Prediction of tumor recurrence after surgical resection of ampullary adenocarcinoma using magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To predict tumor recurrence in patients who underwent surgical resection of ampullary adenocarcinoma using preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings combined with clinical findings. METHODS: In this multicenter study, a total of 113 patients (mean age, 62.9 ± 9.8 years; 58 men and 55 women) with ampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent preoperative MR imaging and surgery with margin-negative resection between 2006 and 2017 were retrospectively included. The MR imaging findings were evaluated by two radiologists. Preoperative clinical findings were obtained. Cox proportional regression analyses were used to identify the independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS). A nomogram was created based on the multivariable analysis and was internally validated. RESULTS: Multivariable analysis revealed that presence of infiltrative tumor margin (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.18, p = 0.019), adjacent organ invasion (HR: 3.31, p = 0.006), adjacent vessel invasion (HR: 5.42, p = 0.041), peripancreatic lymph node enlargement (HR: 2.1, p = 0.019), and jaundice (HR: 1.93, p = 0.043) were significantly associated with worse RFS of ampullary adenocarcinoma after surgical resection. These MR imaging and clinical findings were used to construct a nomogram. On internal validation, the calibration plots showed excellent agreement between the predicted probabilities and the actual rates of tumor recurrence, with Harrell's c-index of 0.746. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of preoperative MR imaging and clinical findings can be useful for predicting tumor recurrence after surgical resection of ampullary adenocarcinoma. Identifying these features before surgery may aid in better treatment planning and management of these patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A predictive nomogram using preoperative MR imaging and clinical findings can be useful in estimating the recurrence-free survival after surgical resection of ampullary adenocarcinoma. KEY POINTS: • Presently, tumor size on imaging is the only non-invasive factor that correlates with recurrence-free survival from ampullary adenocarcinoma; other factors are obtained postoperatively. • Infiltrative tumor margin, adjacent organ invasion, adjacent vessel invasion, peripancreatic lymph node enlargement on MRI, and jaundice are significant predictors for recurrence. • A nomogram incorporating significant MR imaging and clinical findings showed good performance in predicting recurrence-free survival, which can help in treatment planning.

Laparoscopic liver resection as a treatment option for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) remains controversial in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of the present study is to investigate the outcomes of LLR for ICC compared to open liver resection (OLR). We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgery for ICC between January 2013 and February 2020. OLR and LLR were compared after propensity score matching (PSM). Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between the matched groups. During the study period, 219 patients met the inclusion criteria (OLR = 170 patients, 77.6%; LLR = 49 patients, 22.4%). Two groups of 43 patients each were analyzed after PSM. The 5-year RFS and OS were 44.6% and 47.9% in the OLR group and 50.9% and 39.8% in the LLR group, respectively. Hospital stay and intensive care unit care were significantly shorter and lower in the LLR group than in the OLR group, respectively. Total postoperative complications and complication rates for those Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher were similar between the OLR group and the LLR group. Multiple tumors and lymph node metastases were predisposing factors for tumor recurrence and death in multivariate analysis. The present study suggests that LLR should be considered in selective ICC because of short hospitalization and similar oncologic outcome and overall survival.

Differentiation of malignant from benign ampullary strictures: A prediction nomogram based on MR imaging and clinical findings.

PURPOSE: To construct a predictive nomogram based on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings for differentiating malignant from benign ampullary strictures. METHOD: In this retrospective study, 76 patients with ampullary strictures (51 benign and 25 malignant) who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI were enrolled. Imaging findings were evaluated independently by two abdominal radiologists who reached consensus. Clinical findings were also collected. Significant findings for malignant ampullary strictures were assessed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Based on the results of multivariable analysis, a nomogram to differentiate malignant from benign ampullary strictures was developed and internally validated. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, presence of an ampullary mass (odds ratio [OR]: 8.42, p = 0.047), bulging ampulla (OR: 8.32, p = 0.033), diffusion restriction of the ampulla (OR: 42.76, p = 0.004) on MRI, and jaundice (OR: 12.41, p = 0.019) were significant predictors of malignant ampullary strictures. A predictive nomogram was constructed using these findings. Among them, diffusion restriction of the ampulla showed the highest OR and predictor score on the nomogram. The calibration plots for internal validation achieved strong agreement between the predicted probabilities and the actual rates of malignant ampullary strictures. CONCLUSION: A combination of significant contrast-enhanced MRI and clinical findings of ampullary mass, bulging ampulla, diffusion restriction of the ampulla, and jaundice may be useful in the prediction of malignant ampullary stricture.

