BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard treatment of benign gallbladder disease. It requires the skill of a trained surgeon, and its safe performance. The advantages of laparoscopy are less postoperative pain, absence of cosmetic damage, shorter recovery times, and decreased length of hospital stays compared with conventional open surgery. METHODS: We reviewed 500 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies retrospectively at the department of general surgery of Maryknoll Hospital from February 1992 to May 1999. RESULTS: There were 175 males and 325 females(M:F=1:1.86) with ages ranged from 21 to 78 years (mean: 50.0 year). Preoperatively, 72 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholagiography and 7 patients underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy due to common bile duct stone. Mean operation time was 73.7 minutes. Operative cholangiogram was attempted in 8 patients. Conversion to open cholecystectomy during operation was done in 8 cases(1.6%) and leading causes were severe adhesion, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected malignancy, bile duct injury. Operative Complications occured in 18 patients(3.6%): bile duct injury 1, postoperative bleeding 1, bile leakage 4,subcutaneous emphysema 1, abdominal wall hematoma 3, wound infection 8. There was no operative mortality. The length of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 15 day with average of 4.7 day. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective operation in patients with benign gallbladder diseases.
Abdominal Wall ; Bile ; Bile Ducts ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Common Bile Duct ; Emphysema ; Gallbladder Diseases ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mortality ; Pain, Postoperative ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Wound Infection

We report two cases of hyalinizing trabecular carcinoma (HTC) of the thyroid gland. These two patients were euthyroid women aged 36 and 65 years of age. The tumors were encapsulated and measured 0.8 and 4.0 cm in diameter, respectively. Histologically, the tumors were composed of a compact proliferation of cells in a lobular and trabecular pattern with an intervening hyalinized, fibrotic vascular stroma. Occasionally the cells were arrayed in microfollicles. Multiple and serial sections showed cords of tumor cells invading into the capsule in both cases and vascular invasion in one case. These findings suggested that HTCs are a malignant counterpart of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma, similar to conventional follicular tumor. Positive immunostaining of tumor cells for thyroglobulin and negative staining for high molecular weight cytokeratin, cytokeratin 19, neuron specific enolase, chromogranin, and synaptophysin allowed distinction from medullary carcinoma. Even though HTCs are an heterogeneous group of tumors, the present two cases are probably variants of follicular carcinoma rather than papillary carcinoma.
Adenoma ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Humans ; Hyalin* ; Keratin-19 ; Keratins ; Molecular Weight ; Negative Staining ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Synaptophysin ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland*

The present study has been undertaken to pursue the cytotoxic effects of cis-Platin on the osteoid formation in metaphysis of rat tibia. By using the immunohistological staining method for type I collagen in rat tibial osteoid, the author detected the deposition of type I collagen, which is the collagenous constituent of endochondral osteoid, after administration of cis-Platin in experimental animals. For the immunological reactions of type I collagen, we used the rabbit anti-rat collagen type I polyclonal antibody as primary antibody and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG as secondary antibody. The distributions of immunohistological reactions in the each of metaphyseal osteoids were analyzed with an image analyzer, and we studied the variances of type I collagens by statistical probabilities. In 12 hours after cis-Platin injection, immunoreactive area in the osteoid of metaphysis was distinctly decreased. Immunoreactive area of type I collagen in osteoids of 1 day and 3 days group metaphysis was increased more than that of 12 hours group and the type I collagen in the metaphysis showed weak immunoreactions of type I collagens with an image analyzer. In the osteoids of 7 days group after cis-Platin injection, the immunoreactive area was similar to that of control group. It is consequently suggested that cis-Platin would induce the decrease of type I collagen in the osteoid. But the type I collagen in tibial osteoid shows the increase from a few days after cis-Platin injection.
Animals ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I* ; Goats ; Immunoglobulin G ; Rats* ; Tibia*

Bradycardia is recognized as an acute complication of cervical cord injury. The etiology of such a phenomenon is believed to be due to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system imposed on the heart by a cervical cord injury. The majority of the episodes of bradycardia degrees Ccurred either with tracheal suctioning or with changes in position. We experienced a case of severe bradycardia and hypotension when turning the patient with acute cervical spinal cord injury to the prone position, which was reversed by administration of intravenous atropine and ephedrine.
Anesthesia, General* ; Atropine ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Bradycardia* ; Ephedrine ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypotension* ; Prone Position ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Suction

From December 1987 to September 1988, clinical evaluation were performed at the Yeungnam University Hospital on 138 patients with exudative pleural effusion comparing with biochemical, bacteriologic, cytologic and pathologic studies. The results were as follows 1. Among these 138 cases, Incidence of tuberculosis was 57.3%, neoplasm 26.8%. High tendency in malignant pleural effusion occurred in elder age. 2. In tuberculosis pleural effusion, the rate of positive smear and culture for acid-fast bacilli in the pleural fluid was 3.7% and positive biopsy for granuloma 75%. 3. In malignant pleural effusion, the rate of positive cytology for cancer cell in the fluid was 42% and positive biopsy 60%. 4. Analysis in tuberculosis and malignancy showed the tendency of high pH, WBC, protein and of low glucose, but there were clinically not significant in differentiating malignant pleural effusion from tuberculous pleural effusion. 5. Among 23 cases in which the pleural tissue findings were chronic nonspecific reaction pathologically, tuberculosis (52.2%), malignancy (26%), and idiopathic (21.8%) eventually in follow up studies.
Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incidence ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Tuberculosis

Foreign bodies in the stomach are usually ingested by children under the age of 5 years, persons with dentures and alcoholics or mentally disturbed individuals. Many patients will be asymptomatic and will be brought in by parents with a history of having swallowed something. The ingested foreign bodies are mainly coins, particles of metal, fish bones and etc. A toothpick in the stomach has been rarely reported in an alert adult. Here, we present a case of a patient with toothpick stuck in the stomach, that she did not realize she had swallowed. It was removed by an endoscopy without any complications. A 57 year-old woman was admitted to Uijoagbu St. Mary's hospital because of epigastric pain for 10 days. The pain persisted constantly in the epigastrium and aggravated after meals. Sbe had an episode of vomiting during these days. A yellowish white, thin, stiff material 1.5 cm long was found by an endoscopic examination stuck at the less curvature of the antrum. It was removed by the endoscopic biopsy forceps and was proved to be an wooden toothpick, sharp at both ends, with a length of 6.6cm and a diameter of 0.2 cm. There was a small ulcer at the site of the removed toothpick and mild bleeding from the ulcer. The epigastric pain was relieved after the removal of the toothpick. She did not realize she had swallowed the toothpick. Four days later, a follow-up endoscopic examination revealed closed ulcer and no bleeding. She was discharged without complications.
Adult ; Alcoholics ; Biopsy ; Child ; Dentures ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Meals ; Middle Aged ; Numismatics ; Parents ; Stomach* ; Surgical Instruments ; Ulcer ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: This clinical trial was performed to evaluate the hemodynamic and side effects of enoximone, a newly developed phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in moderately severe congestive heart failure in Korean population and to base the development of long acting oral preparations in the future. METHODS: Principal admission criteria for this trial were a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45% by radionuclide ventriculography, NYHA functional class II or III and a documented congestive cardiomyopathy. Exclusion criteria were restrictive cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, multisystemic lillness and uncontrolled ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The hemodynamic measurements were made by using the thermodilution Swan-Ganz catheter and radial arterial canulation. Enoximone was administered(continuous infusion) for 24 hours after initial bolus. The hemodynamic parameters to be observed were blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. The clinical reponse, hematology, blood chemistry, and Holter monitoring were checked before and after enoximone trial. RESULTS: The following results are obtained. 1) The included patients were 15 females, 24 males, total 39 patients and mean age of 55.3 years old(28-70 years old). 2) The causes of congestive cardiomyopathy were idiopathic 35(89.9%), hypertensive 3(7.7%), and alcoholic 1(2.6%). 3) The mean ejection fraction measured by radionuclide left ventriculography were 28. 6%. 4) THe cardiac output was significantly increased(50%), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(38%), systemic vascular resistance(34%), pulmonary vascular resistance(27%) were significantly decreased during enoximone infusion. 5) NYHA Functional Class was improved by 1 step with enoximone. 6) There were no significant changes in hematology, blood chemistry, and Holter monitoring with enoximone. CONCLUSION: From the above results, the short term intravenous enoximone was very effective in moderately severe congestive heart failure in congestive cardiomyopathy without major adverse effects in Korean.
Alcoholics ; Blood Pressure ; Capillaries ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive ; Catheters ; Chemistry ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Enoximone* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Female ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Rate ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Hematology ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Radionuclide Ventriculography ; Stroke Volume ; Tachycardia ; Thermodilution ; Vascular Resistance

