PURPOSE: In this study, we reviewed 16 cases of adrenalectomy, focusing specifically on the surgical outcomes and clinical courses.METHODS: The data from 16 patients who underwent an adrenalectomy at our hospital between January 2007 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed based on their medical records. Data available for each patient included age, sex, tumor location, length of postoperative hospital stay, tumor size, tumor pathology, final diagnosis, operation time, operative blood loss, and type of operation.RESULTS: The study population consisted of eight males and eight females, with a mean age of 58.00±11.34 years (range, 33–76 years). The mean tumor size was 2.78±2.02 cm (range, 0.5–7 cm). Fourteen patients were diagnosed with functional adrenal tumors and two with nonfunctional adrenal tumors. Compared to laparoscopic adrenalectomy, open surgery resulted in a statistically significantly longer operating time, increased operative blood loss, and a longer postoperative hospital stay.CONCLUSION: If the hormonal activity of adrenal tumors is not confirmed, the tumor should be considered functional when accompanied by related symptoms and an adrenalectomy should be performed. In addition, we suggest that a laparoscopic adrenalectomy is superior to an open adrenalectomy in terms of recovery after surgery, despite the small number of cases evaluated. Open adrenalectomy should be considered following comprehensive consideration of the patient's condition, such as accompanying surgery or metastatic cancer.
Adrenal Glands ; Adrenalectomy ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Medical Records ; Operative Time ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND : There is so different between Doctors at managing the patient with intestinal obstruction. Some prefer conservative management and prefer to delay the operation. But others prefer the early operation. So, we have studied in order to compare the clinical difference between early operation and delayed operation for intestinal obstruction. METHODS : This clinical report is based on a review of the records of 226 patients with intestinal obstruction that have been managed at the Department of General Surgery, Seventh Adventist Hospital in Seoul, during about 4 years from January, 1994 to October, 1997. RESULTS : 1) Male to female ratio was 2.32 : 1. The most frequent age group was within 1 year. 2) The common causes of intestinal obstruction were postoperative adhesion (35.8%), intussusception (19.1%), hernia (16.6%) and neoplasm (8.6%). 3) The chief complaints on admission were abdominal pain in 142 cases (62.8%), nausea and vomiting in 110 cases (48.7%), bloody stool in 43 cases (19.0%) and fever in 27 cases (11.9%). The physical findings were abdominal tenderness in 117 cases (51.8%), increased peristalsis in 98 cases (43.4%) and abdominal distension in 64 cases (28.3%). 4) The previous abdominal operation leading to intestinal obstruction were appendectomy in 16 cases (27.6%), small bowel operation in 13 cases (23.4%), gastro-duodenal operation in 9 cases (15.5%) and gynecologic operation in 7 cases (12.1%). 5) In patients who admit because of intestinal obstruction due to previous operation, most of them entered in hospital within 6months after previous operation. 6) Among 226 cases, 46 cases (20.4%) had emergency operation, 64 cases (28.3%) had only conservative treatment and 116 cases (51.3%) had elective delayed operation 7) In patients who was cured with only conservative management, 12 cases (18.8%) of them stayed for 1day on hospital and 32 cases (50%) of them stayed for 1 or 2 days. 8) Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 162 cases. The types of obstruction were composed of 36 cases (22.2%) of strangulated obstruction and 126 cases (77.8%) of simple obstruction. The frequency of strangulated obstruction was 14 cases (38.9%) when the early operation were done, and that ofstrangulated obstruction was 22 cases (61.1%) when the delayed operation were done. There was significant difference between early operation group and delayed operation. 9) As for operative procedure, adhesiolysis was done in 38 cases (23.5%), bandlysis was done in 30 cases (26.1%), manual reduction and incidental appendectomy was done in 28 cases (17.3%). 10) The incidence of postoperative complication was 46 cases (28.4%) and the most cause of death was septic shock. CONCLUSIONS : The early operation for the patient who suffered from intestinal obstruction due to previous operation is better than delayed operation.
Abdominal Pain ; Appendectomy ; Cause of Death ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fever ; Hernia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Intussusception ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Nausea ; Peristalsis ; Postoperative Complications ; Seoul ; Shock, Septic ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Vomiting

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: We investigated the clinical application of extended distal pancreatectomy in patients with pancreatic neck cancer accompanied by distal pancreatic atrophy. In this study, we have emphasized on the technical aspects of using the linear stapling device for a bulky target organ. METHODS: From March 2010 to September 2013, 46 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, who underwent pancreatic resection with radical intent at our institute, were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, three patients (6.5%) underwent extended distal pancreatectomy. A linear stapling device and vise-grip locking pliers were used for en bloc resection of the distal pancreas, first duodenal portion, and distal common bile duct. The results were compared with those after standard pancreatectomy. RESULTS: All three patients presented with jaundice, and the ratio of pancreatic duct to parenchymal thickness of the pancreatic body was greater than 0.5. Grade A pancreatic fistula developed in all of the cases, but none of these fistulae were lethal. Pathological staging was T3N1M0 in all of the patients. The postoperative daily serum glucose fluctuations and insulin requirements were comparable to those in patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy. At the last follow-up, two patients were alive with liver metastasis at 4 and 10 months postoperatively, respectively, and one patient died of liver metastasis at 5 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: While the prognosis of advanced pancreatic neck adenocarcinoma is still dismal, extended distal pancreatectomy is a valid treatment option, especially when there is atrophy of the distal pancreas. Also, the procedure is technically feasible, and further refinement is necessary to improve patient survival.
Adenocarcinoma ; Atrophy ; Blood Glucose ; Common Bile Duct ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Jaundice ; Liver ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy* ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatic Fistula ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Blood gas samples are highly susceptible to preanalytic error due to improper methods of obtaining or handling the sample prior to delivery to the laboratory. The errors in the measurement of blood gas analysis are currently derived from the exposure of sample to atmosphere, effects of anticoagulant itself, temperature difference between the measuring electrode and drawn blood and the delay in running the sample. To study the effects of the delay in measuring the sample and the temperature difference between the measuring electrode and drawn blood on values of blood gases and pH, we analyzed the arterial sampling from the 24 patients who were taking elective surgery or on his/her recovery period with indwelling arterial catheter. The plastic sampling syringes were kept at 4 degrees C (refrigerator) or 22-24 degrees C (room temperature) and analyzed at regular intervals (1, 10, 30, 60,120 min) for 120 minutes. The following results were obtained: 1) When the arterial blood drawn from the anesthetized patients were stored at 4 degrees C, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) decreased significantly after 20 min, whereas those stored at room temperature decreased significantly after 10 min. 2) When the arterial blood drawn from the recovery patients were stored at 4 degrees C, PaO2 did not decrease significantly through the experimental period of 120 min. Although those stored at room temperature did not decrease significantly through the period of 120 min. 3) Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood (PaCO2,) drawn from the anesthetized patients increased significantly by 120 min. at 4 degrees C, whereas those at room temperature increased significantly after 20 min. 4) PaCO2, of the recovery patients increased signigicantly by 120 min. at 4 degrees C, whereas those at room temperature increased significantly after 30 min. 5) pH of the arterial blood drawn from either anesthetized or recovery patients decreased significantly by 120 min. at 4 degrees C, whereas those at room temperature decreased significantly after 60 min. 6) No significant changes of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and content (CaO2) were noted in either anesthetized or recovery. patients in accordance with time elapsed at 4 degrees C or room temperature. In summary, as the changes of PO2 in particular higher than physiologic PO2 and PCO2 in the arterial blood stored at room temperature are significant in accordance with the delay in measuring, it would be advisable to analyze the sample in a short period of time or to store it in a cool place when the measuring will be delayed.
Atmosphere ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Carbon Dioxide ; Catheters ; Electrodes ; Gases* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Plastics ; Running ; Syringes

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Intrahepatic recurrence is one of the most important causes of compromised prognosis after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study was designed to identify and compare the risks of recurrence, early recurrence and multiple recurrences in a single patient population. METHODS: A series of 92 consecutive patients, who received resection for single nodular HCC at our institute from January 2007 to December 2013, were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into recurrent and non-recurrent groups; the recurrent group was further divided into subgroups by applying two criteria: early and late recurrence (with a cutoff of 18 months), and single and multiple (> or =2) recurrence. The potential risk factors were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. The subgroup analysis was performed to determine the effects of different cut-off values on the analysis. RESULTS: 41 recurrences (44.6%) occurred during a mean follow-up of 42.4 months. The Child-Pugh score, and the portal vein invasion were found to be independent risk factors of recurrence, but differentiation was the only independent risk factor of early recurrence. The serum alpha-fetoprotein, tumor size, tumor necrosis, and hemorrhage were found to be the risk factors of multiple recurrences according to the univariate analysis, but lacked significance according to the multivariate analysis. When the cutoffs for early and multiple recurrences were changed to < or =10 months and >3 nodules, respectively, different risk factors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our results implicated that different factors can predict the recurrence, timing, and multiplicity of an HCC recurrence. Further studies should be conducted to prove the complex relationships between tumor burden, invasiveness, and underlying liver cirrhosis for initial tumors, and the timing and multiplicity of recurrent HCC.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Necrosis ; Portal Vein ; Prognosis ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Tumor Burden

Propofol is limited in clinical use for induction of anesthesia, because of its high incidence of pain on injection. We sought to determine whether different methods could prevent this pain. 150 patients were allocated randomly into five groups. Group 1 was received room-air temperature propofol 2.5 mg/kg. Group 2 was received room-air temperature propofol 2.5 mg/kg mixed with 1 ml of 1%(10 mg) lidocaine. Group 3 was received room-air temperature propofol 2.5 mg/kg just after the injection of l ml of 1%(10 mg) lidocaine. Group 4 was received room-air temperature propofol 2.5 mg/kg mixed with 1 ml of 0.5%(5 mg) lidocaine. Group 5 was received propofol 2.5 mg/kg cooled to 0-4degrees C. The pain was classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe. All patients were questioned the degree of pain in an identical manner both at induction of anesthesia and as recalled in the recovery room. There was a significant reduction in the incidnce and severity of pain in the Groups 2 and 3, which were used 10 mg of lidocaine. But 23.3% of patients in the Group 2 and 30.0% of patients in the Group 3 still suffered unpleasant pain during the induction, and 20.0% and 26.7% of patients, respectively recalled in the recovery room. From the above results, we concluded that the pain from injection of propofol can be prevented by 1 ml of 1%(10 mg) lidocaine mixed with propofol or preinjection before propofol.
Administration, Intravenous* ; Anesthesia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lidocaine ; Propofol* ; Recovery Room

The incidence of bilateral temporal bone fractures are reported in 9% to 20%. Otic capsule violating temporal bone fractures are highly related to sensorineural hearing loss, when compared with otic capsule sparing fractures. Patients with bilateral temporal bone fractures and profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss may benefit from cochlear implantation. We present the case of a 44-year-old male with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss caused by bilateral temporal bone fractures who achieved successful auditory rehabilitation after a cochlear implantation.
Adult ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Temporal Bone

Although growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) is known to play a significant role in the regulation of axonal growth and the formation of new neuronal connections in the hippocampus, there is only a few studies on the effects of acute stress on GAP-43 mRNA expression in the hippocampus. Moreover, the effects of repeated citalopram treatment on chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced changes in GAP-43 mRNA expression in the hippocampus have not been explored before. To explore this question, male rats were exposed to acute immobilization stress or CMS. Also, citalopram was given prior to stress everyday during CMS procedures. Acute immobilization stress significantly increased GAP-43 mRNA expression in all subfields of the hippocampus, while CMS significantly decreased GAP-43 mRNA expression in the dentate granule cell layer (GCL). Repeated citalopram treatment decreased GAP-43 mRNA expression in the GCL compared with unstressed controls, but this decrease was not further potentiated by CMS exposure. Similar decreases in GAP-43 mRNA expression were observed in CA1, CA3 and CA4 areas of the hippocampus only after repeated citalopram treatment in CMS-exposed rats. This result indicates that GAP-43 mRNA expression in the hippocampus may differently respond to acute and chronic stress, and that repeated citalopram treatment does not change CMS-induced decreases in GAP-43 mRNA expression in the GCL.
