Sunchin Kim

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Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Kim, S., Chaus, F., & Funk, J. (2018).

  Urologic Considerations for the General Surgeon - Malignant

  Conditions. In Scientific American Surgery.
• Kim, S., Chaus, F., & Funk, J. (2018). Urologic Considerations for the General Surgeon - Benign Conditions. . In Scientific American Surgery.
• Michalak, J., Kim, S., Funk, J., & Twiss, C. O. (2018).

  Sacral Neuromodulation for Overactive Bladder

  . In Adult and Pediatric Neuromodulation. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73266-4_3
• Kim, S., Funk, J., Twiss, C. O., & Michalak, J. R. (2017). Sacral Neuromodulation for Overactive Bladder.. In Adult and Pediatric Neuromodulation.

Journals/Publications

• Cho, E. Y., Chaudry, A. E., Puri, D., Kim, S., Viers, B. R., Witthaus, M., & Buckley, J. C. (2024). Outcomes of Robot-assisted Appendiceal Ureteroplasty From a Multi-institutional Experience. Urology, 192, 136-140.
  More info

  To evaluate the viability of robot-assisted appendiceal ureteroplasty as an innovative surgical approach for the reconstruction of ureteral strictures in cases where traditional methods are unsuitable.
• Kim, S. (2020). Urinary Tract Reconstruction. Urol Clin North Am. doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2020.09.006
• Seaman, J. A., Bracamonte, E., & Kim, S. (2023).

  A unique case of Schistosoma‐related ureteral stricture: Diagnosis and surgical reconstruction

  . IJU Case Reports, 6(6), 325-328. doi:10.1002/iju5.12605
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  Chronic infection with Schistosoma haematobium can lead to pathology of the upper and lower urinary tracts. While well known as a cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, relatively little research exists on ureteral involvement. Here, we present a unique case of bilateral ureteral obstruction from schistosomiasis with concomitant ureteral stone disease.A 43-year-old male Somalian immigrant was diagnosed with a right proximal ureteral stone and bilateral multifocal ureteral narrowing causing obstruction with preserved renal function. He underwent a staged repair with right robotic pyelolithotomy and non-transecting ureteroureterostomy, followed by left robotic ureteroureterostomy with stricture excision. Pathology revealed Schistosoma ova.Ureteral stricture from schistosomiasis represents a rare diagnosis for urologists in non-endemic countries. Bilateral ureteral narrowing and concomitant ureteral stone burden presented both diagnostic and reconstructive challenges, requiring a staged repair. Minimally invasive reconstruction was achieved using robotic assistance with good functional outcome.
• Cheng, K. C., Kim, S., Smith, T. G., Cheng, K. C., Smith, T. G., Zhao, L. C., Zhao, L. C., Voelzke, B. B., Voelzke, B. B., Vanni, A. J., Vanni, A. J., Myers, J. B., Myers, J. B., Kim, S., Erickson, B. A., Erickson, B. A., Elliott, S. P., Elliott, S. P., Buckley, J. C., , Buckley, J. C., et al. (2022). Minimizing Antibiotic Use in Urethral Reconstruction.. The Journal of urology, 208(1), 101097JU0000000000002487. doi:10.1097/ju.0000000000002487
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  There are no established guidelines regarding management of antibiotics for patients specifically undergoing urethral reconstruction. Our aim was to minimize antibiotic use by following a standardized protocol in the pre-, peri- and postoperative setting, and adhere to American Urological Association antibiotic guidelines. We hypothesized that prolonged suppressive antibiotics post-urethroplasty does not prevent urinary tract infection and/or wound infection rates..We prospectively treated 900 patients undergoing urethroplasty or perineal urethrostomy at 11 centers over 2 years. The first-year cohort A received prolonged postoperative antibiotics. Year 2, cohort B, did not receive prolonged antibiotics. A standardized protocol following the American Urological Association guidelines for perioperative antibiotics was used. The 30-day postoperative infectious complications were determined. We used chi-square analysis to compare the cohorts, and multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors..The mean age of participants in both cohorts was 49.7 years old and the average stricture length was 4.09 cm. Overall, the rate of postoperative urinary tract infection and wound infection within 30 days was 5.1% (6.7% in phase 1 vs 3.9% in phase 2, p=0.064) and 3.9% (4.1% in phase 1 vs 3.7% in phase 2, p=0.772), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of patient characteristics and operative factors did not reveal any factors predictive of postoperative infections..The use of a standardized protocol minimized antibiotic use and demonstrated no benefit to prolonged antibiotic use. There were no identifiable risk factors when considering surgical characteristics. Given the concern of antibiotic over-prescription, we do not recommend prolonged antibiotic use after urethral reconstruction.
• Kim, S., Cheng, K. C., Alsikafi, N. F., Breyer, B. N., Broghammer, J. A., Elliott, S. P., Erickson, B. A., Myers, J. B., Smith, T. G., Vanni, A. J., Voelzke, B. B., Zhao, L. C., & Buckley, J. C. (2022). Minimizing Antibiotic Use in Urethral Reconstruction. The Journal of urology, 208(1), 128-134.
  More info

