• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2024

Purpose: Ankle fracture fixation is the gold standard of treatment but it does have its own complications. There is inadequate data regarding the comparative effectiveness of early vs. delayed fixation for open ankle fracture outcomes. This study compares the clinical and functional outcomes of open ankle fractures treated by early or delayed definitive fixation and identifies the limitations of both methods. Materials and Methods: All 73 patients enrolled in the study underwent surgical intervention within 24 hours of injury. The early fixation group (group A) consisting of 39 patients underwent definitive fixation as an index procedure, while the delayed fixation group (group B) consisted of 34 patients who underwent debridement and external fixator application as an index procedure and definitive fixation when soft tissue condition was conducive. All patients were evaluated at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively and then three monthly for a year. Results: Enneking and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores were markedly higher in the early fixation group at 6 months postoperatively (p-values <0.001 and 0.011, respectively). However, no discernible intergroup difference was evident at 12 months postoperatively. Between 6 and 12 months, group functional outcome scores were significantly different. At 6 months, there was a substantial difference in dorsiflexion between the two groups (p-values 0.001 and <0.001, respectively), but no difference was observed at 12 months postoperatively. At 6 and 12 months, group average plantar flexions were non-significantly different. Conclusion: Early definitive fixation of complex ankle fractures using a targeted approach produced promising results for lower grade open fractures (grades 1 and 2), and delayed definitive fixation, after initial external fixation to allow for soft tissue stabilization, produced promising results for higher grade open fractures (grades 3A and 3B). At 12-month follow-ups, clinical and functional outcomes achieved using these strategies were equivalent.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to report our early experiences with the endovascular repair of ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (rDTAAs), which are a rare and life-threatening condition. Methods: Among 42 patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) between October 2010 and September 2015, five patients (11.9%) suffered an rDTAA. Results: The mean age was $72.4{\pm}5.1years$, and all patients were male. Hemoptysis and hemothorax were present in three (60%) and two (40%) patients, respectively. Hypovolemic shock was noted in three patients who underwent emergency operations. A hybrid operation was performed in three patients. The mean operative time was $269.8{\pm}72.3minutes$. The mean total length of aortic coverage was $186.0{\pm}49.2mm$. No 30-day mortality occurred. Stroke, delirium, and atrial fibrillation were observed in one patient each. Paraplegia did not occur. Endoleak was found in two patients (40%), one of whom underwent an early and successful reintervention. During the mean follow-up period of $16.8{\pm}14.8months$, two patients died; one cause of death was a persistent type 1 endoleak and the other cause was unknown. Conclusion: TEVAR for rDTAA was associated with favorable early mortality and morbidity outcomes. However, early reintervention should be considered if persistent endoleak occurs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2006

Objective : This study is aimed to assess the clinical outcome in early and minimally invasive surgery using incision for the patients with poor grade aneurysm. Methods : The authors retrospectively reviewed all 46 poor grade patients of Hunt and Hess[H-H] grade IV and V who suffered aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage[SAH] between 1999 and 2004. All 35 patients harboring 43 aneurysms who underwent early surgery within 72 hours were included in this study. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow outcome scale[GOS] and compared with that of conventional pterional approach. Results : Twenty four patients were operated with conventional pterional approach and 11 with eyebrow approach within 72 hours after SAH. Seven multiple aneurysm patients harbor 15 aneurysms, Forty one aneurysms were treated with clippings. All 11 patients of eyebrow surgery group[ESG] were in H-H grade IV, 3 in Fisher grade III and 8 in Fisher grade IV. Among 24 patients of pterional approach group[PAG]. 20 were in H-H grade IV and 4 in H-H grade V, 3 were in Fisher grade III and 21 in Fisher grade IV. Overall favorable outcome was achieved in 41.7% and 54.5% in PAG and ESG, respectively. Favorable outcome of H-H grade IV in PAG showed 45.0%. Overall mortality rate was 14.3%. Conclusion : It is concluded that the clinical outcome of early and minimally invasive aneurysmal surgery using eyebrow incision in the selected poor grade aneurysm patients can be compatible with that of conventional pterional surgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3825-3830
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• 2013

More studies are needed to clarify treatments and prognosis of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This retrospective study was designed to review the outcome of surgical treatment for early ESCC, evaluate the results of a left thoracotomy for selected patients with early ESCC, and identify factors affecting lymph node metastases and survival. The clinicopathological data of 228 patients with early ESCC who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy without preoperative adjuvant treatment were reviewed. The ${\chi}^2$ test or Fisher's exact test were used to detect factors related to lymph node metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. There were 152 males and 76 females with a median age of 55 years. Two hundred and eight patients underwent a left thoracotomy, and the remaining 20 patients with lymph nodes in the upper mediastinum more than 5 mm in short-axis diameter by computed tomography scan underwent a right thoracotomy. No lymph node metastasis was found in the 18 patients with carcinoma in situ, while lymph node metastases were detected in 1.6% (1/62) of patients with mucosal tumours and 18.2% (27/148) of patients with submucosal tumours. Only 7 patients showed upper mediastinal lymph node metastases in the follow-up. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 81.4% and 70.1%, respectively. Only histologic grade (P<0.001) and pT category (P=0.001) significantly correlated with the presence of lymph node metastases. In multivariate analysis, only histologic grade (P=0.026) and pT category (P=0.008) were independent prognostic factors. A left thoracotomy is acceptable for selected patients with early ESCC. Histologic grade and pT category affected the presence of lymph node metastases and were independent prognostic factors for early ESCC.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1043-1052
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• 2018

Study Design: Level III retrospective cross-sectional study. Purpose: To define and characterize the presentation, symptom duration, and patient/surgical risk factors associated with 'post-decompressive neuropathy (PDN).' Overview of Literature: PDN is characterized by lower extremity radicular pain that is 'different' from pre-surgical radiculopathy or claudication pain. Although it is a common constellation of postoperative symptoms, PDN is incompletely characterized and poorly understood. We hypothesize that PDN is caused by an intraoperative neuropraxic event and may develop early (within 30 days following the procedure) or late (after 30 days following the procedure) within the postoperative period. Methods: Patients who consented to undergo lumbar laminectomy with or without an instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spine disease were followed up prospectively from July 2013 to December 2014. Relevant data were extracted from the charts of the eligible patients. Patient demographics and surgical factors were identified. Patients completed postoperative questionnaires 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Questions were designed to characterize the postoperative pain that differed from preoperative pain. A diagnosis of PDN was established if the patient exhibited the following characteristics: pain different from preoperative pain, leg pain worse than back pain, a non-dermatomal pain pattern, and nocturnal pain that often disrupted sleep. A Visual Analog Scale was used to monitor the pain, and patients documented the effectiveness of the prescribed pain management modalities. Patients for whom more than one follow-up survey was missed were excluded from analysis. Results: Of the 164 eligible patients, 118 (72.0%) completed at least one follow-up survey at each time interval. Of these eligible patients, 91 (77.1%) described symptoms consistent with PDN. Additionally, 75 patients (82.4%) described early-onset symptoms, whereas 16 reported symptoms consistent with late-onset PDN. Significantly more female patients reported PDN symptoms (87% vs. 69%, p=0.03). Patients with both early and late development of PDN described their leg pain as an intermittent, constant, burning, sharp/stabbing, or dull ache. Early PDN was categorized more commonly as a dull ache than late-onset PDN (60% vs. 31%, p=0.052); however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Opioids were significantly more effective for patients with early-onset PDN than for those with late-onset PDN (85% vs. 44%, p=0.001). Gabapentin was most commonly prescribed to patients who cited no resolution of symptoms (70% vs. 31%, p=0.003). Time to symptom resolution ranged from within 1 month to 1 year. Patients' symptoms were considered unresolved if symptoms persisted for more than 1 year postoperatively. In total, 81% of the patients with early-onset PDN reported complete symptom resolution 1 year postoperatively compared with 63% of patients with late-onset PDN (p=0.11). Conclusions: PDN is a discrete postoperative pain phenomenon that occurred in 77% of the patients who underwent lumbar laminectomy with or without instrumented fusion. Attention must be paid to the constellation and natural history of symptoms unique to PDN to effectively manage a self-limiting postoperative issue.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Within two years of surgery, 70% of resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) recur. Better biomarkers are needed to identify those at risk of "early recurrence" (ER). In this study, we defined ER and investigated whether preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic-inflammatory index were prognostic of both overall relapse and ER after curative hepatectomy for iCCA. Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for iCCA between 2005 and 2017 were created. The cut-off timepoint for the ER of iCCA was estimated using a piecewise linear regression model. Univariable analyses of recurrence were conducted for the overall, early, and late recurrence periods. For the early and late recurrence periods, multivariable Cox regression with time-varying regression coefficient analysis was used. Results: A total of 113 patients were included in this study. ER was defined as recurrence within 12 months of a curative resection. Among the included patients, 38.1% experienced ER. In the univariable model, a higher preoperative NLR (> 4.3) was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence overall and in the first 12 months after curative surgery. In the multivariable model, a higher NLR was associated with a higher recurrence rate overall and in the ER period (≤ 12 months), but not in the late recurrence period. Conclusions: Preoperative NLR was prognostic of both overall recurrence and ER after curative iCCA resection. NLR is easily obtained before and after surgery and should be integrated into ER prediction tools to guide preoperative treatments and intensify postoperative follow-up.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.545-551
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• 2005

Purpose: The effect of orthognathic surgery on the temporomandibular dysfunction has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to prove statistically that early removal of fixation plate at postoperative 2 weeks with active exercise of mouth opening could relieve preoperative temporomandibular dysfunction and reposition of temporomandibular joint. Patients and Methods: All 28 subject patients underwent mandibular setback with BSSRO in Kyunghee medical center by one surgeon. The fixation plates used for rigid fixation were removed at postoperative 2 weeks and we had the patients excercise active mouth opening with intermaxillary rubber rings for the guiding proper postoperative occlusion. Temporomandibular symptoms were checked and radiographs were taken before surgery, within a month after surgery, six to twelve months after surgery respectively. Results: The temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms were relieved after the surgery and the condyle was displaced inferior-posteriorly immediate after surgery and repositioned toward its original position during follow-up periods. Conculusion: Orthognathic surgery may benefit temporomandibular joint dysfunction by obtaining a postoperative stable occlusion and more physiologic neuromuscular function. The early removal of fixation plates after BSSRO could reposition the temporomandibular joint to physiologic position and relieve the symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction by permitting movement of proximal segment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.487-493
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• 2000

Background: Early patency of the coronary artery bypass grafting is determined mainly by surgical technique and status of coronary artery. We analyzed the early result, focusing on the relationship between postoperative angiographic findings and the patency rate. Material and method: During the period of July 1997- August 1999, 86 cases of CABG were performed and the postoperative coronary artery angiography was done in 76 cases on postoperative day 7 to assess the graft patency. Result: Overall graft patency was 90.2% on the angiographic finding. Factors influencing the early graft occlusion were the surgeon's experience, small coronary artery size less than 1.5mm in diameter, coronary arteries related to pre-operative myocardial infarction, and local atheroma at the anastomosis site(p<0.001). Operative mortailty was 2.3%. Early recurrence of the symptom was 19.8% during the follow up period. Conclusion: We examined the postoperative coronary angiography and found that the surgeon's experience, small coronary artery size less than 1.5mm in diameter, bypass surgery on the coronary arteries related to pre-operative myocardial infarction, and local atheroma at the anastomosis site were the factors for the graft occlusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2014

Recently, surgical outcomes of repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) have improved. For patients with TOF older than 3 months, primary repair has been advocated regardless of symptoms. However, a surgical approach to symptomatic TOF in neonates or very young infants remains elusive. Traditionally, there have been two surgical options for these patients: primary repair versus an initial aortopulmonary shunt followed by repair. Early primary repair provides several advantages, including avoidance of shunt-related complications, early relief of hypoxia, promotion of normal lung development, avoidance of ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis, and psychological comfort to the family. Because of advances in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and accumulated experience in neonatal cardiac surgery, primary repair in neonates with TOF has been performed with excellent early outcomes (early mortality<5%), which may be superior to the outcomes of aortopulmonary shunting. A remaining question regarding surgical options is whether shunts can preserve the pulmonary valve annulus for TOF neonates with pulmonary stenosis. Symptomatic neonates and older infants have different anatomies of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstructions, which in neonates are nearly always caused by a hypoplastic pulmonary valve annulus instead of infundibular obstruction. Therefore, a shunt is less likely to preserve the pulmonary valve annulus than is primary repair. Primary repair of TOF can be performed safely in most symptomatic neonates. Patients who have had primary repair should be closely followed up to evaluate the RVOT pathology and right ventricular function.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of acute achilles tendon rupture patients treated by early mobilization after operative repair. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 12 patients of acute Achilles tendon rupture were surgically treated from May 2001 to November 2002, with follow-up period of at least 6 months. There were 10 men and 2 women, and mean age was 35.9 year. The repair method was single Krackow suture technique. Two to three weeks after the operation, early ROM with removable ankle-foot orthosis(AFO) was started. We used Amer-Lindholm scale for the clinical evaluation and analyzed patient's satisfaction and subjective strength deficit. Results: We had 11 excellent results(92%), and 1 good results(8%). One-leg heel raising was possible in all patients. All the patients returned to the preinjury occupations and 7 patients(58%) reached the preoperative level of sports activities. There was no significant difference in ankle ROM and ankle plantar flexion isokinetic strength compared to contralateral side. There was, no reruptures. Conclusion: Early mobilization proved to be a well tolerated, safe, and effective means for the compliant patient.