Unmodifiable Clinicopathological Risk Factors of Shoulder Tip or Subcostal Pain after Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Purpose@#Appendectomy, which comprises most benign intra-abdominal surgeries, is currently assisted by laparoscopy in most cases. However, many patients complain of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain after laparoscopic surgery. In some cases, the pain lasts even several weeks after surgery. This study aimed to analyze unmodifiable clinicopathological factors of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy and to minimize preoperative and postoperative discomfort. @*Methods@#Patients admitted for laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grades I and II, and ages 12~70 years were enrolled in the study. Postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and analyzed with the clinicopathological factors of the patients, including age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal circumference (AC) difference. @*Results@#Of the 124 patients, 40 complained of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain with a VAS score of ≥4. The risk of the postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain increased in women (p=0.001). From a univariate analysis, the risk of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain increased with lower height, weight and BMI (p=0.002, p=0.001, p=0.012) and with greater AC difference (p=0.012). However, a multivariate analysis showed that lower weight was the only risk factor of postoperative pain (p=0.005). @*Conclusion@#The risk of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain after laparoscopic appendectomy was significantly increased with lower weight.

Factors Predicting the Need for Early Surgical Intervention for Small Bowel Obstruction

Purpose@#Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common disease that requires hospitalization. The most common cause of SBO is postoperative adhesion. Delayed timing of operations in patients who need surgical intervention results in mortality or morbidity. A number of studies on SBO have established criteria for emergency surgery. However, few objective clinical parameters are available for screening patients who need a delayed operation. Therefore, we analyzed factors that affect the clinical course of SBO to select appropriate therapeutic plans for reducing the risk of complications in these patients. @*Methods@#We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients admitted to the surgery department of our hospital between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016, who were diagnosed with SBO. Patients were divided into an operative treatment group (n = 12) and a conservative treatment group (n = 96). We compared clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. @*Results@#The operative treatment group underwent more operations before SBO than the conservative treatment group (P = 0.007). Initial leukocyte counts (P = 0.004) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (P = 0.028) were elevated in the operative group. Body mass index (BMI) was lower in the operative group (P = 0.013). @*Conclusion@#The number of operations before SBO, leukocyte counts, CRP levels, and BMI were useful parameters for selecting patients who needed an urgent operation for SBO.

Perioperative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Ratio Is a Prognostic Indicator in Patients With Stage II Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the perioperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ratio could be used as a determinant for adjuvant therapy after curative surgery in stage II colorectal cancer. METHODS: Data for 119 patients with stage II colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery between 2010 and 2013 were collected. The perioperative CEA ratio was defined as the postoperative/preoperative serum CEA level, and the patients were grouped according to their perioperative CEA ratios: high ratio (≥0.5) and low ratio ( < 0.5). Overall survival rates were calculated, and their prognostic significances were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall survival rates of the high and the low perioperative CEA groups were 68.2% and 86.8%, respectively (P = 0.033). In patients with normal preoperative CEA levels ( < 5 ng/mL), the high perioperative CEA ratio group showed a worse survival rate than the low perioperative CEA ratio group (71.7% vs. 100.0%, P = 0.007). In patients with high preoperative CEA levels (≥5 ng/mL), the high perioperative CEA ratio group showed a worse survival rate than the low perioperative CEA ratio group (33.3% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.036). In the multivariate analysis, perioperative CEA ratio (P = 0.046), age (P = 0.034), and venous invasion (P = 0.015) were independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSION: The perioperative CEA ratio is a prognostic indicator for stage II colorectal cancer. Patients with normal preoperative serum CEA levels might also be considered for adjuvant therapy if their perioperative CEA ratios are higher than 0.5.

Predictive Factors Affecting the Clinical Course of Patients With Diverticulitis: Who Needs Hospital Management?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the predictable factors that affect the clinical course, especially the hospital stay, the operation performed, and to determine factors that will be helpful in deciding whether in-hospital or outpatient treatment is appropriate. METHODS: We retrospectively collected medical data for patients who had been diagnosed with acute diverticulitis at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between January and December 2016. In total, 117 patients were enrolled in this study. We examined clinical factors, including age, sex, body mass index, pain, body temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, nil per os (NPO) time, hospital duration, computed tomography (CT) findings, location of diverticulitis, operation performed, and presence of comorbidity (e.g., hypertension and diabetes mellitus). RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, the statistically significant factor related with hospital duration was the presence of perforation on the CT scan (P 7) (P = 0.011). Operations were mainly performed in patients with left-sided colonic diverticulitis (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: We suggest a perforation finding on the CT scan, a severe pain score at least above 7 on a numeric rating pain scale, and a left-sided lesion are absolute indications for in-hospital management.

Different Effects of Orbital Shear Stress on Vascular Endothelial Cells: Comparison with the Results of In Vivo Study with Rats

PURPOSE: An attempt was made to characterize the orbital shear stress by comparing the effects of orbital shear stress on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) with the results of animal experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the laboratory study, cultured ECs of well were distinguished by center and periphery then exposed to orbital shear stress using an orbital shaker. In the animal study, arteriovenous (AV) fistulas were made at the right femoral arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats to increase the effect of the laminar flow. The condition of the stenosis was given on the left femoral arteries. The protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Akt phosphorylation were observed and compared. RESULTS: Under orbital shear stress, ECs showed an increase in iNOS protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt but most of the protein expressions derived from the periphery. When compared to the animal study, the increased expression of iNOS protein and phosphorylation of Akt were observed in the sample of AV fistula conditions and the iNOS protein expression was decreased in the stenosis conditions. CONCLUSION: Orbital shear stress did not show the characteristics of a pure turbulent shear force. By comparing the observation with the morphological changes of vascular ECs and site-specific protein expression on the results of animal experiments, uniform directional lamina shear stress forces were expressed at the periphery.

Comparison of Compliance of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Between Laparoscopic and Open Surgery in Patients With Colon Cancer

PURPOSE: Many studies have shown that the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy improves the survival rate. Recently, laparoscopic surgery has been used to treat patients with colon cancer. We analyzed the relationship between the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy and the operation method. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 147 patients diagnosed with colon cancer from January 1, 2009, to May 31, 2012. The numbers of patients who underwent laparoscopic and open surgery were 91 and 56, respectively. We analyzed the relationship between the operation method and various factors such as the completion rate of chemotherapy, the patient's age, gender, and physical activity, the postoperative hospital stay, the start time of chemotherapy, and the patient's body mass index (BMI), TNM stage, and type of health insurance. RESULTS: In the laparoscopic surgery group, the postoperative hospital stay (13.5 +/- 14.82 days vs. 19.6 +/- 11.38 days, P = 0.001) and start time of chemotherapy (17.7 +/- 17.48 days vs. 23.0 +/- 15.00 days, P = 0.044) were shorter, but the percent complete of chemotherapy (71/91 [78.0%] vs. 38/56 [67.8%], P = 0.121), and survival rate (88/91 [96.7%], 47/56 [83.9%], P = 0.007) were higher than they were in the open surgery group. Patients who were elderly, had a low BMI, and a high American Society of Anesthesiologists score were less likely to complete adjuvant chemotherapy than other patients were. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery shows a shorter postoperative hospital stay, a shorter start time of chemotherapy, and a higher survival rate. Laparoscopic surgery may be expected to increase compliance of chemotherapy and to improve survival rate.

Feasibility of Laparoscopic D2 Lymph Node Dissection in Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: There is still debate regarding the suitability of extension of laparoscopic gastrectomy to advanced gastric cancer. Due to the development of new instruments and techniques, several studies are being conducted to extend the range of laparoscopic gastrectomy. This study was conducted to investigate the appropriateness of laparoscopic D2 lymph node dissection for the treatment of gastric cancer from an oncology perspective. METHODS: A total of 109 patients, 50 of whom had undergone laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and 59 patients who underwent open distal gastrectomy (ODG), that were operated on by a single surgeon in the surgery department of Sanggye Paik Hospital from April 2009 to May 2011 were analyzed. All patients underwent D2 lymph node dissection. The clinical characteristics of patients, surgical outcomes and clinicopathologic findings were then compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (252.70+/-40.81 vs. 252.20+/-45.22, p=0.698). The day 1 post operation hemoglobin was higher in the LADG group than the ODG group (12.52+/-1.53 vs. 10.54+/-1.57, p=0.011). There were nosignificant differences in resection margin (6.89+/-2.25 vs. 7.20+/-3.42, p=0.254, 4.05+/-2.57 vs. 3.68+/-2.74, p=0.254) or total number of harvested lymph nodes (30.36+/-10.67 vs. 35.44+/-12.56, p=0.508) between groups. CONCLUSION: In stomach cancer surgery, both ODG and LADG can be used to conduct lymph node dissection. Therefore, if the stability and feasibility of LADG is confirmed by prospective studies at multiple centers, laparoscopic gastrectomy may be extended to advanced gastric cancer as well.

A Case of Chlamydia trachomatis Peritonitis Mimicking Tuberculous Peritonitis / 대한소화기학회지

Lymphocytic ascites with low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) are observed mainly in tuberculous peritonitis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and pancreatic disease. However, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) induced generalized peritonitis causing diffuse ascites has been rarely described. We report a 26-year old female patient, who was diagnosed as generalized peritonitis with diffuse ascites due to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Gynecologic examination did not show the clue of PID and in the analysis of ascites, low SAAG, predominant lymphocyte count and high level of adenosine deaminase were noted. Although the best impression was tuberculous peritonitis on the base of these findings, the laparoscopic finding was consistent with PID and the PCR for C. trachomatis infection in cervical swab was positive. This case suggests that C. trachomatis peritonitis should be considered as a rare cause of low SAAG and lymphocytic ascites in sexually active women and should be intensively evaluated including laparoscopic examination.

Comparison of CVF (Cyclophosphamide+Vinorelbine+5-Fluorouracil) and CMF (Cyclophosphamide+Methotrexate+5-Fluorouracil) Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of adjuvant cyclophosphamide/vinorelbine/5-fluorourail (CVF) chemotherapy as an alternative to cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for treating early breast cancer. METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine patients were randomly assigned to CMF or CVF adjuvant chemotherapy for treating their early stage breast cancer between September 2000 and December 2007. The disease-free survival (DFS), the overall survival (OS), and the toxicity profiles of both groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients underwent CMF chemotherapy whereas 82 patients underwent CVF chemotherapy. The DFS and OS were 88 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 76-101 months) and 94 months (95% CI, 83-104 months), respectively for the CMF group, and 97 months (95% CI, 93-101 months), and 101 months (95% CI, 98-104 months), respectively for the CVF group. However, those survival gains of the CVF group were not statistically significant (p-value=0.069 for the DFS and 0.99 for the OS). The CVF group showed a favorable toxicity profile in terms of the grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities as compared to that of the CMF group. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcome of CVF chemotherapy was comparable to CMF with a favorable toxicity profiles. However, it is difficult to conclude the feasibility of CVF regimen because of small number of studied patients.

Lymphovascular Invasion and HER2/neu Amplification as Predictive Factors for Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Breast Cancer Patients / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) can occur even in breast cancer smaller than 2 cm in size. This study was performed to investigate the clinicopathologic factors that affect node metastasis in T1 breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the medical record of 206 T1 breast cancer patients and we divided them into two groups according to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis. We analyzed the association between ALNM and various clinicopathological predictive factors such as age, tumor size (T1a, T1b, T1c), multiplicity, the histologic grade, the nuclear grade, the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the estrogen and progesterone receptor status, an HER2/neu expression, the Ki-67 labeling index and the bcl-2 expression. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine were the node negative group (T1N0) and the remaining 67 cases were allotted to the node positive group (T1N1-3). On the univariate analysis, age (p=0.011), LVI (p<0.001), histologic grade (p=0.019), HER2/neu (p<0.005), Ki-67 (p=0.012) and bcl-2 (p=0.026) were the statistically significant predictive factors related to node metastasis. But on the multivariate analysis, LVI (p<0.001) and HER2/neu (p=0.009) were the statistically significant factors related to node metastasis. CONCLUSION: LVI and HER2/neu overexpression were related to the increased incidence of ALNM in T1 breast cancer patients. LVI was the most predictive factor of ALNM.

Recurred Myofibroblastoma of Breast After Excision: A Case Report

Myofibroblastoma of the breast is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor that is known to occur in middle-aged and elderly men, yet there are some recent reports showing no certain difference for the gender distribution of this malady. Localized mass excision can usually provide a complete cure. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of metastasis or recurrence of this tumor. Here we describe the sonographic findings of a case of recurrent myofibroblastoma after surgical excision for suspected fibroadenomas in both breasts of a 25-year-old woman.

Survival Rate and Prognostic Factors in Perforated Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Case-Control Study

PURPOSE: Perforations are rare but serious complications in colorectal cancer. Controversy exists over whether to perform a radical operation because colorectal cancer perforation is considered as an advanced stage disease, and septic complications of peritonitis have been identified as being responsible for a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the survival rate and the clinicopathological parameters that might be used as predictive factors of the prognosis for perforated colorectal cancer. METHODS: The analysis was based on 24 cases of perforated colorectal cancer (the case group), 48 cases of matching uncomplicated colorectal cancer (the control group), and 72 cases of the case and the control groups combined together (the combined group), all of which were identified during a 10-yr period in a single institution. RESULTS: The five-year survival rates of the perforated colorectal cancer patients and their matching controls were similar (P=0.484). No significant differences in the locations of the cancer, the pre-operative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, the tumor sizes, the resection margins, or the numbers of the lymph nodes harvested were found between the two groups. A univariate analysis of the prognostic factors that influenced the case group revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.004) was significantly correlated to a better five-year survival rate. A univariate analysis of the prognostic factors that influenced the five-year survival rate of the combined group revealed that the stage (P<0.001), the pre-op CEA level (P=0.018), the angio invasion (P=0.019), the perineural invasion (P=0.019), the number of harvested lymph nodes (P=0.004), and adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.001) were significantly correlated to the five-year survival rate. The identified independent prognostic factors in the combined group were the stage (hazard ratio, 5.20), angio-invasion (hazard ratio, 2.81), and adjuvant chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.17). CONCLUSION: The clinical pathway of perforated colorectal cancer is similar to that of uncomplicated colorectal cancer. Therefore, perforated colorectal cancer patients should be recommended for treatment with the appropriate radical operation and adjuvant chemotherapy based on oncologic principles.

Comparision of Needlescopic Appendectomy versus Conventional Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: This clinical study evaluated the feasibility of needlescopic appendectomy (NA) in young patients with acute appendicitis, and we compare the outcome of this new technique with that of conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). METHODS: Two groups of young patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at Sanggye Paik Hospital between January 2009 and December 2009 were studied. In the first group, a 2-mm instrument appendectomy was performed in 13 patients. These patients were compared with the second group, which were 21 patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic appendectomy. Statistical significance was set at p values<0.05. RESULTS: The patient demographics and operative findings were similar in both groups. There was no conversion to open appendectomy in either group. Postoperative ileus was occurred in 3 patients who underwent LA, but there was no statistical difference between the both groups (p=0.154). The needlescopic group had a shorter mean operative time (p=0.65), but there was no statistically significance. The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter (p=0.026) in the needlescopic group than that in the conventional laparoscopic group. CONCLUSION: According to our experience, needlescopic laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and feasible procedure as compared with that of conventional laparoscopic appendectomy in young patients.

Prognostic Factors of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in the neonatal population. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical indication and prognostic factors of NEC. Clinical data of seventy patients, diagnosed as NEC between January 2000 & January 2007, were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-seven patients had medical treatment and 7 of them died. Thirteen patients who presented with pneumoperitoneum on plain abdominal film or were refractory to medical treatment received surgical treatment, and 5 of them died. All the expired 12 patients weighed less than 2500g. Twenty out of seventy patients showed thrombocytopenia, and 11 patients of them died. The finding of pneumoperitoneum and thrombocytopenia could be the most important surgical indication. Prematurity, low birth weight and thrombocytopenia were related to a bad prognosis. NEC patients who presents with these findings must be considered for close observation and intensive care.

Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Adrenalectomy / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Advancements in technology and surgical skill have extended the applications of minimally invasive surgery, and various studies have suggested that laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) might lead to better clinical outcomes compared to open surgery. We reviewed our experience in order to evaluate the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy (OA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 41 patients who underwent surgery for adrenal lesions between 1998 and 2006. Outcome measurements included gender, age, diagnosis, lesion size, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, procedure-related complications, time to first oral intake, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: There were 19 LAs and 22 OAs. There were no significant differences in gender, age, lesion location (right or left), comorbidity, complications, or postoperative hospital stay. The mean operative time was longer in the LA group than in the OA group (OA 215, LA 273 min, P=0.048). Resumption of oral intake occurred at 3.4 days in the OA group and at 1.9 days in the LA group (P<0.001), and the incidence of bleeding that required transfusion was 58% in the OA group and 21% in the LA group (P=0.018). We divided the LA group into 14 pure LAs (pLA) and 5 conversions from laparoscopic procedures to open adrenalectomy (CA). Significant postoperative complications occurred in the OA, pLA, and CA groups at rates of 18%, 14%, and 80%, respectively (OA vs pLA, P=0.569 pLA vs CA, P=0.017 OA vs CA, P=0.017), and postoperative hospital stays were 11.1, 5.7, and 19.6 days for each group, respectively (OA vs pLA, P=0.005 pLA vs CA, P<0.001 OA vs CA, P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent pLA had similar postoperative complications, but shorter hospital stays and shorter times to first oral intake compared to OA. Patients in the CA group had longer operative times, longer postoperative hospital stays, and significantly higher rates of variable complications compared to the pLA and OA groups. Careful preoperative selection of patients for LA is important to avoid unnecessary CA.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Local Recurrences after Thyroid Surgery in Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed factors affecting local recurrences in AGES low risk papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). METHODS: The clinical records of 89 patients who underwent thyroidectomy because of PTC were reviewed. Seventy patients had belonged to low risk PTC according to the AGES classification scheme. The clinical data of these patients concerning disease recurrence was analyzed considering age, gender, operative methods, tumor size, lymph node (LN) metastasis, postoperative radioactive iodine scan (RI scan ¹³¹I), and Synthyroid® intake. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients, 56 were female (80%). Thirtyseven patients underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck LN dissection and 33 patients underwent partial thyroidectomy with ipsilateral central neck LN dissection. Mean tumor size was 2 cm (0.4~6 cm) and 31 patients had LN metastasis. Levels were 2 cm (P=0.030) and partial thyroidectomy (P=0.045). There was no significant association between local recurrence and age, gender, extrathyroidal extension, LN metastasis, RI scan ¹³¹I, or Synthyroid® intake. CONCLUSION: Partial thyroidectomy and tumor size >2 cm are significantly associated with local recurrence in AGES low risk papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Traumatic Isolated SMA Dissecting Aneurysm Associated with Burst Fractures of Lumbar Spines

Isolated dissecting aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare condition. Although aneurysms of the SMA are frequently classified with other splanchnic aneurysms, dissecting SMA aneurysms are quite different in terms of their etiology and natural history. Therefore, independent consideration is warranted during their treatment. In this case report, a dissecting aneurysm was accompanied by burst fractures of the first and third lumbar spines at the same height. We treated the patient, who was suffering from chronic post-prandial intermittent abdominal pain after falling down. The patient stopped displaying repeated episodes of abdominal pain did not recur after the false lumen entry was closed by a short exclusion stent graft, and there were no procedural complications. The stent graft remained patent, and the patient has remained free of symptoms during the 16 months follow-up period. We present here the case of a traumatic isolated SMA dissecting aneurysm that was successfully managed by endovascular treatment.

Traumatic Isolated SMA Dissecting Aneurysm Associated with Burst Fractures of Lumbar Spines

Isolated dissecting aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare condition. Although aneurysms of the SMA are frequently classified with other splanchnic aneurysms, dissecting SMA aneurysms are quite different in terms of their etiology and natural history. Therefore, independent consideration is warranted during their treatment. In this case report, a dissecting aneurysm was accompanied by burst fractures of the first and third lumbar spines at the same height. We treated the patient, who was suffering from chronic post-prandial intermittent abdominal pain after falling down. The patient stopped displaying repeated episodes of abdominal pain did not recur after the false lumen entry was closed by a short exclusion stent graft, and there were no procedural complications. The stent graft remained patent, and the patient has remained free of symptoms during the 16 months follow-up period. We present here the case of a traumatic isolated SMA dissecting aneurysm that was successfully managed by endovascular treatment.

Prognostic Significance of p27(kip1) Expression in Node Negative Colorectal Carcinoma

PURPOSE: Dukes' A & B colorectal cancer patients are often excluded from adjuvant chemotherapy following potentially curative surgery because they are expected to have good long-term survival. However, actually 20 ~ 30% of these patients suffer from recurrent disease, so it would be helpful for these patients of recurrent disease to be able to select a high risk group. METHODS: In 78 Dukes' A & B colorectal cancers, we investigated by immunohistochemistry the role of molecular markers, such as p27(kip1), p53, Ki-67, and Skp2, in identifying high-risk patients. RESULTS: Patients with low p27(kip1) expression showed poor overall survival compared to those with high p27(kip1) expressions (55.3 versus 66.7 months, P=0.018). The only significant factor associated with p27(kip1) expression was p53 expression. The low p27(kip1) expression and positive p53 expression group had poor overall survival (54.3 months, P=0.036). CONCLISIONS: In a node-negative colorectal carcinoma, the molecular marker p27(kip1) does not play an independent prognostic role, but it may have prognostic significance in correlation with other markers such as p53, Ki-67, and Skp2. The assessment of molecular alterations may be useful to node-negative colorectal patients in identifying the high risk group that may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Subdiaphragmatic Esophageal Duplication Cyst in a Child

An enteric duplication cyst is an unusual, benign congenital lesion of uncertain etiology. Duplications may be located anywhere along the alimentary tract from the mouth to the anus. Esophageal duplication cysts account for 10~15% of all duplications, and combined autopsy series have estimated an incidence of 1 in 8,200. They can occur in any position related to the esophagus, but are most common in the lower third arising from the embryonic foregut, and are represented by a common spectrum of derivatives, such as bronchogenic cysts and ciliated hepatic foregut cysts. Many cases of esophageal duplication cysts have been reported, nearly all of which were either completely or partially within the thoracic cavity. However, reports of complete intra-abdominal cysts, so called subdiaphragmatic esophageal duplication cysts, are rare, especially in children. Herein, we report such a case that occurred in a 10-year-old boy, where a duplication cyst arose from the lower esophagus, remaining entirely confined within the abdomen of a child. The boy presented with a 2 month history of intermittent epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. After surgical excision, the symptoms disappeared, with the diagnosis confirmed by histologic examination and fitting to the pathological criteria.