  There are no established guidelines regarding management of antibiotics for patients specifically undergoing urethral reconstruction. Our aim was to minimize antibiotic use by following a standardized protocol in the pre-, peri- and postoperative setting, and adhere to American Urological Association antibiotic guidelines. We hypothesized that prolonged suppressive antibiotics post-urethroplasty does not prevent urinary tract infection and/or wound infection rates.
• Kim, S., Cheng, K. C., Alsikafi, N. F., Breyer, B. N., Broghammer, J. A., Elliott, S. P., Erickson, B. A., Myers, J. B., Smith, T. G., Vanni, A. J., Voelzke, B. B., Zhao, L. C., & Buckley, J. C. (2022). Reply by Authors. The Journal of urology, 208(1), 134.
• Byrne, E. R., Fuller, T. W., Kim, S., Said, E. T., & Buckley, J. C. (2021). A narcotic free pathway for postoperative pain following urethroplasty. The Canadian journal of urology, 28(6), 10914-10919.
  More info

  In an effort to decrease physician contribution to the opioid crisis, we utilized a narcotic free pathway (NFP) after urethroplasty. Our objectives were to demonstrate feasibility of a NFP and identify patients at higher risk for requiring postoperative narcotics.
• Kim, S., & Buckley, J. C. (2021). Robotic Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction. The Urologic clinics of North America, 48(1), 103-112.
  More info

  Lower urinary tract reconstruction has traditionally been approached in an open fashion but select complications or disease processes may be suitable for robotic reconstruction, including bladder neck contractures, proximal urethral strictures, and genitourinary fistulas. Here, the authors discuss the novel techniques used and the feasibility of robotic reconstruction for these conditions. The robotic approach is relatively novel, and more data and studies will be required to make definitive statements regarding success rate and complications from the procedure. Preliminary data suggest that the robotic approach may offer comparable success compared with open techniques.
• Kim, S., Cheng, K. C., Patell, S., Alsikafi, N. F., Breyer, B. N., Broghammer, J. A., Elliott, S. P., Erickson, B. A., Myers, J. B., Smith, T. G., Vanni, A. J., Voelzke, B. B., Zhao, L. C., & Buckley, J. C. (2021). AUTHOR REPLY. Urology, 152, 147.
• Kim, S., Cheng, K. C., Patell, S., Alsikafi, N. F., Breyer, B. N., Broghammer, J. A., Elliott, S. P., Erickson, B. A., Myers, J. B., Smith, T. G., Vanni, A. J., Voelzke, B. B., Zhao, L. C., & Buckley, J. C. (2021). Antibiotic Stewardship and Postoperative Infections in Urethroplasties. Urology, 152, 142-147.
  More info

  To determine surgical site infection and urinary tract infection (UTI) rates in the setting of urethroplasty. Given significant variation in the utilization of antibiotics, there is an opportunity to improve antibiotic stewardship. This study aims to elucidate the rate of both UTI and surgical site infection after urethroplasty on a standardized perioperative antibiotic regimen, and to obtain patient and operative characteristics that may predict infection.
• Kim, S., Fuller, T. W., & Buckley, J. C. (2020). Robotic Surgery for the Reconstruction of Transplant Ureteral Strictures. Urology, 144, 208-213.
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  To demonstrate the feasibility and success of a robotic approach to reconstruction of ureterovesical anastomotic strictures in kidney transplants.
• Koprowski, C. J., Kim, S., & Buckley, J. C. (2020). EDITORIAL COMMENT. Urology, 146, 246-247.
• Kim, S., Pollock, G. R., Twiss, C. O., & Funk, J. T. (2019). Surgery for Posterior Compartment Vaginal Prolapse: Graft Augmented Repair. The Urologic clinics of North America, 46(1), 87-95.
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  Posterior compartment vaginal prolapse can be approached with multiple surgical techniques, including transvaginally, transperineally, and transanally, repaired with either native tissue or with the addition of an augment. Augment material for posterior compartment prolapse includes biologic graft (dermal, porcine submucosal), absorbable mesh (Vicryl polyglactin), or nonabsorbable synthetic mesh (polypropylene). Anatomic success rates for posterior compartment repair with augment has ranged from 54% to 92%. Augmented posterior compartment repair has not been shown to have superior outcome to native tissue repair. The focus of this article is on the transvaginal approach comparing native tissue repair with graft or mesh augmented repair.
• Hartman, W. R., Smelter, D. F., Sathish, V., Karass, M., Kim, S., Aravamudan, B., Thompson, M. A., Amrani, Y., Pandya, H. C., Martin, R. J., Prakash, Y. S., & Pabelick, C. M. (2012). Oxygen dose responsiveness of human fetal airway smooth muscle cells. American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology, 303(8), L711-9.
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  Maintenance of blood oxygen saturation dictates supplemental oxygen administration to premature infants, but hyperoxia predisposes survivors to respiratory diseases such as asthma. Although much research has focused on oxygen effects on alveoli in the setting of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the mechanisms by which oxygen affects airway structure or function relevant to asthma are still under investigation. We used isolated human fetal airway smooth muscle (fASM) cells from 18-20 postconceptual age lungs (canalicular stage) to examine oxygen effects on intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) and cellular proliferation. fASM cells expressed substantial smooth muscle actin and myosin and several Ca(2+) regulatory proteins but not fibroblast or epithelial markers, profiles qualitatively comparable to adult human ASM. Fluorescence Ca(2+) imaging showed robust [Ca(2+)](i) responses to 1 μM acetylcholine (ACh) and 10 μM histamine (albeit smaller and slower than adult ASM), partly sensitive to zero extracellular Ca(2+). Compared with adult, fASM showed greater baseline proliferation. Based on this validation, we assessed fASM responses to 10% hypoxia through 90% hyperoxia and found enhanced proliferation at 60%, effects accompanied by appropriate changes in proliferative vs. apoptotic markers and enhanced mitochondrial fission at >60% oxygen. [Ca(2+)](i) responses to ACh were enhanced for 60% oxygen. These results suggest that hyperoxia has dose-dependent effects on structure and function of developing ASM, which could have consequences for airway diseases of childhood. Thus detrimental effects on ASM should be an additional consideration in assessing risks of supplemental oxygen in prematurity.
• Zhao, B., Benson, E. K., Qiao, R., Wang, X., Kim, S., Manfredi, J. J., Lee, S. W., & Aaronson, S. A. (2009). Cellular senescence and organismal ageing in the absence of p21(CIP1/WAF1) in ku80(-/-) mice. EMBO reports, 10(1), 71-8.
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  Ku80 is important in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks by its essential function in non-homologous end-joining. The absence of Ku80 causes the accumulation of DNA damage and leads to premature ageing in mice. We showed that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from ku80(-/-) mice senesced rapidly with elevated levels of p53 and p21. Deletion of p21 delayed the early senescence phenotype in ku80(-/-) MEFs, despite an otherwise intact response of p53. In contrast to ku80(-/-)p53(-/-) mice, which die rapidly primarily from lymphomas, there was no significant increase in tumorigenesis in ku80(-/-)p21(-/-) mice. However, ku80(-/-)p21(-/-) mice showed no improvement with respect to rough fur coat or osteopaenia, and even showed a shortened lifespan compared with ku80(-/-) mice. These results show that the increased lifespan of ku80(-/-) MEFs owing to the loss of p21 is not associated with an improvement of the premature ageing phenotypes of ku80(-/-) mice observed at the organismal level.
• Jang, T., Savarese, T., Low, H. P., Kim, S., Vogel, H., Lapointe, D., Duong, T., Litofsky, N. S., Weimann, J. M., Ross, A. H., & Recht, L. (2006). Osteopontin expression in intratumoral astrocytes marks tumor progression in gliomas induced by prenatal exposure to N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea. The American journal of pathology, 168(5), 1676-85.
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  To better study early events in glioma genesis, markers that reliably denote landmarks in glioma development are needed. In the present study, we used microarray analysis to compare the gene expression patterns of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-localized N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced tumors in rat brains with those of uninvolved contralateral side and normal brains. Our analysis identified osteopontin (OPN) as the most up-regulated gene in glioma. Using immunohistochemistry we then confirmed OPN expression in every tumor examined (n = 17), including those with diameters as small as 300 mum. By contrast, no OPN immunostaining was seen in normal brain or in brains removed from ENU-exposed rats before the development of glioma. Further studies confirmed that OPN was co-localized exclusively in intratumoral glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing cells and was notably absent from nestin-expressing ones. In conjunction with this, we confirmed that both normal neurosphere cells and ENU-im-mortalized subventricular zone/striatal cells produced negligible amounts of OPN compared to the established rat glioma cell line C6. Furthermore, inducing OPN expression in an immortalized cell line increased cell proliferation. Based on these findings, we conclude that OPN overexpression in ENU-induced gliomas occurs within a specific subset of intratumoral glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells and becomes evident at the stage of tumor progression.