Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon disorder of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation and destruction of the cartilaginous structures of many organs, including the tracheobronchial tree. We experienced a rare case of RP diagnosed after stellate ganglion block. A 56-year-old female has been treated under impression of rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma for several years, but her symptoms were not markedly relieved. We performed right stellate ganglion block with 8 mL of 1% mepivacaine for the relief of the right shoulder pain. About 5 minutes later, she complained severe dyspnea and became cyanotic. Bronchoscopic finding was diffuse bronchoconstriction during expiration. We confirmed the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis by bronchoscopic biopsy finding. Unfortunately, she died 3 months later due to recurrent pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Asthma ; Biopsy ; Bronchoconstriction ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mepivacaine ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Shoulder Pain ; Stellate Ganglion*

BACKGROUND: Desflurane is a new inhalation anesthetic with a low blood/gas solubility which should allow fast induction and emergence from anesthesia. This study was designed to compare the induction and recovery characteristics of gynecologic surgical patients receiving either desflurane or isoflurane with nitrous oxide for the maintenance of general anesthesia. METHODS: After standardized induction of anesthesia with fentanyl, propofol, succinylcholine and tracheal intubation, patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery randomly divided into desflurane group (n=21) or isoflurane group (n=20). Induction and recovery time and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and recall were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Although anesthetic conditions were similar during operation in the two groups, significant differences were noted in induction and recovery profiles from anesthesia. Induction time was 124+/-66 sec for desflurane vs. 422+/-257 sec for isoflurane (mean SD). The time required for the end-tidal concentration of anesthetics to decrease by 50% was 168.0+/-160.1sec for desflurane vs. 222.9+/-127.5sec for isoflurane. The time to response (eye opening follow simple command), orientation (recall of name and date of birth), reach 10 point of PAR (postanesthetic recovery) score and discharge from recovery room were significantly shorter after desflurane than after isoflurane (417.0+/-158.7 vs. 577.1+/-207.4sec, 591.0+/-193.0 vs. 800.0+/-326.0sec, 31.3+/-18.0 vs 41.8+/-15.0min, 66.9+/-27.2 vs. 80.1+/-11.8min, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: From the above study it can be concluded that a balanced anesthetic technique using desflurane as the main anesthetic has certain advantages compared with isoflurane in terms of faster emergence, however the frequency of side effects such as nausea, vomiting and recall during postoperative period were similar after both anesthetic drugs.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Inhalation* ; Anesthetics ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhalation* ; Intubation ; Isoflurane ; Nausea ; Nitrous Oxide ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Postoperative Period ; Propofol ; Recovery Room ; Solubility ; Succinylcholine ; Vomiting

This study investigated the comparison of electromyographic change of neuromuscular blocking effect induced vecuronium between the ulnar, facial and tibial nerve in 24 healthy adult patients anesthetized with thiopental, N2O and enflurane. Neuromuscular monitoring commenced immediately after administration of thiopental. After supramaximal stimulation was achieved, a bolus of vecuronlum 0.08mg/kg was injected intravenously. And then single twitch nerve stimulation(T1) was applied to the nerves using surface electrodes and the electrical response of muscles recorded using the RELAXOGRAPH(Dates Co.). The patients were allocated randomly to 3 groups of 8 patients respectively: the ulnar nerve troup was the control, and the facial nerve group and the tibial nerve group were the studing group. We assessed electromyographic responses from abductor digiti minimi muscle in the ulnar nerve, orbicularis oris muscle in the facial nerve and flexor hallucis brevis muscle in the tibial nerve to single twitch nerve stimulation respectively. And the onset time, the time from injection of vecuronium to 25% and 75% recovery to T1, and recovery index of the ulnar, facial and tibial nerve groups were measured. The obtained results were as follos: 1) The onset time was faster in the facial nerve group compared with the ulnar nerve group. 2) The time from injection of vecuronium to 25% recovery of T1 was more prolonged in the facial nerve group compared with the ulnar nerve group. 3) The time from injection of vecuronium to 75% recovery of T1 and recovery index were more shorter in the tibial nerve group compared with ulnar nerve group.
Adult ; Electrodes ; Enflurane ; Facial Nerve ; Humans ; Muscles ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Thiopental ; Tibial Nerve* ; Ulnar Nerve ; Vecuronium Bromide*

