PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and technical problems of the endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal anomalies in children. METHODS: The medical records of 8 children treated by endoscopic balloon dilatation for esophageal anomalies over a 10-year period at Pusan National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The balloon catheter (Maxforce TTS or CRE, Boston Scientific Co., USA) was positioned across the area of narrowing by direct visualization. The balloon was slowly inflated with normal saline to specified pressures for each balloon and maintained for 60 seconds and then deflated. After 60 seconds pause, the procedure was repeated with a larger sized balloon (increments of 1 mm for each subsequent dilation) till effective dilatation was confirmed by direct visualization without complications. RESULTS: Three male and five female were included and their mean age was 4.2 years. A total of 27 (average of 3.2 per patient) dilatation were performed. Underlying diseases of patients are postoperative stricture of esophageal atresia in 3 cases, esophageal ring in 2 cases, achalasia, corrosive esophagitis and hypertensive LES in one case respectively. The size of initial dilating balloon was chosen on the basis of the diameter of the narrowing determined by endoscopy. The first dilation in patients with severe esophageal stricture was made with a 6 mm sized balloon. Complications observed were esophageal perforation and respiratory holding during the procedure in one case respectively. Successful outcome was seen in 6 patients (75%). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic balloon dilatation can provide a safe and effective mean of treating esophageal anomalies in children and should be considered the treatment of choice in the initial management of those cases.
Busan ; Catheters ; Child* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation* ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Atresia ; Esophageal Perforation ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagitis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

The purposes of this study were to assess the child care centers' foodservice facility, and to develop the kitchen facility model based on the general sanitation standards and guidelines in order to provide basic information for a plan review to build or renovate child care centers' foodservice facility. The scopes of the study include : 1) field assessment of the foodservice management practices and facilities in 8 public child care centers, and 2 private child care centers which they are subsidized from the government as public child care centers, 2) development of child care centers' kitchen facility model based on the General Sanitation Standards and Guidelines. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. Field Assessment of the Child Care Centers' Foodservice Facility Average number of children in child care centers was 78.0+/-24.20, the average space of kitchen was 15.13+/-4.25(m2). Especially, the average space of kitchen was 18.49+/-4.35(m2) with enrollment capacity of 90~120 children in child care centers. The inventory level of most foods was relatively low except rice and kimchi. Kitchen facilities and equipments were similar to those of home kitchen and did not meet the standards of institutional practice. Therefore, the director in child care centers should recognize the importance of the sanitation management and pay more attention to the renovation of foodservice facilities as well as sanitation management practices. 2. Development of the Kitchen Facility Model based on the General Sanitation Standards and Guidelines The kitchen facility plan model with enrollment capacity of 100 children was developed based on the results of field assessment and literature review. Suggested kitchen space was 34.16m2(6,100mmx5,600mm). This space was bigger than the results of field survey or precedent study, considered appropriate to implement the general sanitation standards. The main feature of the developed kitchen facility plan and model was product flow in one direction from the arrival of the raw material to the finished product in order to prevent cross contamination and to improve working efficiency.
Child ; Child Care* ; Child* ; Humans ; Institutional Practice ; Sanitation*

