Cryosupernatant which is the residual plasma fraction after removing cryoprecipitate has been used for plasma exchange in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome replacing the fresh frozen plasma. Recently, the unusually large yon Willebrand factor multireefs (ULvWFM) has been observed in patients with refractory or chronic relapsing hemolytic uremic syndrome as well as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura which disappeared by infusion or plasma exchange with cryosupernatant, and infusion of fresh frozen plasma, the largest multimers of yon Willebrand factor were replenished that it might be a cause of refractoriness. This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of home-made cryosupernatant from thawed fresh frozen plasma and its thehrapeutic effect in a hemolytic uremic syndrome patient. The level of fibrinogen, coagulation factor VIII, vWF antigen, and ristocetin cofactor activity was decreased and yon Willebrand factor multimers were barely seen in cryosupernatant than those of in fresh frozen plasma. A hemolytic uremic syndrome patient tried with exchange and infusion of cryosupernatant showed excellent recovery. It is concluded that home-made cryosupernatant shares many of the features of fresh frozen plasma except factor VIII, especially von Willebrand factor multimers, and thus it could be a useful alternative to fresh frozen plasma in case of refractory hemolytic uremic synydrome.
Factor VIII ; Fibrinogen ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome ; Humans ; Plasma Exchange* ; Plasma* ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; von Willebrand Factor

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes and safety of robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) in patients with uterine/vaginal vault prolapse. METHODS: Between January 2009 and June 2015, 16 women with apical prolapse underwent RSC. Pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) examination was performed, and treatment success was defined as the presence of grade 0 or I apical prolapse upon POP-Q examination at the final follow-up. Pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-SF 20) was administered at every follow-up. A treatment satisfaction questionnaire was administered by telephone to evaluate patient satisfaction with the operation. RESULTS: Median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 56–68 years), and follow-up duration was 25.3 months (IQR, 5.4–34.0 months). Thirteen women (81.3%) had ≥grade III apical prolapse. Operation time was 251 minutes (IQR, 236–288 minutes), and blood loss was 75 mL (IQR, 50–150 mL). Median hospital stay was 4 days (IQR, 3–5 days). At the final follow-up, treatment success was reported in all patients, who presented grade 0 (n=8, 57.1%) and grade I (n=6, 42.9%) apical prolapse. Dramatic improvements in PFDI-SF 20 scores were noted after RSC (from 39 to 4; P=0.001). Most patients (12 of 13) were satisfied with RSC. An intraoperative complication (sacral venous plexus injury) was reported in 1 patient, and there was no conversion to open surgery. Mesh erosion was not reported. CONCLUSIONS: RSC is an efficient and safe surgical option for apical prolapse repair. Most patients were satisfied with RSC. Thus, RSC might be one of the best treatment options for apical prolapse in women.
Conversion to Open Surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Length of Stay ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pelvic Floor ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse* ; Prolapse ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Telephone ; Uterine Prolapse

PURPOSE: Recently, the change to a more complex social structure has led to an increased frequency of traumas due to violence, accident and so on. In addition, the severity of the traumas and the frequency of penetrating injuries have also increased. Traumas to cervical and abdominal areas, what are commonly seen by general surgeons, can have mild to fatal consequences because in these areas, various organs that are vital to sustaining life are located. The exact location and characteristics of the injury are vital to treating patients with the trauma to these areas. Thus, with this background in mind, we studied, compared, and analyzed clinical manifestations of patients who were admitted to Wonju Christian hospital for penetrating injuries inflicted by themselves or others. METHODS: We selected and performed a retrospective study of 64 patients who had been admitted to Wonju Christian Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009 and who had cervical or abdominal penetrating injuries clearly inflicted by themselves or others. RESULTS: There were 51 male (79.7%) and 13 female (20.3%) patients, and the number of male patients was more dominant in this study, having a sex ratio of 3.9 to 1. The range of ages was between 20 and 86 years, and mean age was 43.2 years. There were 5 self-inflicted cervical injuries, and 19 self-inflicted abdominal injuries, making the total number of self-inflicted injury 24. Cervical and abdominal injuries caused by others were found in 11 and 29 patients, respectively. The most common area involved in self-inflicted injuries to the abdomen was the epigastric area, nine cases, and the right-side zone II was the most commonly involved area. On the other hand, in injuries inflicted by others, the left upper quadrant of the abdomen was the most common site of the injury, 14 cases. In the neck, the left-side zone II was the most injured site. In cases of self-inflicted neck injury, jugular vein damage and cervical muscle damage without deep organ injury were observed in two cases each, making them the most common. In cases with abdominal injuries, seven cases had limited abdominal wall injury, making it the most common injury. The most common deep organ injury was small bowel wounds, five cases. In patients with injuries caused by others, six had cervical muscle damage, making it the most common injury found in that area. In the abdomen, small bowel injury was found to be the most common injury, being evidenced in 13 cases. In self-inflicted injuries, a statistical analysis discovered that the total duration of admission and the number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit were significantly shorter and smaller, retrospectively, than in the patient group that had injuries caused by others. No statistically significant difference was found when the injury sequels were compared between the self-inflicted-injury and the injury-inflicted-by-others groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that, in self-inflicted abdominal injuries, injuries limited to the abdominal wall were found to be the most common, and in injuries to the cervical area inflicted by others, injuries restricted to the cervical muscle were found to be the most common. As a whole, the total duration of admission and the ICU admission time were significantly shorter in cases of self-inflicted injury. Especially, in cases of self inflicted injuries, abdominal injuries generally had a limited degree of injury. Thus, in our consideration, accurate injury assessment and an ideal treatment plan are necessary to treat these patients, and minimally invasive equipment, such as laparoscope, should be used. Also, further studies that persistently utilize aggressive surgical observations, such as abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography, for patients with penetrating injuries are needed.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Injuries ; Abdominal Wall ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Jugular Veins ; Laparoscopes ; Male ; Muscles ; Neck ; Neck Injuries ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Violence

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with pulmonary hypertension is useful for clinical management and it has prognostic implications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of pulmonary hypertension on the regional strain of the right ventricle and to assess the correlation between pulmonary arterial (PA) pressure and right ventricular (RV) strain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of fiftyone patients with chronic obstructive lung disease were classified into two groups on the basis of the presence of normal PA pressure (group I, PA pressure<35 mmHg, n=22) or high PA pressure (group II, PA pressure(35 mmHg, n=29), as estimated by the peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity on Doppler echocardiography. The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and RV fractional area change were assessed by conventional echocardiography, and the strain values were obtained from the RV, the LV free wall and the septum. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups except for the peak PA pressure (group I: 30.2+/-3.9 mmHg, group II: 44.4+/-7.5 mmHg, p<0.00001). Group II had statistically reduced basal RV strain (-%) (20.3+/-7.1) compared to group I (24.1+/-6.7, p=0.033). The basal RV strain correlated with the PA pressure (r2=0.269, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: RV strain could determine regional RV dysfunction in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has been used as a first-line treatment for H. pylori-positive gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, the management strategy for H. pylori-negative MALT lymphoma remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the success rate of each treatment option for H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative gastric MALT lymphomas. METHODS: In total, 57 patients with gastric MALT lymphoma diagnosed between December 2000 and June 2012 were enrolled in the study. The treatment responses were compared between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative gastric MALT lymphomas. RESULTS: Of the 57 patients, 43 (75%) had H. pylori infection. Forty-eight patients received H. pylori eradication as a first-line treatment, and complete remission was achieved in 31 of the 39 patients (80%) with H. pylori-positive MALT lymphoma and in five (56%) of the nine patients with H. pylori-negative MALT lymphoma; no significant difference was observed between the groups (p=0.135). The other treatment modalities, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, were effective irrespective of H. pylori infection status, with no significant difference in the treatment response between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative MALT lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication therapy may be considered as a first-line treatment regardless of H. pylori infection status.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastroscopy/*methods ; Helicobacter Infections/complications/*therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/complications/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/complications/*therapy ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Many surgeons worry about postoperative voiding problems in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and detrusor underactivity (DU). This study hypothesized that adjusting the tension after surgery would benefit patients with DU, and therefore researchers evaluated the outcomes and quality of life of women with SUI and DU who underwent the readjustable sling procedure (Remeex). METHODS: The medical records of 27 patients who were treated with the Remeex system for SUI and DU between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The incontinence visual analogue scale (I-VAS), incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) and the Sandvik incontinence severity index (ISI) were used to evaluate the efficacy of the Remeex system both prior to surgery and at the last visit after surgery. The treatment was considered successful if there was no urine leakage based on the Sandvik questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 38.0 months (range, 1–75 months), and the treatment success rate was 81.5%. Despite no urine leakage, 7 patients wanted the Remeex system to be removed due to persistent postoperative urinary retention within a year of surgery. One patient underwent a long-term adjustment under local anesthesia 6 years after the initial surgery. The I-VAS, ISI and all domains of the I-QOL scores improved significantly postoperatively and the maximum flow rate decreased significantly after the procedure. However, the postvoid residual did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The Remeex system provided a good cure rate and improved the quality of life of women with SUI and DU. Therefore, the Remeex system should be considered as a treatment option for female patients with concomitant SUI and DU.
Anesthesia, Local ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Suburethral Slings ; Surgeons ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; Urinary Retention

