed before and after BFT in 244 patients (63 RH and 181 non-RH patients). RESULTS: The success rate of BFT was 56% in the RH and 61% in the non-RH group (p=0.604). The measurements of resting pressure, squeezing pressure, desire to defecate volume, urge to defecate volume, and maximum volume were decreased after BFT in the RH group (p<0.05), whereas only resting and squeezing pressures were decreased in the non-RH group (p<0.05). Among the RH group, individuals who responded to BFT showed decreased resting pressure, squeezing pressure, desire to defecate, urge to defecate, and maximum volume and increased balloon expulsion rate; among those who did not respond to BFT, only desire to defecate volume was improved. CONCLUSIONS: In constipated patients with RH, changes of anorectal manometric findings differed in comparison to patients without RH. The responses to BFT showed both anorectal muscle relaxation and restoration of rectal sensation.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Constipation ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Muscle Relaxation ; Rectum ; Sensation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is still evolving. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of DBE with that of small bowel series (SBS). METHODS: We enrolled patients with suspected small bowel disease consecutively, and performed both DBE and SBS in all patients. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (M:F=12:6, 14-82 years) were included. Indications for small bowel evaluation were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (10), abdominal pain (5), diarrhea (2) and abnormal CT finding (1). Of 10 obscure gastrointestinal bleeding patients, 6 showed the same findings in both studies. However, 4 showed negative findings in SBS while DBE detected erosions or ulcerations. Of 5 abdominal pain patients, 3 showed the same results in both studies. However, 2 demonstrated different results. One was suspected of early Crohn's disease in SBS, but proved to be normal in DBE, and the other was suspected of malignancy in SBS but was suspected of benign ulcers in DBE. Of 2 chronic diarrhea patients, one was diagnosed as Crohn's disease in both studies. The other was suspected of tuberculosis in SBS but diagnosed as lymphangiectasia by DBE with biopsy. One patient with jejunal wall thickening in CT proved to be normal in both DBE and SBS. There were no serious complications associated with DBE and SBS. CONCLUSIONS: DBE is better than SBS in terms of diagnostic accuracy. DBE may become an important method for the evaluation of small bowel diseases.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; *Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases/*diagnosis/radiography ; *Intestine, Small/pathology/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic en-bloc resection of the large colorectal lesions is technically difficult. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of combined endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and snare resection for treating colorectal lesions. METHODS: We enrolled 23 patients (M:F=14:9, age range: 46~76 years) with 25 colo rectal tumors that were around or above 20 mm in diameter. A combined treatment of ESD and snare resection was performed. RESULTS: The mean size of the 25 lesions was 22.6+/-8.2 mm (range: 15.0~44.0 mm). Ten lesions were laterally spreading tumors and 15 lesions were found in the rectum. On the histopathologic examination, 16 lesions were adenocarcinoma, 2 lesions were villous adenoma, 1 lesion was a villotubular adenoma, 5 lesions were tubular adenoma and 1 lesion was a hyperplastic polyp. The mean resection time was 27+/-22 min (range: 10~91 min). En bloc resection was possible for 19 lesions (76%). Of these, 18 specimens showed clear resection margins and 1 showed a positive deep resection margin. Of the 6 piecemeal resection cases, 2 showed positive lateral resection margins. Therefore, an 88% tumor free resection rate was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Combined ESD and snare resection may be an effective and safe modality for the resection of large colorectal lesions.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma ; Adenoma, Villous ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Polyps ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum ; SNARE Proteins*