Background/Aims: Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) has been used to assess intrahepatic duct (IHD) lesions but with a limited role. A new multibending (MB) ultraslim endoscope has been designed to improve POC performance. We evaluated the usefulness of POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope for the management of IHD lesions. Methods: Between March 2017 and March 2020, 22 patients underwent direct POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope for IHD lesions documented by previous imaging or cholangiopancreatography. The primary outcome was technical success of POC, and secondary outcomes were technical success of POC-guided interventions, median procedure time, and POC-related adverse events. Results: The technical success rate for POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope for IHD lesions was 95.5% (21/22). Free-hand insertion was successful in 95.2% (20/21). The overall technical success rate for POC-guided intervention was 100% (21/21), including nine diagnostic and 12 therapeutic procedures (eight direct stone removal and four intraductal lithotripsies). The median procedure time was 29 minutes (range, 9 to 79 minutes). There were no procedure-related adverse events. Conclusions Direct POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope allows direct visualization of IHD lesions and may be useful for diagnosis and therapeutic management in selected patients.

Background: The benefits of transradial access (TRA) over transfemoral access (TFA) for bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are uncertain because of the limited availability of device selection. This study aimed to compare the procedural differences and the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of TRA and TFA for bifurcation PCI using secondgeneration drug-eluting stents (DESs). Methods: Based on data from the Coronary Bifurcation Stenting Registry III, a retrospective registry of 2,648 patients undergoing bifurcation PCI with second-generation DES from 21 centers in South Korea, patients were categorized into the TRA group (n = 1,507) or the TFA group (n = 1,141). After propensity score matching (PSM), procedural differences, in-hospital outcomes, and device-oriented composite outcomes (DOCOs; a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization) were compared between the two groups (772 matched patients each group). Results: Despite well-balanced baseline clinical and lesion characteristics after PSM, the use of the two-stent strategy (14.2% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.001) and the incidence of in-hospital adverse outcomes, primarily driven by access site complications (2.2% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.015), were significantly lower in the TRA group than in the TFA group. At the 5-year follow-up, the incidence of DOCOs was similar between the groups (6.3% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.639). Conclusion The findings suggested that TRA may be safer than TFA for bifurcation PCI using second-generation DESs. Despite differences in treatment strategy, TRA was associated with similar long-term clinical outcomes as those of TFA. Therefore, TRA might be the preferred access for bifurcation PCI using second-generation DES.

Background: Current international guidelines recommend against deep sedation as it is associated with worse outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in Korea the prevalence of deep sedation and its impact on patients in the ICU are not well known. Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional cohort study was performed in 20 Korean ICUs. Sedation depth extent was divided into light and deep using a mean Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale value within the first 48 hours. Propensity score matching was used to balance covariables; the outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Overall, 631 patients (418 [66.2%] and 213 [33.8%] in the deep and light sedation groups, respectively) were included. Mortality rates were 14.1% and 8.4% in the deep and light sedation groups (P = 0.039), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that time to extubation (P < 0.001), ICU length of stay (P = 0.005), and death P = 0.041) differed between the groups. After adjusting for confounders, early deep sedation was only associated with delayed time to extubation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence inter val [CI], 0.55– 0.80; P < 0.001). In the matched cohort, deep sedation remained significantly associated with delayed time to extubation (HR, 0.68; 95% 0.56–0.83; P < 0.001) but was not associated with ICU length of stay (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.79–1.13; P = 0.500) and in-hospital mortality (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.65–2.17; P = 0.582). Conclusion In many Korean ICUs, early deep sedation was highly prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients and was associated with delayed extubation, but not prolonged ICU stay or in-hospital death.

We assessed the risk factors for major amputation of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stages 3b–5. For DFU assessment, in addition to DFU location and presence of infection, ischemia, and neuropathy, vascular calcification was assessed using the medial arterial calcification (MAC) score. Of 210 patients, 26 (12.4%) underwent major amputations. Only the location and extension of DFU, represented by Texas grade differed between the minor and major amputation groups. However, after adjusting for covariates, ulcer location of mid- or hindfoot (vs. forefoot, odds ratio [OR] = 3.27), Texas grades 2 or 3 (vs. grade 0, OR = 5.78), and severe MAC (vs. no MAC, OR = 4.46) was an independent risk factor for major amputation (all P < 0.05). The current use of antiplatelets was a possible protective factor for major amputations (OR = 0.37, P = 0.055). In conclusion, DFU with severe MAC is associated with major amputation in patients with DKD.

