Preoperative CA19-9 level was a valuable clinical factor for predicting histopathologic invasiveness as well as clinical outcome. An adequate resection margin was the only modifiable factor by a surgeon during hepatic resection for ICC.

In colorectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery, a TAP block did not offer enough benefit for clinical efficacy in terms of postoperative pain or analgesic consumption.

No abstract

Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become one of the main indications for liver transplantation. To keep abreast of the times, a comprehensive cancer center may have to perform liver transplantation as a treatment option for HCC. We introduce a learning curve for living‐donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and present our initial experience in a new cancer center as an example to any center considering LDLT. A total of 51 consecutive adult right liver LDLTs performed from January 2005 to January 2008 were analyzed by comparing the first 17 transplants performed with the help of an outside experienced team (group 1) with the middle 17 (group 2) and the last 17 cases (group 3) performed in our center independently. There was no hospital mortality in donors and recipients. In a mean follow‐up of 34 months (range: 12–48 months), there was only one case of late mortality in donor and recipient, respectively. A total of four donors and 12 recipients underwent re‐operations. The warm ischemic time was significantly longer in group 2 than that in groups 1 and 3. Otherwise, there was no significant difference in the operative outcomes among the three groups. Thorough preparation and the assistance of an experienced liver transplantation team at the beginning can facilitate a more rapid learning curve and bring about a good outcome even in a small, newly established institution.

ObjectiveVitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) mediates various biological processes in humans. The goal of this study was to investigate whether VDBP gene polymorphisms could predispose Korean women to endometriosis.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled women with endometriosis (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 16). Total serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured using an Elecsys vitamin D total kit. Levels of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using a vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. DNA was extracted using a DNeasy blood & tissue kit. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs4588 and rs7041) in GC, the gene that codes for VDBP, were analyzed using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay kit. The functional variant of VDBP was determined based on the results of the two SNPs.ResultsGravidity and parity were significantly lower in the endometriosis patients than in the control group, but serum CA-125 levels and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher. Total serum 25(OH)D levels in the endometriosis patients were significantly lower than in the control group. However, serum bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, and VDBP levels did not differ significantly between the endometriosis and control groups. The genotypes and allele frequencies of GC were similar in both groups.ConclusionKorean women with endometriosis had lower total serum 25(OH)D concentrations than controls. Neither serum VDBP concentrations nor polymorphisms in the gene coding for VDBP were associated with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiology and clinical implications of 25(OH)D and VDBP in endometriosis.