Objective: Unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) has emerged as an alternative to open TLIF. However, limited evidence is available regarding the application of 3-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cages in UBE-TLIF. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and fusion rates of UBE-TLIF and open TLIF using 3D-printed titanium cages. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent single-level TLIF with 3D-printed titanium cages between 2021 and 2023. The inclusion criterion was degenerative lumbar stenosis, while the exclusion criteria were trauma, infection, and multilevel surgery. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were compared between the UBE-TLIF and open TLIF groups. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent UBE-TLIF, and 21 underwent open TLIF. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for back (p=0.987) and leg pain (p=0.731) did not significantly differ between the groups at 1-year follow-up. However, VAS back pain at postoperative day 2 was significantly lower in the UBE-TLIF group than in the open TLIF group (p<0.001). Solid fusion was achieved in 21 patients (100%) in the open TLIF group and in 20 (95.2%) in the UBE-TLIF group (p=1.000). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, body mass index was the only factor that exhibited a significant relationship (odds ratio [OR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.92; p=0.011) with interbody fusion. In contrast, the surgical method (UBE vs. open TLIF) was not a significant factor (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.10–2.21; p=0.337). Conclusion Using a 3D-printed titanium cage for UBE-TLIF may yield comparable fusion rates to those of open TLIF.

There are limited data on outcomes after implantation of everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in East Asian patients with small vessel coronary lesions. A total of 1,600 patients treated with XIENCE EES (Abbott Vascular, CA, USA) were divided into the small vessel group treated with one ≤2.5 mm stent (n=119) and the non-small vessel group treated with one ≥2.75 mm stent (n=933). The primary end point was a patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and any repeat revascularization at 12 months. The key secondary end point was a device-oriented composite outcome (DOCO), a composite of cardiovascular death, target-vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization at 12 months. The small vessel group was more often female, hypertensive, less likely to present with ST-elevation MI, and more often treated for the left circumflex artery, whereas the non-small vessel group more often had type B2/C lesions, underwent intravascular ultrasound, and received unfractionated heparin. In the propensity matched cohort, the mean stent diameter was 2.5±0.0 mm and 3.1±0.4 mm in the small and non-small vessel groups, respectively. Propensity-adjusted POCO at 12 months was 6.0% in the small vessel group and 4.3% in the non-small vessel group (p=0.558). There was no significant difference in DOCO at 12 months (small vessel group: 4.3% and non-small vessel group: 1.7%, p=0.270).Outcomes of XIENCE EES for small vessel disease were comparable to those for non-small vessel disease at 12-month clinical follow-up in real-world Korean patients.

Purpose: To describe current cataract surgery practice patterns and trends among Korean ophthalmologists. Methods: A survey was conducted among members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in October 2020. Of the 998 questionnaires, 262 (26.3%) were received for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with those of previous surveys. Results: The largest percentage of respondents (39%) had <5 years of practical experience, and 40% had >11 years of practical experience. The average, median, and mode monthly volumes of cataract surgeries performed by the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery members were 31, 20, and 10 cases, respectively. Topical anesthesia was administered by 85% of the respondents. For intraocular lens (IOL) calculations, 96% of the respondents used optical biometry. The proportion of surgeons providing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery increased significantly from 5% in 2018 to 29% in 2020. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the multifocal IOLs. Those who implant multifocal IOL for >10% of their cases increased from 16% (2018) to 29% (2020). Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed postoperatively by 76% of the respondents. Most respondents (70%) prescribed these anti-inflammatory drugs for 4 weeks. Conclusions This survey provided a comprehensive update on current cataract surgery practice in the Republic of Korea. The results highlighted the increasing use of premium IOLs, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, optical biometry, and topical anesthesia to better meet the patients’ needs.