Necessity of induction agent modification for old age kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Immunosenescence gradually deteriorates the function of the immune system, making elderly patients susceptible to infection, while reducing rejection of organ transplants. Therefore, age-adaptive immunosuppression is necessary in the elderly. We evaluated clinical outcomes such as rejection and infection rate when using basiliximab and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (r-ATG) as induction agents in elderly and young organ transplant recipients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent kidney transplantation (KT) between June 2011 and April 2019. We enrolled 704 adult KT patients and classified the patients into groups according to patient age. We compared the outcomes of infection and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) according to the type of induction agent (basiliximab and r-ATG [4.5 mg/kg]). Results: The patient group included 520 recipients (74.6%) in the younger recipient group and 179 recipients (25.4%) in the older recipient group. When r-ATG was used as an induction agent, BPAR within 6 months occurred less (p = 0.03); however, infections within 6 months were higher in older recipients. Deaths due to infection were more common in older recipients (p = 0.003). Conclusion: It may be necessary to use less intensive induction therapy for older recipients, of which dose reduction of r-ATG is one option.

Upper thigh skeletal muscle index predicts outcomes in liver transplant recipients.

Purpose: The skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the L3 level is widely used to diagnose sarcopenia. The upper thigh (UT) also reflects changes in whole-body muscle mass, but no study has examined this using the UT to diagnose sarcopenia in liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to determine an optimal cut-off value for UT-SMI and investigate how sarcopenia diagnosed by UT-SMI correlates with outcomes in LT recipients. Methods: In this retrospective study of 332 LT patients from 2018 to 2020, we investigated the association between sarcopenia diagnosed by UT-SMI and patient outcomes after LT. Results: The cut-off values for UT-SMI were 38.3 cm2/m2 for females (area under the curve [AUC], 0.927; P < 0.001) and 46.7 cm2/m2 for males (AUC, 0.898; P < 0.001). The prevalence of sarcopenia diagnosed by UT-SMI was 33.4% in our cohort. Patient and graft survival rates in the UT-SMI sarcopenia group were significantly poorer than those in the UT-SMI non-sarcopenia group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). UT-SMI was an independent prognostic factor for patient survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.182; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.183-4.025; P = 0.012) and graft survival (HR, 2.227; 95% CI, 1.054-4704; P = 0.036) in our multivariable Cox analysis. Conclusion: We confirmed that sarcopenia diagnosed by UT-SMI is associated with outcomes in LT recipients. In addition, UT-SMI was identified as an independent prognostic factor for patient survival and graft survival. Therefore, UT-SMI could be a good option for CT-based evaluations of sarcopenia in LT recipients.

Effect of pre-operative radiation therapy on surgical outcome in retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Background: A high rate of locoregional recurrence is one of the major difficulties in successful treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). Although pre-operative radiation therapy (RT) is considered a potential way to improve local recurrence, concerns about the associated treatment toxicity and risk of peri-operative complications need to be addressed. Hence, this study investigates the safety of pre-operative RT (preRTx) for RPS. Methods: A cohort of 198 patients with RPS who had undergone both surgery and RT was analyzed for peri-operative complications. They were divided into three groups according to the RT scheme: (1) preRTx group, (2) post-operative RT without tissue expander, and (3) post-operative RT with tissue expander. Results: The preRTx was overall well tolerated and did not affect the R2 resection rate, operative time, and severe post-operative complications. However, the preRTx group was associated with higher incidence of post-operative transfusion and admission to intensive care unit (p = 0.013 and p = 0.036, respectively), where preRTx was an independent risk factor only for the post-operative transfusion (p = 0.009) in multivariate analysis. The median radiation dose was the highest in preRTx group, although no significant difference was demonstrated in overall survival and local recurrence rate. Conclusion: This study suggests that the preRTx does not add significant post-operative morbidity to the patients with RPS. In addition, radiation dose elevation is achievable with the pre-operative RT. However, a meticulous intra-operative bleeding control is recommended in those patients, and further high-quality trials are warranted to evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes.

Initial Experience of Robot-Assisted Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Inguinal Hernia Repair by a Single Surgeon in South Korea.

Background and Objectives: Inguinal hernia is a common surgical disease. Traditional open herniorrhaphy has been replaced by laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. Nowadays, many attempts at robotic herniorrhaphy have been reported in western countries, but there have been no reports in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to report our initial experience with robotic inguinal hernia surgery, compared to laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the clinical data from 100 patients who received inguinal hernia surgery in our hospital from November 2020 to June 2022. Fifty patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 50 patients underwent robotic surgery using the da Vinci Xi system. All hernia surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) method. Results: The mean operation time and hospital stay were not statistically different. On the first postoperative day, the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score was significantly lower in the robotic surgery group (2.9 ± 0.5 versus 2.5 ± 0.7, p = 0.015). Cumulative sum analysis revealed an approximately 12-case learning curve for robotic-assisted TAPP hernia surgery. Conclusions: Robotic-assisted TAPP inguinal hernia surgery is technically acceptable to surgeons who have performed laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, and the learning curve is relatively short. It is thought to be a good step toward learning other robot-assisted operations.

Mixed Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Mixed hepatocellular carcinoma with neuroendocrine carcinoma (HCC-NEC) is extremely rare, comprising about 0.46% of primary hepatic tumors. A 63-year-old man who was a chronic alcoholic presented with a nine-centimeter-sized hepatic mass. His serum alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-II levels were 22,815 ng/mL and 183 mAU/mL, respectively. The patient underwent a right hemihepatectomy, including the middle hepatic vein. The tumor consisted of poorly differentiated HCC (20%) and large- and small-cell-type NEC (80%) components as per the pathological examination. Immunohistochemically chromogranin and synaptophysin were positive in the areas of NEC and negative in the areas of HCC. Adjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of cisplatin and etoposide was administered after surgery. At postoperative 5 months, the patient complained of right flank pain, and CT showed a new mass measuring 7.3 cm in the right adrenal gland. Postoperatively, after 6.5 months, more recurred masses were noted on the posterior aspect of the right kidney and both lungs. Although the regimen was changed from etoposide to irinotecan, additional recurred masses were developed in the liver, lung, and brain. He passed away 12 months after the surgery. After reviewing and analyzing previous literature, the 1 and 2 year overall survival rates are 57.3 and 43.6%, respectively, and the 1 and 2 year disease-free survival rates are 36.2 and 29.0%, respectively. Mixed HCC-NEC is a very rare tumor, and the surgical outcome is poor.

Clinical Characteristics of Symptomatic Cholecystitis in Post-Gastrectomy Patients: 11 Years of Experience in a Single Center.

Background and Objectives: Gallbladder (GB) stones, a major cause of symptomatic cholecystitis, are more likely to develop in post gastrectomy people. Our purpose is to evaluate characteristics of symptomatic cholecystitis after gastrectomy. Materials and Method: In January 2011−December 2021, total 1587 patients underwent operations for symptomatic cholecystitis at our hospital. We reviewed the patients' general characteristics, operation results, pathologic results, and postoperative complications. We classified the patients into non-gastrectomy and gastrectomy groups, further divided into subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy groups. Result: The patients' ages, male proportion, and the open surgery rate were significantly higher (127/1543 (8.2%) vs. 17/44 (38.6%); p < 0.001), and the operation time was longer (102.51 ± 52.43 vs. 167.39 ± 82.95; p < 0.001) in the gastrectomy group. Extended surgery rates were significantly higher in the gastrectomy group (56/1543 (3.6%) vs. 12/44 (27.3%); p < 0.001). The period from gastrectomy to symptomatic cholecystitis was significantly shorter in the total gastrectomy group (12.72 ± 10.50 vs. 7.25 ± 4.80; p = 0.040). Conclusion: GB stones were more likely to develop in post-gastrectomy patients and extended surgery rates were higher. The period to cholecystitis was shorter in total gastrectomy. Efforts to prevent GB stones are considered in post-gastrectomy patients.

Analysis of the Effect of Tumor-Grade Change on the Prognosis of Retroperitoneal Sarcoma.

In retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS), the change in the tumor grade from the primary tumor to the first local recurrence, and the effect of this change on prognosis, are unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze whether these changes affect the prognosis of RPS. Patients who underwent surgery for a first locally recurrent RPS at Samsung Medical Center from January 2001 to February 2020 were included. The pathologic features of primary and recurrent tumors were compared, and the outcomes were measured. A total of 49 patients were investigated. There were 25 patients with different grades of primary and recurrent tumors. The improving, stable, and worsening groups contained 16 (32.7%), 24 (49%), and 9 (18.3%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prognosis between the three groups. In the analyses of the factors that affect the OS, a high grade of the primary tumor (p = 0.023) and the size of the recurrent tumor (p = 0.032) were statistically significant in both univariate and multivariate analyses. In a factor analysis of the second LR, a high-grade recurrent tumor (p = 0.032) was the only significant factor. There were tumor-grade changes between the primary tumor and recurrent tumor in RPS. However, the most important factor in prognosis is a high grade of the primary tumor.

The Role of Preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Retroperitoneal Sarcoma.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) was used to predict pathologic grades based on the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma. In retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS), the effectiveness of PET was not well known. This study was designed to investigate the association of SUVmax with histopathologic grade and evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT before operation. Patients at Samsung Medical Center undergoing primary surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma with preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging between January 2001 and February 2020 were investigated. The relationship between SUVmax and histologic features was assessed. The association of SUVmax with overall survival (OS), local recurrence (LR), and distant metastasis (DM) were studied. Of the total 129 patients, the most common histologic subtypes were liposarcoma (LPS; 68.2%) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS; 15.5%). The median SUVmax was 4.5 (range, 1- 29). Moreover, SUVmax was correlated with tumor grade (p < 0.001, Spearman coefficient; 0.627) and mitosis (p < 0.001, Spearman coefficient; 0.564) and showed a higher value in LMS (12.04 ± 6.73) than in dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS; 6.32 ± 4.97, p = 0.0054). SUVmax was correlated with pathologic parameters (tumor grade and mitosis) in RPS and was higher in the LMS group than the DDLPS group. The optimal SUVmax threshold to distinguish high tumor grade was 4.8. Those with a SUVmax greater than the threshold showed poor prognosis regarding OS, LR, and DM (p < 0.001).

Two-Week Protocol Biopsy in Renal Allograft: Feasibility, Safety, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Protocol biopsy in renal allograft helps to early detect subclinical rejection (SCR) in patients who have no abnormal clinical and laboratory findings. Still, there are rare reports about the techniques and outcomes of two-week protocol biopsy. The aim of this study was to assess two-week protocol biopsy regarding the technical feasibility, procedure safety, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 894 protocol biopsies were performed in adult recipients between 2012 and 2019. Two-week and one-year protocol biopsies were guided with ultrasound in 842 and 399 patients by one of four radiologists with wide range of biopsy experience, respectively. These protocol biopsies were compared in terms of feasibility and safety. Standard references were clinico-laboratory findings and biopsy examinations. RESULTS: The median period of two-week and one-year protocol biopsies were 12 days (10-20 days) and 383 days (302-420 days), respectively. All protocol biopsies were technically successful and there was no difference between radiologists regarding technical success and complications (p = 0.453). Major complication (Clavien-Dindo grading II-IV) rates of two-week and one-year protocol biopsies were 0.3% (3/842) and 0.2% (1/399), respectively (p = 1.000). However, univariate analysis demonstrated that platelet count < 100 K/mL and blood urea nitrogen ≥ 40 mg/dL were associated with major complications in two-week protocol biopsy. The SCRs of these protocol biopsies were 15.4% (130/842) and 33.6% (134/399), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Two-week protocol biopsy is technically feasible and safe. It contributes to early detecting a substantial number of SCRs. Prior to the biopsy, platelet count and blood urea nitrogen should be carefully checked to predict major complications.

Cost-effectiveness and long-term outcomes of liver transplantation using hepatitis B core antibody-positive grafts with hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis in Korea.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)-positive donors are used as an extended donor pool, and current guidelines recommend the usage of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) as prophylaxis for preventing de novo hepatitis B virus infection (DNH). We analyzed the long-term outcomes of a large cohort of liver transplantation (LT) patients receiving anti-HBc-positive grafts and evaluated the risk of DNH when hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) monotherapy was used as prophylaxis. We also compared the cost-effectiveness of HBIG and NAs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 457 patients with anti-HBc-positive grafts and 898 patients with anti-HBc-negative grafts who underwent LT between January 2001 and December 2018. We compared recipient characteristics according to the anti-HBc status of the donor, and compared the costs of using NAs for the rest of the patient's life and using HBIG to maintain hepatitis B surface antibody titers above 200 IU/L. RESULTS: The 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival rates were 87.7%, 73.5%, and 67.7%, respectively, in patients with anti-HBc-positive grafts, and 88.5%, 77.4%, and 70.3%, respectively, in patients with anti-HBc-negative grafts (P=0.113). Among 457 recipients with anti-HBc-positive grafts, 117 (25.6%) were non-HBV recipients. The overall incidence of DNH was 0.9%. When using HBIG under insurance coverage, the cumulative cost was lower compared with using NA continuously without insurance coverage in Korea. CONCLUSION: Anti-HBc-positive grafts alone do not affect patient survival or graft survival. HBIG monoprophylaxis has good outcomes for preventing DNH, and the patient's long-term cost burden is low in Korea because of the national insurance system in this cohort.

Safety and effectiveness of kidney transplantation using a donation after brain death donor with acute kidney injury: a retrospective cohort study.

The use of kidneys from donation after brain death (DBD) donors with acute kidney injury (AKI) is a strategy to expand the donor pool. The aim of this study was to evaluate how kidney transplantation (KT) from a donor with AKI affects long-term graft survival in various situations. All patients who underwent KT from DBD donors between June 2003 and April 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria were used to classify donor AKI. The cohort included 376 donors (no AKI group, n = 117 [31.1%]; AKI group n = 259 [68.9%]). Death-censored graft survival was similar according to the presence of AKI, AKI severity, and the AKI trend (p = 0.929, p = 0.077, and p = 0.658, respectively). Patients whose donors had AKI who received using low dose (1.5 mg/kg for three days) rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (r-ATG) as the induction agent had significantly superior death-censored graft survival compared with patients in that group who received basiliximab (p = 0.039). AKI in DBD donors did not affect long-term death-censored graft survival. Low-dose r-ATG may be considered as an induction immunosuppression in recipients receiving kidneys with AKI because it showed better graft survival than basiliximab.

Recipient efficacy and safety of kidney transplantation from older living donor: consideration for using older kidney as a solution to the shortage of organs.

Background: As a solution to organ shortages, studies on kidney transplantation (KT) from older donors are being conducted. However, many controversies remain about its safety and efficacy. Methods: In Samsung Medical Center, from January 2000 to May 2015, 1,141 patients underwent living KT. Cases of retransplantation, recipient and donor aged younger than 18 years, and multiorgan transplantation were excluded, and a total of 859 cases were selected. Analysis was performed by dividing the patents into two groups a younger donor group (donors <60 years old; n=826) and an older donor group (donors ≥60 years old; n=33). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in patient death (log-rank P=0.173) or in postoperative complications. The older donor group had a higher acute rejection (P=0.034; hazard ratio [HR], 1.704) and graft failure rate (P=0.029, HR=2.352). There was no significant difference in the trend of estimated glomerular filtration rate over time (P=0.189). Conclusions: KT using kidneys from old-aged donors is safe, but there is room for improvement due to problems with higher acute rejection and graft failure rate.

Postoperative Outcomes of Distal Pancreatectomy for Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Abutting the Pancreas in the Left Upper Quadrant.

BACKGROUND: En bloc resection of the tumor with adjacent organs is recommended for localized retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). However, resection of the pancreas is controversial because it may cause serious complications, such as pancreatic fistula or bleeding. Thus, we evaluated the outcomes of distal pancreatectomy (DP) in pancreas-abutting RPS of the left upper quadrant (LUQ). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients who underwent surgery for RPS between September 2001 and April 2020. We selected 150 patients with all or part of their tumor located in the LUQ on preoperative computed tomography. Eighty-six patients who had tumors abutting the pancreas were finally enrolled in our study. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (53/86; 61.6%) were included in the non-DP group, and 33 patients (33/86; 38.4%) were included in the DP group. Total postoperative complications and complication rates for those Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher were similar between the non-DP group and DP group (p = 0.290 and p = 0.550). In the DP group, grade B pancreatic fistulae occurred in 18.2% (6/33) of patients, but grade C pancreatic fistulae were absent, and microscopic pancreatic invasion was noted in 42.4% (14/33) of patients. During multivariate analysis, microscopic pancreatic invasion was deemed a risk factor for local recurrence (p = 0.029). However, there were no significant differences on preoperative computed tomography findings between the pancreatic invasion and non-invasion groups. CONCLUSION: DP is a reasonable procedure for pancreas-abutting RPS located at the LUQ when both complications and complete resection are considered.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Arising from Hepatocellular Adenoma in an Elderly Male Patient.

Hepatocellular adenoma is a benign tumor of the liver occurring predominantly in young women taking oral contraceptives. The malignant transformation of hepatocellular adenoma into hepatocellular carcinoma has rarely been reported. Herein, we report the case of an elderly male patient with hepatocellular carcinoma that developed from hepatocellular adenoma. The patient's high risk for surgery and conflicting biopsy and imaging results made it difficult to determine the treatment direction. Eventually, the mass was completely removed by laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy without complications.

Long-term results of oncoplastic breast surgery with latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction: a pilot study of the objective cosmetic results and patient reported outcome.

PURPOSE: The goal of oncoplastic breast surgery is to restore the appearance of the breast and improve patient satisfaction. Thus, the assessment of cosmetic results and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) using appropriately constructed and validated instruments is essential. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term objective cosmetic results and corresponding PROs after oncoplastic breast surgery. METHODS: Cosmetic results were assessed by the patients, a medical panel, and a computer program (BCCT.core). PROs were assessed using BREAST-Q, a questionnaire that measures the perception of patients having breast surgery. The cosmetic results and PROs were analyzed in patients who underwent quadrantectomy and partial breast reconstruction utilizing the latissimus dorsi flap. RESULTS: The mean duration of the follow-up period was 91.6 months (range, 33.3-171.0 months), and mean age of the patients was 51 years old (range, 33-72 years). The mean tumor size was 2.1 cm (range, 0.9-5.5 cm). There was fair agreement between the medical panel and BCCT.core score (K = 0.32, P < 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation between the BCCT.core score and medical panel cosmetic results was identified (r = 0.606, P < 0.001). A better BCCT.core result was related to a higher PRO of each BREAST-Q domain-satisfaction with breasts (R(2) = 0.070, P = 0.039), satisfaction with outcome (R(2) = 0.087, P = 0.021), psychosocial well-being (R(2) = 0.085, P = 0.023), sexual well-being (R(2) = 0.082, P = 0.029), and satisfaction with information (R(2) = 0.064, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Our long-term results of oncoplastic surgery achieved a high level of patient satisfaction with good cosmetic results. The medical panel and BCCT.core results correlated well with the PROs of the patients using valid, reliable, and procedure-specific measures.

Roles of somatic A-type K(+) channels in the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons.

In the mammalian brain, information encoding and storage have been explained by revealing the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity at various levels in the central nervous system, including the hippocampus and the cerebral cortices. The modulatory mechanisms of synaptic excitability that are correlated with neuronal tasks are fundamental factors for synaptic plasticity, and they are dependent on intracellular Ca(2+)-mediated signaling. In the present review, the A-type K(+) (IA) channel, one of the voltage-dependent cation channels, is considered as a key player in the modulation of Ca(2+) influx through synaptic NMDA receptors and their correlated signaling pathways. The cellular functions of IA channels indicate that they possibly play as integral parts of synaptic and somatic complexes, completing the initiation and stabilization of memory.