Yoon Jung Boo

Surgical Outcomes for Gastric Cancer in the Upper Third of the Stomach

IntroductionThe proportion of gastric cancers affecting the upper third of the stomach has been increasing. At our surgical service we perform total and proximal gastrectomy for this condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the surgical outcome of the two operative procedures and determine an optimal surgical approach.MethodsData from 147 patients who underwent resection for gastric cancer affecting the proximal one-third of the stomach were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified into a total gastrectomy (TG) group or a proximal gastrectomy (PG) group, and the clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical results were compared. We analyzed survival rates using Kaplan-Meier methods and made comparisons using a log-rank test across the same stage of the gastric cancer.ResultsFrom 1992 to 2000, a total of 104 total gastrectomies and 43 proximal gastrectomies for gastric cancer affecting the upper one-third of the stomach were performed. Our investigation revealed significantly different clinicopathologic characteristics in Borrmann type, length of the resection margin, degree of lymph node dissection, and lymph node stage. During the procedure, a combined resection of other organs was performed in 30 TG and 27 PG patients. Postoperative complications developed in 15 TG and 22 PG patients. The cancer recurrence rate was 4.8% for the TG group and 39.5% for the PG group; it was highest when the length of the proximal resection margin was < 1 cm. When we compared 5-year survival rates between the two groups, each at the same cancer stage, a significant difference was noted for stage III and IV gastric cancers.ConclusionsProximal gastrectomy may be performed during the early stage of proximal gastric cancer; but because of the high frequency of complications and cancer recurrence, an additional procedure should be expected afterward. When the cancer stage is advanced, total gastrectomy should be performed with sufficient length of the proximal resection margin.

Systemic immune response after open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis : A prospective randomized study

Objective. Laparoscopic surgery is thought to reduce the postoperative immunologic effects of surgical trauma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of surgical trauma on systemic inflammation and the immune response in acute cholecystitis. Material and methods. Thirty‐three patients with acute calculous cholecystitis were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC, n = 18) or open cholecystectomy (OC, n = 15). Blood samples were obtained preoperatively and on postoperative day 1 (24 h after surgery) and day 3 (72 h after surgery), and blood concentration of C‐reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte subpopulations, as well as levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) ex vivo secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured in both groups. Results. Hospitalization was significantly shorter in the LC group than in the OC group (LC group: 3.7±1.2 days versus OC group: 6.3±2.7 days, p = 0.010). There was no postoperative morbidity in the LC group, but two patients in the OC group had postoperative complications. Postoperative TNF‐α ex vivo secretion by PBMCs and PBMC counts in the OC group were significantly lower than those in the LC group (p = 0.002). The CRP level declined by postoperative day 3, but was significantly less in the OC group than in the LC group (p<0.001). Postoperative monocyte counts significantly decreased in the OC group compared with those in the LC group (p = 0.001). Conclusions. A laparoscopic approach appears to cause less surgical trauma and immunosuppression than open surgery in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Incidence and Long-term Outcome of Young Patients With Gastric Carcinoma According to Sex Does Hormonal Status Affect Prognosis?

BACKGROUND We investigated the clinicopathological features and evaluated the prognostic impact of age and sex on patients with gastric cancer. DESIGN Retrospective study from 1993 to 2000. SETTING Korea University Medical Center. PATIENTS A total of 1299 patients with gastric cancer were divided into young (n = 175 [13.5%]) and older (n = 1124 [86.5%]) groups with an age cutoff of 40 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinicopathological characteristics were investigated and survival analysis was performed according to sex for each age group. RESULTS Tumor differentiation was significantly different between the 2 age groups. Among male patients, the young group had more undifferentiated tumors than the older group (P < .001) but, in female patients, both differentiation (P < .001) and operative methods (P = .008) were significantly different between the young and older groups. In male patients, the 10-year survival rate of the young group was higher (62.5%) than that of the older group (44.6%) (P = .03). Although it was not statistically significant, the survival rate of the older female group was higher than that of the young group (56.2% vs 51.9%). On multivariate analysis, tumor stage (P < .001) and sex (P = .042) were proved to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Only tumor differentiation was an important difference between the 2 age groups, and prognosis was not affected by age. However, when sex was added to age as a factor, the older male and young female groups had an unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, we propose that sex hormones such as estrogens contribute to the survival differences, and further studies are needed to confirm this possibility.

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

Vascular characterization of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in a child: a case report and review

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is uncommon pediatric renal tumor and can present a significant therapeutic challenge in those patients whose tumors spread beyond the kidney. Thus, identifying potential novel targets for treatment may be clinically important. Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is characterized by a unique vascular pattern, in which nests of tumor cells are separated by regularly-spaced, fine fibrovascular septa. This distinctive histopathology raises the possibility that understanding the factors which drive angiogenesis in CCSK tumors may suggest new therapeutic targets. Here, we describe a case of CCSK and present immunohistochemical studies of its vasculature.

Analysis of the occupational stress of Korean surgeons: a pilot study

Purpose Surgeons serve one of the most challenging and stressful professions. Ineffective control of occupational stress leads to burnout of the surgeon. The aim of this study was to obtain preliminary data on the sources and the degree of stress of surgeons and to determine the feasibility of the survey. Methods A total of 63 surgeons in our three affiliated hospitals were enrolled in this study. Fifty-five questions were used to assess the demographics, characteristics and Korean occupational stress scale (KOSS), which were prepared and validated by the National Study for Development and Standardization of Occupational Stress. Results Forty-seven of the 63 surgeons participated in this study (74.6%). The mean KOSS score of the survey was 50.9 ± 8.55, which was significantly higher than that of other professions (P < 0.01). Drinking and smoking habits were not related to the KOSS score. Doing exercise was related to a low KOSS score in terms of low KOSS total score (P < 0.01). Average duty hours (P < 0.01) and night duty days per week (P = 0.01) were strongly related to higher KOSS in the linear regression analysis. Conclusion This is the first study to evaluate job stress of surgeons in Korea. This study showed that Korean Surgeons had higher occupational stress than other Korean professions. A larger study based on this pilot study will help generate objective data for occupational stress of Korean Surgeons by performing a survey of the members of the Korean Surgical Society.

Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation From Living Donor Using Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Donor Surgery: Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation has been the fundamental treatment and has shown significant results in selected patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes with renal insufficiency. Most pancreas transplantations are dependent on deceased donors, yet the waiting time for SPK transplantation from deceased donors is significantly long in Asian countries. METHODS In 3 cases, living-donor SPK transplantation was performed with the use of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor surgery (HALS). Three cases of patients who underwent SPK transplantation from living donors (LDSPK) with the use of HALS at Korea University Anam Hospital from 2012 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed regarding patient characteristics and clinical outcomes of donors and recipients. For the donors, the pancreas and renal function had been well preserved postoperatively. RESULTS One donor had a pancreatic fistula, which was controlled with conservative management. Of the 3 cases of recipient operation, 1 case was performed by ABO incompatibility donor. The levels of creatinine, serum insulin, and C-peptide of recipients were normalized and remained stable at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS LDSPK can be an efficient alternative in cases in which the deceased donor is not present at the proper time, depending on the degree of completion in the operators skill.

Occupational stress and related factors among surgical residents in Korea

Purpose The application rate for surgical residents in Korea has continuously decreased over the past few years. The demanding workload and the occupational stress of surgical training are likely causes of this problem. The aim of this study was to investigate occupational stress and its related factors in Korean surgical residents. Methods With the support of the Korean Surgical Society, we conducted an electronic survey of Korean surgical residents related to occupational stress. We used the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) to measure occupational stress. We analyzed the data focused on the stress level and the factors associated with occupational stress. Results The mean KOSS score of the surgical residents was 55.39, which was significantly higher than that of practicing surgeons (48.16, P < 0.001) and the average score of specialized professionals (46.03, P < 0.001). Exercise was the only factor found to be significantly associated with KOSS score (P = 0.001) in univariate analysis. However, in multiple linear regression analysis, the mean number of assigned patients, resident occupation rate and exercise were all significantly associated with KOSS score. Conclusion Surgical residents have high occupational stress compared to practicing surgeons and other professionals. Their mean number of assigned patients, resident recruitment rate and exercise were all significantly associated with occupational stress for surgical residents.

Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy is a useful surgical option for pediatric uncomplicated appendicitis: a comparison with conventional 3-port laparoscopic appendectomy

Purpose Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULA) is a single incision technique that uses a combined intra- and extracorporeal method. The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of TULA with conventional 3-port laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Methods A retrospective review of medical records between 2010 and 2014 identified 303 pediatric patients who underwent LA with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Of these, 85 patients underwent TULA and 218 patients underwent conventional LA. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results The mean operation time in the TULA group was 30.39 minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of the LA group (47.83 minutes) (P < 0.001). The first day of oral intake after surgery was earlier (1.05 days vs. 1.32 days; P < 0.001) and the length of hospital stay was also shorter (2.54 days vs. 3.22 days; P < 0.001) for the TULA group than the LA group. Furthermore, the postoperative complication rate was lower in the TULA group (1 of 85, 1.25%) compared to the LA group (19 of 218, 8.7%) (P = 0.018). Conclusion In conclusion, TULA procedure is recommended for uncomplicated appendicitis in children due to its simplicity and better postoperative outcomes.