Purpose: Smoking may have a protective role in developing ulcerative colitis (UC) but have the opposite effect on Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to determine the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) according to smoking status and onset age of smoking. Materials and Methods: We collected data on the smoking experiences of participants aged 20–39 years who underwent biannual examinations provided by the Korean National Health Screening Program from 2009 to 2012. IBD diagnosis was identified using the National Health Insurance Service. The risk of IBD according to smoking status and onset age of smoking was analyzed after adjusting for major clinical variables. Results: During a median 10.59-year follow-up, the risk of UC in ex-smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers, and the earlier ex-smokers started smoking, the higher risk of UC [ex-smokers whose onset age of smoking was <20 years, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.928, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.649–2.255; 20–24 years, aHR 1.728, 95% CI=1.541–1.939; 25–29 years, aHR 1.676, 95% CI=1.489–1.887; ≥30 years, aHR 1.226, 95% CI=1.010–1.486]. The risk of UC was significantly lower in current smokers whose onset age of smoking was 25–29 years than in non-smokers (aHR 0.825, 95% CI=0.709–0.959). The risk of CD did not differ according to smoking status and onset age of smoking. Conclusion Ex-smokers who started smoking at a young age have a high risk of UC, even after adjusting for the smoking amount.

Background: Allografts are preferred in certain cases of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions to avoid additional graft harvesting and to fill in enlarged tunnels. The clinical outcomes of quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allograft in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are not well-known. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allografts. Methods: Patients who underwent revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allografts with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Their mean follow-up length was 33.5 ± 19.5 months.Outcomes including clinical scores (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner scale, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]), knee stability (physical examinations and knee arthrometer), return to sports, and any associated complications were assessed. Degrees of graft synovialization were also evaluated using arthroscopy. Results: A total of 38 patients were reviewed and their age at the time of surgery and follow-up length were 37.2 ± 12.5 years (range, 17–66 years) and 2.8 ± 1.6 years, respectively. All clinical scores including KOOS, IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scale significantly improved at 2 years after surgery and 92.1% of the patients returned to sports. The mean preoperative side-to-side difference in knee arthrometer decreased from 4.5 ± 2.3 mm before surgery to 2.6 ± 1.5 mm after surgery (p < 0.001). Graft synovialization was observed in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) who underwent second-look arthroscopy. Complication rate was 10.5% (n = 4). All complications were graft re-rupture and occurred at an average of 18 months after revision surgery. Conclusions Quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allograft showed satisfactory clinical outcomes in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and thus could be a good alternative when autograft harvesting is not optimal.

Purpose: Smoking may have a protective role in developing ulcerative colitis (UC) but have the opposite effect on Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to determine the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) according to smoking status and onset age of smoking. Materials and Methods: We collected data on the smoking experiences of participants aged 20–39 years who underwent biannual examinations provided by the Korean National Health Screening Program from 2009 to 2012. IBD diagnosis was identified using the National Health Insurance Service. The risk of IBD according to smoking status and onset age of smoking was analyzed after adjusting for major clinical variables. Results: During a median 10.59-year follow-up, the risk of UC in ex-smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers, and the earlier ex-smokers started smoking, the higher risk of UC [ex-smokers whose onset age of smoking was <20 years, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.928, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.649–2.255; 20–24 years, aHR 1.728, 95% CI=1.541–1.939; 25–29 years, aHR 1.676, 95% CI=1.489–1.887; ≥30 years, aHR 1.226, 95% CI=1.010–1.486]. The risk of UC was significantly lower in current smokers whose onset age of smoking was 25–29 years than in non-smokers (aHR 0.825, 95% CI=0.709–0.959). The risk of CD did not differ according to smoking status and onset age of smoking. Conclusion Ex-smokers who started smoking at a young age have a high risk of UC, even after adjusting for the smoking amount.

Purpose: Smoking may have a protective role in developing ulcerative colitis (UC) but have the opposite effect on Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to determine the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) according to smoking status and onset age of smoking. Materials and Methods: We collected data on the smoking experiences of participants aged 20–39 years who underwent biannual examinations provided by the Korean National Health Screening Program from 2009 to 2012. IBD diagnosis was identified using the National Health Insurance Service. The risk of IBD according to smoking status and onset age of smoking was analyzed after adjusting for major clinical variables. Results: During a median 10.59-year follow-up, the risk of UC in ex-smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers, and the earlier ex-smokers started smoking, the higher risk of UC [ex-smokers whose onset age of smoking was <20 years, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.928, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.649–2.255; 20–24 years, aHR 1.728, 95% CI=1.541–1.939; 25–29 years, aHR 1.676, 95% CI=1.489–1.887; ≥30 years, aHR 1.226, 95% CI=1.010–1.486]. The risk of UC was significantly lower in current smokers whose onset age of smoking was 25–29 years than in non-smokers (aHR 0.825, 95% CI=0.709–0.959). The risk of CD did not differ according to smoking status and onset age of smoking. Conclusion Ex-smokers who started smoking at a young age have a high risk of UC, even after adjusting for the smoking amount.

