The efficacy and safety of mitomycin C(MMC) trabeculectomy was tested in patients with uncomplicated glaucoma(low-risk group) and the result was compared with that in patients with refractory glaucoma(high-risk group). Subjects included 37 eyes of 26 consecutive patients in low-risk group and 36 eyes of 26 patients in high-risk group. The mean preoperative IOP was 32.9 +/- 9.7 mmHg and 31.9 +/- 8.7 mmHg, respectively(p=1.45). The mean number of preoperative medications was 2.8 +/- 0.8 and 2.0 +/- 0.9, respectively(p<0.05). MMC(0.25 mg/ml or 0.5 mg/ml) was applied between Tenon's capsule and the sclera during trabeculectomy for 3 minutes in low-risk group, for 5 minutes in high-risk group. Scleral-flap was closed with tight releasable sutures. Eyes followed longer than 3 months were included(mean of 14.1 +/- 8.0 months vs 11.9 +/- 6.8 months, p=0.23). The low-risk group had better postoperative results including: a lower IOP at last follow-up(13.7 +/- 3.2 vs 17.2 +/- 8.4 mmHg, p=0.02), a better success rate(94% vs 83% with or without medications, p=0.23: 83% vs 55% without medications, p=0.02), a lower postoperative need for glaucoma medications(0.2 +/- 0.4 vs 0.6 +/- 08, p=0.005). Overall complications were similar between both groups. One of 37 eyes(3%) in the low-risk group developed a hypotony(p=0.51) and one of 36 eyes(3%) in the high-risk group developed a hypotony maculopathy(p=0.49). This study suggests that MMC trabeculectomy with tight releasable scleralflap sutures is safe and effective in controlling IOP not only in refractory glaucoma but also, more successfully, in uncomplicated glaucoma.
Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Mitomycin* ; Sclera ; Sutures ; Tenon Capsule ; Trabeculectomy*

The retinal and choroidal blood vessels respond independently to the abruptly increased arterial pressure due to their differences in the anatomic and physiologic properties, which induce hypertensive retinopathy and hypertensive choroidopathy respectively. The authors reviewed the fluorescein angiogram retrospectively to observe the ischemic changes of the choroid in 15 cases of hypertensive choroidopathy. The ischemic changes of the choroid in hypertensive choroidopathy were characterized by generalized or sectorial filling delay which was followed by staining or leakage of dye. These findings suggest that the choroidal circulation may lead to the sectorial and generalized ischemic conditions following the abruptly increased arterial pressure due to their differences in the anatomic structures. The fluorescein angiographic findings in the hypertensive choroidopathy depend on both the degree of the circulatory disturbance and the levels of the affected choroidal vessels.
Arterial Pressure ; Blood Vessels ; Choroid ; Fluorescein Angiography* ; Fluorescein* ; Hypertensive Retinopathy ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies

We incorporated a 9-0 nylon ligature on the intracameral portion of the Molteno tube to limit postoperative hypotony in 15 eyes of 14 neovascular glaucoma patients. Postoperative hypotony, less than 5mmHg occured in 2 eyes at 1 week, and none thereafter. Argon laser release of the ligature, performed an average of 29 +/- 24 days after surgery, resulted in intraocular pressure reduction in all cases. After 7.3 +/- 3.3 months, the intraocular pressure was significantly lower(47.3 +/- 11.5 vs 18.7 +/- 7.7mmHg, p=0.0007) on less medications(2.2 +/- 1.0 vs 0.3 +/- 0.6, p=0.0008). Thirteen eyes(87%) achieved an intraocular pressure less than 21mmHg and twelve eyes(80%) maintained or improved their preoperative visual acuity. The releasable internal ligature is effective in limiting hypotony and intraocular pressure contral.
Argon ; Glaucoma, Neovascular* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Ligation* ; Nylons ; Visual Acuity

Mitomycin C is now being used not only as an adjunct in the surgical treatment of pterygia but also in glaucoma surgery. However, several serious complications that are possibly related to mitomycin C treatment have been reported. We report on a series of 8 patients(10 eyes) who experienced scleral ulcer after pterygium excision. The period from operation to onset of scleral ulcer was between 5 months and 20 years. Complications included corneoscleral perf oration(1 eye), scleral ulceration(9 eyes), corneal ulceration(2 eyes), complicated cataract(5 eyes) and uveitis(4 eyes). We used autogenous temporalis fascia to reinforce the weakened lesion of 10 eyes with scleral or corneoscleral ulceration. Three eyes underwent extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation after stable grafting. Grafts remained stable in 9 eyes over a mean follow-up of 10.8 +/- 10.4 months(3 to 37 months). One graft melted but regrafting salvaged the eye. Six of 10 eyes improved vision. All patients resolved their subjective symptoms after temporalis fascia grafting. We found autogenous temporalis fascia grafting is efficacious in both treating and preventing ocular perforation due to progressively destructive scleral ulceration.
Cataract Extraction ; Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Mitomycin ; Pterygium* ; Transplants ; Ulcer*

Background/Aims: The study investigated the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with UC who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at the Asan Medical Center in Korea between January 1987 and December 2022. The primary outcomes were endoscopic remission and pouch failure. The Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for CARP. Results: The clinical data of 232 patients were analyzed. The most common cause of surgery was steroid refractoriness (50.9%), followed by dysplasia/colorectal cancer (26.7%). Among 74 patients (31.9%) with chronic pouchitis (CP), 31 (13.4%) had CARP, and 43 (18.5%) had chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis (CADP). The most frequent endoscopic phenotype was focal inflammation of the pouch (CP, 47.3%; CARP, 35.5%; CADP, 55.8%). Patients with CARP were less likely to use concomitant probiotics than patients with CADP (29.0% vs 72.1%, p<0.01). The endoscopic remission rate of CP, CARP, and CADP was 14.9%, 9.7%, and 18.6%, respectively.The pouch failure rate associated with CP, CARP, and CADP was 13.5%, 16.1%, and 11.6%, respectively. Current smoking status (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 6.90; p=0.01) and previous use of biologics/small molecules (aHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.53; p=0.04) were significantly associated with CARP development. Conclusions UC patients who were current smokers and previously used biologics/small molecules had a higher risk of developing CARP. Concomitant use of probiotics was less likely to be associated with CARP development.

Background/Aims: The study investigated the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with UC who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at the Asan Medical Center in Korea between January 1987 and December 2022. The primary outcomes were endoscopic remission and pouch failure. The Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for CARP. Results: The clinical data of 232 patients were analyzed. The most common cause of surgery was steroid refractoriness (50.9%), followed by dysplasia/colorectal cancer (26.7%). Among 74 patients (31.9%) with chronic pouchitis (CP), 31 (13.4%) had CARP, and 43 (18.5%) had chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis (CADP). The most frequent endoscopic phenotype was focal inflammation of the pouch (CP, 47.3%; CARP, 35.5%; CADP, 55.8%). Patients with CARP were less likely to use concomitant probiotics than patients with CADP (29.0% vs 72.1%, p<0.01). The endoscopic remission rate of CP, CARP, and CADP was 14.9%, 9.7%, and 18.6%, respectively.The pouch failure rate associated with CP, CARP, and CADP was 13.5%, 16.1%, and 11.6%, respectively. Current smoking status (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 6.90; p=0.01) and previous use of biologics/small molecules (aHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.53; p=0.04) were significantly associated with CARP development. Conclusions UC patients who were current smokers and previously used biologics/small molecules had a higher risk of developing CARP. Concomitant use of probiotics was less likely to be associated with CARP development.

Background/Aims: The study investigated the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with UC who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at the Asan Medical Center in Korea between January 1987 and December 2022. The primary outcomes were endoscopic remission and pouch failure. The Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for CARP. Results: The clinical data of 232 patients were analyzed. The most common cause of surgery was steroid refractoriness (50.9%), followed by dysplasia/colorectal cancer (26.7%). Among 74 patients (31.9%) with chronic pouchitis (CP), 31 (13.4%) had CARP, and 43 (18.5%) had chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis (CADP). The most frequent endoscopic phenotype was focal inflammation of the pouch (CP, 47.3%; CARP, 35.5%; CADP, 55.8%). Patients with CARP were less likely to use concomitant probiotics than patients with CADP (29.0% vs 72.1%, p<0.01). The endoscopic remission rate of CP, CARP, and CADP was 14.9%, 9.7%, and 18.6%, respectively.The pouch failure rate associated with CP, CARP, and CADP was 13.5%, 16.1%, and 11.6%, respectively. Current smoking status (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 6.90; p=0.01) and previous use of biologics/small molecules (aHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.53; p=0.04) were significantly associated with CARP development. Conclusions UC patients who were current smokers and previously used biologics/small molecules had a higher risk of developing CARP. Concomitant use of probiotics was less likely to be associated with CARP development.

