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Sam Yeol Jang

Seoul National University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Sam Yeol Jang's research lab specializes in spinal surgery and spinal oncology, with a focus on improving outcomes in spinal metastasis and degenerative spinal diseases. The lab investigates advanced spinal implant technologies, including interbody cage design and biomaterial innovations, to enhance fusion stability and patient recovery. It also emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches, integrating comprehensive geriatric assessment and predictive modeling to optimize surgical decision-making in elderly patients. The lab’s work spans from biomechanical and clinical evaluation of spinal implants to the development of personalized treatment strategies for complex spinal conditions.

spinal metastasisinterbody fusiongeriatric assessmentspinal implantsclinical outcomes

Research Overview

Papers
73
Total Citations
601
Papers (5y)
40
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
40total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
277total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Review|45 citations·2020
Treatment Strategy for Metastatic Spinal Tumors: A Narrative Review
Sam Yeol Chang, Sujung Mok, Sung Cheol Park, Hyoungmin Kim, Bong‐Soon Chang
SJR Q1Asian Spine JournalOA

Metastatic spinal tumors are common, and their rising incidence can be attributed to the expanding aging population and increased survival rates among cancer patients. The decision-making process in the treatment of spinal metastasis requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes medical and radiation oncology, surgery, and rehabilitation. Various decision-making systems have been proposed in the literature in order to estimate survival and suggest appropriate treatment options for patients

SurgeryMedicine
2
Article|35 citations·2023
Innovative Developments in Lumbar Interbody Cage Materials and Design: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Sam Yeol Chang, Dong-Ho Kang, Samuel K. Cho
SJR Q1Asian Spine JournalOA

This review comprehensively examines the evolution and current state of interbody cage technology for lumbar interbody fusion (LIF). This review highlights the biomechanical and clinical implications of the transition from traditional static cage designs to advanced expandable variants for spinal surgery. The review begins by exploring the early developments in cage materials, highlighting the roles of titanium and polyetheretherketone in the advancement of LIF techniques. This review also discu

SurgeryMedicine
3
Article|29 citations·2020
Risk factors for postoperative ileus after oblique lateral interbody fusion: a multivariate analysis
Sung Cheol Park, Sam Yeol Chang, Sujung Mok, Hyoungmin Kim, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee
SJR Q1The Spine Journal
SurgeryMedicine
4
Article|23 citations·2019
Impact of Preoperative Diagnosis on Clinical Outcomes of Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Disease in a Single‐institution Prospective Cohort
Sam Yeol Chang, Yunjin Nam, Jeongik Lee, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choo‐Ki Lee, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q1Orthopaedic SurgeryOA

OBJECTIVES: Oblique lateral interbody fusion is considered a useful surgical option for various lumbar degenerative diseases with favorable clinical results and few complications. However, clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion stratified according to the preoperative diagnosis have not been fully evaluated in a large cohort. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease and

Pathology and Forensic MedicineMedicine
5
Article|22 citations·2020
Predictive Value of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment on Early Postoperative Complications Following Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Sam Yeol Chang, Jongyeon Son, Sang‐Min Park, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q1Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for early postoperative complications in elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) following lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: CGA is a multidisciplinary evaluation modality proven to be effective in various fields of geriatrics. However, limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of CGA in lumbar spinal stenosis pat

Geriatrics and GerontologyMedicine
6
Article|21 citations·2018
Prognosis of Single Spinal Metastatic Tumors: Predictive Value of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score System for Spinal Adverse Events
Sam Yeol Chang, Jae Hong Ha, Sang Gyo Seo, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q1Asian Spine JournalOA

Among the components of the SINS system, while pain and spinal alignment showed a significant association with VCF occurrence, pain and posterolateral involvement showed association with SCC occurrence.

SurgeryMedicine
7
Review|15 citations·2022
Separation surgery followed by stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: A systematic review and meta-analysis for local progression rate
Dong-Ho Kang, Bong‐Soon Chang, Hyoungmin Kim, Seong Hwa Hong, Sam Yeol Chang
SJR Q2Journal of bone oncologyOA

The pooled 1-year local progression rate of hybrid therapy for MESCC was 10.2%. In subgroup and moderator analyses, a lower radiation dose per fraction, history of prior radiotherapy, and colorectal cancer showed a significant association with the 1-year local progression rate.

SurgeryMedicine
8
Article|13 citations·2020
Clinical Significance of Radiologic Improvement Following Single-Level Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion With Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation
Sam Yeol Chang, Yunjin Nam, Jeongik Lee, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q2Orthopedics

Indirect decompression using oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) improves spinal canal dimensions by reducing spondylolisthesis and restoring intervertebral disk height in patients with degenerative lumbar diseases. However, the clinical significance of these radiological improvements has not been fully evaluated in the literature. To examine the relationship between the clinical and radiological outcomes following OLIF, the authors prospectively studied 41 patients who underwent single-leve

Pathology and Forensic MedicineMedicine
9
Article|11 citations·2019
Remaining Systemic Treatment Options: A Valuable Predictor of Survival and Functional Outcomes after Surgical Treatment for Spinal Metastasis
Sam Yeol Chang, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q1Orthopaedic SurgeryOA

