Purpose: This study examined the changes in the body mass index (BMI) and the effects of BMI on the knee function and risk factors for an increase in BMI after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Asians. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 100 cases of TKA performed by one surgeon. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 . The BMI and Knee Society Score, consisting of the Knee Score and Function Score, were measured on the day before surgery and one year after surgery. Results: The BMI decreased or was maintained in 34 cases (34%) and increased in 66 cases (66%) one year after surgery. An increase in BMI of 5% or more was considered a clinically significant increase in BMI and occurred in 28 cases (28%). The patients with an increased BMI by more than 5% showed a significantly lower knee function score. The age and preoperative function score were significantly associated with an increased BMI by more than 5%. As the age increased by one year, the odds ratio at which the BMI would increase by more than 5% one year after surgery was 0.905. Moreover, as the preoperative function score increased by one point, the odds ratio that the BMI would increase by 5% one year after surgery was 0.902. In other words, a younger preoperative age and a lower preoperative function score mean a higher risk of a more than 5% postoperative increase in BMI. Conclusion The BMI increased by more than 5% one year after surgery in 28% of the TKA patients examined. They had a lower functional score. The risk factors for a more than 5% increase in BMI after TKA were young age and a low preoperative function score. Therefore, surgeons should educate patients, particularly those who are young or have a low preoperative function score, so that the patient’s BMI would not increase after surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using a Polarus humeral nail for treatment of a humeral shaft fracture according to fracture types. METHODS: From 43 patients, 13 were excluded and 30 patients were included. The 30 patients were divided into 2 groups: 15 in group I (Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification type A and B) and 15 in group II (type C). The mean age was 63.1 years (range, 20–87 years), and mean follow-up period was 2.3 years (range, 1.0–6.1 years). The causes of injuries were as follows: 12, traffic accidents; 14, simple slips; 2, simple falls; 2, contusions after lower energy trauma. Radiological and clinical evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Radiological union was confirmed by plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs on average of 5.0 months in group I, and 8.4 months in group II, respectively. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.01). The clinical union value was 1.6 in group I, and 2.0 months in group II, but these values did not differ significantly (p=0.441). The mean Korean shoulder scoring system scores were 89.7 and 90.6, which did not differ significantly (p=0.352). CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary nailing using the Polarus humeral nail is considered to be a good treatment modality for all types of humeral shaft fractures. Additionally, the Polarus humeral nail can be an optimal choice for the treatment of complex type fractures such as segmental or comminuted humeral shaft fractures.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Classification ; Contusions ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Shoulder

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using a Polarus humeral nail for treatment of a humeral shaft fracture according to fracture types. METHODS: From 43 patients, 13 were excluded and 30 patients were included. The 30 patients were divided into 2 groups: 15 in group I (Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification type A and B) and 15 in group II (type C). The mean age was 63.1 years (range, 20–87 years), and mean follow-up period was 2.3 years (range, 1.0–6.1 years). The causes of injuries were as follows: 12, traffic accidents; 14, simple slips; 2, simple falls; 2, contusions after lower energy trauma. Radiological and clinical evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Radiological union was confirmed by plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs on average of 5.0 months in group I, and 8.4 months in group II, respectively. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.01). The clinical union value was 1.6 in group I, and 2.0 months in group II, but these values did not differ significantly (p=0.441). The mean Korean shoulder scoring system scores were 89.7 and 90.6, which did not differ significantly (p=0.352). CONCLUSIONS Intramedullary nailing using the Polarus humeral nail is considered to be a good treatment modality for all types of humeral shaft fractures. Additionally, the Polarus humeral nail can be an optimal choice for the treatment of complex type fractures such as segmental or comminuted humeral shaft fractures.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine whether preoperative temporary discontinuation of aspirin (100 mg/d) use is a safe procedure does not increase blood loss and the need for transfusion after total hip arthroplasty (THA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 219 patients who underwent consecutive primary THA from January 2012 to December 2018. They were divided into the experimental group (42 cases) that discontinued aspirin intake 7 days before surgery and the control group (150 cases) that had no history of use of antiplatelet agents. To compare initial blood loss between the two groups, we analyzed the changes hemoglobin (Hb) levels and hematocrit values measured preoperatively and in lowest values measured during three days after surgery. In addition, transfusion rate was compared within the first two postoperative weeks between the two groups. A multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association of transfusion with age, gender, use of antiplatelet agents, preoperative anesthetic risk, body weight and preoperative Hb. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in the changes in lowest Hb level (P=0.30) and hematocrit value (P=0.14) measured preoperatively and for three days after surgery between the experimental group and the control group. There was no statistically significant association between transfusion and the use of antiplatelet agents, and preoperative Hb level was identified as a factor that affected the need for transfusion (odds ratio, 0.427; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative temporary discontinuation of aspirin use for 7 days before surgery did not increase initial blood loss after THA and the need for transfusion in the first two postoperative weeks compared to patients with no history of use of antiplatelet agents.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Aspirin ; Blood Transfusion ; Body Weight ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: This study investigated the synergistic effects of an injection of tranexamic acid and using navigation to reduce the need for blood transfusion and postoperative bleeding after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into three groups and compared. Group 1 (58 cases) included those who had manual TKA with the injection of tranexamic acid in the joint. Group 2 (30 cases) was comprised of those who had navigated TKA without tranexamic acid. Group 3 (32 cases) consisted of patients who had navigated TKA with tranexamic acid. The frequency of transfusion after the operation was measured. To compare bleeding after surgery, drainage volume during 24 hours after surgery was compared and analyzed. Results: Group 1 had five cases of transfusion (8.6%), while there were 9 cases in group 2 (30%) and three cases in group 3 (9.4%). The Chi-squared test revealed a significant difference (p=0.016). An average of 343.67±165.20 ml, 452.10±197.91 ml, and 311.00±129.32 ml was drained in the 24 hours after surgery in groups 1, 2, and group 3, respectively. This difference was analyzed using ANOVA test, which showed a significant difference (p=0.003). The need for transfusion in group 2 was 3.71 times higher than that in group 1. The need for transfusion in group 2 was 4.14 times higher than that of group 3. Conclusion The combination of navigation use and injection of tranexamic acid has no synergistic effect in reducing the need for blood transfusion and post TKA bleeding. In addition, an injection of tranexamic acid in the joint is more effective in reducing blood transfusions and blood loss after TKA than navigation.

Tinea incognito (TI) is a dermatophytic infection which has lost its typical clinical appearance because of improper use of steroids or calcineurin inhibitors. The incidence of TI is increasing nowadays. We conducted retrospective review on 283 patients with TI from 25 dermatology training hospitals in Korea from 2002-2010 to investigate the demographical, clinical, and mycological characteristics of TI, and to determine the associated risk factors. More than half (59.3%) patients were previously treated by non-dermatologists or self-treated. The mean duration of TI was 15.0 +/- 25.3 months. The most common clinical manifestations were eczema-like lesion, psoriasis-like, and lupus erythematosus-like lesion. The trunk and face were frequently involved, and 91 patients (32.2%) also had coexisting fungal infections. Among 67 isolated strains, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently detected (73.1%). This is the largest study of TI reported to date and the first investigational report concerning TI in Korea. We suggest that doctors should consider TI when a patient has intractable eczema-like lesions accompanied by tinea pedis/unguium. Furthermore, there should be a policy change, which would make over-the-counter high-potency topical steroids less accessible in some countries, including Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Demography ; Eczema/pathology ; Face/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis/pathology ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tinea/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Trichophyton/isolation & purification ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization