Full mouth rehabilitation of edentulous patient with fixed implant prosthesis

There are various treatment options such as conventional complete denture, hybrid prosthesis and implant-supported fixed prosthesis for fully edentulous patients. In case of implant-supported fixed prosthesis, compared to removable prosthesis, it is difficult to place the implant in the correct position considering the anatomical contours of the final prosthesis. In this case, a full mouth rehabilitation with implant-supported fixed prosthesis was performed for a patient who required extraction of all remaining teeth due to dental caries and chronic periodontitis. In the implant placement stage, the implant was placed in the desired position using a surgical guide fabricated considering the anatomical contours of the final prosthesis, and the function and esthetics were evaluated through correction and re-fabrication of the fixed provisional restoration. A final restoration of porcelain fused to gold prosthesis was delivered to the patient based on the provisional restoration. To cope with complications such as loosening of screws and fracture of porcelain, a screw-retained type prosthesis was fabricated for the posterior part and a screw-cement-retained type prosthesis for the anterior part. As a result, the patient showed an improved prognosis in terms of functional and esthetics after the final prosthesis was delivered.

Three-dimensional printed complete denture fabrication using the scan data from the conventional denture-making process

Recently three-dimensional (3D) printed complete dentures are becoming more widely recognized as one of the treatment options for the edentulous patients. Korean National Healthcare, however, has not yet approved the application of the 3D printed dentures, and in the cases where the dentures should be refabricated, the conventional fabrication process needs to be entirely repeated.However, during the conventional process, the digital scan data of some key steps could be easily obtained. In this clinical case, using these data, a new pair of 3D printed dentures that improved the limitations of the first conventional dentures were successfully fabricated.

Hypoxia Increases β-Cell Death by Activating Pancreatic Stellate Cells within the Islet

BackgroundHypoxia can occur in pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated during hypoxia. Here we aimed to investigate whether PSCs within the islet are also activated in hypoxia, causing β-cell injury.MethodsIslet and primary PSCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats, and cultured in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (1% O2). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as measured by immunostaining and Western blotting, was used as a marker of PSC activation. Conditioned media (hypoxia-CM) were obtained from PSCs cultured in hypoxia.ResultsIslets and PSCs cultured in hypoxia exhibited higher expressions of α-SMA than did those cultured in normoxia. Hypoxia increased the production of reactive oxygen species. The addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant, attenuated the hypoxia-induced PSC activation in islets and PSCs. Islets cultured in hypoxia-CM showed a decrease in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis.ConclusionPSCs within the islet are activated in hypoxia through oxidative stress and promote islet cell death, suggesting that hypoxia-induced PSC activation may contribute to β-cell loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Three-dimensional printed complete denture fabrication using the scan data from the conventional denture-making process

Recently three-dimensional (3D) printed complete dentures are becoming more widely recognized as one of the treatment options for the edentulous patients. Korean National Healthcare, however, has not yet approved the application of the 3D printed dentures, and in the cases where the dentures should be refabricated, the conventional fabrication process needs to be entirely repeated.However, during the conventional process, the digital scan data of some key steps could be easily obtained. In this clinical case, using these data, a new pair of 3D printed dentures that improved the limitations of the first conventional dentures were successfully fabricated.

Success and survival rate of the implant with crestal sinus lift using S-reamer and gel-type graft material: A retrospective study by more 5-years follow check up / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the method using the S-reamer and gel-type graft material by the success rate and survival rate.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implantation period was from 2008 to 2014, Follow check up year is 2019. There were 59 patients and 117 implants. All implants were placed in the posterior maxilla with the sinus lift. The patients population consisted of 34 men and 25 women, ranging from 19 to 75 years. The residual bone heights were from 1 mm to 6 mm. Sinus was perforated with S-reamer without membrane tearing and gel type bone graft material was used for membrane lifting and filling the space. all implants were placed simultaneously. Panoramic X-ray was taken. After 5 – 6 months healing period, final prostheses were restored. After more 5-years implant surgery, Panoramic X-ray was obtained and X-ray analysis and clinical examination were performed. Success criteria was referred to a Buser's success critera. All implants were classified to success implant, survival implant, failed implant. A success implant was satisfying success criteria, a survival implant was a implant that was acute infection with suppuration and bone loss, a failed implant was a implant that was mobile, removed.RESULTS: Five implants were removed, and 4 implants had infected with bone loss. Survival rate was 95.7% and success rate was 92.3%.CONCLUSION: This retrospective study presented that this method with S-reamer and gel-type graft material was a successful treatment without membrane tear in the condition of 1-6 mm residual bone height.

Hypoxia Increases β-Cell Death by Activating Pancreatic Stellate Cells within the Islet

BackgroundHypoxia can occur in pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated during hypoxia. Here we aimed to investigate whether PSCs within the islet are also activated in hypoxia, causing β-cell injury.MethodsIslet and primary PSCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats, and cultured in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (1% O2). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as measured by immunostaining and Western blotting, was used as a marker of PSC activation. Conditioned media (hypoxia-CM) were obtained from PSCs cultured in hypoxia.ResultsIslets and PSCs cultured in hypoxia exhibited higher expressions of α-SMA than did those cultured in normoxia. Hypoxia increased the production of reactive oxygen species. The addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant, attenuated the hypoxia-induced PSC activation in islets and PSCs. Islets cultured in hypoxia-CM showed a decrease in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis.ConclusionPSCs within the islet are activated in hypoxia through oxidative stress and promote islet cell death, suggesting that hypoxia-induced PSC activation may contribute to β-cell loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comparison of removal torque of dual-acid etched and single-acid etched implants in rabbit tibias / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: Chemically strong-acids (HF and HCl/H₂SO₄) dual etching implant surfaces have higher strengths of osseointegration than machined implant surfaces. However, the dual acid treatment deteriorates the physical properties of the titanium by weakening the fatigue resistance of the implant and causing microcracks. The removal torque comparison between the dual-acid etched (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, HS) and single-acid etched implants (hydrochloric acid, H) could reveal the efficiency of implant surface acid treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine 3.75 × 4 mm dual-acid etched SLA implants and nine single-acid etched SLA implants were inserted into New Zealand rabbit tibias. After 10 days, removal torque, roughness, and wetting angle were measured. RESULTS: Mean removal torque values were as follows: Mean removal torque were 9.94 Ncm for HS group and 9.96 Ncm for H group (P=.995). Mean surface roughness value were 0.93 µm for HS group and 0.84 µm for H group (P=.170). Root mean square roughness (RSq) values were 1.21 µm for HS group and 1.08 µm for H group (P=.294), and mean wetting angle values were 99° for HS group and 98° for H group (P=.829). Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the removal torques, roughness, or wetting angles of the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this experiment, we found no significant difference in removal torque, roughness, or wetting angle between dual-acid etched and single-acid etched implants.

Full mouth rehabilitation for a Parkinson's diseases patient with chronic periodontitis: a case report

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, akinesia, postural instability, and muscular rigidity, which is caused by the depletion of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Cooperative dental treatment is more challenging because of tremor of Parkinson's disease. In this case, a 47-year-old Parkinson's disease patient with chronic periodontitis was treated with full-mouth rehabilitation using conventional fixed prostheses and implant fixed partial denture, which attained satisfactory outcomes functionally and esthetically. Short term periodic follow-ups will be needed with consideration for the characteristics of Parkinson's disease such as decreased manual dexterity.

Prognostic significance of non-chest pain symptoms in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chest pain is an essential symptom in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). One-third of patients with ACS present atypically, which can influence their receiving timely lifesaving therapy. METHODS: A total of 617 NSTEMI patients from the Korea Acute MI Registry (KAMIR) and the Korea Working Group on MI (KorMI) databases were analyzed. The study population was divided into two groups by symptoms at presentation (typical symptoms group, 128; atypical symptoms groups, 128). RESULTS: In this study population, 23% of patients presented without chest pain. After propensity score matching, the contact-to-device time (2,618 ± 381 minutes vs. 1,739 ± 241 minutes, p = 0.050), the symptoms-to-balloon time (3,426 ± 389 minutes vs. 2,366 ± 255 minutes, p = 0.024), and the door-to-balloon time (2,339 ± 380 minutes vs. 1,544 ± 244 minutes, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in the patients with atypical symptoms than in those with typical symptoms, respectively. Atypical symptoms were an independent predictor for 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 2.820; 95% confidence interval, 1.058 to 7.515; p = 0.038). The Kaplan-Meier estimates showed higher risk for 12-month mortality in patients with atypical symptoms (p = 0.048) and no significant difference for 12-month major adverse cardiac events (p = 0.487). CONCLUSIONS: Acute myocardial infarction patients with atypical symptoms were not rare in clinical practice and showed a high risk of delayed reperfusion therapy. After imbalance between the groups was minimized by use of propensity score matching, patients who presented atypically had a high mortality rate.

Prosthetic rehabilitation using an obturator in a fully edentulous patient who had partial maxillectomy

Prosthetic rehabilitation of an edentulous patient who has a maxillary defect is difficult to achieve for many clinicians. The maxillary defect causes leakage of air during pronunciation and compromises denture stability, support and retention by reducing denture-bearing area and breaking peripheral seal. In these patients, the sizes and shapes of defects are very important factors which attribute to prognosis of maxillary obturators. This case report shows the prosthetic rehabilitation of the patient who had maxillectomy on the right maxillary sinus because of squamous cell carcinoma. The patient had a stepwise treatment protocol which started with pre-operative dental examination and followed by surgical, interim and definitive obturation phase. In this case, an acceptable level of retention could be obtained due to well-defined static defects and the preserved premaxillae and the patient was satisfied with the result of the treatment in the aspect of function and esthetics.

Roth Spots and Panuveitis in a Patient with Infectious Mononucleosis

PURPOSE: To report a case of Roth spots, panuveitis, and infectious mononucleosis in a healthy adult. CASE SUMMARY: An immunocompetent 30-year-old male visited our clinic complaining of reduced visual acuity and a floating sense in both eyes of 2 days. He had experienced flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, myalgia, and malaise for 10 days before visual acuity decreased. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in both eyes and inflammatory cells were found in both the anterior chambers and the vitreous. Funduscopy revealed multiple retinal hemorrhages and Roth spots in both eyes. We prescribed topical steroid eye drops. A peripheral blood test revealed mild leukocytosis with lymphocytosis (60%) consisted of atypical lymphocyte (7%). Serologic examinations were positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) Ab and Epstein-Barr virus IgM Ab. A polymerase chain reaction for blood CMV was positive. The presumptive clinical diagnosis was Roth spots and panuveitis associated with infectious mononucleosis. Three weeks later, no inflammatory cells were apparent in the anterior chamber or vitreous. Best-corrected visual acuity had recovered to 20/20 in both eyes, and the retinal hemorrhage had completely disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Roth spots and panuveitis can be present in patients with infectious mononucleosis, which should thus be included in the differential diagnosis of Roth spots.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a fully edentulous patient after maxillectomy: A case report / 대한치과보철학회지

Most patients with acquired maxillary surgical defects have difficulties such as functional impairments of mastication, speech, and deglutition as well as various degrees of facial deformity. The purpose of a prosthetic approach is to restore function and appearance with an obturator as normal as possible. This goal can be achieved when there is thoughful preoperative communication between a prosthodontist and a surgeon regarding a rehabilitation. In this case report, prosthetic rehabilitation was planned before the surgery for the patient diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the right maxillary sinus with careful oral examination. Four months after maxillectomy, a definitive obturator was fabricated following the surgical and interim obturation phase. The objective of this case report is to describe the satisfactory results of the patient with improved rehabilitation of mastication, speech, deglutition, and appearance.

Differential Benefit of Statin in Secondary Prevention of Acute Myocardial Infarction according to the Level of Triglyceride and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The differential benefit of statin according to the state of dyslipidemia has been sparsely investigated. We sought to address the efficacy of statin in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI) according to the level of triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on admission. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Acute MI patients (24653) were enrolled and the total patients were divided according to level of triglyceride and HDL-C on admission: group A (HDL-C≥40 mg/dL and triglyceride<150 mg/dL; n=11819), group B (HDL-C≥40 mg/dL and triglyceride≥150 mg/dL; n=3329), group C (HDL-C<40 mg/dL and triglyceride<150 mg/dL; n=6062), and group D (HDL-C<40 mg/dL & triglyceride≥150 mg/dL; n=3443). We evaluated the differential efficacy of statin according to the presence or absence of component of dyslipidemia. The primary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) for 2 years. RESULTS: Statin therapy significantly reduced the risk of MACE in group A (hazard ratio=0.676; 95% confidence interval: 0.582-0.785; p<0.001). However, the efficacy of statin was not prominent in groups B, C, or D. In a propensity-matched population, the result was similar. In particular, the benefit of statin in group A was different compared with group D (interaction p=0.042) CONCLUSION: The benefit of statin in patients with MI was different according to the presence or absence of dyslipidemia. In particular, because of the insufficient benefit of statin in patients with MI and dyslipidemia, a different lipid-lowering strategy is necessary in these patients.