Objectives To evaluate survival and functional outcomes in surgically‐treated spinal metastasis patients and to identify the prognostic value of the remaining options for systemic treatment. Methods The current study reviewed 100 consecutive patients who received surgery for spinal metastasis in a single center from March 2012 to June 2016. The decision for surgery had been made in a weekly multidisciplinary tumor board after considering multiple factors. Among these factors, those associated wi

SurgeryMedicine
10
Review|10 citations·2021
Can Indirect Decompression Reduce Adjacent Segment Degeneration and the Associated Reoperation Rate After Lumbar Interbody Fusion? A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis
Sam Yeol Chang, Ihn Seok Chae, Sujung Mok, Sung Cheol Park, Bong‐Soon Chang, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q2World NeurosurgeryOA

Indirect decompression showed lower odds of developing ASDeg and undergoing reoperation for ASDeg after lumbar interbody fusion surgery in this meta-analysis. However, the limited number and quality of the included studies should be considered when interpreting the results.

Pathology and Forensic MedicineMedicine
11
Article|10 citations·2020
Sagittal Alignment in Patients with Thoracic Myelopathy Caused by the Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum
Sam Yeol Chang, Yeonho Kim, Jun‐Ho Kim, Hyoungmin Kim, Ho‐Joong Kim, Jin S. Yeom, Choon‐Ki Lee, Bong‐Soon Chang
SJR Q1Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the sagittal spinal alignment between patients with and without the ossification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracic spine (TOLF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although mechanical factors play an important role in the development of TOLF, limited evidence exists on the association of sagittal spinal alignment and TOLF in the literature. METHODS: The present study assessed the preopera

SurgeryMedicine
12
Article|9 citations·2022
Anterior Thigh Pain Following Minimally Invasive Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion: Multivariate Analysis from a Prospective Case Series
Sam Yeol Chang, Woo Seok Lee, Sujung Mok, Sung Cheol Park, Hyoungmin Kim, Bong‐Soon Chang
SJR Q1Clinics in Orthopedic SurgeryOA

Background: Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) involves the antepsoas approach and psoas major muscle (PMM) retraction to insert the interbody cage orthogonally. Therefore, OLIF is often associated with postoperative anterior thigh pain (ATP) on the approach side. However, there is limited evidence on the nature and risk factors of ATP following OLIF. Methods: Consecutive patients who planned to undergo minimally invasive OLIF and percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation for lumbar degene

Pathology and Forensic MedicineMedicine
13
Article|8 citations·2023
The Use of High-Density Pedicle Screw Construct with Direct Vertebral Derotation of the Lowest Instrumented Vertebra in Selective Thoracic Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Comparison of Two Surgical Strategies
Sam Yeol Chang, Jae Hun Kim, Sujung Mok, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee, Hyoungmin Kim
SJR Q1Asian Spine JournalOA

STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective case series. PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine whether direct vertebral rotation (DVR) of the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) using a high-density (HD) construct can reduce fusion segments without increasing adverse outcomes in selective thoracic fusion (STF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: LIV DVR is used to maximize spontaneous lumbar curve correction and reduce adverse outcomes during STF for AIS. H

SurgeryMedicine
14
Article|7 citations·2024
A Preliminary Diagnostic Model for Forward Head Posture among Adolescents Using Forward Neck Tilt Angle and Radiographic Sagittal Alignment Parameters
Young Jae Moon, Tae Young Ahn, Seung Woo Suh, Kun-Bo Park, Sam Yeol Chang, Do-Kun Yoon, Moo-Sub Kim, Hyeonjoo Kim, Yong Dae Jeon, Jae Hyuk Yang
SJR Q2DiagnosticsOA

Despite numerous attempts to correct forward head posture (FHP), definitive evidence-based screening and diagnostic methods remain elusive. This study proposes a preliminary diagnostic methodology for FHP, utilizing a noninvasive body angle measurement system as a screening test for FHP and incorporating radiological parameters for sagittal alignment. We enrolled 145 adolescents for FHP screening. The forward neck tilt angle (FNTA), defined as the angle between the vertical line and the line con

Social PsychologyPsychology
15
Article|7 citations·2020
Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma in Adolescent-Onset Scoliosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Jun‐Ho Kim, Yeon Ho Kim, Hyoungmin Kim, Bong‐Soon Chang, Choon‐Ki Lee, Sam Yeol Chang
Case Reports in OrthopedicsOA

Background and Objectives. Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a vascular tumor of very low incidence, which occurs mostly in children and infants. The tumor is recognized for its locally aggressive, yet rarely metastatic behavior. It may cause consumptive coagulopathy known as Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. We report a distinctive case, where an 11-year-old boy is presented with progressive thoracolumbar scoliosis without any symptom or neurological sign. Case Report. The patient underwent s

SurgeryMedicine

Research Areas

SurgeryPathology and Forensic MedicinePsychiatry and Mental healthBiomedical EngineeringPulmonary and Respiratory MedicineGeriatrics and Gerontology

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