Purpose: Despite the widespread use of liquid skin adhesives (LSA), concerns persist regarding the increase in wound care costs. This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of LSA for surgical wound management. Methods: In this prospective, open-label, single-center randomized controlled trial, adults aged 19 years and older who were scheduled for elective minimally invasive colorectal surgeries were included. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an n-butyl cyanoacrylate skin adhesive was used in the experimental group (LSA group), while a surgical skin stapler was employed in the control group (stapler group). The primary outcome measure was the sum of the total time required for wound management. Results: A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 29 patients in each group. The findings revealed comparable wound complication rates in the 2 groups (8 out of 29 in the LSA group vs. 5 out of 29 in the stapler group, P = 0.530). Notably, the LSA group had a significantly shorter wound management time (median 235 seconds vs. 1,201 seconds, P < 0.001) and similar wound management cost (median US dollar [USD] 50.6 vs. USD 54.6, P = 0.529) compared to the stapler group. Subgroup analysis showed that the LSA group had a shorter management time for uncomplicated wounds and a lower cost for complicated wounds. Conclusion LSA not only provides a safe alternative but also offers a resource-efficient option for wound management compared to staplers.

Purpose: Despite the widespread use of liquid skin adhesives (LSA), concerns persist regarding the increase in wound care costs. This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of LSA for surgical wound management. Methods: In this prospective, open-label, single-center randomized controlled trial, adults aged 19 years and older who were scheduled for elective minimally invasive colorectal surgeries were included. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an n-butyl cyanoacrylate skin adhesive was used in the experimental group (LSA group), while a surgical skin stapler was employed in the control group (stapler group). The primary outcome measure was the sum of the total time required for wound management. Results: A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 29 patients in each group. The findings revealed comparable wound complication rates in the 2 groups (8 out of 29 in the LSA group vs. 5 out of 29 in the stapler group, P = 0.530). Notably, the LSA group had a significantly shorter wound management time (median 235 seconds vs. 1,201 seconds, P < 0.001) and similar wound management cost (median US dollar [USD] 50.6 vs. USD 54.6, P = 0.529) compared to the stapler group. Subgroup analysis showed that the LSA group had a shorter management time for uncomplicated wounds and a lower cost for complicated wounds. Conclusion LSA not only provides a safe alternative but also offers a resource-efficient option for wound management compared to staplers.

Purpose: Despite the widespread use of liquid skin adhesives (LSA), concerns persist regarding the increase in wound care costs. This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of LSA for surgical wound management. Methods: In this prospective, open-label, single-center randomized controlled trial, adults aged 19 years and older who were scheduled for elective minimally invasive colorectal surgeries were included. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an n-butyl cyanoacrylate skin adhesive was used in the experimental group (LSA group), while a surgical skin stapler was employed in the control group (stapler group). The primary outcome measure was the sum of the total time required for wound management. Results: A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 29 patients in each group. The findings revealed comparable wound complication rates in the 2 groups (8 out of 29 in the LSA group vs. 5 out of 29 in the stapler group, P = 0.530). Notably, the LSA group had a significantly shorter wound management time (median 235 seconds vs. 1,201 seconds, P < 0.001) and similar wound management cost (median US dollar [USD] 50.6 vs. USD 54.6, P = 0.529) compared to the stapler group. Subgroup analysis showed that the LSA group had a shorter management time for uncomplicated wounds and a lower cost for complicated wounds. Conclusion LSA not only provides a safe alternative but also offers a resource-efficient option for wound management compared to staplers.