Purpose: To describe current cataract surgery practice patterns and trends among Korean ophthalmologists. Methods: A survey was conducted among members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in October 2020. Of the 998 questionnaires, 262 (26.3%) were received for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with those of previous surveys. Results: The largest percentage of respondents (39%) had <5 years of practical experience, and 40% had >11 years of practical experience. The average, median, and mode monthly volumes of cataract surgeries performed by the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery members were 31, 20, and 10 cases, respectively. Topical anesthesia was administered by 85% of the respondents. For intraocular lens (IOL) calculations, 96% of the respondents used optical biometry. The proportion of surgeons providing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery increased significantly from 5% in 2018 to 29% in 2020. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the multifocal IOLs. Those who implant multifocal IOL for >10% of their cases increased from 16% (2018) to 29% (2020). Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed postoperatively by 76% of the respondents. Most respondents (70%) prescribed these anti-inflammatory drugs for 4 weeks. Conclusions This survey provided a comprehensive update on current cataract surgery practice in the Republic of Korea. The results highlighted the increasing use of premium IOLs, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, optical biometry, and topical anesthesia to better meet the patients’ needs.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical results of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in eyes previously implanted with a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PIOLs). Methods: The medical records of 27 eyes were retrospectively reviewed. Each eye had history of implantation of posterior chamber PIOLs and newly got FLACS. Complications of intraoperative anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation were investigated. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities (UCVA and BCVA), keratometric and manifest refraction (MR) values were compared preoperatively and postoperatively 1 day, 2 months and 6 months. Results: All eyes completed anterior capsulotomy without any intraoperative complication. However, 13 eyes out of 18 eyes experienced incomplete lens fragmentation. Vaultings of 5 eyes with complete lens fragmentation were 460.40 ± 199.11 μm (0.84 ± 0.35 corneal thickness [CT]) and vaultings of the other 13 eyes with incomplete lens fragmentation were 225.85 ± 151.2 μm (0.43 ± 0.29 CT). 2 eyes with vaultings of 460 μm and 412 μm failed to complete lens fragmentation due to corneal opacity. All eyes could be completed whole surgery without additional complications. Conclusions FLACS in eyes with posterior chamber PIOLs is useful to execute anterior capsulotomy. However, there is a limitation in doing lens fragmentation because of bubble accumulated under PIOLs.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term follow-up results of arcuate keratotomy in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 78 patients (99 eyes) with corneal astigmatism >0.5 diopters (D) who underwent arcuate keratotomy concurrent with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities and keratometric and higher order aberration outcomes were compared preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean uncorrected visual acuities and corrected visual acuities changed from 0.55 ± 0.31 D and 0.33 ± 0.26 D, preoperatively to 0.13 ± 0.19 D and 0.07 ± 0.09 D, 2 years postoperatively. The mean preoperative corneal astigmatism was −1.15 ± 0.66 D. This was reduced to −0.79 ± 0.38 D at 1–2 days after surgery (p < 0.001), followed by no significant change for 2 years. The mean target-induced astigmatism was 1.15 ± 0.66 D preoperatively, and the mean surgically-induced astigmatism and difference vector were 0.69 ± 0.43 D and 0.83 ± 0.48 D, 2 years postoperatively. The mean correction index was 0.68 ± 0.45, 2 years postoperatively. There was no significant difference in higher order aberrations except 4 mm and 6 mm total higher order aberrations and 6 mm trefoil between preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Arcuate keratotomy concurrent with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to reduce corneal astigmatism which remained stable over 2 years of follow-up with below moderate astigmatism.
Astigmatism ; Cataract ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lotus ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors of intraoperative complications in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: This study included 598 eyes of 337 patients who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) between July, 2012 and January, 2017. All eyes had corneal incisions, anterior capsulotomy, nuclear fragmentation, and limbal relaxing incisions (if required). Intraoperative complications were analyzed by watching videos, and the related factors of each complication were retrospectively reviewed alongside the medical records. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 62.1 ± 11.9 years. Among the study group, 18 eyes required manual creation of corneal incisions; because the corneal incisions could not be made due to corneal central opacity, corneal peripheral degeneration, ptreygium, conjunctival chalasis, or idiopathic. The anterior capsulotomy was incomplete in 43 cases and manual capsulorrhexis was required for completion. These cases were associated with various conditions, including hypermature cataract, anterior polar or subcapsular cataract, corneal central opacity, pupillary abnormality, lens subluxation, poor pupil dilation, and idiopathic. Overall, 22 eyes had difficulties with nuclear fragmentation, with either mature cataract, lens subluxation, corneal central opacity, anterior polar or subcapsular cataract, or pupillary abnormality. Using the Laser SoftFit™ patient interface decreased the incidences of incomplete corneal incision (from 3.56% to 2.24%, p = 0.367), anterior capsulotomy (from 9.31% to 4.03%, p < 0.05), and nuclear fragmentation (from 5.20% to 1.34%, p < 0.05). The incidences of complications in the experienced group was statistically lower compared with the novice group (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser platform was effective and safe for cataract surgery. However, in the presence of related factors, use of this platform might need to be re-assessed and should be considered for intraoperative complications. Additionally, with the Laser SoftFit™ patient interface and improved surgeon experience, better intraoperative results can be expected for FLACS surgery.
