Purpose: Under the South Korea’s unique health insurance structure, any new surgical technology must be evaluated first by the government in order to consider whether that particular technology can be applied to patients for further clinical trials as categorized as ‘New Health Technology,’ then potentially covered by the insurance sometime later. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer, activated by the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) TaTME committee. Methods: We systematically searched Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Cochrane, and Korean databases (from their inception until August 31, 2019) for studies published that compare TaTME with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME). End-points included perioperative and pathological outcomes. Results: Sixteen cohort studies (7 for case-matched studies) were identified, comprising 1,923 patients (938 TaTMEs and 985 LaTMEs). Regarding perioperative outcomes, the conversion rate was significantly lower in TaTME (risk ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.34; P < 0.001); whereas other perioperative outcomes were similar to LaTME. There were no statistically significant differences in pathological results between the 2 procedures. Conclusion Our meta-analysis showed comparable results in preoperative and pathologic outcomes between TaTME and LaTME, and indicated the benefit of TaTME with low conversion. Extensive evaluations of well-designed, multicenter randomized controlled trials are required to come to unequivocal conclusions, but the results showed that TaTME is a potentially beneficial technique in some specific cases. This meta-analysis suggests that TaTME can be performed for rectal cancer patients as a ‘New Health Technology’ endorsed by NECA in South Korea.

Purpose: Under the South Korea’s unique health insurance structure, any new surgical technology must be evaluated first by the government in order to consider whether that particular technology can be applied to patients for further clinical trials as categorized as ‘New Health Technology,’ then potentially covered by the insurance sometime later. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer, activated by the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) TaTME committee. Methods: We systematically searched Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Cochrane, and Korean databases (from their inception until August 31, 2019) for studies published that compare TaTME with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME). End-points included perioperative and pathological outcomes. Results: Sixteen cohort studies (7 for case-matched studies) were identified, comprising 1,923 patients (938 TaTMEs and 985 LaTMEs). Regarding perioperative outcomes, the conversion rate was significantly lower in TaTME (risk ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.34; P < 0.001); whereas other perioperative outcomes were similar to LaTME. There were no statistically significant differences in pathological results between the 2 procedures. Conclusion Our meta-analysis showed comparable results in preoperative and pathologic outcomes between TaTME and LaTME, and indicated the benefit of TaTME with low conversion. Extensive evaluations of well-designed, multicenter randomized controlled trials are required to come to unequivocal conclusions, but the results showed that TaTME is a potentially beneficial technique in some specific cases. This meta-analysis suggests that TaTME can be performed for rectal cancer patients as a ‘New Health Technology’ endorsed by NECA in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT)-based method of three dimensional (3D) analysis (MIMICS®, Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) is reported as very useful software for evaluation of OPLL, but its reliability and reproducibility are obscure. This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of MIMICS® system, and inter- and intra-observer reliability in the measurement of OPLL. METHODS: Three neurosurgeons independently analyzed the randomly selected 10 OPLL cases with medical image processing software (MIMICS®) which create 3D model with Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) data from CT images after brief explanation was given to examiners before the image construction steps. To assess the reliability of inter- and intra-examiner intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), 3 examiners measured 4 parameters (volume, length, width, and length) in 10 cases 2 times with 1-week interval. RESULTS: The inter-examiner ICCs among 3 examiners were 0.996 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.987–0.999) for volume measurement, 0.973 (95% CI, 0.907–0.978) for thickness, 0.969 (95% CI, 0.895–0.993) for width, and 0.995 (95% CI, 0.983–0.999) for length. The intra-examiner ICCs were 0.994 (range, 0.991–0.996) for volume, 0.996 (range, 0.944–0.998) for length, 0.930 (range, 0.873–0.947) for width, and 0.987 (range, 0.985–0.995) for length. CONCLUSION: The medical image processing software (MIMICS®) provided detailed quantification OPLL volume with minimal error of inter- and intra-observer reliability in the measurement of OPLL.
Longitudinal Ligaments* ; Methods ; Neurosurgeons ; Observer Variation*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of the salinomycin in cell proliferation and apoptosis in primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells. METHODS: Cell viability was measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Caspase-3 activity assay and DNA fragmentation assay were performed to determine the effect of apoptosis. The expression of apoptosis regulatory-related proteins was evaluated by western blot. RESULTS: The cell viability and proliferation of uterine leiomyoma cells were significantly reduced by salinomycin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation assay results showed apoptotic cell death after salinomycin incubation. Salinomycin activated caspase-3, -8, and -9, causing apoptosis in uterine leiomyoma cells. Down-regulation of Bcl-2, XIAP, and FLIP with a concomitant increase in Bax, Fas, and DR5 were observed. CONCLUSION: These results provided the first evidence that salinomycin induce both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. Therefore, salinomycin may be a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic agent against human uterine leiomyoma.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Proliferation* ; Cell Survival ; DNA Fragmentation ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leiomyoma*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) has proven to be a valuable technique in high-risk coronary patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there have been few studies on PCI associated with PCPS in Korea. We summarized our experience with PCPS-supported PCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 19 patients with PCPS-supported PCI between August 2005 and June 2009. PCPS was used as an elective procedure for 10 patients with at least two of the following conditions: left-ventricular ejection fraction <35%, target vessel(s) supplying more than 50% of the viable myocardium, high risk surgical patients, and patients who refused coronary bypass surgery. In the remaining 9 patients PCPS was used as an emergency procedure, to stabilize and even resuscitate patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, in order to attempt urgent PCI. RESULTS: Among the 19 patients who were treated with PCPS-supported PCI, 11 (57.9%) survived and 8 (42.1%) patients did not. ST elevation myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock was more prevalent in the non-survivors than in the survivors (75% vs. 27.3%, p=0.04). The elective PCPS-supported PCI was practiced more frequently in the survivors than in the non-survivors (72.7% vs. 25%, p=0.04). In the analysis of the event-free survival curve between elective and emergency procedures, there was a significant difference in the survival rate (p=0.025). Among the survivors there were more patients with multi-vessel disease, but a lower Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade in the culprit lesions was detected in the non-survivors, before PCI. Although we studied high-risk patients, there was no procedure-related mortality. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that PCPS may be helpful in high risk patients treated with PCI, especially in elective cases. More aggressive and larger scale studies of PCPS should follow.
Disease-Free Survival ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardium ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Survival Rate ; Survivors

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases are common causes of diseases and death for workers. With the increasing prevalence of obesity, the social costs for obesity related diseases are a growing burden in Korea. We aimed to investigate the impact of weight change on metabolic syndrome and its components in Korean male workers. METHODS: We analyzed the data from 2,785 male workers obtained during health checkups in 2000 and in 2008. The subjects were classified into 5 groups as Loss (< or = -3.0 kg), Stable (-2.9 to 2.9 kg), Mild gain (3.0 to 5.9 kg), Moderate gain (6.0 to 8.9 kg), and Severe gain (> or = 9.0 kg) group according to the amount of weight change between the 2 health checkups. The mean values of metabolic syndrome components were compared across the 5 weight change groups by ANCOVA. After classifying subjects into 2 groups according to the normality of their body weight at baseline, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome and its components each weight-change group were computed by multiple logistic regression analyses, using the Stable group as the reference. RESULTS: There was a strong linear relationship between weight gain and a worsening of the components of metabolic syndrome in 2008 (p<0.001). In normal body weight group, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome significantly increased in the Mild, Moderate, and Severe gain groups (OR 1.83, 2.82, and 7.56, respectively), and increased with weight gain (p<0.001). In subjects who were obese, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome significantly increased if their amount of weight gain placed them in the Mild or Moderate gain groups(OR 1.75 and 3.97), increased with the increase of weight gain (p<0.001), and decreased in the Loss group(OR 0.51, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain in male workers was positively associated with metabolic syndrome through worsening of metabolic syndrome components. On the other hand, weight loss in obese male workers had a protective effect against metabolic syndrome through the improvement of the components of metabolic syndrome.
