BACKGROUND: Assessing and securing airway is the beginning of the treatment for emergency patients. Rapid Sequence Intubation is a technique that uses sedatives and neuromuscular blockers to perform endotracheal intubation. This is a basic technique that all emergency physicians must master. Therefore, we investigated the recent circumstance of Rapid Sequence Intubation in patients at the emergency department. METHODS: Ten-item surveys were mailed to the board certified emergency physicians in the emergency department of 45 hospitals. Among the 45 surveys, 37 surveys were returned. The rate of reply was 82.2%. RESULTS: Throughout the hospital, 35/37 of the endotracheal intubation was performed in the emergency department. Anesthesiologists were not called for endotracheal intubation in 34/37 emergency department, and anesthesiologists were not called for the use of neuromuscular blockers in 36/37 emergency departments. 35 emergency departments used sedatives. The sedatives used were as follows : midazolam(48.6%), diazepam(25.7%), thiopental sodium(22.9%), and ketamine(2.9%). 30 emergency departments used neuromuscular blockers. The neuromuscular blockers used were as fallows : succinylcholine(46.7%), vecuronium(43.3%), and pancuronium(10.0%). The rate of Rapid Sequence Intubation was 33.8%. Various monitoring devices were used during Rapid Sequence Intubation ; cardiac monitors 90.5%, pulse oximeters 80.4%, noninvasive blood pressure monitors 64.9% and ETCO2/ 12.8%. Only 6 of 37 hospitals had the assessment program far endotracheal intubations and 60% was the assessment rate in these hospitals, however, there was no proctocol for the quality assurance assessment. CONCLUSION: Emergency endotracheal intubation was performed independently by the physician of the emergency department. The Rapid Sequence Intubation was effective and had low adverse effect. We recommended that Rapid Sequence Intubation should be used more aggressively in patients. Also, applying these assessment proctocol in patients, we could improve the quality of assurance assessment.
Blood Pressure Monitors ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Intubation* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Postal Service ; Thiopental

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea. The purpose of the study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap and to suggest the operative technique for more satisfactory results. 19 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction from 1990 to 1998, and we experienced 2 cases of bilateral immediate reconstruction of breasts following mastectomy. We have performed the free TRAM flaps based on the deep inferior epigastric vessels using microvascular technique. TRAM flap included very small portion of rectus sheath and muscle-so called muscle sparing technique. So it reduced markedly donor site morbidity. The postoperative course of these cases was uneventful with minor complication. The free TRAM flap was an excellent method of immediate breast reconstruction using autogenous tissue and provided satisfactory outcome. The goals of the immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy are to restore body image, to achieve near normal shape of breast, and to reduce the complications. This paper represents our experience of immediate breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap, and technical options to get more satisfactory result and reduce the complications. We think this method could be regarded as the first choice for immediate breast reconstruction.
Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Tissue Donors

There is room for debate in appropriate diagnosis and treatment due to physiological and anatomical differences in pediatric facial bone fractures from that of adult's. The objectives of this article is to analyze for our clinical cases and to suggest the appropriate management of facial bone fracture in children. The study included 56 children who had treatment for the craniofacial fractures form March, 1990 to February, 1998. Their ages ranged from 3 to 15. There were 38 males and 18 females. Physical examination, simple x-rays, ultrasonograms and routine CT scans were used for diagnosis. Materials were classified into 28 nasal bone fractures, 4 nasoethmoidal fractures, 6 orbital fractures, 8 mandible fractures, and 10 zygoma fractures. Patients were treated with conservative treatment in 9 cases, with closed reduction in 28 cases and open reduction only, and 14 patients with open reduction and internal fixation using microplates and screws. 3 patients needed autogenous calvarial bone graft. Plates and screws were removed in postoperative 3-6 months. All patients had successful union of fractured bones without no specific complications, and normal bony growths were noticed during the 7 years follow up. We conclude that surgeons should be careful in diagnosis and management for the pediatric facial fracture due to anatomical variations and differences in fracture aspects. First, it is mandatory for surgeous to get accurate diagnosis and identify children's fracture and displacement through routine CT check up along with physical examination. Second, it is important to perform the minimally invasive technique or conservative treatment for the children with mild displacement so that it reduces the incidence of growth retardation which may be caused by extensive operation. However, application of rigid fixation is necessary in case of extensive bony displacement or bony defects because of poor coorporation in postoperative care. Third, plates and screws which were used for the internal fixation should be removed at 3-6 months after the surgery. Fourth, if bone graft is needed, it is better to use autogenous graft than allogeneous graft. Fifth, care for dentition and follow up for growth are necessary for growing children.
Child ; Dentition ; Diagnosis ; Facial Bones* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mandible ; Nasal Bone ; Orbital Fractures ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Care ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography ; Zygoma

BACKGROUND: Although drug eruption refers to a common dermatologieal condition, there are numerous setbacks in the diagnosis. In addition there are no annual average prevalence rates of drug eruptions according to time sequence in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to detme the clinical features and causative drugs of drug eruptions, the diagnostic value of various skin tests and to evaluate the dome,stic annual average prevalence rate of drug eruptions according to time sequence. METHOD: 270 patients with drug eruptions were reviewed clinically. In 103 patients, intradennal, patch and scratch-patch tests were performed using suspected drugs. The annual average prevalence rate of drug eruptions was calculated from 10 different general hositals in Korea. RESULT: Exanthematous eruptions(49.3), fixed drug eruptions(30.1), and urticaria(10.0%) were the common types of drug eruptions. The common causative agents were antibiotics/antimicrobials, antipyretics(NSAIDs, and CNS depressants. 52 patients out of 103 had positive results after at least one skin test with suspected drugs. CONCLUSION: In our study, we were ahle to obtain somewhat meaningful results basnl on data from the combination of various skin tests. As a result, physicians need to prescrible drugs with care.
Central Nervous System Depressants ; Diagnosis ; Drug Eruptions* ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Skin Tests* ; Skin*

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths worldwide, but its pathological diagnosis remains a challenge for forensic pathologists owing to a lack of pathognomonic findings in drowning deaths and inconclusive autopsy findings caused by postmortem changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathway taken by inhaled drowning medium through the airway after death in a variety of experimental conditions, including underwater pressurization. We used methylene blue dye to monitor the spread of drowning medium to the lungs. Results of theses experiments demonstrated that it is possible for a significant amount of downing medium to enter the airway during immersion after death. Our results suggest that autopsies of immersed bodies and interpretation of these findings should be performed with special care.
Animal Experimentation* ; Animals* ; Autopsy ; Diagnosis ; Drowning* ; Immersion ; Inhalation* ; Lung ; Methylene Blue* ; Postmortem Changes

Microsurgical reconstruction is necessary for children to correct severe trauma and congenital or acuqired deformity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not microsurgical reconstruction is a safe and reliable operation in children and to analyze the differences of microsurgical reconstruction in children compared to adults. The study included 12 children who underwent 13 microsurgical reconstructions among a total of 251 cases of microsurgical reconstruction from May, 1986 to August, 1998. Their ages ranged from 24 months to 14 years and 8 months. There were 7 males and 6 females. The involved sites were 9 legs, 3 hands and 1 face. The causes of microsurgical reconstruction were 9 traumas, 2 congenital anomalies, 1 acquired deformity and 1 cancer. The applied flaps were 4 scapular flaps, 2 rectus abdominis muscle flaps, 1 de-epithelized groin flap, 1 lateral arm flap, 1 forearm tendocutaneous flap, 1 forearm tendocutaneous flap, 1 latissimus dorsi muscle flap, 1 fibula flap, 1 second toe transfer, and 1 wrap-around flap. All patients have had normal growth of the donor and recipient sites without specific complications during an average 2 years follow-up. We concluded that microvascular reconstruction is a very useful and reliable procedure in children if it is performed in consideration of each child's specific characteristics and conditions.
Adult ; Arm ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Fibula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm ; Groin ; Hand ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Rectus Abdominis ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors ; Toes

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association with autoimmune endocrine diseases and detection rate of autoimmune antibodies and its clinical significance in patients with premature ovarian failure. METHODS: Twenty eight patients with primary or secondary amenorrhea manifesting hormonal and clinical features of premature ovarian failure (primary POF: 7, secondary POF: 21) were investigated. We tested them TFT, 75 g OGTT, ACTH and S-cortisol for thyroiditis, IDDM, Addison's disease, and antithyoglobulin antibody, antimicrosomal antibody, antinuclear antibody, rheumatic factor, anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody for non-organ specific autoimmune disorders. RESULTS: Only one patient was diagnosed as IDDM and no patients had abnormal TFT or adrenal function test. More than one kind of autoantibody was detected in 11 patients of all (39.2%): 5 patients (71.4%) of primary POF group and 6 patients (21.4%) of secondary POF group. Eleven patients (39.3%) had antithyroglobulin antibody, 4 (14.3%) had antimicrosomal antibody, 2 (7.1%) had antinuclear antibody, 2 (7.1%) had rheumatic factor, 1 (3.6%) had anti-smooth muscle antibody, 1 (3.6%) had anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Premature ovarian failure may occur as a component of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, so patients should be measured with free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, fasting glucose and electrolytes. Measurement of thyroid autoantibodies in POF patients may be important in identifying patients at risk of developing overt hypothyoidism, but other autoantibodies may not be suitable for screening test.
Addison Disease ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Amenorrhea ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Autoantibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Electrolytes ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency* ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine

Purpose: This study was examined to improve the standing posture of a scoliosis client using the ICF Tool. Methods: For examination, the study subject was a 16-year-old female student diagnosed with 3curve-pelvic (3CP) type scoliosis. Information about her were collected through a client interview and based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF core set was for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions, and the ICF level 2 items suggested by National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) were added to the recommendations for scoliosis. For evaluation, the ICF assessment sheet was used to identify the interaction among the problems. For the diagnosis, the client’s functional problems were described in ICF terms. For the prognosis, the global goals for reaching the client’s functional activity and participation level were presented as the long-and short-term goals. For the intervention, a coordinative locomotor training program composed of warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down was applied 3 times a week, 50 minutes a day, for 5 weeks. For the outcome, the differences between before and after the intervention were compared with the ICF qualifier and are shown with the ICF evaluation display. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function and structure (7° decrease of thoracic angle, 7 score increase of trunk muscle power, 6.47s improve of one leg standing, 4 score decrease of neck pain). The activity for maintaining the standing posture, in which the client had a primary limitation, was improved. Conclusion Applying the coordinative locomotor training program is expected to improve scoliosis client’s standing posture.

Purpose: This study was examined to improve the standing posture of a scoliosis client using the ICF Tool. Methods: For examination, the study subject was a 16-year-old female student diagnosed with 3curve-pelvic (3CP) type scoliosis. Information about her were collected through a client interview and based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF core set was for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions, and the ICF level 2 items suggested by National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) were added to the recommendations for scoliosis. For evaluation, the ICF assessment sheet was used to identify the interaction among the problems. For the diagnosis, the client’s functional problems were described in ICF terms. For the prognosis, the global goals for reaching the client’s functional activity and participation level were presented as the long-and short-term goals. For the intervention, a coordinative locomotor training program composed of warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down was applied 3 times a week, 50 minutes a day, for 5 weeks. For the outcome, the differences between before and after the intervention were compared with the ICF qualifier and are shown with the ICF evaluation display. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function and structure (7° decrease of thoracic angle, 7 score increase of trunk muscle power, 6.47s improve of one leg standing, 4 score decrease of neck pain). The activity for maintaining the standing posture, in which the client had a primary limitation, was improved. Conclusion Applying the coordinative locomotor training program is expected to improve scoliosis client’s standing posture.