Little objective information is avilable on the influence of occlusive dressings on the healing of cutaneous partial skin defect wounds. Our purpose was to examine the effects of occlusive dressing by using the synthetic dressing mateial, PolyMem in the management of 2nd degree burn wounds and donor sites of split thicknes skin graft and partial-thickness wounds in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits, 12 to 14 weeks of age, were divided into 2 groups. Two partial thickness skin wounds measuring approximately 40x30 mm were induced using a scalpel on the back of each anesthetized animal. They were designated as group I (dressing with conventional method, n=15), group II (dressing with PolyMen, n=15). Each treated wound was individually covered with the assigned dressing immediately after wounding. Wound were examined and measured at 10 days to determine the extent of healing. By day 10, the PolyMem dressed wounds were approximately 67% healed, while all vaseline gauze dressed wounds were about 50% healed. Standardized 20 mm full-thickness biopsy wounds were treated for 10 days. Section of PolyMem group at POD 10 days showed complete epidermal regeneration above fibrotic dermis (H&E, x40). Section of conventional group at POD 10 days showed marginal epidermal regeneration (H&E, x40). 72 patients (44 patients with 2nd degree burn and 28 patients with skin graft donor sites) were divided into four groups. They were designated as group I (Burn patients with PolyMem, n=24), group II (Burn patients with conventional methods, n=24), group III (S.T.S.G. patients with PolyMem, n=14), group IV (S.T.S.G. patients with conventional methods, n=14). We investigated wound site pain, healing time, comfort and numbers of dressing change. As compared with the control group, the PolyMem dressed group had less pain, more rapid healing time, more comfort, less frequent dressing changes. From these results, we concluded that the occlusive dressing with PolyMem was an effective alternative to the conventional gauze dressig on the wound healing. Our results suggest tat PolyMem is one of the ideal dressing materials.
Animals ; Bandages ; Biopsy ; Burns ; Dermis ; Humans ; Occlusive Dressings ; Petrolatum ; Pheniramine ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

The regulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been considered a unique property of phagocytic cells which use this ROS system to induce innate defense system that enables it to successfully combat the pathogens. However, the mechanisms for how respiratory mucosa might produce ROS against respiratory viral infection still need to be completely defined. Respiratory mucosa and nasal epithelium has been known as the first defense site of human respiratory tract which is highly exposed and vulnerable to environmental pathogens, including air-bone microbes, viruses and allergens. We are especially interested in the innate immune response to respiratory virus infection in nasal epithelium and how this response might be influenced by ROS generation after viral infection. The interferon (IFN) signaling system is perhaps the most critical pathway for antiviral defense and protective actions of IFNs rely on signaling through IFN receptors, transcription factors and IFN-stimulated genes or antiviral cytokines requiring for virus degradation and suppression of viral transcription or translation. We verified that both type I and type III IFN genes expression and secreted proteins were more highly induced after influenza A virus infection in nasal epithelium. We also propose that type III IFNs are the primary IFNs to mediate an anti-viral defense in nasal epithelium and more sensitively reacted with ROS which were produced after respiratory virus infection. We estimate that ROS are necessary for the innate immune response and trigger the induction of IFN-related innate immune response to resist respiratory virus infection in human respiratory mucosa.
Allergens ; Critical Pathways ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate* ; Influenza A virus ; Interferons* ; Nasal Mucosa* ; Phagocytes ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Respiratory System ; Transcription Factors

A clinical study of the tibial fracture was made on patients, total 234 tibias, who were treated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Paik Hospital, Inje Medical College from 1974 to 1979. The results were as follows: 1. The ratio between male and female was 5. 5: 1 and majority was found between 3rd decade and 5th decade. 2. In the shape of fracture, commiuted fracture, transverse fracrure were common in order. 3. The most common cause of these fractures was traffic accident and the ratio between open and closed fracture was 1:2. 4. The most common associated injury was the fibular fracture. 5. More complications ensued in open reduction and internal fixation than in closed reduction. of 50 cases, which were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, delayed union in 32 cases (64%) and infection in 11 cases (22%) resulted. 6. In the treatment of open comminuted tibial fractures with skin and soft tissue loss or marked displacement, Hoffmans external fixation method and pin and resin external fixation method bad good results, Early motion of adjacent joint, easy care of wound and rigid fixation were obtained by it.
Accidents, Traffic ; Clinical Study ; Female ; Fractures, Closed ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Methods ; Orthopedics ; Skin ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures ; Wounds and Injuries

Among 334 thoracolumbar spinal injury patients who were admitted to this hospital from June 1972 to June, 1982, 66 patients with fracture and fracture dislocation of thoraco-lumbar spine which were defined as unstable clinically and radiologically were treated with surgical measures. The ratio between male and female was 7.3:1, the majority was found in third and fourth decade (46 cases, 69%), and the most common cause of injury was falling from a height (38 cases, 58%). The most common site of the injury was lumbar spine (29 cases, 44%) and the most common mechanism of injury was flexion-rotation (29 cases, 44%). Our surgical measures were Harrington rod instrumentation with either anterior or posterior fusion (25 cases, 38%), posterior wiring and fusion (14 cases, 21%), anterior decompression and anterior fusion (14 cases, 21%), posterior fusion (4 cases, 6%), anterior fusion and posterior fusion (3 cases, 5%) and etc. The average correction of displacement was 65% and the average correction of kyphotic deformity was 50%. The most remarkable correction was found at the cases of Harrington rod instrumentation (71%, 74%). Neurological deficit had already developed in 43 cases(65%) prior to operation, and the recovery was observed in 18 cases(42%). Most excellent recovery of neural deficit was found also at the cases of Harrington rod instrumentation (11 cases, 52%). We have analysed the results of these treatment and obtained following conclusions. 1. For the unstable fracture and fracture-dislocation of thoraco-lumbar spine with or without neural involvement, immediate surgical treatments were valuable to expect restoration of anatomical reduction and promotion of every possible recovery of neural function with spinal stability and fewest complication. 2. Fixation with Harrington rod instrumentation appears to provide better reduction and stability with neural improvement than other methods, and therefore early undertaking of rehabilitation activities is possible. 3. For the patients who are seriously compromised or require anterior decompression, immediate posterior reduction and fixation with Harrington rod instrumentation followed anterior decompression and anterior fusion of the involved segments at the eariest feasible time, we feel, is the treatment of choice.
Accidental Falls ; Clinical Study ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression ; Dislocations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortuary Practice ; Rehabilitation ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine

There was increasing tendency to stabilize unstable cervical spine injuries surgically with the benefit of good stability of the spine, easy nursing care, early mobilization and therefore early rehabilitation. A clinical study was performed on 47 patients with fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine treated at the department of orthopedic surgery, Inje Medical College, Paik Hospital from Jan. 1975 to Dec. 1981. Following is the summery of the our findings. 1. The prevalent age distribution was between 3rd and 6th decade and the ratio between males and females was 10:1. The most common cause of injuries was automobile accident (70%). 2. The most common site of the injuries was C5-6 (34%) and the most frequent mechanism of injury was flexion-rotation type (47%). 3. In overall patients, neurologic damage was found at first examination in 73% and among these, complete paralysis below the injured level in 26%, incomplete paralysis in 11% and nerve root injury in 35%. 4. Among 47 patients, conervative treatment was performed on 9 patients, anterior spinal fusion on 8 patients, anterior spinal fusion with Halo application on 4 patients, posterior wiring with posterior spinal fusion on 16 patients and posterior wiring with anterior spinal fusion on 8 patients. 5. In the several methods of treatment, the posterior wiring with anterior spinal fusion revealed the best results, the correction rate of displacement was 92%, the correction rate of angular deformity 98% and neural recovery rate 72%. 6. The posterior wiring with posterior spinal fusion revealed good results in correction of displacement and angular deformity but required rigid external support for a long time. The anterior spinal fusion revealed poor results in correction of displacement(67%) and angular deformity(38%) and required rigid external support for a long time and had increasing tendency of kyphotic angle after operation. 7. In the treatment of unstable cervical spine injury, we thoughy that early posterior reduction with posterior wiring and followed anterior spinal fusion was ideal for accurate reduction, rigid stability and early mobilization with simple external support.
Age Distribution ; Automobiles ; Clinical Study ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nursing Care ; Orthopedics ; Paralysis ; Rehabilitation ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine

No abstract available.
Hypopituitarism*

We have employed the external akeletal fixation devices, that is Hoffmann apparatus and Pin and Resin fixation method, for the treatment of 44 cases of long bone fractures from Dec. 1978 to Dec. 1981. The following are our impressins. 1. Hoffmann apparatus and Pin and Resin fixation method proved to be effective and useful measure for the management of fractures of long bones, particulary in cases of the open tibial fractures. 2. Employing the Hoffmann apparatus to the tibial model, the possible limit of correction of the fracture alignment was calculated. It was found that the average angle of correction of deformity can be managed up to 20 degrees in varus and valgus deformity, 70 degrees in anterior angulation, 40 degrees in posterior angulation and 70 degrees in rotation. 3. Pin and Resin fixation method is one of effective means in immobilization of long bones. It is simple to apply, easy to manipulate and inexpensive while offering fair fixation without much complications and therefore we recommend the method as the best alternative to expensive Hoffmann apparatus. 4. The complications of Hoffmann apparatus and Pin and Resin fixation method were pin tract infections and ankle stiffness which were generally minor and prevented by more careful aseptic technique and encouraging early joint motion.
Ankle ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone ; Immobilization ; Joints ; Methods ; Tibial Fractures

The intrinsic structural failure of a Dacron graft resulting from the loss of structural integrity of the graft fabric can cause late graft complications. Late non-anastomotic rupture has traditionally been treated surgically via open thoracotomy. We report a case of the successful use of thoracic endovascular repair to treat a Dacron graft rupture in the descending aorta. The rupture occurred 20 years after the graft had been placed. Two stent grafts were placed at the proximal portion of the surgical graft, covering almost its entire length.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Endovascular Procedures ; Polyethylene Terephthalates* ; Rupture* ; Stents* ; Thoracotomy ; Transplants*

OBJECTIVE: Although most of hypertensive intracerebral hematoma (HICH) are static after ictus, a minority of them can enlarge in the acute phase after onset. This study performs to find the predicting factors and signs of hematoma enlargement in patients with HICH. METHODS: Among 140 cases of HICH treated during 1.5 years, the authors selected 107 cases who underwent contrast enhanced and nonenhanced initial CT scanning within 12 hours after symptom onset and a follow-up CT scan in order to investigate the enlargement of hematoma. Those cases were divided into two groups:hematoma enlargement (group I) and non-enlargement group (group II). The comparison of predicting factors (bleeding tendency, abnormal liver function and blood pressure) and signs (enhanced focus in hematoma on CT) of hematoma enlargement between group I and II was performed. RESULTS: There were 8 cases in group I and 99 cases in group II. The incidence of an enhanced focus in hematoma on CT scan was higher in group I than group II (87.5% vs. 9.1%, p<0.05). The systolic blood pressure (BP) at 6 hours after symptom onset and at the time of the first CT scan was higher in group I than group II (172.5 vs. 152.0 mm Hg, and 182.5 vs. 158.6 mm Hg, respectively, p<0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of bleeding tendency and abnormal liver function between group I and II. CONCLUSION: Contrast enhanced brain CT scan to detect the enhanced focus in the hematoma is one of useful methods to predict the early enlargement of hematoma in patients with HICH. The continuance of a high BP in spite of medication of antihypertensive drugs during the acute period after the onset of symptoms is another predictive sign of hematoma enlargement in patients with HICH.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) test has been widely used to assess the function of the saccule and inferior vestibular nerve. Electrode location and stimulating sound are important factors which might affect the test results. Today those parameters are usually selected to maximize the waveform response. In this study, we tried to find the optimal condition to minimize the range of normal value of cVEMP. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirteen normal subjects (26 ears) were included. We placed electrodes at five different locations over the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and used four different stimulation sounds. Variances of parameters, including interpeak amplitude, interaural difference (IAD) and normal value were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: When using the classical condition (mid point of SCM and 500 Hz) without rectification, IAD ratio was 20.8+/-14.2% and the range of normal value was 39%. When we used 2000 Hz tone burst sound at the classical electrodes site, IAD ratio and normal value were minimized, resulting in 18.7+/-14.3% and 31% respectively. After the rectification, when using the classical condition, IAD ratio was 26.4+/-22.3% and the range of normal value was 49%. The minimum IAD ratio was measured as 17.4+/-13.7% when we used click sound at SCM at the level of mandibular angle. And the minimum normal value of 32% was measured when we used 1000 Hz tone burst sound at SCM at the level of mandibular angle. CONCLUSION: Although the condition was not optimal for maximizing the interpeak amplitude, we could alternatively use the condition to minimize the normal value.
Electrodes ; Reference Values ; Saccule and Utricle ; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials* ; Vestibular Nerve