Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer without lymphatic invasion after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background: Lymphatic invasion (LI) is a potent risk factor for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early gastric cancer (EGC) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, there are also other risk factors for LNM. Hence, to identify the need for additional surgery in some case of EGC without LI, the present study aimed to identify the risk factors for LNM in patients with EGC without LI.

Peroneal Tendon Subluxation and Dislocation in Calcaneus Fractures.

The present study investigated the relationship between type of calcaneal fractures and subluxation or dislocation of peroneal tendon. Also, we investigated clinical outcomes of patients with both calcaneal fractures and dislocations or subluxations of peroneal tendons in early surgical treatments (at the time of surgery for calcaneal fractures) and delayed surgical treatment (at the time of surgery for calcaneal plate removal) for dislocations or subluxations of peroneal tendons. We included 151 patients with calcaneal fractures who were followed for ≥2 years after surgery.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19: Clinical Dynamics of Mild Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Detected by Early Active Surveillance.

Background: There is limited information describing the presenting characteristics and dynamic clinical changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed in the early phase of illness. This study is a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to 11 hospitals in Korea.

Methods: Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of respiratory specimens by active surveillance that were finally discharged between February 20 and April 30, 2020 were included.

The Use of Inappropriate Antibiotics in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units with Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia at a Korean Teaching Hospital.

Background: Use of appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia is integral in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Although it is recommended that empirical treatment regimens should be based on the local distribution of pathogens in patients with suspected hospital-acquired pneumonia, few studies observe patients admitted to ICUs with nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). We found factors associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via the emergency room (ER).

A Comparison of Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus Preserving Gastrectomy and Laparoscopy-Assisted Pylorus Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is known to have both nutritional and functional advantages over distal gastrectomy for the treatment of early gastric cancer. Although laparoscopic surgery is a popular choice, intracorporeal anastomosis is a newly developed technique that is gaining popularity. This study aimed to determine any differences in the oncological, surgical, and functional outcomes of intracorporeal and extracorporeal anastomosis after PPG.

A comparative study of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy versus laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients: Short-term operative outcomes at a high-volume center.

Objective: Laparoscopic gastrectomy has been established as a standard treatment for early gastric cancer, and its use is increasing recently. Compared with the conventional laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG), totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) involves intracorporeal reconstruction, which can avoid the additional incision, resulting in pain reduction and early recovery. This study aimed to compare the short-term postoperative outcomes of TLDG LADG in gastric cancer in a high-volume center.

The Use of Lung Ultrasound in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Pulmonary complications including pneumonia and pulmonary edema frequently develop in critically ill surgical patients. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly used as a powerful diagnostic tool for pulmonary complications. The purpose of this study was to report how LUS is used in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

Recovery of Food Intake after Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Based on a Large-Scale Gastric Cancer Cohort.

Background: This study was aimed at evaluating the food intake and nutritional status of patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer based on a large-scale gastric cancer cohort.

Methods: An observational prospective cohort study for gastric cancer has been conducted since 2010. From the cohort data, we selected the data for patients who completed at least 2 days of 3-day diet diaries and who underwent subtotal gastrectomy (STG) or total gastrectomy (TG).

Reduced systemic vascular resistance is the underlying hemodynamic mechanism in nitrate-stimulated vasovagal syncope during head-up tilt-table test.

Background: Nitroglycerin (NTG) challenge during head-up tilt-table testing (HUTT) is often utilized to determine the etiology of unexplained vascular syncope. However, conflicting results concerning nitrate-induced hemodynamic changes during HUTT have been reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of presyncopal symptoms during NTG-stimulated HUTT.

Prediction of coronary artery disease in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major determinant of long-term prognosis in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We investigated the predictors of CAD in patients with lower extremity PAD.A total of 107 patients with PAD who underwent peripheral and simultaneous coronary angiography were reviewed.

Stent length is a contributing factor of suboptimal stent expansion in drug-eluting stents.

Background: Failure to achieve optimal stent expansion poses a risk of treatment failure in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although intravascular ultrasound provides useful information for suboptimal stent expansion, a substantial portion of PCIs are currently being performed under angiographic guidance only.

Aim: In order to evaluate the adequacy of stent expansion of four widely used drug-eluting stents in angiography-guided PCI, we performed a retrospective analysis of lesions undergoing PCI using quantitative coronary angiography.

[A case of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of rectosigmoid colon].

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma, which mostly occurs in the upper aerodigestive tracts. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma also typically arises in the anal canal, but is extremely rare in the lower gastrointestinal tract. A 70-year-old man presented with loose stool and intermittent hematochezia 2 months ago.