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy can be challenging in some patients for medical or oncological reasons. Delayed two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction is a reliable option for these patients. However, data regarding surgical techniques, outcomes, and complication rates are limited. This study reports our experience using the two-stage tissue expander/implant procedure for delayed breast reconstruction. Methods: This retrospective study included 32 patients (34 breasts) who underwent delayed two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction at our institution from January 2018 to July 2022. We summarized the techniques used in the procedure and evaluated the 1-year postoperative outcomes and complication rates. Results: The mean time from mastectomy to expander insertion was 210±25 days, and 8.2±2.3 additional expansions were required prior to the implant insertion. The mean time of tissue expansion was 187±15 days, and the mean volume of expansion was 495±31 mL. No major complications occurred that required reoperation, and the patients were highly satisfied with the surgical results. Conclusions Although delayed two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction resulted in satisfactory outcomes, consensus regarding the operative technique is still needed. Two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction is a safe and effective option for delayed breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported on breakthrough urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with the susceptibility of index UTI to prophylactic antibiotics in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) receiving continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP). We assessed the impact of the susceptibility of index UTI to prophylactic antibiotics in breakthrough UTIs in children with primary VUR receiving CAP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 81 children with primary VUR who were diagnosed after febrile or symptomatic UTI and subsequently received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) as CAP between January 2010 and December 2013. We allocated children to a susceptible group or a resistant group based on the susceptibility of index UTI to TMP-SMX. We evaluated patient demographics and clinical outcomes after CAP according to the susceptibility of index UTI to TMP-SMX. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the predictive factors for breakthrough UTI. RESULTS: Of the 81 children, 42 were classified into the susceptible group and 39 into the resistant group. The proportion of breakthrough UTI was 31.0% (13/42) in the susceptible group and 53.8% (21/39) in the resistant group (P = 0.037). Progression of renal scarring was observed in 0% of children in the susceptible group and 15% in the resistant group (P = 0.053). Multivariate analysis showed that TMP-SMX resistance and initial renal scarring were significant predictors of breakthrough UTI. CONCLUSION: Susceptibility of index UTI to prophylactic antibiotics is a risk factor of breakthrough UTI and is associated with poor clinical outcomes in children with primary VUR receiving CAP.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Demography ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Urinary Tract ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

From December 2006 to December 2016, 1,429 patients enrolled in the Korea human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Cohort Study were investigated. Based on the year of diagnosis, the time interval between HIV diagnosis and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was analyzed by dividing it into 2 years. The more recent the diagnosis, the more likely rapid treatment was initiated (P < 0.001) and the proportion of patients starting ART on the same day of HIV diagnosis was increased in 2016 (6.5%) compared to that in 2006 (1.7%). No significant difference in the median values of CD4+ cell counts according to the diagnosis year was observed. In the past 20 years, the time from the HIV diagnosis to the initiation of ART was significantly reduced. Rapid treatment was being implemented at the HIV diagnosis, regardless of CD4+ cell count. Considering the perspective “treatment is prevention,” access to more rapid treatment is necessary at the time of HIV diagnosis.
CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; HIV Infections ; HIV ; Humans ; Korea

PURPOSE: Currently, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are the standard surgical procedures used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Several recent studies have demonstrated that the surgical management of BPH in patients with detrusor underactivity (DU) can effectively improve voiding symptoms, but comparative data on the efficacy of HoLEP and TURP are insufficient. Therefore, we compared the short-term surgical outcomes of HoLEP and TURP in patients with DU. METHODS: From January 2010 to May 2015, 352 patients underwent HoLEP or TURP in procedures performed by a single surgeon. Of these patients, 56 patients with both BPH and DU were enrolled in this study (HoLEP, n=24; TURP, n=32). Surgical outcomes were retrospectively compared between the 2 groups. DU was defined as a detrusor pressure at maximal flow rate of <40 cm H(2)O as measured by a pressure flow study. RESULTS: The preoperative characteristics of patients and the presence of comorbidities were comparable between the 2 groups. The TURP group showed a significantly shorter operative time than the HoLEP group (P=0.033). The weight of the resected prostate was greater in the HoLEP group, and postoperative voiding parameters, including peak flow rate and postvoid residual urine volume were significantly better in the HoLEP group than in the TURP group. CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP can be effectively and safely performed in patients with DU and can be expected to have better surgical outcomes than TURP in terms of the improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms.
Comorbidity ; Holmium* ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Operative Time ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retrospective Studies ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

PURPOSE: To report the first case of steroid sulfatase (STS) gene deletion, confirmed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis in identical twins with pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy associated with X-linked ichthyosis. CASE SUMMARY: 19-year old identical twin brothers with itching senses and hereditary thick scaly skin of the extremity and trunk visited our dermatologic clinic. Upon visiting, an ophthalmologic consultation with anterior segment examination showed diffuse punctate corneal opacities in the pre-Descemet layer. On MLPA analysis of the identical twin brothers, a definitive diagnosis of X-linked ichthyosis was made by identifying STS gene deletion. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the deletion and mutation of the involved gene using gene analysis can provide insight to diagnosis and clinical characteristics of X-linked ichthyosis.
Cornea ; Corneal Opacity ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Ichthyosis* ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pruritus ; Siblings ; Skin ; Steryl-Sulfatase ; Twins, Monozygotic

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of tear film osmolarity for non-Sjogren dry eye syndrome through measuring the correlation between tear osmolarity and several conventional dry eye parameters. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study, 274 patients (274 eyes) with non-Sjogren dry eye syndrome were examined using tear film osmolarity and the following conventional dry eye parameters: Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), and corneal staining score. The correlations between tear film osmolarity and each conventional dry eye parameter were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean tear film osmolarity of the study population was 296.34 ± 21.08 mOsm/L. The tear film osmolarity was significantly negatively correlated with the Schirmer's test value (r = -0.431, p < 0.001) and tear break-up time (r = -0.131, p = 0.031), while it was significantly positively correlated with the OSDI scores (r = 0.191, p = 0.001) and corneal staining scores (r = 0.150, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Tear film instability was significantly correlated with other conventional dry eye parameters. However, additional studies are required to determine its feasibility as a stand-alone diagnostic tool.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diagnosis* ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Humans ; Osmolar Concentration* ; Tears*