Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Purpose: To report a nationwide survey on neuroblastoma conducted by the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) in 2020. Methods: The clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with and treated for neuroblastoma from 2005 to 2019 in 19 hospitals of KAPS members were collected. Survival and prognostic factor analyses were performed using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazard analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 669 patients with neuroblastoma were registered for the study. The results were presented and discussed at the 36th annual meeting of the KAPS, which was held in Seoul on August 21, 2020. Conclusion This study provides information on patient demographics, prognostic outcomes, and comprehensive treatment outcomes for neuroblastoma. The study is expected to be an important reference for improving pediatric surgeons’ understanding and treatment of neuroblastoma.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate and compare the incidence, demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, preoperative diagnostic methods, anatomical classifications, associated anomalies, operative treatments, and postoperative outcomes of patients with intestinal atresia treated by the members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) through three nationwide surveys. Methods: KAPS conducted 3 national surveys in 1998, 2010, and 2024 to examine the patients diagnosed with intestinal atresia. In preparation for the survey, we developed a customized case registration form to obtain data on patient sex, birth weight, gestational age, clinical manifestations, preoperative diagnostic methods, anatomical types, associated anomalies, operative treatments, and postoperative outcomes. Authorized KAPS members completed the case registration form. Results: The first, second, and third national surveys included 218, 222, and 236 individuals diagnosed with intestinal atresia, respectively. The male-to-female ratios were 1.5:1, 1.1:1, and 1.1:1, respectively. The first, second, and third national surveys revealed that 34.3%, 43.3%, and 53.4% of patients were born before 37 weeks of gestation, respectively. Additionally, 28.7%, 32.0%, and 40.7% of patients had a birth weight under 2,500 g. In the third national survey, duodenoduodenostomy was the most common procedure, performed in 70 out of 82 patients diagnosed with duodenal atresia. Resection and anastomosis were the main surgical procedures conducted in 47 out of 54 cases of jejunal atresia and 74 out of 92 cases of ileal atresia. The mortality rates in the first, second, and third national surveys were 13.8%, 3.6%, and 1.3% respectively, with the lowest rate observed in the third national survey. Conclusion These national surveys offer valuable insights into the current state of intestinal atresia, including specific surgical interventions and postoperative outcomes in South Korea. For pediatric surgeons aiming to enhance their understanding of intestinal atresia and its treatment options, these surveys could be an indispensable resource and guide.

Background and Objectives: Angiographic assessment of coronary stenosis severity using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is often inconsistent with that based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We investigated the incidence of discrepancies between QCA and FFR or IVUS, and the outcomes of FFR- and IVUS-guided strategies in discordant coronary lesions. Methods: This study was a post-hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR study. We used a QCA-derived diameter stenosis (DS) of 60% or greater, the highest tertile, to classify coronary lesions as concordant or discordant with FFR or IVUS criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months. Results: The discordance rate between QCA and FFR or IVUS was 30.2% (n=551). The QCAFFR discordance rate was numerically lower than the QCA-IVUS discordance rate (28.2% vs. 32.4%, p=0.050). In 200 patients with ≥60% DS, PCI was deferred according to negative FFR (n=141) and negative IVUS (n=59) (15.3% vs. 6.5%, p<0.001). The POCO incidence was comparable between the FFR- and IVUS-guided deferral strategies (5.9% vs. 3.4%, p=0.479).Conversely, 351 patients with DS <60% underwent PCI according to positive FFR (n=118) and positive IVUS (n=233) (12.8% vs. 25.9%, p<0.001). FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI did not differ in the incidence of POCO (9.5% vs. 6.5%, p=0.294). Conclusions The proportion of QCA-FFR or IVUS discordance was approximately one third for intermediate coronary lesions. FFR- or IVUS-guided strategies for these lesions were comparable with respect to POCO at 24 months.

Background and Objectives: Angiographic assessment of coronary stenosis severity using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is often inconsistent with that based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We investigated the incidence of discrepancies between QCA and FFR or IVUS, and the outcomes of FFR- and IVUS-guided strategies in discordant coronary lesions. Methods: This study was a post-hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR study. We used a QCA-derived diameter stenosis (DS) of 60% or greater, the highest tertile, to classify coronary lesions as concordant or discordant with FFR or IVUS criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months. Results: The discordance rate between QCA and FFR or IVUS was 30.2% (n=551). The QCAFFR discordance rate was numerically lower than the QCA-IVUS discordance rate (28.2% vs. 32.4%, p=0.050). In 200 patients with ≥60% DS, PCI was deferred according to negative FFR (n=141) and negative IVUS (n=59) (15.3% vs. 6.5%, p<0.001). The POCO incidence was comparable between the FFR- and IVUS-guided deferral strategies (5.9% vs. 3.4%, p=0.479).Conversely, 351 patients with DS <60% underwent PCI according to positive FFR (n=118) and positive IVUS (n=233) (12.8% vs. 25.9%, p<0.001). FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI did not differ in the incidence of POCO (9.5% vs. 6.5%, p=0.294). Conclusions The proportion of QCA-FFR or IVUS discordance was approximately one third for intermediate coronary lesions. FFR- or IVUS-guided strategies for these lesions were comparable with respect to POCO at 24 months.

Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.

Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.

Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.