Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination in Korean adolescents. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of adolescents aged 12–19 years old diagnosed with myocarditis/pericarditis within 42 days of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. All reported cases were investigated by city or government epidemiologists and the diagnostic certainty and causality was determined by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Adverse Event Following Immunization Expert Advisory Committee according to the modified version of Brighton Collaboration Myocarditis/Pericarditis Working group’s case definitions. Results: A total 3,709,063 adolescents aged 12–19 received 8,135,240 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in South Korea, and 184 cases met the Brighton criteria for the case definition of myocarditis and pericarditis with diagnostic certainty of possible and above. The median age was 17 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 15–18) and boys accounted for 81.5% (n = 150/184) of the cases. The overall incidence was 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94–2.60) cases per 100,000 doses and severe cases was 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15–3.80) cases per 100,000 doses.The highest incidence rate was observed in boys after the second dose, with 5.01 (95% CI, 4.12–6.17) cases per 100,000 doses. A total 89.1% (164/184) were classified as mild, and no deaths were reported. Conclusion The highest incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 immunization was observed in male adolescents after the second dose, with majority of the cases presenting with a mild clinical course and favorable outcome.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination in Korean adolescents. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of adolescents aged 12–19 years old diagnosed with myocarditis/pericarditis within 42 days of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. All reported cases were investigated by city or government epidemiologists and the diagnostic certainty and causality was determined by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Adverse Event Following Immunization Expert Advisory Committee according to the modified version of Brighton Collaboration Myocarditis/Pericarditis Working group’s case definitions. Results: A total 3,709,063 adolescents aged 12–19 received 8,135,240 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in South Korea, and 184 cases met the Brighton criteria for the case definition of myocarditis and pericarditis with diagnostic certainty of possible and above. The median age was 17 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 15–18) and boys accounted for 81.5% (n = 150/184) of the cases. The overall incidence was 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94–2.60) cases per 100,000 doses and severe cases was 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15–3.80) cases per 100,000 doses.The highest incidence rate was observed in boys after the second dose, with 5.01 (95% CI, 4.12–6.17) cases per 100,000 doses. A total 89.1% (164/184) were classified as mild, and no deaths were reported. Conclusion The highest incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 immunization was observed in male adolescents after the second dose, with majority of the cases presenting with a mild clinical course and favorable outcome.

Background/Aims: Ischemic colitis (IC), the most common ischemic syndrome affecting the gastrointestinal tract, results from a decreased blood supply to the colon. Persistent symptoms can lead to complications, necessitating surgery. This study assessed the clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcomes in IC. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined the medical records of 141 patients diagnosed pathologically with IC via surgery or colonoscopy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital between April 2004 and August 2023. Results: Eighteen (12.8%) and 123 (87.2%) patients were diagnosed by surgical biopsy and biopsy with colonoscopy, respectively.Multivariate analysis identified right-sided colon involvement, fever, and the absence of hematochezia as risk factors for the progression to surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.924, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–34.767, p=0.049; OR=24.139, 95% CI 5.209– 111.851, p<0.001; and OR=0.076, 95% CI 0.013–0.446, p=0.004, respectively). The in-hospital mortality was 5.7% (8/141), and the patients who died exhibited higher rates of shock. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was 11 (1–219) days. Patients who had longer hospital stays (≥14 days) had a significantly higher rate of fever but a lower rate of hematochezia. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for determining the need for surgery in patients with right-sided colon involvement, fever, or the absence of hematochezia.

Background/Aims: Ischemic colitis (IC), the most common ischemic syndrome affecting the gastrointestinal tract, results from a decreased blood supply to the colon. Persistent symptoms can lead to complications, necessitating surgery. This study assessed the clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcomes in IC. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined the medical records of 141 patients diagnosed pathologically with IC via surgery or colonoscopy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital between April 2004 and August 2023. Results: Eighteen (12.8%) and 123 (87.2%) patients were diagnosed by surgical biopsy and biopsy with colonoscopy, respectively.Multivariate analysis identified right-sided colon involvement, fever, and the absence of hematochezia as risk factors for the progression to surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.924, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–34.767, p=0.049; OR=24.139, 95% CI 5.209– 111.851, p<0.001; and OR=0.076, 95% CI 0.013–0.446, p=0.004, respectively). The in-hospital mortality was 5.7% (8/141), and the patients who died exhibited higher rates of shock. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was 11 (1–219) days. Patients who had longer hospital stays (≥14 days) had a significantly higher rate of fever but a lower rate of hematochezia. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for determining the need for surgery in patients with right-sided colon involvement, fever, or the absence of hematochezia.

Background/Aims: Ischemic colitis (IC), the most common ischemic syndrome affecting the gastrointestinal tract, results from a decreased blood supply to the colon. Persistent symptoms can lead to complications, necessitating surgery. This study assessed the clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcomes in IC. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined the medical records of 141 patients diagnosed pathologically with IC via surgery or colonoscopy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital between April 2004 and August 2023. Results: Eighteen (12.8%) and 123 (87.2%) patients were diagnosed by surgical biopsy and biopsy with colonoscopy, respectively.Multivariate analysis identified right-sided colon involvement, fever, and the absence of hematochezia as risk factors for the progression to surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.924, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–34.767, p=0.049; OR=24.139, 95% CI 5.209– 111.851, p<0.001; and OR=0.076, 95% CI 0.013–0.446, p=0.004, respectively). The in-hospital mortality was 5.7% (8/141), and the patients who died exhibited higher rates of shock. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was 11 (1–219) days. Patients who had longer hospital stays (≥14 days) had a significantly higher rate of fever but a lower rate of hematochezia. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for determining the need for surgery in patients with right-sided colon involvement, fever, or the absence of hematochezia.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination in Korean adolescents. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of adolescents aged 12–19 years old diagnosed with myocarditis/pericarditis within 42 days of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. All reported cases were investigated by city or government epidemiologists and the diagnostic certainty and causality was determined by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Adverse Event Following Immunization Expert Advisory Committee according to the modified version of Brighton Collaboration Myocarditis/Pericarditis Working group’s case definitions. Results: A total 3,709,063 adolescents aged 12–19 received 8,135,240 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in South Korea, and 184 cases met the Brighton criteria for the case definition of myocarditis and pericarditis with diagnostic certainty of possible and above. The median age was 17 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 15–18) and boys accounted for 81.5% (n = 150/184) of the cases. The overall incidence was 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94–2.60) cases per 100,000 doses and severe cases was 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15–3.80) cases per 100,000 doses.The highest incidence rate was observed in boys after the second dose, with 5.01 (95% CI, 4.12–6.17) cases per 100,000 doses. A total 89.1% (164/184) were classified as mild, and no deaths were reported. Conclusion The highest incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 immunization was observed in male adolescents after the second dose, with majority of the cases presenting with a mild clinical course and favorable outcome.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination in Korean adolescents. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of adolescents aged 12–19 years old diagnosed with myocarditis/pericarditis within 42 days of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. All reported cases were investigated by city or government epidemiologists and the diagnostic certainty and causality was determined by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Adverse Event Following Immunization Expert Advisory Committee according to the modified version of Brighton Collaboration Myocarditis/Pericarditis Working group’s case definitions. Results: A total 3,709,063 adolescents aged 12–19 received 8,135,240 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in South Korea, and 184 cases met the Brighton criteria for the case definition of myocarditis and pericarditis with diagnostic certainty of possible and above. The median age was 17 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 15–18) and boys accounted for 81.5% (n = 150/184) of the cases. The overall incidence was 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94–2.60) cases per 100,000 doses and severe cases was 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15–3.80) cases per 100,000 doses.The highest incidence rate was observed in boys after the second dose, with 5.01 (95% CI, 4.12–6.17) cases per 100,000 doses. A total 89.1% (164/184) were classified as mild, and no deaths were reported. Conclusion The highest incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 immunization was observed in male adolescents after the second dose, with majority of the cases presenting with a mild clinical course and favorable outcome.

Background/Aims: Ischemic colitis (IC), the most common ischemic syndrome affecting the gastrointestinal tract, results from a decreased blood supply to the colon. Persistent symptoms can lead to complications, necessitating surgery. This study assessed the clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcomes in IC. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined the medical records of 141 patients diagnosed pathologically with IC via surgery or colonoscopy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital between April 2004 and August 2023. Results: Eighteen (12.8%) and 123 (87.2%) patients were diagnosed by surgical biopsy and biopsy with colonoscopy, respectively.Multivariate analysis identified right-sided colon involvement, fever, and the absence of hematochezia as risk factors for the progression to surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.924, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–34.767, p=0.049; OR=24.139, 95% CI 5.209– 111.851, p<0.001; and OR=0.076, 95% CI 0.013–0.446, p=0.004, respectively). The in-hospital mortality was 5.7% (8/141), and the patients who died exhibited higher rates of shock. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was 11 (1–219) days. Patients who had longer hospital stays (≥14 days) had a significantly higher rate of fever but a lower rate of hematochezia. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for determining the need for surgery in patients with right-sided colon involvement, fever, or the absence of hematochezia.

Background/Aims: Ischemic colitis (IC), the most common ischemic syndrome affecting the gastrointestinal tract, results from a decreased blood supply to the colon. Persistent symptoms can lead to complications, necessitating surgery. This study assessed the clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcomes in IC. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined the medical records of 141 patients diagnosed pathologically with IC via surgery or colonoscopy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital between April 2004 and August 2023. Results: Eighteen (12.8%) and 123 (87.2%) patients were diagnosed by surgical biopsy and biopsy with colonoscopy, respectively.Multivariate analysis identified right-sided colon involvement, fever, and the absence of hematochezia as risk factors for the progression to surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.924, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–34.767, p=0.049; OR=24.139, 95% CI 5.209– 111.851, p<0.001; and OR=0.076, 95% CI 0.013–0.446, p=0.004, respectively). The in-hospital mortality was 5.7% (8/141), and the patients who died exhibited higher rates of shock. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was 11 (1–219) days. Patients who had longer hospital stays (≥14 days) had a significantly higher rate of fever but a lower rate of hematochezia. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for determining the need for surgery in patients with right-sided colon involvement, fever, or the absence of hematochezia.

Purpose: Little is known about the soft tissue destruction by holmium laser clinically used for holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), subject to the distance between the laser fiber tip and the tissue surface. We aimed to investigate the impact of the distance between the laser fiber tip and the phantom surface (DLP) on a soft tissue phantom (STP) in relation to the surgical modes of HoLEP. Methods: STP responses to the laser pulses produced by a commercial holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Holmium:YAG) laser at an output setting 2 J were observed at different values of the DLP (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm) to look at (1) the single laser pulse-induced cavitation bubble and its penetration into the STP, (2) the STP destruction by a single pulse, (3) the STP destruction by 60 pulses repeated at 12 Hz, and (4) the thermal effect by the multiple pulses visualized on a thermosensitive bovine serum albumin (BSA) STP. Results: We observed that the laser pulse produced a heated gas bubble in water centered at the laser fiber tip. The bubble shape depended on the DLP. The bubble completely penetrated into the STP at the DLP of 0 mm and the penetration decreased with the DLP. The size of the destruction of the STP by the laser pulses was shown to decrease as the DLP increased. Test with the BSA STP showed that, at the DLP of 3 mm, the destruction became insignificant while the thermal effects were still effective. Conclusions We illustrated that soft tissue destruction by the Holmium:YAG laser is associated with cavitation effects. We provide for the first time experimental evidence for various surgical modes in HoLEP such as incision and hemostasis in relation to the DLP.