PURPOSE: Mesh non-fixation in TEP is associated with lower cost and shorter operative time, and it is safe and recommended when performed by an experienced surgeon. In performance of TEP surgery using a non-fixation mesh, particularly by a non-experienced surgeon, prevention of mesh migration is an important issue for mesh application. The aim of this study was to report on a fixation method using a non-preformed mesh encircling a cord structure without the use of tacks, staples, or fibrin sealants in TEP surgery. METHODS: A total of 41 patients who had undergone mesh-encircling TEP without fixation from December 2008 (first case of surgery) to June 2012 were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 23.2 months (12~35 months). Three patients complained of scrotal discomfort, and one patient complained of scrotal edema, but they were resolved with conservative management. There was no recurrence during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: The method of mesh-encircling TEP without fixation material and no additional mesh in which the slit of the mesh is wrapped around the cord structure using an overlay suture is a simple and safe technique without compromising recurrence or chronic pain.
Chronic Pain ; Edema ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Operative Time ; Recurrence ; Sutures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of transperineal sonography of the prostate in patients with previousabdominoperineal resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transperineal prostatic sonograms were obtained from ninepatients with abdominoperineal resection. The shortest distance between the probe and the prostate gland, itsvolume, and its internal and external structures were evaluated for image quality, shape, border, and the degreeof distortion in internal echo. Because the number of patients was small, statistical analysis was not performed. RESULTS: Transperineal sonography of the prostate in eight patient was obtained at ease, except that one of ninepatients was not able to continue the procedure because of severe tenderness of the perineum and poor cooperation.Acceptable images of the prostate gland and their adjacent structures were obtained in one patient with less than1cm between the probe and prastate gland, three of four with between 1cm and 1.5cm, and one of three with morethan 1.5cm. CONCLUSION: In patients with previous abdominoperineal resection, transperineal sonography of theprostate may be a good imaging modality.
Humans ; Perineum ; Prostate*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze oncologic outcomes after transanal local excision (LE) to ensure adequate surveillance of recurrence in order to treat with curative intent. METHODS: Between January 2000 and June 2009, 102 patients who underwent transanal LE for rectal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 102 patients, 53 (52.0%) were male. The mean age was 57 +/- 11 years. Postoperative pathologic examination revealed 93 cases (91.2%) of pathologic T stage (pT)1 and 9 cases (8.8%) of pT2. Forty-eight patients (47.1%) underwent adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. The median follow-up interval was 60 months (range, 3 to 146 months). Seven (6.9%) out of 15 patients who suffered recurrence had locoregional recurrence, three (2.9%) had systemic recurrence and five (4.9%) had both systemic and locoregional recurrence. The latter five patients and two of the three patients with systemic recurrence died because of the disease recurrence. On the other hand, only one of the seven patients with locoregional recurrence died because of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: Systemic recurrence after transanal LE results in fatal consequences. Therefore, not only is it important to identify ideal candidates for LE, but intensive postoperative surveillance is important as well to identify curable recurrence as soon as possible.
Adenocarcinoma ; Dietary Sucrose ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic colectomy is technically demanding. Here we share of experience with laparoscopic procedures with focusing on (1) preoperative localization by a colonoscopic tattoo and (2) comparing the laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (lapaTME) with the conventional TME (openTME) according to microscopic examination. METHODS: We retrospectively collected 112 cases of laparoscopic colectomy that was performed for treating colorectal cancer during the past 6 years. Preoperative colonoscopic tattoo was done by using india ink. The tattoo cases were compared with the non-tattoo cases. Comparison between 13 cases of lapaTME and 15 cases of openTME was assessed by both gross and microscopic examination in the 28 cases for 9 months. The lapaTME and openTME were applied to mid-rectal cancer and mid&low rectal cancer, respectively. RESULTS: Tattoo was carried out for the Tis (100%), T1 (92%), T2 (72%), T3 (36%) cases. Of the significant cases, T3 lesion was not identified at laparoscopic colectomy. LapaTME grossly showed a greater incidence of defect than that of openTME, but there was no difference microscopically between lapaTME and openTME. CONCLUSION: A tattoo was useful for early lesion and it should be considered for advanced lesion. LapaTME for mid-rectal cancer can be done without compromising the principles of TME.
Carbon ; Colectomy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Incidence ; India ; Ink ; Laparoscopy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies

It has been known that glassy cell carcinoma (GCC) of uterine cervix is rare and rapidly progressive, and has a poor prognosis. Here we describe a case of GCC in which photodynamic therapy (PDT) was performed prior to radical hysterectomy. The patient, a 42 year-old woman at the stage of FIGO Ib2 underwent interstitial PDT (Photogem, 2 mg/kg; light, p=100 mV, W=100 J/cm2, 15 min/each 4 direction). The cervical lesion displayed inflammation and necrosis at 48 h following PDT. At 2 weeks post PDT, inflammatory reaction was disappeared and the tumor volume was decreased. No side effects of PDT were also observed. Subsequently, the patient underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node resection. This case suggests that PDT prior to radical surgery might be an effective way to reduce tumor size without any side effects. More cycles of PDT might be beneficial for treating GCC of the uterine cervix.
Adult ; Cervix Uteri* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Inflammation ; Lymph Nodes ; Necrosis ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Tumor Burden

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a major cause of abnormal overgrowth of the prostate mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus has been reported to be effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases because of its strong antioxidant effect, but its efficacy against BPH is not yet known. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Corni Fructus water extract (CF) in testosterone-induced BPH rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce BPH, rats were intraperitoneal injected with testosterone propionate (TP). Rats in the treatment group were orally administered with CF with TP injection, and finasteride, which is a selective inhibitor of 5α-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. RESULTS: Our results showed that the increased prostate weight and histopathological changes in BPH model rats were suppressed by CF treatment. CF, similar to the finasteride-treated group, decreased the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone by TP treatment in the serum, and it also reduced 5α-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. In addition, CF significantly blocked the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), AR co-activators, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in BPH rats, and this blocking was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in serum and prostate tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CF may weaken the BPH status through the inactivation of at least 5α-reductase and AR activity and may be useful for the clinical treatment of BPH.
Aged ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Cornus* ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Finasteride ; Humans ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Rats* ; Receptors, Androgen* ; Testosterone ; Testosterone Propionate ; Water

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although several recent studies have reported the anti-cancer effects of extracts or components of Citrus unshiu peel, which has been used for various purposes in traditional medicine, the molecular mechanisms for their effects remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-cancer activity of a water-soluble extract of C. unshiu peel (WECU) in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells at the level of apoptosis induction was investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining and flow cytometry analyses. Mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, caspase activity and Western blotting were used to confirm the basis of apoptosis. RESULTS: The results indicated that WECU-induced apoptosis was related to the activation of caspase-8, and -9, representative initiator caspases of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and down-regulation of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family members. WECU also increased the pro-apoptotic BAX to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Furthermore, WECU provoked the generation of ROS, but the reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis by WECU were prevented when ROS production was blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that WECU suppressed proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by activating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in a ROS-dependent manner.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 8 ; Caspases, Initiator ; Cell Survival ; Citrus* ; Cysteine ; Cytochromes c ; Cytoplasm ; Down-Regulation ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Medicine, Traditional ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; Oxygen* ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Water*