BACKGROUND: Because of wide individual variations in response to sedative and the level of sedation desired by different patients, inadequate sedation is frequent during surgery. Patient-controlled sedation is a logical extension of patient-controlled analgesia to find and maintain their own steady-state of sedation by self-administration of sedatives during surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of patient-controlled sedation compared with anesthesiologist-controlled sedation during surgical spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Unpremedicated forty adult patients who received spinal anesthesia for lower extremity surgery were randomly allocated into two groups (n=20 for each group). After selection of target state of sedation according to sedation scale, patient-controlled sedation (PCS) group self-administered 0.5 mg (1 ml) intravenous midazolam in increments using a Walkmed PCA infusor and anesthesiologist- controlled sedation (ACS) group administered by the anesthesiologist as the same manner to achieve previously selected sedation state. Sedation score, vital signs, SpO2 were checked 5, 10, 20, 30, 40min after start of drug injection. RESULTS: The sedation scores patient desired were 4.4 +/- 0.8 in PCS group and 4.3 +/- 0.7 in ACS group. These scores were achieved 20min after start of injection in PCS group and 40 min in ACS grou p (p<0.05). Degree of satisfaction was higher in PCS group compared with ACS group (1.5 +/- 0.6 vs 2.1 +/- 0.8, p<0.05). No complications were detected in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: PCS using midazolam was better than ACS in terms of early achievement of sedation state patient desired and degree of satisfaction.
Adult ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Infusion Pumps ; Logic ; Lower Extremity ; Midazolam* ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Vital Signs

Wegener's granulomatosis is characterized by necrotizing granulomatosis lesion of the respiratory tract, glomerulonephritis and frequently vasculitis involving other organs. The basic pathophysiologic mechanism of Wegener's granulomatosis is not defined yet. However, it may be suspected an autoimmune disease. We experienced a case of Wegener's granulomatosis which are associated with acute renal failure and pneumothorax. The patient suffered from hemoptysis, fever and cough. Despite antibiotic therapy, symtoms did not improved and multiple varying sized nodules were aggravated on chest roentogenogram and serum creatinine elevated 3.4mg/dl. After diagnosis using video associated thoracoscopic surgery, the patient was treated with cyclophsphamide, glucocorticoid and sulfamethoxasole-trimethoprime. With the combination therapy, the patient felt completely well and chest roentogenogram showed lungs were improved and serum creatinine was normal. The patient was readmitted because of right pleuritic pain and dyspnea 15 day after discharge. The patient was developed a right pneumothorax. The lung was easily expanded by intercostal tube drainage with a one way valve. The patient has been treated as an out- patient with immunosuppressive agents continously.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cough ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Fever ; Glomerulonephritis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lung ; Pneumothorax* ; Respiratory System ; Thoracoscopy ; Thorax ; Vasculitis ; Wegener Granulomatosis*

To estimate the incidence of uterine cervix cancer among Korean women, we have conducted a study using the claim data on the beneficiaries of Korea Medical Insurance Corporation(KMIC). All medical records of the potential cases with diagnosis of ICD-9 180, 181, 182, 199, 219, 233 in the claims sent by medical care institutions in the whole country to the KMIC from January 1988 to December 1989, were abstracted and Gynecology specialist reviewed the records to identify the new cases of uterine cervix cancer among the potential cases during the corresponding period. Using these data, the incidence of uterine cervix cancer among Korean women was estimated as of July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989. The crude rate was estimated to be 17.34(95% CI: 16.76~17.92) per 100,000 and the cumulative rates for the ages 0~64 and 0~74 were 1.7% and 2.2%, respectively. The age-adjusted rate for the world population was 19.93 per 100,000 which was higher than those of other Asian countries including China and Japan in 1983~1987. The truncated rate for ages 35~64 was 52.05 per 100,000 which was one of the highest in the world. With increasing age, the incidence rate increased to 78.11 per 100,000 in women aged 55~59 years, then it decreased in the older groups. This finding suggests that detecting rate of uterine cervix cancer may decrease in women aged 60 years or older due to detecting rate of uterine cervix cancer may decrease in women aged 60 years or older due to inadequate medical care seeking behavior. In the geographical area, the SIR of Jeju province was significantly low but it might be due to statistical unstability by small case numbers.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cervix Uteri* ; China ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Insurance ; International Classification of Diseases ; Japan ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Specialization

BACKGROUND: Although renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy originated from kidney in adults, pathogenesis of RCC remains unknown. The purpose of this work is to find tumor suppressor gene in RCC. METHODS: The arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) has been used to detect somatic genetic alterations in RCC. DNA fingerprints generated by single arbitrary primers were compared between normal and tumor tissues of the same individuals. AP-PCR bands showing decreased intensities in tumor tissue DNA, relative to normal, have been cloned after reamplification with the same arbitrary primer. We have performed Southern blot hybridization and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: For a given primer, at least 5 differences in band patterns between normal and tumor tissues were observed and band C was deleted in tumor tissues of clear cell type RCC. We found this band was split into 3 bands. Because band C2 was consistantly deleted in tumor tissue, we decided to clone and characterize this fragment. Partial DNA sequences of this fragment showed no homology with other genes by BLAST search. Southern blot analysis showed this fragment was deleted in 2 cases of clear cell type and 1 case of mixed cell type RCC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fragment C2 might be a candidate for novel tumor suppressor gene and loss of this fragment might be necessary for malignant development to clear cell type RCC. Further characterization of this fragment is expected to give us useful informations about RCC tumorigenesis.
Adult ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Southern ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Clone Cells ; DNA ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Total intravenous anesthesia(TIVA) is a anesthetic technique where hypnosis, analgesia and muscle relaxation are provided solely by intravenously administered drug without the use of anesthetic vapors or gases including nitrous oxide. For TIVA, midazolam and propofol have been used as hypnotics because of their relatively short elimination half life. Hemodynamic function during induction of anesthesia, the fentanyl and naloxone requirements, and speed of recovery from TIVA with midazolam/fentanyl(group M, n=20) or prapofol/fentanyl (group P, n=20) were compaired in patients undergoing surgery. Forty patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.2 mg/kg midazolam in 5 min followed by 0.4 mg/kg/hr for 20 min, 0.3 mg/kg/hr for next 20 min, 0.05~0.2 mg/kg/hr until 10~15 min before skin closure, or 2 mg/kg propofol in 5 min followed by 9 mg/kg/hr for 30 min and 4.5 mg/kg/hr until 10~15 min before skin closure. Simultaneously, a variable rate infusion of fentanyl was given. Patients were intubated with an aid of vecuronium and ventilated with 40% oxygen in air. In both groups, mean arterial pressure decreased significantly(P<0.05) during induction period, but, in group P decreased more significantly compared to group M from 3 min after intubation to 8 min after skin incision(P<0.05). The haut rate was decreased significantly in both groups(P<0.05), but not clinically, and the deerease had no difference between groups(P>0.05). The total dose, duration and rate of infusion of fentanyl was similar in both groups. 16 patients in group M and 9 patients in gmup P needed naloxone for recovery of respiration and 10 patients in group M needed flumazenil for recovery of consciousness. Recovery as judged by scoring system(sedation score, comprehension score, orientation score) was shorter in group P than group M. Among side effects, resedation was more frequent in group M(9 pts) than P group(0 pt). In conclusion, both midazolam and propofol were useful hypnotics for TIVA. But, group M showed more stable hemodynamics than group P during induction period and P group showed earlier recovery than group M. We concluded that the selection of hypnotics between midazolam and propofol for TIVA depends on situation such as better hemodynamics during induction period or earlier recovery.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Comprehension ; Consciousness ; Fentanyl ; Flumazenil ; Gases ; Half-Life ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypnosis ; Hypnotics and Sedatives* ; Intubation ; Midazolam* ; Muscle Relaxation ; Naloxone ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Propofol* ; Respiration ; Skin ; Vecuronium Bromide

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between retirement preparation and depressive symptoms among Koreans 50 years of age or older. We used data from the 2009 to 2013 Korean Retirement and Income Panel Study (KReIS), which included data from the 365 baseline participants of 50 years of age or older. Our sample included only newly retired participants who worked in 2009, but had retired in the 2011 and 2013. To monitor the change in depressive symptoms according to retirement preparation, we used repeated measurement data. We measured depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) 20-item scale. In addition, we measured retirement preparation using a single self-report question asking whether the participant was financially ready for retirement. We evaluated relationship between retirement preparation and depressive symptoms after multivariable adjustment. Compared to subjects who had prepared for retirement (reference group), participants who had not prepared for retirement had increased depression scores (β = 2.49, P < 0.001). In addition, individuals who had not prepared for retirement and who had low household income had the highest increase in depression scores (β = 4.43, P < 0.001). Individuals, who had not prepared for retirement and without a national pension showed a considerable increase in depression scores (β = 3.02, P < 0.001). It is suggested that guaranteed retirement preparation is especially important for mental health of retired elderly individuals with low economic strata.
Aged* ; Depression* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Pensions ; Retirement*

BACKGROUND: The spinal opioid is one of the excellent analgesic methods for acute postoperative pain and intractable terminal cancer pain, but some side effects limit its use. Many studies had been continued to decrease the frequency and severity of these side effects and to reinforce the analgesic potency of spinal opioid by administering of other drugs. METHODS: Ninety healthy patients who received perianal surgery were divided into 3 groups randomly and we observed VAS, sedation score, blood pressure, pulse rates and SpO2 after epidural clonidine (Group 1), fentanyl (Group 2) and combination of two drugs (Group 3) were injected. The ED50 of epidural clonidine and fentanyl were evaluated from VAS of Group 1 and 2 using the linear regression on log dose versus %MPE(Percent Maximal Possible Effect). We injected epidurally 1/4, 1/2, full dosage of ED50 to Group 3 patients and isobologram was constructed for evaluating the interaction of two drugs. RESULTS: The ED50 and 95% confidence limit of clonidine were 119 mcg, 78~161 mcg and those of fentanyl were 105 mcg, 68~204 mcg. At the ED95 level, the isobologram is nearly straight, suggesting additive interaction. At the lower level, the isobologram was bent toward the origin, a sign of synergy, the interaction below the ED80 was synergistic. CONCLUSION: At the large dose(ED95) to achieve nearly complete pain relief, epidural fentanyl and clonidine showed additive interaction and the other hand, at the smaller dose(below the ED80)which relieves most pain but not all pain, they showed synergistic interaction.
Analgesics ; Blood Pressure ; Clonidine* ; Fentanyl* ; Hand ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Pain, Postoperative

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the usefulness of second-look ultrasounds performed on suspicious lesions found from breast MRIs which were taken as preoperative evaluations of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2008 to July 2011, second-look ultrasounds were performed for 98 lesions in 80 patients that were initially detected on preoperative breast MRIs for known breast cancer. In this study, identification was made on the findings from second-look ultrasounds on the target lesions. The histopathological results were used to assess the effects of second-look ultrasounds on the treatment plans for patients, in the context of operation records. RESULTS: Among the total 98 lesions, sonographic correlation was made in 85 lesions (87%). In total, 82 lesions were identified with histopathological results. Among them were 18 malignancies (22%) and 64 benign lesions (78%). Sonographically-correlated lesions showed a higher prevalence for malignancy (20% [17/85]) than non-correlated lesions (8% [1/13]). From 44% (43/98) of the total target lesions, the unnecessary expansion of the extent of surgical resection was suppressible through second-look ultrasounds. CONCLUSIONS: Second-look ultrasounds subsequent to breast MRIs in patients with breast cancer are useful for preoperative evaluation and enables them to make the histopathological confirmation of suspicious lesions conveniently found from breast MRIs.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Since cell turnover in the hematopoietic system constitutes a major source of uric acid (UA) production, we investigated whether hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with significant changes in serum UA levels in patients with hematological disorders. METHODS: Patients who underwent HSCT at our institution between 2001 and 2012 were retrospectively enrolled. Serum UA levels at 3 months before, 1 week before, and 3 months and 1 year after HSCT were examined. RESULTS: Complete clinical and laboratory information including data regarding UA levels was available for 93 patients. At baseline, the mean UA level was 4.9±2.1 mg/dL, with an overall prevalence of hyperuricemia of 15% (defined as serum UA>6.8 mg/dL). Mean UA levels tended to be higher in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (4.8±2.0 mg/dL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (5.1±2.3 mg/dL) and lower in patients with aplastic anemia (mean, 4.2±1.8 mg/dL). UA levels dropped during myeloablative conditioning, reaching a nadir on the day of HSCT (3.27±1.4 mg/dL). Over the 3 months following HSCT, UA levels rose sharply (5.0±2.1 mg/dL) and remained stable up to 1 year after HSCT (5.5±1.6 mg/dL). UA levels in HSCT recipients at 12 months correlated with those of their respective graft donors (Pearson r=0.406, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: HSCT is associated with significant changes in uric acid levels in patients with hematologic disorders.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Bone Marrow ; Cohort Studies* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic System ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Uric Acid*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although there is growing interest in hospice-palliative care, little information is available on the effects of such care in South Korea. Addressing this research gap, i.e., determining the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in South Korea, will help guide policy. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness analysis of hospice-palliative care in adults diagnosed with terminal cancer. METHODS: We used a Markov model to construct a decision tree, for an analysis comparing the general ward with the hospice-palliative ward in terms of patient quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Cost and quality of life were estimated based on published Korean studies. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the incremental cost relative to the incremental effect. Additionally, a one-way sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Hospice-palliative ward care was more cost-effective than general ward care. The incremental cost was 290,401 Korean won (KRW) and the incremental effect was −0.25. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was −1,174,045 KRW. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that hospice-palliative ward care is more cost-effective than general ward care.