Objective: Primary frozen shoulder causes significant pain and progressively restricts shoulder movements. Diagnosis is made clinically based on patient history and physical examination. Management is mainly non-invasive owing to its self-limiting clinical course. However, clinical practice guidelines for frozen shoulder have not yet been developed in Korea. The developed guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of frozen shoulder. Methods: A guideline development committee reviewed the literature from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KMbase). Using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) framework, the committee formulated two backgrounds and 16 key questions to address common clinical concerns. Recommendations were made using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Results: Diabetes, thyroid disease, and dyslipidemia significantly increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. Although frozen shoulder is often self-limiting, some patients may experience long-term functional disabilities. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging should be used as adjunctive tools alongside clinical diagnosis, and rather than as independent diagnostic methods. Noninvasive approaches, such as medications, physical modalities, exercises, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy, may reduce pain and improve shoulder function. Other noninvasive interventions have limited evidence, and their application should be based on clinical judgment. Intra-articular steroid injections are recommended for treatment, and physiotherapy or hydrodilation with steroid injections can also be beneficial. Conclusion These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating primary frozen shoulder.

Purpose: Despite advances in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anal sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer, bowel dysfunction is still unavoidable and negatively affects patients’ quality of life. In this longitudinal study, we aimed to investigate the changes in bowel function with follow-up time and the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on bowel function following low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods: In this study, 171 patients with upper or middle rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection between 2012 and 2018 were included. Bowel function was assessed longitudinally with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bowel Function Instrument and Wexner scores every 6 months after restoration of bowel continuity. Patients with at least 2 follow-up visits were included. Results: Overall, 100 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Urgency, soilage, and fecal incontinence were noted within 24 months in the patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. After 2 years of follow-up, significant bowel dysfunction and fecal incontinence were observed in the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group. Low tumor level and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were associated with delayed bowel dysfunction. Conclusion Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in combination with low tumor level was significantly associated with delayed bowel dysfunction even after 2 years of follow-up. Therefore, careful selection and discussion with patients are paramount.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) in the assessment of liver stiffness (LS) and dispersion slope (DS) to evaluate hepatic fibrosis and the treatment response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Methods: Patients diagnosed with AIH who underwent 2D SWE between June 2014 and June 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were classified into four groups according to the histologic stage of fibrosis (F1-F4). The baseline characteristics, laboratory test results, histologic results, and 2D SWE results were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of LS measurements in hepatic fibrosis staging was investigated, and variables were compared before and after steroid treatment for AIH. Results: In total, 69 patients were analyzed. The LS values differed according to the stage of liver fibrosis (P<0.001). The area under the curve for LS was 0.903, 0.815, and 0.854 for ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4, respectively. The diagnostic performance of LS measurements was significantly greater than that of serum biomarkers, except for fibrosis index-4 for F4 (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in follow-up examinations in both the LS value and DS in patients who received steroid therapy (P=0.012 and P=0.011, respectively). Conclusion In conclusion, 2D SWE is a useful method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with AIH. In follow-up examinations, LS and DS can be used as reliable parameters to evaluate the treatment response of AIH.

Background: This study aimed to examine the occupational stress and quality of life of mental health welfare center workers and to identify the impact of occupational stress on compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Methods: This study included 588 employees working at 15 provincial/municipal/regional mental health welfare centers. Demographic and psychosocial factors were surveyed. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The high-risk group for occupational stress showed low compassion satisfaction, high burnout, and high secondary traumatic stress. Compassion satisfaction showed a significant negative correlation with occupational stress. Burnout and secondary traumatic stress showed a significant positive correlation with occupational stress.Occupational stress factors affecting compassion satisfaction included lack of reward (β=−0.155, p<0.001), whereas those affecting burnout included physical environment (β=0.028, p<0.01), job demand (β=0.042, p<0.001), relationship conflict (β=0.033, p<0.01), job instability (β=0.016, p<0.01), lack of reward (β=0.051, p<0.001), and occupational climate (β=0.024, p<0.01). Additionally, occupational stress factors affecting secondary traumatic stress included physical environment (β=0.063, p<0.001) and job instability (β=0.020, p<0.05). Conclusion Occupational stress had a significant impact on compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Therefore, active interventions against occupational stress factors are necessary to improve the quality of life of mental health welfare center workers.

