• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2023

Malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHO), an aggressive perihilar biliary obstruction caused by cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, or other metastatic malignancies, has a poor prognosis. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for biliary malignancies. However, the majority of patients with MHO cannot undergo surgery on presentation because of an advanced inoperable state or a poor performance state due to old age or comorbid diseases. Therefore, palliative biliary drainage is mandatory to improve symptomatic jaundice and the quality of life. Among the drainage methods, endoscopic biliary drainage is the current standard for palliation of unresectable advanced MHO. In addition, combined with endoscopic drainage, additional local ablation therapies, such as photodynamic therapy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), have been introduced to prolong stent patency and survival. Currently, RFA is commonly used as palliative therapy, even for advanced MHO. This literature review summarizes recent studies on RFA for advanced MHO.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6733-6736
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• 2014

Background: Despite the growing acceptance of laparoscopic colon surgery, an abdominal incision is needed to remove the specimen and perform an anastomosis. Recently, natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) and intracorporeal anastomosis have been proposed to minimize abdominal wall trauma and improve the quality of laparoscopic colon resections Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new approach combining intracorporeal delta-shaped anastomosis and transvaginal specimen extraction for totally laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. Materials and Methods: Mobilization of bowel and dissection of lymph nodes were performed laparoscopically. After both proximal and distal incisal edges about 10.0 cm distance from sigmoid neoplasm were transected with an Endoscopic Linear Cutter-Straight, a small incision about 1.0 cm was created on the each colon wall of the contralateral side of the mesentery. Then anvils of an Endoscopic Linear Cutter-Straight were inserted into each colon through the small incisions, and incision and anastomosis between the walls of each colon were performed with a linear stapler. A V-shaped anastomosis was made on the wall and the remnant openings was reclosed with the Endoscopic Linear Cutter-Straight. The culdotomy was enlarged with laparoscopic ultrasound dissector. Transvaginal extraction of specimens was accomplished through a wound protector. Results: Surgery was performed for 11 patients with sigmoid cancer. No intraoperative complications or conversions occurred. The mean operating time was 132 min. All the patients were treated laparoscopically without any postoperative complications. Conclusions: The procedures of intracorporeal delta-shaped anastomosis and transvaginal specimen extraction are safe and oncologically acceptable for selected colon cancer cases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2008

Endoscopic laser cordectomy is known as an oncologically sound procedure for T1 and selected T2 glottic carcinoma ; it has comparable local control rate and better long-term laryngeal preservation rate when compared with those of radiotherapy. Even if results of the reported voice outcome studies after surgery or radiotherapy are diverse and controversial, resection deeper than the body layer of the vocal fold (type III, IV, V cordectomy) usually leads to aerodynamic insufficiency during phonation and results in poor voice quality. A keyhole defect or development of synechiae at the anterior commissure after type VI cordecomy may also result in unsatisfactory vocal outcome. However, many advances in phonosurgical techniques are reported to be successfully applied in the reconstruction of glottal defect that is subsequent to endoscopic laser cordectomy. In case of glottal insufficiency, voice restoration can be achieved by means of augmentation of the paraglottic space or medialization of the excavated vocal fold. Injection laryngoplasty with synthetic materials or autologous fat is gaining its popularity for restoring minor glottal volume defect because of its convenience. Laryngeal framework surgery, especially type I thyroplasty with premade implant systems or Gore-Tex, is most frequently used to correct larger glottic volume defect. In case of anterior commissural keyhole defect, additional procedure including laryngofissure may be required. For anterior commissural synechiae, laryngeal keel may be inserted for several weeks or mitomycin-C may be repeatedly applied after the division of adhesive scar to prevent restenosis. In this paper, current concepts and the authors' experiences of phonosurgical reconstruction of vocal function after endoscopic cordectomy will be introduced.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2018

Olfactory dysfunction is one of the most common complaints of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients who suffer from olfactory dysfunction report a negative effect on their overall quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis-related olfactory impairment is the most treatable form of olfactory disorder; however, outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) are challenging to predict. Previous studies have documented a wide range in overall improvement after ESS. The purpose of this study is to review the factors that predict changes in olfaction after ESS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2721-2728
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• 2012

Background: There are limited data evaluating the cost-effectiveness of gastric cancer screening using endoscopy or upper gastrointestinal x-ray in the general population. Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of population-based screening for gastric cancer in South Korea by decision analysis. Methods: A time-dependent Markov model for gastric cancer was constructed for healthy adults 30 years of age and older, and a deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed. Cost-utility analysis with multiple strategies was conducted to compare the costs and effects of 13 different screening alternatives with respect to the following eligibility criteria: age at the beginning of screening, screening interval, and screening method. The main outcome measurement was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results: The results revealed that annual endoscopic screening from ages 50-80 was the most cost-effective for the male population. In the females, biennial endoscopy screening from ages 50-80 was calculated as the most cost-effective strategy among the 12 screening alternatives. The most cost-effective screening strategy may be adjustable according to the screening costs and the distribution of cancer stage at screening. The limitation was that effectiveness data were obtained from published sources. Conclusions: Using the threshold of $19,162 per quality-adjusted life year on the basis of the Korean gross domestic product (2008), as suggested by the World Health Organization, endoscopic gastric cancer screening starting at the age of 50 years was highly cost-effective in the Korean population. The national recommendation for gastric cancer screening should consider the starting age of screening, the screening interval, and the screening modality.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.258-265
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• 2024

Purpose: To date, there is no region-specific guideline for pediatric endoscopy training. This study aimed to illustrate the current status of pediatric endoscopy training in Asia-Pacific region and identify opportunities for improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a standardized electronic questionnaire, was conducted among medical schools in the Asia-Pacific region in January 2024. Results: A total of 57 medical centers in 12 countries offering formal Pediatric Gastroenterology training programs participated in this regional survey. More than 75% of the centers had an average case load of <10 cases per week for both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies. Only 36% of the study programs employed competency-based outcomes for program development, whereas nearly half (48%) used volume-based curricula. Foreign body retrieval, polypectomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and esophageal variceal hemostasis, that is, sclerotherapy or band ligation (endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy and endoscopic variceal ligation), comprised the top four priorities that the trainees should acquire in the autonomous stage (unconscious) of competence. Regarding the learning environment, only 31.5% provided formal hands-on workshops/simulation training. The direct observation of procedural skills was the most commonly used assessment method. The application of a quality assurance (QA) system in both educational and patient care (Pediatric Endoscopy Quality Improvement Network) aspects was present in only 28% and 17% of the centers, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with Western academic societies, the limited availability of cases remains a major concern. To close this gap, simulation and adult endoscopy training are essential. The implementation of reliable and valid assessment tools and QA systems can lead to significant development in future programs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.118-124
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• 2023

Many recent studies have reported that the quality of input learning data was vital to the detection of regions of interest. However, due to a lack of research on the quality of learning data on lesion detetcting using gastroscopy, we aimed to quantify the impact of quality difference in endoscopic images to lesion detection models using Image Quality Assessment (IQA) algorithms. Through IQA methods such as BRISQUE (Blind/Referenceless Image Spatial Quality Evaluation), Laplacian Score, and PSNR (Peak Signal-To-Noise) algorithm on 430 sheets of high quality data (HQD) and 430 sheets of low quality data (PQD), we showed that there were significant differences between high and low quality images in lesion detecting through BRISQUE and Laplacian scores (p<0.05). The PSNR value showed 10.62±1.76 dB on average, illustrating the lower lesion detection performance of PQD than HQD. In addition, F1-Score of HQD showed higher detection performance at 77.42±3.36% while F1-Score of PQD showed 66.82±9.07%. Through this study, we hope to contribute to future gastroscopy lesion detection assistance systems that involve IQA algorithms by emphasizing the importance of using high quality data over lower quality data.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2008

The early glottic cancers are traditionally treated by radiotherapy or endoscopic surgery. The excellent effectiveness of both treatment modalities for local control, larynx preservation, and disease specific death is similar. Therefore, functional voice outcome after treatment is one of the most important factors in the choice of treatment for early glottic cancer. To assess the functional outcomes and compare the voice quality in patients with early glottic cancer treated with curative intent with radiotherapy or laser cordectomy, we performed literature review. Most studies showed that the voice quality after radiation therapy is slightly better than that after laser cordectomy. Subanalysis according to types of laser cordectomy, however, indicates that voice quality depends on type of laser cordectomy. Especially, type I or type II laser cordectomy might be superior to other types of laser cordectomy and radiation therapy. We conclude that the laser cordectomy is a good surgical alternative for properly selected early glottic cancer including professional voice users.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.429-434
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• 2004

An ophthalmic endoscope which is used in medical applications should have the total diameter less than 1 mm. Its image resolution is limited to 30∼40 lp/mm. Therefore, the image resolution is one of the most important factors to decide image quality of the ophthalmic endoscopic images. This study obtained high resolution and magnifying ophthalmic endoscopic images by a new optical design using a 0.23 pitch GRIN lens and high resolution fiber-optic image guide which has less than 5 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ diameter microfibers. The resolutions of images from existing and from a new type of ophthalmic endoscope are measured and compared using a USAF resolution target.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.391-408
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• 2023

With an aging population, the number of patients with difficulty in swallowing due to medical conditions is gradually increasing. In such cases, enteral nutrition is administered through a temporary nasogastric tube. However, the long-term use of a nasogastric tube leads to various complications and a decreased quality of life. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the percutaneous placement of a tube into the stomach that is aided endoscopically and may be an alternative to a nasogastric tube when enteral nutritional is required for four weeks or more. This paper is the first Korean clinical guideline for PEG developed jointly by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research and led by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. These guidelines aimed to provide physicians, including endoscopists, with the indications, use of prophylactic antibiotics, timing of enteric nutrition, tube placement methods, complications, replacement, and tube removal for PEG based on the currently available clinical evidence.