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Soju Choi

Sungkyunkwan University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Soju Choi's research lab specializes in optimizing perioperative care and enhancing safety in living liver donation, with a strong focus on advanced pain management strategies and hemodynamic monitoring. The lab investigates the efficacy and safety of various analgesic techniques—such as intrathecal morphine, epidural catheters, and local anesthetic-based analgesia—while evaluating their impact on postoperative recovery and donor outcomes. Additionally, the lab explores hemostatic safety, particularly concerning coagulation profiles and the use of central versus peripheral venous pressure monitoring during right hepatectomy. Their work aims to minimize donor morbidity and improve surgical outcomes in living donor liver transplantation.

living liver donationpostoperative analgesiacoagulation safetyhemodynamic monitoringdonor safety

Research Overview

Papers
108
Total Citations
1,708
Papers (5y)
5
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
5total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
16total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|143 citations·2011
Magnesium added to bupivacaine prolongs the duration of analgesia after interscalene nerve block
Ae Ryoung Lee, Hyewon Yi, In Sun Chung, Justin Sangwook Ko, Hyun Joo Ahn, Mi Sook Gwak, Duck Hwan Choi, Soo Joo Choi
SJR Q1Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d anesthésieOA
SurgeryMedicine
2
Article|76 citations·2009
Intrathecal morphine combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia is an effective and safe method for immediate postoperative pain control in live liver donors
Justin Sangwook Ko, Soo Joo Choi, Mi Sook Gwak, Gaab Soo Kim, Hyun Joo Ahn, Jie Ae Kim, Tae Soo Hahm, Hyun Sung Cho, Kyoung Mi Kim, Jae‐Won Joh
SJR Q1Liver TransplantationOA

The healthy condition of living donors makes their tolerance to pain particularly low, and clinicians are often challenged to come up with an analgesic technique that is effective yet ensures donor safety. This study compared, in donor right hepatectomy, the efficacy and safety of preoperative intrathecal morphine (ITM) combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with IV-PCA alone. Forty adult patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups: ITM+IV-PCA group (n = 20) and IV-PC

SurgeryMedicine
3
Article|68 citations·2006
The changes in coagulation profile and epidural catheter safety for living liver donors: A report on 6 years of our experience
Soo Joo Choi, Mi Sook Gwak, Justin Sang Ko, Gaab Soo Kim, Hyun Joo Ahn, Mikyung Yang, Tae Soo Hahm, Sang Min Lee, Myung Hee Kim, Jae‐Won Joh
SJR Q1Liver Transplantation

The use of epidural catheters has been a subject of active debate in living liver donors because of the possible postoperative coagulation derangement and the subsequent risk of epidural hematoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of epidural catheters in relation to the changes in coagulation profile based on a review of previously published literature and the results of our 360 donors. In both the literature and in our cases, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), and activated

HepatologyMedicine
4
Article|48 citations·2013
Prospective, randomized study of ropivacaine wound infusion versus intrathecal morphine with intravenous fentanyl for analgesia in living donors for liver transplantation
Sang Hyun Lee, Mi Sook Gwak, Soo Joo Choi, Hui Gyeong Park, Gaab Soo Kim, Myung Hee Kim, Hyun Joo Ahn, Jie-Ae Kim, Choon Hyuck David Kwon, Tae Seok Kim
SJR Q1Liver TransplantationOA

Postoperative analgesia and care for living liver donors have become particular interests for clinicians as the use of living donor liver transplantation has increased. Local anesthetic-based analgesia has been known to provide effective pain control. In this prospective, randomized study, we compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of local anesthetic-based analgesia (PainBuster) with the efficacy of opioid-based analgesia [intrathecal morphine (ITM) with intravenous (IV) fentanyl] in live

SurgeryMedicine
5
Article|40 citations·2012
Effect of intraoperative lidocaine on anesthetic consumption, and bowel function, pain intensity, analgesic consumption and hospital stay after breast surgery
Soo Joo Choi, Myung Hee Kim, Hui Yeon Jeong, Jeong Jin Lee
SJR Q1Korean journal of anesthesiologyOA

Low dose intraoperative lidocaine infusion offered no beneficial effects on return of bowel function, opioid sparing, pain intensity and hospital stay after various breast plastic surgeries.

SurgeryMedicine
6
Article|38 citations·2007
Can Peripheral Venous Pressure Be An Alternative to Central Venous Pressure During Right Hepatectomy in Living Donors?
Soo Joo Choi, Mi Sook Gwak, Justin Sang Ko, Gaab Soo Kim, Tae Hyeong Kim, Hyun Joo Ahn, Jie Ae Kim, Mikyung Yang, Sang Hong Lee, Myung Kim
SJR Q1Liver Transplantation

The safety of living donors is a matter of cardinal importance in addition to obtaining optimal liver grafts to be transplanted. Central venous pressure (CVP) is known to have significant correlation with the amount of bleeding during parenchymal transection and many centers have adopted CVP monitoring for right hepatectomy. However, central line cannulation can induce some serious complications. Peripheral venous pressure (PVP) has been suggested as a comparable alternative to CVP. The aim of t

SurgeryMedicine
7
Article|25 citations·2005
Differences of perioperative liver function, transfusion, and complications according to the type of hepatectomy in living donors
Soo Joo Choi, Mi Sook Gwak, Myung Hee Kim, Mikyung Yang, Justin Sang Ko, Tae Soo Hahm, Gaab Soo Kim
SJR Q1Transplant International

Numerous living donor hepatectomy are being performed safely. However, donors are still exposed to various complications including hepatic failure. We examined the donor's potential risk and morbidity depending on the type of hepatectomy: left lateral segmentectomy (group LLS, n = 30), left lobectomy (group LL, n = 15), and right lobectomy (group RL, n = 128). The charts and computerized hospital data of 173 donors from March 2000 to September 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed live

SurgeryMedicine
8
Review|22 citations·2013
Intra‐operative cardiac arrests during liver transplantation – a retrospective review of the first 15 yr in Asian population
Sang Hyun Lee, Mi Sook Gwak, Soo Joo Choi, Young-Hee Shin, Justin Sangwook Ko, Gaab Soo Kim, Suk Young Lee, Myung Hee Kim, Hui Gyeong Park, Suk‐Koo Lee, Hee Jung Jeon
SJR Q2Clinical Transplantation

Although many report intra-operative cardiac arrests (ICAs) in liver transplantation (LT), the incidence, major causes, and outcome remain unclear. We aimed to investigate retrospectively, the incidence, nature, and outcome of ICA in Asian population and to identify risk factors for ICA. Consecutive 1071 LTs in an institution during 1996-2011 (adult 920, pediatric 151/living donor liver transplantation, LDLT 841, deceased donor liver transplantation, DDLT 230) were reviewed. ICA occurred in 14 a

HepatologyMedicine
9
Article|18 citations·2014
Intraoperative Hyperglycemia during Liver Resection: Predictors and Association with the Extent of Hepatocytes Injury
Sangbin Han, Justin Sangwook Ko, Sang‐Man Jin, Hyo‐Won Park, Jong Man Kim, Jae‐Won Joh, Gaab Soo Kim, Soo Joo Choi
SJR Q1PLoS ONEOA

Hyperglycemia during liver resection might be associated with the extent of hepatocytes injury. It would be rational to maintain blood glucose concentration < 180 mg/dl throughout the surgery in consideration of parenchymal disease, coagulation status, lipid profile, and the cumulative hepatic ischemia in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
10
Article|14 citations·2010
Hemostatic and Electrolyte Effects of Hydroxyethyl Starches in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Pedicle Screws and Cages
Soo Joo Choi, Hyun Joo Ahn, Sung Soo Chung, Myung Hee Kim, Duck Hwan Choi, Sangmin Maria Lee, Jin Gu Kang, Jin‐Kyoung Kim
SJR Q1Spine

If coagulopathy is a concern during PLIF, then, a HES with low MW/DS in a saline-based medium (Voluven) may be a better alternative than a HES with high MW/DS in a balanced salt medium (Hextend).

Critical Care and Intensive Care MedicineMedicine
11
Article|6 citations·2002
A Survey of the Nature of Patients' Preoperative Anxiety and Concerns Regarding Anesthesia
Soo Joo Choi, Gab Soo Kim, Young Soon Choi, Ji‐Yeon Kim, Chung Su Kim, Mi Sook Gwak, Ik Soo Chung
SJR Q1Korean Journal of AnesthesiologyOA

Background : Although a personal interview with the patient during the preoperative visit decreases anesthesia-related anxiety, few efforts have been directed at identifying the patients` greatest concerns. The present study was undertaken to assess patients` anxiety regarding anesthetic management and their specific concerns about anesthesia. Methods : Before any premedication or explanstion of proposed an esthetic technique was given, two hundred and ninety five people (family members and pati

Social PsychologyPsychology
12
Article|5 citations·2005
Effect of Ketamine on Apoptosis by Energy Deprivation in Astroglioma Cells using Flow Cytometry System
Soo Joo Choi, Myung Hee Kim, Seung Woon Lim, Mi Sook Gwak
SJR Q2Journal of Korean Medical ScienceOA

Apoptosis is a programmed, physiologic mode of cell death that plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. As for the central nervous system, ischemic insults can induce pathophysiologic cascade of apoptosis in neurophils. Impairment of astrocyte functions during brain ischemia can critically influence neuron survival by neuronglia interactions. We aimed to elucidate the protective effect of ketamine on apoptosis by energy deprivation in astrocytes. Ischemic insults was induced with iodoaceta

Developmental NeuroscienceNeuroscience
13
Article|5 citations·2002
수술 전 마취와 관련된 환자의 불안과 관심에 대한 조사
최수주, 김갑수, 최영순, 김지연, 김정수, 곽미숙, 정익수

=A Survey of the Nature of Patients' Preoperative Anxietyand Concerns Regarding AnesthesiaSoo Joo Choi, M.D., Gaab Soo Kim, M.D., Young Soon Choi, M.D.*, Ji Yeon Kim, M.D.Chung Su Kim, M.D., Mi Sook Gwak, M.D., and Ik Soo Chung, M.D.

14
Article|4 citations·2003
Intubating Conditions and Responses to intubation after Sevoflurane-N2O-O2 Vital Capacity Rapid inhalation induction without Muscle Relaxant:Comparison with Propofol-N2O-O2-Vecuronium
Soo Joo Choi, Sook Gwak, Mikyung Yang
SJR Q1Korean Journal of AnesthesiologyOA

The objective of this study was to investigate the conditions required for tracheal intubation and the responses to intubation after the administration of a high concentration of sevoflurane-N2O-O2 for vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) without muscle relaxant. We compared those with propofol-N2O-O2-vecuronium induction.

Anesthesiology and Pain MedicineMedicine
15
Article|4 citations·2006
The Incidence Rate and Risk Factors of Pressure-induced Skin Breakdown during Operation
Soo Joo Choi, Dae Won Kim, Hye Seon Chung, Hyun Joo Ahn, Mi Sook Gwak, Mikyung Yang, Sang Min Lee, Gaab Soo Kim
SJR Q1Korean Journal of AnesthesiologyOA

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Occupational TherapyHealth Professions

Research Areas

SurgeryAnesthesiology and Pain MedicineCritical Care and Intensive Care MedicinePulmonary and Respiratory MedicineEndocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismCardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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