Rectal cancer, which accounts for approximately 40% of colorectal cancers, remains a major clinical concern. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment have steadily improved rectal cancer outcomes. Considering this, the Korean Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary (KRCM) Committee has aimed to provide clinicians and policymakers with up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to support optimal decision-making, reflecting current evidence, the Korean healthcare context, and patient values and preferences. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rectal Cancer version 2.0 were developed through multidisciplinary collaboration with related academic societies, building upon and updating the KRCM Clinical Practice Guidelines version 1.0 (titled “Multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of rectal cancer”). These consensus guidelines of the KRCM were established based on a comprehensive literature review, evidence synthesis, with recommendation development guided by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology, and consideration of applicability in real-world clinical practice under the national health insurance system. Each recommendation has been presented with its strength and level of evidence.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown significant oncological improvements in several cancers.However, ICIs are still in their infancy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been known as prognostic factors in HCC. Therefore, we have focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms between each marker to evaluate a predictive role. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were obtained from 166 patients with HCC who underwent surgery. The expression of PD-L1 and TILs and EMT marker were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that TIL expression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.483; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.269–0.866; P = 0.015) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. The prognostic factors for disease-free survival were EMT marker expression (HR, 1.565; 95% CI, 1.019–2.403; P = 0.005). Patients with high expression of TILs had significantly better survival compared to patients with low expression (P = 0.023). Patients who were TIL+/EMT– showed a significantly better prognosis than those who were TIL–/EMT+ (P = 0.049). Conclusion This study demonstrates that PD-L1 expression of TILs is closely associated with EMT marker expression in HCC. Clinical investigations using anti–PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with EMT-associated PD-L1 upregulation are warranted.

Purpose: There are increased therapeutic usages of rituximab in kidney transplantation (KT). However, few studies have evaluated the effect of rituximab on cancer development following KT. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rituximab on the cancer occurrence and mortality rate according to each type of cancer. Methods: Five thousand consecutive recipients who underwent KT at our center were divided into era1 (1990–2007) and era2-rit– (2008–2018), and era2-rit+ (2008–2018) groups. The era2-rit+ group included patients who received single-dose rituximab (200–500 mg) as a desensitization treatment 1–2 weeks before KT. Results: The 5-year incidence rates of malignant tumors after KT were 3.1%, 4.3%, and 3.5% in the era1, era2-rit–, and era2-rit+ group, respectively. The overall incidence rate of cancer after transplantation among the 3 study groups showed no significant difference (P = 0.340). The overall cancer-related mortality rate was 17.1% (53 of 310). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had the highest mortality rate (61.5%) and relative risk of cancer-related death (hazard ratio, 8.29; 95% confidence interval, 2.40–28.69; P = 0.001). However, we found no significant association between rituximab and the incidence of any malignancy. Conclusion Our results suggest that single-dose rituximab for desensitization may not increase the risk of malignant disease or cancer-related mortality in KT recipients. HCC was associated with the highest risk of cancer-related mortality in an endemic area of HBV infection.

A gastric intramural hematoma is very rare and commonly associated with trauma, anticoagulation therapy, coagulopathy, pancreatic disease, aneurysm and peptic ulcer disease. This is a case of gastric intramural hematoma which occurred in a patient taking aspirin after hypertonic saline-epinephrine injection for bleeding from a biopsy site. We describe a case of gastric intramural hematoma that was successfully managed with conservative therapy.
Aneurysm ; Aspirin ; Biopsy ; Epinephrine ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis* ; Humans ; Pancreatic Diseases ; Peptic Ulcer ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic

PURPOSE: This study comparedthe effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy with conventional open adrenalectomy for the treatment of pheochromocytoma. METHODS: Medical records of 100 patients who underwent surgical removal of pheochromocytoma (open adrenalectomy, n=59; laparoscopic adrenalectomy, n=39) at Samsung Medical Center from June 1995 to August 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: To draw an appropriate comparison, patients with a tumor less than 7 cm in size were evaluated (open adrenalectomy, n=23; laparoscopic adrenalectomy n=31). No statistically significant differences were evident according to age, gender and tumor size. The mean operating time was 158 min for the open surgery group and 114 minfor the laparoscopic group (P<0.01). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 10.4 days following open surgery and 5.6 days following laparoscopic surgery (P<0.01). The mean volume of the estimated blood loss for the laparoscopic surgery group (482 ml) was less than for the open surgery group (mean 229 ml) (P=0.06), and the time to first oral intake was 1.7 days after laparoscopic adrenalectomy and 3.5 days after open surgery (P<0.01). The frequency of using analgesics for postoperative pain after laparoscopic adrenalectomy was markedly lower than following conventional open adrenalectomy. There was no recurrence or complications during the follow-up periods (mean: 30 months). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy offers advantages of less postoperative pain, shorter operative time and a shorter hospital stay as compared with conventional open adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for treating pheochromocytoma is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional open adrenalectomy.
Adrenalectomy* ; Analgesics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Deciding on the appropriate antiplatelet therapy is a challenge when treating patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We describe here a case of PCI in a patient with chronic, refractory ITP. A 61-year-old woman presented with exertional chest pain and a low platelet count (4 x 109/L) at admission. Coronary angiography revealed 99% stenosis of the mid left anterior descending artery and 95% stenosis of the mid left circumflex artery. Antiplatelet agents couldn't be administered because of the risk of bleeding. After transfusion of platelets and administering intravenous immunoglobulin, we deployed baremetal stents in both lesions without administering any antiplatelet agents. Although focal in-stent restenosis developed 5 months later, there was no episode of stent thrombosis despite not using antiplatelet agents. The present case suggests that the rate of stent thrombosis may be lower was previously thought and antiplatelet therapy may be considered on a case by case for patient suffering with thrombocytopenia.
Arteries ; Chest Pain ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors* ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* ; Stents* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Recently, B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and left atrial volume index (LAVi) were known to correlate with indices of LV diastolic function. As a screening method, we tried to evaluate the efficacy to BNP, ANP, and LAVi to predict the advanced diastolic dysfunction that means myocardial relaxation abnormality and elevated LV filling pressure. METHODS: In 100 patients who referred for echocardiography, Doppler recording of the mitral inflow and tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus were obtained and classified into 4 diastolic function grades (normal, impaired relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive). Advanced diastolic dysfunction was defined as pseudonormal and restrictive physiology. LAVi was measured by modified Simpson's method in apical 4-chamber view at end-systole. Plasma levels of BNP and ANP were measured on the same day as echocardiogram was done. RESULTS: BNP and ANP levels were increased as diastolic function grade was worsening (BNP : 60+/-92, 108+/-204, 778+/-1,023 and 1,426+/-1,421 pg/ml, p<0.001; ANP: 22+/-30, 23+/-26, 94+/-92, 96+/-61 pg/ml, p<0.001). LAVi was also increased as diastolic dysfunction was advanced: 24+/-7 ml/m2, 27+/-9 ml/m2, 37+/-12 ml/m2, 45+/-12 ml/m2, p<0.001. The areas under the curve of receiver-operator characteristic curve for BNP, ANP and LAVi to detect the advanced diastolic dysfunction were 0.91, 0.88 and 0.84, respectively. BNP of 137 pg/ml, ANP of 34 pg/ml, and LAVi of 30 ml/m2 were the best values of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that BNP, ANP and LAVi provide meaningful sensitivity and specificity for the detection of advanced diastolic dysfunction, respectively. Among these, BNP is better than ANP or LAVi for the screening method to predict the advanced diastolic dysfunction.
Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Diastole ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides* ; Physiology ; Plasma ; Relaxation ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility, safety, advantages and limitations of laparoscopic management of adnexal masses in pregnancy by comparing with laparotomy. METHODS: Between Jan 2001 to Jan 2003, 36 laparoscopic procedures and 15 laparotomy procedures were performed in 51 patients with adnexal masses in pregnancy. Operation time, hospital stay, pathologic findings, complications and pregnancy outcome were analyzed in these patients. RESULTS: Most common pathologic finding was mature cystic teratoma (45%) and malignancy of adnexal tumors were 3 cases (5.9%). There were no differences in size of adnexal tumor, operation time, hemoglobin level change after operation, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar score, preterm delivery and fetal anomaly between the two groups. Hospital stays was shorter and gestational age at operation was earlier in laparoscopy than explolaparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of adnexal masses in pregnancy is safe and effective procedure.
Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Laparoscopy* ; Laparotomy* ; Length of Stay ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy* ; Teratoma

OBJECTIVE: To compare single-dose prophylactic antibiotics after cord clamping with multi-dose postoperative antibiotics in operative complications after elective cesarean section. METHODS: Forty-five women undergoing elective cesarean section had 1g cefazolin administration after umbilical cord clamping. Forty-five women was control group who had antibiotics administration postoperatively 4 times 1 g cefazolin and 5 days more per oral. Postoperative complication including febrile morbidity, wound infection, endometritis, urinary tract infection, pneumonia were recorded, as were the duration of hospital stay and the need for therapeutic antibiotics. RESULTS: Postoperative complication incuding febrile morbidity, wound infection, endometritis, urinary tract infection, pneumonia had no difference between two groups significantly. Also, their hospital stay had no difference significantly. CONCLUSION: Single-dose prophylactic antibiotics administration after cord clamping in elective cesarean section is considered to have no difference in comparison with multi-dose post-operative administration. Single-dose prophylactic antibiotics administration after cord clamping will reduce side effect of drugs and resistance. Also it will provide better cost effectiveness.
Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Cefazolin ; Cesarean Section* ; Constriction* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Endometritis ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Pneumonia ; Postoperative Complications ; Pregnancy ; Umbilical Cord ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Wound Infection

Endometriosis generally occurs in the pelvis, particularly in the broad ligament, round ligament, ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterosacral ligament. However, many unusual sites have been described, including the umbilicus, cesarean section scars, hernia sacs, appendix, vagina, vulva, omentum and perineum. We experienced a case of perineal endometriosis diagnosed according to cyclic perineal pain associated with menstration and report it with brief review of literature.
Appendix ; Broad Ligament ; Cesarean Section ; Cicatrix* ; Endometriosis* ; Episiotomy* ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Hernia ; Ligaments ; Omentum ; Ovary ; Pelvis ; Perineum ; Pregnancy ; Round Ligament of Uterus ; Umbilicus ; Vagina ; Vulva