The safety and efficacy of the CO2laser as a replacement for the steel scalpel is well documented in plastic surgery, but the use of the laser blepharoplasty has been controversy. This study compares and contrasts the use of the CO2 laser with conventional method in cosmetic upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Thirteen Patients underwent blepharoplasty in a paired comparison study. Four patients(Group A) underwent blepharoplasty by laser, another four patients (Group B) underwent blepharoplasty by conventional method, and the other five patients(Group C) underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty using the laser on one eye and a conventional method on the other side. Preoperative factor(set up time, equipment), intraoperative factor(actual operation time, bleeding, visibility), postoperative factor(swelling, ecchymosis, immediate & short term result) were evaluated. The advantage of using the CO2 laser rather than the steel scalpel in blepharoplasty are less bleeding and superior intraoperative visibility. The disadvantage of using the laser compared with steel scalpel include the cost of purchasing and maintaining the laser equipment, the need for additional and extensive laser training for surgeons and assistants, and the need for two assistants rather than the one needed for scalpel surgery There were no complications with either the scalpel or the laser.
Bleeding Time ; Blepharoplasty* ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Ecchymosis ; Eyelids* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lasers, Gas* ; Matched-Pair Analysis ; Steel ; Surgery, Plastic

For many years the standard surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome has been division of the transverse carpal ligament under direct vision through a palm incision. Although the effectiveness and Patient acceptability of the conventional open carpal tunnel release are good, disability from a painful palm cutaneous neuroma, and prolonged swelling are reported Endoscopic carpal tunnel release seems to result in less postoperative morbidity, and minimal serious complications. Because endoscopic carpal tunnel release leaves the overlying skin, the subcutaneous fat and the palmer fascia and its attachments to the thenar and hypothenar musculature intact its proponents maintain that their patient have less scar tenderness, quicker recovery of grip strength, and earlier to return activities of daily living and work The endoscopic approach(Agee single portal technique), which includes specific localization of the hook of hamate, flexor retinaculum and the superficial palmar arch utilizing topographical landmarks, avoids entry into Guyon's canal and common digital nerves. We experienced four cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. In four cases, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have been performed endoscopic carpal tunnel release with minor complication.
Activities of Daily Living ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cicatrix ; Fascia ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Neuroma ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat

No abstract available.
Joints* ; Range of Motion, Articular* ; Spine*

A study of the volume and linear measurements of the breast to determine new nipple positions for 142 subjects was undertaken. Volume determination was done by using the Grossman-Roudner device. The size and shape of the female breast may differ significantly, and such size and linear measurements have to be measured accurately prior to breast aesthetic surgery. Statistical analysis of these results are closely related to physical constitution(height, weight, chest circumference). There have been increasing changes in linear measurement and decreasing changes in breast volume during the last 10 years, The results were as follows: 1) the mean distance from the midclavicular point to the nipple was 19.5cm, the distance from the sternal notch to the nipple was 19.4cm, the distance between nipples was 18.6cm, and the areolar diameter was 3.3cm, 2) the regression equation for the midclavicular point to the nipple was 7.236+ 0.00077x height(cm)+ 0.233 x weight(kg), for the sternal notch to the nipple was 8.845-0.0039 x height(cm)+ 0.214x weight(kg), for the distance between nipples was 11.192 - 0.0033xheight(cm)+ 0.151x weight(kg), and for the areolar diameter was 4.031+0.02xheight(cm)-0.048 x weight(kg),3) the mean value of breast volume of the left side was 209.6cc, and that of the right side was 211.8cc, 4) the regression equation for the mean breast volume was -137.673 + 6.668 x weight(kg), which was equal to -528.414 + 9.115x chest circumference under the axilla(cm) and -468.420 + 8.298 x chest circumference across the nipple (cm). In conclusion, these data could be useful for numerous aspects of breast surgery, including augmentation mammoplasty, mastopexy, reduction mammoplasty, and correction of asymmetrical breasts as the standard for Korean females, if we know the body constituents (weight, chest circumference) before surgery.
Breast* ; Female* ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Nipples ; Thorax

Before impression making in the fixed restorations or other prosthesis, hemostatic solutions are used for hemostasis and moisture control. Hemostatic solutions effectively control bleeding but their major ingredients, acid removes smear layers which are formed in the tooth preparation, exposes the dentinal tubular orifices which are occluded by smear layers, makes dentinal tubular fluid displace more easily to the various external stimulus, and according to the hydrodynamic theory, consequently causes dentin hypersensitivity. To know the effect of hemostatic solutions on dentin permeability, coronal dentin discs, 1 mm in thickness, were prepared from extracted third molars free from decay and wear, and a spilt chamber device was used. Hydraulic conductance values and SEMs, which were measured before and after treatment with Astringedentr , Altract and Epri-dent , were compared and analyzed. The following conclusion were drawn : 1. Hydraulic conductance values which wee measured after the treatment of hemostatic solutions were increased in all groups(p<0.05). 2. %change values of hydraulic conductance were compared but no significant difference was found among the three hemostatic solutions(p<0.05). 3. on SEM observations of all groups, after treatment smear layers were removed and dentinal tubular orifices were partially exposed. on the basis of these conclusions, the reckless use of hemostatic solutions should be restricted, and when in use, various methods should be considered to protect dentin.
Dentin Permeability* ; Dentin Sensitivity ; Dentin* ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Hydrodynamics ; Molar, Third ; Prostheses and Implants ; Tooth Preparation

The authors developed a computer program for use in report printing as well as data storage and retrieval for the gastrointestinal endoscopy service. This program used IBM PC XT and was written in dBASE III plus language. We applied the automatic SNOMED coding method, which is one of the most efficient and accurate method of computerization of medical data. The working sheet which contained the results of previous endoscopic studies could be printed during registration. The dBASE word processor enabled issuing of the formal report of endoscopic result, and the data storage was carried out during the typewriting of the report. Two kinds of data files were stored in the hard disk; the temporary file contained full informations and the permanent file contained patients identification data and SNOMED code. Searching of a specific case was performed by chart number, patients name, date of study, or SNOMED code within a second. All the cases were arranged by SNOMED codes of procedure, topography and morphology codes. Every new data was copied to the diskette automatically. with which data could be restored in case of hard disk failure. The main advantages of this program in comparison to the large main frame computer system are low price, flexibility and easy accessibility. Based on our experience (including surgical pathology department, radiology, clinical pathology), we assume that this program may fit every endoscopy room where there are less than 20,000 cases per year.
Information Storage and Retrieval ; Clinical Coding* ; Computer Systems ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal* ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval* ; Pathology, Surgical ; Pliability ; Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine

No abstract available.
Carcinoid Tumor*

Arotinolol was administered orally to 31 patients to evaluate is antihypertensive action. After one week of antihypertensive medication, they were given Arotinolol 30mg daily for 4 week. Routine serum chemistries, electrolytes, urinalysis and electrocardiography were studied before and after Arotinolol. Blood pressure measured in sitting, supine and standing position was 175.3+/-5.4/115.7+/-4.0, 168.0+/-5.2/150.0+/-3.8, 154.4+/-8.5/103.4+/-3.2mmHg in control and 143.8+/-2.8/93.3+/-2.8, 144.6+/-5.4/88.1+/-4.3, 139.7+/-4.6/86.8+/-3.4mmHg in Arotinolol treatment group. The differences between both blood pressure were statistically significant(P<0.01). No laboratory test showed significant difference between both period. There were no significant side effects except 2 cases of transient headache and dizziness respectively, and one case of diarrhea. In summary, Arotinolol apears to reduce blood pressure effectively with minimal side effects.
Blood Pressure ; Diarrhea ; Dizziness ; Electrocardiography ; Electrolytes ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Urinalysis

In the past 5 years, the authors have performed microsurgical reconstruction of the lower leg in 37 patients. Among them, modified microsurgical salvage procedures were performed in 11(29.7) cases with vascular compromise, suggested by the preoperative angiogram of the affected lower leg demonstrating no visible, or only one visible major arter. Modified salvage procedures included free flap operations using distally-based arterial inflow(n=2), temporary diversion of the single main artery with secondary vein grafting(n=2), Jungcross-leg fashioned free flaps(n=4), and end-to-side anastomosis of the main artery((n=1). In absence of arterial flow after lower leg trauma, as interpositional vein graft(n=2) was performed to restore blood flow. No vascular problems occurred after the free flap transfer. However, 9 patients experienced different degrees of limping gait, ranging from as mild(n=2), moderate(n=6) to severe(n=1) at the mean follow-up period of 18 months. In reconstruction of a vascular compromised lower leg, modified salvage procedures should be reviewed and selected after exploration of all vessels, both proximal and distal to the zone of the injury. When evaluating what method is the most appropriate, socioeconomic efficiency and patients' individual requirments should be considered.
Arteries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Gait ; Humans ; Leg* ; Veins

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Female ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy*