PURPOSE: Extra-thyroidal extension has been recognized as a poor prognostic factor for increased regional recurrence risk in papillary thyroid carcinoma, and is known to require treatment that is more aggressive. In the recent UICC TNM 6th Classification, an extra-thyroidal extension was divided into a minimal extra-thyroidal extension (T3) and a massive extra-thyroidal extension (T4). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of a minimal extra-thyroidal extension of a papillary carcinoma for the recurrence of regional cervical lymph nodes. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 154 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma where a thyroidectomy was performed from Feb. 2003 to May. 2006 at the Department of Surgery, with the exclusion of 6 patients with a massive extra-thyroidal extension. We divided the cases into a no extra-thyroidal extension group and a minimal extra-thyroidal extension group according to the grading of the extra-thyroidal extension. The grading of the extra-thyroidal extension was based on both pathological findings and intraoperative surgical findings. Clinicopathological factors associated with each group were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. We divided the cases into two groups according to age (<45 yrs, > or =45 yrs) and lymph node status (positive, negative), and compared each group with regards to disease free survival according to the grading of the extra-thyroidal extension. RESULTS: By univariate analysis, a minimal extra-thyroidal extension was related to lymph node metastasis, tumor size, mutifocality (P<0.05), and was not related to cervical lymph node recurrence statistically (P=0.108). Cervical lymph node recurrence was related to being male, lymph node metastasis and tumor size (P<0.05). By multivariate analysis, a minimal extra-thyroidal extension was independently related to tumor size, multifocality, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). In both groups with regards to age and lymph node status, a minimal extra-thyroidal extension was not statistically related to disease free survival (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We need to downstage to less than T3 for a minimal extra-thyroidal extension because there is no significant difference in disease free survival according to the grading of an extra-thyroidal extension in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Papillary ; Classification ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: Transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP) offers a minimally invasive operation alternative to stab avulsion for varicose veins. The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of TIPP with conventional phlebectomy (CP) for removal of varicose veins. METHOD: A retrospective review was performed on the clinical records from March 2001 to March 2002. We divided the patients into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 87 patients (107 limbs) who had undergone TIPP. The second group of 27 patients (29 limbs) had undergone CP by the stab avulsion. We compared operation time, number of skin incisions, duration of hospital stay, patient's satisfaction scores, and complications. RESULT: Mean operation time was significantly shorter in the TIPP group than in the CP group (47.3 min vs. 64.0 min). The number of skin incision was also significantly less in the TIPP group (3.4 vs. 4.9). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TIPP group (2.5 days vs. 4.0 days). However, postoperative patient's satisfaction score was similar in both groups. 81 patients (93%) in the TIPP group developed ecchymosis postoperatively, resolved spontaneously within approximately 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: TIPP can make the better cosmetic result, shorter duration of hospitalization and operation time. These results suggest that TIPP is a feasible surgical treatment modality for varicose veins of the lower extremity. However, we should minimize postoperative ecchymosis and improve the surgical technique.
Ecchymosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lower Extremity* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Varicose Veins*

Doxylamine is common over-the-counter sleep preparations & frequently involved in overdoses. The clinical course is dominated by the anticholinergic effects, including central nervous system & autonomic effects. We report 4 cases of suicide attempts in adults where ingestion of the doxylamines were complicated by rhabdomyolysis. They ingested doxylamines variable amount & were carried to emergency department. They complained gastrointestinal or central nervous system symptoms. Gastric lavages & administrations of activated charcoal were done. Creatine phosphok inase levels were normal or markedly elevated on arrival, but peaked several days later. Serum creatinine levels were normal. 99mTc-MDP bone scans were showed increased muscle labelling at the regions of muscle injury. They were treated with hydration, urine alkalinization, & supportive measures in hospital. On considering cause of rhabdomyolysis, our patients did not show any evidence of viral illness or coingestion of other potential myopathic toxins to support a secondary cause of rhabdomyolysis. The mechanism of rhabdomyolysis in cases of doxylamine overdose seems to be a direct toxic effect of the drug on striated muscle, but the exact mechanism is not clear. In all cases where such overdoses are suspected, consideration should be given to obtaining a urinalysis & a creatine phosphokinase level on arrival & creatine phosphokinase levels are carefully followed. Primary detoxication included gastric lavage & administration of activated charcoal. The patient's urine output & renal function should be closely monitored.
Adult ; Autonomic Agents ; Central Nervous System ; Charcoal ; Creatine ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; Doxylamine* ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gastric Lavage ; Humans ; Muscle, Striated ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Suicide ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate ; Urinalysis

PURPOSE: The five-year survival rate is over 95% for radically resected early gastric cancer. The development of diagnostic techniques enables early detection of gastric cancer, so the life expectancy of patients with early gastric cancer is prolonged. Therefore, a limited number of surgeries are performed these days for the purpose of increasing the quality of life. The purpose of this study is to assess the postoperative quality of life after a pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) compared with that after a subtotal gastrectomy with gastroduodenal anastomosis (B-I). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seven (107) patients who underwent gastric surgery for early gastric cancer from January 1999 to December 2003 at the Department of Surgery of Chonnam National University Hospital were selected. We compared patients who underwent a PPG with those who underwent a B-I. The clinical results were compared by using the chi-square test and the Student's T-test. The data were considered to be significant when the P value was less than 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (29) underwent a PPG, and the other seventy-eight (78) patients underwent a B-I. There was no significant difference between the two groups on sex, age, and postoperative abdominal symptoms. The patients who underwent a PPG showed shorter operation times and less reflux gastritis and esophagitis on endoscopic evaluation than the patients who underwent a B-I. CONCLUSION: The pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is a more physiologic operation than the subtotal gastrectomy with gastroduodenal anastomosis (B-I) and improves the postoperative quality of life.
Esophagitis ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastritis ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Life Expectancy ; Quality of Life ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate