The implementation of the acute care surgery model in the management of patients with acute appendicitis - A 5-year single-center, retrospective experience: An observational study.

We conducted this study to assess the effects of the acute care surgery (ACS) model in the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) based on our 5-year single-center, retrospective experience. The current single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted in a consecutive series of the patients with AA who had been surgically treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Seoul, Korea, between January 2016 and December 2020. At our institution, the ACS model was first introduced in March 2018.

Prevalence and factors influencing anemia recovery after intensive care.

Background: Anemia is associated with adverse outcomes and prolonged hospitalizations in critically ill patients. Regarding the recent adoption of restrictive transfusion protocols in intensive care unit (ICU) management, anemia remains highly prevalent even after ICU discharge. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anemia following ICU discharge and factors affecting recovery from anemia.

Small intestinal adenocarcinoma accompanied by lynch syndrome: A case report.

Rationale: Lynch syndrome is caused by germline mutations of DNA mismatch repair genes. A significant risk increase for several types of cancer is one of the characteristics of lynch syndrome.

Patient Concerns: A 45-year-old female presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain that had persisted for a month.

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with heat stroke: A case report and review of literature.

Rationale: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome with potentially fatal consequences that results from an excessive immune response caused by malfunctioning natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Secondary HLH, which is the predominant type in adults, is associated with various medical conditions, including infections, malignancies, and autoimmune diseases. Secondary HLH associated with heat stroke has not been reported.

Emergency gastrointestinal tract operation associated with cytomegalovirus infection.

Purpose: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in immunocompromised patients. Enterocolitis caused by CMV infection can lead to perforation and bleeding of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which requires emergency operation. We investigated the demographics and outcomes of patients who underwent emergency operation for CMV infection of the GI tract.

Clinical significance of acute care surgery system as a part of hospital medical emergency team for hospitalized patients.

Purpose: Acute care surgery (ACS) has been practiced in several tertiary hospitals in South Korea since the late 2000s. The medical emergency team (MET) has improved the management of patients with clinical deterioration during hospitalization. This study aimed to identify the clinical effectiveness of collaboration between ACS and MET in hospitalized patients.

Aspergillus appendicitis complicating chemotherapy of leukemia: A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: The diagnosis of primary Aspergillus appendicitis can be missed or delayed because of its rarity. We report our experience of a case of Aspergillus appendicitis complicating chemotherapy of leukemia.

Presentation Of Case: A 48-year-old man who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia developed high fever and epigastric pain two weeks after administration of his fourth consolidation chemotherapy.

Combined hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine therapy for septic shock with complicated intraabdominal infection: before and after cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of intravenous hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine (HAT) combination therapy in complicated intraabdominal infection (cIAI) patients with septic shock.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective before-after clinical study comparing clinical outcomes of cIAI patients with septic shock treated with HAT in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Delta modified sequential organ failure assessment (mSOFA) scores were evaluated to assess recovery of organ dysfunction.

Clinical impact of massive transfusion protocol implementation in non-traumatic patients.

Background: Massive transfusion protocol (MTP) has been used to provide plasma and packed red blood cells (pRBCs) rapidly. MTP also has been adapted for non-traumatic patients. The effects of hospital-wide MTP implementation on clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Treatment Strategies for Cephalic Arch Stenosis in Patients with Brachiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula.

Background: Cephalic arch is one of the sites most susceptible to stenosis in brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (BCAVF). We performed a retrospective study to identify the incidence of cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) in BCAVF, to compare the patency of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) with that of cephalic vein transposition (CVT), and to establish the optimal treatment strategy for CAS.

Methods: Between January 2011 and June 2016, 462 patients underwent BCAVF creation.

Aorto-carotid bypass in patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Purpose: Takayasu arteritis is an indication for bypass surgery when this condition results in severe cerebrovascular ischemia due to occlusion of the carotid arteries. We reviewed the patients with Takayasu arteritis who received aorto-carotid bypass due to cerebrovascular ischemia.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 19 patients with Takayasu arteritis who underwent aorto-carotid bypass from March 2002 to April 2015.

Editor's Choice - Comparison of Early Outcomes and Restenosis Rate Between Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Artery Stenting Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Objective/background: Despite randomised evidence, the debate continues about the preferred treatment strategy for carotid stenosis in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes and restenosis rates after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting (CAS) in unselected patients using propensity score matching (PSM).

Methods: The 30 day incidence of major adverse clinical events (MACE; defined as stroke, transient ischaemic attack, myocardial infarction, or death) and procedure related complications, as well as restenosis rates during follow-up were compared between unselected patients undergoing CEA or CAS between January 2002 and December 2015 at a single institution.

Compartment Syndrome after Embolization of Arteriovenous Malformation.

Management of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains challenging because of their unpredictable course and high morbidity rate. In this case report, we present a patient with a huge AVM on the right calf who suffered complications of compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, skin necrosis, and nerve damage after sclerotherapy. Limb salvage was achieved in spite of these devastating complications.

Lower Extremity Arterial Bypass with Arm Vein Conduits and Literature Review.

Purpose: The superiority of autogenous vein conduits is well known in lower extremity arterial bypass (LEAB). Among various alternative conduits for LEAB, long-term results of arm vein grafts were investigated in this study.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical characteristics of 28 patients who underwent infrainguinal LEAB with autogenous arm vein grafts at a single institute between January 2003 and December 2015.

Factors affecting long-term survival after surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Some patients who undergo surgical resection of pancreatic cancer survive longer than other patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect long-term survival after resection of histopathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted among 164 patients who underwent surgical resection of pancreatic cancer, between May 1995 and December 2004.

A case of recurrent infection caused by a pancreaticoduodenal fistula associated with a pancreatic arteriovenous malformation.

Although arteriovenous malformations (AVM) occur frequently in digestive organs, pancreatic AVM is rare. The clinical symptoms of pancreatic AVM are variable and include gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, jaundice, portal hypertension, pancreatitis, and duodenal ulcer. However, choledochoduodenal or pancreaticoduodenal fistulas complicated with ascending infection and pancreatitis is extremely rare.

Usefulness of cap-assisted colonoscopy during colonoscopic EMR: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Clinical demand for total colonoscopy is increasing. Several articles have reported on the usefulness of a cap for faster cecal intubation and reduced patient discomfort, but results for polyp and adenoma detection have been inconsistent.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a cap attached to the tip of a colonoscope for detection and resection of polyps by experienced colonoscopists.

[A case of lower gastrointestinal bleeding caused by primary iliac arterio-colic fistula].

Arterio-enteric fistula is a very rare cause of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We report here on a case of massive hematochezia caused by iliac arterio-colic fistula in a 60-year-old woman who had a recent history of spinal surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus. Abdomen computed tomography showed the extravasation of radiocontrast media from right iliac artery encased by an intraabdominal abscess into the adjacent dilatated colon.

A case of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder associated with anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder is extremely rare because normal gallbladder mucosa does not contain neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells can be detected at sites of intestinal metaplasia induced by chronic inflammation, which may be the initial step in the development of neuroendocrine tumor of the gallbladder. Anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AUPBD) is an uncommon congenital anomaly that is frequently associated with choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, and cancer of the gallbladder or bile duct.

Risk factors for food residue after distal gastrectomy and a new effective preparation for endoscopy: the water-intake method.

Background/aims: Food residue is frequently observed in the gastric remnant after distal gastrectomy, despite adequate preparation. We devised a water-intake method to reduce food residue in the gastric remnant by drinking large quantities of water in a short time. The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors for food residue and to study the effectiveness of this new method for endoscopy preparation.

Establishment of an HBsAg mixed titer performance panel and HBsAg working standard for quality control of HBsAg diagnostic kits in Korea.

Background: International Standards or commercial panels used for performance validation of diagnostic kits might not reflect the viral characteristics common in Korea. Also, continuous use of these materials is difficult because of limited quantity and high cost.

Objectives: Establishment of HBsAg reference materials to be used as National Standards for validation of HBsAg diagnostic kits.

[Cerebral lipiodol embolism after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the mainstay of treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although various complications of TACE have been reported, cerebral lipiodol embolism after TACE is rare. We report a 67-year-old man, who had patent foramen ovale and developed cerebral lipiodol embolism after TACE via the inferior phrenic artery.

Prognosis of paraquat-induced ocular surface injury: therapeutic effect of amniotic membrane transplantation.

Purpose: To investigate the prognosis of paraquat-induced ocular surface injury and the therapeutic efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment of ocular surface damage.

Methods: Twenty patients (26 eyes) with ocular surface injury caused by paraquat were studied. Twelve patients (14 eyes) underwent amniotic membrane transplantation combined with medical treatment (group A), and 8 patients (12 eyes) received medical treatment only (group B).