Hyung Joon Han

Management of umbilical hernia complicated with liver cirrhosis: An advocate of early and elective herniorrhaphy

BACKGROUND Patients with umbilical hernias complicated by liver cirrhosis have an increased likelihood of complications following herniorrhaphy. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes in patients with umbilical hernias complicated by liver cirrhosis. METHODS Between 2001 and 2010, 44 patients were enrolled in this study. The comparison between non-operative and operative group was performed. Patients who underwent emergency versus elective surgery were also compared. RESULTS Of the 44 patients, there were 33 men and 11 women. Thirty-one patients (70.5%) underwent surgery and 13 patients (29.5%) were treated conservatively. Overall morbidity and mortality rates following herniorrhaphy were 42% and 6.5%. The mean albumin level was significantly lower and total bilirubin, creatinine and mean model of end-stage liver disease score were significantly higher in non-operative group than in operative group. Combined resection was performed more frequently in the emergency group than in elective group. A significantly higher proportion of patients in emergency operation group had postoperative complications (P=0.01), especially ascites (P=0.02). The operative time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the elective operation group than in emergency operation group. CONCLUSIONS Early, elective repair of umbilical hernias in cirrhotic patients should be advocated considering the hepatic reserve and patients condition. Ascites control is the mainstay of post-operative management.

Single-Incision Multiport Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Things to Overcome

OBJECTIVES To report on our initial experience with single-incision multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy, together with its clinical outcomes. DESIGN Nonrandomized prospective study. SETTING University department of surgery. PATIENTS Sixty-four patients with gallstones and gallbladder polyps were enrolled after providing informed consent. Based on our experience, we excluded patients with acute cholecystitis, concomitant choledocholithiasis, a history of previous upper abdominal surgery, and a suspicion of gallbladder cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We analyzed the outcomes and complications, based on our experience, according to the clinicopathologic and operative factors. We also compared patients who underwent single-incision multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy with those who were converted to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS There were 2 bile duct injuries and 4 surgical site infections. We had difficulties in visualizing the Calot triangle in 22 patients. Higher levels of inflammatory markers, longer operation times, and more frequent bile juice spillage were significantly observed in those patients. Ten patients were converted to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean age of patients who underwent conversion surgery was significantly older than that of the no-conversion group. The more the body mass index increased, the more the conversion rate increased. CONCLUSIONS Experienced laparoscopic surgeons can safely perform cholecystectomy using conventional and curved laparoscopic instruments in selected patients. We recommend that you consider performing conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy or that you use additional retraction devices for patients with a higher body mass index or acute cholecystitis.

Single-incision multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a patient with situs inversus totalis: Report of a case

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis in patients with situs inversus totalis (SIT). Nowadays, singleincision multiport laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for treating benign gallbladder disease. We report a case of successful single-incision multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a patient with SIT, and describe its technical advantages.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Cell Cycle Regulatory Proteins in Gallbladder and Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer

Disruption of cell cycle controls is a pathognomonic feature of all malignant cells. Therefore, we immunohistochemically investigated the relationship between cell cycle regulatory proteins and clinicopathologic features in order to identify the biomarkers related to the outcome of patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC). A cohort of paraffin-embedded specimens were selected from 36 patients, including 18 gallbladder and 18 extrahepatic bile duct cancers, who underwent curative or palliative surgical resection at Korea University Medical Center from June 1998 to December 2004. Tissue microarrays were used to investigate the immunohistochemical staining for p21, p27, p53, cyclin D1, bcl2, and Ki-67. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to determine the prognostic significance of each protein expression. Absence of p21 expression independently predicted poor outcome in all cases. Well-differentiated tumor was found to be an independent good prognostic factor in gallbladder cancer. Absence of p21 expression and moderately to poorly differentiated tumor were found to be an independent poor prognostic factor in patients with negative for neural invasion. Absence of p21 and bcl2 were found to be an independent poor prognostic factor in patients with no lymph node metastasis. Absence of p21 expression was a significant independent poor prognostic factor in BTC, partly in patients with biologically less aggressive phenotypes. This finding suggests that determination of p21 expression in surgically resected specimens may provide prognostic information in addition to conventional pathologic findings for patients with BTC, especially those who have biologically less aggressive phenotypes.

Laparoscopic Hernia Sac Transection and Intracorporeal Ligation Show Very Low Recurrence Rate in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia

BACKGROUND There are many variable techniques for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of the laparoscopic hernia technique, which is based on the same surgical principles as conventional open herniotomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Between November 2008 and August 2011, 207 pediatric patients with inguinal hernia were included in this study under informed consent. All of the patients underwent the laparoscopic technique of sac transection and intracorporeal ligation. An asymptomatic contralateral patent processus vaginalis (cPPV) was repaired using the same method. Patients were routinely followed for 2 years. Perioperative complications and recurrence rate were evaluated. RESULTS In total, 202 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months. The percentage of patients with cPPV was 39.2%. The mean operation time was 26 minutes for unilateral hernias and 34 minutes for bilateral hernias. One patient had a mild hematoma in the inguinal area in the immediate postoperative period, but it resolved spontaneously within 7 days. Recurrence and metachronous hernias have not been observed thus far. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic hernia sac transection and intracorporeal ligation can be a safe and effective alternative for conventional herniotomy.

