No abstract available.
Morphine* ; Respiration, Artificial* ; Weaning*

BACKGROUND: A randomized, multicenter, open-label, parallel group study was performed to compare the effects of remifentanil and morphine as analgesic drugs on the duration of weaning time from mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: A total of 96 patients with MV in 6 medical and surgical intensive care units were randomly assigned to either, remifentanil (0.1-0.2 mcg/kg/min, n = 49) or morphine (0.8-35 mg/hr, n = 47) from the weaning start. The weaning time was defined as the total ventilation time minus the sum of controlled mode duration. RESULTS: Compared with the morphine group, the remifentanil-based analgesic group showed a tendency of shorter weaning time (mean 143.9 hr, 89.7 hr, respectively: p = 0.069). Secondary outcomes such as total ventilation time, successful weaning rate at the 7th of MV day was similar in both groups. There was also no difference in the mortality rate at the 7th and 28th hospital day. Kaplan-Meyer curve for weaning was not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil usage during the weaning phase tended to decrease weaning time compared with morphine usage.
Analgesics ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Morphine* ; Mortality ; Respiration, Artificial* ; Ventilation ; Ventilator Weaning ; Weaning*

PURPOSE: Thumb is the most important part of the hand. That requires reconstruction as a top priority. The operative methods for thumb reconstruction have been developed variously to the microsurgical technique. For better functional and cosmetic effects of the thumb, many studies and reports on toe transfer for thumb reconstruction have been conducted. Great toe transfer for thumb reconstruction was first reported by Cobbett in 1969. Since then, the second toe transfer also has been reported by Dongyue in 1979. Author report about advantages and disadvantages of the second toe transfer for thumb reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The second toe transfer had been conducted transfer for nine patients from March 1998 to February 2007. The patient's age ranged from 18 to 52, averaging 30 years old. The levels of defect were classified as two proximal portion of proximal phalanx,five metacarpo-phalangeal joints, and two distal portion of metacarpal bone. The causes of thumb defect were classified as six trauma, two electrical burn, and one malignant tumor cases. The results were evaluated with sensation and strength the reconstructed thumb, cometic effect of recipient site, aesthetic effects at donor sites, and gait problem, at mean 32 months after the operation. RESULTS: After the second toe transfer, the reconstructed thumb's sense was measured as average 8.2 mm at 2 point discrimination test and it's pinching power measured average 81.7% compared to normal thumbs. The degree of cosmetic satisfaction of both donor & recipient sites appeared at 3.4 and 4.7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When choosing an operative method for the thumb reconstruction, we have to consider functional and cosmetic effect as well as the socio-cultural background. If we apply the second toe transfer according to the amputation level of the thumb, it would be a good satisfying operative method.
Amputation ; Burns ; Cosmetics ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Gait ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Sensation ; Thumb ; Tissue Donors ; Toes

Total scalp avulsion is rare but a devastating injury. This condition burdens the patient with disfigured cosmetic appearance and permanent psychosocial trauma. Throughout history, this condition has been favored in women working with mechanics since the long hair function as a vector appliance for oblique pull of the hair into a stationary torque. We present our experience of the replantation of the total avulsed scalp in male, first to be reported in Korea. Warm ischemic time was exceeding 16 hours along with severe crushed condition of the detached margin, a relatively satisfactory result was obtained.
Cosmetics ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mechanics ; Replantation ; Scalp ; Torque ; Warm Ischemia

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare site of focal atrial tachycardia (AT). Here, we report a 20-year-old woman who underwent catheter ablation for anti-arrhythmic drug-resistant AT originating from the IVC. She had undergone open-heart surgery for patch closure of an atrial septal defect 17 years previously and permanent pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction 6 years previously. The AT focus was at the anterolateral aspect of the IVC-right atrial junction, and it was successfully ablated under three-dimensional electroanatomical-mapping guidance. We suspect that the mechanism of this tachycardia was associated with previous IVC cannulation for open-heart surgery.
Catheter Ablation ; Catheterization ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Sick Sinus Syndrome ; Tachycardia* ; Vena Cava, Inferior* ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Myositis ossificans is a benign condition of heterotopic bone formation that still requires more of its pathologic explanation. The lesions are localized predominantly to the high-risk sites of injury, involving flexor muscles of the upper limbs and thigh, but rarely in the head and neck area. METHODS: A case of a 44-year-old male patient presented with a palpable hard mass on nasal dorsum. The patient experienced a similar lesion on upper limb few years ago. On computed tomographic image, the lesion presented focal definite increase in opacity compatible to adjacent bone densitiy on nasal dorsum. RESULTS: The lesion was excised under open rhinoplasty incision. The pathologic report revealed focal bone formation and calcification within skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: We describe a unique and only case of a myositis ossificans on nasal dorsum which is indifferent from previous concept.
Adult ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Myositis ; Myositis Ossificans ; Neck ; Nose ; Osteogenesis ; Rhinoplasty ; Thigh ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: Huge benign tumors in the hands sometimes show aggressive nature clinically. We report the clinical features of patients with a large benign recurrent tumors in the hands. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 139 benign tumors in hands excised by the authors between January, 2006 and March, 2012. There were 4 cases of huge benign tumors in hands that recurred after total excision. RESULTS: The average initial tumor size was 5.3x3.3 cm and the average recurrent tumor size was 4.4x3.0 cm. The average period of recurrence from initial operation was 11.3 months. The pathologic findings involved one epidermal cyst, two fibromatosis, and one giant cell tumor of tendon sheath. Although radical removal of the tumors were successful, reoperation due to the tumor recurrence was required. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the tumor malignancy, a wide range of tumor resection and radiation therapy may be necessary in order to prevent the recurrence of tumors in the hand. Sufficient follow-up periods to determine recurrence were required.
Epidermal Cyst ; Fibroma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Hand ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tendons

We report a 71-year-old male presenting with painful growing mass on his left thumb. The patient had received iliac bone graft on his left thumb 20 years ago, and removed all the grafted bone 8 years ago due to recurrent ulcer. Biopsy revealed multiple eidermal inclusion cysts on the dorsal surface of the bone graft site. Surgeon should be aware of epidermal inclusion cyst occurred at the previous bone graft site of the finger.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Fingers ; Humans ; Male ; Thumb ; Transplants ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Incomplete syndactyly, due to either congenital or acquired, is uncommon. Many different surgical methods have been descirbed. We introduce the modification of seven flap-plasty for incomplete syndactyly and report functional improvement after correction by modified seven flap-plasty without skin graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with an incomplete syndactyly who underwent modified seven flap-plasty were analyzed. Age ranged from one to 40-year-old (average age 21). There were 8 males and 4 females, and the degree of syndactyly was near proximal interphalangeal joint. Two different operative methods were performed. Modification I modified two half-Z flaps in parallelogram shape, and modification II modified V flap of V-M flap in Y-V flap. Functional improvements was measured by maximal abduction distance and maximal abduction angle change. RESULTS: All cases were corrected by using the modified seven flap plasty. Flap tip necrosis was found in two cases of severe burn scar patients, but did not require additional surgery. There was no specific complications. Maximal abduction distance was increased in 6 mm, and maximal abduction angle was increased in 5.8degrees. CONCLUSION: Incomplete syndactyly near proximal interphalangeal joint was corrected by modified seven flap plasty and was able to get a satisfactory result.
Adult ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Syndactyly

PURPOSE: Although a fasciocutaneous perforator artery as a vascular pedicle has previously been shown to be predominant in the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, recent studies have shown that a myocutaneous perforator artery is predominant. We have attempted to attain a clinical understanding of the vascular variations in the ALT flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We confirmed the origin of a perforator artery in 11 cases of ALT flap. We then reviewed the variations of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, known as the major origin of the flap, and the overall variations associated with an ALT flap. RESULTS: In a total of 11 cases, there were 18 perforator arteries of the ALT flaps. In addition, there were 9 fasciocutaneous perforator arteries and another 9 myocutaneous ones. However, depending on the origin, there was great variability in the perforator artery. That is, there were unique variants in the descending branches of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, the major origin of the perforator artery, in 3 of the total 11 cases. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that (1) a perforator artery accounts for the high proportion of fasciocutaneous ones, (2) a perforator artery might not originate from the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and (3) there might be unique variants in the descending branch. If considering this, surgeons would successfully elevate an ALT flap.
Arteries ; Perforator Flap ; Thigh