Korean essentials of robotic surgery (KEROS) program for novice robotic surgeons: evaluating the educational impact and participant satisfaction of simulation training for developing robotic surgical skills.

Introduction:  As robotic surgery expands, standardized training is crucial for novice robotic surgeons. The Korean Essentials of Robotic Surgery (KEROS) program, developed by the Korean Society of Endo-laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery, offers such training. This study evaluates KEROS's educational effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Development of a Predictive Model for Colorectal Cancer Using Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds.

Background: Colorectal cancer lacks noninvasive and efficient diagnostic markers. Recently, volatile organic compounds present in exhaled breath have emerged as potential diagnostic indicators for various diseases.

Objective: This study aimed to establish a predictive model that includes exhaled volatile organic compounds for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Stereotactic Navigation-Assisted Laparoscopic Resection of Challenging Low Pelvic Tumors: A Case Series.

(1) : The laparoscopic approach to low pelvic tumors is challenging and hindered by suboptimal tumor visualization and dissection, with possible oncological failure. Stereotactic navigation provides real-time image guidance that may optimize safety, accuracy, and precision when dissecting challenging low pelvic tumors. (2) Preoperative CT images were acquired with eight skin-fixed fiducials and loaded into a navigation system.

Impact of COVID-19 infection during the postoperative period in patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery: a retrospective study.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to significant global casualties. This study examines the postoperative impact of COVID-19 on patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery, considering their heightened vulnerability to infections and increased morbidity and mortality risk.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary center and patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery between January 2022 and February 2023 were included.

Recurrence Patterns and Risk Factors after Curative Resection for Colorectal Cancer: Insights for Postoperative Surveillance Strategies.

This study aimed to assess recurrence patterns and related risk factors following curative resection of colorectal cancer (CRC). This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center, including 2622 patients with stage I-III CRC who underwent curative resection between 2008 and 2018. Hazard rates of recurrence were calculated using a hazard function.

Preoperative sequential short-course radiation therapy and FOLFOX chemotherapy versus long-course chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (SOLAR trial).

Background: Preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy has been widely used as an effective treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), leading to a significant reduction in pelvic recurrence rates. Because early administration of intensive chemotherapy for LARC has more advantages than adjuvant chemotherapy, total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) has been introduced and evaluated to determine whether it can improve tumor response or treatment outcomes. This study aims to investigate whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by intensive chemotherapy improves oncologic outcomes compared with traditional preoperative long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Conversational artificial intelligence (chatGPT™) in the management of complex colorectal cancer patients: early experience.

Introduction: In 2022 chatGPT™ (OpenAI, San Francisco) was introduced to the public. The complex reasoning and the natural language processing (NLP) ability of the AI platform has generated much excitement about the potential applications. This study conducted a preliminary analysis of the chatGPT™'s ability to formulate a management plan in accordance with oncological principles for patients with colorectal cancer.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in Detecting Colorectal Cancer Recurrence Depending on Its Preoperative Level.

Background: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) increase in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence was observed to vary depending on their initial values. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEA for detecting CRC recurrence in patients with normal and elevated initial CEA levels.

Methods: A total of 261 CRC recurrence patients who underwent curative resection were included and divided into two groups, normal and elevated initial CEA.

Long-term oncologic outcome of D3 lymph node dissection for clinical stage 2/3 right-sided colon cancer.

Purpose: To investigate oncologic outcomes including overall survival and disease-free survival depending on the extent of lymphadenectomy (D3 versus D2) by comparing D3 and D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with clinical stage 2/3 right colon cancer.

Methods: Consecutive series of patients who underwent radical resection for right colon cancer at our three hospitals between January 2015 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Study cohorts were divided into two groups: D3 group and D2 group.

Laparoscopic D3 oncological resection in splenic flexure cancer: Technical details and its impact on long-term survival.

Aim: The applicability of laparoscopic D3 oncological resection for splenic flexure cancer (SFC) surgery has not been fully explored due to technical difficulties and variations in surgical procedure. The aim of this work is to describe the feasibility of performing laparoscopic D3 resection in SFC and its impact on long-term survival.

Method: A retrospective study on 47 out of 52 consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy for SFC from December 2006 until December 2019 at Korea University Anam Hospital was performed.

