Medial epicanthoplasty is a crucial component in Asian cosmetic eyelid surgery. Conventional surgical methods have mandated wide undermining for the purpose of sufficient release. However, excessive undermining may result in hypertrophic scar or webbing deformities. To minimize undesirable results, the authors are proposing a novel approach. From March 2010 to December 2017, a triangular resection epicanthoplasty was performed in 421 Asian patients. The authors’ procedure consists of triangular skin resection, the release of orbicularis oculi muscle and upper half medial epicanthal tendon, and dog ear correction. No complication regarding scarring or webbing was reported. The revision was performed in 18 cases where the patients wanted additional correction. The triangular resection epicanthoplasty offers both optimal results and minimal scar with relative simplicity.

Background There are no clear guidelines to determine whether to perform D1 or D1+ lymph node dissection in early gastric cancer (EGC). This study aimed to develop a nomogram for estimating the risk of extraperigastric lymph node metastasis (LNM). Materials and Methods Between 2009 and 2019, a total of 4,482 patients with pathologically confirmed T1 disease at 6 affiliated hospitals were included in this study. The basic clinicopathological characteristics of the positive and negative extraperigastric LNM groups were compared. The possible risk factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Based on these results, a risk prediction model was developed. A nomogram predicting extraperigastric LNM was used for internal validation. Results Multivariate analyses showed that tumor size (cut-off value 3.0 cm, odds ratio [OR]=1.886, P=0.030), tumor depth (OR=1.853 for tumors with sm2 and sm3 invasion, P=0.010), cross-sectional location (OR=0.490 for tumors located on the greater curvature, P=0.0303), differentiation (OR=0.584 for differentiated tumors, P=0.0070), and lymphovascular invasion (OR=11.125, P<0.001) are possible risk factors for extraperigastric LNM. An equation for estimating the risk of extraperigastric LNM was derived from these risk factors. The equation was internally validated by comparing the actual metastatic rate with the predicted rate, which showed good agreement. Conclusions A nomogram for estimating the risk of extraperigastric LNM in EGC was successfully developed. Although there are some limitations to applying this model because it was developed based on pathological data, it can be optimally adapted for patients who require curative gastrectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Purpose:We investigated the clinicopathological features and management for superficial nonampullary duodenal tumors (SNADTs). The safety and feasibility of laparoscopic management, especially laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS), were evaluated.Methods:A total of 59 patients with SNADTs who underwent operations from January 2009 to December 2018 at all 8 institutions of the Catholic Medical Center were identified in our comprehensive multi-institutional database. Clinicopathological and surgical data on the 4 anatomical regions of the duodenum were collected and compared. Characteristics of conventional laparoscopic procedure (laparoscopy-only) and LECS procedures were also compared.Results:There were significantly more asymptomatic patients with tumors in the first and second vs. third and fourth duodenal regions. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), carcinoids, and ectopic pancreatic tumors were identified in 32, 12, and 5 cases, respectively. Forty-two patients (71.2%) underwent laparoscopy. Of patients undergoing laparoscopy, the LECS group exhibited significantly more endophytic features and smaller tumor sizes (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Although no significant difference in the wedge resection or postoperative complication rate was seen between the 2 groups (P = 0.096 and P = 0.227, respectively), the wedge resection rate was higher, and the complication rate lower, in the LECS group than the conventional laparoscopic surgery group.Conclusion:Most of the SNADTs located in proximal duodenum were detected incidentally. GISTs were the most common diagnoses of SNADTs in all locations. In treating these tumors, laparoscopic resection is safe and feasible. Especially, LECS may be ideal for treating small endophytic tumors, minimizing over-resection and postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND:In 2014, the results derived from the nationwide data of the Korean Anti-reflux Surgery Study (KARS) demonstrated short-term feasibility and safety of anti-reflux surgery. This study aimed to update the longer-term safety and feasibility of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery up to 1-year follow-up with the KARS nationwide cohort. METHODS:The data of 310 patients with GERD who received anti-reflux surgery up to 2018 were analyzed. Baseline patient characteristics, postoperative symptom resolution, and postoperative complications were evaluated at postoperative 3 months and 1 year using the questionnaire designed by KARS. We divided the patients into two groups according to the operation period (up to and after 2014) to identify changes in the trends of the characteristics of surgical patients and operative qualities. RESULTS:The typical preoperative symptoms were present in 275 patients (91.7%), and atypical symptoms were present in 208 patients (71.0%). Ninety-seven (35.5%) and 124 patients (46.1%) had inadequate PPI responses and hiatal hernia, respectively. At postoperative 1 year, typical and atypical symptoms were either completely or partially controlled in 90.3% and 73.5.0% of patients, respectively. Moderate-to-severe dysphagia, inability to belch, gas bloating, and flatulence at postoperative 1 year were identified in 23.5%, 29.4%, 23.2%, and 22.0% of patients, respectively. The number of surgical patients continuously increased from 2011 to 2018 in Korea. The proportion of patients with hiatal hernia and comorbidities increased (p < 0.01, p = 0.053), and the operation time decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the late period (2015-2018) as compared with the early period (2011-2014). Symptom control and complication rate were equivalent between the two periods. CONCLUSIONS:Anti-reflux surgery was effective with > 90% of typical symptom resolution and posed a comparable postoperative complication rate with those in Western studies with mid-term to long-term follow-up. This result supports the feasibility and safety of anti-reflux surgery as a treatment for GERD in the Korean population.

Background: Guardix-SG is a poloxamer-based antiadhesive agent. The aim of this study was to investigate its efficacy in preventing abdominal adhesions in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy. Few clinical studies have reported that antiadhesive agent reduces the incidence of adhesion after gastrectomy. Methods: We conducted a multicenter trial from June 2013 and August 2015 in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing radical gastrectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to the Guardix treatment or control group. Postoperative adhesions were diagnosed based on postoperative symptoms, plain x-ray films, and computed tomography. The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of small bowel obstruction in the first postoperative year. The secondary end-point was the safety of Guardix-SG. Results: The study included 109 patients in the Guardix group and 105 patients in the control group. The groups were similarly matched with pathological stage, operation type, anastomosis method, midline incision length, and the extent of lymph node dissection. Eight in the Guardix group and 21 in the control group experienced intestinal obstruction during the 1-year follow-up period. The cumulative incidence of small bowel obstruction was significantly lower in the Guardix group compared to that seen in the control group (4.7% vs 8.6% at 6 months and 7.3% vs 20% at 1 year; P=.007, log-rank test). There were no differences in postoperative complications and adverse events. Conclusion: Guardix-SG significantly decreased the incidence of intestinal obstruction without affecting the incidence of postoperative complications.

IMPORTANCE Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is gaining popularity over open distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer because of better early postoperative outcomes. However, to our knowledge, no studies have proved whether laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is oncologically equivalent to open distal gastrectomy. OBJECTIVE To examine whether the long-term survival among patients with stage I gastric cancer undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is noninferior to that among patients undergoing open distal gastrectomy. DESIGN The Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study (KLASS) group, which includes 15 surgeons from 13 institutes, conducted a phase 3, multicenter, open-label, noninferiority, prospective randomized clinical trial (KLASS-01) of patients with histologically proven, preoperative clinical stage I gastric adenocarcinoma from January 5, 2006, to August 23, 2010. Survival and recurrence status of the patients was determined in December 2016. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned (1: 1) to laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (n = 705) or open distal gastrectomy (n = 711). Of these patients, 85 received a surgical approach opposite the one to which they were randomized (63 randomized to the open surgery group and 22 to the laparoscopic group). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Difference in 5-year overall survival between the laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy groups. The noninferiority margin was pre-specified as -5%(corresponding hazard ratio of 1.54), with an assumed survival of 90% after 5 years in the open surgery group. RESULTS Among the 1416 patients (mean [SD] age, 57.3 [11.1] years; 940 [66.4%] male) included in the study, the 5-year overall survival rates were 94.2% in the laparoscopic group and 93.3% in the open surgery group (log-rank P = .64). Intention-to-treat analysis confirmed the noninferiority of the laparoscopic approach compared with the open approach (difference, 0.9 percentage points; 1-sided 97.5% CI, -1.6 to infinity). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were similar between the 2 groups (97.1% in the laparoscopic group and 97.2% in the open surgery group, log-rank P = .91; difference, -0.03 percentage points; 1-sided 97.5% CI, -1.8 to infinity). Per-protocol analysis results were consistent with the intention-to-treat results for overall and cancer-specific survival rates. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The KLASS-01 trial revealed similar overall and cancer-specific survival rates between patients receiving laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is an oncologically safe alternative to open surgery for stage I gastric cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00452751