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass (Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, OPCAB) causes significant hemodynamic derangement by displacement of the beating heart. The purpose of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic changes caused in relation to grafted arteries by displacing the heart and stabilizing the coronary arteries in patients undergoing OPCAB. METHODS: Nineteen patients underwent OPCAB using two deep pericardial sutures and tissue stabilizers (Octopus Tissue Stabilization Syetem, Medtronic, USA). The hemodynamic variables were obtained after induction of anesthesia, after deep pericardial sutures, before and after anastomosis of each coronary artery during epicardial stabilizing, after sternal closure, and after postoperative 6 hours and 12 hours in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: The hemodynamic variables were maintained with the Trendelenburg position, volume loading and low dose vasopressors after deep pericardial stay sutures. Displacement of the heart and placement of the stabilizer on all coronary territories except the obtuse marginal artery before anastomosis showed no significant difference in hemodynamics compared with baseline. Positioning for the graft to the obtuse marginal artery decreased cardiac index (1.6+/-0.4 L/min/m2) and stroke index (27.6+/-9.9 L/beat/m2) and increased systemic vascular resistance (2318.9+/-673.7 dyne sec cm(-5)), resulting in hemodynamic compromise (P<0.01). There were no significant hemodynamic and electrocardiographic changes before or after grafting of other coronary arteries but there was a significant increase in cardiac index after postoperative 6 and 12 hours compared with baseline values (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the complete revascularization of most coronary arteries is feasible on the beating heart without significant hemodynamic compromise with minimal vasopressor support, the positioning for the graft to the obtuse marginal artery needs special attention because two deep pericardial stay sutures and Octopus tissue stabilizers on the obtuse marginal artery territory induce significant hemodynamic disturbances.
Anesthesia ; Arteries ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Electrocardiography ; Head-Down Tilt ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Octopodiformes ; Stroke ; Sutures ; Transplants* ; Vascular Resistance

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the clinical value of additional von Kossa staining in thyroid nodules with "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2010 to November 2010, 55 patients with 55 nodules which were diagnosed as "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology and had microcalcifications on ultrasound (US) underwent surgery and made up our final study population. We evaluated the role of the von Kossa stain as a preoperative diagnostic factor for thyroid cancer using histopathology as the "gold standard". Diagnostic performances were calculated of the presence of psammoma bodies on both cytology and the von Kossa staining and of US in predicting thyroid cancers. RESULTS: Of 55 nodules with microcalcifications on US and "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology, 53 (96.4%) were malignant and 2 (3.6%) were benign on histopathology. All pathologically benign nodules were negative on the von Kossa stain. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the von Kossa stain were 28.3%, 100%, 30.9%, 100%, and 5% for diagnosis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Von Kossa staining can be a valuable diagnostic tool in a thyroid nodule with "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology and microcalcifications on US, objectively.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result and complications of autogenous temporalis fascia grafting and conjunctival flap transposition as a treatment of scleromalacia after pterygium excision. METHODS: We used autogenous temporalis fascia and conjunctival flap to treat scleromalacia of 9 patients(9 eyes) who underwent pterygium excision and checked the postoperative result and complications. RESULTS: We could keep the temporalis fascia graft without necrosis during follow-up examination. Pain, inflammation and scleral discoloration were disappeared after temporalis fascia grafting in all cases. Postoperative complications were included 2 cases of progression of cataract and 1 case of mild chamber inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained good surgical result of scleromalacia after pterygium excision by autogenous temporalis fascia grafting with conjunctival flap transposition.
Cataract ; Fascia* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Inflammation ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Pterygium* ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: This study examined the postoperative long-term results of the reconstruction of orbital wall fracture using Macropore(R). METHODS: The long-term results for 10 patients who were diagnosed with orbital wall fracture and received the repair of orbital wall fracture using Macropore(R), were examined postoperatively after an average of 23.5 months. RESULTS: The mean difference in orbital volume between the fractured orbit and the unaffected orbit after an average of 23.5 months postoperatively was 1.01+/-0.70 cm3 (4.75+/-2.92%), which slightly increased compared to 0.70+/-0.52 cm3 (3.26+/-2.10%) immediately after the operation, although the difference was not statistically significant (p-value=0.190). At the last follow-up, the shape of Macropore(R) was not observed in 3 out of the 10 patients, and intense ossification was observed at the site of fracture in 6 patients. At the last follow-up, one patient showed 1.5 mm enophthalmos, and the other patients did not show the occurrence of diplopia or the progress of enophthalmos. CONCLUSIONS: According to the long-term results of the reconstruction of orbital wall fracture, Macropore(R) is considered an implant that produces a safe and satisfactory effect without notable complications.
Diplopia ; Enophthalmos ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Orbit

Glucocorticoids are usually given according to a standard dosing protocol regardless of individual difference. We evaluated the pharmacokinetic characteristics of methylprednisolone and the degree of interpatient variation in stable Korean renal transplant recipients during the period of 15-21 days after transplantation. This study included 23 renal transplant recipients, 13 males and 10 females, who received kidneys from living donors with stable graft function and without episode of acute rejection. On the study day at 8 A.M., 16.3mg of ethylprednisolone sodium succinate (i.v.) was administered to each patient instead of usual dose (20mg) of prednisolone (p.o.) after sampling of 7cc of baseline blood and additional blood samples were drawn after starting infusion. Plasma was separated and analyzed for methylprednisolone level using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay, and parameters for pharmacokinetics were calculated. There was significant interpatient variation in the pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone in our patients group. There was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters between patients with and without side effects of steroid. Korean renal transplant recipients had higher volume of distribution than black renal transplant recipients; lower clearance than white renal transplant recipients; longer t1/2 than both black and white renal transplant recipients. Even if the number of patients included in this study was too small to reach conclusion, the differences in the pharmacokinetics of glucocorticoids do not seem to be a significant risk factor for side effects of steroid after transplantation. It may be necessary to individualize the dose of a glucocorticoid to achieve an optimal effect and also we need to establish a new steroid regimen protocol for Korean renal transplant recipients.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Individuality ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Male ; Methylprednisolone* ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma ; Prednisolone ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Succinic Acid ; Transplantation* ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical results and complications of silicone intubation in patients with epiphora by punctal stenosis. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 35 eyes of 23 patients who had undergone silicone intubation from 1998 to 2002 and followed more than 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Following 1 year postoperatively, 33 eyes (94.3%) showed no epiphora, 2 eyes (5.7%) showed intermittent epiphora. Complications after silicone intubation included prolapse of tube in 3 eyes, punctal slitting in 1 eye, itching in 6 eyes, foreign body sensation in 2 eyes, discharge from punctum in 3 eyes and intranasal discomfort in 1 eye. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone intubation seemed to be an alternative method in patient with epiphora due to punctal stenosis and also a useful method to treat upper and lower punctum.
Constriction, Pathologic* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Prolapse ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Silicones*

PURPOSE: To report two cases of successful acellular dermal allograft transplantation for scleromalacia following pterygium excision. CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old female patient developed scleromalacia on the nasal side of the right eye, and a 79-year-old female patient developed scleromalacia with inflammation on the nasal side of the left eye. They had previous histories of pterigia removal on the sites of scleromalacia. Acellular dermal allograft (AlloDerm(R), Lifecell, NJ, USA) transplantations were done. After the operations, inflammation and pain ameliorated and the grafts survived without any particular complications. CONCLUSIONS: In treating scleromalacia, the transplantation of acellular dermal allografts produced relatively satisfactory results without undesirable problems commonly encountered when using conventional materials.
Aged ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Pterygium ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

PURPOSE: This study was done to verify the self-directed learning instrument (SDLI) developed to measure self-directed learning ability in nursing students. METHODS: The participants for the study were 425 nursing college students. Their self-directed learning was verified using self-reports and results through questionnaires. SDLI was translated into Korean through translation/reverse translation process and its content validity verified by five experts. The validity of the instrument was verified through item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability verification was analyzed using internal consistency reliability. RESULTS: Four factors were identified through exploratory factor analysis and 20 items of the original instrument were found to be valid. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the validity of the instrument was verified as the model was valid. The internal consistency reliability was also acceptable and SDLI was found to be an applicable instrument. CONCLUSION: SDLI has been developed and verified by selecting nursing students as participants for the study. Use if SDLI is expected to improve the quality of self-directed learning in nursing education and to be used in future nursing research.
Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Learning ; Nursing ; Nursing Research ; Reproducibility of Results ; Students, Nursing