Purpose: Ankle fractures are common in the orthopedic field. Lateral malleolar fractures are often treated with lag screws and locking plates. Cortical screws are typically used as lag screws to achieve absolute stability through compression. In osteoporotic bone, however, achieving sufficient compression with cortical screws can be challenging. Cancellous screws may offer better fixation in metaphyseal bone. This study compared the outcomes of using cortical screws as lag screws and cancellous screws as position screws for lateral malleolar fixation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgery for Weber type B ankle fractures at the authors’ hospital between March 2019 and March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the screw type: cortical lag screws (n=70) and cancellous position screws (n=35). In both groups, a locking plate was applied in the same manner after screw fixation. The outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), Olerud-Molander score (OMS), foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS), and foot function index (FFI). Complications, such as fixation failure, nonunion, and malunion, were recorded. Results: One hundred and five patients were included. The mean follow-up duration was 16 months (range, 12~28 months). The VAS (1.6±1.9 vs. 1.1±1.3, p=0.305), FFI (10.3±13.4 vs. 10.4±13.5, p=0.970), FAOS (83.0±14.4 vs. 83.5±14.4, p=0.899), and OMS (85.3±18.4 vs.84.7±17.6, p=0.910) scores were similar in the two groups. No complications were reported in either group. Conclusion For the fixation of Weber B fibular fractures, cortical lag screws and cancellous position screws showed comparable clinical outcomes. Cancellous screws with plate fixation may offer a viable alternative in cases with poor bone quality or difficulty applying lag screw techniques.

Purpose: Ankle fractures are common in the orthopedic field. Lateral malleolar fractures are often treated with lag screws and locking plates. Cortical screws are typically used as lag screws to achieve absolute stability through compression. In osteoporotic bone, however, achieving sufficient compression with cortical screws can be challenging. Cancellous screws may offer better fixation in metaphyseal bone. This study compared the outcomes of using cortical screws as lag screws and cancellous screws as position screws for lateral malleolar fixation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgery for Weber type B ankle fractures at the authors’ hospital between March 2019 and March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the screw type: cortical lag screws (n=70) and cancellous position screws (n=35). In both groups, a locking plate was applied in the same manner after screw fixation. The outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), Olerud-Molander score (OMS), foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS), and foot function index (FFI). Complications, such as fixation failure, nonunion, and malunion, were recorded. Results: One hundred and five patients were included. The mean follow-up duration was 16 months (range, 12~28 months). The VAS (1.6±1.9 vs. 1.1±1.3, p=0.305), FFI (10.3±13.4 vs. 10.4±13.5, p=0.970), FAOS (83.0±14.4 vs. 83.5±14.4, p=0.899), and OMS (85.3±18.4 vs.84.7±17.6, p=0.910) scores were similar in the two groups. No complications were reported in either group. Conclusion For the fixation of Weber B fibular fractures, cortical lag screws and cancellous position screws showed comparable clinical outcomes. Cancellous screws with plate fixation may offer a viable alternative in cases with poor bone quality or difficulty applying lag screw techniques.

Background: Laser laryngeal microsurgery is a common treatment of vocal fold polyps (VFP), a leading causeof dysphonia. The CO2 laser is predominantly used for its precision in excising delicate tissues while minimizingdamage to the surrounding healthy tissue. The 532-nm diode laser can also be employed for the cauterization of the microvasculature within the vocal folds. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the 532-nm diode laser in the treatment of VFP. Methods: Forty-four patients diagnosed with VFP were enrolled and underwent laser laryngeal microsurgery using a CO2 laser. The patients were divided into two groups: one receiving additional treatment with the 532-nm diode laser. Voice status was assessed and compared preoperatively and postoperatively using acoustic analysis, aerodynamic analysis, voice range profile, the GRBAS scale, and the voice handicap index (VHI). Results: The mean flow rate and maximal pitch showed significant improvements from preoperative to postoperative measurements in additional 532-nm diode laser treatment group. All objective indicators demonstrated normalization and enhancement following surgery. Subjective perceptual assessments also indicated significant improvement postoperatively, and the VHI showed improvement across all domains.However, there was no significant difference in the test results between the two groups, regardless of the additional use of the 532-nm diode laser. Conclusion Laser phonomicrosurgery using both CO2 and 532-nm diode lasers is an effective in treating VFP. Although the additional benefit of the diode laser was not conclusively demonstrated, its potential for photocoagulating the vocal fold microvasculature suggests further research is warranted.

Purpose: Ankle fractures are common in the orthopedic field. Lateral malleolar fractures are often treated with lag screws and locking plates. Cortical screws are typically used as lag screws to achieve absolute stability through compression. In osteoporotic bone, however, achieving sufficient compression with cortical screws can be challenging. Cancellous screws may offer better fixation in metaphyseal bone. This study compared the outcomes of using cortical screws as lag screws and cancellous screws as position screws for lateral malleolar fixation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgery for Weber type B ankle fractures at the authors’ hospital between March 2019 and March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the screw type: cortical lag screws (n=70) and cancellous position screws (n=35). In both groups, a locking plate was applied in the same manner after screw fixation. The outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), Olerud-Molander score (OMS), foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS), and foot function index (FFI). Complications, such as fixation failure, nonunion, and malunion, were recorded. Results: One hundred and five patients were included. The mean follow-up duration was 16 months (range, 12~28 months). The VAS (1.6±1.9 vs. 1.1±1.3, p=0.305), FFI (10.3±13.4 vs. 10.4±13.5, p=0.970), FAOS (83.0±14.4 vs. 83.5±14.4, p=0.899), and OMS (85.3±18.4 vs.84.7±17.6, p=0.910) scores were similar in the two groups. No complications were reported in either group. Conclusion For the fixation of Weber B fibular fractures, cortical lag screws and cancellous position screws showed comparable clinical outcomes. Cancellous screws with plate fixation may offer a viable alternative in cases with poor bone quality or difficulty applying lag screw techniques.

Purpose: Ankle fractures are common in the orthopedic field. Lateral malleolar fractures are often treated with lag screws and locking plates. Cortical screws are typically used as lag screws to achieve absolute stability through compression. In osteoporotic bone, however, achieving sufficient compression with cortical screws can be challenging. Cancellous screws may offer better fixation in metaphyseal bone. This study compared the outcomes of using cortical screws as lag screws and cancellous screws as position screws for lateral malleolar fixation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgery for Weber type B ankle fractures at the authors’ hospital between March 2019 and March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the screw type: cortical lag screws (n=70) and cancellous position screws (n=35). In both groups, a locking plate was applied in the same manner after screw fixation. The outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), Olerud-Molander score (OMS), foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS), and foot function index (FFI). Complications, such as fixation failure, nonunion, and malunion, were recorded. Results: One hundred and five patients were included. The mean follow-up duration was 16 months (range, 12~28 months). The VAS (1.6±1.9 vs. 1.1±1.3, p=0.305), FFI (10.3±13.4 vs. 10.4±13.5, p=0.970), FAOS (83.0±14.4 vs. 83.5±14.4, p=0.899), and OMS (85.3±18.4 vs.84.7±17.6, p=0.910) scores were similar in the two groups. No complications were reported in either group. Conclusion For the fixation of Weber B fibular fractures, cortical lag screws and cancellous position screws showed comparable clinical outcomes. Cancellous screws with plate fixation may offer a viable alternative in cases with poor bone quality or difficulty applying lag screw techniques.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that frequently causes forefoot deformities. Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a common surgery for severe hallux valgus. However, joint-preserving surgery can maintain the mobility of the joint. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) for correcting hallux valgus deformity associated with RA. Methods: Between August 2000 and December 2018, 18 consecutive patients with rheumatoid forefoot deformities (24 feet) underwent DCMO for hallux valgus with/without lesser toe surgery. Radiological evaluations were conducted, assessing the hallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal angle between the first and second metatarsals, and the Sharp/van der Heijde score for erosion and joint space narrowing. Clinical outcomes were quantified using a visual analog scale for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society forefoot scores to measure function and alignment. Results: The mean hallux valgus angle decreased from 38.0° (range, 25°–65°) preoperatively to 3.5° (range, 0°–17°) at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean intermetatarsal angle decreased from 14.9° (range, 5°–22°) preoperatively to 4.3° (range, 2°–11°) at the final follow-up. (p < 0.05). Regarding the Sharp/van der Heijde score, the mean erosion score (0–10) showed no significant change, decreasing from 3.83 (range, 0–6) preoperatively to 3.54 (range, 0–4) at the final follow-up (p = 0.12). Recurrent hallux valgus was observed in 1 patient and postoperative hallux varus deformity was observed in 2 feet. Spontaneous fusion of the metatarsophalangeal joint developed in 1 case. Conclusions DCMO resulted in satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes for correcting RA-associated hallux valgus deformity.

Objective: The development of individual subtypes based on biomarkers offers a cost-effective and timely avenue to comprehending individual differences pertaining to mental health, independent from individuals’ subjective insights. Incorporating 2-channel electroencephalography (EEG) and photoplethysmogram (PPG), we sought to establish a subtype classification system with clinical relevance. Methods: One hundred healthy participants and 99 patients with psychiatric disorders were recruited. Classification thresholds were determined using the EEG and PPG data from 2,278 individuals without mental disorders, serving to classify subtypes in our sample of 199 participants. Multivariate analysis of variance was applied to examine psychological distinctions among these subtypes. K-means clustering was employed to verify the classification system. Results: The distribution of subtypes differed between healthy participants and those with psychiatric disorders. Cognitive abilities were contingent upon brain subtypes, while mind subtypes exhibited significant differences in symptom severity, overall health, and cognitive stress. K-means clustering revealed that the results of our theory-based classification and data-driven classification are comparable. The synergistic assessment of both brain and mind subtypes was also explored. Conclusion Our subtype classification system offers a concise means to access individuals’ mental health. The utilization of EEG and PPG signals for subtype classification offers potential for the future of digital mental healthcare.

Background/Aims: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is positively associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the long-term effects of eradication therapy on MS and sex differences have not been thoroughly studied. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of HP eradication on MS and sex differences. Methods: This study included 2,267 subjects who visited a tertiary referral center between May 2003 and May 2019. HP was diagnosed by histology, a Campylobacter-like organism test, and culture, and the subjects were prospectively followed up. The participants were categorized into three groups: HP uninfected, HP infected but non-eradicated, and HP eradicated. The baseline characteristics and changes in metabolic parameters after HP eradication were compared over a 5-year follow-up period. Results: Among 1,521 subjects, there was no difference in baseline metabolic parameters between the HP-uninfected (n=509) and HP-infected (n=1,012) groups, regardless of sex. Analysis of the metabolic parameters during follow-up among HP-uninfected (n=509), HP-non-eradicated (n=346), and HP-eradicated (n=666) groups showed that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the body mass index (BMI) increased after eradication, with a significant difference at 1-year of follow-up. In females, HDL increased after eradication (p=0.023), and the BMI increased after eradication in male subjects (p=0.010). After propensity score matching, the HDL change in female remained significant, but the statistical significance of the change in BMI in the male group became marginally significant (p=0.089). Conclusions HP eradication affected metabolic parameters differently depending on sex. HDL significantly increased only in females over time, especially at 1-year of follow-up. In contrast, BMI showed an increasing tendency over time in males, especially at the 1-year follow-up.

Background/Aims: The incidence and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) shows sex difference.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on GC survival depending on sex. Methods: The sex, age, location, histology, TNM stages, BMI, and survival were analyzed in GC patients from May 2003 to February 2020 at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Results: Among 14,688 patients, there were twice as many males (66.6%) as females (33.4%).However, under age 40 years, females (8.6%) were more prevalent than males (3.1%). Cardia GC in males showed a U-shaped distribution for underweight (9.6%), normal (6.4%), overweight (6.1%), obesity (5.6%), and severe obesity (9.3%) but not in females (p=0.003). Females showed decreased proportion of diffuse-type GC regarding BMI (underweight [59.9%], normal [56.8%], overweight [49.5%], obesity [44.8%], and severe obesity [41.7%]), but males did not (p<0.001). Both sexes had the worst prognosis in the underweight group (p<0.001), and the higher BMI, the better prognosis in males, but not females. Sex differences in prognosis according to BMI tended to be more prominent in males than in females in subgroup analysis of TNM stages I, II, and III and the operative treatment group. Conclusions GC-specific survival was affected by BMI in a sex-dependent manner. These differences may be related to genetic, and environmental, hormonal factors; body composition; and muscle mass (Trial registration number: NCT04973631).

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) omicron (B.1.1.529) variant reduced the risk of severe disease compared with the original strain and other variants, but it appeared to be highly infectious, which resulted in an exponential increase in confirmed cases in South Korea. As the number of confirmed cases increased, so did the number of pediatric patients’ hospitalization. This study aims to evaluate the frequency and clinical features of febrile seizure associated with the COVID-19 omicron variant in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children aged under 18 years with febrile seizure who were tested for COVID-19 from February 2020 to April 2022 at Ajou University Hospital, South Korea. Based on the dominant variants, we divided the period into the pre-omicron (from February 2020 to December 2021) and omicron periods (from January 2022 to April 2022) and compared the clinical characteristics between the two. Also, we compared the clinical characteristics of febrile seizure between COVID-19 positive and negative group during the omicron period. Results: Among the 308 children, 211 patients (9.2 patients/months) and 97 patients (24.3 patients/months) were grouped into pre-omicron and omicron periods, respectively.Compared with the pre-omicron period, patients in the omicron period showed significantly higher mean age (pre-omicron vs. omicron, 22.0 vs. 28.0 months; P = 0.004) and COVID-19 positive results (pre-omicron vs. omicron, 0.5% vs. 62.9%; P < 0.001). As the COVID-19 confirmed cases in the omicron period increased, the number of COVID-19 associated febrile seizure also increased. In the omicron period, 61 children were confirmed to be positive for COVID-19, and COVID-19 positive group showed statistically significant higher mean age (positive vs. negative, 33.0 vs. 23.0 months; P= 0.003) and peak body temperature than the negative group (positive vs. negative, 39.1°C vs. 38.6°C; P = 0.030). Despite the lack of significance, COVID-19 positive group showed longer seizure time, multiple seizure episodes, and higher prevalence of complex febrile seizure. Conclusion The frequency of COVID-19 associated febrile seizure increased in the omicron periods. In addition, in this period, children with febrile seizure diagnosed with COVID-19 had a higher mean age and higher peak body temperature.