OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (ELIF) for revision surgery. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2012, 12 patients who underwent minimally invasive ELIF through the Kambin's triangle for revision surgery were included in this study. All patients underwent the surgical procedure in the following sequence: (1) epidural anesthesia, (2) exposing the Kambin's triangle toward the lateral part of the dura (partial resection of the superior articular process), (3) bilateral cage insertion for reinforcement of stabilization and fusion, and (4) percutaneous transpedicular screwing. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Imaging and clinical findings including surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and related complications were depicted and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients (5 men, 7 women) was 60.7+/-13.4 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27.1+/-4.9 months. The mean VAS (back and leg) score improved significantly at final follow-up. The mean ODI score decreased as follows: preoperative, 76.78+/-6.08; 3 months after the surgery, 37.74+/-6.67; and at final follow-up, 29.91+/-2.98. Two patients presented with transient nerve root irritation, but there were no cases of incidental dural tear or serious infection. No significant neurological deterioration or major complication was noted in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive ELIF for revision surgery is an effective surgical option with a low complication rate.
Anesthesia, Epidural ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Reoperation ; Spine ; Tears

BACKGROUND: The aging of the patient population is one of rhe most important factirs influencing health care delivery. Currently 5% of the Korean population is elderly, defined as older than 65years of age, with this group projected to increase to 13.1% by the year 2021. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and of disability in the elderly age group. mong them, coronary heart disease is the most importane. METHOD: Study population composed of 216 patients who were admittied to the hospital with first acute myocardial infarction and they were divided into two groups according to the age(older than 65 years of age vs younger). Clonical features, risk factors of coronary heart disease, in-hospital outcome and complication were compared in elderly patients and others group. Results : 1) The risk factors of coronary heart disease is similar to younger patients but pattern of chest pain is less typical than younger patients. 2) Clinical presentation of elderly patients is similar to younger patients except Killip class on admission.(1.66vs 1.91,P=0.04) 3) In-hospital mortality of elderly patients in higher than younger patients. In addition to an increased incidence of death, recurrent ischemia, stroke, AV block, ventricular arrythmia, pulmonary edema occured more frequently with advanced age. 4) Especially in the thrombolytic therapy group, in-hospital death, reinfarction and recurrent ischemia is higher than primary PTCA group in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of acute chest pain is difficult in elderly patients and in-hospital mortality and morbidity is higher than in younger patients. Thus more accurate diagnosis and discriminative therapeutic modality is needed.
Aged ; Aging ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrioventricular Block ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Pulmonary Edema ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Thrombolytic Therapy

Although posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a widely accepted procedure, perioperative and postoperative complications are still encountered. In particular, cage migration can result in severe sequelae, and revision surgery is technically demanded. Here, we report a rare case of repeated migration of a fusion cage after PLIF. To the best of our knowledge, no report has been previously issued on repeated migration of a fusion cage after PLIF. The authors discuss the radiological and clinical findings of this unusual complication with a review of the literature.
Postoperative Complications

Reconstructions of soft tissue defect of the posterior ankle including Achilles the tendon should take into account not only coverage but functional outcome. Various methods of tendon transfer and tendon graft have been reported as a single-stage procedure. With advances and refinements in microsurgical techniques, several free composite flaps including tendon, fascia, or nerve have been used in single-stage reconstructions of large defects in this area minimizing further damage to the traumatized leg. However, when free flap is not feasible for some reasons, this cannot be accomplished successfully. Here we present a patient with Achilles tendon and circumferential large soft tissue defect. Because of circulatory compromise of the lower extremity, free flap reconstruction could not be applied. Instead, cross-leg composite flap of the dorsalis pedis flap including the extensor hallucis brevis musle and tendon, and tendon strips of the Second, third and fourth extensor digitorum logus were employed, Functional reconstruction of the tendon and resurfacing were obtained at the same time. The flap was detached 3 weeks postoperatively, and the transplanted flap has survived without any complications. By 3 months after surgery, full weight bearing, tip-toe standing and even walking without crutch assistance was possible. When functional reconstruction with the free flap is unattainable in the large defect of the posterior ankle including the Achilles tendon, cross-leg composite island flap of dorsalis pedis flap and tendon strips of the extensor digitorum longus tendon is a viable alternative.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Fascia ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Tendon Transfer ; Tendons* ; Transplants ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing ; Wounds and Injuries*

