No abstract available.
Plasma Exchange* ; Plasma*

Successful repair of lacerated tendons must restore continuity of the tendon and should yield a strong tenorrhaphy. Mechanical strength of repair should be adequate to early postoperative motion and mobility, The optimal repair technique must be able to withstand the rigors of early motion and also must not interfere with tendon healing. The relative strength of three suture methods of lacerated tendon were measured by mechanical disruption in effort to determine the strength of suture technique. Fifty-four Calcaneal tendons of 27 the New Zealand white rabbit were transected at mid portion and repaired with the three suture technique: group 1, Kessler suture, group 2, Pennington’s modified-Kessler suture and group 3, augmented- Becker suture technique. Each group was composed of 18 calcaneal tendons. Nine rabbits were sacrified immediately after suture, nine in postoperative 2 weeks and nine in postoperative 4 weeks Six calcaneal tendons in each three experimental group were obtained immediately after suture, at postoperative 2 and 4 weeks respectively. Tensile strength, maximum strength and modulus of elasticity of all experimental specimens were measured with Instron-UTM-4-100(Toyo-Baldiwin, Japan). The results were evaluated statistically to compare the strength of the three suture technique at three different periods. The tensile strength was predominantly strongest in augmented-Becker method among three suture technique at immediate suture, postoperative 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively. The augmented Becker repair was strongest in maximum stress among Kessler and modified Kessler repair at immediate operation, postoperative 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively. The augmented Becker repair was highest in modulus of elasticity than Kessler method and modified-Kessler method at immediate operation, postoperative 2 weeks and postoperative 4 weeks respectively. Tensile strength, maximum stress and modulus of elasticity were gradually increased from immediate operation to postoperative 4 weeks, but there were not statistically significance between experimental three suture methods at postoperative 4 weeks.
Elastic Modulus ; Methods ; New Zealand ; Rabbits ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures ; Tendons ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of inhalants on color vision impairment. METHODS: The inhalation group consisted of 81 neurotoxic chemical substance abusers at Bugok National Hospital and Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, Ministry of Justice. The control group consisted of 41 employees of Bugok National Hospital. The Lanthony D-15 desaturated hue test was administered to both groups. For the qualitative analysis, we classified the results by the morphological characteristics of color vision impairment. For the quantitative analysis, we calculated the total color distance score (TCDS) and the color confusion index (CCI) and determined that the individual was abnormal if the TCDS was over 65.0 or the CCI was over 1.25. RESULTS: The TCDS of the inhalation group was 75.58+/-21.07 and the CCI was 1.34+/-0.37 in the right eye, and 75.47+/-23.63 and 1.34+/-0.42, respectively in the left eye. These results are higher than those found for the control group. In regards to the TCDS, 50 (61.8%) of the abusers in the inhalation group had color vision impairment in the right eye and 48 (59.2%) had impairment in the left eye. 11 (26.8%) of the employees in the control group had color vision impairment in the right eye and 13 (31.7%) had impairment in the left eye. In regards to the CCI, 38 (46.9%) of the abusers in the inhalation group had color vision impairment in the right eye and 35 (43.2%) had impairment in the left eye. 4 (9.8%) of the employees in the control group had color vision impairment in the right eye and 7 (17.0%) had impairment in the left eye. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis for acquired color vision impairment showed that the inhalation period (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.03~1.40) was the significant variable. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the inhalation of neurotoxic substances may impair the color vision, and the period inhaled with neurotoxic substances is significant variable affecting on the acquired color vision impairment.
Color Vision ; Eye ; Forensic Psychiatry ; Inhalation ; Logistic Models ; Social Justice

Surgical decompression for cervical radiculopathy includes anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, anterior or posterior cervical foraminotomy, and cervical arthroplasty after decompression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a CO2 laser in posterior-approach surgery for unilateral cervical radiculopathy. From January 2006 to December 2008, 12 consecutive patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy from either foraminal stenosis or disc herniation, which was confirmed with imaging studies, underwent posterior foraminotomy and discectomy with the use of a microscope and CO2 laser. For annulotomy and discectomy, we used about 300 joules of CO2 laser energy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the extent of disc removal or foraminal decompression. Clinical outcome was evaluated by using visual analogue scale scores for radicular pain and Odom's criteria. For evaluation of spinal stability, cervical flexion and extension radiographs were obtained. Single-level foraminotomy was performed in 10 patients and two-level foraminotomies were performed in 2 patients. Preoperative radicular symptoms were improved immediately after surgery in all patients. No surgery-related complications developed in our cases. Postoperative MRI demonstrated effective decompression of ventral lesions and widened foraminal spaces in all cases. There was no development of cervical instability during the follow-up period. Posterior foraminotomy and discectomy using a microscope and CO2 laser is an effective surgical tool for unilateral cervical radiculopathy caused by lateral or foraminal disc herniations or spondylotic stenosis. Long-term follow-up with radiographs showed no significant kyphotic changes or spinal instability.
Arthroplasty ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Decompression ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foraminotomy ; Humans ; Lasers, Gas ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiculopathy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: New definitions of acute kidney injury (AKI) have recently emerged. Some studies have suggested that duration of AKI is an additional predictive parameter for mortality. Here, we evaluated whether AKI duration was predictive of long-term mortality in patients with hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HAAKI). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients who developed HAAKI at an urban university hospital, from September 2007 to August 2008 and followed them until December 2011. Patients were divided into two groups by duration of the AKI (1 to 5 days vs. > or = 6 days), and long-term mortality was compared. RESULTS: HAAKI developed in 1.2% of patients during the enrollment period. The median follow-up period was 240 days (interquartile range, 53 to 1,428). In 42.3% of patients (n = 52), the AKI lasted 1 to 5 days, while it lasted > or = 6 days in 57.7% (n = 71). Survival analysis showed that a longer duration of AKI increased the risk of death. Long-term survival was significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of AKI influenced mortality rates in hospitalized patients. Thus, AKI duration is a parameter affecting mortality in HAAKI.
Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis/etiology/*mortality/therapy ; Aged ; Female ; *Hospitalization ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

In this study, we evaluated the effects of fentanyl, midazolam, and fentanyl-midazolam on cardiovascular system and blood glucose during endotracheal intubation in forty normotensive patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were randomly classified into four groups; Group I (control) received tracheal intubation with thiopental 5 mg/kg (n=10), group II received tracheal intubation with fentanyl 6 ug/kg followed by thiopental 2 mg/ kg (n=10), group III received tracheal intubation with midazolam 0.3 mg/kg (n=10), group IV received tracheal intubation with fentanyl 4 ug/kg followed by midazolam 1 mg/kg (n=10). The changes of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressurie, heart rate, and blood glucose were compared in each group. The results were as follows; 1) In group I, endotracheal intubation caused a significant rise in SBP, HR and blood glucose. 2) In group II, endotracheal intubation caused little changes in SBP, DBP,MAP and blood glucose but HR was rised. 3) In group III, endotracheal intubation caused little changes in SBP, DBP, MAP, HR and blood glucose. 4) In group IV, endotracheal intubation caused little changes in SBP, DBP, MAP, HR and blood glucose.
Anesthesia, General ; Blood Glucose* ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System* ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Midazolam* ; Thiopental

An inflammation of an epiploic appendage is a relatively rare cause of acute abdominal pain. It can be clinically misdiagnosed as either acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. Judicious interpretation of imaging with ultrasound or computed tomography may lead to an early diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgical or medical treatment. Conservative treatment of symptoms is usually sufficient. We have experienced a case of epiploic appendagitis treated by conservative management and report this case with the review of the literature.
Abdomen* ; Abdominal Pain ; Appendicitis ; Diverticulitis ; Early Diagnosis ; Inflammation ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES: Glide path preparation is recommended to reduce torsional failure of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments and to prevent root canal transportation. This study evaluated whether the repetitive insertions of G-files to the working length maintain the apical size as well as provide sufficient lumen as a glide path for subsequent instrumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The G-file system (Micro-Mega) composed of G1 and G2 files for glide path preparation was used with the J-shaped, simulated resin canals. After inserting a G1 file twice, a G2 file was inserted to the working length 1, 4, 7, or 10 times for four each experimental group, respectively (n = 10). Then the canals were cleaned by copious irrigation, and lubricated with a separating gel medium. Canal replicas were made using silicone impression material, and the diameter of the replicas was measured at working length (D0) and 1 mm level (D1) under a scanning electron microscope. Data was analysed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The diameter at D0 level did not show any significant difference between the 1, 2, 4, and 10 times of repetitive pecking insertions of G2 files at working length. However, 10 times of pecking motion with G2 file resulted in significantly larger canal diameter at D1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Under the limitations of this study, the repetitive insertion of a G2 file up to 10 times at working length created an adequate lumen for subsequent apical shaping with other rotary files bigger than International Organization for Standardization (ISO) size 20, without apical transportation at D0 level.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Silicones ; Transportation

OBJECTIVES: Glide path preparation is recommended to reduce torsional failure of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments and to prevent root canal transportation. This study evaluated whether the repetitive insertions of G-files to the working length maintain the apical size as well as provide sufficient lumen as a glide path for subsequent instrumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The G-file system (Micro-Mega) composed of G1 and G2 files for glide path preparation was used with the J-shaped, simulated resin canals. After inserting a G1 file twice, a G2 file was inserted to the working length 1, 4, 7, or 10 times for four each experimental group, respectively (n = 10). Then the canals were cleaned by copious irrigation, and lubricated with a separating gel medium. Canal replicas were made using silicone impression material, and the diameter of the replicas was measured at working length (D0) and 1 mm level (D1) under a scanning electron microscope. Data was analysed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The diameter at D0 level did not show any significant difference between the 1, 2, 4, and 10 times of repetitive pecking insertions of G2 files at working length. However, 10 times of pecking motion with G2 file resulted in significantly larger canal diameter at D1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Under the limitations of this study, the repetitive insertion of a G2 file up to 10 times at working length created an adequate lumen for subsequent apical shaping with other rotary files bigger than International Organization for Standardization (ISO) size 20, without apical transportation at D0 level.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Silicones ; Transportation

PURPOSE: This study was designed to review the results of 2nd and 3rd kidney transplantation at our center. METHODS: Total 1,500 patients who had undergone kidney transplantation from 1968 to Aug 2005 at the Catholic Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed. The graft and patient survival were determined using Kaplan-Meier actuarial survival curves, compared with those of first transplant and assessed for significance using the log rank test. RESULTS: The patient of 2nd transplantation was 77 cases (male 55, female 22, mean age: 48.9+/-2.4 years) and 3rd transplantation was 5 patients (male 4, female 1, mean age 46.8+/-6.0 years). The 82 kidneys included from living donors in 67 patients and from cadaveric donors in 15 patients. The most common cause of renal failure of retransplanted kidney was chronic GN (2nd: 62 cases (80.5%), 3rd: 5 cases (100%)). The immunosuppressive regimen was mainly based on cyclosporine (2nd: 61 cases (79.2%), 3rd: 3 cases (60%)). The mean duration of the second transplantation from the first was 89.0 months and the third transplantation from the second was 32.7 months. There were 16 cases of death patients and the main cause of death was infection and cardiovascular events. The graft survival of 2nd & 3rd transplantation in 1 year were over 80%. CONCLUSION: Renal retransplantation is safe, effective, and the treatment of choice in patients with failed previous kidney transplantation for patient's quality of life and not associated with increased mortality retransplantation. The results of graft survival for retransplantation seem to be excellent for primary transplantation under cyclosporine or tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. The use of the potent and appropriate immunosuppression and surgical technique for retransplantation could help to improve better results.
Cadaver ; Cause of Death ; Cyclosporine ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Living Donors ; Mortality ; Organ Transplantation* ; Quality of Life ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants*