1.A Case of a Cataract Patient with Equatorial and Posterior Zonular Weakness in Both Eyes
Jeong Woo KWON ; In Seok JEONG ; In Young CHUNG ; Seong Wook SEO ; Seong Jae KIM
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2025;66(4):209-213
Purpose:
We present a case of equatorial and posterior zonular weakness observed during cataract surgery in both eyes with no prior history of trauma or surgery.Case summary: A 73-year-old woman visited out clinic and reported decreased visual acuity. She was found to have a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 in both eyes. Cataracts were noted during a slit lamp examination and cataract surgery was subsequently performed. During the left eye surgery, although there was no evident weakening during the anterior capsulotomy, the equatorial and posterior zonules were damaged during phacoemulsification. This led to consistent aspiration of the equatorial and posterior capsule (PC) into the phaco-handpiece tip during epinucleus and cortex removal. The PC eventually ruptured necessitating anterior vitrectomy and a 3-piece intraocular lens insertion into the ciliary sulcus. Two weeks later, the right eye surgery encountered similar challenges in removing the epinucleus and cortex. The surgery was completed successfully by elevating the irrigation bottle, frequently injecting an ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD), and removing the remaining lens material using a bimanual irrigator/aspirator.
Conclusions
This case highlights that equatorial and posterior zonular weakness can occur in the absence of trauma or prior to surgery. To manage such cases, it is advisable to elevate the irrigation bottle height, continuously inject OVD during surgery, and use a bimanual irrigator/aspirator.
2.Endoscopic vacuum therapy for gastrointestinal transmural defects: a literature review
Tan Minh LE ; Van Huy TRAN ; Kyu Sung CHUNG ; Seong Woo JEON
Clinical Endoscopy 2025;58(2):181-190
Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has emerged as a transformative approach for managing gastrointestinal (GI) transmural defects, offering a less invasive and more promising alternative to surgery. Initially developed to address anastomotic leaks after rectal surgery, the application of EVT has expanded to include other locations within the GI tract. This review investigated the principles, indications, procedures, outcomes, challenges, and future perspectives of EVT for the management of GI transmural defects. In conclusion, EVT has demonstrated favorable outcomes in GI defect closure, with reduced complications, shortened hospital stay, and decreased morbidity rates as compared with conventional treatments. Although EVT faces challenges in some specific anatomical locations and in managing severe complications such as major bleeding, ongoing advancements in technology and standardization efforts offer promise for broader indications and better outcomes. Future perspectives include exploring novel EVT devices, refining patient selection criteria and pre-emptive applications, and standardizing procedural protocols.
3.The comparative study of Stretta radiofrequency and anti-reflux mucosectomy in the management of intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single-center retrospective study from Korea
Ah Young LEE ; Ji Woo CHOI ; Jeong Haeng HEO ; Jun Young CHUNG ; Seong Hwan KIM ; Joo Young CHO
Clinical Endoscopy 2025;58(3):409-417
Background/Aims:
Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires symptom relief and treatment of associated conditions. In this study, we aimed to compare anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) for treating patients with chronic GERD who are unresponsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to identify the indications for each procedure.
Methods:
Data of patients who underwent ARMS or SRF between March 2021 and April 2023 were analyzed. Changes in GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, endoscopic Los Angeles (LA) grade, flap valve grade (FVG) based on Hill’s type, EndoFLIP distensibility index (DI), endoscopic Barrett’s epithelium (BE) resolution rate, and PPI withdrawal rate were compared between the two groups.
Results:
Improvements in the GERDQ scores and PPI withdrawal rates were similar between the groups. The ARMS group showed significantly better changes in endoscopic LA grade, FVG, and EndoFLIP DI than the SRF group. The complications were more prevalent in the ARMS group than in the SRF group.
Conclusions
The change in endoscopic LA grade before and after the procedure was significantly higher in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Significant improvements in endoscopic FVG, BE resolution, and EndoFLIP DI were observed only with the ARMS group.
4.A Case of a Cataract Patient with Equatorial and Posterior Zonular Weakness in Both Eyes
Jeong Woo KWON ; In Seok JEONG ; In Young CHUNG ; Seong Wook SEO ; Seong Jae KIM
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2025;66(4):209-213
Purpose:
We present a case of equatorial and posterior zonular weakness observed during cataract surgery in both eyes with no prior history of trauma or surgery.Case summary: A 73-year-old woman visited out clinic and reported decreased visual acuity. She was found to have a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 in both eyes. Cataracts were noted during a slit lamp examination and cataract surgery was subsequently performed. During the left eye surgery, although there was no evident weakening during the anterior capsulotomy, the equatorial and posterior zonules were damaged during phacoemulsification. This led to consistent aspiration of the equatorial and posterior capsule (PC) into the phaco-handpiece tip during epinucleus and cortex removal. The PC eventually ruptured necessitating anterior vitrectomy and a 3-piece intraocular lens insertion into the ciliary sulcus. Two weeks later, the right eye surgery encountered similar challenges in removing the epinucleus and cortex. The surgery was completed successfully by elevating the irrigation bottle, frequently injecting an ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD), and removing the remaining lens material using a bimanual irrigator/aspirator.
Conclusions
This case highlights that equatorial and posterior zonular weakness can occur in the absence of trauma or prior to surgery. To manage such cases, it is advisable to elevate the irrigation bottle height, continuously inject OVD during surgery, and use a bimanual irrigator/aspirator.
5.Endoscopic vacuum therapy for gastrointestinal transmural defects: a literature review
Tan Minh LE ; Van Huy TRAN ; Kyu Sung CHUNG ; Seong Woo JEON
Clinical Endoscopy 2025;58(2):181-190
Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has emerged as a transformative approach for managing gastrointestinal (GI) transmural defects, offering a less invasive and more promising alternative to surgery. Initially developed to address anastomotic leaks after rectal surgery, the application of EVT has expanded to include other locations within the GI tract. This review investigated the principles, indications, procedures, outcomes, challenges, and future perspectives of EVT for the management of GI transmural defects. In conclusion, EVT has demonstrated favorable outcomes in GI defect closure, with reduced complications, shortened hospital stay, and decreased morbidity rates as compared with conventional treatments. Although EVT faces challenges in some specific anatomical locations and in managing severe complications such as major bleeding, ongoing advancements in technology and standardization efforts offer promise for broader indications and better outcomes. Future perspectives include exploring novel EVT devices, refining patient selection criteria and pre-emptive applications, and standardizing procedural protocols.
6.The comparative study of Stretta radiofrequency and anti-reflux mucosectomy in the management of intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single-center retrospective study from Korea
Ah Young LEE ; Ji Woo CHOI ; Jeong Haeng HEO ; Jun Young CHUNG ; Seong Hwan KIM ; Joo Young CHO
Clinical Endoscopy 2025;58(3):409-417
Background/Aims:
Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires symptom relief and treatment of associated conditions. In this study, we aimed to compare anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) for treating patients with chronic GERD who are unresponsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to identify the indications for each procedure.
Methods:
Data of patients who underwent ARMS or SRF between March 2021 and April 2023 were analyzed. Changes in GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, endoscopic Los Angeles (LA) grade, flap valve grade (FVG) based on Hill’s type, EndoFLIP distensibility index (DI), endoscopic Barrett’s epithelium (BE) resolution rate, and PPI withdrawal rate were compared between the two groups.
Results:
Improvements in the GERDQ scores and PPI withdrawal rates were similar between the groups. The ARMS group showed significantly better changes in endoscopic LA grade, FVG, and EndoFLIP DI than the SRF group. The complications were more prevalent in the ARMS group than in the SRF group.
Conclusions
The change in endoscopic LA grade before and after the procedure was significantly higher in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Significant improvements in endoscopic FVG, BE resolution, and EndoFLIP DI were observed only with the ARMS group.
7.Endoscopic vacuum therapy for gastrointestinal transmural defects: a literature review
Tan Minh LE ; Van Huy TRAN ; Kyu Sung CHUNG ; Seong Woo JEON
Clinical Endoscopy 2025;58(2):181-190
Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has emerged as a transformative approach for managing gastrointestinal (GI) transmural defects, offering a less invasive and more promising alternative to surgery. Initially developed to address anastomotic leaks after rectal surgery, the application of EVT has expanded to include other locations within the GI tract. This review investigated the principles, indications, procedures, outcomes, challenges, and future perspectives of EVT for the management of GI transmural defects. In conclusion, EVT has demonstrated favorable outcomes in GI defect closure, with reduced complications, shortened hospital stay, and decreased morbidity rates as compared with conventional treatments. Although EVT faces challenges in some specific anatomical locations and in managing severe complications such as major bleeding, ongoing advancements in technology and standardization efforts offer promise for broader indications and better outcomes. Future perspectives include exploring novel EVT devices, refining patient selection criteria and pre-emptive applications, and standardizing procedural protocols.
8.The comparative study of Stretta radiofrequency and anti-reflux mucosectomy in the management of intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single-center retrospective study from Korea
Ah Young LEE ; Ji Woo CHOI ; Jeong Haeng HEO ; Jun Young CHUNG ; Seong Hwan KIM ; Joo Young CHO
Clinical Endoscopy 2025;58(3):409-417
Background/Aims:
Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires symptom relief and treatment of associated conditions. In this study, we aimed to compare anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) for treating patients with chronic GERD who are unresponsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to identify the indications for each procedure.
Methods:
Data of patients who underwent ARMS or SRF between March 2021 and April 2023 were analyzed. Changes in GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, endoscopic Los Angeles (LA) grade, flap valve grade (FVG) based on Hill’s type, EndoFLIP distensibility index (DI), endoscopic Barrett’s epithelium (BE) resolution rate, and PPI withdrawal rate were compared between the two groups.
Results:
Improvements in the GERDQ scores and PPI withdrawal rates were similar between the groups. The ARMS group showed significantly better changes in endoscopic LA grade, FVG, and EndoFLIP DI than the SRF group. The complications were more prevalent in the ARMS group than in the SRF group.
Conclusions
The change in endoscopic LA grade before and after the procedure was significantly higher in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Significant improvements in endoscopic FVG, BE resolution, and EndoFLIP DI were observed only with the ARMS group.
9.A Case of a Cataract Patient with Equatorial and Posterior Zonular Weakness in Both Eyes
Jeong Woo KWON ; In Seok JEONG ; In Young CHUNG ; Seong Wook SEO ; Seong Jae KIM
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2025;66(4):209-213
Purpose:
We present a case of equatorial and posterior zonular weakness observed during cataract surgery in both eyes with no prior history of trauma or surgery.Case summary: A 73-year-old woman visited out clinic and reported decreased visual acuity. She was found to have a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 in both eyes. Cataracts were noted during a slit lamp examination and cataract surgery was subsequently performed. During the left eye surgery, although there was no evident weakening during the anterior capsulotomy, the equatorial and posterior zonules were damaged during phacoemulsification. This led to consistent aspiration of the equatorial and posterior capsule (PC) into the phaco-handpiece tip during epinucleus and cortex removal. The PC eventually ruptured necessitating anterior vitrectomy and a 3-piece intraocular lens insertion into the ciliary sulcus. Two weeks later, the right eye surgery encountered similar challenges in removing the epinucleus and cortex. The surgery was completed successfully by elevating the irrigation bottle, frequently injecting an ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD), and removing the remaining lens material using a bimanual irrigator/aspirator.
Conclusions
This case highlights that equatorial and posterior zonular weakness can occur in the absence of trauma or prior to surgery. To manage such cases, it is advisable to elevate the irrigation bottle height, continuously inject OVD during surgery, and use a bimanual irrigator/aspirator.
10.Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of a Triple Combination of Ezetimibe, Fenofibrate, and Moderate-Intensity Statin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors (ENSEMBLE)
Nam Hoon KIM ; Juneyoung LEE ; Suk CHON ; Jae Myung YU ; In-Kyung JEONG ; Soo LIM ; Won Jun KIM ; Keeho SONG ; Ho Chan CHO ; Hea Min YU ; Kyoung-Ah KIM ; Sang Soo KIM ; Soon Hee LEE ; Chong Hwa KIM ; Soo Heon KWAK ; Yong‐ho LEE ; Choon Hee CHUNG ; Sihoon LEE ; Heung Yong JIN ; Jae Hyuk LEE ; Gwanpyo KOH ; Sang-Yong KIM ; Jaetaek KIM ; Ju Hee LEE ; Tae Nyun KIM ; Hyun Jeong JEON ; Ji Hyun LEE ; Jae-Han JEON ; Hye Jin YOO ; Hee Kyung KIM ; Hyeong-Kyu PARK ; Il Seong NAM-GOONG ; Seongbin HONG ; Chul Woo AHN ; Ji Hee YU ; Jong Heon PARK ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Chan Ho PARK ; Kyong Hye JOUNG ; Ohk-Hyun RYU ; Keun Yong PARK ; Eun-Gyoung HONG ; Bong-Soo CHA ; Kyu Chang WON ; Yoon-Sok CHUNG ; Sin Gon KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(5):722-731
Background:
Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined.
Methods:
This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months.
Conclusion
This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

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