Purpose: The optimal reconstruction method following distal gastrectomy has not been elucidated. Since Billroth-II (B-II) reconstruction is commonly associated with increased bile reflux, Braun jejunojejunostomy has been proposed to reduce this complication. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 325 patients with gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy with B-II reconstruction between January 2015 and December 2017, comprising 159 patients without Braun anastomosis and 166 with Braun anastomosis.Outcomes were assessed over three years using annual gastroscopy based on the residual food, gastritis, and bile reflux criteria and the Los Angeles classification for reflux esophagitis. Results: In the first postoperative year, the group with Braun anastomosis showed a significant reduction in bile reflux compared to the group without Braun anastomosis (75.9% vs. 86.2%; P=0.019). Moreover, multivariate analysis identified Braun anastomosis as the sole factor associated with this outcome. Additionally, the group with Braun anastomosis had a lower incidence of heartburn (12.0% vs. 20.1%; P=0.047) and reduced use of prokinetics (P<0.001) and acid reducers (P=0.002) compared to the group without Braun anastomosis.However, these benefits diminished in subsequent years, with no significant differences in residual food, gastritis, or reflux esophagitis between the groups. Both groups showed similar body mass index scores and nutritional outcomes over the 3-year follow-up period. Conclusions Although Braun anastomosis offers short-term benefits in reducing bile reflux after B-II reconstruction, these effects are not sustainable. The routine use of Braun anastomosis should be reconsidered, though either approach remains a viable option depending on the patient’s circumstances.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Background: Allografts are preferred in certain cases of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions to avoid additional graft harvesting and to fill in enlarged tunnels. The clinical outcomes of quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allograft in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are not well-known. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allografts. Methods: Patients who underwent revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allografts with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Their mean follow-up length was 33.5 ± 19.5 months.Outcomes including clinical scores (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner scale, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]), knee stability (physical examinations and knee arthrometer), return to sports, and any associated complications were assessed. Degrees of graft synovialization were also evaluated using arthroscopy. Results: A total of 38 patients were reviewed and their age at the time of surgery and follow-up length were 37.2 ± 12.5 years (range, 17–66 years) and 2.8 ± 1.6 years, respectively. All clinical scores including KOOS, IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scale significantly improved at 2 years after surgery and 92.1% of the patients returned to sports. The mean preoperative side-to-side difference in knee arthrometer decreased from 4.5 ± 2.3 mm before surgery to 2.6 ± 1.5 mm after surgery (p < 0.001). Graft synovialization was observed in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) who underwent second-look arthroscopy. Complication rate was 10.5% (n = 4). All complications were graft re-rupture and occurred at an average of 18 months after revision surgery. Conclusions Quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allograft showed satisfactory clinical outcomes in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and thus could be a good alternative when autograft harvesting is not optimal.

Background: Allografts are preferred in certain cases of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions to avoid additional graft harvesting and to fill in enlarged tunnels. The clinical outcomes of quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allograft in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are not well-known. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allografts. Methods: Patients who underwent revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allografts with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Their mean follow-up length was 33.5 ± 19.5 months.Outcomes including clinical scores (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner scale, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]), knee stability (physical examinations and knee arthrometer), return to sports, and any associated complications were assessed. Degrees of graft synovialization were also evaluated using arthroscopy. Results: A total of 38 patients were reviewed and their age at the time of surgery and follow-up length were 37.2 ± 12.5 years (range, 17–66 years) and 2.8 ± 1.6 years, respectively. All clinical scores including KOOS, IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scale significantly improved at 2 years after surgery and 92.1% of the patients returned to sports. The mean preoperative side-to-side difference in knee arthrometer decreased from 4.5 ± 2.3 mm before surgery to 2.6 ± 1.5 mm after surgery (p < 0.001). Graft synovialization was observed in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) who underwent second-look arthroscopy. Complication rate was 10.5% (n = 4). All complications were graft re-rupture and occurred at an average of 18 months after revision surgery. Conclusions Quadriceps tendon-patellar bone allograft showed satisfactory clinical outcomes in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and thus could be a good alternative when autograft harvesting is not optimal.