PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in patients with a transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients underwent a nephroureterectomy for an upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Of these, 23 and 22 underwent a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) and open nephroureterectomy (ONU), respectively, between January 2002 and June 2006. After the nephrectomy had been performed, a 5-6cm modified Gibson incision was created to allow dissection of the lower ureter and bladder cuff, and extraction of the intact specimen. A retrospective analysis was performed on the operating time, blood loss, analgesic requirement, ambulation time, interval to resume oral intake, hospital stay, complications and follow-up results for both groups. RESULTS: The LNU was superior to the ONU with regard to the mean operation time; 275 (190-390) versus 258 (180-400) (p=0.259), blood loss; 188 (130-250) versus 488ml (350-750) (p<0.05), ambulation time; 2.5 versus 3.3 days (p<0.05), interval to resume oral intake 2.1 versus 2.8 days (p<0.05), and hospital stay; 8.3 versus 11.1 days (p<0.05). Complications developed in 4 and 5 of the LNU and ONU patients, respectively, but all were resolved with conservative management. The mean follow-up duration of the LNU and ONU groups were 29 versus 14 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience, a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is better tolerated with respect to pain, has less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, ambulation time and time to oral intake. LNU is safe for an upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, and is also an efficacious alternative to open surgery. However, a long-term follow-up will be warranted to ascertain accurate oncologic data.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract* ; Walking

In this report we describe a patient with an unstable Jefferson fracture who was treated by occipitocervical fusion and later reported sustained postoperative occipital neuralgia. A 70-year-old male was admitted to our center with a Jefferson fracture induced by a car accident. Preoperative lateral X-ray revealed an atlanto-dens interval of 4.8mm and a C1 canal anterior-posterior diameter of 19.94mm. We performed fusion surgery from the occiput to C5 without decompression of C1. The patient reported sustained continuous pain throughout the following year despite strong analgesics. The pain dermatome was located mainly in the great occipital nerve territory and posterior neck. Magnetic resonance images revealed no evidence of cord compression, however a C1 lamina compressed dural sac and C2 root compression could not be excluded. We performed bilateral C2 root decompression via a C1 laminectomy. After decompression, bilateral C2 root redundancy was identified by palpation. After decompression surgery, pain was reduced. This case indicates that occipital neuralgia, suggesting the need for diagnostic block, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with sustained occipital headache after occipitocervical fusion surgery.
Analgesics ; Cervical Atlas ; Decompression ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Headache ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Neck ; Neuralgia ; Palpation ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Fractures

