Purpose: This study aimed to analyze nationwide trends and regional disparities in inguinal hernia surgeries in South Korea between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate changes in surgery frequency, including urban concentration and the introduction of robotic surgery. Methods: This retrospective review used nationwide data on inguinal hernia surgeries from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Results: From 2016 to 2022, 254,367 inguinal hernia surgeries were performed in South Korea, with males accounting for 88.9% of cases. The annual number of surgeries fluctuated, particularly in 2020, owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Medical costs increased from $1,218.4 to $1,970 on average, whereas patient copayments rose from $180.2 to $293.3. Robotic inguinal hernia surgeries, introduced in 2019, increased to 226 cases in 2022. Pediatric surgeries steadily declined, whereas adult surgeries remained stable, with a slight increase in 2022. The average hospital stay did not change significantly but varied between pediatric and adult patients. Regional disparities were notable, especially in pediatric surgery rates between metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and the surrounding provinces. Conclusion This study highlights stable overall surgery rates, a decline in pediatric cases, and an increase in robotic inguinal hernia surgeries. The persistent concentration of healthcare services in metropolitan areas suggests a need for policy interventions to address regional disparities and ensure equitable healthcare access. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare distribution and the need for long-term strategies to address changing surgical trends.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze nationwide trends and regional disparities in inguinal hernia surgeries in South Korea between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate changes in surgery frequency, including urban concentration and the introduction of robotic surgery. Methods: This retrospective review used nationwide data on inguinal hernia surgeries from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Results: From 2016 to 2022, 254,367 inguinal hernia surgeries were performed in South Korea, with males accounting for 88.9% of cases. The annual number of surgeries fluctuated, particularly in 2020, owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Medical costs increased from $1,218.4 to $1,970 on average, whereas patient copayments rose from $180.2 to $293.3. Robotic inguinal hernia surgeries, introduced in 2019, increased to 226 cases in 2022. Pediatric surgeries steadily declined, whereas adult surgeries remained stable, with a slight increase in 2022. The average hospital stay did not change significantly but varied between pediatric and adult patients. Regional disparities were notable, especially in pediatric surgery rates between metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and the surrounding provinces. Conclusion This study highlights stable overall surgery rates, a decline in pediatric cases, and an increase in robotic inguinal hernia surgeries. The persistent concentration of healthcare services in metropolitan areas suggests a need for policy interventions to address regional disparities and ensure equitable healthcare access. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare distribution and the need for long-term strategies to address changing surgical trends.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze nationwide trends and regional disparities in inguinal hernia surgeries in South Korea between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate changes in surgery frequency, including urban concentration and the introduction of robotic surgery. Methods: This retrospective review used nationwide data on inguinal hernia surgeries from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Results: From 2016 to 2022, 254,367 inguinal hernia surgeries were performed in South Korea, with males accounting for 88.9% of cases. The annual number of surgeries fluctuated, particularly in 2020, owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Medical costs increased from $1,218.4 to $1,970 on average, whereas patient copayments rose from $180.2 to $293.3. Robotic inguinal hernia surgeries, introduced in 2019, increased to 226 cases in 2022. Pediatric surgeries steadily declined, whereas adult surgeries remained stable, with a slight increase in 2022. The average hospital stay did not change significantly but varied between pediatric and adult patients. Regional disparities were notable, especially in pediatric surgery rates between metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and the surrounding provinces. Conclusion This study highlights stable overall surgery rates, a decline in pediatric cases, and an increase in robotic inguinal hernia surgeries. The persistent concentration of healthcare services in metropolitan areas suggests a need for policy interventions to address regional disparities and ensure equitable healthcare access. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare distribution and the need for long-term strategies to address changing surgical trends.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based recommendations. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: This guideline provides treatment guidance on advanced systemic treatment modalities for AD. In particular, the guideline offers up-to-date treatment recommendations for biologics and Janus-kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD.It also provides guidance on other therapies for AD, along with tailored recommendations for children, adolescents, the elderly, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD treatment guidelines incorporate the latest evidence and expert opinion to provide a comprehensive approach to AD treatment. The guidelines will help clinicians optimize patient-specific therapies.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based practices. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: The guidelines provide detailed recommendations on foundational therapies, including the use of moisturizers, cleansing and bathing practices, allergen avoidance, and patient education. Guidance on topical therapies, such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, is also provided to help manage inflammation and maintain skin barrier function in patients with AD. Additionally, recommendations on conventional systemic therapies, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate, are provided for managing moderate to severe AD. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD guidelines offer clinicians evidence-based strategies focused on basic therapies, topical therapies, and conventional systemic therapies, equipping them to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes in AD management.

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans. Materials and Methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy. Conclusion This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

A rare case is described of an intrathyroidal branchial cleft-like cyst in neonate. The patient was a newborn girl with a mass in the left lateral neck. The ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a cystic lesion in the left thyroid. The lesion was enucleated surgically from the thyroid. Histologically, the cyst was lined by squamous or columnar epithelium and contained inflammatory cell infiltraion, thyroid and parathyroid tissue. The patient has been doing well without any evidence of thyroid dysfunction for 15 months.
Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Neck ; Thyroid Gland ; Ultrasonography