Recently autogenous nerve graft was usually used for segmental defect of peripheal nerve injury. In case of inappropriate size or amount of donor nerve graft, there were many studies included nerve regeneration with special nerve conduit material. To compare the result of autogenous nerve graft with that of silicone tubing method in segmental defect of sciatic nerve, the experiments were carried out on adult rats with autogenous nerve graft on the left side and silicone tubing on the right side. The results were as follows; 1. Myelinated nerve fibers were larger in silicone tubing method than autogenous nerve graft at postop. 4 weeks. 2. There was no difference in nerve regeneration in both groups at postop. 12 weeks. 3. Some atrophic changes were showed in denervated muscles in both groups at postop. 4 weeks. Skeletal muscle changes between the two groups were meagre. 4. Perineural adhension was rare in silicone tubing group in contrast to autogenous nerve graft group. 5. Nerve Conduction Velocity was similar between autogenous nerve graft and silicone tubing method after 4 weeks postoperatively. In conclusion, this study suggests that silicone tubing can be useful method to repair the large nerve gaps and has a potential clinical utilization in large segmental nerve defect.
Adult ; Animals ; Autografts ; Humans ; Methods ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neural Conduction ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: It could be hypothesised that attachments, which provide more retention against vertical and horizontal dislodgement, will be associated with more favorable parameters of oral function. PURPOSE: This study was to provide data of initial retentive force and retention loss of different bar attachment systems recommended for use with maxillary implant overdentures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 4 implants were placed in the anterior region of edentulous maxilla, five different systems of bar attachment were fabricated as follows: cantilevered Hader bar using clips (Type 1), Hader bar using clips without cantilever (Type 2), Hader bar using clip and ERA attachment orange male (Type 3), Hader bar using clip and ERA attachment white male (Type 4), and Bar using magnets (Type 5). Each samples were placed in the universal testing machine for determination of retentive forces(at initial and after every 200 cycles up to 1,000 cycles). Results and Conclusion 1. Attachment type 1 showed the biggest initial retentive force followed by type 3, type 2, type 4, and lastly type 5( p<0.001). 2. After 1,000 cycles of repeated removals of attachments, significant loss of retentive forces was taken place except for attachment type 5. 3. After 1,000 cycles of repeated removals, the loss of retentive force between type 1 and type 2, which used Hader bar and clip attachments, was greater in type 1 that had wider clip formation. And between type 3 and type 4, which used ERA attachments, the loss of retentive force was greater in type 4 that had white male attached (p<0.001). 4. After 1,000 cycles of repeated removals, attachment type 3 showed the biggest retentive force followed by type 2, type 4, type 1 and lastly type. 5. There was no significant difference between attachment type 3 and 4, and type 4 and 1(p<0.001).
Citrus sinensis ; Denture, Overlay* ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla

Antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor Captopril was studied in 34 cases of essential hypertension. A single oral dose of 50mg Captopril was administered daily and blood pressure was followed every 2 weeks. Diuretics were added to patients who responded inadequately after 2 weeks of Captopril single treatment. Alpha-blocker, beta-blocker or calcium channel-blocker was added to patients who responded inadequately after another 2 weeks of Captopril and diuretics combined treatment. In 5 cases, Captopril was raised to 100mg and further antihypertensives were added to unresponded 3 cases. The resuts were as follows; 1) In 15 patients, blood pressure dropped from 170.3+/-10.5mmHg/108.7+/-6.1mmHg to 148.3+/-4.4mmHg/93.3+/-3.7mmHg after 8 weeks of Captopril 50mg single therapy. 2) Hydrochlorothiazide 25mg was added to non-responders, and blood pressure dropped from 180+/-6.7mmHg/111.1+/-6.2mmHg to 155.0+/-15.0mmHg/106.2+/-8.7mmHg in 9 of 19 patients after 8 weeks of combined treatment. 3) Alpha-blocker, Beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker was added to 10 non-responders to Captopril-hyprochlorothiazide combination therapy, and blood pressure dropped from 189.0+/-27mmHg/116+/-10mmHg to 137.8+/-15.5mmHg/88.5+/-10.2mmHg after 8 weeks. 4) Increase of captopril from 50mg to 100mg in 5 random nonresponder cases of Captopril single treatment lowered blood pressure from 168.0+/-13.6mmHg/107.1+/-6.4mmHg to 161+/-15.2mmHg/99+/-8.8mmHg after 2 weeks. 5) Heart rate, and serum creatinine, electrolytes and lipid levels showed no significant interval change. 6) Six patients complained of dry cough and one patient complained of poor appetite but no other clinically significant complications were noted during Captopril treatment.
Angiotensins ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Appetite ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Captopril* ; Cough ; Creatinine ; Diuretics ; Electrolytes ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; Hypertension

The interlocking nail is used as a valuable method in treating humerus shaft fracture because of the merit, including relatively simple procedure, one of the most stable fixation methods, and allowing early ROM excericise and low complication. Fourteen pateints with humerus shaft fractures were treated using interlocking nail at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Paik Hospital from Jan.1993 to Oct.1994. l. Among the 14 pateints, average age was 34.8 years and 9 cases were male and the most common cause of injury was traffic accident. 2. Associated injury including 3 cases of ipsilateral scapular fracture, I case of ipsilateral clavicle fracture, and 1 case of brachial plexus injury, and 1 case of radial nerve injury. 3. The mean duration of the radiologic bone union was 8.6 weeks. 4. There was no serious post operative complication such as non-union, infection, bending or rotational deformity at fracture site, impingement syndrome, metal failure of the nail or interlocking screws. 5. To prevent the impingement syndrom and rotator cuff injury, we countersinked the proximal end of the nail into the humeral head and minimized skin incision.
Accidents, Traffic ; Brachial Plexus ; Clavicle ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus ; Male ; Methods ; Radial Nerve ; Rotator Cuff ; Skin ; Tibia

PURPOSE: Stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint after surgery for hallux valgus has been reported. The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of releasing plantar aponeurosis for improving the range of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal joint that was limited after hallux valgus surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (1 man, 12 women [17 feet]; median age, 54.4 years; range, 44~69 years) with limited first metatarsophalangeal joint extension after hallux valgus surgery, who underwent an additional procedure of plantar aponeurosis release between March 2015 and August 2015, were included. Subsequently, the passive range of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal joint was evaluated via knee extension and flexion positions. Hallux valgus angle, inter-metatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, and talo-first metatarsal angle were measured on weightbearing dorsoplantar and lateral radiographs of the foot preoperatively. RESULTS: The mean range of extension for the first metatarsophalangeal joint improved significantly, from 2.5° to 40.9° in the knee extension position (p<0.00). The mean extension range for the first metatarsophalangeal joint also improved, from 18.2° to 43.2° in the knee flexion position (p<0.00). In all patients, congruence of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was recovered. CONCLUSION: Plantar aponeurosis release is an effective additional procedure for improving the extension range of the first metatarsophalangeal joint after hallux valgus surgery.
Female ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Knee ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint* ; Weight-Bearing

BACKGROUND: The TRUE test is a commercially available ready-to-apply patch test widely used in many countries, but no large-scale study is available on the TRUE test in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the type, frequency, and changes in the common contact allergens in Korea using the TRUE test. METHODS: From January 2009 to March 2010, TRUE tests were performed on patients with contact dermatitis at the Departments of Dermatology of 15 hospitals. The epidemiological findings of patients, and the results of the patch tests were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 795 patch tested cases (246 males, 549 females) were compiled and analyzed. The oldest age distribution was the third decade in both males and females, and housewives and office-workers were the most common jobs, comprising 29.7% and 19.8% of the occupations, respectively. Overall, 65.1% of patients had at least one positive reaction, and the most common allergens were nickel sulfate (34.1%), thimerosal (12.6%), cobalt chloride (11.1%), and p-phenylenediamine (8.4%), in order of frequency. A univariate analysis of multiple variables including age, gender, occupation, and affected sites was conducted and a comparison with a previous multicenter study was also analyzed. CONCLUSION: These results provide the basis for use of the TRUE test in patients with contact dermatitis in Korea.
Age Distribution ; Allergens ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nickel ; Occupations ; Patch Tests ; Phenylenediamines ; Thimerosal

