PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the relationship between binocular function and the surgical outcome of intermittent exotropia. METHODS: The surgical outcome and binocular function were retrospectively investigated in 44 patients who had undergone surgery for intermittent exotropia with at least 6 months of post-operative follow-up. We evaluated visual acuity, age at operation, angle of exodeviation, fusional status with Worth-4-dot test and stereoacuity with Titmus test before and after surgery. RESULTS: A 'surgical success' defined as a final alignment of orthophoria, esotropia less than 5PD or exotropia less than 10PD at far primary position, was achieved in 31 patients (70%). The surgical outcome according to preoperative stereopsis and fusional status was not statistically significant. Whereas, there was a tendency toward more surgical success in patients with central fusion and the first postoperative day diplopia but statistically indifferent. There was an improvement of stereoacuity in 34 out of 44 patients after surgery. The fusional status was improved in 9 patients out of 44 patients. There was an improvement of postoperative binocular function regardless the surgical outcome. But the achievement of fine stereopsis below 100 seconds of arc and central fusion increased only in success group. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative binocular function did not contribute significantly to the surgical outcome (p>0.05) and postoperative binocular function could be improved by surgical correction in both surgical success and failure group. But the better binocular function was achieved by successful surgical alignment.
Depth Perception ; Diplopia ; Esotropia ; Exotropia* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Telescopes* ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to examine the interactions between mivacurium and vecuronium when administered during a standardized technique. METHODS: Eighty patients (ASA physical status I or II) were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n=20). Their neuromuscular function was measured in response to ulnar nerve supramaximal square-wave TOF stimulation at 10-sec intervals. After the attainment of a stable baseline neuromuscular response, the patients were randomly assigned to receive a rapid iv bolus of either: (1) 3M group (n=20): mivacurium 0.21 mg/kg. Alone, or (2) 2M1V group (n=20): mivacurium 0.14 mg/kg plus vecuronium 0.05 mg/kg, or (3) 1M2V group (n=20): mivacurium 0.07 mg/kg plus vecuronium 0.10 mg/kg, or (4) 3V group (n=20): vecuronium 0.15 mg/kg alone. The onset time of the neuromuscular block, time of recovery of T1 to 25% and reblock time (the time from the reinjection of vecuronium at the time of recovery of T1 to 25% to the time of recovery of T1 to 25%: T25-25) were measured. The intubating condition was evaluated clinically with a scoring system. RESULTS: The onset of block in the 3M group was 33% slower than in the 3V group. The time durations until 25% recovery in the 2M1V, 1M2V and 3V groups were longer than in the 3M group, and the durations in the 1M2V and 3V groups were longer than in the 2M1V group. The T25-25 reblock times of the 2M1V, 1M2V and 3V groups were prolonged in comparison to that of the 3M group. There was no difference in intubating conditions between any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of mivacurium with vecuronium provides rates of onset and duration of block which are more effective than an equivalent dose of mivacuriun alone as an additive reaction.
Anesthesia, General* ; Humans ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Ulnar Nerve ; Vecuronium Bromide*

The distributions and morphological characteristics of neurons displaying immunoreactivity to the catecholamine synthetic enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase[TH], dopamine-beta-hydroxylase[DBH], and phenyletha-nolamine-N-methyltransferase[PNMT] were examined in the adjacent sections of the diencephalon of the striped field mouse [Apodemus agrarius coreae].Only TH-, and no DBH- or PNMT-immunoreactive neurons were found in the diencephalon. In the preoptic area, TH-immunoreactive neurons were found in the anterior preoptic nucleus of Loo[APN], periventricular preoptic nucleus, medial preoptic nucleus, lateral preoptic nucleus and suprachiasmatic nucleus. In the hypothalamus, TH-immunoreactive neurons were found in theparaventricular hypothalamic nucleus, periventricular gray, retrochiasmatic area,anterior hypothalamic nucleus of anterior hypothalamic area and retrochiasmatic region of the hypothalamus. In the rostral tuberal region of the hypothalamus, TH-immunoreactive neurons were found in the paraventricular nucleus, periventricular gray and arcuate nucleus. In the midtuberal region of the hypothalamus, TH-immunoreactive neurons were found in the paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, zona incerta and arcuate nucleus. In the caudal tuberal region of the hypothalamus, dorsal hypothalamic nucleus, posterior hypothalamic complex and arcuate nucleus.
Animals ; Anterior Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Arcuate Nucleus ; Diencephalon* ; Dopaminergic Neurons* ; Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Hypothalamus ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Neurons ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Preoptic Area ; Subthalamus ; Suprachiasmatic Nucleus ; Tyrosine

Combid is a compound of Compaxine, which is a phenothiazine derivative, and Darbid that is a long acting anticholinergic synthetic. This medicant was originally intended for use in physical and emotional peptic ulcer cases. Because of it's pharmacological action, writers decided to consider the medicant as a preanesthetic medication. From a record of 2800 patients in the hospital for the year 1975 was administered as a premedicant at random, even though some contraindication did occur and is discussed later in this article, the following results were observed. 1. Because of the characteristics of a long acting effect of Combid Spansule, it can be administered orally with sips of water, 2~3 hours prior to operation, eliminating needless preanesthetic shots, without affecting the N.P.O. rule. 2. Sedative and antisialogue effects of the drug have been also satisfactory, therefore it is recommended to use as a premedicant especially in Korea because ether is commonly used. 3. The drug has an additional antiemetic effect to prevent vomiting from ether anesthesia. 4. Some side effects were observed such as dry mouth, tachycardia, fever and extrapyramidal action that occur from overdosage. 5. The contraindications to be considered when using Combid Spansule as a premedicant include dehydration, fever, tachycardia and parkinsonism. 6. Please note the writers do not recommend this application for short procedure such as closed reduction of Colles fracture and simple spinal anesthesia due to the long lasting drying effect.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Antiemetics ; Colles' Fracture ; Dehydration ; Ether ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Mouth ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Peptic Ulcer ; Preanesthetic Medication ; Tachycardia ; Trimeprazine* ; Vomiting ; Water

Many cases have been reported indicating that postspinal headache can be relieved immediately by an epiduralinjection of saline: also autologous blood has recently been used successfully instead of saline. C.S.F. changes in 20 cases were observed in the support of the concept; that a continuous leakage in association with hypovolemia and hypotension of C.S.F is the primary cause of postspinal headache. Subarachnoid pressure increased immediately with Xylocaine injection into lumbar epidural space. A spinal needle was inserted into the subarachnoid space at the level Ll-L2 and opening pressure of C.S.F. was read, epidural Tuohy needle was inserted at the 4~5. Twenty-five ml of Xylocaine was injected into epidural space and C.S.F. pressure changes were observed. This procedure was performed on 10 patients in lateral position and another 10 patients were tested in the sitting position. Sitting position: Condition Highest pressure change Lowest pressure change Average pressure change Average opening pressure Horizontal position: Highest pressure change Lowest pressure change Average pressure' change Average opening pressure .Pressure rise 350 mm H2O 60 mm HO 191 mm H2O 369 mm H2O .290 mm H2O 40 mm H2O 14Z mm H2O 165 mm H2O .These pressure changes responded almost simultaneously as xylocaine was injected. The immediate relief of postspinal headache by injecting fluid into epidural space is simultaneous with the increase of C.S.F. pressure. In summary, the direct cause of postspinal headache is probably hypotension of C.S.F. pressure resulting from continuous leakage from spinal tap.
Epidural Space* ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Hypovolemia ; Intracranial Pressure ; Lidocaine* ; Needles ; Spinal Puncture ; Subarachnoid Space

Acute appendicitis in children under the age of 12 has remained the surgical emergency condition with the highest percentage of misdiagnosis leading to removal of a normal appendix. From January 1994 to April 1997, 312 children (176 boys, 136 girls) were admitted to Jun-ang Gil Hospital with the impression of acute appendicitis. The average age was 8.6 years (2 to 12 years). We reviewed medical records retrospectively for demographics, presenting signs, symptoms, findings of abdominal ultrasonography (USG) and barium enemas, and surgical results. The patients were divided in 2 groups as follows: group I (n=144) received immediate operations without further evaluation, group II (n=168) was treated after a delay for observation and/or special studies (USG and/or barium enema). Group II was subdivided into Group IIa (n=119) (treatment after study) and Group IIb (n=49)(treatment by clinical observations only). In group I, 124 patients were confirmed intraoperatively as having acute appendicitis, and 20 cases were not. In IIa, 36 patients underwent exploratory surgery and 30 cases revealed acute appendicitis. The remaining 83 patients were discharged because of symptomatic relief. In group IIb, 43 patients underwent exploratory surgery and acute appendicitis was revealed in 35. The diagnostic accuracies of groups were 86%, 95% and 84%. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of an abdominal ultrasonography (n=105) were 96.1%, 82.1% and 92.4%, respectively. Those of a barium enema (n=63) were 94.7%, 100%, and 95.2% respectively. When both modalities were used (n=49), the results were 95.6%, 100% and 95.9%, respectively. The frequencies of a perforated appendicitis had no difference among the groups. In conclusion, in a child suspected of having acute appendicitis, if there are no apparent toxic signs or panperitonitis, surgical observation, USG, and/or a barium enema can decrease the number of unnecessary appendectomy without increasing the risk of perforation.
Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Appendix ; Barium ; Child* ; Demography ; Diagnostic Errors ; Emergencies ; Enema ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess the oncologic safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery compared to that of conventional open surgery and to compare the disease-free survival (DFS) rates between laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery for radical treatment of colorectal cancer. METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2005, 583 patients underwent laparoscopic or conventional open surgery. To address only radical treatment of colorectal cancer, we excluded subjects who had undergone emergency or palliative operation. Four hundred ninety patients were identified for this study. The laparoscopic (LG) and open group (OG) had 74 and 166 patients, respectively, for colon cancer, and 92 and 158 patients, respectively, for the rectal cancer. RESULTS: No difference was noted in the lengths of the distal margins of the resected bowels between the LG and the OG for rectal cancer (P>0.05). In addition, no significant difference was found in DFS rates between the LG and the OG for both colon and rectal cancer (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic technique does not seem to present any disadvantages and is safe and feasible for the treatment of colorectal cancer. No difference was found between laparoscopic and open surgery in terms of DFS for colorectal cancer.
Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery ; Disease-Free Survival ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Rectal Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of depression experienced by Korean hospital nurses (N=198) and to identify discriminating factors of their depression experience among personal and environmental characteristics. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey design was used to answer the research questions. A sample consisted of 198 hospital nurses in Korea. The data were collected from May 1999 to March 2000. Descriptive and discriminant analyses were utilized. RESULT: Korean nurses experienced low levels of depression. Twenty nine percent of nurses in the study experienced depression based on the cut-point suggested by Radloff. Role ambiguity, working in the tertiary hospital, work satisfaction in autonomy, professional status and interaction within nurses were significant discriminating factors for nurses' depression. These factors correctly discriminated 71% of the sample (Hit ratio= .71). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, developing managemental intervention programs and examining the effects of the program for nurses to reduce their depression experience are suggested.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression* ; Discriminant Analysis ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Korea ; Professional Autonomy ; Tertiary Care Centers

To report the association of a unilateral serous macular detachment with severe postoperative pain. A 71-year-old woman presented with a sudden decrease in vision in the right eye, seven days after a total knee replacement arthroplasty. The patient's history was unremarkable except for a severe pain greater than the visual analog scale of 8 points for about 2 days after surgery. Retinal examination showed a well differentiated serous detachment that was about 3.5 disc diameter in size and located in the macular area. Fluorecein angiography and indocyanine green angiography showed delayed perfusion of the choriocapillaris without leakage points in the early phase and persistent hypofluorescence with pooling of dye in the subretinal space in the late phase. There was a spontaneous resolution of the serous detachment and the choroidal changes with residual pigment epithelial changes. Severe postoperative pain may influence the sympathetic activity and introduce an ischemic injury with a focal, choroidal vascular compromise and secondary dysfunction of overlying RPE cells in select patients.
Aged ; *Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Choroid/*blood supply ; Coloring Agents/diagnostic use ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green/diagnostic use ; Ischemia/diagnosis/*etiology ; Pain Measurement ; *Pain, Postoperative ; Retinal Detachment/diagnosis/*etiology ; Serum ; Vision Disorders/etiology

Chusid et al proposed diagnostic criteria of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) that remain valid today. These were, (1) a sustained peripheral blood eosinophil count of more than 1500/L present for longer than 6 months ; (2) no evidence of other apparent causes for eosinophilia, and (3) presumptive signs of parenchymal organ involvement. Any organ system may be affected in HES, but the most severe clinicopathological involvements are of the heart and nervous system. Although multiple organ systems may be involved, the most common cause of morbidity and mortality is cardiac involvement with extensive fibrous thickening of the endomyocardium and overlying thrombus. We report a case of acute peri-myocarditis with eosinophilia, which was confirmed as eosinophilic myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy, with literature review.
Biopsy ; Edema* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Mortality ; Myocarditis* ; Nervous System ; Thrombosis