Robotic approach may be associated with a lower risk of lung metastases compared to laparoscopic approach for mid-low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a multivariate analysis on long-term recurrence patterns.

Purpose: Describe differences on recurrence patterns of mid-low rectal cancers treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and low anterior resection between laparoscopic and robotic approach.

Methods: Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database between 2006 and 2019. Demographics, clinicopathological features, recurrence, and survival were investigated.

Effect of a Patient Blood Management system on perioperative transfusion practice and short-term outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery.

Background: Patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery may require a blood transfusion. However, blood transfusions are associated with postoperative complications and long-term oncologic outcomes. Patient blood management (PBM) is an evidence-based multimodal approach for blood transfusion optimisation.

Clinical outcomes of surgical management for recurrent rectal prolapse: a multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: There are few reports on outcomes following surgical repair of recurrent rectal prolapse. The purpose of this study was to examine surgical outcomes for recurrent rectal prolapse.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse.

Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Approach for Lateral Pelvic Node Dissection in Rectal Cancer: Techniques and Short-Term Outcomes.

Background: Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection has been performed selectively in rectal cancer cases; however, it involves highly skilled techniques because of the complex adjacent anatomical structures.

Materials And Methods: Laparoscopic EP-LPND was performed in Korea University Anam Hospital from June 2018, and short-term surgical outcomes were analyzed from June to December 2018. Among the patients with histologically diagnosed rectal adenocarcinoma, patients who were suspected Lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis at magnetic resonance imaging were selected for this procedure

Results: Seven patients underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in the study period.

Lower Incidence of Postoperative Urinary Retention in Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision for Low Rectal Cancer Compared with Laparoscopic Surgery.

Introduction: The incidence and clinical significance of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) remain high. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of POUR and related risk factors in patients who underwent total mesorectal excision (TMR) for low rectal cancer.

Methods: This study is a retrospective review of a prospectively collected colorectal database from a single center.

Infrapyloric and gastroepiploic node dissection for hepatic flexure and transverse colon cancer: A systematic review.

Introduction: The hepatic flexure and transverse colon have a complex intermingled lymphovascular anatomy crossing between mesocolon and mesogastrium. Few studies have investigated the oncological relevance of metastatic infrapyloric and gastroepiploic lymph nodes (IGLN) from hepatic flexure and transverse colon tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for IGLN metastases, and the indications, surgical morbidities, and oncological outcome following extended lymphadenectomy.

A Minimally Invasive Pelvic Multivisceral Resection Approach for Locally Advanced Primary Colorectal Cancers: A Single-Institution Experience.

The role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in locally advanced colorectal cancers (CRCs) suspected of direct invasion to adjacent organs or structures remains controversial. The aim of this study is to verify the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive multivisceral resection (MVR) surgery for locally advanced CRCs compared with conventional open surgery. Prospectively collected data from patients who underwent MVR for locally advanced CRCs from 2007 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Anus-Preserving Surgery in Advanced Low-Lying Rectal Cancer: A Perspective on Oncological Safety of Intersphincteric Resection.

The surgical management of low-lying rectal cancer, within 5 cm from the anal verge (AV), is challenging due to the possibility, or not, to preserve the anus with its sphincter muscles maintaining oncological safety. The standardization of total mesorectal excision, the adoption of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, the implementation of rectal magnetic resonance imaging, and the evolution of mechanical staplers have increased the rate of anus-preserving surgeries. Moreover, extensive anatomy and physiology studies have increased the understanding of the complexity of the deep pelvis.

Laparoscopic en bloc lateral pelvic exenteration for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer.

This study describes minimally invasive lateral pelvic compartment en bloc excision for rectal cancer.

Clinical characteristics of patients in their forties who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer in Korea.

Background: The proportion of young patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), especially in their 40s, is increasing worldwide.

Aim: To confirm the clinical characteristics of such patients, we planned a study comparing them to patients in their 30s and 50s.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary resection for CRC, patients in their 30s, 40s and 50s were included in the study.

Extraabdominal parasitic lipoleiomyoma.

Extrauterine parasitic lipoleiomyoma is a very rare fatty tumor, with uncertain histopathogenesis. Although imaging studies play an important role in preoperative localization and diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma, a pathological evaluation is paramount for confirmation of diagnosis. We describe a case of a 49-year-old woman with a palpable mass in the right inguinal area.