This study investigates a novel approach to wound management that combines negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with the shoelace technique for closure of soft tissue defects. We retrospectively reviewed three cases treated between August 2022 and January 2023, where NPWT combined with the shoelace technique facilitated effective wound closure without general anesthesia. This approach shows significant potential in managing various wound etiologies, including pressure ulcers, postoperative dehiscence, and soft tissue defects resulting from hematomas. The outcomes demonstrated promising healing with minimal complications, suggesting a viable alternative for patients unable to undergo traditional surgical procedures. Despite the study’s limitations, such as a small sample size and subjective clinical judgments, the results advocate for further research and standardization of this technique.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.

In the 2023 series, we summarized the major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology based on communications at the conference of Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology Review Course. The review consisted of 1) Endometrial cancer: immune checkpoint inhibitor, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), selective inhibitor of nuclear export, CDK4/6 inhibitors WEE1 inhibitor, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. 2) Cervical cancer: surgery in low-risk early-stage cervical cancer, therapy for locally advanced stage and advanced, metastatic, or recurrent setting; and 3) Ovarian cancer: immunotherapy, triplet therapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors along with antiangiogenic agents and PARP inhibitors, and ADCs. In 2023, the field of endometrial cancer treatment witnessed a landmark year, marked by several practice-changing outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the reliable efficacy of PARP inhibitors and ADCs.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic role of programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in patients with non-immunotherapytreated advanced cervical cancer. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from medical records between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016, at Asan Medical Center (Korea); archived tumor samples were assessed for PD-L1 expression (combined positive score [CPS] ≥1) and TMB (≥175 mutations/exome). Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from advanced diagnosis or initiation of first-line or second-line systemic therapy until death/last follow-up. The association of OS with PD-L1 expression and TMB were analyzed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for covariates. Results: Of 267 patients, 76.0% had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 24.0% had adenocarcinoma (AC)/adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), 64.4% had PD-L1 CPS ≥1, and 32.6% had TMB ≥175 mutations/exome. PD-L1 CPS ≥1 and TMB ≥175 mutations/exome were more prevalent in SCC than in AC/ASC (73.9% and 37.2% vs. 34.4% and 17.7%). There was no association between OS and PD-L1 expression (CPS ≥1 vs. <1: adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.84–1.53 from advanced diagnosis); OS trended shorter for the subgroup with TMB ≥175 versus <175 mutations/exome (adjusted HR=1.29;95% CI=0.95–1.75). Conclusion Retrospective analysis of non-immunotherapy-treated patients with advanced cervical cancer demonstrated a higher prevalence of PD-L1 CPS ≥1 and TMB ≥175 mutations/ exome in SCC versus AC/ASC. PD-L1 CPS ≥1 was not associated with OS; TMB ≥175 mutations/exome showed a trend toward shorter OS. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Objective: Suicide is a significant public health issue, with South Korea having the highest suicide rate among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. This study aimed to develop clinical guidelines for suicide prevention in psychiatric patients in Korea using the ADAPTE methodology. Methods: The development process involved a comprehensive review of literature, expert consultations, and consensus-building using the Nominal Group Technique and Delphi method. The guidelines focus on evidence-based psychiatric treatments, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, tailored to the Korean context. Key findings underscoring the need for standardized treatment protocols for patients with major psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. Results: The guidelines incorporate treatments like lithium, clozapine, atypical antipsychotics, electroconvulsive therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which have shown effectiveness in suicide prevention. Applicability and acceptability within Korea’s healthcare system were addressed, ensuring feasibility given the country’s medical insurance coverage and accessibility. The guidelines were validated through expert reviews and Delphi rounds, achieving consensus on the final recommendations. Conclusion The developed guidelines provide a structured, evidence-based approach to reducing suicide rates among psychiatric patients in Korea. Future research will focus on expanding these guidelines to include screening protocols for high-risk groups.

In the 2023 series, we summarized the major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology based on communications at the conference of Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology Review Course. The review consisted of 1) Endometrial cancer: immune checkpoint inhibitor, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), selective inhibitor of nuclear export, CDK4/6 inhibitors WEE1 inhibitor, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. 2) Cervical cancer: surgery in low-risk early-stage cervical cancer, therapy for locally advanced stage and advanced, metastatic, or recurrent setting; and 3) Ovarian cancer: immunotherapy, triplet therapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors along with antiangiogenic agents and PARP inhibitors, and ADCs. In 2023, the field of endometrial cancer treatment witnessed a landmark year, marked by several practice-changing outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the reliable efficacy of PARP inhibitors and ADCs.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic role of programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in patients with non-immunotherapytreated advanced cervical cancer. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from medical records between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016, at Asan Medical Center (Korea); archived tumor samples were assessed for PD-L1 expression (combined positive score [CPS] ≥1) and TMB (≥175 mutations/exome). Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from advanced diagnosis or initiation of first-line or second-line systemic therapy until death/last follow-up. The association of OS with PD-L1 expression and TMB were analyzed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for covariates. Results: Of 267 patients, 76.0% had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 24.0% had adenocarcinoma (AC)/adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), 64.4% had PD-L1 CPS ≥1, and 32.6% had TMB ≥175 mutations/exome. PD-L1 CPS ≥1 and TMB ≥175 mutations/exome were more prevalent in SCC than in AC/ASC (73.9% and 37.2% vs. 34.4% and 17.7%). There was no association between OS and PD-L1 expression (CPS ≥1 vs. <1: adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.84–1.53 from advanced diagnosis); OS trended shorter for the subgroup with TMB ≥175 versus <175 mutations/exome (adjusted HR=1.29;95% CI=0.95–1.75). Conclusion Retrospective analysis of non-immunotherapy-treated patients with advanced cervical cancer demonstrated a higher prevalence of PD-L1 CPS ≥1 and TMB ≥175 mutations/ exome in SCC versus AC/ASC. PD-L1 CPS ≥1 was not associated with OS; TMB ≥175 mutations/exome showed a trend toward shorter OS. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.

Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) is widely used in facial rejuvenation as a collagen stimulator, with a lower risk of granuloma formation compared to poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). However, granulomas may still occur. In this case, a 58-year-old woman developed firm, non-tender, bilateral infraorbital granulomas 2 months after her third PDLLA injection for infraorbital hollowing. The lesions were unresponsive to intralesional trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and intense pulsed light therapy, necessitating surgical removal. Histopathological analysis confirmed foreign-body granulomas caused by the PDLLA filler. This case highlights the need for caution when injecting PDLLA into thin-skinned areas like the infraorbital region, where granulomas can be more visible due to limited tissue volume. Although PDLLA fillers are generally safe, granuloma formation remains a potential complication. Early diagnosis and treatment with non-surgical methods, such as intralesional TCA, should be prioritized. If these methods fail, surgical excision, aimed at preserving as much normal tissue as possible, may be necessary for optimal outcomes.