PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify relationships of resilience, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), and quality of life of breast cancer patients. The findings from this study would provide baseline data needed for nursing intervention. METHODS: A sample of 129 breast cancer patients was recruited from three hospitals in J and C cities in Korea. The survey was conducted with participants by utilizing self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: Quality of life showed statistically significant differences on religion (t=2.11, p=.033) and hobby (t=2.79, p=.006). Resilience and PTSD had a negative correlation (r=-.22, p=.010). Resilience and quality of life of the participants had a positive correlation (r=.58, p<.001), whereas PTSD and quality of life had a negative correlation (r=-.45, p<.001). Significant predictors of quality of life were resilience and PTSD. These variables explained 44.9% of the variance in quality of life. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that as resilience of breast cancer patients rose higher and PTSD got lower, their quality of life increased. Based on these results, nursing interventions directed towards improving resilience and relieving PTSD is proposed.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*

No abstract available.
Ectopia Cordis* ; Hernia, Umbilical*

The aging of the Korean population is expected to result in an increase in the prevalence of hip fractures. The aim of this review is to evaluate potential hip-fracture trends in Korea during the last few decades. Data from a hip fracture-related epidemiology study informed by: (1) a cohort study; (2) hospital-based cohort study; and (3) claims database, were reviewed and summarized. The incidence of hip fractures rose from 159.1/100,000 in 2008 to 181.5/100,000 in 2012, and the total number of hip fractures is estimated to increase by 1.4 times over the next 10 years (35,729 in 2016 to 51,259 in 2025). The use of intramedullary nails has greatly surpassed the use of plates for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. The 1-year cumulative mortality rates in patients aged ≥50 years after hip fractures based on National Health Insurance Service data were 17.2% (3,575/20,849) in 2008 and 16.0% (4,547/28,426) in 2012; the decrease was mainly observed among women. In addition, the mean 1-year mortality rates were 21% for men and 15% for women, indicating that mortality was 1.4 times higher in men than in women. The number of hip fractures is rapidly increasing, and the incidence of hip fractures demonstrated a slightly increasing trend until 2012. Trends in the use of varying surgical options for treatments for femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures follow global trends. Although the high mortality rate after hip fractures in Korea remains concerning, a decrease in these rates over the study period was observed.

PURPOSE: Most of the bilateral structures in our body are not perfectly balanced, such that one side is preferred than the other or it has physiological superiority. Eyes also have an imbalance; the eye with sensory and motional superiority compared to the other is called dominant eye. Authors of this study focused on analyzing the correlation between the dominant eye and levator palpebrae superioris muscle. METHODS: The subject of this study was 42 patients with no ptosis and with no past history of blepharoplasty. Hand dominance was identified through questionnaire and dominant eye was identified by hole-in-the-card dominance test (Dolman's test) in all patients. The function of levator palpebrae superioris muscle was measured by MLD (marginal limbal distance). During the measuring procedure, frontalis muscle was not inhibited to avoid the eyelid skin hooding. RESULTS: Out of 42 patients, 27 patients(64.3%) were right ocular dominant, 15 patients(35.7%) were left ocular dominant, 36 patients(85.7%) were right hand dominant and 4 patients(9.5%) were left hand dominant. Out of 27 right ocular dominant patients, right MLD was larger than the left in 26 patients(96.3%). It was larger in average of 0.47mm(p<0.001) in 27 right ocular dominant patients. Also, left MLD was larger than the right in 11 patients (73.3%) out of 15 left ocular dominant patients. It was larger in average of 0.57mm(p=0.003) in 27 left ocular dominant patients. MLD on the side of the dominant eye was larger in average of 0.50mm(p<0.001) than the MLD of non-dominant eye side. Right MLD was larger than the left in average of 0.28mm(p=0.010) in right hand dominant patients, and left MLD was larger than the right in average of 1.15mm(p=0.025) in left hand dominant patients. CONCLUSION: The function of levator palpebrae muscle differs in right and left, and the difference correlates with the dominant eye. Also, the function of levator palpebrae muscle is stronger in the dominant eye. We were able to present statistical evidence regarding the difference of the function in right and left levator palpebrae muscle. This may be a factor worth consideration in terms of balancing the eyes during the blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty ; Dominance, Ocular ; Eye ; Eyelids ; Hand ; Humans ; Muscles ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin

PURPOSE: In an amputated auricle, a microvascular anastomosis is the best treatment of choice. But, the neartotally amputated auricle which is connected by very narrow tissue pedicle to the head, can survive by simple attachment without a microvascular anastomosis owing to the rich vascular network through the superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery. In cases of venous congestion resulting from a lack of vein anastomosis, medical leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) can solve the problem. We are reporting the case of a 6-year-old boy who had a neartotally amputated auricle with successful results by simple closure and medical leech treatment without a microvascular anastomosis. METHODS: A 6-year-old male patient had an left auricular injury by an escalator accident. The left auricle was neartotally amputated from the temporal head with connection only by very narrow skin and subcutaneous pedicle(about 1cm in width) at the helical root of upper and anterior part of auricle. Marginal bleeding from the avulsed auricle was noted and the arterial blood was supplied from a branch of upper auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. The auricle was repaired by simple closure including cartilage and skin without any vascular anastomosis. After simple closure, the auricle showed good circulation with pink color. But on the 2nd day after the operation, there was a venous congestion with severe swelling, which resulted in a purplish colored auricle. The venous congestion disappeared after using medical leeches by the 5th day after the operation. RESULTS: The repaired auricle showed aesthetically and functionally satisfactory result with normal development at the 9 months follow-up check after the operation. CONCLUSION: In cases of neartotally amputated auricles of children or crushing injury in which microsurgery is difficult, we can try simple closure with the use of medical leeches in treating a of venous congestion for a successful result.
Arteries ; Cartilage ; Child ; Elevators and Escalators ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Leeches ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Skin ; Temporal Arteries ; Veins

PURPOSE: In an amputated auricle, a microvascular anastomosis is the best treatment of choice. But, the neartotally amputated auricle which is connected by very narrow tissue pedicle to the head, can survive by simple attachment without a microvascular anastomosis owing to the rich vascular network through the superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery. In cases of venous congestion resulting from a lack of vein anastomosis, medical leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) can solve the problem. We are reporting the case of a 6-year-old boy who had a neartotally amputated auricle with successful results by simple closure and medical leech treatment without a microvascular anastomosis. METHODS: A 6-year-old male patient had an left auricular injury by an escalator accident. The left auricle was neartotally amputated from the temporal head with connection only by very narrow skin and subcutaneous pedicle(about 1cm in width) at the helical root of upper and anterior part of auricle. Marginal bleeding from the avulsed auricle was noted and the arterial blood was supplied from a branch of upper auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. The auricle was repaired by simple closure including cartilage and skin without any vascular anastomosis. After simple closure, the auricle showed good circulation with pink color. But on the 2nd day after the operation, there was a venous congestion with severe swelling, which resulted in a purplish colored auricle. The venous congestion disappeared after using medical leeches by the 5th day after the operation. RESULTS: The repaired auricle showed aesthetically and functionally satisfactory result with normal development at the 9 months follow-up check after the operation. CONCLUSION: In cases of neartotally amputated auricles of children or crushing injury in which microsurgery is difficult, we can try simple closure with the use of medical leeches in treating a of venous congestion for a successful result.
Arteries ; Cartilage ; Child ; Elevators and Escalators ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Leeches ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Skin ; Temporal Arteries ; Veins

