Cord blood samples were taken from 552 infants for screening TORCH infections by ELISA. Maternal infection was documented by the presence of specific IgG antibody, whereas IgM was used to identify fetal infection. Results: Prevalence of maternal infections with toxoplasma, rubella, CMV and HSV-2 were 17.6%, 73.4%, 99.6% and 40.9%, respectively. Regarding the neonates, no infant presented with congenital toxoplasma, whereas prevalence of neonatal rubella and CMV were 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively, and herpes, 14.7%. No infant, however, was clinical infected
Rubella ; Toxoplasma ; Fetal Blood ; Infection

Priapism is usually classified into two types, high flow and low flow, by the intracavernosal blood gas analysis. These two types of priapism is categorized pathophysiologically and hemodynamically; therefore, different treatments were performed according to the type. We report a case with recurrent idiopathic priapism, which was diagnosed and managed as low flow priapism at first. But finally it changed to a high flow priapism confirmed by blood gas analysis and further duplex ultrasonic study. During treatment, it was very difficult to cure the ocmplicated infection because of the necrosis of the cavernosal tissue.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Necrosis ; Priapism* ; Ultrasonics ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by a systemic activation of coagulation leading to the intravascular deposition of fibrin and the simultaneous consumption of coagulation factors and platelets. Inflammatory cytokines can activate the coagulation system. This study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the plasma level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) for predicting DIC. METHODS: The study populations were 15 healthy controls and 81 patients who were clinically suspected of having DIC and were requested to perform DIC battery tests. The presence of overt DIC was defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Subcommittee cumulative score of 5 or above. The 28 day mortality was used to assess the prognostic outcome. The plasma levels of the cytokines were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in patients (N=81) were higher than those of control (N=15). IL-6 and IL-10 levels of overt DIC group (N=31) were 3 times and 1.5 times higher than those, respectively, of non-overt DIC group (N=50). In infection group (N=48), IL-6 and IL-10 levels of overt DIC group (N=18) were 5 times and 3 times higher than those, respectively, of non-overt DIC group (N=30). The diagnostic efficiency of IL-6 (optimal cut off >40.4 pg/mL) and IL-10 (>9.7 pg/mL) for the diagnosis of overt DIC were 67% and 69%, respectively, which were similar to that of D-dimer. Plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were also higher in non-survivors than in survivors. The patients with higher levels of IL-6 and IL-10 showed a poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 were useful for the diagnosis of overt DIC and the prediction of its prognosis. These results also showed the evidence of a close interaction between coagulation and inflammation.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/blood/*diagnosis/mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Infection/blood ; Interleukin-10/*blood ; Interleukin-6/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Analysis

Experience with retropubic prostatectomy in 12 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia is presented. The operation was technically successful in all cases, even though there were no special instruments available. Operative blood transfusions were given to 2 patients (16.7 per cent). The weight of adenomatous tissue enucleated ranged from 30 to 100 gm., with an average of 46.2 gm. Hospitalization ranged from 9 to 16 days, with a meat of 11 days, The average operating time in this series, including vasectomy, was 79.2 minutes with a range of 55 to 110 minutes. Postoperative complications consisted of one patient with wound infection and patient with severe bleeding due to inadvertent dislodgement of the catheter. The authors believe that there would be broader indication of this approach on Korean patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Blood Transfusion ; Catheters ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Meat ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Vasectomy ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVE: To report a safe and minimal bleeding procedure of abdominal myomectomy and to assess perioperative morbidity associated with this procedure. METHODS: From January 1998 to April 2000, We Studies 33 gynecologic patients undergoing abdominal myomectomy at department of obstetrics and gynecology, Choon-Hae Hospital, retrospectively. Particular attention was given to intraoperative estimated blood loss, blood transfusion requirement and the febrile morbidity rate. RESULTS: Myomectomy was performed successfully in all patients for whom it was scheduled. Mean intraoperative estimated blood loss was 211.5+/-91.3 mL. Four cases (12%) had an estimated blood loss greater than 400 mL. Preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative transfusion occurred in 6 cases (18%). There were no other intraoperative complications. Febrile morbidity occurred in 6 (18%) cases. Two cases (6%) experienced wound infection. CONCLUSION: We conclude that this procedure is safe and appropriate alternative for most women who want to preserve or enhance fertility potential.
Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Fertility ; Gynecology ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Leiomyoma ; Obstetrics ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Infection

With the advent of modern surgical technique, the liberal use of whole blood transfusions has became widespread and so a variety of untoward reactions have been recognized. The complication of blood transfusions have been studied intensively during past 10 years, 1965~1974, in the Ewha Womans University Hospital. It has performed 3,589 cases of blood transfusions of at least 500cc during operation out of 10, 730 cases operation experiences. 184 cases among them were given massive blood transfusions of at least 2,000cc within about 3 hours period at operating room. The overall mortality was 9,8% and increased with the amount of blood given, the age of patient, complicating medical conditions, anatomical site of trauma, shock and operation time. When shock was prevented or quickly corrected, the mortality was decreased. However, when prolonged shock occurred in patients with preexisting or associated disease, the mortality was increased. The complications of transfusion were generally urtiearia (61%), high fever (15g) shock(12%), and wound infections (2%). The causes of death following transfusion may depend upon the complications of transfusion.
Blood Transfusion* ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Mortality ; Operating Rooms ; Shock ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the elevated blood glucose levels in the postoperative period are associated with an increased risk of deep wound infection in diabetic individuals undergoing lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: Of 2896 patients who underwent lumbar spine operations by one surgeon between 1993 and 2002, 329(11.4%) were diabetics. The rate of deep wound infections in diabetic patients was 6.4%, versus 3.2% for nondiabetics. 152 patients had their operation before implementation of the protocol and 177 after implementation. Charts of the diabetic patients were reviewed. Mean blood glucose levels were calculated from documented results of finger-stick glucometer testing. RESULTS: Twenty-one diabetic patients suffered deep wound infection. Infected diabetic patients had a higher mean blood glucose level through the first 2 postoperative days than noninfected patients(230+/-6.9 versus 175+/-3.8mg/dL; p<0.003) and had a long operation time(216+/-57.9 versus 167.5+/-42.2 minute; p<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that mean blood glucose level for the first 2 postoperative days, long operation time, and use of the instrumentation(p<0.02) were all related predictiors of deep wound infection. Institution of a protocol of postoperative continuous intravenous insulin to maintain blood glucose level less than 200mg/dL was began in september 1997. This protocol resulted in a decrease in blood glucose levels for the first 2 postoperative days and a concomitant decrease in the proportion of patients with deep wound infection, from 8.3%(11/132) to 5.1%(10/195) (p<0.02). CONCLUSION: The incidence of deep wound infection in diabetic patients is reduced after implementation of a protocol to maintain mean blood glucose level less than 200mg/dL in the immediate postoperative period.
Blood Glucose ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Logistic Models ; Postoperative Period ; Spine* ; Wound Infection* ; Wounds and Injuries*

It is well documented that autotransfusion can reduce or eliminate the use of homologous blood. And recently many studies have shown that autotransfusion influences postoperative course so that patients transfused with autologous blood show less tumor recurrence rate or less wound infection rate than those transfused with homologous blood. So we conducted a study on autotransfusion compared with homologous transfusion in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion procedures. Autotransfusion group consisted of predonation and hemodilution group. In predonation group (n=20), autotransfusion was performed by autologous preoperative donation, intraoperative salvage using Cell saver and postoperative salvage using Orth-evac drainage/ reinfusion device. In hemodilution group (n=20), autotransfusion was performed by acute normo-volemic hemodilution and intraand postoperative autotransfusion methods same as predonation group. Above autotransfusion group was compared with homologous transfusion group (n=20) on perioperative CBC (complete blood count) changes, amount and duration of postoperative drainage, transfusion side effects and complications associated with operation. Results are as follows, 1) 90% of patients in autotransfusion group could complete transfusion therapy without the use of homologous blood. 2) Total amounts of transfused blood were 1,733+/-567 ml (5.4+1.8 units) in predonation group, 1,539+/-712 ml (4.8+2.2 units) in hemodilution group and 4.7+/-1.3 units in homologous transfusion group. There is no statistically significant difference between autotransfusion and homologous transfusion group. 3) In predonation group, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly lower than those of homologous transfusion group preoperatively and at PAR (postanesthetic recovery), 2nd day and 7th day postoperatively. But at 14th day, the levels were recovered as high as those in homologous transfusion group. 4) In autotransfusion group, total amount and the duration of postoperative drainage were significantly less and shorter respectively than those of homologous transfusion group. 5) In homologous transfusion group, 60% of patients experienced one or more than one of transfusion side effects and one patient received emergency operation of hematoma evacuation immediate postoperatively. In autotransfusion group, 47.5% of patients showed fever above 38degree Centigrade, and all of which were associated with the use of postoperative autotransfusion but other complications associated with transfusion or operation could not be found. In conclusion, we think autotransfusion not only can reduce or eliminate the use of homologous blood but also seems to have beneficial influences on postoperative recovery.
Blood Transfusion, Autologous* ; Drainage ; Emergencies ; Fever ; Hematocrit ; Hematoma ; Hemodilution ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Spinal Fusion ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify content of Fundamental Nursing Practice (FNP) and the educational needs for nursing practice items in schools of nursing. METHODS: Participants were 81 professors who were teaching FNP and 166 clinical nurses. The research questionnaire included 148 practice items, which were selected by content analysis of 7 FNP textbooks. Data were collected from May 20 to July 27, 2011 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test with SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: The research findings showed that : 1) the seven items included in the education content of all schools of nursing were putting on sterile gloves, checking radial pulse, checking blood pressure in the arm, Foley catheterization, injection preparation with ampule, intramuscular injection in the buttocks, and mixing intravenous fluid. Fifty items were included in the content in more than 80% of the schools. 2) Educational domains needing emphasis were medication, infection control, health assessment, oxygenation, urinary elimination, activity/positioning, and nutrition. There were significant differences in reported educational needs between professors and clinical nurses for 62.8% of practice items. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that standardization of FNP education contents using the findings of this study should lead to improvement in quality of FNP education.
Arm ; Blood Pressure ; Buttocks ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Oxygen ; Questionnaires ; Urinary Catheterization

PURPOSE: To develop an e-learning blood-borne infection control program and to evaluate the effects of the program on risk perception, knowledge, preventive health behaviors related to blood-borne infections, and satisfaction with the program by nursing student. METHODS: The program was developed through the processes of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The pre-experimental research design involved a one group pretest-posttest design. The setting was two universities located in Daejeon, Korea. RESULTS: Using the program that was designed and developed, results for the total score of risk perception, knowledge, and preventive health behaviors in the post-test application were significantly higher than in the pre-test application (p<.05). Relevance and usefulness of the information received the highest ratings, while the system's design were demonstrated to have the lowest ratings. Those areas requiring correction were modified accordingly. CONCLUSION: Application of an e-learning blood-borne infection control program is effective, and can be expanded to other student nurses who also have a high risk of blood-borne infections.
Blood-Borne Pathogens ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Korea ; Research Design ; Students, Nursing