No abstract available.
Suction* ; Tonsillectomy*

No Abstract Available.
Arthroplasty* ; Knee Joint* ; Knee*

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is different with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) possesses an intrinsic nervous plexus that allows the LES to have a considerable degree of independent neural control. Sympathetic control of the LES and stomach stems from cholinergic preganglionic neurons in the intermediolateral column of the thoracic spinal cord (T6 through T9 divisions), which impinge on postganglionic neurons in the celiac ganglion, of which the catecholaminergic neurons provide the LES and stomach with most of its sympathetic supply. Sympathetic regulation of motility primarily involves inhibitory presynaptic modulation of vagal cholinergic input to postganglionic neurons in the enteric plexus. The magnitude of sympathetic inhibition of motility is directly proportional to the level of background vagal efferent input. Recognizing that the LES is under the dual control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, we refer the reader to other comprehensive reviews on the role of the sympathetic and parasympatetic control of LES and gastric function. The present review focuses on the functionally dominant parasympathetic control of the LES and stomach via the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.
Brain Stem* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux* ; Neurons ; Neurophysiology* ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; Reflex* ; Spinal Cord ; Stomach

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) with a balloon catheter is a standard method of treatment for membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava(MOIVC). But, correct therapeutic approach has not been established for MOIVC patients whose lesion is associated with extensive thrombotic IVC occlusion. We tried to treat MOIVC associated with or without thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 13 cases of MOIVC(associated with thrombus in 7 cases, no thrombus in 6 cases) with PTA, thrombolysis and self-expandable metallic stents. RESULTS: PTA was successful in 8 cases, but failed in 5 cases. The recurred cases were retreated with PTA, but follow up study revealed recoiling restenosis in 4 cases and intimal hyperplasia in 1 case at previous PTA site which could be overcome with a self-expandable metallic stent. The complication were occurred in 3 cases which were hemothorax, hemopericardium, and hemoperitoneum respectively. However, those were resolved by conservative treatment only. CONCLUSION: Recanalization and dilatation could be done in MOIVC patients with or without thrombosis for improvement of patient's symptom. Gianturco self-expandable metallic stent is sueful in treatment of recurred MOIVC after balloon dilatation and preventing reocclusion of the IVC after PTA.
Catheters ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoperitoneum ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Pericardial Effusion ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Korea has been increasing in recent years, but accurate statistics about operations for IBD are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends and current status of IBD surgeries in Korea. METHODS: Using a national database from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we analyzed data from patients who underwent surgery for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis from January 2009 to October 2016. RESULTS: The mean number of patients who underwent surgery for Crohn disease was 791.8 per year. Colorectal surgery, small bowel surgery, and anal surgery were performed fairly often (31.2%, 29.4%, 39.4%, respectively), and laparoscopic surgery continued to increase, recently exceeding 30%. About 50% of Crohn patients used biologics before and after surgery, and those patients also underwent a relatively high rate of anal surgeries (44.2%). The mean number of patients who underwent surgery for ulcerative colitis was 247.6 per year. Colorectal surgery accounted for more than half of all operations, and laparoscopic surgery has been increasing rapidly, having been performed in about 60% of patients in recent years. The incidence of colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis was very high and increased rapidly during the study period, reaching about 80%. CONCLUSION: The number of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for IBD in Korea has increased significantly. Biologics are actively used by patients with Crohn disease, with a high proportion of anal surgeries required. Many of the surgical indications for ulcerative colitis have shifted into colorectal cancer.
Biological Products ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery ; Crohn Disease ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Insurance, Health ; Korea* ; Laparoscopy

BACKGROUND: The number of cases employing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been increasing due to lower morbidity and mortality compared to open repair technique. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of TEVAR for thoracic aortic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent TEVAR from October 2003 to April 2010. Mean age at operation was 59 years (20~78 years), and 11 were male. Indications for TEVAR were large aortic diameter (>5.5 cm) upon presentation in 6 patients, increasing aortic diameter during the follow-up period in 4, traumatic aortic rupture in 3, persistent chest pain in 2, and ruptured aortic aneurysm in one. The mean diameter, length and the number of the stents were 33 mm (26~40 mm), 12 cm (9.5~16.0 cm), and 1.25 (1~2), respectively. Aortography employing Multi-detector computerized tomography (MDCT) technique was performed at one week, and patients were followed up in the out-patient department at one month, 6 months, and one year postoperatively. RESULTS: Primary technical success showing complete exclusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 15 patients. One patient showed a small endo-leak (type 1). Four patients developed perioperative stroke: Three recovered without sequelae, and one showed mild right-side weakness. There was no operative mortality. Diameter of the thoracic aorta covered by stent graft changed within 10% range in 12 patients, decreased by more than 10% in 3, and increased by more than 10% in one during mean follow-up duration of 18 months (1~73 months). There was no recurrence-related death during this period. CONCLUSION: Intermediate-term outcome after TEVAR was encouraging. Indications for TEVAR could be extended for other thoracic aortic diseases.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Diseases ; Aortic Rupture ; Aortography ; Chest Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Stents ; Transplants

