Comparison of Single Incision Endoscopic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Conventional NippleSparing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer Based on Initial Experience / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#Endoscopic breast surgery for patients with breast cancer was introduced for its superior cosmetic outcomes; it was initially studied in the field of breast-conserving surgery and, more recently, in robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic NSM (E-NSM) in patients with breast cancer by comparing E-NSM and conventional NSM (C-NSM). @*Methods@#Between May 2017 and October 2020, we retrieved the records of 45 patients who underwent NSM with permanent silicone implants and divided them into the E-NSM group (20 patients) and the C-NSM group (25 patients), depending on the use of the endoscopic device.We also analyzed demographic information, pathology, operative time, and complications. @*Results@#No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups based on demographic information, postoperative pathological data, mean length of hospital stay, and total number of complications. The mean preparation time for surgery was comparable between both groups. Compared to the C-NSM group, the E-NSM group had a significantly longer mean operative time and, subsequently, a significantly longer mean total operative time and number of complications. @*Conclusion@#The results showed that E-NSM was feasible and safe with a more inconspicuous incision in patients with breast cancer.

Comparison of Single Incision Endoscopic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Conventional NippleSparing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer Based on Initial Experience / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#Endoscopic breast surgery for patients with breast cancer was introduced for its superior cosmetic outcomes; it was initially studied in the field of breast-conserving surgery and, more recently, in robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic NSM (E-NSM) in patients with breast cancer by comparing E-NSM and conventional NSM (C-NSM). @*Methods@#Between May 2017 and October 2020, we retrieved the records of 45 patients who underwent NSM with permanent silicone implants and divided them into the E-NSM group (20 patients) and the C-NSM group (25 patients), depending on the use of the endoscopic device.We also analyzed demographic information, pathology, operative time, and complications. @*Results@#No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups based on demographic information, postoperative pathological data, mean length of hospital stay, and total number of complications. The mean preparation time for surgery was comparable between both groups. Compared to the C-NSM group, the E-NSM group had a significantly longer mean operative time and, subsequently, a significantly longer mean total operative time and number of complications. @*Conclusion@#The results showed that E-NSM was feasible and safe with a more inconspicuous incision in patients with breast cancer.

Survey of physicians' views on the clinical implementation of pharmacogenomics-based personalized therapy

Despite quantitative increases and qualitative advances in pharmacogenomics (PGx) research, the clinical implementation of PGx-based personalized therapy has still been limited. The objective of this study was to assess physicians' self-reported knowledge of PGx-based personalized therapy, and to explore the most problematic and highest priority barriers preventing physicians from applying PGx into clinical practice under the Korean healthcare system. A 36-question survey was distributed to 53 physicians with various specialties in Korea. In the physicians' self-perceived knowledge, twenty-eight physicians (53%) reported a lack sufficient knowledge about PGx. The perceived largest barrier to clinical implementation of PGx was the high cost of PGx testing, followed by a lack of PGx education for healthcare providers or lack of clinical PGx experts. Physicians without clinical PGx experience or with indirect experience reported that the largest barrier to clinical implementation of PGx was the high cost of PGx testing, while physicians with clinical PGx experience pointed out that a lack of patients' education was the major concern, followed by a lack of PGx education for healthcare providers or lack of clinical PGx experts. The highest priority problem was reported to be a lack of actionable guidelines for drug selection and dosing using PGx. In conclusion, we should increase and expand extensive educational programs for healthcare providers and patients, and to develop and establish a clinical decision support systems for PGx-based personalized therapy in Korea.

Prognostic Role of KRAS mRNA Expression in Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

How Can We Treat Cancer Disease Not Cancer Cells? / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Since molecular biology studies began, researches in biological science have centered on proteins and genes at molecular level of a single cell. Cancer research has also focused on various functions of proteins and genes that distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. Accordingly, most contemporary anticancer drugs have been developed to target abnormal characteristics of cancer cells. Despite the great advances in the development of anticancer drugs, vast majority of patients with advanced cancer have shown grim prognosis and high rate of relapse. To resolve this problem, we must reevaluate our focuses in current cancer research. Cancer should be considered as a systemic disease because cancer cells undergo a complex interaction with various surrounding cells in cancer tissue and spread to whole body through metastasis under the control of the systemic modulation. Human body relies on the cooperative interaction between various tissues and organs, and each organ performs its specialized function through tissue-specific cell networks. Therefore, investigation of the tumor-specific cell networks can provide novel strategy to overcome the limitation of current cancer research. This review presents the limitations of the current cancer research, emphasizing the necessity of studying tissue-specific cell network which could be a new perspective on treating cancer disease, not cancer cells.