We experience a case of 34-year-old Turner's syndrome(45, XO) associated with atrial septal defect(secondum type) and mitral valve prolapse who was admitten due to moderate exertional dyspnea. It is well know hat chromosomal abnormality is one of the etiology of congenital heart disease. In case of Turner's syndrome, coarctation of aorta or bocuspid aortic valve is frequently combined, but atrial septal defect simultaneously with mitral valve prolapse is not reported till now in Krea. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.
Adult ; Aortic Coarctation ; Aortic Valve ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Dyspnea ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Turner Syndrome*

Cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) that occur during pregnancy or postpartum are rarely reported. Ergot derivatives are known to induce the spasmodic contraction of coronary arteries. Administration of ergot derivatives can cause AMI, even in normal healthy people. In several reported cases, ergot derivatives triggered severe AMI during the postpartum period. Here, we report the case of a forty-year-old woman who was successfully impregnated by artificial fertilization and died after treatment with ergot derivatives. The autopsy revealed AMI with severe coronary atherosclerosis. This is the first case that reports aggravation of pre-existent severe coronary atherosclerosis after postpartum infusion of ergot derivtives.
Pregnancy ; *Postpartum Period ; Myocardial Infarction/*chemically induced/diagnosis/pathology ; Maternal Age ; Humans ; Female ; Ergot Alkaloids/*adverse effects ; Coronary Arteriosclerosis/chemically induced/diagnosis/pathology ; Adult

PURPOSE: Transurethral resection of prostate(TURP) is the gold standard for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH) at the present. But many attempts have been made to develop minimally invasive method. We studied the efficacy of transurethral needle ablation(TUNA) of prostate for treatment of BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed TUNA in 20 BPH patients including 13 patients with acute urinary retention. Preoperatively all patients were evaluated using urinary flow rates, International Prostate Symptom Score(1-PSS), Quality of life and cystoscopic examination. The urinary flow rates, 1-PSS and Quality of life were checked at 1, 3 and 6 months after TUNA in all patients. RESULTS: The average value of peak flow rate of the patients with urinary retention were 10ml/sec, 12ml/sec and 13ml/sec at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. The average value of Qmax of the patients without urinary retention were 9ml/sec preoperatively and increased to 13ml/sec, 13ml/sec and 14ml/sec at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. 1-PSS of patients with urinary retention improved from average 26 at preoperation to 14, 13, 10 at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Quality of life of patients with urinary retention improved from average 5 at preoperation to 2, 2, 2 at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The average value of patients without urinary retention improved from average 26, 5 at preoperation to 14, 11, 11 and 2, 2, 2 at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. No patients complained of erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The result of our preliminary study suggest that TUNA can be considered to be a simple, safe and efficacious procedure for the treatment of BPH including urinary retention.
Ejaculation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Needles* ; Prostate ; Quality of Life ; Tuna ; Urinary Retention