Body Weight ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Hand ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Weight Gain ; Weight Loss

Gallbladder diverticula have the appearance of hernia-like protrusions of the gallbladder wall. This disorder may not be diagnosed until surgically resected because it has no clinical significance unless there are associated diseases. Gallbladder pseudodiverticula have an acquired cause, multiple fundal lesions, an association with gallstones, internal saccular lesions without external hernia-like protrusions, and little to no smooth muscle in the gallbladder wall. We report a unique anomaly of multiple pseudodiverticula presenting with calculous cholecystitis, which was pathologically different from true diverticula and had a unique shape similar to a bunch of grapes and a septation infilling pattern on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.
Cholangiography ; Cholecystitis ; Diverticulum ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones ; Muscle, Smooth ; Vitis

BACKGROUND: The relationship of lifestyle and socioeconomic factors with weight change over 4 years in Korean middle-aged group was assessed. METHODS: A total of 1,167 men, aged 40~59 years, were selected from the Health Promotion Center of Ulsan University Hospital during the period of Jan. 2000 through Mar. 2000. Including anthropometric measures, designed questionnaires were administered concern lifestyle behavior topics with cigarette smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption, dairy product consumption and socioeconomic factors of monthly income and education. The subjects were divided into three groups by body mass index (BMI: kg/m(2)); normal (<23 kg/m(2)), overweight, and obesity (> or =25 kg/m(2)). After 4 years of follow-up, the men were classified into weight change categories; 1) stable weight group (from normal to normal, from overweight to overweight) and 2) weight gain group (from normal to overweight/obesity, from overweight to obesity). RESULTS: The weight gain group were 18.4% (n=215) and the stable overweight group were 81.6% (n=952). Adjusted for age, the frequency of dairy product consumption, the frequency of alcohol drinking, the regularity of exercise, education and monthly income, the smokers (> or =10/day) had significantly high incidence rates of increase in weight (odds ratio=1.77, 95% CI 1.07~2.90). The increased dairy consumers (> or =4/week) had significantly low incidence rates of increase in weight (odds ratio=0.43, 95% CI 0.20~0.93). Otherwise, there were no significant relationships in weight change. CONCLUSION: Smoking and decreased dairy product consumption were related to the increase in weight.
Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Dairy Products ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Male ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Weight Gain ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Mirizzi syndrome is commonly defined as a common hepatic duct obstruction caused by extrinsic compression from an impacted stone in the cystic duct. Mirizzi syndrome has traditionally been treated surgically. However, there are several case reports and small series describing endoscopic and percutaneous alternatives to open surgery. We encountered two cases of type I Mirizzi syndrome that was successfully treated endoscopically. We report these cases with a review of the relevant literature.
Cystic Duct ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Mirizzi Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgical procedure has recently been applied to not only intraabdominal or intrathoracic surgery but also saphenous vein harvesting, because it is less invasive and more cosmetically advantageous. Carbon dioxide insufflation during an endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting may cause an adverse effects on arterial blood gas and hemodynamic variables. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety of carbon dioxide insufflation during endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting. METHODS: Patients in ASA physical status III or IV, scheduled for an endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting (n=30) were gathered for the evaluation. Until the end of the procedure, controlled mechanical ventilation (tidal volume: 10 ml/kg, respiratory rate: 10 rates/min) and ventilator mode was fixed in this tidal volume and respiratory rate. Arterial blood gas analysis, end-tidal carbon dioxide, blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and at 10, 20, 30, 40 minutes after carbon dioxide insufflation. RESULTS: Preinsufflation values of PaCO2 (partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide) and PETCO2 (partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide) were 33.4 +/- 3.6 mmHg and 24.1 +/- 4.1 mmHg, respectively. PaCO2 was significantly increased at 30 and 40 minutes after carbon dioxide insufflation (40.1 +/- 7.4 mmHg and 41.4 +/- 8.6 mmHg). PETCO2 was significantly increased at 20, 30 and 40 minutes after carbon dioxide insufflation(27.6 +/- 5.5 mmHg, 28.9 +/- 7.0 mmHg and 29.6 +/- 7.8 mmHg). But, the magnitude of difference between PaCO2 and PETCO2 was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: During endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting, PaCO2 was significantly increased compared with preinsufflation values. Careful monitoring of PaCO2 is mandatory during the procedure.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon ; Carbon Dioxide ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Endoscopy ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Rate ; Saphenous Vein* ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilators, Mechanical