An 84-year-old female visited with an intertrochanteric femoral fracture. The patient had undergone an open reduction and internal fixation with a compressive plate and elastic nail in an ipsilateral atypical diaphyseal femoral fracture in the past. Compressive plate and elastic nail remained, and anterolateral bowing was presented. To treat the periprosthetic trochanteric fracture, a proximal femoral nail was used without removing the previously inserted compressive plate. Under the “rendezvous” technique, using a combination of fixating intramedullary nail and compressive plate simultaneously, the distal screw was fixed, and a femoral head lag screw was inserted after reducing the fracture. Complete union of the fracture was achieved 16 months after the operation, and a decrease in mobility function was not found postoperatively. The authors report this case for the “rendezvous” technique as a treatment option for elderly patients with periprosthetic trochanteric fractures, who had previously undergone surgical treatment for ipsilateral atypical diaphyseal femoral fractures with anterolateral bowing.

Although vascular injuries associated with femoral intertrochanteric fractures have been reported infrequently, bleeding due to vascular injury can lead to severe complications that can be potentially life and limb-threatening. The authors report a case of an injury of the ascending branch of the lateral femoral convolutional artery in a patient who underwent surgical treatment for a femoral intertrochanteric fracture. Vascular injury occurred due to the sharp margin of displaced lesser trochanter five weeks after surgery. Percutaneous transcatheter embolization was done and improved without additional complications. Therefore, the surgeons need to be aware of possible associated vascular injuries caused by displaced lesser trochanter fragments in femoral intertrochanteric fractures.

Purpose: This study aimed to distinguish and describe the types of perceptions of do not resuscitate (DNR) proxy decisions among families of elderly patients in a long-term care facility. Methods: This exploratory study applied Q-methodology, which focuses on individual subjectivity. Thirty-four Q-statements were selected from 130 Q-populations formed based on the results of in-depth interviews and literature reviews. The P-samples were 34 families of elderly patients in a long-term care hospital in Busan, Korea. They categorized the Q-statements using a 9-point scale. Using the PC-QUANL program, factor analysis was performed with the P-samples along an axis. Results: The families’ perceptions of the DNR proxy decision were categorized into three types. Type I, rational acceptance, valued consensus among family members based on comprehensive support from medical staff. Type II, psychological burden, involved hesitance in making a DNR proxy decision because of negative emotions and psychological conflict. Type III, discreet decisions, valued the patients’ right to self-determination and desire for a legitimate proxy decision. Type I included 18 participants, which was the most common type, and types II and III each included eight participants. Conclusion Families’ perceptions of DNR proxy decisions vary, requiring tailored care and intervention. We suggest developing and providing interventions that may psychologically support families.

Although vascular injuries associated with femoral intertrochanteric fractures have been reported infrequently, bleeding due to vascular injury can lead to severe complications that can be potentially life and limb-threatening. The authors report a case of an injury of the ascending branch of the lateral femoral convolutional artery in a patient who underwent surgical treatment for a femoral intertrochanteric fracture. Vascular injury occurred due to the sharp margin of displaced lesser trochanter five weeks after surgery. Percutaneous transcatheter embolization was done and improved without additional complications. Therefore, the surgeons need to be aware of possible associated vascular injuries caused by displaced lesser trochanter fragments in femoral intertrochanteric fractures.

A short femoral stem (type 1 cementless stem) is being increasingly used to perform total hip arthroplasty; however, various types of intra- or postoperative periprosthetic fractures have been reported in recent times. A 66-year-old woman with a history of bilateral total hip arthroplasties using a type 1B femoral stem was admitted 2 months post-operation for a Vancouver type C periprosthetic fracture. She underwent open reduction and internal fixation; however, we observed recurrent non-union and plate breakage at the same site. In this case report, we discuss the factors associated with treatment failure in patients with a Vancouver type C periprosthetic fracture following type 1 femoral stem im-plantation.

Purpose: : Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is characterized by a constellation of mental health, physical, and cognitive impairments, and is recognized as a long-term sequela among survivors of intensive care units (ICUs). The objective of this study was to explore the impact of intensive care experience (ICE) on the development of PICS in individuals surviving critical care. Methods: : This secondary analysis utilized data derived from a prospective, multicenter cohort study of ICU survivors. The cohort comprised 143 survivors who were enrolled between July and August 2019. The original study's participants completed the Korean version of the ICE questionnaire (K-ICEQ) within one week following discharge from the ICU. Of these, 82 individuals completed the PICS questionnaire (PICSQ) three months subsequent to discharge from hospital. The influence of ICE on the manifestation of PICS was examined through Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: : The R2 values of the final model ranged from 0.35 to 0.51, while the Q2 values were all greater than 0, indicating adequacy for prediction of PICS. Notable pathways in the relationship between the four ICE dimensions and the three PICS domains included significant associations from ‘ICE-awareness of surroundings’ to ‘PICS-cognitive’, from ‘ICE-recall of experience’ to ‘PICS-cognitive’, and from ‘ICE-frightening experiences’ to ‘PICS-mental health’. Analysis found no significant moderating effects of age or disease severity on these relationships. Additionally, gender differences were identified in the significant pathways within the model. Conclusion : Adverse ICU experiences may detrimentally impact the cognitive and mental health domains of PICS following discharge. In order to improve long-term outcomes of individuals who survive critical care, it is imperative to develop nursing interventions aimed at enhancing the ICU experience for patients.

We report on the case of a patient with chronic instability of the ball-and-socket ankle joint. The patient, a 21-year-old male, was diagnosed 10 years previously with chronic instability of the ball-and-socket ankle joint. He underwent Broström procedure and augmentation using a periosteal turn down from the fibula for this chronic instability despite having received conservative treatment since the diagnosis. After the procedure, the clinical symptoms of ankle instability were improved and the patient is being periodically followedup. We report on this case of using a Broström procedure as a treatment option for patients with instability of the ball-and-socket ankle joint with normal range of foot and normal ankle joint alignment without damage in the joint and cartilage.

Pancytopenia represents a unique challenge for primary care doctors and its etiological causes encompass various specialties, including hematology and rheumatology. Despite the existence of effective tests such as bone marrow biopsy and immunoassays to rule out the potential causes of pancytopenia, it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact diagnosis. In this case report, we have described such a ‘gray zone’ patient, who presented with pancytopenia, neutropenia, and splenomegaly, and was being treated for fungal pneumonia before being transferred to Severance Hospital (department of family medicine). As the patient had a 10-year history of multiple, long-term hospital admissions that were having a severely debilitating impact on the quality of life, we performed a partial splenic embolization as a potential cure for the symptoms. Although this induced acute blood count recovery, it failed to prevent eventual mortality from septic shock.

Pancytopenia represents a unique challenge for primary care doctors and its etiological causes encompass various specialties, including hematology and rheumatology. Despite the existence of effective tests such as bone marrow biopsy and immunoassays to rule out the potential causes of pancytopenia, it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact diagnosis. In this case report, we have described such a ‘gray zone’ patient, who presented with pancytopenia, neutropenia, and splenomegaly, and was being treated for fungal pneumonia before being transferred to Severance Hospital (department of family medicine). As the patient had a 10-year history of multiple, long-term hospital admissions that were having a severely debilitating impact on the quality of life, we performed a partial splenic embolization as a potential cure for the symptoms. Although this induced acute blood count recovery, it failed to prevent eventual mortality from septic shock.

Background and Objectives: The number of otolaryngologists in Korea has increased rapidly in recent years. However, as the population is expected to decrease gradually, it is necessary to study the appropriate number of otolaryngologists. Subjects and Methods: We counted the number of otolaryngologists certified annually and the number of currently active otolaryngologists, and estimated the retirement time from this data. In addition, the statistics from the National Statistical Office were used to survey the total population and the youth population under the age of 14 up to 2060. Finally, changes in the number of active otolaryngologists and the population per otolaryngologist were predicted by 2060. Results: The total number of otolaryngologists certified by 2020 was 4699, and the number of active otolaryngologists in 2019 was 3950. The average duration of retirement is about 36.5 years, and it is expected to be 40 years soon. Currently, 77.4% of otolaryngologists are practitioners, and 51.3% are working in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. In 2009, the number of people per otolaryngologist was about 17000, whereas in 2019 it was sharply reduced to about 13000. If 120 otolaryngologists are produced each year, it decreases to about 10000 by 2060. However, if the number of new otolaryngologists is reduced to 100 per year, it can be maintained at around 12000 in 2060. In any case, however, the number of patients under 14 years of age cannot be prevented from falling sharply. Conclusion It is necessary to adjust the number of otolaryngologists to account for population decline.