Stratification of risk for lymph node metastasis and long-term oncologic outcomes in patients initially treated by endoscopic resection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Background And Aims: The treatment of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is determined by the risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis. We aimed to stratify the risk of LN metastasis according to the number of risk factors and evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients initially treated endoscopically for rectal NETs.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 441 patients initially treated with endoscopy for rectal NETs; those who had at least one of the risk factors for LN metastasis were defined as high-risk patients.

Robotic and Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Pheochromocytoma: An International Multicenter Study.

Background And Objective: Robotic adrenalectomy (RA) has attracted interest as an alternative to laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for patients with pheochromocytoma, although its beneficial effects are uncertain. Our aim was to compare RA and LA outcomes for these patients.

Methods: Data for patients who underwent RA or LA for pheochromocytoma in 46 international centers between 2012 and 2022 were reviewed.

Analysis of adenoma detection rate of colonoscopy among trainees.

Purpose: To analyze adenoma detection rate (ADR) and related quality indicators of colonoscopy among trainees and make recommendations for appropriate colonoscopy training.

Methods: ADR and related indicators of colonoscopies performed by 3 trainees and 5 colonoscopy experts between March and November 2022 were analyzed. These indicators were analyzed in both the entire patients and the screening/surveillance group.

Predictors of malignancy for treatment direction in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma.

Background: Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are predominantly nonfunctional and benign, and their detection and differential diagnosis are aided by computed tomography (CT). A nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI) usually requires regular follow-up; however, adrenalectomy may be necessary in certain patients. This study aimed to evaluate prognostic predictors to guide the treatment approach for AIs.

Fecal Microbial Dysbiosis is Associated with Colorectal Cancer Risk in a Korean Population.

Purpose: The association between the fecal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk has been suggested in epidemiologic studies. However, data from large-scale population-based studies are lacking.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, we recruited 283 CRC patients from the Center for Colorectal Cancer, National Cancer Center Hospital, Korea to perform 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples.

Treatment for appendicitis in cancer patients on chemotherapy: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Whether to perform surgery or conservatively manage appendicitis in immunosuppressed patients is a concern for clinicians. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these 2 treatment options for appendicitis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between August 2001 and December 2021.

Colon cancer: the 2023 Korean clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents..

Association of gut microbiome with immune microenvironment in surgically treated colorectal cancer patients.

This study explored the relationship between faecal microbiota distribution and local or systemic immune response in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The study population included 114 surgically treated CRC patients. Faeces were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Cost-Utility Analysis for Colorectal Cancer Screening According to the Initiating Age of National Cancer Screening Program in Korea.

Background: This study aimed to identify the most cost-effective strategy for colorectal cancer screening using the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), focusing on screening initiation age in Korea.

Methods: We designed Markov simulation models targeting individuals aged 40 years or older. Twelve strategies combining screening initiation ages (40, 45, or 50 years old), termination ages (80 or no limit), and intervals (1 or 2 years) were modeled, and the most cost-effective strategy was selected.

Long-term clinical outcomes after high and low ligations with lymph node dissection around the root of the inferior mesenteric artery in patients with rectal cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes based on the ligation level of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in patients with rectal cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database that included all patients who underwent elective low anterior resection for rectal cancer between January 2013 and December 2019. The clinical outcomes included oncological outcomes, postoperative complications, and functional outcomes.

Silent pheochromocytoma in adrenal incidentaloma: unveiling clinical and radiological characteristics.

Purpose: Silent pheochromocytoma refers to tumors without signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. This study aimed to clarify the clinical, radiological characteristics, and perioperative features of silent pheochromocytomas diagnosed after adrenalectomy for adrenal incidentaloma.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent adrenalectomy for adrenal incidentaloma and were subsequently diagnosed with silent pheochromocytoma between January 2000 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for demographic, diagnostic, surgical, and pathological findings.

Exfoliate cancer cell analysis in rectal cancer surgery: comparison of laparoscopic and transanal total mesorectal excision, a pilot study.

Purpose: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is currently the standard treatment for rectal cancer. However, its limitations include complications and incomplete total mesorectal resection (TME) due to anatomical features and technical difficulties. Transanal TME (TaTME) has been practiced since 2010 to improve this, but there is a risk of local recurrence and intra-abdominal contamination.

Predictive factors for persistent hypercalcemia following parathyroidectomy in patients with persistent hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Surgery for irreversible hyperparathyroidism is the preferred management for kidney transplant patients. The authors analyzed the factors associated with persistent hypercalcemia after parathyroidectomy in kidney transplant patients and evaluated the appropriate extent of surgery.

Materials And Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed 100 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy because of persistent hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation at a tertiary medical center between June 2011 and February 2022.

Safety and feasibility of single-port surgery for posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy using the da Vinci SP robotic system: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study demonstrates our experience of single-port robotic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (RPRA) using the da Vinci SP robot system and evaluates its technical feasibility and surgical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 250 RPRAs, including 117 conventional 3-port RPRAs, 103 reduced 2-port RPRAs, and 30 single-port RPRAs. Each RPRA type was compared by analyzing 30 patients in the early phase of surgery.

Contralateral Low-to-Intermediate Suspicion Nodule Is Not a Contraindication for Lobectomy in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

The optimal extent of surgery for unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with contralateral nodules remains unclear. This study evaluated the long-term outcomes in a large cohort of patients with unilateral PTC and contralateral low-to-intermediate suspicious nodules who underwent lobectomy. This retrospective cohort study included patients with unilateral PTC who underwent lobectomy between January 2016 and December 2017 at Asan Medical Center in Korea.

Diagnosis and management of acute colonic diverticulitis: results of a survey among Korean gastroenterologists.

Background/aims: Some management strategies for acute colonic diverticulitis remain controversial in Korean real-world practice because their clinical features differ from those in the West. This study aimed to investigate the opinions of Korean physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of acute diverticulitis.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among gastroenterologists specializing on treating lower gastrointestinal disorders.

Effects of prior endoscopic resection on recurrence in patients with T1 colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery.

Purpose: Endoscopic resection (ER) is a reliable treatment for early colorectal cancer without lymph node metastasis. We aimed to examine the effects of ER performed prior to T1 colorectal cancer (T1 CRC) surgery by comparing long-term survival after radical surgery with prior ER to that after radical surgery alone.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical resection of T1 CRC at the National Cancer Center, Korea, between 2003 and 2017.

Comparative outcomes of acute colonic diverticulitis in immunocompromised versus immunocompetent patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Immunocompromised patients with acute colonic diverticulitis are at high risk for complications and failure of non-surgical treatment. However, evidence on the comparative outcomes of immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis is lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the outcomes of medical treatment in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis.

Stratification of rate of lymph node metastasis according to risk factors and oncologic outcomes in patients who underwent radical resection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Purpose: Most predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have been based on local and endoscopic resection. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients who underwent radical resection for rectal NETs and stratify the risk of lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Sixty-four patients who underwent radical resection for rectal NETs between January 2001 and January 2018 were included.

Short-term outcome of adrenal radiofrequency ablation of adrenal cysts: a single-center experience.

Percutaneous thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for liver, kidney, lung, bone, and thyroid tumors. This treatment also has been used to treat adrenal tumors in patients, but there is no evidence for the efficacy of thermal ablation of adrenal cysts. The present study was performed to analyze the experience of a single center with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of adrenal cysts and to evaluate its efficacy.

The risk of surgical site infection of oral sulfate tablet sodium picosulfate for bowel preparation in colorectal cancer surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Oral sulfate tablets are abundantly used for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. However, their efficiency and safety for bowel preparation before colorectal surgery remain ill-defined. Herein, we aimed to compare the surgical site infection rates and efficiency between oral sulfate tablets and sodium picosulfate.

Subpopulation analysis of survival in high-risk T1 colorectal cancer: surgery versus endoscopic resection only.

Background And Aims: This study aimed to assess the long-term survival of patients with T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) after local or surgical resection considering the type and number of risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

Methods: This study included patients with high-risk T1 CRC who underwent therapeutic resection at the National Cancer Center, Korea between January 2001 and December 2014. Risk factors included positive resection margin, high-grade histology, deep submucosal invasion, vascular invasion, budding, and no background adenoma (BGA).