Efficacy of a Novel Annular Closure Device after Lumbar Discectomy in Korean Patients : A 24-Month Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Lumbar discectomy is an effective treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH); however, up to 2-18% of patients with LDH have experienced recurrent disc herniation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel annular closure device (ACD) for preventing LDH recurrence and re-operation compared with that of conventional lumbar discectomy (CLD).

Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, we compared CLD with discectomy utilizing the Barricaid® (Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.

Clinical Effectiveness of Percutaneous Epidural Neuroplasty According to the Type of Single-Level Lumbar Disc Herniation : A 12-Month Follow-Up Study.

Objective: To determine whether the outcomes of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN) are influenced by the type of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and evaluate the effectiveness of PEN in patients with single-level LDH.

Methods: This study included 430 consecutive patients with single-level LDH who underwent PEN. Before treatment, the LDH type was categorized as bulging, protrusion, extrusion, and sequestration, while Pfirrmann grades were assigned according to imaging findings.

Comprehensive Learning Curve of Robotic Surgery: Discovery From a Multicenter Prospective Trial of Robotic Gastrectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the complication-based learning curve and identify learning-associated complications of robotic gastrectomy.

Summary Background Data: With the increased popularity of robotic surgery, a sound understanding of the learning curve in the surgical outcome of robotic surgery has taken on great importance. However, a multicenter prospective study analyzing learning-associated morbidity has never been conducted in robotic gastrectomy.

Finite element analysis of long-term changes of the breast after augmentation mammoplasty: Implications for implant design.

The development of breast implant technology continues to evolve over time, but changes in breast shape after implantation have not been fully elucidated. Thus, we performed computerized finite element analysis in order to better understand the trajectory of changes and stress variation after breast implantation. The finite element analysis of changes in breast shape involved two components: a static analysis of the position where the implant is inserted, and a dynamic analysis of the downward pressure applied in the direction of gravity during physical activity.

Silver-Impregnated Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for the Treatment of Lower-Extremity Open Wounds: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial efficacy of silver-impregnated negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in lower-extremity acute traumatic wounds.

Methods: Open contaminated wounds caused by high-velocity trauma in the lower extremities were randomly allocated into two groups. The wounds in the control and experimental groups were treated with conventional NPWT (n = 31) and silver-impregnated NPWT (n = 35), respectively.

Multicenter Prospective Study of Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Korea.

Backgrounds/aims: This multicenter study aims to evaluate the effect and feasibility of anti-reflux surgery compared with medical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: Patients with GERD who were undergoing medical treatment with proton pump inhibitors for more than 8 weeks and those who were scheduled to undergo anti-reflux surgery were enrolled. Efficacy of pre-operative medical treatment was evaluated retrospectively and effect of anti-reflux surgery was prospectively evaluated at 1 week and 3 months after surgery.

Saccular or dissecting aneurysms involving the basilar trunk: Endovascular treatment and clinical outcome.

: Basilar artery trunk aneurysms (BTAs) are a rare pathology and difficult to treat. We present our experience regarding angiographic results and clinical outcomes for 16 BTAs treated by reconstructive endovascular treatment (EVT) using stent or balloon. : Between January 2003 and December 2014, 15 patients (mean age, 58.

Clinical Efficacy of Custom-built Software for the Early Detection of Glaucoma: A Comparison of Axial-length and Major Retinal Artery Location Data.

Purpose: To assess the clinical efficacy for early detection of glaucoma using custom-built image software visualizing translucent retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) that is graphed based on a normative database.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted using a normative database constructed with RNFLT data of 151 healthy Korean eyes. The reference lines of the mean, the lower 5%, and the lower 1% limit were visualized as a translucent RNFLT graph produced by our software after inputting each subject's major retinal artery position and overlaying the results onto the RNFLT measurements.

External Ventricular Drainage before Endovascular Treatment in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Acute Period: Its Relation to Hemorrhagic Complications.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the authors' experience with external ventricular drainage (EVD) before endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and to investigate its relation to hemorrhagic complications.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2010 and December 2017, a total of 122 patients were recruited who had an aSAH, underwent EVT to secure the ruptured aneurysm, and had EVD performed within 72 hours of rupture. The pre-embo EVD group (n=67) comprised patients who underwent EVD before EVT, and the post-embo EVD group (n=55) comprised those who underwent EVD after EVT.

Clinical Characteristics of Systemic Sclerosis With Interstitial Lung Disease.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with or without interstitial lung disease (ILD), and figure out whether the differences can be useful to suspect ILD in SSc.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 108 patients with SSc (13 males, 95 females; mean age 50.1±13.

