Purpose: Conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is more commonly performed than transumbilical single port laparoscopic appendectomy (TUSPLA). In this report, we performed a prospective randomized study comparing the outcomes of LA and TUSPLA. Methods: Between April 14, 2009 and June 10, 2009, 40 patients who required laparoscopic appendectomies were randomly selected to receive either a TUSPLA or a LA. None of these patients had perforation or abscess. Twenty of the patients received a LA and the other 20 received a TUSPLA. The clinical outcomes and visual analog pain scores (VAS) were compared between the groups. Results: The TUSPLA procedures were performed successfully in every indicated patient. Clinical outcomes were similar in both study groups. The TUSPLA group showed a significantly higher VAS score 24 hours postoperatively than the LA group. Conclusion: Compared with LA, TUSPLA was technically feasible and safe in patients with non-complicated appendicitis. However, the patients in the TUSPLA group reported more postoperative pain than those in the LA group. (J Korean Surg Soc 2010;78:213-218)

Serum PIVKA-II might be a better tumor marker than AFP, and its combination with AFP may enhance the early detection of HCC in patients with CHB.

Background: The tumor biology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affects recurrence after liver transplantation (LT), but most selection guidelines are based only on tumor size and number. The aim of the study is to evaluate the possibility of expanding the selection criteria in living donor LT (LDLT) without compromising patient survival by adding α-fetoprotein (AFP) in selection guideline. Methods: One hundred thirty-nine patients who received LDLT with the diagnosis of HCC and survived more than 3 months were enrolled. The operability was based on Milan criteria but LT beyond the criteria was performed when requested by the patients and/or the guardian after thorough explanation. Results: The median follow-up duration was 28 months. One-, three- and five-year survival rates were 92.2, 82.6, and 79.9%. There was no survival difference between patients within or beyond Milan (p = 0.76). Serum AFP level >400 ng/ml, tumor size >5 cm, and vascular invasion were significant on univariate analysis, but only vascular invasion was significant on multivariate analysis (p = 0.007). Patients with >3 tumor nodules had better survival compared to ≤3 nodules (p = 0.196). Patient selection using tumor size ≤5 cm and AFP ≤400 ng/ml without limitation of tumor numbers could expand patient selection and improve patient survival. Conclusion: Application of serum AFP level to selection of HCC for LT affords better patient selection criteria.