Background Double pectus bars are sometimes inserted to correct pectus excavatum. Method of double-bar fixation to prevent bar displacement has been rarely reported. We have used quadrangular fixation of the double pectus bars. The objective of this study was to compare results of the quadrangular fixation procedure with those of the classic separate fixation procedure. Methods From September 2011 to January 2016, 86 patients underwent Nuss procedure with double-bar insertion. In 44 patients, each bar was fixed separately (group A). In 42 patients, quadrangular fixation of the bars was performed with metal plates (group B). Patient demographics, Haller index (HI), bar displacement index (BDI), and reoperation rate were compared between the two groups. Results The mean patient age was 17.2 years (range: 3–40 years) in group A and 17.8 years (range: 4–30 years) in group B. There was no significant difference in preoperative or postoperative HIs between the two groups (all p >0.05). Early complication rates were 15.9% in group A and 9.5% in group B (p > 0.05). In group A, three patients underwent surgery to correct bar displacement (6.8% of reoperation rate), whereas there was no corrective surgery in group B. BDIs of the two groups were significantly different (p < 0.01). Conclusions When quadrangular fixation was performed with upper and lower pectus bars bilaterally fixed by connecting each bar with plates, bar displacement was prevented more effectively than separate fixation, thus minimizing reoperation.

Background: Using a simple and intuitive method, we evaluated changes in the dimensions of the thoracic cavity of pectus excavatum (PE) patients following the Nuss procedure. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 141 patients who had undergone the Nuss procedure. The thoracic cavity was visualized using computed tomography (CT) scans and its dimensions determined by measuring the anteroposterior (AP) and transverse (T) diameters at three anatomical landmarks (the jugular notch, and manubriosternal and xiphisternal joints). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare differences between preoperative and postoperative parameters. Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare differences among groups in patient age, type of PE, and number of inserted bars. Results: Of the 141 patients (115 men, 26 women), 87 had symmetric and 54 had asymmetric defects. The postoperative AP diameters at the manubriosternal and xiphisternal joints were significantly higher than their preoperative values, whereas the Haller indices and T diameters at the three anatomical landmarks were significantly lower than their preoperative values. In the multiple bars group, the postoperative AP diameters increased significantly compared with their preoperative values. In the multiple bars group, and in patients aged above 13 years, the postoperative T diameters at all three anatomical landmarks decreased significantly compared with their preoperative values. Conclusions: Correction of anterior depression of the sternum and compensatory narrowing of the chest width were observed in PE patients following the Nuss procedure. Further research will be necessary to determine the relationship between these observations and postoperative changes in chest volume.

Despite the development of newer treatments, the prognosis for patients with stage IV gastric cancer remains grave. This study evaluated the efficacy of gastrectomy following response to chemotherapy in patients with stage IV gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in gastric cancer patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) has rarely been reported. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the feasibility of LG compared with that of open gastrectomy (OG) for LC patients.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an alternative to surgical resection for treating early gastric cancer (EGC). However, there have been limited reports on the long-term outcome of ESD compared to that of surgical resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term clinical and oncologic outcomes of ESD compared to surgical resection.

Purpose: Intra-corporeal esophagojejunostomy (EJ) using a linear stapler creates a stapler entry hole that requires secure closure during the totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) procedure for gastric cancer. Since a standard method has not been established yet, the feasibility of using V-loc 180 (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) suture material was evaluated in this study. Materials and methods: During January 2012 to March 2015, 25 patients who underwent linear stapling EJ and V-loc 180 closure of remaining enterotomy were included in this study. Basic clinico-pathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, and short-term complications were analyzed. Results: The mean patient age was 60.4 +/- 8.5years. Nineteen males and six females were included in this study. The mean body mass index was 25.3 +/- 2.3 kg/m(2). There were 22 stage-I, 2 stage-II, and 1 stage-III gastric cancer patients. The mean operation time was 240.5 +/- 44.6min, and the time for anastomosis was 38.8 +/- 11.2min. The procedures were successfully performed in all cases without any intra-operative complications. There was one case of EJ leakage that occurred at the corner of EJ staple line and not at the enterotomy closure site. Conclusions: The closure of the remaining enterotomy site using V-loc 180 suture following linear stapler EJ is technically feasible and safe during the TLTG procedure. However, further experience and results from other surgeons are necessary to generalize this procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:Although laparoscopic fundoplication is a well-established therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Western countries, the mainstay of GERD treatment in Korea is long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate nationwide data regarding antireflux surgery in Korea.METHODS:Data from 2011 to 2014 were collected from the Korean Antireflux Surgery Study Group and then analyzed.RESULTS:A total of 87 patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of GERD. Preoperatively, typical symptoms were present in 81 patients (93%) and atypical symptoms were present in 51 patients (59%). Twenty-seven patients (31%) had poor PPI responses. The average surgical time and postoperative hospital stay were 116.3±42.3 minutes and 4.3±3.1 days, respectively. At 3 months after surgery, typical symptoms were completely controlled in 86.3% of patients and partially controlled in 11.7%, whereas atypical symptoms were completely controlled in 63.3% of patients and partially controlled in 23.3%.CONCLUSIONS:This study showed that although atypical symptoms and PPI nonresponders are common, the complete control rates of typical and atypical symptoms were 86.3% and 63.3%, respectively. Laparoscopic fundoplication is an efficacious method of controlling the symptoms of GERD and has an acceptable rate of postoperative morbidity and adverse symptoms.

Background: Although adenovirus (ADV) infection occurs steadily all year round in Korea and the identification of respiratory viral coinfections has been increasing following the introduction of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction tests, the clinical impact of viral coinfection in children with ADV infection has rarely been reported.Materials and Methods: Medical records of children diagnosed with ADV infection were retrospectively reviewed. The enrolled children were divided into two groups based on the identified respiratory viruses: ADV group and coinfection group. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.Results: In total, 105 children (60 males and 45 females) with a median age of 29 months (range: 0-131 months) diagnosed with an ADV infection were enrolled. Fever (99.0%) was by far the most frequent symptom, followed by respiratory (82.9%), and gastrointestinal (22.9%) symptoms. Upper and lower respiratory tract infections were diagnosed in 56 (53.3%), and 32 (30.5%) children, respectively. Five (4.8%) children received oxygen therapy, and no child died due to ADV infection. Coinfection was diagnosed in 32 (30.5%) children, with rhinovirus (46.9%), and respiratory syncytial virus (21.9%) being the most frequent. The proportions of children younger than 24 months (P < 0.001), with underlying medical conditions (P = 0.020), and diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection (P = 0.011) were significantly higher in the coinfection group than in the ADV group. In a multivariate analysis, only the younger age was significantly associated with coinfection (P < 0.001). Although more children in the coinfection group received oxygen therapy (P = 0.029), the duration of fever and hospitalization was not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion: Respiratory viral coinfection with ADV occurred more frequently in children younger than 24 months of age compared with children aged 24 months or older. Respiratory viral coinfection may increase the severity of ADV infection, however, appropriate therapy prevented prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis due to coinfection.

BACKGROUND:Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) often resort to the internet for disease-related information. We believe that dermatologists be informed about the current accessibility of information to patients and the potential for misleading patients into making poor treatment decisions.OBJECTIVE:The study was carried out in order to determine the nature of AD-related information available on the internet in Korea, and to identify any changes since our last survey in 2005. The quality of information offered and the involvement of medical doctors in certain websites were also investigated.METHODS:Taking into account the current search engine market share in Korea, we gathered all search results obtained from the three major search engines using the keyword 'atopy', and investigated the nature of the information retrieved.RESULTS:The search results showed less commercial sites than our previous study in 2005. There is a dramatic increase in the number of public bodies offering information about AD. In addition, the quality of information available online has improved since our last survey.CONCLUSION:The phenomenon of 'commercial overcrowding' seems to have stabilized. As AD becomes a more social phenomenon, patients are better informed than ever before. However, the information available on the internet still requires to be accompanied by consultation by dermatologists. We believe that self-regulation using a format such as the Health on the Net Foundation's code of conduct (HONcode) may improve the quality of online information accessible to patients with AD in Korea.

Laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) has not been as popular as laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) because of its undetermined safety and postoperative complications compared with LADG. Therefore, LATG requires further study.

