The metal ceramic crown is currently the most popular complete veneer restoration in dentistry, but in many cases, the metal cervical collar at the facial margin is unesthetic and unacceptable. Facial porcelain margin has been used in place of it. But this dose not solve the problems, such as dark gingival discoloration and cervical opaque reflection of porcelain veneer. Recently, metal copings which were designed to terminate its labio-cervical end on the axial walls coronal to the shoulder have been clinically used to solve the esthetic problem of metal ceramic crown. But in this design, porcelain veneer of labio-cervical area which is not supported by metal may not be able to resist the stress during cementation and mastication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fracture strength and fractured appearance of crowns according to different coping designs. A resin maxillary left central incisor analogue was prepared for a metal ceramic crown, and metal dies were made with duplication mold. Metal copings were made and assigned to one of four groups based on facial framework designs: group 1, coping with 0.5mm metal collar; group 2, metal extended to the shoulder; group 3, metal extended to 1 mm coronal to the shoulder; group 4, metal extended to 2mm coronal to the shoulder. Copings and crowns were adjusted to be same size and thickness, and cemented to metal dies with zinc phosphate cement by finger pressure. Fracture strength was measured with Instron Universal Testing Machine. Metaldies were anchored in Three-way-vice at 3mm below finish line and at 130degree inclined to the lone axis of the crown. Load was directed lingually at 2mm below midincisal edge. Load value at initial crack and at catastrophic fracture was recorded. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Fracture strength values at initial crack were higher in groups 1, 2 than in groups 3, 4 but this difference was not statistically significant(P<0.05). 2. Conventional metal collared crown had greater catastrophic fracture strength than any other collarless crowns. 3. The greater the labial metal coping reduction, the lower the catastrophic fracture strength of crowns but when more than 1mm of labial metal reduction was done, the difference in strengths was not statistically significant(p<0.05). 4. The strongest collarless coping design was group 2.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cementation ; Ceramics* ; Crowns* ; Dental Porcelain ; Dentistry ; Fingers ; Fungi ; Incisor ; Mastication ; Shoulder ; Zinc Phosphate Cement

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Minor otologic surgeries, such as tympanic injection, myringotomy and ventilating tube insertion are a common otologic procedure. Effective, safe and comfortable anesthetic method is very useful alternative to lidocaine infiltration anesthesia. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of topical lidocaine as compared with eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) for pain relief during minor otologic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eight patients who were between the age of 4 and 71 years were allocated randomly into 4 groups. Group I (n=30) received 1 spary of topical lidocaine: group II (n=34), 2 sprays of topical lidocaine: group III (n=23), 1 cc of EMLA cream: and group IV (n=21), 2 cc of EMLA cream to the ear canal. Groups were randomized to perform one of otologic minor surgery at anesthetic application time of either 10 or 20 minutes respectively. Patients rated pain and satisfaction during surgery on the comfort scale score. RESULTS: All surgeries were successfully without additional anesthesia. At 10 minute application, group I and II showed significantly lower comfort scores of pain compared with group III (p<0.05). Group II showed significantly lower scores than group III at 20 minute application (p<0.05). In lidocaine applied group I and II comfort scores of pain were significantly lower at 20 minute application than 10 minute application (p<0.05). There was one complication of severe vertigo after one hour of procedure in group II. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that 10 minute application of topical lidocaine is more effective for relieving pain associated with minor otologic surgery in office than 10 minute application of EMLA cream and 20 minute application of lidocaine is more effective than 10 minute application.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anesthetics, Local ; Ear Canal ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Surgical Procedures, Minor ; Tympanic Membrane ; Vertigo

No abstract available.

The authors analyzed 30 patients whose celiac artery or its branches were dissected during the procedure of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and were followed up angiographically. The incidence of arterial dissection was 1.25%. The dissection occurred most frequently in the celiac artery (40% 12/30) and the proper hepatic artery(28% 7/30). The frequency of arterial dissection was affected by the status of the vessel and the experience of the operator. The follow-up angiography revealed complete recanalization in 40% (12/30), irregularity and narrowing of the lumen in 23% (7/30), pseudoaneurysm formation in 23%(7/30), and complete obstruction in 13% (4/30) of the cases. The rate of recanalization in the celiac artery was lower than that of any other arteries in our series. Recamalization to a certain degree without therapeutic intervention was observed in 72% of the dissected arteries enabling and contributing to subsequent successful TAE within 2 months in 78% of the patients with the dissection.
Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Celiac Artery* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence

Although the creation of a colostomy is often regarded as a minor surgical procedure, complications and underlying diseases associated with colostomy creation alter the quality of life and the life-style of the patient significantly. One hundred forty-five patients underwent a colostomy at the Department of Surgery, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, between 1987 and 1996. There were 83 males and 62 females, with a mean age of 52 years (range: 1 year to 89 years). Sigmoid-end colostomies were performed most commonly (60.7%). The colostomies were performed predominantly for colorectal cancer (110 cases). Complications arising from the colostomy formation occurred in 45 patients (31%), with wound infection being the most common problem observed (16 cases). Colostomy revision was required in 4 cases. Patients with cecostomies had a relatively higher incidence of stomal complications (75%) when compared to those with other types of colostomies. Postoperative complications were more common after emergency operations than after elective operations. The complication rate for patients with obstructive colorectal cancer was higher than that of patients with non-obstructive colorectal cancer. Complications occurred in 3 patients of the 29 patients underwent colostomy closure(10.3%). The incidence of surgical complications was not related to the time interval between colostomy formation and closure. The mortality rate for colostomy formation was 2.7%, and the most common cause of death was sepsis. These results suggest that careful attention to technical details and intraoperative care in the case of emergency colostomy formation for obstructive colorectal cancer are necessary to reduce the risk of postoperative complications.
Cause of Death ; Cecostomy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colostomy* ; Emergencies ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Care ; Male ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Quality of Life ; Sepsis ; Surgical Procedures, Minor ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Long-term right ventricular (RV) apex pacing has been associated with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. However, pacing in the RV outflow tract (RVOT) is associated with a narrower QRS duration and may have a more normal LV activation in comparison to RV apical (RVA) pacing. We hypothesized that RVOT pacing is associated with less mechanical dyssynchrony compared to RVA pacing and that it also more closely resembles mechanical activation in normal controls with a narrow QRS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 9 patients with RV pacing, 9 with left bundle branch block (LBBB), and 15 normal controls with a narrow QRS. In the RV pacing group, we paced from the RVA and RVOT. At the end of each pacing train, we obtained echocardiographic images in the apical 4- and 2-chamber views and obtained the following parameters: the compression/expansion crossover point (CEP) for myocardial strain and the time from QRS onset to the CEP in the strain image. The degree of dyssynchrony was evaluated using the dispersion and standard deviation of CEP times in 12 segments of the LV. RESULTS: Significant dyssynchrony was observed in the RVOT pacing group compared to the group with normal QRS. No significant difference was observed in LV mechanical dyssynchrony among the RVOT pacing, RVA pacing, and LBBB groups. CONCLUSION: RVOT pacing is associated with significant LV dyssynchrony. Although the RVOT has been recommended as an alternative site for pacing, this approach may have adverse effects on long-term LV function.
Bundle-Branch Block ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Sprains and Strains

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in the anesthetic approach using total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The aim of this study was to compare between the two anesthetic techniques for preventing PONV in the patients undergoing mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, 62 patients aged between 20 to 60 years undergoing elective mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were randomized into two equal study groups: group P/R (n = 31) included patients undergoing TIVA with propofol and remifentanil, and group S/R (n = 31) included patients undergoing balanced anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil. The incidences of PONV and complete response (no PONV, no rescue) were assessed at 1 and 24 h after surgery, using the Rhodes Index. Also, the usage of rescue antiemetics and pain intensity were recorded. RESULTS: The Rhodes Index including the occurrence score, distress score and experience score was significantly lower in the P/R group compared to that in the S/R group during the study period (P < 0.05), and the incidence of complete response was significantly higher in the P/R group compared to that in the S/R group, during the first 24 h after surgery. 4 patients in the S/R group requested antiemetics during the first 1 h after surgery. There were no significant differences in pain intensity among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to balanced anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil, TIVA with propofol and remifentanil was followed by significantly lower incidence and severity of PONV.
Aged ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Antiemetics ; Balanced Anesthesia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Informed Consent ; Methyl Ethers ; Piperidines ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Propofol ; Tympanoplasty

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate differences of Scores for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP) in between neonates with bronchopulmonay dysplasia (BPD) and control group, and to utilize SNAP as an early predictive tool for development of BPD. METHOD: A retrospective chart review was done for a total of 30 neonates who were admitted to Pochun CHA University neonatal intensive care unit between April, 1995 and May, 2001. A study group included 15 neonates with BPD and a control group included 15 neonates matched for gestational age and birth weight. SNAP and cumulative SNAP were obtained at 1st, 4th, 6th postnatal day for each group. A comparative analysis of cumulative SNAP scores of various parameters was done in two groups. RESULTS: SNAP of 10.86 and 6.86 were obtained at 4th postnatal day for BPD and control group, respectively (P<0.05). Cumulative SNAP for 1st, 4th, 6th postnatal day were 30.40 and 21.93 in BPD and control group (P=0.059). A comparison of cumulative SNAP of various parameters between two groups showed that respiratory rate and apnea to be significant parameters as well as for blood pressure and arterial oxygen tension in neonates with BPD. CONCLUSION: Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology could be utilized as a tool to predict the development of BPD although larger study is needed to simplify its scoring system to be used easily and better predict the development of BPD.
Apnea ; Birth Weight ; Blood Pressure ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Oxygen ; Physiology ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies

Axis, Cervical Vertebra* ; Celiac Artery ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although several studies have failed to confirm an increased incidence of sinusitis in association with anatomic factors, the anatomic variations of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are considered as important factors in causing paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anatomic abnormality and septal deviations on the development of paranasal sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To evaluate the effect of anatomic variations in sinusitis, computed tomography (CT) of 165 patients with chronic sinusitis and 70 patients with orbital pathology were reviewed to analyze the mucosal abnormalities and the bony anatomic variations. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in the prevalence of anatomic variations between two groups. In patients with deviated septum, paranasal sinusitis was more common and severe in the wide side of the nasal cavity. CONCLUSION: There was no clinical significance of anatomic variations in formation of sinusitis. In septal deviation, the change of air current may affect the development of sinusitis. The increased airflow in the widened nasal cavity may impair the mucociliary clearing function of the nasal cavity and sinuses, which eventually induce the stasis of mucus in sinuses and finally results in paranasal sinusitis.
Anatomic Variation* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucus ; Nasal Cavity* ; Orbit ; Pathology ; Prevalence ; Sinusitis*