Beginner Surgeon's Initial Experience with Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Using a Minimally Invasive Approach

PURPOSE: Minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIG), including laparoscopic distal subtotal gastrectomy (LDG) and robotic distal subtotal gastrectomy (RDG), is performed for gastric cancer, and requires a learning period. However, there are few reports regarding MIG by a beginner surgeon trained in MIG for gastric cancer during surgical residency and fellowship. The aim of this study was to report our initial experience with MIG, LDG, and RDG by a trained beginner surgeon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2014 and February 2015, a total of 36 patients (20 LDGs and 16 RDGs) underwent MIG by a beginner surgeon during the learning period, and 13 underwent open distal subtotal gastrectomy (ODG) by an experienced surgeon in Bundang CHA Medical Center. Demographic characteristics, operative findings, and short-term outcomes were evaluated for the groups. RESULTS: MIG was safely performed without open conversion in all patients and there was no mortality in either group. There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic factors except for body mass index. There were significant differences in extent of lymph node dissection (LND) (D2 LND: ODG 8.3% vs. MIG 55.6%, P=0.004) and mean operative time (ODG 178.8 minutes vs. MIG 254.7 minutes, P<0.001). The serial changes in postoperative hemoglobin level (P=0.464) and white blood cell count (P=0.644) did not show significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the operative and short-term outcomes of MIG for gastric cancer by a trained beginner surgeon were comparable with those of ODG performed by an experienced surgeon.

Hyperbilirubinemia Is a Significant Indicator for the Severity of Acute Appendicitis

PURPOSE: This study aims to reveal more effective clinical or laboratory markers for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and to score the severity based on a sufficiently large number of patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: We identified 1,195 patients with acute appendicitis after excluding those with other causes of hyperbilirubinemia among the 1,271 patients that underwent a laparoscopic or an open appendectomy between 2009 and 2010. A retrospective chart review of the medical records, including laboratory and histologic results, was conducted. We then analyzed the data using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among the 1,195 patients, a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 685 cases (57.32%), and an open appendectomy was performed in 510 cases (42.68%). The univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences for white blood cell count (P < 0.0001), segmented neutrophils (P = 0.0035), total bilirubin (P < 0.0001), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score between groups (P < 0.0001). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that total bilirubin (odds ratio, 1.772; 95% confidence interval, 1.320 to 2.379; P = 0.0001) and SIRS score (odds ratio, 1.583; 95% confidence interval, 1.313 to 1.908; P < 0.0001) have statistically significant diagnostic value for perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Hyperbilirubinemia is a statistically significant diagnostic marker for acute appendicitis and the likelihood of perforation.

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and MTHFR Polymorphism in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: There have been studies on the relations between metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer or on the relations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and colorectal cancer, but reports on the relationship between metabolic syndrome, MTHFR polymorphism and colorectal cancer all together are rare. The aim of this study is to find the interrelation between metabolic syndrome and MTHFR polymorphism in colorectal cancer. METHODS: This study investigated 255 colorectal cancer patients (cancer group) who underwent surgery in our hospital from March 2003 to December 2008 and compared those patients to 488 healthy patients (control group). The diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), and the MTHFR 677 polymorphism was analyzed. RESULTS: When colorectal cancer patients and patients in the control group were classified as MTHFR 677 subtypes, there was no difference between the two groups: CC 87 (34.1%), CT 134 (52.6%), and TT 34 (13.3%) for the cancer group and CC 145 (32.4%), CT 238 (53.1%), and TT 65 (14.5%) for the control group. Distributions of MTHFR 677C/T genotype and allele frequencies in the individuals with and without metabolic syndrome in the cancer group showed no differences. Moreover, we could find no differences in distributions of MTHFR 677C/T genotypes in the clinical and the biomedical variables of individuals with and without metabolic syndrome in the cancer group. CONCLUSION: Our results show no relation between metabolic syndrome and MTHFR polymorphism in colorectal cancer. However, a further prospective study, based on a precise diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome, is needed.

The Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Evaluation of Gastric Cancer Recurrence after Curative Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scans are frequently performed for the screening or staging of malignant tumors. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detection of gastric cancer recurrence after curative gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty nine patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy due to gastric cancer and had 18F-FDG PET/CT and contrast CT scans within 2 weeks for surveillance in asymptomatic patients (n = 11) or to clarify suspected recurrence (n = 78) were consecutively collected and retrospectively analyzed. They had clinical follow-up for at least 12 months after PET/CT and CT scans. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 89 patients (16.9%) were diagnosed with recurrent gastric cancer in 21 organs. Forty one organs showed an increase in FDG uptake, and only 9 of these organs were diagnosed with recurrent gastric cancer by 18F-FDG PET/CT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of the 18F-FDG PET/CT were 42.9%, 59.7%, 29.3%, 78.2%, and 57.3%, respectively. On the CT scan, 18 of 21 recurrent gastric cancers were detected, and 7 cases were in agreement with the 18F-FDG PET/CT. The sensitivity and specificity of the CT scan were 85.8% and 87.3%, respectively, which are superior to the 18F-FDG PET/CT. When we diagnosed a recurrence based on either 18F-FDG PET/CT or CT scans, the sensitivity increased to 95.2% and the specificity decreased to 45.6%, when compared with the contrast CT scan alone. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET/CT is an insufficient diagnostic method in detection of recurrence after curative gastrectomy, and even less accurate than contrast CT scan alone.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Biopsy for Gastric Dysplasia

PURPOSE: There is controversy over the treatment for low grade dysplasia, while resection is recommended for high grade dysplasia. But the concordance of the grade of dysplasia between pre- and post-resection is low because of sampling errors with endoscopic biopsy. We attempted to establish a clearer direction for the treatment of dysplasia by clarifying the discrepancy between the pre- and post-resection diagnoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 126 patients who had undergone resection with the diagnosis of dysplasia on biopsy at Bundang CHA Hospital from 1999 to 2009. RESULTS: Seventy patients were diagnosed with low grade dysplasia and 56 patients were diagnosed with high grade dysplasia. Among the 33 patients who received gastrectomy with lymph node dissection, 30 patients were revealed to have invasive cancers and 4 patients showed lymph node metastasis. Discordance between the diagnoses from biopsy and resection occurred in 55 patients (44%). There was no correlation on the comparative analysis between the size, location or gross type of lesion and the grade of dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of discordance between the diagnoses of endoscopic biopsy and the post resection pathologic report was as high as 44%. Endoscopic mucosal resection was not sufficient for some patients who were diagnosed with dysplasia on biopsy due to the presence of lymph node metastasis. It is necessary to be prudent when determining the follow-up and treatment based solely on the result of the biopsy.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Biopsy for Gastric Dysplasia

PURPOSE: There is controversy over the treatment for low grade dysplasia, while resection is recommended for high grade dysplasia. But the concordance of the grade of dysplasia between pre- and post-resection is low because of sampling errors with endoscopic biopsy. We attempted to establish a clearer direction for the treatment of dysplasia by clarifying the discrepancy between the pre- and post-resection diagnoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 126 patients who had undergone resection with the diagnosis of dysplasia on biopsy at Bundang CHA Hospital from 1999 to 2009. RESULTS: Seventy patients were diagnosed with low grade dysplasia and 56 patients were diagnosed with high grade dysplasia. Among the 33 patients who received gastrectomy with lymph node dissection, 30 patients were revealed to have invasive cancers and 4 patients showed lymph node metastasis. Discordance between the diagnoses from biopsy and resection occurred in 55 patients (44%). There was no correlation on the comparative analysis between the size, location or gross type of lesion and the grade of dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of discordance between the diagnoses of endoscopic biopsy and the post resection pathologic report was as high as 44%. Endoscopic mucosal resection was not sufficient for some patients who were diagnosed with dysplasia on biopsy due to the presence of lymph node metastasis. It is necessary to be prudent when determining the follow-up and treatment based solely on the result of the biopsy.

