Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

The modified Phemister technique, which fixes the acromioclavicular joint with a k-wire and fixes the coronoid process and clavicle with a sling, has often been used as surgical treatment for dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. This technique has the advantage of allowing early rehabilitation exercises with accurate anatomical reduction and firm fixation. On the other hand, some complications have been reported, such as infection, deformation recurrence, fixation complications, erosion of the distal clavicle or fracture of the sling, and secondary arthritis. This study presents a patient who experienced shoulder pain and functional impairment after conservative treatment for a sling area insufficiency fracture that arose from using the modified Phemister technique. Locking screw plate fixation with tricortical iliac bone grafting and matchstick-shaped cancellous bone grafting were used, and successful outcomes were achieved. This paper reports this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Background: Current international guidelines recommend against deep sedation as it is associated with worse outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in Korea the prevalence of deep sedation and its impact on patients in the ICU are not well known. Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional cohort study was performed in 20 Korean ICUs. Sedation depth extent was divided into light and deep using a mean Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale value within the first 48 hours. Propensity score matching was used to balance covariables; the outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Overall, 631 patients (418 [66.2%] and 213 [33.8%] in the deep and light sedation groups, respectively) were included. Mortality rates were 14.1% and 8.4% in the deep and light sedation groups (P = 0.039), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that time to extubation (P < 0.001), ICU length of stay (P = 0.005), and death P = 0.041) differed between the groups. After adjusting for confounders, early deep sedation was only associated with delayed time to extubation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence inter val [CI], 0.55– 0.80; P < 0.001). In the matched cohort, deep sedation remained significantly associated with delayed time to extubation (HR, 0.68; 95% 0.56–0.83; P < 0.001) but was not associated with ICU length of stay (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.79–1.13; P = 0.500) and in-hospital mortality (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.65–2.17; P = 0.582). Conclusion In many Korean ICUs, early deep sedation was highly prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients and was associated with delayed extubation, but not prolonged ICU stay or in-hospital death.

Purpose: Patients who have undergone gastrectomy have unique symptoms that are not appropriately assessed using currently available tools. This study developed and validated a symptom-focused quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for patients who have received gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods Based on a literature review, patient interviews, and expert consultation by the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS), the initial item pool was developed. Two large-scale developmental studies were then sequentially conducted for exploratory factor analyses for content validity and item reduction. The final item pool was validated in a separate cohort of patients and assessed for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and clinical validity. Results The initial questionnaire consisted of 46-items in 12 domains. Data from 465 patients at 11 institutions, followed by 499 patients at 13 institutions, were used to conduct item reduction and exploratory factor analyses. The final questionnaire (KOQUSS-40) comprised 40 items within 11 domains. Validation of KOQUSS-40 was conducted on 413 patients from 12 hospitals. KOQUSS-40 was found to have good model fit. The mean summary score of the KOQUSS-40 was correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and STO22 (correlation coefficients, 0.821 and 0.778, respectively). The KOQUSS-40 score was also correlated with clinical factors, and had acceptable internal consistency (> 0.7). Test-retest reliability was greater than 0.8. Conclusion The KOQUSS-40 can be used to assess QoL of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy and allows for a robust comparison of surgical techniques in clinical trials.

Purpose: Patients who have undergone gastrectomy have unique symptoms that are not appropriately assessed using currently available tools. This study developed and validated a symptom-focused quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for patients who have received gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods Based on a literature review, patient interviews, and expert consultation by the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS), the initial item pool was developed. Two large-scale developmental studies were then sequentially conducted for exploratory factor analyses for content validity and item reduction. The final item pool was validated in a separate cohort of patients and assessed for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and clinical validity. Results The initial questionnaire consisted of 46-items in 12 domains. Data from 465 patients at 11 institutions, followed by 499 patients at 13 institutions, were used to conduct item reduction and exploratory factor analyses. The final questionnaire (KOQUSS-40) comprised 40 items within 11 domains. Validation of KOQUSS-40 was conducted on 413 patients from 12 hospitals. KOQUSS-40 was found to have good model fit. The mean summary score of the KOQUSS-40 was correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and STO22 (correlation coefficients, 0.821 and 0.778, respectively). The KOQUSS-40 score was also correlated with clinical factors, and had acceptable internal consistency (> 0.7). Test-retest reliability was greater than 0.8. Conclusion The KOQUSS-40 can be used to assess QoL of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy and allows for a robust comparison of surgical techniques in clinical trials.

Purpose: This study analyzed the effects of non-damaging retinal laser therapy (NRT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who were undergoing follow-up with NRT from November 2016 to February 2018. NRT was performed in patients who underwent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection at least two times with no improvement in visual acuity and a reduced amount of subretinal fluid. Before and after treatment, logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) evaluation and subretinal fluid (SRF) according to thickness measurements of the macula determined from optical coherence tomography imagery were performed over a period of at least 6 months. Results: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients (11 male and 7 female) with chronic central serous retinopathy were treated with NRT. The mean age of patients was 54.6 ± 13.19 years old and the mean duration of follow-up was 9.75 ± 3.20 months. The central macular thickness decreased from 375 to 246 nm (p < 0.001) and BCVA improved from 0.48 to 0.40 (p = 0.028). SRF completely resolved in 55.56% of the patients after NRT. Conclusions In patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, which did not improve even after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, NRT is a relatively safe and effective treatment.

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the shortening effect of the modified Weil osteotomy for the treatment of Freiberg’s disease. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 21 cases treated with the modified Weil osteotomy for Freiberg’s disease from November 2005 to June 2019. The average follow-up period was 32.5 months and the mean age of the patients was 38.3 years. The clinical results were analyzed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale, the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint. In the radiologic evaluation, the length of preoperative and postoperative metatarsal shortening was compared. Results: The average AOFAS lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale showed an improvement from 60.5 preoperatively to 90.9 at the latest follow-up. VAS showed a decrease from 5.4 preoperatively to 0.9 at the latest follow-up. ROM of the affected metatarsophalangeal joint increased from 40.2 degrees preoperatively to 58.6 degrees at the latest follow-up. The mean length of metatarsal shortening was 6.7 mm. There was no transfer metatarsalgia, osteonecrosis, and definite joint space narrowing. Conclusion Modified Weil osteotomy with second layer cutting is an effective treatment option to restore the joint surface and painless joint motion for patients with Freiberg’s disease.

Calcification in the tendon is a common disease especially in the rotator cuff. The condition can be treated conservatively in the chronic stage, but surgically in the acute stage. On the other hand there are few reports of calcification in the cruciate ligament of the knee joint, especially calcification of the posterior cruciate ligament. A 51-year-old patient with symptomatic calcification in the mid-substance of the posterior cruciate ligament was treated conservatively. The symptoms did not improve after eight months of conservative treatment, so arthroscopic surgery was performed. During arthroscopic removal of the calcification, the ligament was damaged beyond preservation.Eventually a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed. At two years after surgery, radiography confirmed no recurrence of the calcification, and the patient was free. We report this case study with a review of the relevant literature.