The origins of medullary carcinoma (MTC) and papillary carcinoma (PTC) of the thyroid are embryologically different. Tumors showing concurrent medullary and papillary features are rare and they represent less than 1% of all thyroid malignancies. Hereditary MTC is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease which is genetically determined as part of the MEN 2A, MEN 2B, or variants of MEN 2A such as familial MTC. Germline mutations of the RET gene are the underlying cause of the majority of cases of hereditary medullary carcinomas. The pathogenesis of concurrent PTC with familial MTC has rarely been known. Genetic analysis of the RET oncogene has so far provided conflicting results. Here we describe a family whose sibling was affected by both PTC & MTC, and the family carried a germ-line point mutation in the RET extracellular domain that converted cysteine 634 into tryptophan (C634W).
Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Cysteine ; Factor IX ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Humans ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b ; Oncogenes ; Point Mutation ; Siblings ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Tryptophan

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of laser-assisted hatching (LAH) and various vitrification times for embryonic development and blastocyst cell numbers. METHODS: First, 2-cell and 8-cell embryos were collected by flushing out the oviducts. In the control groups, they were vitrified for 8 or 10 minutes without LAH. The LAH groups underwent quarter laser zona thinning-assisted hatching before vitrification (4, 6, and 8 minutes or 4, 7, and 10 minutes, respectively). After incubation, double-immunofluorescence staining was performed. RESULTS: The hatched blastocyst rate 72 hours after the 2-cell embryos were thawed was significantly higher in the 2LAH-ES8 group (33.3%) than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the control-8 group (22.1±4.6), the cell number of the inner cell mass was higher than in the LAH groups (p < 0.05). The number of trophectoderm cells was higher in the 2LAH-ES6 group (92.8±8.9) than in the others (p < 0.05). The hatched blastocyst rate 48 hours after the 8-cell embryos were thawed was higher in the 8LAH-ES4 group (45.5%) than in the other groups, but not significantly. The inner cell mass cell number was highest in the 8LAH-ES7 group (19.5±5.1, p < 0.05). The number of trophectoderm cells was higher in the 8LAH-ES10 group (73.2±12.1) than in the other groups, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: When LAH was performed, 2-cell embryos with large blastomeres had a lower hatched blastocyst rate when the exposure to vitrification solution was shorter. Conversely, 8-cell embryos with small blastomere had a higher hatched blastocyst rate when the exposure to vitrification solution was shorter.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Blastomeres ; Cell Count ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Flushing ; Herpes Zoster ; Mice* ; Oviducts ; Pregnancy ; Vitrification*

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to ascertain optimal assisted hatching (AH) method in frozen embryo transfer. We compared the effect of depending on whether mechanical or laser-AH was performed before or after the vitrification of embryo development rate and blastocyst cell numbers. METHODS: In order to induce superovulation, pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin followed by human chorionic gonadotropin were injected into 4- to 5-week-old female mice. 2-cell embryos were then collected by flushing out the oviducts. The Expanded blastocysts were recovered after the collected embryos were incubated for 48 hours, and were then subjected to artificial shrinkage (AS) and cross-mechanical AH (cMAH) or quarter-laser zona thinning-AH (qLZT-AH) were carried out using the expanded blastocysts before or after vitrification. After 48 hours of incubation, followed by vitrification and thawing (V-T), and blastocysts were fluorescence stained and observed. RESULTS: The rate of formation of hatched blastocysts after 24 and 72 hours of incubation was significantly higher in the AS/qLZT-AH/V-T group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The cell number of the inner cell mass was higher in AS/V-T/non-AH and AS/V-T/cMAH groups than those of others (p<0.05). In the control group, the number of trophectoderm and the total cell number were higher than in the AS-AH group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that AS and AH in vitrification of expanded blastocysts lead to the more efficient formation of hatched blastocysts in mice.
Animals ; Blastocyst* ; Cell Count* ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Flushing ; Gonadotropins ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Mice* ; Oviducts ; Pregnancy ; Superovulation ; Vitrification*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the surgical approach and adjuvant treatment in operable malignant melanoma of head and neck (MMHN). METHODS: Retrospective reviews of 31 patients who underwent surgery-based treatment with curative intent, either by the endoscopic or external approach, for MMHN were performed to analyze recurrence patterns, salvage modalities, and oncological outcomes (disease-specific survival and disease-free survival). RESULTS: Overall recurrence rate was 61% (19/31). In stage III patients (n=24), 50% (12/24) developed recurrences with a median recurrence-free period of 6.0 months, and 30% (4/12) of them was successfully salvaged by reoperation with adjuvant radiotherapy. On the contrary, all stage IVA patients (n=7) developed recurrences with a median recurrence-free period of 4.4 months. Distant metastasis was the most common pattern of failure and no patients were salvaged. Among variables, age and T classification, not the surgical approach, were significant prognosticators for disease-free survival and disease-specific survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with a lower rate of local failure, compared to surgery alone (hazard ratio, 0.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.06 to 0.75; P=0.02). However, adjuvant systemic therapy was not effective in reducing the risk of failures for any pattern. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that meticulous surgical resection, either by the endoscopic or external approach, with adjuvant radiotherapy increases the local control rate in MMHN.
Classification ; Disease-Free Survival ; Head* ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Neck* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies