PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of time of surgery for acute appendicitis on surgical outcomes to optimize the timing of appendectomies. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent an appendectomy were reviewed to obtain data on time of symptom onset, time of hospital presentation, and start times of surgery. Surgical findings were used to define appendicitis as either uncomplicated or complicated. The uncomplicated group included patients with simple, focal, or suppurative appendicitis, and the complicated group included patients with gangrenous, perforated appendicitis or periappendiceal abscess formation. The 2 groups were analyzed by age, sex, and time. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were analyzed. The mean time from symptom onset to start of operation showed a significant difference between both groups (1,652.9 minutes vs. 3,383.8 minutes, P < 0.001). The mean time from hospital visit to start of operation showed no difference between both groups (398.7 minutes vs. 402.0 minutes, P = 0.895). Operating within 24 hours of symptom onset had a relative risk of 1.738 (95% confidence interval, 1.319-2.425) for complications. Operating more than 36 hours after symptom onset was associated with an increased risk of postoperative ileus and a longer hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Complicated appendicitis is associated with a delay in surgery from symptom onset rather than a delay at hospital arrival. Surgeons should take into account the time from symptom onset when deciding on the timing of appendectomy. We recommend that appendectomy be performed within 36 hours from symptom onset.
Abscess ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Humans ; Ileus ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Surgeons ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) expression are reliable poor-prognosis markers associated with the presence of adverse biomarkers and subtypes of breast cancer. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the clinical impact of CD133 and ALDH1 expression in invasive breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 291 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent breast cancer operations from 2005 to 2010 at a single institution were included in this retrospective review. CD133 and ALDH1 expression were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CD133 and ALDH1 expression were positive in 24.7% and 22.0% of the patients, respectively, and were associated with tumor size, cancer stage, estrogen receptor negativity, nonluminal subtype, triple-negative breast cancer, and recurrence. CD133 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, progesterone receptor negativity, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positivity, chemotherapy, and poor disease-free (p=0.002) and overall survival (p=0.014), but ALDH1 expression was not. Cancer stage (p<0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. Cancer stage (p<0.001) and receipt of radiotherapy (p=0.045) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: CD133 or the combination of CD133 and ALDH1 expression were more widely associated with the presence of adverse biomarkers and subtypes of breast cancer, compared to ALDH1 expression alone, and these markers may have a potential predictive role and be a helpful tool in the management for patients with invasive breast cancer.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; Biomarkers ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms

Timing of surgery is important for prognosis. In patients with acute abdomen, the urgency means timing of surgery is even more important. However early emergency surgery is often logistically daunting because of constraints on resources such as operating room, supporting anesthesiologist, and nurses. Therefore it is worthwhile reviewing the timing of surgery in the patient with acute abdomen. The authors discuss the ideal time to surgery based on their experience and a review of the literature. For appendicitis and for peptic ulcer perforation, the authors recommend surgery within 24 hours from symptom onset. However, for other acute abdomen disease, evidence for a consensus is not as strong. If a surgeon faces a large number of emergent patients, if resources are limited, the surgeon must decide priorities for surgery. Therefore, an emergency triage system is needed, based on expert opinion and evidence. Although several triage systems are described in the literature, there is some controversy. If we follow a triage system, utilization of resources will be more efficient and acute care surgery might be performed within the ideal time.
Abdomen, Acute* ; Appendicitis ; Consensus ; Emergencies ; Expert Testimony ; Humans ; Operating Rooms ; Peptic Ulcer Perforation ; Prognosis ; Time Management ; Time-to-Treatment ; Triage

PURPOSE: Several published policy statements have warned against the risks associated with trampoline use and recommended safety guidelines. However, few studies have focused on trampoline-related injuries in Korea. This study aimed to assess the incidence and characteristics of pediatric trampoline-related injuries presented to Ulsan University Hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children aged <16 years with trampoline-related injuries who visited our Emergency Department between 2008 and 2017. RESULTS: Over the 10-year period, 178 trampoline-related injuries were reported, which represented a significant increase (P=0.016). Most (87.6%) of the injuries occurred during the last 5 study years, and a rapid increase in injuries was observed in children aged <6 years. Lower extremity injuries (62.4%) were the most common, followed by injuries of the upper extremities, head and face, and trunk, including injuries to the neck and spine. Sixty-seven children (37.6%) had fractures, and proximal tibia fractures were the most common. Fractures were significantly more common in younger children (<6 years old) than in older children (P=0.026). CONCLUSION: In Korea, the mechanism of trampoline injury is similar to that of injuries incurred in indoor trampoline parks but is characterized by smaller spaces and multiple users. Trampoline use and the incidence of trampoline-related injuries in children aged <6 years are increasing rapidly. Prohibiting the use of trampolines for children aged <6 years, restricting simultaneous use by multiple children, and ensuring adult supervision should be strictly emphasized. Public awareness and policy guidelines are needed to reduce the incidence of trampoline-related injuries.
Adult ; Child ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Organization and Administration ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Tibia ; Ulsan ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: BRAF(V600E) mutation is the most common genetic alteration in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and has been associated with poor prognostic factors. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the frequency of the BRAF mutation in PTC with and without benign thyroid nodules (BN). METHODS: 98 DNA samples were extracted from frozen tissues of 51 PTC and 47 BN specimens of 70 patients and were divided into four group: PTC with BN, PTC alone, BN with PTC and BN alone group. We investigated the BRAF mutation by sequencing and clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: Total positive rate of BRAF mutation was 23.5% in the two PTC groups. That rate of the PTC with BN group was 10.7% and the PTC alone group was 39.1%. Positive rate in the PTC with BN group was lesser than the PTC alone group and had statistically difference (P=0.02). The positive rate of BRAF mutation was 7.1% in the BN with PTC group and 5.3% in the BN alone group. Positive rate in these two group was not statistically different (P=0.80). CONCLUSION: The frequency of BRAF mutation in PTC with concurrent BN was lower than in PTC alone. This result suggests that the effect of BRAF mutation is lesser associated with PTCs with BN than PTC alone group.
DNA ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroid Nodule*

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has been recognized as one of the treatment options for inguinal hernia. This study compared the short-term results of two methods of repair: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair and open tissue based repair. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP repair (LH, 105 cases) and open repair (OH, 57 cases) at our hospital between September 2007 and December 2008. Posterior wall repairs in open technique follow as McVay (25 cases) and Bassini (32 cases). Demographic data, operation time, perioperative complications, consumption of analgesics, and hospital stay were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in relation to patient characteristics; age, gender, BMI, medical and surgical history and hernia type. Also, there was no difference of operation time for both groups. Patients in the LH group consumed fewer analgesics (P=0.002). Intraoperative complications occurred more frequently in the LH group (P=0.036) but postoperative complications were similar. Hospital stay was shorter in LH (P<0.001). There was no difference of recurrence between LH group and OH group for 16 months. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic TEP repair shows similar postoperative complications and recurrences and with less postoperative pain and hospital stay, compared with open tissue based hernia repair. However, further study with longer follow up data is necessary.
Analgesics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Length of Stay ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Pyrazines ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Despite the reported advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), there is debate about the postoperative complication rates. Our study attempts to determine if laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and feasible compared with open appendectomy (OA). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent open appendectomy (OA, 2,109 cases) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA, 500 cases) at our hospital between 1997 and 2007. Incidental and interval appendectomies were excluded from this study. Demographic data, pathology, operation time, length of hospital stay, days to regular diet, and in hospital complication rate were identified. RESULTS: The peak age was 27 years. Seven of the 500 were converted to OA, yielding a conversion rate of 1.2%. The presence of non-visualized appendix, adhesion and technical failures were reasons for conversion. The distribution of histological stages of inflammation was comparable in both groups. The mean operating time was longer for the laparoscopic (64 min) than for the open procedure (58 min) (P<0.001). The complication rate after OA (7%) was significantly higher than that following LA (2.8%) (P=0.001). Hospital stay and frequency of analgesic administration were significantly lower in LA group than in OA group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and clinically beneficial operating procedure even in patients with appendicitis with peritonitis, perforation and abscess, resulting in shorter hospital stays and lower complication rates.
Abscess ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Diet ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Length of Stay ; Peritonitis ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies