PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to test the effects of music therapy on postoperative pain in patients with total hip replacement. METHOD: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were composed of thirty patients with total hip replacement. Fifteen of them were assigned to the experimental group and fifteen to the control group. Fifteen minutes tailored music therapy was given to the experimental group during five consecutive days. The instruments used for this study were pain NRS(numerical rating scale). The data were analyzed using percent, mean, standard deviation, chi-square-test and repeated measure ANOVA using SPSS WIN 11.0. RESULTS: Hypothesis 1 "The score of pain NRS of experimental group will be lower than those of control group" was accepted(F=15.945, p<.001). Hypothesis 2 "The frequency of PCA analgesics of experimental group will be fewer than those of control group" was accepted (t=-2.312, p=.028). Hypothesis 3 "The vital signs(pulse, systolic BP and diastolic BP) of experimental group will be different from those of control group" was rejected. CONCLUSION: This music therapy can be recommended as an efficient nursing intervention to reduce postoperative pain in patients with total hip replacement.
Analgesics ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Humans ; Music Therapy* ; Music* ; Nursing ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Research Design

PURPOSE: We postulated that the success rate for subclavian venous catheterization could be enhanced by improving body positioning. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal positioning. The ideal position should result in the largest antero-posterior diameter of the subclavian vein and the shortest depth from the skin to the subclavian vein. METHODS: We used 7.5MHz linear probe. Eighteen adult volunteers underwent ultrasound imaging of the right subclavian vein while supine in the following eight positions: NP/PO/AT, NP/PO/AN, NP/PX/AT, NP/PX/AN, LP/PO/AT, LP/PO/AN, LP/PX/AT, LP/PX//AN (neutral head position, NP; head turned to left, LP; on pillow, PO; off pillow, PX; arm traction, AT; neutral arm position, AN). We checked the antero-posterior diameter of the subclavian vein and the depth from skin to the subclavian vein in each position. Statistical significance was determined using Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS: The antero-posterior diameter of the subclavian vein in NP/PX/AN position is largest and in LP/PO/AN position is smallest (p=0.01). The difference of the depths from skin to the subclavian vein in each positions is not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant effect of head position on the antero-posterior diameter of the subclavian vein or on the depth from the skin to subclavian vein. Arm traction did not result in an increase in the anteroposterior diameter. Positioning on the pillow likewise conferred no advantage in the antero-posterior diameter. The most optimal position for subclavian venous catheterization was the neutral head position without pillow between the scapulas and without the arm retracted position.
Adult ; Arm ; Catheterization* ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Catheters* ; Head ; Humans ; Scapula ; Skin ; Subclavian Vein ; Traction ; Ultrasonography ; Volunteers

Objective: This study assessed the characteristics of medical utilization by analyzing the pathway of severe emergency patients visiting emergency departments in the three regions. Methods: The study was conducted based on the National Emergency Department Information System, which collected information from 43 local governments from 2017 to 2019. Severe emergency patients were classified according to the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale level. A map was produced based on the results of connectivity centrality analysis, and groupings were performed using the R program. The relevance index was calculated to confirm medical utilization within and among regions. Results: Medical utilization within the region for severe emergency patients was concentrated in major cities. With the opening of local emergency medical agencies in underserved areas of emergency medical services, medical utilization within the region has increased compared to three years ago. Severe emergency patients in the western region of Gyeongsangnam-do mainly visit the emergency department in Jinju city. In contrast, in western county areas, they mainly visit the emergency department in Busan city. In Ulsan city, which belongs to Ulju county and Jung-gu, many patients frequently visit the emergency department in Yangsan city. Patients from Geochang, Changnyeong, Hamyang, and Hapcheon counties in Gyeongnam Province frequently visit the emergency department in Daegu city. Conclusion The intersection and cooperation of health resources within and between regions of the emergency medical system are no longer a task that can be postponed, and regionalization has been proposed as an alternative concept.

Megacolon is an uncommon condition in which the bowel is persistently of increased diameter and it is always associated with long-standing constipation. Two main groups are recognized according to whether or not ganglia are present in the intermuscular plane of the rectal wall. Their complete absence, even along a short segment of rectum, denotes Hirschspurung's disease. If ganglia are present, the dilated bowel may be secondary to some predisposing factor such as a stricture, a congenital anorectal abnormality, a cauda equina lesion etc. In other instances, however, there may be no apparent organic reason as to why the bowel should be so dilated. This latter condition is termed "idiopathic megacolon". We report the case of one female patient with idiopathic megacolon. During medical treatment, she was complicated with a sigmoid volvulus, we performed subtotal colectomy and cecorectal anastomosis and she improved without any complication.
Cauda Equina ; Causality ; Colectomy ; Colon, Sigmoid* ; Constipation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Ganglia ; Humans ; Intestinal Volvulus* ; Megacolon* ; Rectum

Menetrier's disease is a form of hypertrophic gastropathy occurring primarily in middle-aged males. Patients generally present clinically with dyspepsia and, on occasion, with hypoproteinemic edema and anemia. The latter feature, when combined with the radiographic appearance of the stomach in Menetrier's disease, can lend to confusion with carcinoma and malignant lymphoma. A 45-year-old male was admitted with chief complaint of epigastric dscomfort. Endoscopic examination revealed the appearance of enlarged gastric folds involving the body and fundus of the stomach with relative sparing of the antrum and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) reveals characteristic thickening with enhanced echogenicity of the second layer. Biopsies revealed foveolar hyperplasia with cystic dilatation of the glands, compatible with Menetrier's disease. We report a case of Menetrier's disease with brief review of literatures.
Anemia ; Biopsy ; Dilatation ; Dyspepsia ; Edema ; Endosonography ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach

PURPOSE: Inadequate treatment of pain, which has been termed as “oligoanalgesia”, appears to be common phenomenon the emergency department (ED). In order to improve pain recognition and management, a study concerning physician characteristics on pain and pain management is needed. METHODS: This study was based on a survey that targeted emergency medicine doctors from September to November 2015 (the response rate was 7%). Firstly, the survey showed that physicians preferred medicating on five diseases abdominal pain, cancer, simple musculoskeletal disease, trauma, headache in the ED. Secondly, it demonstrated the criteria used to choose the analgesic treatment in accordance with each disease and the level of pain, which is determined using a numerical rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: In the cases of abdominal pain that requires surgery, cancer pain, and multiple trauma, physicians preferred using an opioid as the first medication, while non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed in most of the other cases. Meperidine was the preferred choice as the opioid. For almost diseases, the NSAIDs are selected in the lower NRS cases over the opioid. Physicians deal with pain of patients who are already diagnosed with specific diseases, such as cancer, while they avoid managing pain from those patients who have not been definitively diagnosed with a specific disease. CONCLUSION: Physicians in the ED prefer the use of NSAIDs as the analgesic treatment, in particular, prescribing meperidine as the preferred opioid. However, it seems that they are hesitant to manage pain without a clear diagnosis.
Abdominal Pain ; Analgesics ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Headache ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Multiple Trauma ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Pain Management

PURPOSE: Many patients complain of pain due to fracture in the emergency department (ED). However, pain management in these patients has not been performed well. The objective of this study is to describe analgesic utilization and assess factors associated with analgesic use in patients with isolated long-bone fractures during the ED visit. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of patients presenting to two EDs with an isolated long bone fracture from January to December 2012. A total of 358 patients were enrolled, and sex, age, arrival route, mechanism of injury, fracture type, fracture location, drug used for pain control, arrival time, physician in charge primary care, and disposition were analyzed. RESULTS: Analgesics were administered to 50% of patients between 20~60 years, whereas 11.3% of patients under 20 years old and 38.7% above 60 years old (p<0.01) received analgesics. Better pain control was achieved in females, young adults, patients cared for by emergency medicine residents, and visits made by emergency medical service or at dawn. CONCLUSION: The pain control rate of children is lower than that of adults in patients with an isolated long bone fracture. Active strategies for pain management are necessary by triage physicians from this time forward.
Adult ; Analgesics* ; Child ; Electronic Health Records ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Medicine ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Fractures, Bone* ; Humans ; Pain Management ; Primary Health Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Triage ; Young Adult

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective interventional study. PURPOSE: To introduce a free-hand pedicle screw (PS) insertion technique without fluoroscopic guidance in the C7 vertebra and evaluate the procedure's feasibility and radiologic outcomes. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although PS insertion at C7 has been recognized as a critical procedure in posterior cervical fusion surgery, conventional techniques for C7 PS have several limitations. METHODS: Thirty two patients (64 screws) who underwent PS insertion in C7 with the novel technique were included in this study. Postoperative clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated. Special attention was paid to the presence of any problems in the screw position including cortical breaches of the PS and encroachment of the PS into the spinal canal or the vertebral foramen. This novel technique for PS insertion in C7 without fluoroscopy guidance had three key elements. First, the ideal PS entry point was chosen near the C6-7 facet joint using preoperative images. Second, the convergent angle distance was measured at axial computed tomography (CT) imaging, which defined the distance between the tip of C7 spinous process and the extended line passing through the pedicle axis from the ideal entry point. Third, the cranial-caudal angle distance was measured in sagittal CT images, which defined the distance between the tip of the C7 spinous process and the extended line passing through the pedicle axis. RESULTS: Cortical breach on postoperative CT images was observed in three screws. All violated only the lateral wall of the affected pedicle. The breached screws occurred in the initial five cases. Postoperative neurologic deterioration was not observed in any patient, regardless of cortical breaching. CONCLUSIONS: The novel technique successfully allows for C7 PS to be placed and is associated with a low rate of cortical breach.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Feasibility Studies* ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spine ; Zygapophyseal Joint

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical study using the porcine spine. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of direct anterior vertebroplasty [Polymethylmetacrylic acid (PMMA) augmentation] with anterior vertebral screw fixation. SUMMARY AND LITERATURE REVIEW: We are not aware of any previous reports that described this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty out of 35 fresh porcine lumbar vertebral bodies (L1-5) were instrumented with single anteriorvertebral screws using different augmentation methods. In group 1 (n=10), the non-augmented group, each vertebral body was pre-drilled and an anterior vertebral screw was inserted unicortically at 90 degrees laterally. In groups 2 (n=10) and 3 (n=10), after the unicortical pre-drilling, 2 ml of PMMA were injected through an 11-gauge bone biopsy needle. The screw was inserted immediately after the cement injection in group 2, and after complete consolidation of the cement in group 3. Axial pullout loads to loosen the screws were measured. Conventional vertebroplasties via bilateral pedicles were performed in the other 5 vertebral bodies, the cement distribution areas of which were compared with the 5 specimens of groups 2 and 3, respectively, using radiomorphometry. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean pullout loads were 459+/-111N in group 1, 1510+/-165N in group 2, and 1241+/-189N in group 3. The PMMA augmented anterior vertebral screws (groups 2 and 3) provided more than 100% of an increase in pullout strength compared with non-augmented screws (group 1) (P < 0.001). Among the augmented screws, the screws that were inserted during the consolidation of PMMA (group 2) had a greater resistance against pullout loads than did those that were inserted after complete consolidation (group 3) (P < 0.01). The cement distribution areas after the direct anterior vertebroplasties (groups 2 and 3) was no different than that after conventional posterior vertebroplasties (P > 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Direct anterior vertebroplasty is another effective augmentation method for anterior vertebral screw fixation. With this technique, we avoided an unnecessary posterior procedure and achieved a more rigid fixation because we could insert the screws during the consolidation of PMMA.
Biopsy ; Needles ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty*

BACKGROUND: The 5-level triage tool, the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS), was developed based on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale and has been used for triage in all emergency medical institutions in Korea since 2016. This study evaluated the association between the decrease in level number and the change in its relative importance for disposition in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: Using the registry of the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) ver. 3.1, data regarding consecutive emergency patients from March 2017 to October 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Reconfiguring KTAS levels, a total of 15 multinomial logistic regression models (KTAS_0 to KTAS_14), including the KTAS, its variants, and covariates were constructed to determine significant factors affecting ED disposition. The relative importance of each model was obtained using a dominance analysis. RESULTS: A total of 79,771 patients were included in the analysis. In the model KTAS_0, the KTAS and 8 covariates were found to be significantly related to ED disposition. The KTAS and the decision maker of each ED visit, whether it was the physician or others, had the largest relative importance, 34.8% and 31.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). In other models of KTAS variants, including 4-level, 3-level and 2-level, the rates of the KTAS decreased to 31.8% (interquartile range [IQR], 28.9–34.2), 26.4% (IQR, 23.2–31.0), and 18.7% (IQR, 7.5–24.9), respectively (P = 0.016). On the other hand, the rates for covariates tended to be larger for smaller triage levels and so there was a significant interaction effect between the KTAS and the covariates according to the triage level (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The 5-level triage tool, the KTAS, had the largest relative importance among the predictors affecting ED disposition only at its original level. Therefore, it is recommended that no attempt should be made to reduce the number of levels in the triage tool.
Cohort Studies ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hand ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies ; Triage