• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.90-104
• /
• 2000

Background : This study was designed to assess the effects of information on the satisfaction of parents and families whose children underwent elective surgery in the Pediatric Operating Room. Methods : We measured parent and family satisfaction with information given before and after offering informational interventions. The data were collected from 510 patients parents and families whose children had undergone elective surgery in the Pediatric Operating Room of Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul. South Korea. The data collection ran from May 3. 1999 to May 30. 1999 and from September 6, 1999 to September 30, 1999. The research instrument consisted of four categories (pre-operative period, intra-operative period, post-operative period, others) and 24 questionnaires. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Results : The major findings of this study are summarized as follows: 1. Before surgery, the satisfaction with the following was increased: the explanations of the necessary preparation for the surgery (6.0%), the time the patient would enter the operating room (20.6%), the operative procedure (2.0%), and the use of the waiting room (10.0%). 2. During the operation, the satisfaction with the situation board (15.1%), public announcements in the waiting room (8.4%), and the answering of the families questions (12.2%) was increased. however, the satisfaction with the surgeons explanations of the surgical outcomes decreased by 8.3%, even though the frequency of these explanations increased by 5%. 3. After surgery, the satisfaction with the following was increased: the explanations of patient's status of recovery(10.3%) the time the patient would be moved from the recovery room (17.6%), how the patient would be transferred to the ward (19.2%), and post-operative care (6.3%). Conclusion : Based upon the above findings, we concluded that pre-, intra-, and post-operative informational interventions were effective in increasing the satisfaction of the parents and families of children undergoing elective surgery.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.120-125
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Mechanical stapler is regarded as a good alternative to the hand sewing technique, when used in gastric reconstruction. The circular stapling method has been widely applied to gastrectomy (open orlaparoscopic), for gastric cancer. We illustrated and compared the hand-sutured method to the circular stapling method, for Billroth-II, in patients who underwent laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Between April 2009 and May 2011, 60 patients who underwent laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy, with Billroth-II, were enrolled. Hand-sutured Billroth-II was performed in 40 patients (manual group) and circular stapler Billroth-II was performed in 20 patients (stapler group). Clinicopathological features and post-operative outcomes were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results: Nosignificant differences were observed in clinicopathologic parameters and post-operative outcomes, except in the operation times. Operation times and anastomosis times were significantly shorter in the stapler group (P=0.004 and P<0.001). Conclusions: Compared to the hand-sutured method, the circular stapling method can be applied safely and more efficiently, when performing Billroth-II anastomosis, after laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.12
• /
• pp.7551-7554
• /
• 2013

Tumor-associated microRNAs have been detected in serum or plasma, but whether plasma microRNA-21 (miR-21) could be a potential circulating biomarker for gastric cancer (GC) prognosis in Chinese is still uncertain. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed in this study to compare the relative expression of miR-21 between pre-operative and post-operative paired plasmas from 42 patients with primary GCs. The results showed that the expression levels of miR-21 in the post-operative plasmas were significantly reduced by an average of 18.2 times in all patients when compared to the pre-operative plasmas, and by 22.1 times in the subgroup of patients without family history, while only 1.76 times in the subgroup of patients with a family history. With respect of clinicopathological characteristics, the plasma miR-21 expression was highly associated with differentiation degree and lymph node metastasis rate. The results suggested plasma miR-21 could be a novel potential biomarker for GC prognosis and evaluation of surgery outcomes, especially in patients without a family history.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1649-1654
• /
• 2014

Background: Clinically significant portal hypertension (PHT) is considered as a contraindication for hepatectomy according to the guidelines of the European Association for Study of Liver and the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases. However, this issue remains controversial. Here we performed a metaanalysis to evaluate the impact of PHT on the results of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Cohort studies evaluating the impact of clinically significant PHT, defined as oesophageal varices and/or splenomegaly associated with thrombocytopenia, on the results of hepatectomy for HCC were identified using a predefined search strategy. Summary risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for PHT and outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC were calculated. Results: Seven cohort studies which including 574 cases with PHT and 1,354 cases without PHT were considered eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis showed that, in all patients, pooled RRs of post-operative liver failure, post-operative ascites, peri-operative blood transfusion, operative mortality, 3- and 5-year overall survival associated with PHT were 2.23 (95% CI: 1.48-3.34, P=0.0001), 1.77 (95% CI: 1.19-2.64, P=0.005), 1.23 (95% CI: 1.03-1.49, P=0.03), 2.58 (95% CI: 1.12-5.96, P=0.03), 0.82 (95% CI: 0.75-0.88, P<0.00001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69-0.85, P<0.00001), respectively. In subgroup analysis, similar results were found in Child-Pugh class A patients. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that presence of oesophageal varices and/or splenomegaly associated with thrombocytopenia is associated with higher rates of post-operative complications and poor long-term survival after hepatectomy for HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.8009-8013
• /
• 2015

Background: Orthotopic organ transplantation, a treatment option for irreversible organ dysfunction according to organ failure, severe damaged organ or malignancy in situ, was usually accompanied with massive blood loss thus transfusion was required. We aimed to evaluate the adverse impact of blood transfusion on solid organ transplantation. Materials and Methods: From January, 2009 to December, 2014, patients who received orthotopic organ transplantation at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital medical center were enrolled. Clinical data regarding anemia status and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion before, during and after operation, as well as patient outcomes were collected for further univariate analysis. Results: A total of 105 patients who underwent orthotopic transplantation, including liver, kidney and small intestine were registered. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) level upon admission and before operation were $11.6{\pm}1.8g/dL$ and $11.7{\pm}1.7g/dL$, respectively; and the nadir Hb level post operation and the final Hb level before discharge were $8.3{\pm}1.6g/dL$ and $10.2{\pm}1.6g/dL$, respectively. The median units (interquartile range) of RBC transfusion in pre-operative, peri-operative and post-operative periods were 0 (0-0), 2 (0-12), and 2 (0-6) units, respectively. Furthermore, the median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay (LHS) from admission to discharge and from operation to discharge were 28 (17-44) and 24 (16-37) days, respectively. Both peri-operative and post-operative RBC transfusion were associated with longer LHS from admission to discharge and from operation to discharge. Furthermore, it increased the risk of post-operative septicemia. While peri-operative RBC transfusion elevated the risk of acute graft rejection in patients who received orthotopic transplantation. Conclusions: Worse outcome could be anticipated in those who had received massive RBC transfusion in transplantation operation. Hence, peri-operative RBC transfusion should be avoided as much as possible.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2004

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of the SDBBA (Subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis) procedure on patients with late complication of intra-articular calcaneal fractures including subtalar joint arthritis and anterior ankle impingement syndrome. Materials and Methods: Five cases in which the SDBBA procedure was implemented were followed for more than one year. All five patients were male with an average age of 56. Clinically, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the pain score were assessed. Radiographically, the talocalcaneal height and the talar inclination angle were determined. Results: All five patients achieved subtalar joint fusion. The average pre-operative AOFAS score was 22.8 scores (range, 8-32 scores). At last follow-up, these scores improved to an average of 72.4 scores (range, 64-82 scores). The average pre-operative pain score was 8.2 scores (range, 7-10 scores). At last follow-up, these scores improved to an average of 13.2 (range, 12-15 scores). The average pre-operative talocalcaneal height was 72.8 mm (range, 70-77 mm), average post-operative talocalcaneal height improved to 79.8 mm (range, 78-84 mm). At final follow-up, these measurement was slightly decreased to average 78.6 mm (range, 74-83 mm). The average pre-operative talar inclination angle was 13.2 degrees (range, 12-15 degrees), average post-operative talar inclination angle improvedto 19.2 degrees (range, 15-24 degrees). At final follow-up, these measurement was slightly decreased to average 18.6 degrees (range, 12-24 degrees). Four patients achieved successful outcomes. One patient developed a wound infection with subsequent sural neuropathy as well as collapse of the bone graft. Conclusion: This study shows that the SDBBA procedure successfully restores the talocalcaneal height and tibio-talar relationship. This procedure is useful in surgically managed patients with talo-calcaneal height loss and anterior ankle impingement syndrome due to the late complications of calcaneal intra-articular fractures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.363-369
• /
• 2011

Objective : We investigated the clinical and radiological advantages of unilateral laminectomy in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure comparing with bilateral laminectomy, under the same procedural condition including bilateral instrumentation and insertion of two cages, in patients with degenerative lumbar disease with unilateral leg symptoms. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 124 consecutive cases of PLIF via unilateral or bilateral approach between January 2006 and April 2010. In 80 cases (bilateral group), two cages were inserted via bilateral laminectomy, and in 44 cases (unilateral group), via unilateral laminectomy. The average follow-up duration was 29.5 months. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The fusion rates and disc space heights were determined by dynamic standing radiographs and/or computed tomography. Operative times, intra-operative and post-operative blood losses and hospitalization periods were also evaluated. Results : In clinical evaluation, the VAS and ODI scores showed excellent outcomes in both groups. There were no significant differences in term of fusion rate, but the perioperative blood loss and the operative time of the unilateral group were lower than that of the bilateral group. Conclusion : Unilateral laminectomy can minimize the operative time and perioperative blood loss in PLIF procedure. However, the different preoperative disc height between two groups is a limitation of this study. Despite this limitation, solid fusion and satisfactory symptomatic improvement could be achieved uniquely by our surgical method. This surgical method can be an alternative surgical technique in patients with unilateral leg pain.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.391-397
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The injection of various materials, including medical fillers and unregulated products, is widespread, potentially causing the development of foreign body granulomas. Should this occur on the nose, the contour deformity and inflammatory signs that result from these granulomas are aesthetically undesirable to patients. The purpose of our study is to share our experiences using different surgical approaches, depending on the affected portion of the nose, to optimize management of this challenging problem and to evaluate patient's satisfaction using our in-house questionnaire along with degree of improvement by two independent plastic surgeons. Methods: We treated 18 patients who underwent surgical excision of nasal foreign body granulomas via a perilesional approach to the lesion (n=12) or by transcolumellar incision (n=6) at our hospital over a period of seven years from March 2003 to October 2010. Nonparametric statistics were used and are presented as medians (25th-75th). Patient satisfaction was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 using an in-house questionnaire. All pre-and post-operative photographs were analyzed by two independent plastic surgeons. Post-operative outcomes were evaluated based on the surgeons' consensus ratings. Results: All patients receiving the transcolumellar approach reported a high level of satisfaction with the results. All but two patients who received the perilesional approach were satisfied with the outcome. No outcomes were rated as no change or worse by the consensus ratings. Conclusion: For the upper two-thirds of the nose, perilesional surgical excision can lead to substantial patient satisfaction with modified contour deformity and infection control. The transcolumellar approach resulted in better outcomes and patient satisfaction for the lower one-third of the nose.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.50-58
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding right ventricular (RV) remodeling immediately after Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. We sought to describe myocardial deformation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) after TOF repair and investigate associations between these parameters and early post-operative outcomes. METHODS: Fifteen infants underwent CMR without sedation as part of a prospective pilot study after undergoing complete TOF repair, prior to hospital discharge. RV deformation (strain) was measured using tissue tracking, in addition to RV ejection fraction (EF), volumes, and pulmonary regurgitant fraction. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between both strain and CMR measures/clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Most patients were male (11/15, 73%), with median age at TOF repair 53 days (interquartile range, 13,131). Most patients had pulmonary stenosis (vs. atresia) (11/15, 73%) and 7 (47%) received a transannular patch as part of their repair. RV function was overall preserved with mean RV EF of 62% (standard deviation [SD], 9.8). Peak radial and longitudinal strain were overall diminished (mean ± SD, 33.80 ± 18.30% and -15.50 ± 6.40%, respectively). Longer hospital length of stay after TOF repair was associated with worse RV peak radial ventricular strain (correlation coefficient (r), -0.54; p = 0.04). Greater pulmonary regurgitant fraction was associated with shorter time to peak radial RV strain (r = -0.55, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, our findings suggest presence of early decrease in RV strain after TOF repair and its association with hospital stay when changes in EF and RV size are not yet apparent.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.341-352
• /
• 2024

Purpose: Textbook outcome is a comprehensive measure used to assess surgical quality and is increasingly being recognized as a valuable evaluation tool. Delta-shaped anastomosis (DA), an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy, is a viable option for minimally invasive distal gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. This study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes and calculate the textbook outcome of DA. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, the records of 4,902 patients who underwent minimally invasive distal gastrectomy for DA between 2009 and 2020 were reviewed. The data were categorized into three phases to analyze the trends over time. Surgical outcomes, including the operation time, length of post-operative hospital stay, and complication rates, were assessed, and the textbook outcome was calculated. Results: Among 4,505 patients, the textbook outcome is achieved in 3,736 (82.9%). Post-operative complications affect the textbook outcome the most significantly (91.9%). The highest textbook outcome is achieved in phase 2 (85.0%), which surpasses the rates of in phase 1 (81.7%) and phase 3 (82.3%). The post-operative complication rate within 30 d after surgery is 8.7%, and the rate of major complications exceeding the Clavien-Dindo classification grade 3 is 2.4%. Conclusions: Based on the outcomes of a large dataset, DA can be considered safe and feasible for gastric cancer.