Purpose: Postoperative complications following gastric cancer surgery significantly impact patient outcomes, yet standardized definitions for these events have not been consistently applied across institutions in Korea. This study aimed to develop a consensus-based, standardized complication classification system specific to gastrectomy for gastric cancer as part of the Korean Quality Improvement Platform in Surgery (K-QIPS) initiative. Methods: As part of K-QIPS, a dedicated task force team (TFT) was formed with surgical experts from fourteen high-volume hospitals across Korea. The TFT conducted ten formal meetings to review existing literature and international guidelines, and incorporated findings from randomized controlled trials. The final complication list was developed through expert consensus and structured into a standardized framework. A Data Entry Manual was created to support consistent data collection by surgical clinical reviewers. Results: The TFT defined specific postoperative complications following gastrectomy for gastric cancer, including anastomotic leakage, duodenal stump leakage, pancreatic fistula, intra-abdominal and luminal bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, and internal hernia. Notably, internal hernia was described in standardized form for the first time. General complications were developed first and overlapped in part with the gastric cancer-specific list. The task force also produced a Data Entry Manual that provides practical instructions to ensure consistency and accuracy in complication reporting. Conclusion This nationwide consensus initiative established the first standardized complication classification system for gastric cancer surgery in Korea. The proposed definitions and data entry system are expected to improve complication reporting, enable multicenter research, support surgical quality benchmarking, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

Purpose: There have been efforts to find alternative samples other than standard samples of tissue or plasma for mutational analyses for lung cancer patients. However, no other sample or technique has replaced the mutational analyses using standard samples. In this prospective study, we assessed a novel bronchoscopy method, named as targeted washing technique, for detecting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. Materials and Methods: A 3.0-mm ultrathin bronchoscope was precisely navigated to the target lung lesion with the assistance of virtual bronchoscopic navigation and fluoroscopy. Once the bronchoscope is placed in front of target lung lesion, 0.9% normal saline was instilled for targeted washing. EGFR testing using targeted washing fluid (TWF) was compared to standard methods using plasma or tumor tissue. Results: In 41 TWF samples, the T790M mutation was detected in tissue, plasma, and TWF samples at rates of 22.0%, 9.8%, and 29.3%, respectively. The overall EGFR T790M detection rate using tissue, plasma, or TWF samples was 36.6%, with TWF samples increasing the T790M mutation detection rate by up to 10%. The accuracy of T790M mutation detection using TWF sample was 82.9% compared with standard samples. Four patients were found to have the EGFR T790M mutation solely through EGFR testing using TWF, which repeated rebiopsies using either plasma or tissue finally confirmed to have the T790M mutation. Conclusion We demonstrated the clinical potential of targeted washing technique for molecular testing, which can be a good option to overcome spatial heterogeneity, low sensitivity of plasma sample or technical limitations in collecting tumor tissues.

Purpose: To evaluate patient‐reported experiences of 3 primary treatments for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer—radical prostatectomy (RP), radiation therapy (RT), and active surveillance (AS)—based on cross‐sectional data from a prospective registry, and to explore how these findings can inform a structured shared decision making (SDM) framework. Materials and Methods: Men with clinical stage cT3aN0M0 or lower were enrolled. Those who underwent RP or RT were surveyed 6–24 months posttreatment; men on AS had 6–60 months of follow‐up. All participants completed the EORTC QLQ‐PR25 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Prostate Cancer Module), capturing urinary, bowel, hormonal, and sexual function. The Kruskal‐Wallis test evaluated group differences, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Among 542 patients, 435 underwent RP, 73 received RT (43% with androgen deprivation therapy), and 34 were on AS. RP patients reported higher rates of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, whereas RT patients had more severe urinary irritative and bowel symptoms. AS generally preserved baseline sexual function but still involved some urinary complaints and anxiety regarding disease progression. These findings underscore the distinct trade‐offs among the 3 management strategies, emphasizing the importance of individualized SDM that accounts for functional priorities and patient values. Conclusion Each treatment modality poses unique impacts on quality of life. Incorporating these patient‐reported data into SDM discussions can improve alignment between clinical recommendations and patient preferences, potentially reducing decisional regret and enhancing long‐term outcomes.

Background: Several studies have investigated factors affecting patient satisfaction after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR); however, it is unknown if these factors vary according to age. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with satisfaction of ARCR in individuals 70 years and older versus younger patients. Methods: Among 319 consecutive patients who underwent ARCR, 173 were included. Patients were divided into an old age group (≥70 years) and a young age group (<70 years), and the two age groups were further divided into satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at the final follow-up visit using a binary question (yes or no). Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: Satisfaction rates in the older and younger age groups were 75.41% and 79.47%, respectively. Mean changes in Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were significantly different between the satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups (P=0.031 and P=0.012, respectively) in the young patients. In the old patients, there was a significant difference in the mean change in depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (P=0.031) and anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (P=0.044) scores between the satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups. Conclusions Factors affecting patient satisfaction after ARCR differed according to age. Psychological improvement was more important to elderly patients, whereas restoration of function was more important to younger patients. Pain relief was important for both age groups.Level of evidence: III.

Purpose: The usability of a new surgical navigation system that provides patient-specific vascular information for robotic gastrectomy in gastric cancer remains unexplored for laparoscopic gastrectomy owing to differences in surgical environments. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability and safety of this navigation system in laparoscopic gastrectomy and to compare the post-operative outcomes between procedures with and without its use. Materials and Methods: Between June 2022 and July 2023, 38 patients across 2 institutions underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy using a navigation system (navigation group). The technical feasibility, safety, and accuracy of detecting variations in vascular anatomy were measured. The perioperative outcomes were compared with 114 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy without a navigation system (non-navigation group) using 1:3 propensity score matching during the same study period. Results: In all patients in the navigation group, no adverse events associated with the navigation system occurred during surgery in any patient in the navigation group. No accidental vessel injuries necessitate auxiliary procedures. All vessels encountered during the gastrectomy were successfully reconstructed and visualized. Patient demographics and operative data were comparable between the 2 groups. The navigation group exhibited a significantly lower overall complication rate (10.5%) than the non-navigation group (26.3%, P=0.043). Notably, pancreas-related complications were absent in the navigation group but occurred in eight cases in the non-navigation group (7.0%, P=0.093), although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions The patient-specific surgical navigation system demonstrated clinical feasibility and safety for laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, potentially reducing complication rates compared with laparoscopic gastrectomy without its use.

Background: Several studies have investigated factors affecting patient satisfaction after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR); however, it is unknown if these factors vary according to age. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with satisfaction of ARCR in individuals 70 years and older versus younger patients. Methods: Among 319 consecutive patients who underwent ARCR, 173 were included. Patients were divided into an old age group (≥70 years) and a young age group (<70 years), and the two age groups were further divided into satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at the final follow-up visit using a binary question (yes or no). Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: Satisfaction rates in the older and younger age groups were 75.41% and 79.47%, respectively. Mean changes in Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were significantly different between the satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups (P=0.031 and P=0.012, respectively) in the young patients. In the old patients, there was a significant difference in the mean change in depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (P=0.031) and anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (P=0.044) scores between the satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups. Conclusions Factors affecting patient satisfaction after ARCR differed according to age. Psychological improvement was more important to elderly patients, whereas restoration of function was more important to younger patients. Pain relief was important for both age groups.Level of evidence: III.

Background: Several studies have investigated factors affecting patient satisfaction after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR); however, it is unknown if these factors vary according to age. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with satisfaction of ARCR in individuals 70 years and older versus younger patients. Methods: Among 319 consecutive patients who underwent ARCR, 173 were included. Patients were divided into an old age group (≥70 years) and a young age group (<70 years), and the two age groups were further divided into satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at the final follow-up visit using a binary question (yes or no). Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: Satisfaction rates in the older and younger age groups were 75.41% and 79.47%, respectively. Mean changes in Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were significantly different between the satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups (P=0.031 and P=0.012, respectively) in the young patients. In the old patients, there was a significant difference in the mean change in depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (P=0.031) and anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (P=0.044) scores between the satisfied and unsatisfied subgroups. Conclusions Factors affecting patient satisfaction after ARCR differed according to age. Psychological improvement was more important to elderly patients, whereas restoration of function was more important to younger patients. Pain relief was important for both age groups.Level of evidence: III.