Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Purpose: To report a nationwide survey on neuroblastoma conducted by the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) in 2020. Methods: The clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with and treated for neuroblastoma from 2005 to 2019 in 19 hospitals of KAPS members were collected. Survival and prognostic factor analyses were performed using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazard analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 669 patients with neuroblastoma were registered for the study. The results were presented and discussed at the 36th annual meeting of the KAPS, which was held in Seoul on August 21, 2020. Conclusion This study provides information on patient demographics, prognostic outcomes, and comprehensive treatment outcomes for neuroblastoma. The study is expected to be an important reference for improving pediatric surgeons’ understanding and treatment of neuroblastoma.

Purpose: Robot-assisted surgery is readily applied to every type of colorectal surgeries. However, studies showing the safety and feasibility of robotic surgery (RS) have dealt with rectal cancer more than colon cancer. This study aimed to investigate how technical advantages of RS can translate into actual clinical outcomes that represent postoperative systemic response. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases in a single tertiary medical center in Korea. Patients with primary colon cancer who underwent curative resection between 2006 and 2012 were included. Propensity score matching was done to adjust baseline patient characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, tumor profile, pathologic stage, operating surgeon, surgery extent) between open surgery (OS), laparoscopic surgery (LS), and RS groups. Results: After propensity score matching, there were 66 patients in each group for analysis, and there was no significant differences in baseline patient characteristics. Maximal postoperative leukocyte count was lowest in the RS group and highest in the OS group (P=0.021). Similar results were observed for postoperative neutrophil count (P=0.024). Postoperative prognostic nutritional index was highest in the RS group and lowest in the OS group (P<0.001). The time taken to first flatus and soft diet resumption was longest in the OS group and shortest in the RS group (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Among all groups, other short-term postoperative outcomes such as hospital stay and complications did not show significant difference, and oncological survival results were similar. Conclusion Better postoperative inflammatory indices in the RS group may correlate with their faster recovery of bowel motility and diet resumption compared to LS and OS groups.

Purpose: Robot-assisted surgery is readily applied to every type of colorectal surgeries. However, studies showing the safety and feasibility of robotic surgery (RS) have dealt with rectal cancer more than colon cancer. This study aimed to investigate how technical advantages of RS can translate into actual clinical outcomes that represent postoperative systemic response. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases in a single tertiary medical center in Korea. Patients with primary colon cancer who underwent curative resection between 2006 and 2012 were included. Propensity score matching was done to adjust baseline patient characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, tumor profile, pathologic stage, operating surgeon, surgery extent) between open surgery (OS), laparoscopic surgery (LS), and RS groups. Results: After propensity score matching, there were 66 patients in each group for analysis, and there was no significant differences in baseline patient characteristics. Maximal postoperative leukocyte count was lowest in the RS group and highest in the OS group (P=0.021). Similar results were observed for postoperative neutrophil count (P=0.024). Postoperative prognostic nutritional index was highest in the RS group and lowest in the OS group (P<0.001). The time taken to first flatus and soft diet resumption was longest in the OS group and shortest in the RS group (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Among all groups, other short-term postoperative outcomes such as hospital stay and complications did not show significant difference, and oncological survival results were similar. Conclusion Better postoperative inflammatory indices in the RS group may correlate with their faster recovery of bowel motility and diet resumption compared to LS and OS groups.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Purpose: The use of an ostomy for urination and defecation leads to reduced quality of life. Although many ostomy management strategies are needed, such strategies are often implemented by patients. Thus, there is a need for a home health care service platform that can be used in ostomy patient management. Methods: We developed an ostomy patient management platform by identifying the needs of patients and medical staff through the Chronic Care Ostomy Self-Management Training Program in the United States and from studies conducted in Korea. Results: The platform encompassed physical management, psychological management, maintenance of social function, spiritual stability, and home medical care. These components were implemented through monitoring, self-care guidance, and a community platform. For the monitoring function, patients entered their health status in a mobile application (app); the medical staff at the affiliated hospital then monitored the stoma status through a web interface. Conclusion Our platform allows medical staff to monitor ostomy patients through a web interface and help such patients to fully manage their ostomy at home using an app. We expect that the continued development of patient-oriented functions in our app will allow ostomy patients to experience quality-of-life improvements.

Purpose: Robot-assisted surgery is readily applied to every type of colorectal surgeries. However, studies showing the safety and feasibility of robotic surgery (RS) have dealt with rectal cancer more than colon cancer. This study aimed to investigate how technical advantages of RS can translate into actual clinical outcomes that represent postoperative systemic response. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases in a single tertiary medical center in Korea. Patients with primary colon cancer who underwent curative resection between 2006 and 2012 were included. Propensity score matching was done to adjust baseline patient characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, tumor profile, pathologic stage, operating surgeon, surgery extent) between open surgery (OS), laparoscopic surgery (LS), and RS groups. Results: After propensity score matching, there were 66 patients in each group for analysis, and there was no significant differences in baseline patient characteristics. Maximal postoperative leukocyte count was lowest in the RS group and highest in the OS group (P=0.021). Similar results were observed for postoperative neutrophil count (P=0.024). Postoperative prognostic nutritional index was highest in the RS group and lowest in the OS group (P<0.001). The time taken to first flatus and soft diet resumption was longest in the OS group and shortest in the RS group (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Among all groups, other short-term postoperative outcomes such as hospital stay and complications did not show significant difference, and oncological survival results were similar. Conclusion Better postoperative inflammatory indices in the RS group may correlate with their faster recovery of bowel motility and diet resumption compared to LS and OS groups.