Surgical Strategies for Partial Breast Reconstruction in Medial-Located Breast Cancer: A 12-Year Experience / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#Partial breast reconstruction is challenging in medially located breast cancer, particularly in terms of achieving satisfactory aesthetic coverage. Thus, we aimed to investigate surgical strategies for filling medial defects resulting from breast-conserving surgery to improve patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes. @*Methods@#We retrospectively evaluated 113 patients (114 cases) with medially located breast cancer between 2007 and 2018. We analysed the patient data, such as breast size, specimen weight, complications, and aesthetic results obtained using a questionnaire. @*Results@#The mean body mass index and specimen weight were 23.43 kg/m2 (range, 18.5–26.8) and 83.29 g (range, 15–290 g), respectively. The tennis racket and round-block techniques were chosen for small defects ( 30%). Hematoma was found in 1 case (0.96%), linear skin necrosis was found in 1 case (0.96%), seroma in the LD flaps was found in 8 cases (7.69%); fat necrosis in the rotational flaps was found in 2 cases (1.92%); and fat necrosis in an anterior intercostal artery perforator flap was found in 1 case (0.96%). 91 patients (87.5%) were satisfied with the aesthetic results. @*Conclusion@#The techniques used in this study for medially located breast cancer can produce fine aesthetic outcomes with regard to breast size and resection volume, with few complications.

Nasoethmoid orbital fracture reconstruction using a three-dimensional printing-based craniofacial plate

The face is one of the most important parts of the body. Untreated facial fractures can result in deformities that can be harmful to patients. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a rapidly evolving technology that has recently been widely applied in the medical field as it can potentially improve patient treatment. Although 3D printing technology is mostly used for craniofacial surgery, some studies have proved that it can be used to treat nasoethmoid orbital fractures. In this study, a patient-customized plate was constructed using a 3D printer and applied in a simulated surgery for the treatment of nasoethmoid orbital fracture.

Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Viability of Kudoa septempunctata

Kudoa septempunctata have been reported as a causative agent for acute transient gastrointestinal troubles after eating raw olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). It raised public health concerns and quarantine control in several countries. Quantitative evaluation on viability of K. septempunctata is crucial to develop effective chemotherapeutics against it. A cytometry using fluorescent stains was employed to assess effect of three compounds on viability of K. septempunctata. Epigallocatechin gallate reduced markedly viability of K. septempunctata at 0.5 mM or more, and damaged K. septempunctata spores by producing cracks.

Are There Anorectal Physiologic Factors Prior to Biofeedback Treatment for Constipation that Affect Compliance Rate?

PURPOSE: The most important factor for the success of biofeedback treatment of constipation is patients' enthusiastic participation and willingness to comply with the treatment protocol. The purpose of this study was to analyze differences among groups of patients classified according to the number of biofeedback sessions and to identify any anorectal physiological and clinical factors related with better compliance with biofeedback treatment. METHODS: From Aug. 2001 to July 2003, 80 patients who had undergone biofeedback treatment for constipation by a single therapist were classified into three groups according to the number of sessions: only one session (Group I, n=26), two or three sessions (Group II, n=27), and more than four sessions (Group III, n=27). We reviewed the clinical and the anorectal physiological characteristics retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 39.1 (range, 8~77) years, and the mean duration of constipation was 7.7 (range, 0.5~30) years and mean frequency of defecation was 2.2 times/week. Patients' pretreatment use of laxatives was significantly lower in Group I (38.5 percent) than in Group II (70.4 percent) or Group III (51.9 percent) (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in anal manometric parameters (mean and maximal resting pressure, maximal squeezing pressure, sensitivity, and rectal capacity). In the cinedefecographic findings, the megarectum was significantly higher in Group III (58.3 percent) than in Group I (38.9 percent) or Group II (27.8 percent) (P=0.02), but other findings of anismus, rectocele, intussusception, and delayed emptying showed no significant differences. The cinedefecographic parameters (anorectal angle, perineal descent, anal canal length, and puborectalis length), were not significantiy different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly recommend biofeedback treatment for constipation patients who abuse laxatives and/or for whom cinedefecography reveals megarectum.

Manometric Assessment after Ileal Pouch- Anal Anastomosis

PURPOSE:Functional derangement in bowel movement after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is not infrequent. It results from several mechanisms mainly decreased rectal reservoir capacity and rectal sensation. Anal sphincter or pelvic nerve damage during surgery contributes physiological changes, also. This study was performed to evaluate manometric changes after IPAA and compare them with functional outcomes regarding anastomotic technique. METHODS:Forty seven (M:F=23:24) patients who underwent IPAA and manometric assessment were enrolled. Pathological diagnoses of them were 32 ulcerative colitis, 12 familial adenomatous polyposis, and 3 hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. Every pouch was constructed in J shape, 15cm length. Pouch-anal anastomosis was performed by 27 hand-sewn and 20 double stapling technique. Diverting ileostomy was performed in 30 cases (64%) and closed 2-3 months after IPAA. Manometry was performed preoperatively and 3 to 6 months interval, postoperatively. Twenty two patients underwent full manometic assessment pre- and post-operatively. The others did it either pre or postsoperatively. Functional outcome was investigated at the median follow-up period 25 (2-54) months. Statistical analysis was performed by using Chi- square and Fisher's exact test. Significance was assigned to a P value of 0.05). Postoperative stool frequency and incontinence rate were not different between two groups. Thirty one percent of patients revealed night time seepage. MRP of this seepage group was significantly lower than the other group (67.9 vs. 48.4 mmHg; P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS:Characteristic changes of manometric findings after IPAA were summarized as decrease of MRP and disappearance of RAIR. Rectal compliance was significantly improved since 6 months after IPAA or ileostomy closure. Decrease of MRP was more remarkable in hand-sewn group. However, we could not find any difference in functional outcomes between two anastomotic techniques. MRP was a crutial factor for postoperative seepage.