Background/Aims: The study investigated the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with UC who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at the Asan Medical Center in Korea between January 1987 and December 2022. The primary outcomes were endoscopic remission and pouch failure. The Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for CARP. Results: The clinical data of 232 patients were analyzed. The most common cause of surgery was steroid refractoriness (50.9%), followed by dysplasia/colorectal cancer (26.7%). Among 74 patients (31.9%) with chronic pouchitis (CP), 31 (13.4%) had CARP, and 43 (18.5%) had chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis (CADP). The most frequent endoscopic phenotype was focal inflammation of the pouch (CP, 47.3%; CARP, 35.5%; CADP, 55.8%). Patients with CARP were less likely to use concomitant probiotics than patients with CADP (29.0% vs 72.1%, p<0.01). The endoscopic remission rate of CP, CARP, and CADP was 14.9%, 9.7%, and 18.6%, respectively.The pouch failure rate associated with CP, CARP, and CADP was 13.5%, 16.1%, and 11.6%, respectively. Current smoking status (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 6.90; p=0.01) and previous use of biologics/small molecules (aHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.53; p=0.04) were significantly associated with CARP development. Conclusions UC patients who were current smokers and previously used biologics/small molecules had a higher risk of developing CARP. Concomitant use of probiotics was less likely to be associated with CARP development.

PURPOSE: Colostomy creation is an essential procedure for colorectal surgeons, but the preferred method of colostomy varies by surgeon. We compared the outcomes of trephine colostomy creation with open those for the (laparotomy) and laparoscopic methods and evaluated appropriate indications for a trephine colostomy and the advantages of the technique. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 263 patients who had undergone colostomy creation by trephine, open and laparoscopic approaches between April 2006 and March 2016. We compared the clinical features and the operative and postoperative outcomes according to the approach used for stoma creation. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three patients (62%) underwent colostomy surgery for obstructive causes and 100 (38%) for fistulous problems. The mean operative time was significantly shorter with the trephine approach (trephine, 46.0 ± 1.9 minutes; open, 78.7 ± 3.9 minutes; laparoscopic, 63.5 ± 5.0 minutes; P < 0.001), as was the time to flatus (1.8 ± 0.1 days, 2.1 ± 0.1 days, 2.2 ± 0.3 days, P = 0.025). Postoperative complications (<30 days) were not different among the 3 approaches (trephine, 4.3%; open, 1.2%; laparoscopic, 0%; P = 0.828). In patients who underwent rectal surgery, a trephine colostomy was feasible for a diversion colostomy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The trephine colostomy is safe and can be implemented quickly in various situations, and compared to other colostomy procedures, the patient's recovery is faster. Previous laparotomy history was not a contraindication for a trephine colostomy, and a trephine transverse colostomy is feasible for patients who have undergone previous rectal surgery.
Colostomy* ; Flatulence ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Methods ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgeons

PURPOSE: Although the height of a rectal tumor above the anal verge (tumor height) partly determines the treatment strategy, no practical standard exists for reporting this. We aimed to demonstrate the differences in tumor height according to the diagnostic modality used for its measurement. METHODS: We identified 100 patients with rectal cancers located within 15 cm of the anal verge who had recorded tumor heights measured by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), colonoscopy, and digital rectal examination (DRE). Tumor height measured by using MRI was compared with those measured by using DRE and colonoscopy to assess reporting inconsistencies. Factors associated with differences in tumor height among the modalities were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean tumor heights were 77.8 ± 3.3, 52.9 ± 2.3, and 68.9 ± 3.1 mm when measured by using MRI, DRE, and colonoscopy, respectively (P < 0.001). Agreement among the 3 modalities in terms of tumor sublocation within the rectum was found in only 39% of the patients. In the univariate and the multivariate analyses, clinical stage showed a possible association with concordance among modalities, but age, sex, and luminal location of the tumor were not associated with differences among modalities. CONCLUSION: The heights of rectal cancer differed according to the diagnostic modality. Tumor height has implications for rectal cancer’s surgical planning and for interpreting comparative studies. Hence, a consensus is needed for measuring and reporting tumor height.
Colonoscopy ; Consensus ; Digital Rectal Examination ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multivariate Analysis ; Phenobarbital ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum