Additional Chemotherapy with 5-FU plus Leucovorin between Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery Improved Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Rectal Cancer.

The aim of the preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 4-week chemotherapy with 5-Fluorouracil and leucovorin (LV5FU2) during the resting periods between preoperative CRT and surgery in patients with LARC. Standard preoperative CRT was delivered to the entire pelvis at a total dose of 5040 Gy of radiation with concurrent 5-FU or capecitabine for 6 weeks. Twenty-three patients received additional preoperative chemotherapy with two cycles of 5-FU and LV (LV 200 mg/m2 and 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-FU infusion 2400 mg/m2 for 46 hrs, every 2 weeks) after preoperative CRT.

Sarcopenia is poor prognostic factor in older patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received preoperative or postoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Sarcopenia is associated with low muscle mass and low physical performance. Here, we performed to evaluate the sarcopenia as prognostic factor and treatment outcomes in older patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who received preoperative or postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).LARC patients aged ≥65 years who received either preoperative or postoperative CRT were analyzed retrospectively.

Clinicopathologic Significance of BRAF Mutation and Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase 1/2 Expression in Patients With a Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: BRAF mutation and expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) are linked with colorectal carcinogenesis through the serrated pathway. BRAF and ERK1/2 play important roles in the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. The present study investigated the clinicopathologic outcomes of BRAF mutation and ERK1/2 expression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and the possibility of using them as prognostic indicators.

Single port laparoscopic appendectomy in children using glove port and conventional rigid instruments.

Purpose: To further improve the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, single port laparoscopic techniques continue to be developed. We report our initial experience with single port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA) in children and compare its outcomes to those of conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA).

Methods: Clinical data were prospectively collected for SPLA cases performed at Chung-Ang University Hospital by a single surgeon between March 2011 and December 2011, including operative time, perioperative complications, conversion rate, and length of hospital stay.

A tailgut cyst-cystic mass diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography.

Tailgut cysts are congenital lesions found in the presacral space. These have been mainly identified in adults and are rare in children, especially neonates. Here, we present the case of a neonate with a presacral cystic mass detected by prenatal ultrasonography that was diagnosed as a tailgut cyst after postnatal surgical removal.

Rapidly grown congenital fetal immature gastric teratoma causing severe neonatal respiratory distress.

A pregnant woman in the mid-third trimester developed complications with enlarged fetal abdomen and polyhydramnios. Prenatal ultrasound visualized dilated bowel, intraperitoneal calcifications, ascites, hydroceles and polyhydramnios, giving the impression of meconium peritonitis. The fetal abdomen continued to increased in size, and maternal dyspnea due to polyhydramnios was aggravated.

Peritrocal and intraperitoneal ropivacaine for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial.

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of peritrocal, intraperitoneal, or combined peritrocal-intraperitoneal ropivacaine on the parietal, visceral, and shoulder tip pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Eighty patients were randomly assigned to four groups. Group A received peritrocal and intraperitoneal saline.

Clinical factors for distinguishing perforated from nonperforated appendicitis: a comparison using multidetector computed tomography in 528 laparoscopic appendectomies.

The accurate and early diagnosis of perforated appendicitis (PA) is important when a surgeon is making decisions with regard to time and method of operation that are critical in reducing morbidity and mortality. A total of 528 laparoscopic appendectomies were investigated with the review of data. Clinical factors for identifying PA and a comparison using computed tomography (CT) (prominent role in detection of appendicitis despite of its high cost) were done.

Case of small bowel perforation due to enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma.

Enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma (ETTL) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, it is a subtype of the peripheral T-cell lymphomas. This disease is associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy, has a high risk of intestinal perforation and obstruction, and is refractory to chemotherapeutic treatment.

An assessment of the effects of a hyaluronan-based solution on reduction of postsurgical adhesion formation in rats: a comparative study of hyaluronan-based solution and two film barriers.

Background: Intra-abdominal application of anti-adhesive barriers may reduce the extent and severity of postoperative adhesions. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a sprayable liquid barrier (a mixed solution of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose) with two conventional sheets.

Methods: Eighty male Sprague Dawley rats underwent laparotomy with subsequent multiple intestinal wall abrasions and abdominal wall injury.

Perforated duodenal ulcer presenting with massive hematochezia in a 30-month-old child.

Peptic ulcer disease is uncommon in children and rarely suspected as a cause of abdominal complaints in this age group; the diagnosis is therefore made almost exclusively when complications develop. Peptic ulcer disease is usually not considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients. We present the case of a 30-month-old boy with duodenal perforation due to a peptic ulcer without a known etiology.

Retroperitoneal desmoplastic small round cell tumor: pediatric patient treated with multimodal therapy.

A desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, aggressive mesenchymal neoplasm. Although a DSRCT can develop at various sites, the intra-abdominal site is the most common location. These tumors are found most commonly among young adolescents and the prognosis is extremely poor.

Comparison of ex vivo and in vivo injection of blue dye in sentinel lymph node mapping for colorectal cancer.

Background: The technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with colorectal cancer varies between reports, and the optimal method has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal injection technique for SLN mapping.

Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled.

Intrauterine midgut volvulus without malrotation: diagnosis from the 'coffee bean sign'.

Fetal midgut volvulus is quite rare, and most cases are associated with abnormalities of intestinal rotation or fixation. We report a case of midgut volvulus without malrotation, associated with a meconium pellet, during the gestation period. This 2.

Site-specific methylation of CpG nucleotides in the hTERT promoter region can control the expression of hTERT during malignant progression of colorectal carcinoma.

Expression of hTERT has been recognized an important factor in cellular aging and immortalization. Therefore, to analyze regulatory mechanism of hTERT expression, we investigated the CpG methylation pattern of the hTERT promoter as an epigenetic mechanism and its implication in transcriptional regulation of hTERT using tissues of colorectal carcinoma. As a result, we were able to observe an increased pattern of hTERT expression according to the malignant progression of colorectal carcinoma.