Animals ; Axons ; Citalopram ; GAP-43 Protein ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Male ; Neurons ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: To improve survival and/or to avoid radiotherapy, high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) was given to patients with recurrent or high risk medulloblastoma (MB)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) as well as patients younger than 3 years of age. METHODS: Six patients (3 recurrent, 1 high risk, 2 younger than 3 years; 5 MBs and 1 PNET) received single or double HDCT and PBSCT with or without immunotherapy using interleukin-2. Chemotherapeutic regimen in the first HDCT included cyclophosphamide (1,500 mg/m2/ day for 4 days) and melphalan (60 mg/m2/day for 3 days). Chemotherapeutic regimen in the second HDCT included carboplatin (400 mg/m2/day for 3 days), thiotepa (250 mg/ m2/day for 3 days), and etoposide (200 mg/m2/day for 3 days). RESULTS: Nine HDCTs were applied in 6 patients. Three double HDCTs were rescued with peripheral blood stem cells collected during single round leukapheresis. Rapid hematologic recovery occurred in 4 patients. Engraft failure occurred in 1 patient and delayed granulocyte recovery and platelet engraft failure occurred in 1 patient. Three patients who had minimal disease before HDCT had event free survival for 7~18 months after HDCT. Tumor relapsed 8 and 12 months after single HDCT in 2 patients among 3 patients with recurrent MB/PNET. One patient with recurrent MB died due to engraft failure and sepsis. CONCLUSION: HDCT with autologous PBSCT is expected to improve survival of patients with poor prognosis MB/PNET including younger patients less than 3 years. Subsequent trials with larger number of patients and long-term follow-up are needed.
Blood Platelets ; Carboplatin ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy* ; Etoposide ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-2 ; Leukapheresis ; Medulloblastoma ; Melphalan ; Neural Plate* ; Neuroectodermal Tumors* ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Sepsis ; Stem Cells ; Thiotepa

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a tumor with poor prognosis although curative surgical resection is known to be the most effective treatment. To obtain negative resection margin is still a challenging problem for surgeons. We designed this study to investigate further the treatment strategies of the hilar cholangiocarcinoma by comparing the prognosis of patients managed by different modalities with special emphasis on the polarity of the resection margin. METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was performed at the Inha University Hospital for 70 patients managed for hilar cholangiocarcinoma from June 1996 to May 2002. RESULTS: The patients consisted of 45 men and 25 women. The average age of the patients was 66.4 years old. The survival rate for 1 year and 3 years and the median survival period were investigated. For the negative resection margin sub-group, those were 100%, 28.6% and 23 months respectively, while those for the positive resection margin sub-group were 70.6%, 10.8% and 19 months respectively. For the palliative bypass surgery sub-group, those were 0%, 0%, and 5 months, for the biliary stent sub-group, those were 5.3%, 0% and 5 months and for the intraductal radiotherapy sub-group, those were 20%, 0% and 7 months respectively. When the patients were divided between the resection and the non- resection groups, those figures were 79.2%, 12.1% and 20 months for the resection group while for the non-resection group, those were 11.9%, 0% and 6 months respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the survival rates for the resection and the non-resection groups were different (p=0.0001). However, the survival difference for the negative and the positive resection margin sub-groups were insignificant (p= 0.2401). For the three sub-groups of the non-resection group, the survival difference for each sub-groups were also insignificant (p=0.2979). Postoperative complication was observed in 12 patients (38.7%). Three patients died and the postoperative mortality rate was 9.7%. CONCLUSION: To improve the survival of the hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients, it is believed that the best treatment is the aggressive resection of the tumor even if it is difficult to obtain negative resection margin. Considering the high morbidity and mortality rate of extensive surgery and comparable survival of the positive resection margin patients, further extension of the extent of resection to obtain negative resection margin should be performed in selected patients.
Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis* ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Survival Rate