BACKGROUND:Minimally invasive surgery has been slowly introduced into the field of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) surgery. However, the appropriate extent of omentectomy during laparoscopic gastrectomy for AGC is unknown.METHODS:From July 2004 to December 2011, 146 patients with serosa-negative advanced gastric cancer were divided into the total omentectomy group (TO group, n = 80) and the partial omentectomy group (PO group, n = 66). The clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, recurrence pattern and survival were analyzed.RESULTS:There were no significant differences in the clinicopathologic features between the two groups, except for depth of invasion; more T3 (subserosal invasion) cases (65%) were included in total omentectomy group (P = 0.011). The mean time for PO was significantly shorter (35.1 ± 13.0 min) than TO (50.9 ± 15.3 min) (P %0.001), and there were two omentectomy-related complications in the TO group: spleen and mesocolon injuries. Recurrence occurred in 14 (17.5%) and 5 (7.6%) cases in the TO and PO group, respectively (P = 0.054). Disease-free survival (TO versus PO: 81.5% versus 89.3%, P = 0.420) and disease-specific survival (TO versus PO: 89% versus 94.7%) were not significantly different between the two groups. In the case-matched analysis using propensity score matching, there was no difference in disease-free survival (TO versus PO: 83.3% versus 90.5%, P = 0.442).CONCLUSIONS:Partial omentectomy might be an oncologically safe procedure during laparoscopic gastrectomy for serosa-negative advanced gastric cancer, similar to early gastric cancer.

Purpose The macroscopic diagnosis of tumor invasion through the serosa during surgery is not always distinct in patients with gastric cancer. The prognostic impact of the difference between macroscopic findings and pathological diagnosis of serosal invasion is not fully elucidated and needs to be re-evaluated. Materials and Methods A total of 370 patients with locally advanced pT2 to pT4a gastric cancer who underwent curative surgery were enrolled in this study. Among them, 155 patients with pT3 were divided into three groups according to the intraoperative macroscopic diagnosis of serosal invasion, as follows: serosa exposure (SE)(-) (no invasion, 72 patients), SE(±) (ambiguous, 47 patients), and SE(+) (definite invasion, 36 patients), and the clinicopathological features, surgical outcomes, and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Results A comparison of the 5-year DFS between pT3_SE(-) and pT2 groups and between pT3_SE(+) and pT4a groups revealed that the differences were not statistically significant. In addition, in a subgroup analysis of pT3 patients, the 5-year DFS was 75.1% in SE(-), 68.5% in SE(±), and 39.4% in SE(+) patients (P<0.05). In a multivariate analysis to evaluate risk factors for tumor recurrence, macroscopic diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], SE(-) : SE(±) : SE(+)=1 : 1.01 : 2.45, P=0.019) and lymph node metastasis (HR, N0 : N1 : N2 : N3=1 : 1.45 : 2.20 : 9.82, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for recurrence. Conclusions Gross inspection of serosal invasion by the surgeon had a strong impact on tumor recurrence in gastric cancer patients. Consequently, the gross appearance of serosal invasion should be considered as a factor for predicting patients' prognosis.

Purpose The present study aims to elucidate the treatment strategies of laparoscopic resection for gastroduodenal submucosal tumors (SMTs). Methods Data of 125 gastroduodenal STMs were collected retrospectively resected from August, 2004 to February, 2013. Surgical outcomes according to tumor locations, pathologic results and survival data for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) were collected and analyzed. Results There were 55 male and 70 female patients with mean age 57.9 ± 12.7 years old. Mean tumor size of gastric SMTs was 2.7 ± 1.64 cm (range, 0.4-8.5 cm). GIST was the most common (n = 70, 56%). Regarding the tumor location, all the fundic lesions were GISTs and leiomyoma was occurred 58.8% of cardiac lesions. Ectopic pancreas and schwannomas were mostly located at body portion, 73% and 80%, respectively. SMTs located at duodenal bulb comprise 4 GISTs and 3 carcinoids. Surgical results comparing between lesions located at cardia, near-pylorus and else had no difference in operation time, hospital stay and complications. In terms of outcome of GIST, all patients underwent curative resection except one case of peritoneal sarcomatosis. There was one recurrence in a high risk group following resection. The cumulative 5-year disease free survival rate was 93.5% in all GISTs. There were two postoperative complications, one gastric outlet obstruction and one leakage following wedge resection. Conclusion Laparoscopic wedge resection is a safe and feasible procedure for the small to medium sized gastroduodenal SMTs even their locations are near cardia or pylorus.