PURPOSE: Congenital dermoid cysts develop during the fusion of the embryo when the ectodermal tissue gets trapped in the line of fusion. Dermoid cysts of the head are rare lesions comprised of epidermal and mesodermal elements. Furthermore, dermoid cysts in the occipital area are extremely rare. Only a few cases of dermoid cysts in the posterior scalp have been reported. Especially, A bilateral, synchronous presentation in this location has not been reported previously in the literature. METHODS: All 5 cases had a gradually enlarging mass of the posterior aspect of the scalp. The cysts were mobile, noncompressible, and non-tender, without evidence of an associated sinus tract, skin dimpling, discoloration, or communication with adjacent structures. The CT scan displayed a hypodense cystic lesions about -87 to +24HU (Housefield units, average +3.2HU) with hypodense capsule and no postcontrast enhancement. All tumors were found just under the skin, and were well encapsulated, so they were completely removed the mass with adjacent periosteum. RESULTS: On gross findings, all tumors were oval-or round-shaped, and when the cystic tumor was cut open it presented a greasy and caseous substance. Histologically, all specimens contain desquamated squamous epithelium and keratin in the lumen and are encapsulated and lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. And, all cases of posterior mass are the presence of adnexal structures. CONCLUSION: Appropriate diagnosis requires not only an index of suspicion for this rare tumor a very careful history and search for skin changes. Especially, CT can reveal the exact location of the cyst, its relationship with the adjacent structures. We think that occipital dermoids divide into superficial and deep type. In our cases, because they did not have intra-cranial involvement or fistula formation, they are superficial type. This report describes the clinical and operative aspects of the superficial dermoid cysts and provides a review of the literatures.
Dermoid Cyst ; Ectoderm ; Embryonic Structures ; Epithelium ; Fistula ; Head ; Keratins ; Mesoderm ; Periosteum ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skull

Estlander's method was popular for lower lip reconstruction after wide excision of malignant tumor of lower lip. This operative method is safe, easy and has good result, but it is necessary to perform a secondary commissuroplasty because of round and small commissure. Several methods have been suggested for secondary commissuroplasty. We have performed commissuroplasty with three triangular flaps according to Ichiro's report.5 This method uses two opposing triangular mucosal flaps in the vermilion area and one small triangular skin flap on the commissure. We can obtain satisfactory results in terms of aesthetic and functional consideration. Thus, we report the usefulness of three triangular flaps as a secondary commissuroplasty after reconstruction of the lip by Estlander's method.
Lip* ; Skin ; Surgical Procedures, Operative*

On July 6, 2009, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred among middle school students in Incheon. An investigation to identify the source and describe the extent of the outbreak was conducted. A retrospective cohort study among students, teachers, and food handlers exposed to canteen food in the middle school was performed. Using self-administered questionnaires, information was collected concerning on symptoms, days that canteen food was consumed, and food items consumed. Stool samples were collected from 66 patients and 11 food handlers. The catering kitchen was inspected and food samples were taken. Of the 791 people who ate canteen food, 92 cases became ill, representing an attack rate of 11.6%. Thirty-one (40.3%) of the 77 stool specimens were positive for Campylobacter jejuni. Interviews with kitchen staff indicated the likelihood that undercooked chicken was provided. This is the first recognized major C. jejuni outbreak associated with contaminated chicken documented in Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Campylobacter Infections/*epidemiology ; *Campylobacter jejuni ; Chickens ; Cohort Studies ; *Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Food Contamination ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Water Microbiology

