OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the public's awareness of the importance of hand washing and to compare perceptions on the habit of hand washing with actual hand washing behavior. METHODS: Data were collected by observing 2,800 participants washing their hands after using public restrooms in seven cities nationwide and by surveying 1,000 respondents (age > 14 years) through telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Although 94% of the survey respondents claimed to mostly or always wash their hands after using public restrooms, only 63.4% of the observed participants did wash their hands after using public restrooms. Significant factors related to increased adherence to hand washing were female gender, approximate ages of 20 to 39 years by their appearance, and the presence of other people from the observation. About 79% of the survey respondents always washed their hands after using bathrooms at home, 73% washed their hands before handling food, and 67% washed their hands upon returning to their home. However, 93.2% and 86.3% of the survey respondents did not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing and after handling money, respectively. Although most of the survey respondents (77.6%) were aware that hand washing is helpful in preventing communicable diseases, 39.6% of the survey respondents did not do so because they were 'not accustomed' to washing their hands and 30.2% thought that washing their hands is 'annoying'. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first comprehensive report on hand washing behavior and awareness of the general population in Korea. The result of this study in terms of individual behavior and awareness of hand washing are comparable with similar studies conducted in other countries. However adherence to hand washing is still low and needs to be increased. The results of this study can be used as a baseline in setting up strategies and activities to Bpromote adherence to hand washing.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; *Handwashing ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Toilet Facilities

Purpose: This study compared clinical and radiologic differences between cystic biliary atresia (cBA) and choledochal cyst (CC) type Ia/b. Methods: Infants (≤12 months old) who were diagnosed with cBA or CC type Ia/b from 2005 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging features on preoperative ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared between the cBA and CC groups. Logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analyses were performed for the diagnosis of cBA. Changes in cyst size were also evaluated when prenatal US exams were available. Results: Ten patients (5.5% of biliary atresia cases) with cBA (median age, 48 days) and 11 infants with CC type Ia/b (Ia:Ib=10:1; median age, 20 days) were included. Triangular cord thickness on US (cutoff, 4 mm) showed 100% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity (AUC, 0.964; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.779 to 1.000) and cyst size on MRI (cutoff, 2.2 cm) had 70% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC, 0.900; 95% CI, 0.690 to 0.987) for diagnosing cBA. Gallbladder mucosal irregularity on US and an invisible distal common bile duct on MRI were only seen in the cBA group (10 of 10). Only the CC group showed prenatal cysts exceeding 1 cm with postnatal enlargement. Conclusion Small cyst size (<1 cm) on prenatal US, triangular cord thickening (≥4 mm) and gallbladder mucosal irregularity on postnatal US, and small cyst size (≤2.2 cm) and an invisible distal common bile duct on MRI can discriminate cBA from CC type Ia/b in infancy.

A 6-year-old male who lived with a mother in a single-parent family was referred to the emergency room with multiple traumas. There was no specific finding on CT scan of the other hospital performed 55 days before admission. However, CT scan at the time of admission showed common bile duct (CBD) stenosis, proximal biliary dilatation and bile lake formation at the segment II and III. Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage was performed, but the tube had slipped off spontaneously 36 days later, and follow-up CT scan showed aggravated proximal biliary dilatation above the stricture site. He underwent excision of the CBD including the stricture site, and the bile duct was reconstructed with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Pathologic report of the resected specimen revealed that the evidence of trauma as a cause of bile duct stricture. While non-iatrogenic extrahepatic biliary trauma is uncommon, a level of suspicion is necessary to identify injuries to the extrahepatic bile duct. The role of the physicians who treat the abused children should encompass being suspicious for potential abdominal injury as well as identifying visible injuries.
Abdominal Injuries ; Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Bile ; Child ; Child Abuse ; Child ; Common Bile Duct ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lakes ; Male ; Mothers ; Multiple Trauma ; Single-Parent Family ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

PURPOSE: Santulli enterostomy has been used for various surgical abdominal conditions that require temporary diversion of bowel during a neonatal period. The aim of this study was to report clinical outcomes of Santulli enterostomy and to evaluate its usefulness. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2016, 40 neonates who underwent Santulli enterostomy were enrolled; Santulli enterostomies were performed for 25 patients without previous laparotomy (primary Santulli group) and 15 patients with previous laparotomy (secondary Santulli group). RESULTS: Small bowel atresia is the first common indication of Santulli enterostomy (22/40, 55.0%), and luminal discrepancy between proximal and distal bowel was the most common determinant factor of Santulli enterostomy (17/40, 42.5%). The median age at surgery and mean birth weight were 2 days and 2,480 g respectively in the primary group, and 71 days, 2,340 g respectively in the secondary group. Operation time was significantly longer in the secondary group than the primary group (156±48 minutes vs. 224±95 minutes, p=0.019), and there was no difference in the time taken to initiation of oral feeding between the two groups. Santulli enterostomy closure was performed at median 65 days after Santulli enterostomy for primary group and 70 days for secondary group. Six complications (15.0%) were found after Santulli enterostomy, and nine complications (24.3%) after Santulli enterostomy closure (p=0.302). The incidence of complications was significantly higher in secondary group than in primary group (4.5% vs. 53.3%, p=0.001), and the reoperation rate was also significantly higher in the secondary group (4.5% vs. 46.7%, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Santulli enterostomy could be applied as a temporary enterostomy in neonatal patients with various surgical abdominal diseases. Considering the high complication rate after secondary Santulli enterostomy closure, decision making on the timing of enterostomy closure should be done with caution.
Birth Weight ; Decision Making ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Enterostomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Atresia ; Laparotomy ; Methods ; Peritonitis ; Phenobarbital ; Reoperation

A 6-year-old male who lived with a mother in a single-parent family was referred to the emergency room with multiple traumas. There was no specific finding on CT scan of the other hospital performed 55 days before admission. However, CT scan at the time of admission showed common bile duct (CBD) stenosis, proximal biliary dilatation and bile lake formation at the segment II and III. Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage was performed, but the tube had slipped off spontaneously 36 days later, and follow-up CT scan showed aggravated proximal biliary dilatation above the stricture site. He underwent excision of the CBD including the stricture site, and the bile duct was reconstructed with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Pathologic report of the resected specimen revealed that the evidence of trauma as a cause of bile duct stricture. While non-iatrogenic extrahepatic biliary trauma is uncommon, a level of suspicion is necessary to identify injuries to the extrahepatic bile duct. The role of the physicians who treat the abused children should encompass being suspicious for potential abdominal injury as well as identifying visible injuries.

PURPOSE: Santulli enterostomy has been used for various surgical abdominal conditions that require temporary diversion of bowel during a neonatal period. The aim of this study was to report clinical outcomes of Santulli enterostomy and to evaluate its usefulness. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2016, 40 neonates who underwent Santulli enterostomy were enrolled; Santulli enterostomies were performed for 25 patients without previous laparotomy (primary Santulli group) and 15 patients with previous laparotomy (secondary Santulli group). RESULTS: Small bowel atresia is the first common indication of Santulli enterostomy (22/40, 55.0%), and luminal discrepancy between proximal and distal bowel was the most common determinant factor of Santulli enterostomy (17/40, 42.5%). The median age at surgery and mean birth weight were 2 days and 2,480 g respectively in the primary group, and 71 days, 2,340 g respectively in the secondary group. Operation time was significantly longer in the secondary group than the primary group (156±48 minutes vs. 224±95 minutes, p=0.019), and there was no difference in the time taken to initiation of oral feeding between the two groups. Santulli enterostomy closure was performed at median 65 days after Santulli enterostomy for primary group and 70 days for secondary group. Six complications (15.0%) were found after Santulli enterostomy, and nine complications (24.3%) after Santulli enterostomy closure (p=0.302). The incidence of complications was significantly higher in secondary group than in primary group (4.5% vs. 53.3%, p=0.001), and the reoperation rate was also significantly higher in the secondary group (4.5% vs. 46.7%, p=0.004). CONCLUSION Santulli enterostomy could be applied as a temporary enterostomy in neonatal patients with various surgical abdominal diseases. Considering the high complication rate after secondary Santulli enterostomy closure, decision making on the timing of enterostomy closure should be done with caution.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and oncologic safety, we assessed the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection of the small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors smaller than 5 cm by comparing those of open surgery by subgroup analysis based on tumor size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1993 to January 2011, 41 laparoscopic resections were performed among the 95 patients who underwent resection of small intestine < or =10 cm in diameter. The clinicopathologic features, perioperative outcomes, recurrences and survival of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rates were comparable between the 2 groups. Laparoscopic surgery group showed significantly shorter operative time (P=0.004) and duration of postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001) than open surgery group and it was more apparent in the smaller tumor size group. There were no difference in 5-year survival for the laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery groups (P=0.163), and in 5-year recurrence-free survival (P=0.262). The subgroup analysis by 5 cm in tumor size also shows no remarkable differences in 5-year survival and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors of size less than 10 cm has favorable short-term postoperative outcomes, while achieving comparable oncologic results compared with open surgery. Thus, laparoscopic approach can be recommended as a treatment modality for patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors less than 10 cm in diameter.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and oncologic safety, we assessed the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection of the small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors smaller than 5 cm by comparing those of open surgery by subgroup analysis based on tumor size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1993 to January 2011, 41 laparoscopic resections were performed among the 95 patients who underwent resection of small intestine < or =10 cm in diameter. The clinicopathologic features, perioperative outcomes, recurrences and survival of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rates were comparable between the 2 groups. Laparoscopic surgery group showed significantly shorter operative time (P=0.004) and duration of postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001) than open surgery group and it was more apparent in the smaller tumor size group. There were no difference in 5-year survival for the laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery groups (P=0.163), and in 5-year recurrence-free survival (P=0.262). The subgroup analysis by 5 cm in tumor size also shows no remarkable differences in 5-year survival and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors of size less than 10 cm has favorable short-term postoperative outcomes, while achieving comparable oncologic results compared with open surgery. Thus, laparoscopic approach can be recommended as a treatment modality for patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors less than 10 cm in diameter.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Recurrence

Objective: To assess the feasibility of quantitatively assessing pancreatic steatosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its correlation with obesity and metabolic risk factors in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: Pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent liver fat quantification MRI between January 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively included and divided into the obesity and control groups. Pancreatic proton density fat fraction (P-PDFF) was measured as the average value for three circular regions of interest (ROIs) drawn in the pancreatic head, body, and tail. Age, weight, laboratory results, and mean liver MRI values including liver PDFF (L-PDFF), stiffness on MR elastography, and T2* values were assessed for their correlation with P-PDFF using linear regression analysis. The associations between P-PDFF and metabolic risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia, were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 172 patients (male:female = 125:47; mean ± standard deviation [SD], 13.2 ± 3.1 years) were included. The mean P-PDFF was significantly higher in the obesity group than in the control group (mean ± SD, 4.2 ± 2.5% vs. 3.4 ± 2.4%; p = 0.037). L-PDFF and liver stiffness values showed no significant correlation with P-PDFF (p = 0.235 and p = 0.567, respectively). P-PDFF was significantly associated with obesity (odds ratio 1.146, 95% confidence interval 1.006–1.307, p = 0.041), but there was no significant association with hypertension, DM, and dyslipidemia. Conclusion MRI can be used to quantitatively measure pancreatic steatosis in children. P-PDFF is significantly associated with obesity in pediatric patients.

Purpose: Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) after hematopoietic stem transplantation (HCT) or solid organ transplantation (SOT) result in poorer outcomes, including death. There are limited large cohort data on the incidence and natural course of PTLD in Asians. Materials and Methods: We investigated PTLD using Korean national health insurance claims data of 47,518 patients who underwent HCT or SOT in 2008-2020. Patient demographics, time and type of PTLD diagnosis, type of PTLD treatment, and death data were collected. We used Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models to calculate the cumulative incidence and risk factors for PTLD. Results: During median follow-up of 5.32 years, PTLD occurred in 294 of 36,945 SOT patients (0.79%) and 235 of 10,573 HCT patients (2.22%). Cumulative incidence of PTLD were 0.49% at 1 year, 1.02% at 5 years, and 1.50% at 10 years post-transplantation. Age < 20 years (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] of 1.67 in age 10-19, SHR 1.51 in age 0-9), HCT (SHR 3.02), heart transplantation (SHR 2.27), and liver transplantation (SHR 1.47) were significant risk factors for PTLD. The presence of PTLD was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio of 2.84). Overall, 5-year survival of PTLD patients was 68.9% (95% confidence interval, 64.9 to 73.2). Conclusion We observed a steady increase in PTLD over 10 years after HCT or SOT in this large cohort study. Pediatric age group, HCT, liver transplantation, and heart transplantation were suggested to be risk factors for PTLD, and PTLD was associated with a higher risk of death.