To define the risk factors affecting the early major morbidity and mortality after multiple-valve operations, the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative informations were retrospectively collected on 124 consecutive patients undergoing a multiple-valve operation between October 1985 and July 1996 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Pusan Paik Hospital. The study population consists of 53 men and 71 women whose mean age was 37.9+/-11.5 (mean+/-SD) years. Using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, 41 patients (33.1%) were in functional class II, 60 (48.4%) in class III, and 20 (16.1%) in class IV preoperatively. Seven patients (5.6%) had undergone previous cardiac operations. Atrial fibrillations were present in 76 patients (61.3%), a history of cerebral embolism in 5 (4.0%), and left atrial thrombus in 13 (10.5%). The overall early mortality rate and postoperative morbidity was 8.1% and 21.8% respectively. Among the 124 cases of multiple-valve operation, there were 57 (46.0%) of combined mitral valve replacement (MVR) and aortic valve replacement (AVR), 48 (38.7%) of combined MVR and tricuspid annuloplasty (TVA), 12 (9.7%) of combined MVR, AVR and TVA, 3 (2.4%) of combined MVR and aortic valvuloplasty, 2 (1.6%) of combined MVR and tricuspid valve replacement, and others. The patients were classified according to the postoperative outcomes; Group A (27 cases) included the patients who had early death or major morbidity such as low cardiac output syndrome, mediastinitis, cardiac rupture, ventricular arrhythmia, sepsis, and others; Group B (97 cases) included the patients who had the good postoperative outcomes. The patients were also classified into group of early death and survivor. In comparison of group A and group B, there were significant differences in aortic cross-clamping time (ACT, group A:153.4+/-42.4 minutes, group B:134.0+/-43.7 minutes, p=0.042), total bypass time (TBT, group A:187.4+/-65.5 minutes, group B:158.1+/-50.6 minutes, p=0.038), and NYHA functional class (I:33.3%, II:9.7%, III:20%, IV:50%, p=0.004). In comparison of early death (n=10) and survivor (n=114), there were significant differences in age (early death:45.2+/-8.7 years, survivor:37.2+/-11.6 years, p=0.036), sex (female:12.7%, male:1.9%, p=0.043), ACT (early death:167.1+/-38.4 minutes, survivor:135.7+/-43.7 minutes, p=0.030), and NYHA functional class (I:0%, II:4.9%, III:1.7%, IV:35%, p=0.001). In conclusion, the early major morbidity and mortality were influenced by the preoperative clinical status and therefore the earlier surgical intervention should be recommended whenever possible. Also, improved methods of myocardial protection and operative techniques may reduce the risk in patients with multiple-valve operation.
Aortic Valve ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Busan ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Classification ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Rupture ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; Male ; Mediastinitis ; Mitral Valve ; Mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Sepsis ; Survivors ; Thrombosis ; Tricuspid Valve

Basal cell nevus syndrome(BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by variable developmental anomalies and predisposition to cancers. The main manifestations include multiple basal cell carcinomas of skins, odontogenic keratocysts, facial dysmorphism, skeletal abnormalities including scoliosis and bifid ribs, palmar and plantar pits, calcification of the falx cerebri, and biparietal frontal bossing. We experienced a case of 12-year-old girl with the clinical features of basal cell nevus syndrome.
Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Child ; Humans ; Nevus ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Ribs ; Scoliosis ; Skin

PURPOSE: The olecranon osteotomy in intra-articular comminuted distal humerus fractures is a suggested technique for excellent exposure of articular fractures. However, complications including delayed union, nonunion of osteotomy site have been reported. Authors have applied predrilling for cannulated screw before osteotomy for achievement of rapid and accurate reposition of separation part and added wire fixation for secure stability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of this fixation procedure following the olecranon osteotomy during the internal fixation of intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 14 cases (9 women and 5 men) of intra-articular distal humerus fractures in which the olecranon osteotomy was applied. The mean age of patients was 53.4 years (range, 25 to 83 years), and the average follow-up period was 15.9 months. Eleven cases were classified as AO 13-C3, and the other 3 cases were AO 13-C2. Reduction accuracy, union period of osteotomy site on follow-up radiographs and postoperative complications related to olecranon osteotomy were evaluated. RESULTS: All osteotomized parts showed no position change and solid union with normal alignment at the last follow-up. The mean period of bony union was 3.5 months (range, 2 to 5 months). There were no complications related to olecranon osteotomy except one case of non-displaced fracture of the proximal ulnar shaft at the level of cannulated screw tip caused by forceful passive physical therapy. It was managed by conservative treatment without further problem. CONCLUSION: Predrilled cannulated screw and wire fixation following the olecranon osteotomy during internal fixation of intra-articular comminuted distal humerus fractures showed satisfactory results in the union of osteotomy site and it could be a recommendable procedure when fractures require olecranon osteotomy.
Elbow ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Olecranon Process* ; Osteotomy* ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Soft tissue reconstruction of a defect around the foot and ankle is a particularly challenging procedure due to the anatomical and functional characteristics of this area. Hence, only a limited number of treatment options are available. Moreover, if patients wish to avoid additional scars on the ipsilateral lower leg for cosmetic reasons, even fewer options are available for treatment. The authors used an anterolateral thigh perforator flap for soft tissue defects in this area, when other surgical options were inadequate. The aim of this study was to report the clinical results and the efficacy of this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen cases of soft tissue defects around the foot and ankle were included. Participants included 12 male and 4 female subjects, and the mean age was 34 years. The most common cause of defect was acute trauma, and the average follow-up period was 33 months. Flap survival time, surgical complications, and ambulation status at the final follow-up stage were evaluated. RESULTS: All 16 flaps successfully survived, except for one case with partial flap necrosis that was thought to be due to weight bearing earlier than scheduled. All patients were able to walk independently without any aid at the final follow-up stage. No patients showed other significant surgical complications. CONCLUSION: The anterolateral thigh perforator flap is a good alternative for soft tissue defects of the foot and ankle, when other options are not applicable. This study also demonstrated that surgery using an anterolateral thigh perforator flap is safe and highly reliable.
Ankle* ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot* ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Necrosis ; Operative Time ; Perforator Flap* ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Thigh* ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