Capsulorhexis ; Cataract* ; Corneal Opacity ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Complications ; Lens Subluxation ; Medical Records ; Pupil ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

PURPOSE: To compare the corneal refraction, astigmatism, and corneal marking for toric intraocular lens measured with a VERION® Image Guided System and an autorefractor in order to precisely determine the toric intraocular lens target. METHODS: The medical records of 29 eyes of 29 patients were retrospectively reviewed to compare the corneal refraction, axis, and amount of astigmatism measured with a VERION® Image Guided System and an autorefractor. We compared the difference in marked axis for toric intraocular lenses as measured by a VERION Digital Marker and a manual marker. RESULTS: The average corneal refraction and amount of astigmatism were greater with the VERION® Image Guided System than with the autorefractor. The average difference in axis of astigmatism was 9.62°. The difference in axis of astigmatism in patients with more than 1.0 D of astigmatism (18 eyes) was 2.82 ± 2.27°, while that in patients with less than 1.0 D of astigmatism (11 eyes) was 20.27 ± 28.14°. The average difference in marked axis for toric intraocular lens measured by the VERION® Digital Marker and manual marker was 2.50° (0°-9.27°). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal refraction and amount of astigmatism were significantly higher with the VERION® Image Guided System, so careful concern and comparison of surgical outcomes between the two devices is needed in biometry.
Astigmatism* ; Biometry ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with conventional cataract surgery on effective phacoemulsification time (EPT). METHODS: This study included 66 patients 100 eyes who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and 68 patients 100 eyes who underwent conventional cataract surgery. Both groups underwent phacoemulsification using pulsed ultrasound energy and EPT was evaluated. The groups were further analyzed according to preoperative Lens opacities classification system (LOCS) III grading. Patients who had femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery underwent lens fragmentation with quadrant, hybrid, or grid pattern and the EPT was respectively evaluated. RESULTS: The mean EPT was 5.85 +/- 4.31 seconds in the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery group and 10.34 +/- 6.61 seconds in the conventional group. Overall, EPT was statistically significantly lower in the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery group compared to the conventional group. When the groups were analyzed according to LOCS III grading, this result was consistent for all cataract grades and the reduction in EPT was increased with the higher LOCS III grade. When the groups were analyzed according to lens fragmentation patterns, the mean EPT was lower with 350 microm grid pattern than the quadrant or hybrid pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser-assisted system in cataract surgery can be an efficient cataract surgery using lower EPT compared to the conventional procedure. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the mean EPT of cataract surgery using the femtosecond laser-assisted system among the 3 lens fragmentation pattern groups.
Cataract* ; Classification ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: There are complications in stand-alone cage assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), such as cage subsidence and kyphosis. Here we report our clinical result on ACDF, comparing with stand-alone cages and with cervical plate system for degenerative cervical spine diseases. METHODS: Patients with degenerative cervical disease who were diagnosed and treated in Konyang University Hospital between January 2004 and December 2014 were included in this study. Patients who had operation in single level ACDF were selected. Patients scored the degree of pain using visual analog scale before and after the surgery. Subsidence was defined as ≥3-mm decrease of the segmental height, and cervical kyphosis was defined as progression of ≥5° at 12 months after postoperative follow-up compared to that measured at the immediate postoperative period. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients were enrolled for this study. Forty-five patients were included in a cervical plate group and the others were in stand-alone cage group. There was no statistical difference in pain score between the 2 groups. Segmental subsidence was observed in 7 patients (15.6%) in plate-assisted cervical fusion group, and 13 patients (36.1%) in stand-alone cage group. Segmental kyphosis was observed in 4 patients (8.9%) in plate-assisted cervical fusion group, and 10 patients (27.8%) in stand-alone cage group. There was statistical difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in pain between 2 groups. But stand-alone case group showed higher incidence rate than plate-assisted cervical fusion group in segmental subsidence and cervical kyphosis. When designing cervical fusion, more attention should be given selecting the surgical technique.
Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Postoperative Period ; Spine ; Visual Analog Scale