Genetic polymorphism and natural selection of circumsporozoite surface protein in Plasmodium falciparum field isolates from Myanmar.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) is one of the most extensively studied malaria vaccine candidates, but the genetic polymorphism of PfCSP within and among the global P. falciparum population raises concerns regarding the efficacy of a PfCSP-based vaccine efficacy. In this study, genetic diversity and natural selection of PfCSP in Myanmar as well as global P.

Cervical plexus block.

Cervical plexus blocks (CPBs) have been used in various head and neck surgeries to provide adequate anesthesia and/or analgesia; however, the block is performed in a narrow space in the region of the neck that contains many sensitive structures, multiple fascial layers, and complicated innervation. Since the intermediate CPB was introduced in addition to superficial and deep CPBs in 2004, there has been some confusion regarding the nomenclature and definition of CPBs, particularly the intermediate CPB. Additionally, as the role of ultrasound in the head and neck region has expanded, CPBs can be performed more safely and accurately under ultrasound guidance.

Flow Diversion via LVIS Blue Stent within Enterprise Stent in Patients with Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm.

A new Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support device (LVIS Blue) is a braided stent that provides a higher degree of metal coverage. This stent may be beneficial for complete obliteration of an aneurysm due to not only its support of a higher occlusion rate using coils inside of the aneurysm but also its flow-diverting effect. We introduce and describe a new flow-diversion technique using an LVIS Blue stent within an Enterprise stent for patients with vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysms.

Initial misdiagnosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: associating factors and its prognosis.

Background: Predicting the fate of patients who are given a misdiagnosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains unclear. The purpose was to examine factors associated with initial misdiagnosis of aSAH and to investigate the impact of initial misdiagnosis of aSAH on clinical outcomes.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, medical records and radiographic data for 3118 consecutive patients with aSAH were reviewed.

Clinical Efficacy of Solifenacin in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus-Associated Versus Idiopathic Overactive Bladder Symptoms: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Purpose: To compare the clinical efficacy of anticholinergics for managing diabetes mellitus-associated overactive bladder (DM OAB) versus idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) in Korean women.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, open-label, 12-week study. Women (20-65 years old) with OAB symptoms for over 3 months were assigned to the DM OAB and idiopathic OAB groups.

Clinical Results of Autogenous Palmaris Longus Tendon Graft for Ruptures of Multiple Extensors in Rheumatoid Hands.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of autogenous palmaris longus grafting for extensor tendon ruptures of 2 or more fingers in rheumatoid hands and to identify the factors related to the clinical outcome.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2013, a total 41 patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis and multiple extensor tendon ruptures reconstructed with autogenous palmaris longus tendon grafts were reviewed. Extension lag at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, total active motion (TAM), and fingertip-to-palm (TTP) distance were evaluated at final follow-up.

Population genetic structure and natural selection of Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen-1 in Myanmar isolates.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen-1 (PfAMA-1) is one of leading blood stage malaria vaccine candidates. However, genetic variation and antigenic diversity identified in global PfAMA-1 are major hurdles in the development of an effective vaccine based on this antigen. In this study, genetic structure and the effect of natural selection of PfAMA-1 among Myanmar P.

Association of Hyperthyroidism and Thyroid Autoantibodies with Moyamoya Disease and Its Stroke Event: A Population-based Case-control Study and Meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the specific thyroid condition and thyroid autoantibodies in adult moyamoya disease (MMD) according to clinical presentation (ischemia vs. hemorrhage stroke). In addition, a meta-analysis was performed to reveal the association between adult MMD and elevated thyroid function, or autoantibodies.

Changes in autonomic nervous system activity after treatment with alpha-blocker in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Purpose: To determine changes in autonomic nervous system activity after treatment in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we evaluated changes in patients' symptoms, uroflowmetry, and heart rate variability (HRV) after treatment with alpha-blockers for 12 weeks.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-five men who had LUTS (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] ≥8) were included in this study. We divided them into two groups on the basis of a low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio of 1.

Diagnostic role of cone beam computed tomography for the position of straight array.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for characterizing electrode insertion and evaluate the influence of electrode insertion status on post-cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes.

Design: Twenty-six ears with post-CI CBCT scans were included. The devices were MED-EL Flex28 (n = 21) and Nucleus slim straight (n = 5).

Biomimetic Artificial Basilar Membranes for Next-Generation Cochlear Implants.

Patients with sensorineural hearing loss can recover their hearing using a cochlear implant (CI). However, there is a need to develop next-generation CIs to overcome the limitations of conventional CIs caused by extracorporeal devices. Recently, artificial basilar membranes (ABMs) are actively studied for next-generation CIs.