High Occupational Stress and Low Career Satisfaction of Korean Surgeons

Surgery is a demanding and stressful field in Korea. Occupational stress can adversely affect the quality of care, decrease job satisfaction, and potentially increase medical errors. The aim of this study was to investigate the occupational stress and career satisfaction of Korean surgeons. We have conducted an electronic survey of 621 Korean surgeons for the occupational stress. Sixty-five questions were used to assess practical and personal characteristics and occupational stress using the Korean occupational stress scale (KOSS). The mean KOSS score was 49.31, which was higher than the average of Korean occupational stress (45.86) or that of other specialized professions (46.03). Young age, female gender, long working hours, and frequent night duties were significantly related to the higher KOSS score. Having spouse, having hobby and regular exercise decreased the KOSS score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that long working hours and regular exercise were the independent factors associated with the KOSS score. Less than 50% of surgeons answered that they would become a surgeon again. Most surgeons (82.5%) did not want to recommend their child follow their career. Korean Surgeons have high occupational stress and low level of career satisfaction. Graphical Abstract

Clinicopathological analysis and survival outcome of duodenal adenocarcinoma

Duodenal adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer, contributing <10 % of periampullary carcinoma. This study reviews the single center experience of duodenal adenocarcinoma and analyzes the clinical and pathological factors to predict survival and recurrence. The records of 50 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical exploration or resection from 1995 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the clinicopathological factors associated with survival and recurrence. There were 35 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 61 years. In multivariate analysis of 50 patients, R0 resection [p = 0.041, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.569, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.057–12.054] and symptom at initial admission (p = 0.025, HR = 11.210, 95% CI = 1.354–92.812) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Thirty‐six patients underwent curative resection (resectability 72%). The 5‐year survival rates for curative and noncurative resections were 46.4% and 0%, respectively. Univariate analysis of 36 patients who underwent R0 resection revealed that symptoms at initial admission (p = 0.023), presence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.034), and perineural invasion (p = 0.025) were significant prognostic factors after curative resection. There was no significant factor for overall survival in the multivariate analysis. There was recurrence in 15 patients, mainly as liver metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of symptom (p = 0.047, HR = 5.362, 95% CI = 1.021–28.149) and ulcerative tumor (p = 0.036, HR = 5.668, 95% CI = 1.123–28.619) were independent factors for disease free survival. An aggressive surgical approach to achieve R0 resection was important to enhance survival. Most of the recurrence occurred within 1 year after surgery. Close follow‐up is necessary after surgical resection.

Single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: initial experience.

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has become the standard treatment of choice for pancreatic tail cystic and solid tumors when technically feasible. Technological advances have led to the development of single-port laparoscopic surgery, a safe alternative procedure. We present our experiences with single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed clinical records and compared clinical outcomes in 40 patients diagnosed with a pancreatic tail mass between 2007 and 2013 who received either conventional laparoscopic (n=28) or single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (n=12). RESULTS The mean surgery time in the single-port group (279.8±53.0 minutes) was significantly longer than in the conventional group (186.9±86.6 minutes) (P=.001). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay in the single-port group (12.2±5.4 days) was also significantly longer than in the conventional group (8.3±4.7 days) (P=.028). The spleen was preserved more in the conventional group (60.7%) than in the single-port group (33.3%), but the difference was not significant (P=.112). There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, tumor size, conversion rate, or postoperative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Blood loss and postoperative complications of single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy are similar to those of conventional laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy can be performed safely and effectively in select patients with pancreas tail neoplasms, but is associated with a longer surgery time and postoperative hospital stay.

Protective effect of ischemic postconditioning against hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury in rat liver

Purpose The efficiency of ischemic postconditioning (IPC) was evaluated in a rat model of ischemic liver. Concentration of survivin of liver tissue correlated with the degree of antiapoptosis, so survivin was estimated to evaluate the efficiency of IPC on ischemic reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods Twenty-four healthy rats were divided to three groups (SHAM, IR, and IPC). Rats in the SHAM group displayed no change during 3 hours. Rats in the IR group were ischemic within 1 hour of clamping the left hepatic artery and left portal vein. Reperfusion for 2 hours was then done. IPC group, intermittent 2, 3, 5, and 7 minutes of reperfusion followed by 1 hour of warm ischemia. Two-minute reocclusion was done after each reperfusion. Rat sera were analyzed for AST and ALT, and Western blot analysis of rat liver tissue of rats evaluated malondialdehyde (MDA) and survivin. Results MDA in the liver tissue of rats in the IR and IPC group were significantly high than in the liver tissue of the SHAM group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.008, respectively). Survivin was higher in the IPC group than in the SHAM and IR groups (P = 0.021 and P = 0.024, respectively). Conclusion IPC could not prevent lipid oxidation in liver cell mitochondria, but did aid in the regeneration of ischemic injured liver cells. The results indicate that IPC can suppress the apoptosis of liver cells and reduce reperfusion injury of liver tissue.

Fourteen Year Surgical Experience of Gallbladder Cancer: Validity of Curative Resection Affecting Survival

BACKGROUND/AIMS Early diagnosis and R0 resection of gallbladder cancer offer a chance for cure. The aims of this retrospective study were to determine the clinicopathologic prognostic factors affecting survival and recurrence. METHODOLOGY Between 1995 and 2008, a total of 69 patients with gallbladder cancer who underwent surgical exploration or resection were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS Of the 69 patients, 34 achieved R0 resection (49.3%). The overall survival rates were 36.6% at 3 years and 24.4 % at 5 years. Multivariate analysis for overall survival demonstrated that non-R0 resection, lymph node dissection, infiltrative tumors, moderate to poor differentiation and depth of invasion were significant independent predictors of poor prognosis. Recurrence occurred in 21 patients. The seventh edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system provided relatively better prediction of survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS R0 resection and lymph node dissection is an important surgical strategy to improve overall survival. Infiltrative tumor was an independent prognostic factor for disease free survival.