PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of using Acutrak screws for treating ankle medial malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 38 cases of ankle medial malleolar fracture treated with Acutrak screws from February 2005 to May 2008. RESULTS: In clinical result, there were 30 exellent cases, 7 good cases, 1 fair case. In radiologic result, there is no case with reduction loss. Average union time is 10.5 weeks. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Acutrak screw fixation is a useful method for ankle medial malleolar fracture, there are many advantages in accurate anatomical reduction, small incision, short operative time.
Animals ; Ankle ; Operative Time

The Yoon Soon (YS) knot is a laparoscopic extracorporeal slip knot that is easy to learn and apply. Our new technique, which uses the trocar as a knot pusher, is simpler, faster, and has more tension than conventional knot methods. The YS knot will help surgeons save operative time and perform tension-controlled knot-tying during laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopy ; Operative Time ; Surgical Instruments*

PURPOSE: The best option for varicocele treatment is controversial. We evaluate our experience using laparoscopic varicocelectomy & inguinal varicocelectomy, and then compared the two methods. We started this study to find the best treatment for varicocele patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2002 and July 2008, 168 cases (Group I) were treated with laparoscopic varicocelectomy and 157 cases (Group II) were treated with the inguinal approach. We assessed the two methods according to operative time, hospital stay, recurrence rate, complication rate, and cost effectiveness. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 30.2+/-10.9 min for laparoscopic varicocelectomy and 62.6+/-13.3 min for inguinal varicocelectomy (p<0.05). The recurrence rate was 2% for laparoscopic varicocelectomy and 8% for inguinal varicocelectomy (p>0.05). The complication rate was 10.7% for laparoscopic varicocelectomy and 12.7% for inguinal varicocelectomy (p>0.05). The cost of laparoscopic varicocelectomy was 401,870 won, but inguinal varicocelectomy was 256,480 won (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic varicocelectomy required a shorter operative time but no superior outcomes compared to inguinal varicocelectomy. The laparoscopic approach cannot be replaced with the routine open approach but it is thought to be worth consideration in selective cases.
Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Recurrence ; Varicocele

The reduction mandibular angleplasty is one of the most common aesthetic facial bone contouring surgery in the Oriental and the intraoral approach has been used commonly. However this method has some disadvantages because of anatomical restriction of operation field. We performed therefore the reduction of mandibular angle with endoscopic assistance in 15 patients of mandibular angle protrusion. Thirty patients of mandibular angle protrusion were randomly divided into control group (n=15) who received classic ostectomy and study group (n=15) who received endoscopically assisted ostectomy. We compared two groups in operative times, size of incision, duration of postoperative accommodation and satisfactory rate of doctors and patients. Size of incision was assessed as smaller in study group who received endoscopically assisted ostectomy than that of control group who received classic ostectomy on student t-test (5.50 + /-0.65 versus 4.70+/- 0.56, p< or= 0.01). Duration of postoperative accommodation was also assessed as shorter in study group on student t-test (5.07+/- 0.80 versus 4.00+/-1.00, p< or =0.01). There was no specific difference between 2 groups for operative time on x(2)-test (97.33+/- 12.22 versus 97.33+/-12.80, p=1.00). Satisfactory rate of cosmetic appearances were similar according to patients and surgeons. The postoperative course was satisfactory with smaller size of incision, shorter duration of postoperative accommodation and similar operative time and satisfactory rate of cosmetic appearances according to both patients and surgeons.
Endoscopy ; Facial Bones ; Humans ; Operative Time

In the literature, it is extremely difficult and takes long time to remove middle part of segmentally broken screws using ball-tip guide and extraction hook after femoral interlocking intramedullary nailing. Proximal part of broken locked screw can be removed with screwdriver easily, but it is very difficult to remove distal and especially middle part of broken screw which are usually angulated and should be removed to avoid interference with further procedure and complications. So we designed a technique for removal of segmentally broken distal locked screw which can be removed after withdrawal of nail proximally to realign screw segments and then actually applied this method to real case with short operative time and satisfactory outcome.
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Nails ; Operative Time

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a precise method of treating skin cancer. There have been many studies about the advantages and disadvantages of MMS. However, no study has yet been carried out regarding the length of surgery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report our experience with MMS for the treatment of skin cancers and to analyze the operative time of MMS. METHODS: We analyzed 50 cases of skin cancers treated by MMS at the Dermatosurgery Clinic in Pusan National University Hospital between April 2009 and November 2009. RESULTS: The minimum and maximum operative times of MMS were 88 and 356 minutes, respectively, and the mean operative time was 171.4 minutes. The mean number of stages was 1.7 (range, 1~4). The mean operative time per stage was 93.9, 62.9, 57.2, and 53 minutes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stages, respectively. The time percentages for a pathologic consult to the Department of Pathology per stage was 42%, 50%, 52%, and 57% for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stages, respectively; therefore, the consultation to the Department of Pathology occupied a high percentage of the operative time. The mean operative time of repair for surgical defects was 44.4 minutes. LIMITATIONS: The results of this study are based on the experience of a single surgical team in a single institution. CONCLUSION: The results of our study reveal that MMS is a time-consuming operation. Further studies are required to shorten the operation time of MMS.
Mohs Surgery ; Operative Time ; Skin Neoplasms

The objective of this study was to report on a new surgical technique, hybrid laparoscopic myomectomy that integrates the advantages of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery and those of isobaric laparoscopy, and the initial experience with 14 cases. All of the procedures were performed by a single surgeon who has over 18 years of experience in laparoscopic surgery and 4 years of experience in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. All cases of hybrid laparoscopic myomectomy were completed safely and effectively without conversion to conventional laparoscopic procedure. The median operative time was 75 minutes (range, 30 to 100 minutes). No postoperative complication was observed. The findings show that hybrid laparoscopic myomectomy is a safe and feasible surgical technique, and therefore can be a feasible, minimally invasive alternative to either abdominal or laparoendoscopic single-site surgery myomectomy.
Laparoscopy ; Leiomyoma ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical outcomes of patients with myoma after robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy and laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 15 robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RLM) patients and 30 laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) patients at Jeju National University Hospital in Jeju between July 2009 and July 2012. Clinical features and surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Surgical time was longer among RLM patinets (185.7 min vs 114.4 min). Patients undergoing robot-assisted myomectomy had a bigger size of the largest myoma, and bigger average size of the myomas. When adjusted for myoma size and number, no significant differences were noted between robotic (RLM: 24.5 min/cm) vs laparoscopic (LM: 21.5 min/cm) groups for mean operating time/total diameter. Blood loss (1.7 g/dl vs 1.95 g/dl), transfusion (0% vs 6.6%) were both no significant differences between the robotic and laparoscopic groups. CONCLUSION: When adjusted for myoma size and number, short-term outcomes were similar after robotic and laparoscopic myomectomy. Robot-assisted myomectomy is considered reliable procedure.
Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Myoma ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We present our experience of a retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for a benign renal disease, and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical results of 20 retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies (RN) were compared with 20 open nephrectomies (ON). The surgery time, hospital stay, analgesic requirements, and complications were analysed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 255.2 +/- 72.5 minutes for the RN patients and 161.1 +/- 22.7 minutes for the ON patients (p< 0.05). The mean hospital stay was 4.2 +/- 1.1 days for the RN patients and 9.0 +/- 1.1 days for the ON patients (p< 0.05). The analgesic dose was 80.0 +/- 23.4mg of piroxicam for RN and 240.0 +/- 26.8mg of piroxicam for the ON patients (p< 0.05). Minor and major complications occurred in 4 (20%) patients who underwent a RN and 12 (60%) patients who underwent an ON (p< 0.05). Of the 23 retoroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies, an open conversion was necessary in 3 (13%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: While operative time is longer in RN patients than ON patients, the postoperative hospital stay, analgesic requirement and complication rate are significantly lower than in ON patients. Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy appears to be a safe and effective alternative to a traditional open nephrectomy.
Humans ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy* ; Operative Time ; Piroxicam

PURPOSE: We present our experience of a retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for a benign renal disease, and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical results of 20 retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies (RN) were compared with 20 open nephrectomies (ON). The surgery time, hospital stay, analgesic requirements, and complications were analysed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 255.2 +/- 72.5 minutes for the RN patients and 161.1 +/- 22.7 minutes for the ON patients (p< 0.05). The mean hospital stay was 4.2 +/- 1.1 days for the RN patients and 9.0 +/- 1.1 days for the ON patients (p< 0.05). The analgesic dose was 80.0 +/- 23.4mg of piroxicam for RN and 240.0 +/- 26.8mg of piroxicam for the ON patients (p< 0.05). Minor and major complications occurred in 4 (20%) patients who underwent a RN and 12 (60%) patients who underwent an ON (p< 0.05). Of the 23 retoroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies, an open conversion was necessary in 3 (13%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: While operative time is longer in RN patients than ON patients, the postoperative hospital stay, analgesic requirement and complication rate are significantly lower than in ON patients. Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy appears to be a safe and effective alternative to a traditional open nephrectomy.
Humans ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy* ; Operative Time ; Piroxicam