Brief introduction to current pharmacogenomics research tools

There is increasing interest in the application of personalized therapy to healthcare to increase the effectiveness of and reduce the adverse reactions to treatment. Pharmacogenomics is a core element in personalized therapy and pharmacogenomic research is a growing field. Understanding pharmacogenomic research tools enables better design, conduct, and analysis of pharmacogenomic studies, as well as interpretation of pharmacogenomic results. This review provides a general and brief introduction to pharmacogenomics research tools, including genotyping technology, web-based genome browsers, and software for haplotype analysis.

Public perception of risk-reducing salpingectomy for preventing ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The fallopian tube is considered as the site of origin of serous ovarian cancer, and risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS) has been proposed as a new and safe strategy for preventing ovarian cancer. However, little is known about the public perception of RRS. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey of 100 healthy female volunteers in November 2014. Questionnaire for this survey included questions on demographics, medical history, knowledge of and belief about RRS, and barrier to its application. RESULTS: Among 100 respondents, 71% did not realize the seriousness of ovarian cancer, 79% were unaware of the fact that salpinx was the origin of ovarian cancer, and 87% stated that they had never heard of RRS as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Also, 98% of respondents replied that they had the right to be informed about RRS and the choice given. The respondents' fears about RRS included increased risk of surgical complications (68%), no benefit (8%), and increased surgical costs (3%). CONCLUSION: Most general women were unaware of RRS as a method for preventing ovarian cancer in women at average risk. Therefore, physicians should discuss RRS with patients and consider this procedure at the time of abdominal or pelvic surgery.

Public perception of "scarless" laparoendoscopic single-site surgery in gynecology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the public perception of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) according to the age group. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire about the desire for cosmesis and the preference for LESS in treatment of benign gynecologic diseases was provided to healthy volunteers (n=102). The survey participants were divided into two age groups (young women 40 years). The desire for cosmesis was assessed using a validated scale, Body Image Scale. RESULTS: All of the participants completed the questionnaire. The Body Image Scale scores were not different between the two age groups (11.5+/-3.5 vs. 11.8+/-4.0, P=0.656). The most common fear of surgery was the risk of complications in both age groups (69% in the young age group and 65% in the middle-aged group). Unless the operative risk increased, most of the participants (61% to 67%) in both age groups preferred LESS. Their choice was influenced by reduced scarring (43% to 61%), more safety (20% to 39%), reduced postoperative pain (8% to 10%), and new technology (4% to 6%). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, there was no difference in the desire for cosmesis and perception of LESS according to the age. Therefore, physicians should discuss and consider LESS even in middle-aged women.

Neurogenic potentials of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells according to expression levels of stem cell markers and ingredients of induction medium

PURPOSE: We investigated the neurogenic potentials of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) according to the expression levels of stem cell markers and ingredients in the neural induction media. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four samples of AFSCs with different levels of Oct-4 and c-kit expression were differentiated neurally, using three kinds of induction media containing retinoic acid (RA) and/or a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine/indomethacin/insulin (neuromix), and examined by immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for their expression of neurospecific markers. RESULTS: The cells in neuromix-containing media displayed small nuclei and long processes that were characteristic of neural cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the number of neural markers showing upregulation was greater in cells cultured in the neuromix-containing media than in those cultured in RA-only medium. Neurospecific gene expression was also higher in Oct-4 and c-kit double-positive cells than in c-kit-low or -negative cells. CONCLUSION: The stem cell marker c-kit (rather than Oct-4) and the ingredient neuromix (rather than RA) exert greater effects on neurogenesis of AFSCs.

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy with or without intraoperative parathyroid hormone for primary hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE: The improvement of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) assay and localization studies has enabled a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). The aim of this study is to analyze the demographics, clinical presentations, and surgical outcomes of the pHPT patients who received surgical management with versus without IOPTH. METHODS: Analysis of a database was performed on 53 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for pHPT from 2004 to 2013. Preoperative localization was done by both sestamibi scan and ultrasonography. We divided the patients into two groups (without IOPTH versus with IOPTH) and analyzed the surgical outcomes statistically between two groups. RESULTS: The concordance rate of Technetium 99m sestamibi scan and ultrasonography was 73.6% and 90.6%, respectively. The overall cure rate of group 1 (without IOPTH) was 94.9% and that of group 2 (with IOPTH) was 100%. The decline of PTH at postoperative 5 minutes and 10 minutes was 75.2% +/- 14.9% and 84.9% +/- 8.6% in cured patients. On the other hand, that of noncured patients at 5 minutes and 10 minutes was 17.2% +/- 9.7% and 8.2% +/- 2.2%. There was a significant difference in the drop rate of IOPTH between cured and persistent patients (P < 0.01). Pathological examination showed adenoma in 41 of 53 patients (77.4%) and hyperplasia in 10 of 53 patients (18.9%). CONCLUSION: Even though the localization studies were successful, IOPTH monitoring is essential to avoid a surgical failure in MIP.

A rare case of post-hysterectomy vault site iatrogenic endometriosis

A 45-year-old woman with a prior history of hysterectomy due to adenomyosis and leiomyomas was presented at our outpatient gynecology clinic 13 months later with sudden lower pelvic discomfort and vaginal bleeding symptoms. The patient underwent vaginal vault biopsy however diagnosis was still uncertain. Additional evaluation was required due to massive rebleeding incidents. After an emergent explorative laparoscopic operation with total excision of the vault, a diagnosis of vaginal vault endometriosis was made. Our theory is that a possible transplantation of endometrial cells during morcellation of the adenomyotic uterus which then may have progressed to iatrogenic endometriosis of the vaginal vault. Therefore, vault endometriosis must be considered in incidences of delayed massive bleeding occurring in post-hysterectomy patients when other diagnoses have been excluded.

The role of preoperative ultrasonography, computed tomography, and sestamibi scintigraphy localization in secondary hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE: The role of preoperative localization studies is controversial in surgery of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). The aim of study was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative ultrasonography (USG), CT, and 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy (MIBI) in localizing enlarged parathyroid glands and to find the impact of correct localization in successful parathyroidectomy. METHODS: We compared operative findings with the preoperative localization of ultrasonography, computerized tomography and sestamibi scintigraphy in 109 patients with sHPT and identified well-visualized locations of abnormal parathyroid glands by evaluating the sensitivity of each imaging study with regard to typical locations of glands. We investigated the effect of preoperative imaging localization on the surgical outcomes by measuring the intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) decrement for positive or negative imaging localization. RESULTS: USG (91.5%) had the highest sensitivity and MIBI (56.1%) had the lowest among 3 modalities. The sensitivity of combined USG and CT (95.0%) was the highest among combined 2 modalities. The combination of all 3 modalities (95.4%) had the highest sensitivity among the combinations of modalities. The reduction of ioPTH in patients with positive imaging localization (86.6%) was greater than negative imaging localization (84.2%), with no significant difference (P = 0.586). The recurrence or persistence of sHPT was not correlated with preoperative imaging localization (19 patients in negative, 16 in positive; P = 0.14). CONCLUSION: Preoperative imaging localization contributed to surgical success but not to surgical outcomes. The combination of ioPTH measurement with imaging localization might be valuable for better surgical results in sHPT.

Gallstone Ileus in 83-Year-Old Woman

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of the biliary stone, occurring in 0.3-0.5% of patients with cholelithiasis. The mortality rate is high at 12-27% and early diagnosis and prompt management can improve its prognosis. An 83-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. The patient previously had a hysterectomy and had received radiation therapy for uterine cancer. Plain abdominal x-ray showed typical findings of small bowel ileus with step ladder patterns. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed biliary-enteric fistula with a 3-cm-sized gallstone in the jejunal loop. Surgical treatment was planned but due to the patient's wish, conservative treatment was provided for 10 days. In the follow-up CT scan, the stone had moved to the distal ileum but intestinal perforation was suspected. Ileocecectomy and adhesiolysis were performed and the patient recovered fully. Here we report a case of gallstone ileus that was treated by surgical removal after 10 days of conservative treatment.

Ischemic Colitis after Iliac Stenting / 대한혈관외과학회지

An ischemic colitis of the sigmoid colon and rectum following iliac balloon and stenting can be caused by embolism. The patient was 60 years old with a 20 year history of smoking. She had chief complaints of right calf claudication. From a lower extremity computed tomography (CT) scan, right iliac total occlusion (Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus C) and internal iliac artery occlusion were both observed. The patient had a hysterectomy history about 30 years ago. To improve right leg claudication, endovascular treatment was attempted through the right common femoral artery. There was no severe resistance to pass the occluded lesion. About 5 hours after successful stenting, she complained of a vague low abdominal discomfort and pain. There were no specific changes in the intraperitoneal organ in the follow-up CT scan. On postoperative day 1, she complained of aggravated lower abdominal pain. To confirm ischemic colitis, we performed a colonoscopy and both erythematous mucosal swelling and pethechia were present. On laparotomy, transmural infarction of the sigmoid colon and rectum were found and resected. A high level suspicion and a low threshold for performing colonoscopy are important in any patient thought to have ischemic colitis after iliac stenting.

Achievement of the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative: recommended serum calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone values with parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF-K/DOQI) 2003 has established guidelines for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease - minerals and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). This study evaluated parathyroidectomy in SHPT patients for the achievement of the NKF-K/DOQI-recommended values of serum calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2010, parathyroidectomy was performed as recommended by the NKF-K/DOQI guidelines in 81 patients with SHPT and CKD-MBD. Serum PTH, calcium, and phosphate levels were measured prior to and 6, 12, 36, and 60 months after parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: Calcium, phosphate, and PTH levels dropped shortly after parathyroidectomy; however, a slight increase showed in the long term. Calcium levels increased for up to 60 months. Phosphate and PTH levels increased for up to 36 months but tended to decrease slightly at 60 months. The mean values were within the target ranges, except for PTH at 36 months. The target parameters of serum phosphate (42.9-61.1% of patients) and serum calcium (a peak of 61.1% of patients at 36 months, but only 28.6% at 60 months) were achieved the most. Less than 34% of patients achieved the recommended range for PTH. CONCLUSION: Parathyroidectomy was not an optimal procedure for achieving all the biochemical parameters recommended by the NKF-K/DOQI. Although it was helpful in attaining the recommended values for serum calcium and phosphate in SHPT patients resistant to medical therapy, the PTH levels did not fall within the recommended range.

Analysis of Factors Which Reduce Operation Time in Performance of Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a rapidly evolving technique which bridges traditional laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). We previously published a study comparing single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) and three port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TPLC). We concluded that age, sex, diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), length of hospital stay, and mobilization between SPLC and TPLC produced no effect on the surgical requirements or outcomes between the two techniques. However, there were significant differences in operating time and pain scale. Thus, in this study we aimed to analyze those factors which reduced operating time. METHODS: This retrospective medical record review enrolled 49 patients who had received SPLC at Presbyterian Medical Center from April 2009 to November 2010. Patient age, sex, BMI, length of hospital stay, operating time, pathological reports, and incidents of iatrogenic gallbladder (GB) perforation and complications were assessed and analyzed. For determining those factors which necessitated long operating times, we assessed the operating times relative to incidents of iatrogenic GB perforation, pathologic report results, surgeon experience and patient BMI. RESULTS: The ratio of men to women in the study population was 1 : 6. The average patient age was 46 years (range of 21 to 93 years). The average BMI was 24.1 (range of 18.5 to 31.5). The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.12 days (range of 2 to 15 days). The average operating time was 118 minutes (range of 75 minutes to 185 minutes). The pathologic report assessments revealed cases of acute calculous cholecystitis (n=4, 8.2%), chronic calculous cholecystitis (n=37, 76.1%) and GB polyp (n=8, 16.3%). Iatrogenic perforation of the GB occurred in 5 cases. Minor complications such as surgical site infection and umbilical skin burn occurred in 6 cases. Longer operating times were required in the GB perforation cases than in the non-perforation cases (155+/-21.21 minutes versus 113.9+/-30.71 minutes, p=0.008). Of the cases of acute and chronic calculous cholecystitis and GB polyp, those including acute calculous cholecystitits required the longest operation times. The average operating time for the first 25 cases was 134.6+/-33.16 minutes and the average operating time for the remainder was 100.8+/-20.41 minutes (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in operating time between the BMI>24 and BMI<24 groups (125.9+/-35.17 minutes versus 111.2+/-27.65 minutes, respectively, p=0.112). CONCLUSION: We found 3 factors related to a reduction in operation time: (i) avoidance of iatrogenic perforation of the GB, (ii) application of treatment to case of chronic calculous cholecystitis and GB polyp, and (iii) accumulation of case experience by the attending surgeon.

Efficacy of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring to predict success of parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: In secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), it is unclear which criterion for intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) decline performs best and whether ioPTH monitoring is sufficiently efficacious in predicting postoperative surgical cure by retrospective review. METHODS: In 80 parathyroidectomies for sHPT, patients with ioPTH monitoring and follow-up PTH assay were categorized into physiologically accepted and failed groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the criterion with the best performance and to determine the regression equation for prediction of surgical success. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage reduction of ioPTHs between the two groups (P < 0.05). With our criterion, cure was predicted with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity that could be improved to 60% using an 85% ioPTH decrease as cut-off level when this value was compared to the Miami Criterion. There was a slightly negative correlation between the natural logarithm of percentage reduction of ioPTH and percentage reduction of PTH at follow-up (R2 = 0.109, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: ioPTH measurements are a useful tool for improvement of the cure rate of operations for sHPT. Because this study aimed at 40 minutes (ioPTH3) as an optimal process in the operation, we recommend using a criterion of more than 85% ioPTH decline at 40 minutes by use of the ROC curve, and the use of the presently calculated regression equation may enable prediction of success.

Comparison of laparoscopic and abdominal radical hysterectomy for patients with FIGO stage IB1 cervical cancer / 대한산부인과내시경학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety, morbidity, and recurrence rate of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) with lymphadenectomy and abdominal radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy (ARH) for IB1 cervical cancer. METHODS: We conducted retrospective analysis of 91 consecutive patients with FIGO stage IB1 cervical cancer who underwent laparoscopic or abdominal radical hysterectomy with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy between 2006 and 2009. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients undergoing LRH and 59 patients undergoing ARH. There was no difference in demographic data between the two groups. Mean estimated blood loss was 567.9 mL with ARH group compared with 429 mL with LRH group (p=0.001). Mean operating time was 242.0 minutes for ARH group compared with 249.5 minutes for LRH group (p=0.597). Return of bowel motility was observed earlier after LRH (p=0.013). A mean 22.8 pelvic lymph nodes were obtained during ARH compared with 21.6 during LRH (p=0.573). The median duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter for LRH (p=0.016) group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups when the recurrence rate was compared. Progression-free survival rates were 94.9% in ARH group and 94.4% in LRH group respectively (p=0.9317). With a median follow up of 17.9 months, all the patients are alive with no disease-related deaths. CONCLUSION: LRH is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for management of Ib1 cervical cancer with reducing blood loss, postoperative morbidity, and postoperative hospital stay and oncologic results of this procedure are comparable to ARH with the limitation of a short follow-up period. Further randomized studies are necessary to evaluate long-term clinical outcome.

Early Experience of Single Port Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy & Comparisons of Single Port and Three Port Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a standard procedure for cholelithiasis. However, with the advance of minimal invasive surgery, much research has recently been performed into single port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS).1 The aim of this study is to evaluate single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) in comparison to the classical method (three port laparoscopic cholecystectomy, TPLC) through our initial experience. METHODS: This study was performed retrospectively by a review of medical charts and phone calls to patients. We checked for chronic calculous cholecystitis or cholesterol polyps in 56 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy between April 2009 and February 2010. We divided into two groups the patients who had undergone SPLC and TPLC. We then checked the sex, age, hospital day, operating time, mobilization time, pain scale, cosmetic satisfaction, surgical wound infection and BMI for each patient. RESULTS: Cosmetic satisfaction with SPLC was higher than with the classical method, but this was not significant. Hospital day and mobilization time of SPLC were shorter, but this was also not significant. There was no difference in patient age, hospital day, mobilization and BMI between SPLC and TPLC. The operating time and pain scale with TPLC were less than with SPLC. CONCLUSION: SPLC has the benefit of cosmetic satisfaction and relatively fewer complications. However, the operating time and pain scale of SPLC are higher than those of TPLC. Therefore, SPLC requires much concentration and effort from the surgeon to compensate for its deficiencies.

Mirizzi Syndrome-Diagnostic Dilemma for Surgeons

Mirizzi syndrome refers to a gallstone impacted in the gallbladder neck and this exerts pressure on the adjacent common hepatic duct, which produces inflammatory stricture and eventual penetration of its lumen. Making the preoperative diagnosis of Mirrizzi syndrome is very important. But if it cannot be diagnosed before an operation, intraoperative recognition is also important for surgeons. We experienced two patients who were diagnosed with this syndrome at the time of operation.