One of the latest concepts in bonding are "total etch", in which both enamel and dentin are etched with an acid to remove the smear layers, and "wet dentin" in which the dentin is not dry but left moist before application of the bonding primer. Ideally, the application of a bonding agent to tooth structure should be insensitive to minor contamination from oral fluids. Clinically, contaminations such as saliva, gingival fluid, blood and handpiece lubricant are often encountered by dentists during cavity preparation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of contamination by hemostatic agents on shear bond strength of compomer restorations. One hundred and ten extracted human maxillary and mandibular molar teeth were collected. The teeth were removed soft tissue remnant and debris and stored in physiologic solution until they were used. Small flat area on dentin of the buccal surface were wet ground serially with 400, 800 and 1200 abrasive papers on automatic polishing machine. The teeth were randomly divided into 11 groups. Each group was conditioned as follows: Group 1: Dentin surface was not etched and not contaminated by hemostatic agents. Group 2: Dentin surface was not etched but was contaminated by Astringedent(R)(Ultradent product Inc., Utah, U.S.A.). Group 3: Dentin surface was not etched but was contaminated by Bosmin(R)(Jeil Pharm, Korea.). Group 4: Dentin surface was not etched but was contaminated by Epri-dent(R)(Epr Industries, NJ, U.S.A.). Group 5: Dentin surface was etched and not contaminated by hemostatic agents. Group 6: Dentin surface was etched and contaminated by Astringedent(R). Group 7: Dentin surface was etched and contaminated by Bosmin(R). Group 8: Dentin surface was etched and contaminated by Epri-dent(R). Group 9: Dentin surface was contaminated by Astringedent(R). The contaminated surface was rinsed by water and dried by compressed air. Group 10: Dentin surface was contaminated by Bosmin(R). The contaminated surface was rinsed by water and dried by compressed air. Group 11: Dentin surface was contaminated by Epri-dent(R). The contaminated surface was rinsed by water and dried by compressed air. After surface conditioning, F2000(R) was applicated on the conditoned dentin surface. The teeth were thermocycled in distilled water at 5degrees C and 55degrees C for 1,000 cycles. The samples were placed on the binder with the bonded compomer-dentin interface parallel to the knife-edge shearing rod of the Universal Testing Machine(Zwick Z020, Zwick Co., Germany) running at a cross head speed of 1.0 mm/min. Group 2 showed significant decrease in shear bond strength compared with group 1 and group 6 showed significant decrease in shear bond strength compared with group 5. There were no significant differences in shear bond strength between group 5 and group 9, 10 and 11.
Collodion ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Dentists ; Head ; Humans ; Molar ; Running ; Saliva ; Tooth ; Utah ; Water

Black-pigmented bacteria have been implicated in the endodontic infections. This group of microorganisms includes Porphyromonas endodontalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Prevotella nigrescens. The organisms display a wide variety of virulence factors that may be pertinent to acute endodontic infections. The aim of this study was to identify P. endodontalis, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and P. nigrescens by using special potency disk test, filter paper spot test, 16S rRNA gene-directed PCR, and API 32A. Microbial samples were collected from root canals of 33 intact teeth with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis. Conventional laboratory methods were used for identification of the strains of black pigmented bacteria. Eighteen of 33 samples were positive for the growth of black-pigmented bacrteria. Five colonies were cultured from each pure cultured colonies from Brucella agar plate. Seventy seven colonies were positive for the growth of black-pigmented bacteria. Thirty three of 77(42.6%) were identifed as P. nigrescens, 10 of 77(12.9%) were P. gingivalis, 6 of 77(7.8%) were P. endodontalis, 10 of 77(12.9%) were P. intermedia. On the contrary the reference strains of P. nigrescens, experimental strains of P. nigrescens was sensitive to kanamycin in special potency disk test. 16S rRNA gene PCR and API test after rapid presumptative identification methods, such as special potency disk test and filter paper spot test, would be accurate detection methods for black-pigemented bacteria.
Agar ; Bacteria ; Brucella ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Genes, rRNA ; Kanamycin ; Periapical Periodontitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyromonas endodontalis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Prevotella intermedia ; Prevotella nigrescens ; Tooth ; Virulence Factors

Radial artery is frequently chosen for cannulation. Although the method is safe and simple, it can infrequently lead to tissue necrosis. This is a report of one case of amputation due to thumb necrosis developed from the radial artery cannulation in a patient who had open heart surgery. This is a 65 years old female who received a graft interposition of ascending aorta due to dissecting aortic aneurysm. Left radial artery cannulation was carried out after modified Allen's test appeared to be positive. On the 11 th postoperative days, we found that the catheter of left hand was obstructed, and we removed the catheter. On the 9 hrs after removal of catheter, thumb of left hand became color change and edematous with blister. On the 14 th days after removal of catheter, thumb of left hand became worsened to dusky purple to dark color change and pulseless, coldness. On the 20 th days after removal of catheter, amputation of thumb of left hand was performed.
Aged ; Amputation ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Blister ; Catheterization* ; Catheters ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Necrosis* ; Radial Artery* ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thumb* ; Transplants

BACKGOUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate characteristics and mortality rates of patients admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) for obtaining the better clinical guidances and more advanced therapeutic plan in the future. METHODS: The medical records of total 425 patients admitted to the PACU from January to December 1998 were reviewed and analyzed according to age, sex, department, duration of stay, mechanical ventilator care, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Patients admitted PACU were 6% of total anesthesia patients. The ratio of male to female was 1.5:1. Patients of manhood aged from 45 to 64 were 37%, pediatric patients under 15 year-old were 23%. and elderly patients over 64 year-old were 18% of total PACU patients. The ratio of patients with ventilatory support was 42%. Mortality rate of neonate under 1 month of age was about 47%. Total mortality rate was 12%. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the outcome of the patients in PACU, continuous nutritional and medical support, cardiovascular and pulmonary monitoring, appropriate nursing care, and availability of medical staff were needed.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Anesthesia ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Critical Care ; Male ; Medical Records ; Medical Staff ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Nursing Care ; Ventilators, Mechanical

The number of HIV infected women continues to rise sharply these days and 58% of these women were childbearing age. The increase in the number of AIDS cases among childbearing women has led to an increase in the maternal - infant transmission of human acquired immunodeficiency virus. The aim of our study is to assess the available evidence for preventing mother-to-infant transmission of HIV infection by experience from University Teaching Hospital. Four pregnant women with HIV infection delivered in Pusan National University Hospital from 1999 to 2005 years. Three women visitied at 3rd trimester, only one woman delivered by planned perinatal care. They received antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, labor, after delivery, and infant received antiretroviral therapy by consideration of their situation. They were compliant with treatment and had a sustained virologic response below the detectable level. Just 2% of infants were trasmitted by human acquired immunodeficiency virus, if HIV infected women had an appropriate prophylaxis. Therefore HIV infected women must be identified early for prevention of maternal-infant transmission, they must receive effective antiretrovirus therapy.
Busan ; Female ; HIV Infections ; HIV* ; Hospitals, Teaching* ; Humans ; Infant ; Perinatal Care ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

The number of HIV infected women continues to rise sharply these days and 58% of these women were childbearing age. The increase in the number of AIDS cases among childbearing women has led to an increase in the maternal - infant transmission of human acquired immunodeficiency virus. The aim of our study is to assess the available evidence for preventing mother-to-infant transmission of HIV infection by experience from University Teaching Hospital. Four pregnant women with HIV infection delivered in Pusan National University Hospital from 1999 to 2005 years. Three women visitied at 3rd trimester, only one woman delivered by planned perinatal care. They received antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, labor, after delivery, and infant received antiretroviral therapy by consideration of their situation. They were compliant with treatment and had a sustained virologic response below the detectable level. Just 2% of infants were trasmitted by human acquired immunodeficiency virus, if HIV infected women had an appropriate prophylaxis. Therefore HIV infected women must be identified early for prevention of maternal-infant transmission, they must receive effective antiretrovirus therapy.
Busan ; Female ; HIV Infections ; HIV* ; Hospitals, Teaching* ; Humans ; Infant ; Perinatal Care ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: During one-lung ventilation (OLV) for thoracic surgery, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) may reduce the venous admixture and ameliorate the decrease in arterial oxygenation by diverting blood from the non-ventilated to the ventilated lung. Volatile anesthetics (halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane) have been shown to depress the HPV with essentially the same potency in vitro. However, clinical studies suggest that isoflurane and sevoflurane provide superior arterial oxygenation during OLV over halothane or enflurane. However, these have not been compared with desflurane. This study compared the effects of desflurane with those of isoflurane on oxygenation & shunt during two lung ventilation (TLV) and OLV in human volunteers. METHODS: Twenty adults who needed OLV with minimal trauma to the nonventilated lung (esophageal surgery) were randomly assigned to receive either 1 MAC desflurane (n = 10) or 1 MAC isoflurane (n = 10) with 100% oxygen in separate groups. Systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic data were recorded, and blood gas values were obtained 30 min after TLV and OLV in lateral position. RESULTS: Reductions in PaO2 (445.2 +/- 72.3 to 125.9 +/- 52.5 and 483.2 +/- 86.2 to 110. 2 +/- 39.8 mmHg, in desflurane and isoflurane respectively) and increases in shunt fraction (Qs/Qt%; 17.2 +/- 3.8 to 33.1 +/- 5.7, 13.4 +/- 4.5 to 32.5 +/- 4.1, in desflurane and isoflurane respectively) at 30 min after the start of OLV were observed, but there were no differences between the groups. The other blood gas data (PaCO2, PCO2, pH, Hb, CaO2, CO2) and systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics (mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure) did not change 30 min after the start of OLV in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, there was no difference between desflurane and isoflurane for OLV was no difference in the arterial blood oxygenation and the intrapulmonary shunt.
Adult ; Anesthesia* ; Anesthetics ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Enflurane ; Halothane ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Isoflurane* ; Lung* ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Oxygen* ; Thoracic Surgery ; Vasoconstriction ; Ventilation