• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.270-277
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• 2015

Purpose: Minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIG), including laparoscopic distal subtotal gastrectomy (LDG) and robotic distal subtotal gastrectomy (RDG), is performed for gastric cancer, and requires a learning period. However, there are few reports regarding MIG by a beginner surgeon trained in MIG for gastric cancer during surgical residency and fellowship. The aim of this study was to report our initial experience with MIG, LDG, and RDG by a trained beginner surgeon. Materials and Methods: Between January 2014 and February 2015, a total of 36 patients (20 LDGs and 16 RDGs) underwent MIG by a beginner surgeon during the learning period, and 13 underwent open distal subtotal gastrectomy (ODG) by an experienced surgeon in Bundang CHA Medical Center. Demographic characteristics, operative findings, and short-term outcomes were evaluated for the groups. Results: MIG was safely performed without open conversion in all patients and there was no mortality in either group. There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic factors except for body mass index. There were significant differences in extent of lymph node dissection (LND) (D2 LND: ODG 8.3% vs. MIG 55.6%, P=0.004) and mean operative time (ODG 178.8 minutes vs. MIG 254.7 minutes, P<0.001). The serial changes in postoperative hemoglobin level (P=0.464) and white blood cell count (P=0.644) did not show significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in morbidity. Conclusions: This study showed that the operative and short-term outcomes of MIG for gastric cancer by a trained beginner surgeon were comparable with those of ODG performed by an experienced surgeon.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.224-229
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• 2014

Objective : To report long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy (MI-PCF) performed in patients with unilateral single-level cervical radiculopathy. Methods : Of forty-six patients who underwent MI-PCF for unilateral single-level radiculopathy between 2005 and 2013, 33 patients were included in the study, with a mean follow-up of 32.7 months. Patients were regularly followed for clinical and radiological assessment. Clinical outcome was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) for the neck/shoulder and arm, and the neck disability index (NDI). Radiological outcome was measured by focal/global angulation and disc height index (DHI). Outcomes after MI-PCF were evaluated as changes of clinical and radiological parameters from the baseline. Mixed effect model with random patients' effect was used to test for differences in the clinical and radiological parameters repeat measures. Results : There were no complications and all patients had an uneventful recovery during the early postoperative period. VAS scores for neck/shoulder and arm improved significantly in the early postoperative period (3 months) and were maintained with time (p<0.001). NDI improved significantly post-operatively and tended to decrease gradually during the follow-up period (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant changes in focal and global angulation at follow-up. Percent DHIs of the upper adjacent or operated disc were maintained without significant changes with time. During the follow-up, same site recurrence was not noted and adjacent segment disease requiring additional surgery occurred in two patients (6%) on the contra-lateral side. Conclusion : MI-PCF provides long-term pain relief and functional restoration, accompanied by good long-term radiological outcome.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.220-226
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• 2018

Background: This study introduces a surgical technique with good clinical outcome useful in the treatment of osteoporotic displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fractures. Methods: From May 2014 to February 2016, 16 patients with displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fractures were treated by application of a locking plate with an endosteal strut allograft via a deltoid splitting approach with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The allograft was inserted through a fractured gap of the greater tuberosity to support the humeral head and then fixed by a locking plate with meticulous soft tissue dissection to protect the axillary nerve. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, radiological imaging, and clinical examination. Fixation failure on radiographs was defined as a >$5^{\circ}$ loss of neck shaft angle (NSA) compared to that on an immediate postoperative radiograph. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head was also evaluated. Results: In all cases, complete union was achieved. The ASES and VAS scores were improved to $85.4{\pm}2.1$ and $3.2{\pm}1.3$, respectively. Twelve patients (75.0%) had greater than a $5^{\circ}$ change in NSA; the average NSA change was $3.8^{\circ}$. Five patients (31.3%) had unsatisfactory ranges of motion exhibiting a <$100^{\circ}$ active forward flexion. No axillary nerve injuries or AVN were observed at the last follow-up. One patient was converted to reverse total arthroplasty due to severe pain and functional deficit. Conclusions: Minimally invasive fixation via a locking compression plate and an endosteal fibula strut allograft in Neer classification 3-or 4-part fractures with severe osteoporosis in elderly patients can achieve good clinical results.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a localized bone disorder in which fibro-osseous tissue replaces the normal bone structure. Patients with craniofacial FD often present with gradual swelling, deformity, and compromised vision or hearing. We previously introduced "the core extirpation method," a novel surgical technique that is minimally invasive like traditional bone shaving but has longer-lasting effects. This study presents the long-term outcomes of our core extirpation method. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent core extirpation for FD of the zygomaticomaxillary region from 2012 through 2021. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed 6 to 12 months before the operation, immediately before and after the operation, and during follow-up visits. We performed all operations using the upper gingivobuccal approach, and we extirpated the core of the lesion while preserving the cortical structures of the zygoma and the maxilla to maintain symmetrical facial contour. Results: In 12 patients with lesions in the growth phase, anteroposterior/mediolateral (AP/ML) length discrepancies and the volume increased between preoperative and immediate postoperative CT scans. All patients' immediate postoperative AP/ML discrepancies were stable up to 12-17 months postoperatively. Postoperative volume showed continuous lesion growth; the median volume growth rate was 0.61 cc per month. Conclusion: In this article, we present our experiences managing FD using the minimally invasive core extirpation technique, which entails small expected blood loss and can be performed as day surgery. It provides similar cosmetic outcomes as traditional bone shaving but with longer-lasting results. Although there are some limitations with the study's retrospective nature and small sample size, our 4-year follow-up results show promising results of the core extirpation method in well-indicated patients.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of alveolar bone changes in patients who underwent minimally invasive periodontal surgery-namely, the pinhole surgical technique (PST). Materials and Methods: Alveolar bone height was measured and compared on CBCT images of 254 teeth from 23 consecutive patients with Miller class I, II, or III recession who had undergone PST. No patient with active periodontal disease was selected for surgery. Two different methods were used to assess the alveolar bone changes postoperatively. In both methods, the distance between the apex of the tooth and the mid-buccal alveolar crestal bone on pre- and post-surgical CBCT studies was measured. Results: An average alveolar bone gain >0.5 mm following PST was identified using CBCT(P=0.05). None of the demographic variables, including sex, age, and time since surgery, had any significant effect on bone gain during follow-up, which ranged from 8 months to 3 years. Conclusion: PST appears to be a promising treatment modality for recession that results in stable clinical outcomes and may lead to some level of resolution on the bone level. More long-term studies must be done to evaluate the impact of this novel technique on bone remodeling and to assess sustained bone levels within a larger study population.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.213-219
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• 2024

Background: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) has recently been performed at many centers using a minimally invasive approach to reduce postoperative mortality, morbidity, and pain. Most previous reports on minimally invasive AVR (MiAVR) have mainly focused on aortic stenosis, and those exclusively dealing with aortic regurgitation (AR) are few. The purpose of this study was to investigate early surgical results and review our experience with patients with chronic severe AR who underwent AVR via right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAT). Methods: Data were retrospectively collected in this single-center study. Eight patients who underwent RAT AVR between January 2020 and January 2024 were enrolled. Short-term outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and echocardiographic data, were analyzed. Results: No in-hospital mortalities were observed. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred temporarily in three patients (37.5%). However, none required permanent pacemaker implantation or renal replacement therapy. The median values of ventilator time, length of intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay were 17 hours, 34.5 hours, and 9 days, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction were similar. However, the left ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters significantly decreased postoperatively from 42 mm to 35.5 mm (p=0.018) and 63 mm to 51 mm (p=0.012), respectively. Conclusion: MiAVR via RAT is a safe and reproducible procedure with acceptable morbidity and complication rates in patients with chronic severe AR. Despite some limitations such as a narrow surgical field and demanding learning curve, MiAVR is a competent method for AR.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.101-109
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• 2021

Purpose: For minimally invasive procedures, three-dimensional (3D) anatomical knowledge of the structures of the face is essential. This study aimed to describe the thickness of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and depths of the facial muscles located in the infraorbital region using a 3D scanner to provide critical clinical anatomical guidelines for improving minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Materials and Methods: The 3D scanning images of 38 Korean cadavers (22 males and 16 females; age range: 51~94 years at the time of death) were analyzed. Eight facial landmarks (P1~P8) were marked on the cadaveric faces. The images were scanned in three steps-undissected face, hemiface after skinning, and revealing the facial muscles. Student's t-test was used to identify significant differences. Result: The skin and subcutaneous tissue tended to become thicker from the upper to lower and medial to lateral aspects, and the muscles followed the same pattern as that of the most superficial located muscle and the deepest located muscles. No significant sex-related differences were found in the skin at any landmark. However, the muscles tended to be deeper in the female participants. Conclusion: The study data can serve as a basis for creating or enhancing clinical anatomy-based guidelines or improving procedures in the infraorbital region.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.13-26
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• 2005

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance, which carries significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The medical treatment for AF is cumbersome and unsatisfactory, which has highlighted the need to develop alternative treatments for AF. The recent discovery that AF is often initiated by atrial ectopic beats has resulted in treatments designed to target the ectopic sources, particularly those within the pulmonary veins. Building on the pioneering work of Cox et al., a recent reported series demonstrated the feasibility of treating patients undergoing cardiac surgery for other structural heart diseases with limited, left-atrial ablation lesion sets using alternative energy sources. As less complex modifications of the Maze procedure have been developed, a number of energy sources have been introduced to create of electrically isolating lesions within the atria. These sources have been used both endocardially in arrest heart procedures as well as epicardially in a beating heart setting. This review summarizes the recent advances in surgery for AF that will aid in the development of an effective, minimally invasive surgical procedure to cure patients with AF.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.63-72
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• 2012

Since the first laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer was reported in 1994, minimally invasive surgery is enjoying its wide acceptance. Numerous procedures of this approach have developed, and many patients have benefited from its effectiveness, which has been recently demonstrated for early gastric cancer. However, since laparoscopic surgery is not exempt from some limitations, the robotic surgery system was introduced as a solution by the late 1990's. Many experienced surgeons have embraced this new emerging method that provides undoubted technical and minimally invasive advantages. To date, several studies have concentrated to this new system, and have compared it with open and laparoscopic approach. Most of them have reported satisfactory results concerning the post-operative short-term outcomes, but almost all believe that the role of robotic gastrectomy is still out of focus, especially because long-term outcomes that can prove robotic oncologic equivalency are lacking, and operative costs and time are higher in comparison to the open and laparoscopic ones. This article is a review about the current status of robotic surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer, especially, focusing on the technical aspects, comparisons to other approaches and future prospects.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.71-79
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• 2019

Purpose: Recent developments in minimally invasive techniques have the potential to reduce surgical morbidity, promote patient recovery, accelerate surgical procedures, and thus improve cost-effectiveness in case management. In this study, we compared the treatment efficacy and results of supraorbital keyhole approach (SOKA) with those of conventional unilateral frontal craniotomy (CUFC) for traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (TICH) in the frontal lobe. Methods: We analyzed the data of 38 patients who underwent CUFC (n=30) and SOKA (n=8) and retrospectively reviewed their medical records and radiological findings. Furthermore, we tried to identify the best surgical method for such lesions by including patients who underwent burr hole aspiration and drainage (BHAD) (n=9) under local anesthesia due to various circumstances. Results: The difference in the initial Glasgow coma scale score, operative time, and length of hospitalization between the CUFC and SOKA were statistically significant. All radiological features between the two groups including associated skull fracture, amount of pre- and postoperative hematoma, percentage of complete hematoma removal, pre- and postoperative midline shifting of the hematoma, and development of postoperative delayed hematoma were not statistically significant. Our experience of 46 patients with TICH in the frontal lobe with any of the three different surgical methods including BHAD enabled us to obtain valuable findings. Conclusions: Although it is difficult to insist that one particular approach is more useful than the other, we are confident that SOKA will have more advantages over CUFC in carefully selected patients with frontal TICH depending on the surgical experience of a neurosurgeon.