Previous studies on the vast increase in suicide mortality in Southeast Asia have indicated that suicide rates increase in parallel with a rise in unemployment or during periods of economic recession. This paper examines the effects of economic recession on suicidal rates amongst agriculture, fisheries, and forestry workers in Korea. Monthly time-series gross domestic product (GDP) data were linked with suicidal rates gathered from the cause of death records between1993-2008. Data were analyzed using generalized additive models to analyze trends, while a polynomial lag model was used to assess the unconstrained time lag effects of changes in GDP on suicidal rate. We found that there were significant inverse correlations between changes in GDP and suicide for a time lag of one to four months after the occurrence of economic event. Furthermore, it was evident that the overall relative risks of suicide were high enough to bring about social concern.
Agriculture ; Asia, Southeastern ; Cause of Death ; Economic Recession ; Fisheries ; Forestry ; Gross Domestic Product ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Korea ; Suicide ; Unemployment

Previous studies on the vast increase in suicide mortality in Southeast Asia have indicated that suicide rates increase in parallel with a rise in unemployment or during periods of economic recession. This paper examines the effects of economic recession on suicidal rates amongst agriculture, fisheries, and forestry workers in Korea. Monthly time-series gross domestic product (GDP) data were linked with suicidal rates gathered from the cause of death records between1993-2008. Data were analyzed using generalized additive models to analyze trends, while a polynomial lag model was used to assess the unconstrained time lag effects of changes in GDP on suicidal rate. We found that there were significant inverse correlations between changes in GDP and suicide for a time lag of one to four months after the occurrence of economic event. Furthermore, it was evident that the overall relative risks of suicide were high enough to bring about social concern.
Agriculture ; Asia, Southeastern ; Cause of Death ; Economic Recession ; Fisheries ; Forestry ; Gross Domestic Product ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Korea ; Suicide ; Unemployment

BACKGROUND: Among all facial fractures, nasal bone fractures are the most common, and they have been reduced by closed reduction (CR) for a long time. But several authors have reported suboptimal results when using CR, and the best method of nasal bone reduction is still being debated. We have found that indirect open reduction (IOR) through an endonasal incisional approach is a useful method for more accurate reduction of the nasal bone. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 356 patients who underwent reduction of a nasal bone fracture in our department from January, 2006, to July, 2011. We treated 263 patients with IOR. We assessed patients' and doctors' satisfaction with surgical outcomes after IOR or CR. We evaluated the frequency of nasal bleeding owing to mucosal injury, and followed the surgical outcomes of patients who had simultaneous dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty. RESULTS: According to the analysis of the satisfaction scores, both patients and doctors were significantly more satisfied in the IOR group than the CR group (P<0.05). Mucosal injury with nasal bleeding occurred much less in the IOR group (5.3%) than the CR group (12.9%). Dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty with IOR was performed simultaneously in 34 cases. Most of them (31/34) showed satisfaction with the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: IOR enables surgeons to manipulate the bony fragment directly through the endonasal incisional approach. However, we propose that CR is the proper technique for patients under 16 and for those with comminuted nasal bone fractures because submucosal dissection in IOR can damage the growth or circulation of nasal bone.
Epistaxis ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinoplasty

PURPOSE: The focal ossification of auricular cartilage is an unusual clinical entity in which the ear becomes partially or totally rigid and immalleable. This condition may result from cold injury, local trauma, inflammation, or various systemic diseases. Patients may feel mild discomfort, but there are usually no other serious symptoms. We present a case of focal ossification of auricular cartilage in which the cause is unknown. METHODS: A healthy 58-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of hard mass of right posterior auricular area. He denied any precipitating historical events like cold injury and inflammation. Routine testing did not demonstrate systemic abnormalities. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a 22 x 10 x 11 mm sized heterogenous isoechoic mass showing an acoustic shadow. RESULTS: Excisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Histological examination revealed the ossification with deposition of trabecular bone in normal elastic cartilage. The patient was healed without any problems and satisfied with the result. CONCLUSION: We report clinical experience of focal ossification of auricular cartilage, which is quite a rare clinical entity. It should be considered that there is the possibility of ossification of cartilage when it meets the benign mass of the ear.
Acoustics ; Anesthesia, Local ; Biopsy ; Cartilage ; Cold Temperature ; Ear ; Ear Cartilage ; Elastic Cartilage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged