PURPOSE: To avoid prolonged recovery time and scar tenderness in open carpal tunnel release and possible nerve or tendon injuries by bulky instruments in endoscopic techniques, we tried to percutaneously release the transverse carpal ligament using simple, thin instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed carpal tunnel release percutaneously through a single small incision on the wrist with curved mosquito and meniscectomy hook knife under general or regional anesthesia in 41 wrists of 27 patients during the last 5 years and followed up for at least one year. Before and after release, endoscopic examinations were done to rule out space occupying lesions or other anormalies and to confirm complete release. RESULTS: According to the Cseuz's criteria, 38 cases (93%) showed excellent or good results, which was compatible to open or endoscopic technique with special instruments and there was no major neurovascular injury except one superficial palmar arch laceration associated with the second palmar incision in complicated case. CONCLUSIONS: From earlier experience, we learned that this simple technique may be used successfully with low cost without any fear of complication.
Anesthesia, Conduction ; Cicatrix ; Culicidae ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Ligaments ; Tendon Injuries ; Wrist

No abstract available.
Granuloma ; Graphite ; Melanoma

Dislocation of the clavicle at its sternal end is relatively rare, as compared with acromioclavicular dislocation. Among them, the posterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint was extremely rare. So, not more than fifty cases had been reported in the literature. Of these three main typesanterior, superior, and posterior-the anterior one is by far the most common. Most authors have stressed the difficulty in confirming the diagnosis with routine radiographs. We experienced a case of traumatic posterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint treated successfully by manipulative reduction. So, we report it with review of literature.
Clavicle ; Diagnosis ; Dislocations ; Sternoclavicular Joint

BACKGROUND: The measurement of carbon monoxide concentration in expired air is used as an objective method to analyze the smoking status. This method has been proven to be reliable and is used throughout the world but it has been only recently accepted in Korea. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine if measuring the concentration in expired air accurately reflects the Korean's smoking status. METHODS: The subjects were from ages of 19 through 75 healthy people including smokers and nonsmokers. The smokers had their carbon monoxide measured after answering a questionnaire. This questionnaire was formed to obtain information concerning smoking status, smoking habit and factors that influence carbon monoxide measurement. Micro II smokerlyzer (Bedfont Instruments Ltd., England) was used to analyze CO concentration in expired air. The method used for measuring CO concentration was to deeply inhale and hold one's breath for 15 seconds and measure CO concentration while exhaling. RESULTS: The total number of subjects was 148(143 males, 5 females) consisting of 114 smokers, 34 non smokers(never smokers 23, ex smokers 11). The average CO concentration in exhaled air in smokers was 17.247.30 ppm, in nonsmokers 6.031.06 ppm(in ex smokers 6.361.29 ppm, in never smokers 5.870.92 ppm). A significant difference was evident between smokers and non smokers(P<0.0001). The CO concentration values compared among the groups divided in terms of daily smoking rate were as the following 11.885.57 ppm in subjects smoking less than 10 cigarettes/day, 17.356.48 ppm in those smoking 11 20 cigarettes/day, 20.006.35 ppm in the 21 30 cigarettes/day group, and 24.889.70 ppm in the 31 cigarettes/day group (p<0.0001). In addition, the CO concentration was influenced by the change of the degree of inhalation and the elapsed time since last smoking. CONCLUSION: The measurement of CO concentration in exhaled air among the Koreans proved to be an accurate and reliable method reflecting the present smoking status.
Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Exhalation ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Male ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The main cause of vesicovaginal fistula is gynecologic or obstetric manipulation, but vesicovaginal fistula as a complication of genitourinary tuberculosis is extremely rare. The diagnosis is confirmed by the histological findings, and treatment is surgical repair with antituberculous medication. We report here on the presentation and management of extensive tuberculosis that led to formation of a vesicovaginal fistula in an adult.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Tuberculosis ; Vesicovaginal Fistula*

Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were isolated from an ocular patient in the Republic of Korea and maintained in the laboratory (designated KI-1). In the present study, its genotype was determined by analyzing dense granule antigen 6 (GRA6) gene and surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene as typing markers. Digestion of the amplification products of GRA6 and of the 5' and 3' ends of SAG2, respectively, with Mse I, Sau3A I, and Hha I, revealed that KI-1 is included in the genotype I, which includes the worldwide virulent RH strain. In addition, when the whole sequences of the coding regions of SAG1, rhoptry antigen 1 (ROP1), and GRA8 genes of KI-1 were compared with those of RH, minor nucleotide polymorphisms and amino acid substitutions were identified. These results show that KI-1 is a new geographical strain of T. gondii that can be included in the genotype I.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Genes, Protozoan ; Genotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; RNA, Protozoan ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toxoplasma/*genetics

The aim of this article is to review the results of recent researches with regard to risk factors or primary prevention of stroke. We have discussed the contribution of various risk factors to the burden of stroke, variability in blood pressure, intensive glycemic control, lipid management, management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, vitamin B supplements lowing homocysteine, lifestyle factors, and aspirin efficacy for primary prevention of stroke.
Aspirin ; Blood Pressure ; Carotid Stenosis ; Homocysteine ; Life Style ; Primary Prevention ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Corpus Callosum ; Hemorrhage ; Vasoconstriction

High tibial osteotomy is a useful procedure in the treatment of early stage osteoarthritis of the knee which is confined to the medial compartment. But long term follow-up study of high tibial osteotomy has not been provided yet and its prerequisite for a successful result still remains unrevealed. Since the osteoarthritis can progress after the osteotomy, it may result in the loss of correction and recurrence of pain and require conversion to total knee replacement arthroplasty. We studied clinically and radiologically the long term result of high tibial osteotomy in 11 patients(16 knees) who had been treated at the Department of Orthopaedic surgery of Seoul Paik Hospital during the period from January, 1978 to May, 1989, and follow-up for longer than 4 years. Preoperative mean varus angle was 6.4 degrees and immediate postoperative mean valgus angle was 8.6 degrees and final mean valgus angle was 4.7 degrees. The average loss of correction angle was 3.9 degrees. At 2-year follow-up, the results of 16 knees were as follows; excellent in six knees, good in seven knees. The final results at average 7.2-year follow-up were excellent in four knees, good in six knees and one knee was converted to total knee replacement arthroplasty. The results showed deterioration of clinical results and loss of correction with time after osteotomy. However, in more than half of the cases the results were good or excellent at the final follow-up, We, therefore, conclude that high tibial osteotomy is still a useful procedure in osteoarthritis of the knee if performed with a precise surgical technique and an adequate overcorrection more than 10 degrees.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Follow-Up Studies ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Seoul

Background and Objectives: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) are effective for the treatment of pediatric sleep disorder breathing. However, in some pediatric patients, there remain unresolved snoring and mouth breathing problems after the operation. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of coblation of hypertrophic posterior turbinate in combination with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.Subjects and Method We analyzed data from 50 children aged between 5 to 13 years old who were scheduled to undergo T&A operation from June 2018 to December in 2018. We randomly divided them into two groups. The first group consisted of 25 patients who were scheduled to perform only tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The second group was 21 patients who were scheduled to perform posterior turbinoplasty in combination with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We evaluated preoperative and postoperative polysomnogram [Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), O2 saturation], acoustic rhinometry (minimal cross section area, nasal volume), and Korean Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 Survey (KOSA-18) score. Results: After additional turbinoplasty (coblation of hypertrophic posterior turbinate), the rate of snoring and mouth breathing remaining was decreased. There were significant improvements in AHI, oxygen saturation, Visual Analog Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale in two groups. Symptoms (snoring and mouth breath) remaining postoperatively was much more decreased in the posterior turbinoplasty combined with T&A group than in the single T&A group in terms of KOSA-18. Conclusion When it comes to pediatric sleep disorder breathing surgery, nasal cavity evaluation is an important factor for patient’s postoperative satisfaction for sleeping and snoring. For pediatric sleep disorder breathing patients with hypertrophic posterior turbinate, who are scheduled to do tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, an additional coblation of posterior turbinate should be considered.