Gender-specific Association between Polymorphism of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF 936C>T) Gene and Patients with Stomach Cancer

PURPOSE: Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth, progression, and metastasis of tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression has been associated with advanced stage and poor survival in several cancers. We investigated the present case-control study to determine whether there is an association between the VEGF 936C>T polymorphism and stomach cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The association of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VEGF gene with stomach cancer development was evaluated in a case-control study of 154 Korean stomach cancer patients. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. RESULTS: Our results revealed significant association of T allele-bearing genotypes with increased risk for stomach cancer development. Genotype frequencies of the VEGF 936C>T polymorphisms were significantly different between patient and control groups (CT, AOR: 2.007, 95% CI: 1.277-3.156, TT, AOR: 4.790, 95% CI: 1.174-19.539, CT+TT, AOR: 2.147, 95% CI: 1.382-3.337). When stratified by gender and age, genotype frequencies were significantly different for stomach cancer in women and in patients younger than 55 years (in women, CT, OR: 3.049, 95% CI: 1.568-5.930, CT+TT, OR: 3.132, 95% CI: 1.638-5.990; in T polymorphism is a susceptibility factor for stomach cancer, at least in Korean. These observations, however, require further confirmation by a larger multi-ethnic study.

The Relation between Microsatellite Instability and the Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The main target of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is thymidylate synthase (TS). A high TS expression has been identified as promoting resistance to 5-FU. For colorectal cancers, the response to 5-FU based adjuvant chemotherapy is different according to the microsatellite instability (MSI) status. The reports on the relationship between MSI and the TS expression in colorectal cancer have been inconsistent. No data is available for gastric cancer regarding the relationship between MSI and the TS expression. Therefore, we studied the relationship between MSI and the TS expression in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from January 2004 to May 2006 at Bundang CHA hospital were studied. MSI was assessed for five markers (BAT25, BAT26, D2S123, D5S346, and D17S250) by PCR and with using an ABI prism 3100 Genetic analyzer. The TS expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with using mouse anti-thymidylate synthase monoclonal antibody to the TS 106 clone. RESULTS: Out of the ninety-nine patients, MSS/MSI-L was detected in 92 (92.1%) cases and 7 cases (7.1%) were MSI-H. A negative TS expression was found in 46 (46.5%) cases, a low TS expression was found in 33 (33.3%) and a high TS expression was found in 20 (20.2%). Out of 92 MSS/MSI-L patients, the number of patients with negative, low and high TS expressions were 46 (50%), 30 (32.6%) and 16 (17.4%), respectively. Out of the 7 MSI-H patients, the number of patients with negative, low and high TS expressions were 0 (0%), 3 (42.9%) and 4 (57.1%), respectively. The relationship between MSI-H and a high TS expression was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer with MSI-H showed higher levels of a TS expression compared to the gastric cancer with MSS/MSI-L.

Polymorphism of the 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Gene and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) in Mucinous Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Generally, a mucinous carcinoma (Muc) of the colon show higher rates of microsatellite instability (MSI) than a non-mucinous carcinoma (non-Muc). Mutated methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) brings about low enzyme activity, which may reduce genomic DNA methylation. These processes may be critical for the oncogenic transformation of human cells. We compared the relationship of MSI and MTHFR polymorphism in Muc to that in non-Muc. METHODS: From March 2003 to August 2007, genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood and tissue specimens of 285 colorectal cancer patients (Muc: 31 cases, non-Muc: 254 cases) and 448 normal control patients. These were subjected to MSI analysis and MTHFR genotyping by using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. RESULTS: MSI was significantly more frequent in the Muc group (40.7%) than in the non- Muc group (14.8%). The frequencies of polymorphism of MTHFR 677C>T were CC (31.5%), CT (57%), and TT (11.5%) in the patient group and 32.4%, 53.1%, and 14.5% in the control group. In the Muc group, the frequencies of polymorphism of MTHFR 677C>T were CC (36%), CT (56%), TT (8%), and in the non-Muc group, they were 31.1%, 57%, and 11.9%. The frequencies of polymorphism of MTHFR 1298A>C were AA (73%), AC (21.3%), and CC (5.7%) in the patient group and 69.6%, 28.6%, and 1.8% in the control group. In the Muc group, the frequencies of polymorphism of MTHFR 1298A>C were AA (50%), AC (30%), and CC (20%), and in the non-Muc group, they were 76%, 20.3%, and 3.7%. The Muc group showed higher frequencies of the CC variant than the non-Muc group (P-value=0.018). No relation between MSI and MTHFR polymorphisms were seen in any comparison of the Muc and the non-Muc groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Muc group showed higher rates of MSI than the non-Muc group, but no definite difference between the Muc and the non-Muc groups was noted in the case of polymorphism of MTHFR 677C>T. However, the TT-type variant showed slightly lower frequencies in the Muc group than in the non-Muc group. On the contrary, the Muc group showed a higher rate of the CC variant in polymorphism of MTHFR 1298A>C. These inconsistent results seem to be due to the small size of the Muc group, so further study is needed.

Ectopic Endometriosis of the Extra-pelvic Cavity

PURPOSE: Endometriosis is the heterotropic occurrence of island of endometrial glands and stroma outside of uterus. It common occurs in pelvic cavity, but rarely at the ectopic area of extra-pelvic cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of extrapelvic endometriosis in order to help diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Between January 2001 and June 2007, 22 patients who underwent surgery and was diagnosed as ectopic endometriosis of extra-pelvic cavity at Bundang CHA hospital were retrospectively reviewed with medical records and a telephone interview. RESULTS: All cases were women in their reproductive age, with a median age of 33 years (range 24~49 years). 17 of 22 cases were endometriosis in the scarring tissue of prior caesarean section wound on abdomen. 1 case in vaginal orifice on episiotomy wound of perineum, 1 case in femoral ring area and 3 cases in appendix. All patients except endometriosis of appendix, were presented with mass, pain and symptoms almost associated with menstruation. 18 of 22 cases were suspected of having extra-pelvic endometriosis due to their specific clinical features, 4 cases were suspected of hernia and acute appendicitis. All patients were treated with surgery. None has revisited to clinics due to recurrence. CONCLUSION: Women who have mass or lump in surgical scar and symptoms associated with menstruation period should be suspected of having endometriosis. Endometriosis of surgical scaring tissue should be treated by wide local excision to prevent local recurrence.

pT1N3 Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Various minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as an endoscopic mucosal resection and a laparoscopic gastrectomy, are becoming common practice for some cases of early gastric cancer (EGC) defined in terms of the depth of invasion being limited to the mucosa or submucosa. However, there are rare cases of early gastric cancer with massive lymph-node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 6 university hospitals of Korea, 2,772 EGC cases were resected during the various period of analysis (1,432 cases of mucosal cancer and 1,340 of submucosal cancer). RESULTS: As control data, we used the data from a single institute, CHA University Hospital. There were nine cases of early gastric cancer (9/2,772, 0.32%) with N3 lymph node metastasis defined by more than 15 lymph nodes being metastasized according to the UICC-TNM classification (pT1N3, stage IV). Two cases were mucosal cancer (2/1,432, 0.14%), and seven cases were submucosal cancer (7/1,340, 0.52%). Metastasized lymph nodes varied in number from 18 to 52. There were three male and six female patients with a mean age of 57. This is a totally reversed sex ratio compared to the usual gastric cancer or EGC. Among the total of 9 EGC patients, there were 5 who had superficial spreading carcinomas with surface areas larger than 25 cm2. This is a significantly higher proportion compared to the general EGC population. When we compared the tumor size according to the LN status, the N3 group was definitely larger than the other groups. 78% of the pT1N3 cases showed lymphatic invasion, which is very high compared to the 4.7% in general EGC cases. Among the 9 cases, 6 patients had too short a follow-up period to evaluate the correct prognosis, but there was one patient with a non-curative resection and two patients with early recurrence. Although the sample size is small and the follow-up period is short, we can expect a very poor prognosis when we consider the common prognosis of EGC that is widely known and accepted. CONCLUSION: From these results, we can a conclude that the risk factors for pT1N3 gastric cancer are female patients, submucosal invasion, larger tumor size, and lymphatic invasion. However rare, the existence of pT1N3 gastric cancer needs to be taken into consideration, especially during the diagnosis. Furthermore, minimally invasive treatment for EGC needs to be chosen with great precaution. Since the prognosis of pT1N3 gastric cancer is expected to be poor, aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy may be necessary.

Clinical Significance of Thymidylate Synthase and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism in Korean Patients with Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a target enzyme of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and has a polymorphic 28 bp tandem repeated sequence. TS enhancer region (TSER) polymorphism has been associated with the efficacy of 5-FU-based chemotherapy in colon cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a central role in converting folate to methyl donor for DNA methylation. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical value of TSER and MTHFR polymorphism in gastric cancer. METHODS: From October, 1995 to February, 2002, 40 gastric cancer patients underwent operation and 25 patients among those patients have received postoperative 5-FU-based chemotherapy (5-FU (+) group). Peripherial blood were sampled for TSER and MTHFR genotype analysis by PCR amplification of genomic DNA. The survival of patients according to TSER and MTHFR polymorphism were compared. RESULTS: We observed a longer survival in stage II than stage III of the patients (p=0.0037). However, the TSER and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms were not associated with better survival of gastric cancer patients as well as combined TSER and MTHFR genotypes with 5-FU chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The TSER and MTHFR genotypes are not effective markers for tumor sensitivity to 5-FU-based chemotherapy in Korean gastric cancer patients after curative resection. These results may suggest further large-scale study about TSER and MTHFR polymorphism for the prediction of efficacy of 5-FU-based chemotherapy in gastric cancer in Korea.

Clinical Correlation between the Serum Pepsinogen I/II Ratio and Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: In order to clarify the carcinogenesis mechanism from chronic atrophic gastritis toward gastric cancer, we measured the pepsinogen I and II and compared their ratio with several clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the preoperative serum pepsinogen I and II by using a radio-immunoassay and compared their ratio with several clinical findings, such as tumor size, mucinous vs non-mucinous tumor, cell differentiation, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph-node status, Lauren's classification, and peritumoral atrophy in 103 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinomas who had received resections at Bundang CHA Hospital during the period from July 2003 to February 2005. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the serum pepsinogen I/II ratio between patients with mucinous vs non-mucinous tumors (n=4 vs 9 and mean pep I/II=1.29 vs. 2.99, P=0.0288), with tumor size more than and less than 10 cm2 (n=55 vs. 48 and mean pep I/II=2.64 vs. 3.24, P=0.0491), and with or without peritumoral atrophy (n=94 vs. 9 and mean pep I/II=2.83 vs. 3.89, P=0.0466). In patients with peritomoral atrophy, the pepsinogen I/II ratio was also lower in larger tumors (n=48 vs. 46 and mean pep I/II=2.44 vs. 3.23, P=0.0083). Well-differentiated carcinomas showed significantly lower serum pep I/II ratios than signet-ring-cell types. There was no correlation between serum pep I/II ratio and tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph-node status, or Lauren's classification. CONCLUSION: We proved the existence of a correlation between serum pepsinogen level and musosal atrophy, but these results are not sufficient for clinical application of serum pepsinogen level as a screening tool for gastric cancer.

Gastric-cancer-related Inquiries and Questionnaires through an Internet Homepage

PUPOSE: Through a survey on an Internet homepage, we conducted research concerning the need of patients and their families for information on gastric cancer. We also assessed their interest in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 619 inquiries presented from June 2002 to September 2003 and 524 replies submitted to a questionnaire survey delivered by the Internet homepage (www.gastriccancer.co.kr) from August to October 2003 to gastric cancer patients and their families. RESULTS: Analysis of Inquiries: The classified inquiries listed in order of frequency are as follows: treatment, prognosis, stages, symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, favorable food, etiology, follow-up, etc. Among the inquiries about treatment, the most frequent subgroup was about the scope of surgery or perioperative implications. Next came questions concerning chemotherapy. Among the questions from patients yet to be operated, on those about operability and the prognosis were most frequent. Among the patients who had undergone a resection, questions on complications and the corresponding prognosis were most frequent. The concern from patients with inoperable or recurrent cancers was related to terminal care and/or chemotherapy. Analysis of Questionnaires: The respondents acquired information on gastric cancer from the Internet (40%), doctors (32%), the mass media (15%) and acquaintances (13%). Only 6% of the respondents were sufficiently satisfied with the information provided by doctors. Among the respondents, 89.9% were interested in complementing treatment with folk remedies while only 5% were not. CONCLUSION: Patients and their families were eager to get information about gastric cancer. However, many of them found the doctors' information to be insufficient. Our suggestion is that the public health, academic societies, medical institutions, and public organizations should endeavor to provide through an activated Internet network correct information on gastric cancer.