Background/Aims: The risk for colonoscopic postpolypec-tomy bleeding (PPB) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) remains unclear. We determined the incidence and risk factors for colonoscopic PPB in patients with CLD, espe-cially those with liver cirrhosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with CLD who un-derwent colonoscopic polypectomy at Seoul National Univer-sity Hospital between 2011 and 2014. The study endpoints were immediate and delayed PPB. Results: A total of 1,267 consecutive patients with CLD were included in the study. Im-mediate PPB occurred significantly more often in the ChildPugh (CP) B or C cirrhosis group (17.5%) than in the CP-A (6.3%) and chronic hepatitis (4.6%) groups (p<0.001). More-over, the incidence of delayed PPB in the CP-B or C cirrhosis group (4.4%) was significantly higher than that in the CP-A (0.7%) and chronic hepatitis (0.2%) groups (p<0.001). The independent risk factors for immediate PPB were CP-B or C cirrhosis (p=0.011), a platelet count <50,000/μL (p<0.001), 3 or more polyps (p=0.017), endoscopic mucosal resection or submucosal dissection (p<0.001), and polypectomy per-formed by trainees (p<0.001). The independent risk factors for delayed PPB were CP-B or C cirrhosis (p=0.009), and pol-yps >10 mm in size (p=0.010). Conclusions Patients with CP-B or C cirrhosis had an increased risk for bleeding fol-lowing colonoscopic polypectomy.

PURPOSE: Upfront systemic chemotherapy with target agents has been recommended for patients with stage IV colon cancer. Some with partial response are considered for curative resection. There is high risk of developing postoperative complications following upfront systemic chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate short-term perioperative outcomes of curative surgery after upfront chemotherapy in comparison with upfront surgery in patients with metastatic colon cancer.METHODS: Between January 2010 and October 2015, 146 patients (80 in the surgery first group, 66 in the upfront chemotherapy group) who underwent surgical resection before or after systemic chemotherapy for metastatic colon cancer were included in the present study. All decisions for treatment were made through a multidisciplinary team. Postoperative clinical outcomes and complications were analyzed to compare the groups.RESULTS: There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative clinical outcomes. Overall complication rates were not different between the groups (surgery first group: 46.3% vs. upfront chemotherapy group: 60.6%; P = 0.084). When classified according to the Clavien-Dindo method, there was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of major complications (grade 3 or more) (surgery first group: 18.9% vs. upfront chemotherapy group: 27.5%; P = 0.374).CONCLUSION: There was no significant increase in major postoperative complications in metastatic colon cancer patients who received upfront chemotherapy followed by curative surgery. Careful patient selection and treatment planning are important.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Patient Selection ; Postoperative Complications

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the prognostic value of tumor sidedness in colon cancer. We investigated the oncologic impact of tumor location and examined whether recurrence patterns were related to tumor sidedness in colon cancer patients. METHODS: We identified stage I–III colon adenocarcinoma patients from a prospective colorectal cancer registry at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, who underwent complete mesocolic excision between 2005 and 2012. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for predictors of cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cumulative recurrence at specific anatomic sites were examined using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1,912 patients, 1,077 (56.3%) with left-sided colon cancer (LCC), and 835 (43.7%) with right-sided colon cancer (RCC), at a median follow-up of 59 months, were eligible and included in the study. In univariate analysis, similar 5-year CSS and RFS were observed for LCC and RCC in the total patient population, and when stratified by stage for stage I and II patients. For stage III patients, an adjusted Cox regression analysis indicated that RCC patients had a higher risk of cancer-specific mortality (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.07–2.86; P = 0.024) and recurrence (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22–2.60; P = 0.003). Furthermore, RCC was an independent predictor of peritoneal recurrence (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.05–3.29; P = 0.031) in stage III patients. CONCLUSION: RCC correlated with worse CSS and RFS than LCC. In stage III patients, RCC correlated with increased risk of peritoneal recurrence. The reasons for these differences remain to be investigated.
Adenocarcinoma ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Seoul ; Treatment Outcome