1.Recent advances in single-port robotic thyroidectomy:evolution, techniques, and clinical outcomes
Jin Kyong KIM ; Dong Wook KIM ; Jae Sang RYU ; Sungkeun KANG ; Eun Jin KIM ; Sang-Wook KANG ; Jong Ju JEONG ; Kee-Hyun NAM ; Woong Youn CHUNG
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2026;110(1):3-11
Robotic thyroidectomy has progressed from multiport to single-port (SP) platforms to minimize invasiveness and improve cosmesis. The da Vinci SP system (Intuitive Surgical) combines a flexible 3-dimensional endoscope with 3 wristed instruments in a single 2.5-cm cannula-enabled concealed remote access route and mitigates external arm collisions.This review synthesized PubMed-indexed reports (2020–2025) on SP robotic thyroidectomy using the following approaches:transaxillary variants, SP areolar, retroauricular/facelift (SP-hairline variants), and transoral approach. We focused on technical refinement, learning curves, and clinical outcomes. We highlight technical refinements and clinical outcomes across access routes. Contemporary series indicate that SP thyroidectomy is feasible and safe in well-selected patients, with high cosmetic satisfaction and operative metrics comparable to those of multiport cohorts. Among the SP routes, transaxillary variants have the most mature peer-reviewed reporting and are therefore discussed in greater detail. Early applications of SP-assisted lateral neck dissection have also been described. The limitations of current SP platforms include constrained counter-traction, reduced internal workspace, and incomplete integration of advanced energy devices.Nonetheless, ongoing device innovations and the growing global experience suggest that SP systems will increasingly shape endocrine neck surgeries.
2.Efficacy of Chemotherapy Following Prior PARP-Inhibitor Treatment in Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Jung Chul KIM ; Junsik PARK ; Yong Jae LEE ; Eun Ji NAM ; Sang Wun KIM ; Sung-Hoon KIM ; Young Tae KIM ; Se Ik KIM ; Jae-Weon KIM ; Byoung-Gie KIM ; Jung-Yun LEE
Cancer Research and Treatment 2026;58(1):292-299
Purpose:
Considering the current lack of consensus on post–poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) treatment strategies, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of subsequent therapy and compare the outcomes of regimes in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer after PARPi treatment.
Materials and Methods:
This multi-center retrospective cohort study analyzed data on patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer between January 2012 and June 2023 who had previously used PARPi after first- to fourth-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), which was the interval between recurrence after using PARPi and subsequent recurrence in the case of recurrence.
Results:
Of 318 patients, 147/318 (46.2%) recurred after the PARPi maintenance. Patients were categorized into groups based on subsequent therapy except non-treated (11/147, 7.5%): platinum-based chemotherapy (89/147, 60.5%), non-platinum-based chemotherapy (21/147, 14.3%), other treatments (26/147, 17.7%), and the median PFS (mPFS) for each group were 7.3, 4.8, and 11.4 months, respectively. Among the platinum-based chemotherapy group, the gemcitabine+carboplatin regimen demonstrated a longer mPFS (10.1 months) than the other regimens (6.6 months, p=0.019). In non-platinum-based chemotherapy, no statistically significant differences were observed among the regimens. And, in the other therapy group, where the proportion of patients with oligometastasis was as high as 88.5%, no significant differences were observed among the therapies, including other modalities.
Conclusion
In the subsequent chemotherapy of recurrent ovarian cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy and PARPi, the gemcitabine+carboplatin regimen demonstrated a potential to delay recurrence more effectively compared to other therapies.
3.Fasting is not always good: perioperative fasting leads to pronounced ketone body production in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors: a case report
Jae Chan CHOI ; Yo Nam JANG ; Jong Hoon LEE ; Sang Wook PARK ; Jeong A PARK ; Hye Sook KIM ; Jae Won CHOI ; Joo Hyung LEE ; Yong Jae LEE
Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2025;46(3):204-209
Ketone bodies produced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can be advantageous, providing an efficient and stable energy source for the brain and muscles. However, in patients with diabetes, ketogenesis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may be harmful, potentially resulting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). During fasting, ketone body production serves as an alternative and efficient energy source for the brain by utilizing stored fat, promoting mental clarity, and reducing dependence on glucose. The concurrent use of SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting may further elevate the risk of euglycemic DKA. We describe a case of DKA that occurred during perioperative fasting in a patient receiving empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. This case underscores the importance of recognizing the potential risk of DKA in patients with diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting.
4.Schwannoma on the Lateral Side of the Proximal Thigh
Jae-Cheon SIM ; Sang-Won PARK ; Tae-Jong JEONG ; Tae-Seok NAM
The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2025;60(1):56-61
A schwannoma is a benign soft tissue tumor derived from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a sensory nerve originating from the second and third lumbar vertebra nerve roots, passing under the inguinal ligament and dividing into anterior and posterior branches. The anterior branch which is a major division and the main nerve that causes meralgia paresthetica supplies the knee joint from the anterior thigh. In addition, the posterior branch supplies the lateral thigh at the greater trochanter level.This paper reports the case of a 52-year-old woman with a very rare schwannoma in the terminal twig of posterior branch of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of right thigh protruded through the fascia lata with literatures review.
5.Fasting is not always good: perioperative fasting leads to pronounced ketone body production in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors: a case report
Jae Chan CHOI ; Yo Nam JANG ; Jong Hoon LEE ; Sang Wook PARK ; Jeong A PARK ; Hye Sook KIM ; Jae Won CHOI ; Joo Hyung LEE ; Yong Jae LEE
Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2025;46(3):204-209
Ketone bodies produced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can be advantageous, providing an efficient and stable energy source for the brain and muscles. However, in patients with diabetes, ketogenesis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may be harmful, potentially resulting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). During fasting, ketone body production serves as an alternative and efficient energy source for the brain by utilizing stored fat, promoting mental clarity, and reducing dependence on glucose. The concurrent use of SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting may further elevate the risk of euglycemic DKA. We describe a case of DKA that occurred during perioperative fasting in a patient receiving empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. This case underscores the importance of recognizing the potential risk of DKA in patients with diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting.
6.The Survival and Financial Benefit of Investigator-Initiated Trials Conducted by Korean Cancer Study Group
Bum Jun KIM ; Chi Hoon MAENG ; Bhumsuk KEAM ; Young-Hyuck IM ; Jungsil RO ; Kyung Hae JUNG ; Seock-Ah IM ; Tae Won KIM ; Jae Lyun LEE ; Dae Seog HEO ; Sang-We KIM ; Keunchil PARK ; Myung-Ju AHN ; Byoung Chul CHO ; Hoon-Kyo KIM ; Yoon-Koo KANG ; Jae Yong CHO ; Hwan Jung YUN ; Byung-Ho NAM ; Dae Young ZANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):39-46
Purpose:
The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients.
Materials and Methods:
We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided.
Results:
From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient.
Conclusion
Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.
7.The Survival and Financial Benefit of Investigator-Initiated Trials Conducted by Korean Cancer Study Group
Bum Jun KIM ; Chi Hoon MAENG ; Bhumsuk KEAM ; Young-Hyuck IM ; Jungsil RO ; Kyung Hae JUNG ; Seock-Ah IM ; Tae Won KIM ; Jae Lyun LEE ; Dae Seog HEO ; Sang-We KIM ; Keunchil PARK ; Myung-Ju AHN ; Byoung Chul CHO ; Hoon-Kyo KIM ; Yoon-Koo KANG ; Jae Yong CHO ; Hwan Jung YUN ; Byung-Ho NAM ; Dae Young ZANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):39-46
Purpose:
The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients.
Materials and Methods:
We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided.
Results:
From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient.
Conclusion
Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.
8.The Survival and Financial Benefit of Investigator-Initiated Trials Conducted by Korean Cancer Study Group
Bum Jun KIM ; Chi Hoon MAENG ; Bhumsuk KEAM ; Young-Hyuck IM ; Jungsil RO ; Kyung Hae JUNG ; Seock-Ah IM ; Tae Won KIM ; Jae Lyun LEE ; Dae Seog HEO ; Sang-We KIM ; Keunchil PARK ; Myung-Ju AHN ; Byoung Chul CHO ; Hoon-Kyo KIM ; Yoon-Koo KANG ; Jae Yong CHO ; Hwan Jung YUN ; Byung-Ho NAM ; Dae Young ZANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):39-46
Purpose:
The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients.
Materials and Methods:
We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided.
Results:
From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient.
Conclusion
Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.
9.Schwannoma on the Lateral Side of the Proximal Thigh
Jae-Cheon SIM ; Sang-Won PARK ; Tae-Jong JEONG ; Tae-Seok NAM
The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2025;60(1):56-61
A schwannoma is a benign soft tissue tumor derived from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a sensory nerve originating from the second and third lumbar vertebra nerve roots, passing under the inguinal ligament and dividing into anterior and posterior branches. The anterior branch which is a major division and the main nerve that causes meralgia paresthetica supplies the knee joint from the anterior thigh. In addition, the posterior branch supplies the lateral thigh at the greater trochanter level.This paper reports the case of a 52-year-old woman with a very rare schwannoma in the terminal twig of posterior branch of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of right thigh protruded through the fascia lata with literatures review.
10.Fasting is not always good: perioperative fasting leads to pronounced ketone body production in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors: a case report
Jae Chan CHOI ; Yo Nam JANG ; Jong Hoon LEE ; Sang Wook PARK ; Jeong A PARK ; Hye Sook KIM ; Jae Won CHOI ; Joo Hyung LEE ; Yong Jae LEE
Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2025;46(3):204-209
Ketone bodies produced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can be advantageous, providing an efficient and stable energy source for the brain and muscles. However, in patients with diabetes, ketogenesis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may be harmful, potentially resulting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). During fasting, ketone body production serves as an alternative and efficient energy source for the brain by utilizing stored fat, promoting mental clarity, and reducing dependence on glucose. The concurrent use of SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting may further elevate the risk of euglycemic DKA. We describe a case of DKA that occurred during perioperative fasting in a patient receiving empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. This case underscores the importance of recognizing the potential risk of DKA in patients with diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting.

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