Purpose: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) according to the method of appendiceal stump closure. Methods: Patients who underwent LA for appendicitis between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into locking polymeric clip (LPC) and loop ligature (LL) groups. Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. Results: LPC and LL were used in 188 (56.6%) and 144 patients (43.4%), respectively for appendiceal stump closure. No significant differences were observed in sex, age, comorbidities, and the severity of appendicitis between the groups. The median operative time was shorter in the LPC group than in the LL group (64.5 minutes vs. 71.5 minutes, P=0.027). The median hospital stay was longer in the LL group than in the LPC group (4 days vs. 3 days, P=0.020). Postoperative incidences of intraabdominal abscess and ileus were higher in the LL group than in the LPC group (4.2% vs. 1.1%, P=0.082 and 2.8% vs. 0%, P=0.035; respectively). The readmission rate was higher in the LL group than that in the LPC group (6.3% vs. 1.1%, P=0.012). Conclusion Using LPC for appendiceal stump closure during LA for appendicitis was associated with lower postoperative complication rate, shorter operative time, and shorter hospital stay compared to the use of LL. Operative time above 60 minutes and the use of LL were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative complications in LA. Therefore, LPC could be considered a more favorable closure method than LL during LA for appendicitis.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of primary tumor resection (PTR) in asymptomatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with unresectable metastases using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method to minimize selection bias. Methods: We selected 146 patients diagnosed with stage IV CRC with unresectable metastasis between 2001 and 2018 from our institutional database. In a multivariate logistic regression model using the patients’ baseline covariates associated with PTR, we applied the IPTW method based on a propensity score and performed a weighted Cox proportional regression analysis to estimate survival according to PTR. Results: Upfront PTR was performed in 98 patients, and no significant differences in baseline factors were detected. The upweighted median survival of the PTR group was 18 months and that of the non-PTR group was 15 months (P = 0.15). After applying the IPTW, the PTR was still insignificant in the univariate Cox regression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–1.21). However, in the multivariate weighted Cox regression with adjustment for other covariates, the PTR showed a significantly decreased risk of cancer-related death (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.94). Conclusion In this study, we showed that asymptomatic CRC patients with unresectable metastases could gain a survival benefit from upfront PTR by analysis with the IPTW method. However, randomized controlled trials are mandatory.

Purpose: There remains a lot of unmet need to increase understanding of node-positive (ypN+) muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy to decide the appropriate therapeutics. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study using the center cancer chemotherapy registry, we found 113 MIBC patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy involving gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) followed by radical cystectomy between 2010 and 2014. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared according to the pathologic node positivity (ypN- vs. ypN+). Among a total of 165 patients with MIBC who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy involving GP, 118 underwent radical cystectomy. In 46 patients with ypN+ disease, DFS and OS were evaluated according to administration of adjuvant GP. Results: After neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy, 41% of patients had ypN+ disease, which showed significantly shorter DFS (median, 7.4 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3–9.6 months) and OS (median, 20.0 months; 95% CI, 13.4–26.6 months) compared to those with ypN- disease. The patients with ypN+ disease had a high risk of recurrence or death, regardless of the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy or adjuvant regimen. Conclusions Within the limitations of this retrospective study, MIBC patients with ypN+ disease despite neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy had a poor prognosis. Further studies involving novel, effective adjuvant treatment including immunotherapy agents are needed to reduce the high risk of recurrence or death in these patients.

Purpose: There remains a lot of unmet need to increase understanding of node-positive (ypN+) muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy to decide the appropriate therapeutics. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study using the center cancer chemotherapy registry, we found 113 MIBC patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy involving gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) followed by radical cystectomy between 2010 and 2014. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared according to the pathologic node positivity (ypN- vs. ypN+). Among a total of 165 patients with MIBC who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy involving GP, 118 underwent radical cystectomy. In 46 patients with ypN+ disease, DFS and OS were evaluated according to administration of adjuvant GP. Results: After neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy, 41% of patients had ypN+ disease, which showed significantly shorter DFS (median, 7.4 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3–9.6 months) and OS (median, 20.0 months; 95% CI, 13.4–26.6 months) compared to those with ypN- disease. The patients with ypN+ disease had a high risk of recurrence or death, regardless of the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy or adjuvant regimen. Conclusions Within the limitations of this retrospective study, MIBC patients with ypN+ disease despite neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy had a poor prognosis. Further studies involving novel, effective adjuvant treatment including immunotherapy agents are needed to reduce the high risk of recurrence or death in these patients.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a predictor of tumor response and as a prognostic factor in patients with rectal cancer who had undergone curative surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT). METHODS: Between January 2009 and July 2016, we collected 140 consecutive patients who had undergone curative intent surgery after nCRT due to rectal adenocarcinoma. We obtained the pre- and post-nCRT NLR by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count. The cutoff value was obtained using receiver operating characteristic analysis for tumor response and using maximally selected rank analysis for recurrence-free survival (RFS). The relationship among NLR, tumor response, and RFS was assessed by adjusting the possible clinico-pathological confounding factors. RESULTS: The possibility of pathologic complete response (pCR) was significantly decreased in high pre- (>2.77) and postnCRT NLR (>3.23) in univariate regression analysis. In multivariate analysis, high post-nCRT NLR was an independent negative predictive factor for pCR (adjusted odds ratio, 0.365; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.145–0.918). The 5-year RFS of all patients was 74.6% during the median 37 months of follow-up. Patients with higher pre- (>2.66) and post-nCRT NLR (>5.21) showed lower 5-year RFS rates (53.1 vs. 83.3%, P = 0.006) (69.2 vs. 75.7%, P = 0.054). In multivariate Cox analysis, high pre-nCRT NLR was an independent poor prognostic factor for RFS (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.300; 95% CI, 1.061–4.985). CONCLUSION: Elevated NLR was a negative predictive marker for pCR and was independently associated with decreased RFS. For confirmation, a large-scale study with appropriate controls is needed.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biomarkers ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neutrophils ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; ROC Curve

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Benign intestinal strictures are common complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to assess the long-term prognosis of endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) to treat benign strictures in IBD patients. METHODS: Patients with IBD who had benign strictures and who underwent EBD in four tertiary referral university hospitals between January 2004 and February 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Technical success was defined as the ability to pass the scope through the stricture after balloon dilation, and clinical success was defined as improved obstructive symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-two benign strictures were identified in 30 patients (15 males and 15 females). Technical success was achieved in 26 patients (86.7%) at the first EBD attempt and in all 30 patients (100%) at the second EBD attempt. Clinical success was seen in 28 patients (93.3%). The median follow-up duration was 134.8 months (range, 10.2 to 252.0 months), and recurrence occurred in eight patients (26.7%), who required repeat EBD. The median duration to relapse was 1.7 months (range, 0.2 to 6.3 months). During repeat EBD, perforation occurred in two cases (6.7%), which were both clipped successfully. Finally, only one patient (3.3%) underwent surgery for the relief of recurrent obstructive symptoms during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of 10 years shows that EBD is safe and effective for the treatment of benign strictures in IBD patients. Importantly, EBD may allow long-term effective palliation of the symptoms associated with benign intestinal strictures in IBD patients.
Colitis, Ulcerative ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Crohn Disease ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Male ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: High Gleason score (8 to 10) is a poor prognostic factor regardless of treatment. Pathological downgrading sometimes occurs in high grade prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with high grade prostate cancer on biopsy who were pathological downgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP). The impact on outcomes according to changes in the Gleason score after RP was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 3,236 men who underwent RP between September 1995 and December 2014, 541 patients with biopsy Gleason score 8 to 10 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed incidence and biochemical recurrence (BCR) free probability in this downgraded group according to the Gleason grade of cancer in the RP specimen. RESULTS: Of 541 patients had a prostate biopsy Gleason score of 8 to 10. Two hundred ten patients showed pathological downgrading after RP (38.8%). Five-year BCR-free probability of patients who had Gleason score of 7 or less after RP was 46.8%. However, 5-year BCR-free probability of patients who remained Gleason scores 8 to 10 after RP was 28.5%. There was a significantly higher BCR-free probability in pathological downgrading group (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, biopsy Gleason 8, lower PSA, clinical T2 stage was a significant predictor of downgrading. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 38.8% of patients with high grade prostate cancer had a Gleason score of 7 or less in the RP specimen. Downgraded prostate cancer had more favorable treatment outcome. Serum PSA, clinical stage and biopsy Gleason score were the predictive factors for pathological downgrading.
Biopsy* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Grading* ; Prostate* ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome*

PURPOSE: We compared biopsy results and surgical outcomes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided biopsy with transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy to demonstrate efficacy of MRI-guided biopsy on previous biopsy negative patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 120 patients who were categorized into MRI-guided biopsy groups (n=20) and TRUS-guided biopsy groups (n=100). All patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) and had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) after MRI-guided or TRUS-guided repeat biopsy between January 2010 and March 2016. Detection rate of significant cancer and Gleason score upgrading and downgrading were examined, in addition to biopsy results and subsequent RP outcomes. RESULTS: Median values for prostate-specific antigen level of the TRUS-guided biopsy group and the MRI-guided biopsy group were 6.67 and 5.86 ng/mL (p=0.303), respectively. Median prostate volume of each group (34.1 mL vs. 23.5 mL, p=0.007), number of positive cores (2.0 vs. 3.0, p=0.001) and maximum cancer/core rate (30.0% vs. 60.0%, p<0.001) were statistically different. Positive core rates of each group were 21.9% and 87.1%, respectively. Pathologic T stage was the only variable that showed difference in surgical outcomes (p=0.002). Most of PCa was confirmed as clinically significant PCa after RP in MRI-guided biopsy group (95%). CONCLUSIONS: MRI-guided biopsy showed higher positive core rate and detection rate of clinically significant PCa than TRUS-guided biopsy in repeat biopsy setting. Prospective multicenter large-scale study and accumulation of data is expected to further define superiority of the MRI-guided biopsy.
Biopsy* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Grading ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) for clinically significant cancer (CSC) based on the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2 in very low-risk or low-risk prostate cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 380 patients with low risk of prostate cancer who underwent mp-MRI before radical prostatectomy (RP) from 2011 to 2013. Of the 380 patients, 142 patients were in the very low risk group. CSC at RP was defined as follows: any T3−4, G3+4 with tumor volume>15%, G4+3 or higher. In the very low risk and low risk groups, we analyzed the rate of CSC according to PI-RADS score and calculated the NPV of mp-MRI for detection of CSC. RESULTS: In the low risk group, 20.8% (n=79) of patients had PI-RADS version 2 score 1–2 and 17.4% (n=66) of patients had PI-RADS version 2 score 3. In the very low risk group, 26.8% (n=38) of patients had PI-RADS version 2 score 1–2 and 17.6% (n=25) of patients had PI-RADS version 2 score 3 in the very low risk group. Rates of CSC were 33.7% (n=128) and 16.9% (n=24) in the low risk and very low risk groups, respectively. The NPV of MRI was 93.7% in the very low risk group and 78.6% in the low risk group. CONCLUSIONS: The NPV of PI-RADS for CSC is high in the very low risk group, but not in the low risk group. Further multicenter studies are needed to investigate the utility of PI-RADS version 2 for NPV.
Humans ; Information Systems* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Prostate* ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Infliximab is currently used for the treatment of active Crohn's disease (CD). We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of infliximab therapy and to determine the predictors of response in Korean patients with CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 317 patients who received at least one infliximab infusion for active luminal CD (n=198) and fistulizing CD (n=86) or both (n=33) were reviewed retrospectively in 29 Korean referral centers. Clinical outcomes of induction and maintenance therapy with infliximab, predictors of response, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients with luminal CD, the rates of clinical response and remission at week 14 were 89.2% and 60.0%, respectively. Male gender and isolated colonic disease were associated with higher remission rates at week 14. In week-14 responders, the probabilities of sustained response and remission were 96.2% and 93.3% at week 30 and 88.0% and 77.0% at week 54, respectively. In patients with fistulizing CD, clinical response and remission were observed in 85.0% and 56.2% of patients, respectively, at week 14. In week-14 responders, the probabilities of sustained response and remission were 94.0% and 97.1%, respectively, at both week 30 and week 54. Thirty-nine patients (12.3%) experienced adverse events related to infliximab. Serious adverse events developed in 19 (6.0%) patients including seven cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Infliximab induction and maintenance therapy are effective and well tolerable in Korean patients with luminal and fistulizing CD. However, clinicians must be aware of the risk of rare yet critical adverse events.
Colonic Diseases ; Crohn Disease* ; Humans ; Infliximab* ; Male ; Phenobarbital ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary