Objective: The Daegu region experienced the first wave of the pandemic at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea. Other non-COVID-19-related treatments during a community outbreak, such as cardiovascular diseases, were expected to impact emergency departments. In acute myocardial infarctions, time is an important factor affecting the patient outcome. This study examined how community COVID-19 outbreak affected STsegment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting five emergency departments in the Daegu area who were diagnosed with STEMI from February 18 to April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. The demographic characteristics, prehospital variables, in-hospital time variables, and treatment results were collected. The cases were divided into the pre-COVID period and the COVID period for comparison. Results: The study included 254 patients (194 pre-COVID, 60 during COVID). The symptom-to-door time did not differ. Although the door-to-first doctor time was shortened (4 min vs. 2 min, P=0.01), the rate of coronary angiogram along with the door-to-angiogram time and the door-to-balloon time did not change. The length of stay in the emergency department was delayed during COVID-19 (median, 136 min vs. 404 min; P<0.01). The in-hospital length of stay and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion The time to treat STEMI was not delayed significantly during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Daegu area compared with the pre-pandemic period. Mortality did not change. The length of stay was elongated significantly in the emergency department but not in the hospital.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Objective: The Daegu region experienced the first wave of the pandemic at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea. Other non-COVID-19-related treatments during a community outbreak, such as cardiovascular diseases, were expected to impact emergency departments. In acute myocardial infarctions, time is an important factor affecting the patient outcome. This study examined how community COVID-19 outbreak affected STsegment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting five emergency departments in the Daegu area who were diagnosed with STEMI from February 18 to April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. The demographic characteristics, prehospital variables, in-hospital time variables, and treatment results were collected. The cases were divided into the pre-COVID period and the COVID period for comparison. Results: The study included 254 patients (194 pre-COVID, 60 during COVID). The symptom-to-door time did not differ. Although the door-to-first doctor time was shortened (4 min vs. 2 min, P=0.01), the rate of coronary angiogram along with the door-to-angiogram time and the door-to-balloon time did not change. The length of stay in the emergency department was delayed during COVID-19 (median, 136 min vs. 404 min; P<0.01). The in-hospital length of stay and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion The time to treat STEMI was not delayed significantly during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Daegu area compared with the pre-pandemic period. Mortality did not change. The length of stay was elongated significantly in the emergency department but not in the hospital.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Objective: The Daegu region experienced the first wave of the pandemic at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea. Other non-COVID-19-related treatments during a community outbreak, such as cardiovascular diseases, were expected to impact emergency departments. In acute myocardial infarctions, time is an important factor affecting the patient outcome. This study examined how community COVID-19 outbreak affected STsegment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting five emergency departments in the Daegu area who were diagnosed with STEMI from February 18 to April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. The demographic characteristics, prehospital variables, in-hospital time variables, and treatment results were collected. The cases were divided into the pre-COVID period and the COVID period for comparison. Results: The study included 254 patients (194 pre-COVID, 60 during COVID). The symptom-to-door time did not differ. Although the door-to-first doctor time was shortened (4 min vs. 2 min, P=0.01), the rate of coronary angiogram along with the door-to-angiogram time and the door-to-balloon time did not change. The length of stay in the emergency department was delayed during COVID-19 (median, 136 min vs. 404 min; P<0.01). The in-hospital length of stay and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion The time to treat STEMI was not delayed significantly during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Daegu area compared with the pre-pandemic period. Mortality did not change. The length of stay was elongated significantly in the emergency department but not in the hospital.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Capsular contracture (CC) is a concerning issue for individuals undergoing postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) with implant-based breast reconstruction. This study investigated whether the extent of CC and implant migration differs based on implant placement and the reconstruction stage. Insertion plane and stage of breast implants were investigated, and the presence and severe cases of CC and implant migration were analyzed. Among 195 participants, 83 were in the pre-pectoral group, and 112 were in the sub-pectoral group. Two-staged surgery was performed on 116 patients, while 79 underwent direct-to-implant (DTI).Notably, The occurrence of CC (prepectoral, 17 [20.48%] and subpectoral, 42 [37.50%];p = 0.011), CC severity (prepectoral, 4 [4.82%] and subpectoral, 17 [15.17%]; p = 0.021), and implant upward migration (prepectoral, 15 [18.07%] and subpectoral, 38 [33.92%]; p = 0.014) significantly varied between the two groups. The incidence of CC was more common in the DTI group (odds ratio [OR], 2.283; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.164–4.478). Furthermore, subpectoral placement was an independent risk factor for occurrence (OR, 2.989; 95% CI, 1.476–6.054) and severity of CC (OR, 38.552; 95% CI, 1.855–801.186) and upward implant migration (OR, 2.531; 95% CI, 1.263–5.071). Our findings suggest that pre-pectoral reconstruction and the two-stage operation benefit patients who may undergo PMRT. These approaches can help reduce the incidence of CC and abnormal implant migration following radiation, leading to improved aesthetic outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.