PURPOSE: To reduce lung cancer mortality, lung cancer screening was recommended using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to high-risk population. A protocol for multicenter lung cancer screening pilot project was developed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of lung cancer screening to implement National Cancer Screening Program in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multidisciplinary expert committee was comprised to develop a standardized protocol for Korean Lung Cancer Screening Project (K-LUCAS). K-LUCAS is a population-based single arm trial that targets high-risk population aged 55-74 years with at least 30 pack-year smoking history. LDCT results are reported by Lung-RADS suggested by American Radiology Society. Network-based system using computer-aided detection program is prepared to assist reducing diagnostic errors. Smoking cessation counselling is provided to all currently smoking participants. A small pilot test was conducted to check the feasibility and compliance of the protocols for K-LUCAS. RESULTS: In pilot test, 256 were participated. The average age of participants was 63.2 years and only three participants (1.2%) were female. The participants had a smoking history of 40.5 pack-year on average and 53.9% were current smokers. Among them, 86.3% had willing to participate in lung cancer screening again. The average willingness to quit smoking among current smokers was 12.7% higher than before screening. In Lung-RADS reports, 10 (3.9%) were grade 3 and nine (3.5%) were grade 4. One participant was diagnosed as lung cancer. CONCLUSION: The protocol developed by this study is assessed to be feasible to perform K-LUCAS in multicenter nationwide scale.
Arm ; Compliance ; Diagnostic Errors ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Pilot Projects ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation

Purpose: Smoking cessation intervention is one of the key components of successful lung cancer screening program. We investigated the effectiveness and related factors of smoking cessation services provided to the participants in a population-based lung cancer screening trial. Materials and Methods: The Korean Lung Cancer Screening Project (K-LUCAS) is a nationwide, multi-center lung cancer screening trial that evaluates the feasibility of implementing population-based lung cancer screening. All 5,144 current smokers who participated in the K-LUCAS received a mandatory smoking cessation counseling. Changes in smoking status were followed up using a telephone survey in 6 months after lung cancer screening participation. The lung cancer screening’s impact on smoking cessation is analyzed by variations in the smoking cessation interventions provided in screening units. Results: Among 4,136 survey responders, participant’s motivation to quit smoking increased by 9.4% on average after lung cancer screening. After 6 months from the initial screening, 24.3% of participants stopped smoking, and 10.6% of participants had not smoked continuously for at least 6 months after screening. Over 80% of quitters stated that participation in lung cancer screening motivated them to quit smoking. Low-cost public smoking cessation program combined with lung cancer screening increased the abstinence rates. The smokers were three times more likely to quit smoking when the smoking cessation counseling was provided simultaneously with low-dose computed tomography screening results than when provided separately. Conclusion A mandatory smoking cessation intervention integrated with screening result counselling by a physician after participation in lung cancer screening could be effective for increasing smoking cessation attempts.

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is one of the most common skin disorders and negatively affects quality of life. However, a large-scale multicenter study investigating the clinical features of patients with hand eczema has not yet been conducted in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of various hand diseases, which is defined as all cutaneous disease occurring in hands, and to investigate the clinical features of patients with hand eczema and the awareness about hand eczema in the general population and to compare the prevalence of hand eczema between health care providers and non-health care providers. METHODS: To estimate the prevalence of hand diseases, we analyzed the medical records of patients from 24 medical centers. Patients were assessed by online and offline questionnaires. A 1,000 from general population and 913 hand eczema patients answered the questionnaire, for a total of 1,913 subjects. RESULTS: The most common hand disease was irritant contact dermatitis. In an online survey, the lifetime prevalence of hand eczema was 31.2%. Hand eczema was more likely to occur in females (66.0%) and younger (20~39 years, 53.9%). Health care providers and housewives were the occupations most frequently associated with hand eczema. Winter (33.6%) was the most common season which people experienced aggravation. The 63.0% and 67.0% answered that hand eczema hinders their personal relationship and negatively affects daily living activities, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hand eczema is a very common disease and hinders the quality of life. The appropriate identification of hand eczema is necessary to implement effective and efficient treatment.
Activities of Daily Living ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Eczema* ; Female ; Hand* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Seasons ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires