This article is being retracted as a part of the manuscript was a 'duplicate publication' from an earlier publication.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the features, risk scores and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis in critically ill patients who developed deep vein thrombosis in their lower extremities. METHODS: The participants in this prospective descriptive study were 175 adult patients who did not receive any prophylactic medication or mechanical therapy during their admission in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: The mean age was 62.24 (+/-17.28) years. Men made up 54.9% of the participating patients. There were significant differences in age, body mass index, and leg swelling between patients who developed deep vein thrombosis and those who did not have deep vein thrombosis. The mean risk score was 6.71(+/-2.94) and they had on average 4.01(+/-1.35) risk factors. In the multiple logistic regression, body mass index (odds ratio=1.14) and leg swelling (odds ratio=6.05) were significant predictors of deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Most critically ill patients are in the potentially high risk group for deep vein thrombosis. However, patients who are elderly, obese or have leg edema should be closely assessed and more than one type of active prophylactic intervention should be provided.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Mass Index ; *Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Leg/*blood supply ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis/diagnosis/*etiology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Regarding the respiratory function of patients with an artificial airway, this study compared the effects between normal saline with chest vibration and normal saline with expectorant mixture, administered before endotracheal suction. METHODS: The study was conducted in the ICUs of one university hospital located in Incheon. The experimental group I received normal saline with chest vibration administered before endotracheal suction while the experimental group II received normal saline with expectorant mixture administered before endotracheal suction. For respiratory function, PaO2, PaCO2, and O2 saturation were measured by ABGA at 3 minutes after endotracheal suction for both pre-test and post-test. RESULTS: The two groups were not different significantly regarding PaO2 level and O2 saturation after the treatments, while, the experimental group II had lower PaCO2 level than the experimental group I after the treatments (t = 2.075, p = .042). For experimental group II, post-test score of PaCO2 level was significantly lower than that of the pre-test score (t = 1.842, p = .075). CONCLUSION: The administration of normal saline with expectorant mixture before endotracheal suction reduced PaCO2 level and improved the respiratory function.
Humans ; Suction ; Thorax ; Vibration

PURPOSE: Regarding the respiratory function of patients with an artificial airway, this study compared the effects between normal saline with chest vibration and normal saline with expectorant mixture, administered before endotracheal suction. METHODS: The study was conducted in the ICUs of one university hospital located in Incheon. The experimental group I received normal saline with chest vibration administered before endotracheal suction while the experimental group II received normal saline with expectorant mixture administered before endotracheal suction. For respiratory function, PaO2, PaCO2, and O2 saturation were measured by ABGA at 3 minutes after endotracheal suction for both pre-test and post-test. RESULTS: The two groups were not different significantly regarding PaO2 level and O2 saturation after the treatments, while, the experimental group II had lower PaCO2 level than the experimental group I after the treatments (t = 2.075, p = .042). For experimental group II, post-test score of PaCO2 level was significantly lower than that of the pre-test score (t = 1.842, p = .075). CONCLUSION: The administration of normal saline with expectorant mixture before endotracheal suction reduced PaCO2 level and improved the respiratory function.
Humans ; Suction ; Thorax ; Vibration

No abstract available.
Hernia, Abdominal ; Herpes Zoster

No abstract available.
Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Parkinson Disease

BACKGROUND: Corneal abrasion is one of the most common ophthalmic complications that occurs after general anesthesia. Although they can occur by direct contact with surgical drapes or masks, most occur as a result of the drying of the cornea exposed during general anesthesia due to a reduced amount of tear secretions, the loss of light reflex, or the loss of recognition of pain during the procedure. Thus, to prevent corneal abrasions during general anesthesia, proper eye protection is required. METHODS: Seventy-two patients (144 eyes) were divided into four groups as follows: 1) control group: careful manual eye closure; 2) adhesive tape group: a bandage attached over the eyelid; 3) ointment group: eye ointment placed into the eye followed by eye closure; and 4) ointment and tape group: eye ointment placed into the eye followed by a bandage attached over the eyelid, with the patient subjected to both methods for each eye. The National Eye Institute (NEI) scale, conjunctiva hyperemia scale, tear break-up time, and Schmer test were conducted before and after operation. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was noted between groups regarding the NEI scale, conjunctiva hyperemia scale, tear break-up time, or Schirmer test. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent corneal abrasions in normal patients undergoing general anesthesia, eye taping, eye ointment application, or taping after eye ointment application will not significantly reduce the degree of corneal epithelial damage compared to manual eye closure.
Adhesives ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Bandages ; Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Intraoperative Complications ; Masks ; Methods* ; National Eye Institute (U.S.) ; Reflex ; Surgical Drapes ; Tears

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a painful ophthalmoplegia due to nonspecific granulomatous inflammation in the cavernous sinus. A 16-year-old man developed Tolosa-Hunt syndrome accompanied by facial nerve palsy. MRI showed an inflammatory lesion in the cavernous sinus with gadolinium enhancement. This rare presentation suggests that Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a localized form of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis.
Adolescent ; Cavernous Sinus ; Facial Nerve ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Paralysis ; Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat partial and generalized seizure disorders. Hypersensitivity to lamotrigine usually causes mild symptoms such as fever, rash, and slight invasion of internal organs. However, a 33-year-old male patient who was admitted with Stevens-Johnson syndrome after taking lamotrigine for 15 days experienced hepatic failure and died 5 days after admission. This case demonstrates the importance of realizing that lamotrigine can lead to fatal hepatic failure, and that tests for the normal liver function should be performed when administering lamotrigine.
Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Anticonvulsants/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Drug Hypersensitivity/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver/enzymology/metabolism ; Liver Failure/*etiology ; Male ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Triazines/*adverse effects/therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients are predisposed to foot infections because of vascular insufficiency and peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic foot infection is a common cause of mortality and lower extremity amputations (LEAs) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated the risk factors for mortality and LEAs in patients with stage 3 CKD or higher with diabetic foot infections. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 105 CKD patients with diabetic foot infections between July 1998 and December 2011. We reviewed their demographic characteristics and laboratory parameters to evaluate the risk factors for mortality and amputations at 24 weeks after diagnosis of a diabetic foot infection. RESULTS: The mortality of the 105 enrolled CKD patients was 21% at 24 weeks after the diagnosis of a diabetic foot infection. Cox proportional regression analyses revealed that age 60 years or older [odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-9.02, P = 0.047] and initial serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level > or = 3 mg/dL (OR 3.97, 95%CI = 1.17-13.43, P = 0.027) were independent risk factors for mortality at 24 weeks.Twenty-four patients (23%) underwent LEAs. On Cox proportional regression analyses, peripheral vascular disease (OR=4.49,95% CI=1.98-10.17, P=0.01) and cerebrovascular accident (OR 2.42, 95%CI=1.09-5.39, P=0.03) were independently associated with LEAs. CONCLUSION: This study showed that age and serum CRP level, were independent risk factors for mortality at 24 weeks in patients with stage 3-5 CKD with diabetic foot infections. Peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular accident were significantly associated with LEAs.
Amputation ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetic Foot* ; Diagnosis ; Foot ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Mortality* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke