PURPOSE: To evaluate the antiadhesive effects and safety of an oxidized regenerated cellulose (Interceed) after thyroidectomy. METHODS: Seventy-six thyroidectomized patients were prospectively randomized into two groups with regard to the use of Interceed. We evaluated each group for their adhesive symptoms using four subjective and four objective items at the 2nd week, 3rd and 6th month after thyroidectomy. All patients were examined for vocal cord motility by indirect laryngoscope at each period. RESULTS: Total adhesion scores at each postoperative follow-up period decreased with time, but were not significantly different in each group. The median score for swallowing discomfort for liquid was significantly lower in the Interceed group than in the control group 2 weeks after surgery. In addition, the severity of skin adhesion to the trachea was reduced in the Interceed group compared with the control group 6 months after surgery. During the study, there were no adverse effects or significant differences in postoperative complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: Interceed appeared to be safe and effective in improving neck discomfort at early postoperative periods and preventing skin adhesion to the trachea 6 months after thyroidectomy.
Adhesives ; Cellulose ; Cellulose, Oxidized ; Deglutition ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laryngoscopes ; Neck ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Skin ; Thyroidectomy ; Trachea ; Vocal Cords

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between severity of peripheral polyneuropathy (PPN) and degree of depression and quality of life in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis (HD). METHOD: Forty seven chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis were recruited (22 male, 25 female, mean age of 63.17+/-12.52) and etiology, disease duration, hemodialysis duration, creatinine and hemoglobin were recorded. Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies were carried out on bilateral median, ulnar, tibial and peroneal nerves for diagnosis of polyneuropathy according to our laboratory criteria. The Korean version of Beck depression inventory (BDI) questionnaire translated into Korean for diagnosis of depression, and Korean version of Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36) questionnaire for measurement of general health level were measured in those diagnosed with uremic PPN. RESULTS: Out of 52 patients, 47 were diagnosed with polyneuropathy and mean score for BDI was 18.49+/-9.18. Mean scores for each of Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) of SF-36 were 50.84+/-15.42 and 47.41+/-18.68. The correlation between the scores and polyneuropathy were analyzed by Pearson coefficient. The MCS score was the significant (p<0.05) correlation parameter with depression (R=-0.635) and the PCS score was the only parameter with a significant (p<0.05) correlation with polyneuropathy (R=-0.340). CONCLUSION: Uremic polyneuropathy is commonly observed in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Depression in CRF with uremic PPN is affected by psychological factors other than the PPN itself.
Creatinine ; Depression ; Female ; Health Status ; Health Surveys ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Neural Conduction ; Peroneal Nerve ; Polyneuropathies ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of obturator nerve block with 5% phenol under sevoflurane mask inhalation general anesthesia and its influence on vital signs in spastic cerebral palsy children during the procedure. METHOD: 26 cerebral palsy children with spastic hip adductor muscles went under inhalation general anesthesia by anesthesiologist for phenol block of obturator nerve. After induction with thiopental sodium and sustained with sevoflurane by face mask without the use of muscle relaxant, the vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were closely monitored throughout the procedure. The obturator nerve block was carried out with 5% phenol using a stimulator. Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and range of motion of hip were measured before and after the procedure to compare the effects of nerve block. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed from the vital signs before, during and after the procedure. The MAS score improved from average 2.50+/-0.71 to 1.12+/-0.32. The range of motion increased from 24.31+/-12.32degrees and 25.88+/-12.28degrees right and left relatively to 39.62+/-10.10degrees and 40.96+/-11.14degrees. CONCLUSION: Both spasticity and range of motion of hip adductor muscles improved significantly after obturator nerve block with 5% phenol under inhalation general anesthesia in the operating room with face mask, and no adverse effects or complications were seen in all 26 cerebral palsy children. Therefore phenol nerve block under inhalation general anesthesia in operation room for cerebral palsy children with poor cooperation or positioning difficulty due to spasticity should be considered as a useful method.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Heart Rate ; Hip ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Masks ; Methyl Ethers ; Muscle Spasticity ; Muscles ; Nerve Block ; Obturator Nerve ; Operating Rooms ; Oxygen ; Phenol ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Thiopental ; Vital Signs