BACKGROUND: Unexpected and uncontrolled bleeding remains the principal fear of the surgeon performing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Many surgeons and anesthesiologists believe the spinal anesthesia reduces blood loss during TURP. This study evaluate the effects of spinal versus general anesthetic technique on the development of postoperative coagulopathies. METHODS: 20 patients undergoing TURP were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group I (n=10) received general anesthesia and group II (n=10), spinal anesthesia. PT (prothrombin time), PTT (partial thromboplstin time), Hb (hemoglobin), FDP (fibrin degradation product), platelet and fibrinogen were measured before induction and 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in measured coagulation variables between the two groups, but there was significant decrease in postoperative Hb compared to preoperative values in both groups and the effect was more pronounced in the general anesthesia than in the spinal anethesia group. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that coagulopathies after TURP is not affected by the anesthetic technique.
Anesthesia, General* ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Blood Platelets ; Fibrinogen ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate*

Both cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) are irreplaceable tools in the current vestibular science, but they have many drawbacks. For example, the test-retest reliability of the asymmetry ratio is inadequate for both tests. The American Academy of Neurology noted that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether cVEMP and oVEMP can accurately identify vestibular function specifically related to the saccule/utricle. One of the most important factors underlying the variability of cVEMP seems to be the control of, and compensation for, baseline muscle contraction power. Reasons for variability in oVEMP include a poor signal to noise ratio, the angle of superior gaze, effective and controlled presentation of stimuli, intracranial pressure, and electrode location. Many of these shortcomings could be improved by further development of recording methods and devices. This article examines the reasons for the insufficient reliability of VEMP and proposes avenues for improvement of VEMP recording systems.
Compensation and Redress ; Electrodes ; Intracranial Pressure ; Muscle Contraction ; Neurology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Vertigo

Hirayama disease is a slowly progressing benign motor neuron disease that affects the distal upper limb. A 29-year-old man visited the hospital with a 1-year history of weakened left proximal upper limb. He was diagnosed with Hirayama disease 9 years ago, while there was no further progression of the muscle weakness afterward. Atrophy and weakness was detected in proximal upper limb muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging and somatosensory evoked potentials were normal. Needle electromyography showed abnormal findings in proximal upper limb muscles. Our patient had Hirayama disease involving the proximal portion through secondary progression. Clinical manifestation and accurate electromyography may be useful for diagnosis. Rare cases with progression patterns as described here are helpful and have clinical meaning for clinicians.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Diagnosis ; Electromyography ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Motor Neuron Disease ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Needles ; Upper Extremity

Upper extremity anomalies are the second most common type of congenital malformations. Approximately 1% to 3% of newborns are born with congenital anomalies, and among them, roughly 10% have upper extremity anomalies. Congenital hand anomalies are often isolated phenomena but may also coexist with other congenital anomalies or syndromes. These anomalies cause not only aesthetic concerns, but also significant functional deficits and psychological issues for children and their families. Surgeons should conduct a thorough examination to make an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment or refer the patient to a specialized clinic if necessary. Operative procedures should aim to restore both function and aesthetics. This article reviews the embryology of the hand, the classification of congenital hand anomalies, and the clinical features and treatment of common major congenital hand anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sleep state of mild stroke patients and relationship between sleep disturbance and functional status. METHODS: A total of 80 acute stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The criteria for inclusion in the study was as following: 1) first stroke, 2) cognitive function preserved enough to perform the test (Mini Mental State Examination > or =24), 3) good functional levels (Modified Rankin Scale < or =3), 4) upper extremity motor function preserved enough to perform occupational tests (hand strength test, Purdue pegboard test, 9-hole peg test, and Medical Research Council score > or =3), and 5) less than 2 weeks between the stroke and the assessment. Quality of sleep was assessed by using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). Activities of daily living was assessed by using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and depressed mood was assessed by using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Gross and fine motor function of the upper extremity was assessed by using hand strength test (Jamar dynamometer), Purdue pegboard test, and the 9-hole peg test. RESULTS: The results of the occupational assessment were fine in the good sleepers. The PSQI, ESS, and ISI were correlated with some of the assessment tools (BDI, MBI, Purdue pegboard, 9-hole peg, and hand strength). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study emphasizes that sleep disturbance can affect the functional status in mild acute stroke patients. Therefore, clinicians must consider sleep status in stroke patients and need to work to control it.
Activities of Daily Living ; Depression ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Stroke* ; Upper Extremity

No abstract available.
Fractures, Bone*

Hyperprolactinemia due to a pituitary adenoma is a rare cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). The prevalence of clinically apparent prolactinomas is reported to be from 6–10 to 50 per 100,000. A few reports have been published of prolactinoma presenting with ED. Here, we report a rare case of a young man who presented with ED as a chief complaint and who was diagnosed with a huge prolactinoma, and we discuss a related fertility issue.
Erectile Dysfunction ; Fertility ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Male ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Prevalence ; Prolactinoma

Paraffin injection has been widely used to improve body contouring or to augment various body parts, although it has now been abandoned owing to serious complications. Paraffin injection may lead to complications after a long latency period, ranging from several years to several decades. Here, we present the rare case of a 77-year-old woman who suffered from recurrent wound problems after a bilateral paraffin injection into her hands 40 years ago. Initially, conservative debridement was carried out due to the patient’s reluctance to undergo extensive surgery and cost concerns. However, this resulted in recurrent wound dehiscence and infection. After serial debridement procedures, a skin graft was performed on her right hand. The patient complained of a depressed contour and numbness at the skin graft site, and tightness and discomfort of her right hand during flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Three years later, the patient presented with a highly similar wound on her left hand. Thorough excision of the soft tissue infiltrated by paraffin was performed, followed by reconstruction using a sensate free anterolateral thigh flap. The patient responded well postoperatively without complications, displaying a fair range of motion without discomfort, sensory restoration of the flap, and satisfaction with the contour of the dorsum. This case report highlights the importance of complete excision of soft tissues infiltrated by paraffin for definitive treatment. Among the various reconstruction options, a sensate free flap is a good choice for achieving favorable functional and esthetic outcomes in hand reconstruction after radical excision of a paraffinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical significance and need for the treatment of primary snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea have been recently questioned. In this study, we analyzed therapeutic outcome and the methods of treatment of such diseases.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was conducted using the medical records of patients diagnosed with primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea at a single institution from 2013 to 2015 through polysomnography or WATCHPAT. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients (37%) with primary snoring, 13 patients (72.2%) underwent surgery, four patients (22.2%) were treated with surgery and mandibular advancement device, and one patient (5.6%) underwent automatic positive airway pressure therapy. Of the 78 patients (61%) with mild obstructive sleep apnea, 35 patients (44.8%) had surgery, 24 patients (30.8%) were treated with mandibular advancement device, 13 patients (16.7%) were treated with surgery and mandibular advancement device and 6 patients (7.7%) received automatic positive airway pressure therapy. For primary snoring, while Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index did not improve, the snoring visual analog scale decreased significantly. In patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea, Apnea-Hypopnea Index, snoring decibel, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were significantly decreased after treatment and the lowest oxygen saturation was significantly increased after treatment. CONCLUSION For primary snoring, the direction of treatment should be determined in accordance with the presence of associated diseases related to sleep disturbance breathing. For mild obstructive sleep apnea, active treatment may be helpful.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical significance and need for the treatment of primary snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea have been recently questioned. In this study, we analyzed therapeutic outcome and the methods of treatment of such diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was conducted using the medical records of patients diagnosed with primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea at a single institution from 2013 to 2015 through polysomnography or WATCHPAT. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients (37%) with primary snoring, 13 patients (72.2%) underwent surgery, four patients (22.2%) were treated with surgery and mandibular advancement device, and one patient (5.6%) underwent automatic positive airway pressure therapy. Of the 78 patients (61%) with mild obstructive sleep apnea, 35 patients (44.8%) had surgery, 24 patients (30.8%) were treated with mandibular advancement device, 13 patients (16.7%) were treated with surgery and mandibular advancement device and 6 patients (7.7%) received automatic positive airway pressure therapy. For primary snoring, while Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index did not improve, the snoring visual analog scale decreased significantly. In patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea, Apnea-Hypopnea Index, snoring decibel, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were significantly decreased after treatment and the lowest oxygen saturation was significantly increased after treatment. CONCLUSION: For primary snoring, the direction of treatment should be determined in accordance with the presence of associated diseases related to sleep disturbance breathing. For mild obstructive sleep apnea, active treatment may be helpful.
Humans ; Mandibular Advancement ; Medical Records ; Methods ; Oxygen ; Polysomnography ; Respiration ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Snoring ; Visual Analog Scale