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the change of nutritional status and the incidence of dumping syndrome after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: From January 2013 to May 2014, 36 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer were prospectively investigated in terms of nutritional status by body weight, anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Dumping syndrome was assessed using a newly developed questionnaire based on the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery survey and Sigstad's scoring system. RESULTS: Body weight losses were 4.6%, 8.1%, and 6.9% at discharge, six months, and one year after discharge, respectively. Triceps skinfold thickness had no significance, however, mid-arm muscle circumference showed significant loss after gastrectomy. A part of the biochemical data showed significant change after gastrectomy, but almost indicated a restoring tendency within two months after discharge. In terms of PG-SGA, 33 patients (91.7%) were classified as A (well-nourished) before surgery, however, the number of well-nourished patients showed a sharp decrease to 1 (2.8%) at two weeks after discharge, and then gradually increased to 25 (69.4%) at one year. The main obstacles against diet intake were reported as 'early satiety' and 'anxiety'. The number of patients who had experience in at least one dumping syndrome related symptom was 21 (58.3%) at discharge, 26 (72.2%) at two months after discharge, and 11 (30.6%) at one year after discharge. CONCLUSION: Nutritional deficit as well as dumping syndrome is encountered in a large number of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. Postoperative nutritional support and personalized education seem to be very important during the postoperative period.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Weight ; Diet ; Dumping Syndrome* ; Education ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Nutritional Status* ; Nutritional Support ; Observational Study* ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies* ; Skinfold Thickness ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Spontaneous renal hematoma is rare. We report a 43-year-old man presented with sudden left flank pain and severe hypertension. Renal hematoma was confirmed on computed tomography. Renal angiography showed no active bleeding or vascular malformation. Echocardiography showed severe concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertension was the only cause for the condition. Symptoms and size of the hematoma decreased on antihypertensive medication and conservative treatment. Severe hypertension might have a role for developing renal hematoma.
Adult ; Angiography ; Echocardiography ; Flank Pain ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Kidney ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish an anthropometric reference of the stomach for gastric cancer surgery and a modeling formula to predict stomach length. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were retrieved for 851 patients who underwent total gastrectomy at the Seoul National University Hospital between 2008 and 2013. Clinicopathological data and measurements from a formalin-fixed specimen were reviewed. The lengths (cm) of the greater curvature (GC) and lesser curvature (LC) were measured. Anthropometric data of the stomach were compared according to age, body weight, height (cm), and body mass index. To predict stomach length, two multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean lengths of the GC and LC were 22.2±3.1 cm and 16.3±2.6 cm, respectively. The men’s GC length was significantly greater than the women’s (22.4±3.1 cm vs. 21.2±2.9 cm, P=0.003). Patients aged >70 years showed significantly longer LC than those aged <50 years (16.9±2.9 cm vs. 15.9±2.4 cm, P=0.002). Patients with body weights >70 kg showed significantly longer GC than those with body weights <55 kg (23.0±2.9 cm vs. 21.4±3.2cm, P<0.001). In the predicted models, 4.11% of the GC was accounted for by age and weight; and 4.94% of the LC, by age, sex, height, and weight. CONCLUSIONS: Sex, age, height, and body weight were associated with the length of the LC, while sex and body weight were the only factors that were associated with the length of the GC. However, the prediction model was not sufficiently strong.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Organ Size ; Seoul ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire-OG25 was developed to evaluate the quality of life in patients with stomach and esophageal cancer. The following are included in the OG25 but not in the STO22: odynophagia, choked when swallowing, weight loss, trouble eating with others, trouble swallowing saliva, trouble talking, and trouble with coughing. In this study, we evaluated the quality of life of gastrectomized patients using both, the OG25 and the STO22. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 138 patients with partial gastrectomy (PG) (distal gastrectomy=91; pylorus-preserving gastrectomy= 47) and 44 patients with total gastrectomy (TG) were prospectively evaluated. Body weight and scores from the OG25 and STO22 were evaluated preoperatively and at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patients with TG had significant weight loss compared to patients with PG. At 3 months, TG was associated with worse scores for dysphagia, eating, odynophagia, trouble eating with others, trouble with taste, and weight loss on the OG25. TG was also associated with dysphagia, eating restrictions, and anxiety on the STO22. The OG25 helped differentiate between the groups with respect to weight loss, odynophagia, choked when swallowing, and trouble eating with others. The OG25 scores changed over time and were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The OG25 is a more sensitive and useful scale than the STO22 for evaluating the quality of life of gastrectomized patients, especially those with total gastrectomy.
Anxiety ; Body Weight ; Cough ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Eating ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life* ; Saliva ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Weight Loss

The authors found out that this article was omitted “Funding section” for grant support.

PURPOSE: Intracorporeal anastomosis is the most difficult procedure during pure single-incision distal gastrectomy (SIDG) that affects its generalization. We introduced unaided delta-shaped anastomosis (uDelta), a novel anastomosis technique, for gastroduodenostomy after pure SIDG, and compared the results with those of previously reported Roux-en-Y anastomosis (RY). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2014 and March 2015, SIDG with D1+ lymph node dissection was performed for early gastric cancer through a 2.5-cm transumbilical incision without any additional port. uDelta was performed by the operator alone, without any intracorporeal assistance. RESULTS: uDelta was performed on 11 patents, and uncut RY was performed on 5-patients without open or multiport conversion. R0 resection was performed in all cases. No significant differences were observed in mean age and body mass index between patients who underwent uDelta or RY. Mean operation times were 214.5+/-36.2 minutes for uDelta and 240.8+/-65.9 minutes for RY, which was not significantly different. Reconstruction time for uDelta was shorter than that for RY, with marginal statistical significance (26.1+/-8.3 minutes vs. 38.0+/-9.1 minutes, P=0.05). There were no intraoperative transfusions, 30-day mortality, or anastomosis-related complications in either group. Average length of hospital stay was 8.2+/-1.9 days in the uDelta group and 7.2+/-0.8 days in the RY group (P=0.320). CONCLUSIONS: After carefully considering indications, uDelta can be a feasible and can be a reproducible reconstruction method after SIDG in early gastric cancer.
Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y* ; Body Mass Index ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastroenterostomy ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mortality ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is causally associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases. Recent data have demonstrated that triple therapy with amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and a proton pump inhibitor has an eradication rate of only 74~76% and new therapeutic protocols may be necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus as supplementation to anti-H. pylori regimens on H. pylori eradication rates and therapy-associated side effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed, Medline and Korean Medical Database were searched in January 2012, with no language restrictions, for randomized controlled trials; additional references were obtained from reviewed articles. We included trials comparing Lactobacillus supplementation to placebo or no treatment during anti-H. pylori regimens. Meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager. RESULTS: Eleven trials involving a total of 1,107 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo or no intervention, Lactobacillus given along with anti-H. pylori regimens significantly increased the eradication rate [84.7% vs. 78.8%, odds ratio (OR) 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26~2.42] and reduced the risk of overall H. pylori therapy related adverse effects (35.4% vs. 48.6%, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38~0.81), particularly of diarrhea (7.5% vs. 20.6%, OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.18~0.54), bloating (19.2% vs. 29.9%, OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32~0.88) and taste disturbance (17.6% vs. 34.8%, OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21~0.64). There were no significant differences between groups in the risk of other adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests that supplementation with Lactobacilli could be effective in increasing eradication rates of anti-H. pylori therapy. Furthermore, Lactobacilli showed a positive impact on some H. pylori therapy-related side effects, particularly diarrhea, bloating and taste disturbance.
Amoxicillin ; Clarithromycin ; Diarrhea ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Lactobacillus ; Odds Ratio ; Peptic Ulcer ; Proton Pumps

BACKGROUND: There are few commercial quality-control (QC) materials for internal QC of flow cytometric analysis, especially for leukemia/lymphoma immunophenotyping. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current QC status of flow cytometry in Korea through a questionnaire survey, and develop new QC materials using cultured cell lines for markers which QC materials are unavailable. METHODS: The current state of internal QC of flow cytometry in Korea was investigated via a questionnaire survey. Cell lines to be used as QC materials were cultured and produced as QC materials. Cell viability and the expression of markers on the cultured cell lines were tested by flow cytometry to confirm the stability of the QC materials. Simulated quality assessment results for the cultured cell line QC materials were sent to laboratories for external proficiency testing (PT). RESULTS: Seventeen medical institutions completed the questionnaire survey. Hematopoietic stem cell count (CD34) and lymphocyte subset panel items in most of these institutions were managed using commercialized QC materials. The markers that could not be managed by QC materials were CD117, MPO (myeloperoxidase), TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase), CD20, CD10, CD64, CD79α, FMC7, cytoCD22, CD23, CD34, and CD61. Five cell lines expressing these markers were selected and sent as QC materials. PT results for most of the markers were in concordance, except those for FMC7 and CD64. CONCLUSIONS: For the QC control of flow cytometry without commercialized QC materials, cultured cell lines are useful and can be used as an alternative for management of reagents used in flow cytometric analysis.
Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Immunophenotyping ; Indicators and Reagents ; Korea* ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Quality Control*