PURPOSE: Fracture of the distal radius is one of the most common fractures encountered in the emergency room. The incidence of distal radius fracture has increased substantially according to several studies that estimated the overall incidence in various general populations. However, there is a paucity of epidemiological data regarding distal radius fracture in Korea. The aim of this study was to estimate the epidemiology and seasonal variance of incidence of distal radius fractures in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and radiographs of the 432 patients who visited the emergency room for distal radius fractures from January 2012 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Authors analyzed the epidemiologic parameters including age, gender, injury mechanism, fracture classification, combined fracture, treatment method and monthly incidence. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the time of injury was 53 years (41.6 years in 171 men, 64.5 years in 261 women). The highest incidence in age distribution was the sixth and seventh decade (45.2%) and male to female ratio was 1.0:2.5. Most fractures (78.4%) were caused by a lower energy fall and the most common combined fractures were the ulnar styloid fracture (38.6%). According to the AO classification, 54.5% were type A, 14.5% were type B and 31.0% were type C and 39.2% of the patient underwent surgery for treatment. The incidence of fracture began to rise in November (12.1%) and peaked in December (14.2%). CONCLUSION: This study examined the epidemiology and seasonal variance of incidence of distal radius fractures from the patient records of a single University hospital. The epidemiological data gathered in this study could be added to our knowledge of distal radius fractures in the Korean population, thus it enables the Korean surgeon to determine the best management for individual patients.
Age Distribution ; Classification ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Radius Fractures* ; Radius* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons*

PURPOSE: Acute immume thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is relatively common hematologic disease in children. Most acute ITP is recovered within 6 month spontaneously and the complication is rare. But 10~20% of the ITP patient became a chronic form. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EB virus) in developing country usually occurs during infancy and early childhood. Acute ITP associated with EB virus is likely to develop chronic ITP in current literatures. We studied the pattern of laboratory findings in long term follow up of ITP with EB virus infection. METHODS: One hundred and seventy nine patients diagnosed with ITP admitted to the division of pediatric hematology, Gachon Medical Center and Hanyang University Hospital between Mar. 1991 and Jun. 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Serologic test for EB virus was available for 57 patients and 25 of them were follow up at least 6 months. Evidence of acute EB virus infection was defined as a positive Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) IgM or positive Anti VCA IgG and negative Ebstein-Barr virus Nuclear Antigen (EBNA). Complete remission (CR) was defined as a recovery of platelet count of more than 100 109/L and partial remission (PR) as a recovery of platelet count of 50~100 109/L, maintained for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Sixteen out of 57 patients were associated acute EB virus infection. Of this group, 8 patients were follow up at least 6 months. Forty one of 57 with no evidence of acute EB virus infection, 17 were follow up at least 6 months. The clinical and laboratory data was not different significantly in children with and without acute EB virus infection in admission. In EB virus infection group of 6 months follow up, platelet count was significantly lower than control group in 6 months follow up (P=0.006). Five patients of 8 (63%) with acute EB virus infection had chronic ITP and 2 of 17 (12%) with no evidence of EB virus infection had chronic ITP in follow up 6 months. CONCLUSION: Patients with EB virus associated ITP tended to resolved more slowly than those without EB virus infection and also showed tendency to become chronic ITP.
Capsid ; Child ; Developing Countries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hematology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Serologic Tests

OBJECTIVES: The stress response involves the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Corticosteroids have been clearly demonstrated to cause anti-inflammatory and/or immnosuppressive effects in man including granulocytosis in part by decreasing migration into tissue, especially damaged tissues(myocardium), and circulating relative lymphocytopenia. To test whether automated measurements of the the increased serum cortisol-induced hematologic changes in the leukocyte differential significance or not in the initial differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in acute chest pain syndromes. METHODS: 101 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction or myocardial ischemia presenting to the emergency room of Seoul Adventist Hospital with acute chest pain from January 1993 to August 1995(Retrospective group) and from December 1995 to March patients compatible with exclusion criteria in myocardial infarction were excluded. We measured automated leukocyte differential and serial CK-MB level in both groups, and the intial serum cortisol levels in prospective infarction group. RESULTS: 1) Total leukocyte and granulocyte counts were increased in acute myocardial infarction(p<0.01). 2) In acute myocardial infarction group, lymphocyte counts were slightly increased(p<0.05), but relative lymphocytes percentage more significantly decreased(p<0.01). 3) Serum cortisol levels are significantly raised early in the course of the acute myocardial infarction and prior to the elevation of the specific cardiac enzymes on the basis of analytic results of prospective infarction group. 4) Cortisol-induced changes in leukocyte differential were noted with time passes into reverse approximately 4 days later in our study. 5) The leukocyte differential does not shows significant changes in the retrospective myocardial ischemia group, so we arrive in careful conclusion that serum cortisol level seems does not increase. 6) No sexual differences were noted in leukocyte differential. CONCLUSIONS: The serum cortisol level and cortisol-induced leukocyte differential are helpful for initial differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in acute chest pain sysdrome.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Chest Pain* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Infarction ; Leukocytes* ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphopenia ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; Thorax*

PURPOSE: With increasing frequency, Yersinia enterocolitica is being recognized as an important bacterial cause of acute gastrointestinal infection with abdominal pain. In addition, the association of Y. enterocolitica infections with acute appendicitis has been suggested. This study was undertaken to ascertain whether Y. enterocolitica is a possible infectious agent in acute appendicitis. METHODS: Between December 2007 and April 2008, 162 patients who underwent appendectomy for presumed appendicitis, enrolled in this prospective study. After surgical excision of appendix, a portion of each specimen was cultured for Y. enterocolitica with highly selective media (Cefsulodin-Irgasan-Novobiocin agar). RESULTS: Pathologically, 150 of the patients had appendicitis and 12 patients had normal appendices. Only one of the 150 patients (0.7%) with appendicitis was found to be culture positive for Y. enterocolitica, while it was not detected from normal appendices. CONCLUSION: The authors were unable to implicate Y. enterocolitica as a major pathogen in acute appendicitis within the Seoul area. However, we thought there to be more need for investigation for association of Y. enterocolitica with acute appendicitis over a broader area and season.
Abdominal Pain ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Seasons ; Yersinia ; Yersinia enterocolitica

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Loss of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) exhibits a similar pathology to that seen in a subset of individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori, including propagated gastric inflammation, oxidative stress, and autoimmune features. We thus hypothesized that gastric mucosal TGF-beta1 levels could be used to determine the outcome after H. pylori infection. METHODS: Northern blot for the TGF-beta1 transcript, staining of TGF-beta1 expression, luciferase reporter assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TGF-beta1 levels were performed at different times after H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The TGF-beta1 level was markedly lower in patients with H. pylori-induced gastritis than in patients with a similar degree of gastritis induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There was a significant negative correlation between the severity of inflammation and gastric mucosal TGF-beta1 levels. SNU-16 cells showing intact TGF-beta signaling exhibited a marked decrease in TGF-beta1 expression, whereas SNU-638 cells defective in TGF-beta signaling exhibited no such decrease after H. pylori infection. The decreased expressions of TGF-beta1 in SNU-16 cells recovered to normal after 24 hr of H. pylori infection, but lasted very spatial times, suggesting that attenuated expression of TGF-beta1 is a host defense mechanism to avoid attachment of H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection was associated with depressed gastric mucosal TGF-beta1 for up to 24 hr, but this apparent strategy for rescuing cells from H. pylori attachment exacerbated the gastric inflammation.
Blotting, Northern ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Luciferases ; Oxidative Stress ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) variables of hemiplegic patients compared with a control group, and between the affected and unaffected limbs of hemiplegic patients using foot scans. METHODS: Patients (n=20) with hemiplegia and healthy volunteers (n=20) underwent vertical force analysis. We measured the following: the first and second peak forces (F1, F2) and the percent stances at which they occurred (T1, T2); the vertical force impulse (VFI) and stance times. The GRF results were compared between the hemiplegic patients and control individuals, and between the affected and unaffected limbs of hemiplegic patients. Additionally, we analyzed the impulse of the unaffected limb according to the motor assessment scale (MAS), Brunnstrom stage, and a Timed Up and Go Test. RESULTS: The F1s and F2s of the affected and unaffected limbs were significantly less than those of the normal control individuals (p<0.05). The T1s of both the affected and unaffected limbs of the patients were greater than control individuals, whilst the T2s were lower (p<0.05). Greater impulses and stance times were recorded on both sides of the patients than in the limbs of the control individuals (p<0.05). The MAS, Brunnstrom stage and Timed Up and Go Test results were significantly correlated with the VFI of the unaffected limbs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The high impulse values of the unaffected limb were associated with complications during gait rehabilitation. Therefore, these results suggest that unaffected limbs should also be taken into consideration in these patients.
Extremities ; Foot Deformities ; Foot* ; Gait ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Rehabilitation