Infected Urachal Remnants with Symtoms of the Acute Abdomen: The Differential Diagnosis & Proper Management

PURPOSE: Urachal anomalies are rare, but often give rise to a number of problems, such as infection, rupture, sepsis and malignant change. The abdominal manifestation of urachal remnants often prompts referral to general or urologic surgeons. Herein, our clinical experiences were analyzed and guide lines for the preoperative diagnosis and proper management of complicated urachal anomalies suggested. METHODS: Twelve cases of urachal cyst, who visited the surgery department of Pochon CHA university hospital between April 1, 1995 and December 10, 2002, were studied. Clinical data, including clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities and treatment methods were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the twelve cases reviewed, nine were males and three were females with a mean age of 33.6 years. The most common clinical manifestation was abdominal pain (58%), followed by a palpable mass (25%). The accuracies of the diagnostic modalities were 60 and 37% for abdominopelvic computed tomography and abdominal ultrasonography, respectively. The preoperative diagnosis rate was 50%, with one case not even diagnosed during surgery. CONCLUSION: Persistent urachal remnants can present at any age, with a variety of clinical manifestations. Abdominal computed tomography is a reliable diagnostic tool, and additional diagnostic studies are not generally warranted. The early surgical treatment seems to be the best solution prior to the onset of complications that would expose patients to difficult surgical operations and protract hospitalization.

Intestinal Rotation, Luminal Obstruction and Recanalization in the Human Embryos and Fetuses / 체질인류학회지

The development of intestine can be characterized by the following two traits. First, at the beginning of its development, the intestine is temporarily herniated into the umbilical cord, then reduced into the abdominal cavity, and finally reaches its adult location, rotating along the way. Nevertheless, no time table is yet available as to show, in a precise manner, when the intestine is herniated, when it is reduced, or to what extent the rotation occurs. Secondly, it is known that in the course of intestinal development, the lumen is temporarily obstructed by epithelial proliferation and then undergoes the recanalization. However, it is not yet certain whether there is practically a complete luminal obstruction, even by supposing that there is a complete obstruction, no theory has yet been established to determine the time, location, or the extent of the obstruction, and the time of the recanalization. In this study, 2 ~12 week old human embryos and fetuses have been used which were microdissected under a surgical microscope and were subsequently observed in an ordinary tissue slide. We have obtained the following results. 1. The intestine was first formed at Carnegie stage 5. Together with the folds of the embryos, three parts of the primitive gut were observed for the first time at stage 10. At stage 12, the primitive gut was located on the midline. 2. At stage 15, the intestine rotated to 90 counterclockwise, and at the next stage, it started herniation. There was another 90 counterclockwise rotation at stage 20, and at the beginning of the 9th week, with the rapid reduction into the abdominal cavity, the cecum was located in the proper adult position, and the rotation completed. 3. Although epithelial proliferation was recognizable in the esophagus, duodenum and other parts of the intestine of the developing embryo, we could not find any cases in which the lumen was completely obstructed.

Bile Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is clinically one of the prognostic factors in the follow-up evaluation of the colorectal cancer (CRC) patient. It has been recently suggested that the bile CEA level is also useful in early detection of the liver metastasis of colrectal cancer. If the bile CEA is also correlated with the cancer progression or prognosis like as serum CEA, it will be another useful clinical parameter in the evaluation and treatment of CRC patients. Therefore this study is aimed to reveal the correlation of the bile CEA with the progression of tumor and to estimate the possibility of bile CEA as a useful clinical parameter. METHODS: Preoperative serum levels of CEA were measured in 58 patients of CRC who were operated in Pundang CHA hospital. The levels of bile CEA were also checked with the aspiration of bile in gall bladder at laparotomy. The positive value of CEA was settled as more than 5ng/ml. RESULTS: The 58 patients were classified into 29 cases of Dukes'AB group, 23 cases of Dukes'C group & 6 cases of Dukes'D group. The positive rates of serum CEA were 24.1% in AB group, 30.4% in C group & 66.7% in D group, and those of bile CEA were 44.8%, 56.5% & 83.3% individually. When group C was also divided into N1(13 cases) & N2 (10 cases) groups according to the number of the metastatic lymph nodes, serum & bile CEA positive rates were 15.4% & 46.1% in N1 group, and 50% & 70% in N2 group. Both of serum & bile CEA levels were all positive and markedly elevated in 4 hepatic metastasis cases of group D. CONCLUSIONS: Positive rate of bile CEA was increased according to the progression of tumor stage. Marked elevation of bile CEA was especially noted in liver metastatic cases. Therefore bile CEA can be considered as a clinical parameter in evaluation of cancer progression & prognosis like as serum CEA, and also as a useful indicator of hepatic metastasis.

Comparative Review of Perianal Sinus & Fistula in Ano

PURPOSE: A fistula in ano is a granulating track between the anorectum and the perianal region or perineum. A typical fistula may consist of the track, the primary (internal) opening and secondary (external) opening. Its hallmark is frequent discharge through external opening. Sometimes this track become occluded and a sinus remains. Therefore abscence of an external opening should not be taken as evidence that there is no fistula, and then this study is aimed to make clear perianal sinus as another form of fistula in ano. METHODS: This study is a clinical analysis of 17 patients with perianal sinus, who were treated at the Department of General Surgery of Pundang-CHA hospital from June, 1995 to December, 1998. As comparative group, 91 patients of typical fistula in ano were also taken in same period. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female was 4.6:1 in sinus group, 4.1:1 in fistula group. The prevalent ages were in the third decade in both group. The main symptoms of sinus group were a palpable mass (94.1%), pain & discomfort (35.3%) but that of fistula group were purulent discharge (87.9%) and pain (28.6%). The most frequent duration of illness was 6 months~1 year (52.9%) in sinus group, within 6 months (40.7%) in fistula group. The distributions of sinus size were 7 cases (41.2%) in 2 cm. The most common type was intersphincteric in both group. The operative procedures included excision with fistulectomy in 4 cases (23.5%), lay open of sinus with fistulotomy in 11 cases (64.7%), seton procedure in 2 cases (11.8%). The mean hospital stay was 5.0 day in sinus group, 4.9 day in fistula group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no distinct difference in the clinical features or characteristics between the both groups, therefore perianal sinuscould be taken as fistula in ano and treated similar procedures.

Warfarin-induced Skin Necrosis After Valve Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is a rare complication caused by transient hypercoagulable state. This state is a result of rapid decline of the protein C activity relative to that of coagulation factor II, IX, and X during initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy. We experienced a case of warfarin-induced skin necrosis involving both breasts in a patient who underwent double valve replacement 1 month before. Warfarin was replaced to a low- molecular weight heparin and the necrotic breast lesion was healed spontaneously. Low-dose warfarin was restarted and gradually increased, after which a low molecular weight heparin discontinued.

The Expression and Correlation of Cyclin E, P21WAF1Protein and P53 Variant Protein in Colorectal Adenoma and Carcinoma

Cyclins are proteins that activate different cyclin-dependent kinases(CDKs) and promote the cell cycles. Their correlations with several human cancers have been identified. Cyclin E, as one of G1 cylins, produces DNA replication through the progression of cell cycle G1 --> S phase. In contrast, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors(CDKI) bound with cyclin E-cdk2 complex control the cell cycle and inhibit the cell proliferation. P21(WAF1) proteins, which are CDKIs, are transcripted by a p53 gene and participate in the cell cycle inhibition. Variant p53 proteins produced by a mutated p53 gene lose the ability to control of the cell cycle resulting in cell proliferation. This study is aimed to reveal the expressions of cyclin E, p21(WAF1) protein, p53 variant protein in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas, and also reveal their correlations in the process of carcinogenesis. Twenty-one colorectal adenomas or adenomatous polyps, and thirty colorectal carcinoma tissues were obtained by operative resections or endoscopic polypectomies. Immuno histochemical stains of the above-mentioned three proteins and a statistical analysis of their correlations were made. The results were as follows: 1. P21 proteins were expressed in the upper-one third layer of all normal colonic mucosa, but cyclin E and variant p53 protein were not identified. 2. Cyclin E was expressed in 23.8% of adenomas and 76.7% of carcinomas. Variant p53 protein was expressed in 71.4% of adenomas and 83.3% in carcinomas. The degree of positivity of variant p53 expression was correlated with cancer staging. P21 protein was expressed in all adenomas, similar to normal mucosa, but was not expressed in 43.3% of carcinomas. 3. Expression of cyclin E was increased as to the positivity of variant p53 proteins but the correlations of p21 proteins and cyclin E, and p21 proteins and variant p53 proteins were not identified. Cancer staging was not correlated with the expressions of the three proteins. In conclusion, it can be thought that the overexpression of cyclin E and variant p53 proteins, and the loss of p21 proteins are related with the colorectal carcinogenesis. We can also identify the relationship of cyclin E and variant p53 proteins.