PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of treatment for patients with Type IIIb open tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study targeted 35 adult patients for whom follow-up was possible over one year after undergoing surgical treatment. There were 29 males and six females with an average age of 45 years. RESULTS: Fracture location was proximal in 10 cases, midshaft in 13 cases, and the distal part of the tibia in 12 cases. An average of 10 days was observed for definitive fixation with soft tissue coverage of the injury. The mean time to radiographic union was 27 weeks. Sixteen cases (45.7%) of complications were observed. Three cases of superficial infection, two cases of deep infection, four cases of partial flap necrosis, three cases of mal-alignment, three cases of joint stiffness, and one case of hardware breakage were observed. The mean lower extremity functional scale score was 68.5 and the factors influencing the clinical results were severity of open wound (p=0.000) and occurrence of complications (p=0.000) according to results of multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In treatment of Type IIIb open tibial fractures, good clinical results can be expected provided that complications are prevented through proper reduction, firm fixation, early soft tissue reconstruction, and early rehabilitation.
Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Joints ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Necrosis ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Rehabilitation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures* ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to develop the Korean version of the Stage of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale for Smoking Cessation (K-SOCRATES-S) based on the Korean version of the Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment scale (K-SOCRATES). This paper also demonstrates its reliability and validity among patients with nicotine dependence in South Korea. METHODS: At seven healthcare promotion centers in Gyeonggi-do, 333 male smokers aged 20 to 70 who visited smoking cessation clinic were recruited for this study and the K-SOCRATES-S was administered. After three months, the number of respondents who successfully stopped smoking was assessed by testing their urine cotinine level. Subsequently, exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the reliability and validity of the K-SOCRATES-S. Also, a logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the variables that can predict the successful cessation of smoking on subscales of the K-SOCRATES-S. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of the K-SOCRATES-S showed that the scale consisted of three factors: Taking Steps, Recognition, and Ambivalence. The scales measuring Taking Steps and Recognition in this scale had a significantly positive correlation with the scores observed on Kim's smoking cessation motivation scale. The scales measuring Taking Steps and Recognition had a significantly negative correlation with Ambivalence. Overall, the results indicate that the K-SOCRATES-K scale showed high validity. CONCLUSION: The K-SOCRATES-S developed in the present study is highly reliable and valid for predicting a patient's likelihood of success in quitting smoking among patients who want to cease smoking.
Aged ; Cotinine ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Motivation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Dry and cold anesthetic gas deteriorates patient's respiratory function and body heat balance. We examined whether a humidifier with heated wire circuit might maintain core temperature and humidity of inspired gas in patient undergoing general anesthesia. METHODS: We enrolled forty ASA physical status I, II patients under general anesthesia for this study. We allocated the patients randomly into two groups with (experimental group) or without (control group) Humitube(R) anesthesia circuit, which delivered heated and humidified inspired anesthetic gases. We recorded the temperatures and humidity of the inspired gases throughout the surgery. RESULTS: The temperatures and relative humidity of the inspired gases in experimental group were significantly greater compared to control group (36.2 +/- 0.9degrees C, 89.5 +/- 4.8% vs. 30.4 +/- 1.8degrees C, 37.9 +/- 5.9%, P < 0.05) during anesthesia. The core temperatures in experimental group were significantly greater compared to control group (36.1 +/- 0.3degrees C vs. 35.7 +/- 0.1degrees C, P < 0.05) during anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: A humidifier with heated wire system for anesthesia breathing circuit is helpful to maintain core temperature and adequate humidity.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Body Temperature ; Cold Temperature ; Gases ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Humidity ; Respiration

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure motivation for smoking cessation. Motivation is known to be important for success of smoking cessation. The reliability of the scale was assessed and its predictive validity for smoking cessation was evaluated. METHODS: We recruited 333 men aged 20 to 70 that visited smoking cessation clinics at seven public health centers. The demographic characteristics were recorded and the Korean version of Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment Scale for Smoking (K-SO-CRATES-S) performed. A smoking cessation motivation scale was developed with 10 questions based on the theory of motivation enhancement therapy. RESULTS: The motivation scale was composed of four subscales based on the factor analysis; each subscale had an adequate degree of internal consistency. In addition, the newly developed scale had a high degree of validity based on its significant correlation with the smoking version of SOCRATES. Moreover, the precontemplation level of motivation was found to significantly predict the success of smoking cessation. And one of the subscales of the Korean Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (K-NDSS), stereotypy which also significantly predicted the success of smoking cessation, significantly correlated with the preparation 1 and 2 level of motivation. CONCLUSION: The smoking cessation motivation scale with 10 questions that was developed in this study was a highly reliable and valid scale for the prediction of success for smoking cessation for those who wanted to stop smoking.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Motivation ; Public Health ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco Use Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure motivation for smoking cessation. Motivation is known to be important for success of smoking cessation. The reliability of the scale was assessed and its predictive validity for smoking cessation was evaluated. METHODS: We recruited 333 men aged 20 to 70 that visited smoking cessation clinics at seven public health centers. The demographic characteristics were recorded and the Korean version of Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment Scale for Smoking (K-SO-CRATES-S) performed. A smoking cessation motivation scale was developed with 10 questions based on the theory of motivation enhancement therapy. RESULTS: The motivation scale was composed of four subscales based on the factor analysis; each subscale had an adequate degree of internal consistency. In addition, the newly developed scale had a high degree of validity based on its significant correlation with the smoking version of SOCRATES. Moreover, the precontemplation level of motivation was found to significantly predict the success of smoking cessation. And one of the subscales of the Korean Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (K-NDSS), stereotypy which also significantly predicted the success of smoking cessation, significantly correlated with the preparation 1 and 2 level of motivation. CONCLUSION: The smoking cessation motivation scale with 10 questions that was developed in this study was a highly reliable and valid scale for the prediction of success for smoking cessation for those who wanted to stop smoking.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Motivation ; Public Health ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco Use Disorder