Duplication cysts are uncommon congenital malformations that may occur anywhere throughout the alimentary tract. The stomach is an extremely rare site of occurrence. Here, we report a case of gastric duplication cyst initially presenting with a gastric submucosal tumor. A 28-year-old man complained of dyspepsia lasting 1 year and upper endoscopy revealed an ellipsoid submucosal tumor at the greater curvature of the antrum. We intended to use the injection-and-cut technique: however, after saline injection, the lesion was dented and impossible to grasp with a snare. Therefore, we decided to perform endoscopic submucosal dissection and removed the tumor without complication. Histopathology revealed a 0.6x0.6 cm-sized duplication cyst, and there has been no recurrence in 2 years.
Adult ; Cysts/congenital/*pathology/*surgery ; Dissection ; Gastric Mucosa/*pathology/*surgery ; *Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Pyloric Antrum/pathology ; Stomach Diseases/*pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES: To identify the risk factors of cerebrovascular disorders(CVD) in Koreans using a nested case-control study. METHODS: The cohort consisted of beneficiaries who had taken health examinations of the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC cohort: 115,600 persons) in 1990 and 1992 consecutively. Four hundred and twenty five (425) cases were selected following the validation of diagnosis among 2,026 reported CVD (I60-I68) inpatients during the year from 1993 to 1997. Controls were matched (1:1) with age and gender of the cases among inpatients without CVD during the same period. The source of data in this study were the files of the 1990 health examinations and the 1992 health questionnaires, as well as an additional telephone survey undertaken from March to November 1999. RESULTS: In a bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis, risk factors for total CVD were hyperglycemia and hypertension. Unrespectively, the odds ratio of ex-smoker was significantly lower than that of those who had never smoked. The risk factors for ischemic CVD also were hyperglycemia and hypertension. However, only blood pressure was found to be a risk factor for hemorrhagic CVD. Hypercholesterolemia was not a risk factor for total CVD, ischemic CVD, and hemorrhagic CVD. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the most important risk factor for CVD (including subtype) in Koreans was hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebrovascular Disorders* ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Insurance ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Telephone

Hypernatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in children and elderly people and has high short-term mortality. However, no high-quality studies have examined the correction rate of hypernatremia and the amount of fluid required for correction. Therefore, in this study, we will compare the efficacy and safety of rapid intermittent bolus (RIB) and slow continuous infusion (SCI) of electrolyte-free solution in hypernatremia treatment. Methods: This is a prospective, investigator-initiated, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study with two experimental groups. A total of 166 participants with severe hypernatremia will be enrolled and divided into two randomized groups; both the RIB and SCI groups will be managed with electrolyte-free water. We plan to infuse the same amount of fluid to both groups, for 1 hour in the RIB group and continuously in the SCI group. The primary outcome is a rapid decrease in serum sodium levels within 24 hours. The secondary outcomes will further compare the efficacy and safety of the two treatment protocols. Conclusion: This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIB correction compared with SCI in adult patients with severe hypernatremia.

Patients who have complex endocarditis with involvement of both the aortic and mitral valves and intervalvular fibrous skeleton are among the most difficult to treat and still have the highest surgical mortality and morbidity rates. We report one case of aortic and mitral valve replacement with reconstruction of the fibrous skeleton performed in a 55-year-old female patient who had an aortic annular abscess and both the aortic and mitral prosthetic valve endocarditis with destruction of the fibrous skeleton. Previously, she had undergone redo double valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiogram showed the paravalvular defect at the noncoronary aortic sinus and abnormal sinus tract along the fibrous skeleton. Emergent operation was performed due to positive blood cultures of staphylococcus epidermidis and persistent sepsis despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. After aortotomy extended to the roof of left atrium, both prosthetic valves and destroyed fibrous skeleton were completely resected and the aortic annular abscess was debrided and closed with a bovine pericardial patch. Reconstructions of both aortic and mitral annuli and the fibrous skeleton were done by using two separate bovine pericardial patches in triangular shape and mechanical valves were implanted. Postoperatively, adequate antibiotic therapies were continued and the patient was discharged at the postoperative 72 days without evidence of recurrence of endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiogram of the postoperative 8 months shows no paravalvular leakage or recurrence of endocarditis and the patient has been followed up with no symptom.
Abscess ; Endocarditis* ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve* ; Mortality ; Recurrence ; Sepsis ; Sinus of Valsalva ; Skeleton* ; Staphylococcus epidermidis