Two Cases of Long-Term Changes in the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness after Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Diabetic Papillopathy

PURPOSE: To report long-term changes in the average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in 2 patients who had intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection for diabetic papillopathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 36-year-old patient with diabetes complained of decreased visual acuity (20/200) in the right eye. The fundus examination showed optic disc swelling in both eyes. The average RNFL thickness based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) increased to 278 microm and Goldmann perimetry showed nasal visual field defect in the right eye. The IVB was injected into the right eye. Three weeks after the IVB injection, RNFL thickness decreased to 135 microm and visual acuity improved to 20/25 in the right eye. However, RNFL thickness increased from 126 to 207 microm and visual acuity decreased to 20/32 in the left eye. Thus, IVB was injected into the left eye. In week 3, RNFL thickness decreased to 147 microm and visual acuity improved to 20/20 in the left eye. At 12 months after IVB injection, RNFL thickness was 87 microm in the right eye and 109 microm in the left eye. A 57-year-old patient with diabetes complained of decreased visual acuity (20/200) and showed optic disc swelling in the right eye. The average RNFL thickness increased to 252 microm and Goldmann perimetry showed an enlarged blind spot in the right eye. IVB was injected into the right eye. After 3 weeks, RNFL thickness decreased to 136 microm and visual acuity improved to 20/70 in the right eye. Six months after IVB injection, RNFL thickness was 83 microm in the right eye. CONCLUSIONS: Visual acuity progressively improved within 3 weeks and RNFL thickness measured by spectral domain OCT showed progressive thickness reduction in 2 cases of diabetic papillopathy patients who had IVB injections.

Long-Term Results of Ahmed Valve Implantation in Neovascular Glaucoma and the Effects of Intracameral Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term surgical results of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGVI) and the effects of intracameral bevacizumab injection in neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after diabetic vitrectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 57 patients with NVG after diabetic vitrectomy who underwent AGVI with or without intracameral bevacizumab injection. In each group, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared. We analyzed the rates of surgical success, postoperative complications, and risk factors. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of success was 87.7% at 1 year, 78.8% at 2 years, 70.5% at 3 years, and 61.6% at 5 years. Intraocular pressure and the number of glaucoma medications were significantly reduced and BCVA was significantly better at all postoperative follow-up time points in both groups. There were no differences in mean intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, BCVA, or the rates of surgical success between the two groups. The incidence of hypertensive phase was significantly reduced in the intracameral bevacizumab group, but neither the surgical success rate nor intraocular pressures were different compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ahmed glaucoma valve was a good therapeutic modality for long-term treatment of NVG occuring after diabetic vitrectomy. Intracameral bevacizumab injection had no effects on the surgical results of Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery.

A Case of Pupillary Block and Increased Intraocular Pressure after Nd:YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy

PURPOSE: To report a case of pupillary block and increased intraocular pressure caused by vitreous prolapse after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old male visited the hospital for decreasing visual acuity and ocular pain in the left eye. Two days earlier, he had undergone Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in the left eye. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.63 in the right eye and FC 60 cm in the left eye. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 14 mm Hg in the right eye and 64 mm Hg in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed diffuse corneal stromal edema and iris bombe with vitreous prolapse in the anterior chamber. Gonioscopy confirmed a closed angle. Pupillary block and increased intraocular pressure were diagnosed. A Nd:YAG laser iridotomy was performed. Three days after the iridotomy, BCVA was 0.2 and IOP was 11 mm Hg in the treated eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed reduced vitreous prolapse in the anterior chamber. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of pupillary block and increased IOP caused by vitreous prolapse after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in Korea. Physicians should be aware that pupillary block could be caused by prolapsed vitreous after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy and Nd:YAG laser iridotomy could be performed effectively in such cases.

Antipsychotic Effects of Quetiapine in Naturalistic Long Term Follow Up Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of quetiapine and the effects of dosage relates to its effectiveness on schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in a naturalistic setting in Korean people. METHODS: This study was a 24-week, open-label, non-comparative, naturalistic study of quetiapine in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV. We stratified the patients into mild [(clinical global impression severity (CGI-S) or =4 at baseline). We investigated the response rate, defined as clinical global impression improvement (CGI-I) < or =2, in the severe group and the aggravation rate in the mild group using the last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) and the Kaplan-Meier method (K-M). RESULTS: During the 24 weeks, 151 (18.4%) of the participants dropped out of the study. There was a significant decrease in the mean CGI-S score, from 4.5+/-1.1 at baseline to 2.8+/-1.1 at 24 weeks. The response rate of severe group was 54.5% (estimated by LOCF) and 73.3% (K-M estimated) at 24 weeks. All patients who completed the study had taken a mean quetiapine dosage of 507.9+/-245.9 mg daily. The decrease of CGI-S score in high-dose group (the maximum dose was 750 mg/d or above) was statistically significant than that in recommended-dose group (the maximum dose was less than 750 mg/d). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of quetiapine in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in a naturalistic setting in Korean people. This study suggests that higher than recommended quetiapine dosages could be more effective in some patients.

Dietary Intake of Calcium and Distal Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps in Korean Adults / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is fourth in prevalence of carcinoma and fourth most cause of death from malignant neoplasm, which has been increasing in Korea. In this study, we tried to investigate the association of dietary intake of calcium and distal colorectal adenomatous polyps known as precursors of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 2,456 subjects who visited a health promotion center in one university hospital in Seoul, Korea, from June 2003 to June 2006 underwent sigmoidoscopy and completed a 24-hour dietary recall. RESULTS: Among the selected 2,408 subjects, the prevalence of distal colorectal adenoma found in sigmoidoscopy was 12.54%. After adjusting for age and total serum cholesterol by multiple logistic regression, the odds ratio of the male subjects who had the highest quintile of dietary intake of calcium was 0.512 (95% CI: 0.305-0.859; P = 0.011) compared with the lowest. CONCLUSION: In male subjects with the highest quintile of dietary calcium density was associated with a low risk of distal colorectal adenomatous polyps.

Age-related Differences Effect the Clinical Characteristics of Intestinal Malrotation

Intestinal malrotation presents with different clinical characteristics, depending upon the age of the patient. The medical records of 44 patients treated for intestinal malrotation with/without midgut volvuls between January 2002 and August 2009 at Seoul National University Children's Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped by the age criteria of 1 and 12 months. Fourteen patients were under 1 month of age (31.8%), 9 patients between 1 month and 12 months (20.5%) and 21 patients over 12 months (47.7%). Twenty patients (45.5%) presented with volvulus. Vomiting (66%) and abdominal pain (20%) were the most common symptoms. UGIS (68.2%) was the most frequent diagnostic tool. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 13.7 days. There were 7 mild postoperative complications. Volvulus was more frequent in patients under 1 month (p=0.025) than over 1 month. The interval between diagnosis and operation was shorter in patients under 1 month (p=0.003) than in patients over one month of age. In the age between under and over 12 months, volvulus was more common in those under 12 months of age, but the difference was not significant. The interval from diagnosis to operation was shorter in patients under 12 months than over 12 months of age (p=0.001). Vomiting was the most frequent symptom in patients under 12 months. On the other hand, abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom in patients over 12 months. In conclusion, patients with intestinal malrotation had age-related differences in the presence of midgut volvulus, the interval between diagnosis and operation, and clinical symptoms. The age of the patient should be considered in order to determine adequate treatment of malrotation.

Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: The medical records of 863 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer from January 2007 to December 2008 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred forty five patients with COPD were divided into the laparoscopic gastrectomy or open gastrectomy groups. The 362 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy were divided into the COPD or the non-CODP groups. Comparative analysis between each of the two groups was done. RESULTS: Out of 145 patients with COPD, eighty seven patients (60.0%) underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy and 58 patients (40.0%) underwent open gastrectomy. Comparing the laparoscopic gastrectomy group with the open gastrectomy group, there was no significant differences in age, gender, the body mass index, the smoking history, the preoperative general condition, the operation time, the estimated blood loss and the preoperative pulmonary function tests (p>0.05). The postoperative hospital stay was longer in the open gastrectomy group than that in the laparoscopic gastrectomy group (9.1 days vs. 6.8 days, respectively, p<0.001). One patient in the laparoscopic gastrectomy group (1/87, 1.1%) had postoperative pulmonary complications and 6 patients in the open gastrectomy group (6/58, 10.3%) had pulmonary complications (p=0.017). On comparing the COPD with the non-COPD groups for the 363 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy, there were significant differences in gender, age, a history of tuberculosis, a smoking history, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and the cancer stage. Yet there was no significant difference of the postoperative pulmonary complications (p=1.000) between the groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic gastrectomy can be performed safety for gastric cancer patients with mild COPD and it should be considered as a primary treatment method.