Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study presents the first nationwide survey of patients with EGC treated with ESD in 2023, conducted by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research. Materials and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from participating referral centers across Korea using a standardized case report form covering patient characteristics, tumor features, procedural details, histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes.Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to summarize nationwide ESD practice patterns and outcomes. Results: Data from 5,460 ESD cases from 5,250 patients across 27 institutions were analyzed. The mean age was 67.4 years, with 74.1% males. Multiple synchronous lesions were identified in 3.7%. Most lesions were located in the lower third of the stomach (64.0%), and differentiated-type adenocarcinomas accounted for 87.8%. The en bloc and complete resection rates were 99.2% and 91.4%, respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 80.5%, whereas local non-curative resection (L-NCR) and surgical non-curative resection (S-NCR) were identified in 2.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Additional surgery was performed more frequently in patients with S-NCR than in those with L-NCR (59.3% vs. 24.7%). The bleeding and perforation rates were 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and were mostly managed conservatively or endoscopically. The median length of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Conclusions This first nationwide survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current practice of EGC treatment using ESD in Korea, demonstrating high technical success and safety, and establishing a baseline dataset for future longitudinal research.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplement use is common among breast cancer survivors, but studies on Asian populations remain limited. This study investigated dietary supplement use among Korean breast cancer survivors, distinguishing between vitamin/ mineral (VM) and non-vitaminon-mineral (NVNM) supplements. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,136 stage I–III breast cancer survivors from 12 Korean hospitals, who survived more than 6 mon post-surgery. The participants completed a questionnaire on post-diagnostic dietary supplement use. Stepwise logistic regression was applied, calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to identify the demographic and clinical factors associated with VM and NVNM use. RESULTS: Seventy percent of survivors reported supplement use, with 25% using a single product. The most common VM supplements were multivitamins/minerals, vitamin D, and vitamin C, while the most common NVNM supplements included omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and ginseng. Survivors with higher education and greater physical activity were more likely to use VM supplements (ORs [95% CIs], 2.74 [1.76–4.25] for college graduates or above vs. middle school or below; 1.38 [1.02–1.88] for the most active group vs. the least active group). NVNM use was associated with higher education, greater physical activity levels, and a history of smoking (ORs [95% CIs], 2.29 [1.46–3.58] for college graduates or above vs. middle school or below; 1.52 [1.13–2.06] for the most active group vs. the least active group; 2.00 [1.23–3.25] for ever smokers vs. never smokers). Survivors who had undergone chemotherapy were also more likely to use NVNM supplements than those who had not (OR [95% CI], 1.37 [1.02–1.84]). CONCLUSION Seventy percent of Korean breast cancer survivors used dietary supplements in this study. VM use was associated with higher education and physical activity, while higher NVNM use was associated with higher education, greater physical activity, a history of smoking, and chemotherapy.

Objectives: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study presents the first nationwide survey of patients with EGC treated with ESD in 2023, conducted by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from participating referral centers across Korea using a standardized case report form covering patient characteristics, tumor features, procedural details, histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to summarize nationwide ESD practice patterns and outcomes. Results: Data from 5460 ESD cases from 5250 patients across 27 institutions were analyzed. The mean age was 67.4 years, with 74.1% males. Multiple synchronous lesions were identified in 3.7%. Most lesions were located in the lower third of the stomach (64.0%), and differentiated-type adenocarcinomas accounted for 87.8%. The en bloc and complete resection rates were 99.2% and 91.4%, respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 80.5%, whereas local non-curative resection (L-NCR) and surgical non-curative resection (S-NCR) were identified in 2.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Additional surgery was performed more frequently in patients with S-NCR than in those with L-NCR (59.3% vs. 24.7%). The bleeding and perforation rates were 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and were mostly managed conservatively or endoscopically. The median length of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Conclusions This first nationwide survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current practice of EGC treatment using ESD in Korea, demonstrating high technical success and safety, and establishing a baseline dataset for future longitudinal research.

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.

Rare diseases are predominantly genetic or inherited, and patients with these conditions frequently exhibit neurological symptoms. Diagnosing and treating many rare diseases is a complex challenge, and their low prevalence complicates the performance of research, which in turn hinders the advancement of therapeutic options. One strategy to address this issue is the creation of national or international registries for rare diseases, which can help researchers monitor and investigate their natural progression. In the Republic of Korea, we established a registry across 5 centers that focuses on 3 rare diseases, all of which are characterized by gait disturbances resulting from motor system dysfunction. The registry will collect clinical information and human bioresources from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinocerebellar ataxia, and hereditary spastic paraplegia. These resources will be stored at ICreaT and the National Biobank of Korea. Once the registry is complete, the data will be made publicly available for further research. Through this registry, our research team is dedicated to identifying genetic variants that are specific to Korean patients, uncovering biomarkers that show a strong correlation with clinical symptoms, and leveraging this information for early diagnosis and the development of treatments.

Closed nontraumatic flexor tendon ruptures are classified as spontaneous, infiltrative tenosynovial, iatrogenic, or attritional ruptures based on their mechanism. Attritional ruptures occur over rough bone surfaces that result from various pathologies. Here, we present a case of attritional rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus of the little finger due to pisotriquetral arthritis.

Closed nontraumatic flexor tendon ruptures are classified as spontaneous, infiltrative tenosynovial, iatrogenic, or attritional ruptures based on their mechanism. Attritional ruptures occur over rough bone surfaces that result from various pathologies. Here, we present a case of attritional rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus of the little finger due to pisotriquetral arthritis.

The Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS) has collected nationwide registry data on clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment since 1996. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of breast cancer in Korea and assess changes in breast cancer statistics for 2021 using data from the KBCS registry and the Korean Central Cancer Registry. In 2021, 34,628 women were newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The median age of women diagnosed with breast cancer was 53.4 years, with the highest incidence occurring in the 40–49 age group. The most common molecular subtype was hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, accounting for 69.1% of cases, while HER2-positive subtypes comprised 19.3%. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the national breast cancer screening rate declined. However, the incidence of early-stage breast cancer (stages 0 and I) continued to increase, accounting for 65.6% of newly diagnosed cases in 2021. Our results showed that the overall survival rate for patients with breast cancer has improved, primarily due to a rise in early-stage diagnoses and advancements in treatment.

By investigating the characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer (BC) patients who have undergone hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this study addresses a gap in the existing literature. A total of 17,355 postmenopausal patients with BC were analyzed using data from the Korea Breast Cancer Society database (2000–2014). Among them, 3,585 (20.7%) had a history of HRT before BC diagnosis (HRT group), while 13,770 (79.3%) never received HRT (non-HRT group). The HRT group exhibited an earlier pathologic stage, lower histologic and nuclear grades, and a higher rate of breast conservation surgery compared to the non-HRT group. Furthermore, this group had a higher rate of screening participation and a greater proportion of patients with a normal or overweight body mass index (BMI). The prognosis of the HRT group was better than that of the non-HRT group, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 93.9% versus 91.7% (p < 0.001). The hazard ratio for the HRT group was 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.608–0.805; p < 0.001). Increased screening participation, longer HRT duration, and a normal or overweight BMI were associated with a better prognosis in the HRT group. Patients with BC who underwent HRT showed better clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis than those who did not receive HRT. The results highlighted significant differences in patients who underwent screening and those with a normal or overweight BMI. Furthermore, a longer HRT duration was associated with a better prognosis.

Objective: There has been a rapid increase in the utilization of emergency departments (EDs), especially for non-emergent cases. The challenges of accessing medical services at night cause disparities in ED utilization between the day and night. Additionally, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a notable impact on ED visits. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of patients visiting the EDs in the daytime and at night before and after COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on adults (≥18 years) at three metropolitan EDs from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Data, including the Korean Triage Acuity System, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes, and ICU admissions, were collected. Characteristics of patients visiting the ED during the day (06:00-18:00) and night (18:00-06:00) periods before and after COVID-19 were analyzed. Results: During the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, 117,896 and 92,915 patients visited the ED, respectively. Non-emergency nighttime visits were increased than daytime visits during both the pre-COVID-19 period (37.9% vs. 30.9%) and the COVID-19 period (35.4% vs. 28.8%) (P<0.01). During COVID-19, non-emergency patient visits to the ED during the nighttime decreased compared to those during the day (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-0.99, P=0.01). Among the top five diagnoses, the number of patients declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in most categories, except for the category of “Fever of other and unknown origin,” which saw an increase both during the day (incident rate ratio [IRR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.17) and night (IRR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.17-1.30). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced ED visit patterns, particularly by reducing non-emergent visits during nighttime.