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic procedures for the treatment of patients with a rectal prolapse have gained increasing worldwide acceptance because they have lower recurrence and better functional outcome than perineal procedures. Nevertheless, ideal surgical methods are still not available. We propose a new surgical technique, laparoscopic vaginal suspension and rectopexy, for correcting a full-thickness rectal prolapse and/or middle-compartment prolapse. This study assessed the short-term outcomes for patients who underwent laparoscopic vaginal suspension and rectopexy. METHODS: Between April 2014 and April 2016, 69 female patients underwent laparoscopic vaginal suspension and rectopexy to correct a rectal prolapse. Demographics, medical histories, and surgical and follow-up details were collected from their medical records. In addition to the clinical outcome, we repeated defecation proctography and a questionnaire regarding functional results three months after surgery. RESULTS: No major morbidities or no mortalities occurred. The defecation proctography confirmed excellent anatomical result in all cases. Of 7 patients with combined middle-compartment prolapses, we observed good anatomical correction. During follow-up, full-thickness recurrence occurred in one patient. Preoperative fecal incontinence was improved significantly at 3 months (mean Wexner score: 12.35 vs. 7.71; mean FISI: 33.29 vs. 21.07; P < 0.001). Analysis of responses to the fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQOL) questionnaire showed overall improvement at 3 months compared to the preoperative baseline (mean pre- and postoperative FIQOL scores: 12.11 vs. 14.39; P < 0.004). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic vaginal suspension and rectopexy is a new combined procedure for the treatment of patients with rectal prolapses. It has excellent functional outcomes and minimal morbidity and can correct and prevent middlecompartment prolapses.
Defecation ; Demography ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Prolapse ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Prolapse* ; Recurrence

Survival rate after renal transplantation has increased by using intense immunosuppressive agents and sophisticated operative techniques were introduced but incidences of malignancy is increasing after transplantation. Renal transplanted patients undergo variable malignancy but the acute T-cell lymphoma originating in the face is relative rare. Cyclosporin A is an immunosuppressive agent with selective inhibitory effects on T lymphocytes. It is currently available to use in organ and bone marrow transplantation recipients. We report a case of acute arising T-cell lymphoma on forehead of a 56-years-old male patient. This patient received renal allograft about 15 years ago. And then for recent 3 years, he takes Cyclosporin A 15mg/day due to allograft rejection. Its pathologic finding was diffuse large T-cell type and exhibited homogenecity of the tumor. He has been followed 3 months and no relapse occurred. We report this case with a brief review of literatures.
Allografts ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cyclosporine ; Forehead ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; Male ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocytes*

OBJECTIVE: The anterior approach for C7-T1 disc herniation may be challenging because of obstruction by the manubrium and the narrow operative field. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and neurological outcomes of anterior approach for C7-T1 disc herniation. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 13 patients who underwent the anterior approach for C7-T1 disc herniation by a single surgeon within a period of 11 years (2003-2014). The minimum follow-up duration was 6 months. We describe the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, neurological outcome, and related complications. RESULTS: Of 372 patients with single-level anterior discectomy and fusion or artificial disc replacement for cervical disc herniation, 13 (3.5%) had C7-T1 disc herniation. The main clinical presentation was unilateral motor weakness in intrinsic hand muscles (11 patients), along with numbness, pain, and tingling sensation that radiate down the arm to the little finger. Most of the patients improved after surgery via the anterior approach. Ten patients underwent successful anterior discectomy and fusion by the standard supramanubrial Smith-Robinson approach, but 2 needed additional manubriotomy and sternotomy. In 1 patient, we performed surgery at a wrong level because the correct level was difficult to identify intraoperatively. Two patients had transient vocal dysfunction, but none had major complications related to injuries of the great vessels such as the thoracic duct or esophagus. CONCLUSION: For patients who require direct anterior decompression for C7-T1 disc herniation, the anterior approach is relatively feasible. However, care should be taken to overcome physical constraints by the manubrium and slope.
Arm ; Decompression ; Diskectomy ; Esophagus ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement* ; Manubrium ; Muscles ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensation ; Sternotomy ; Thoracic Duct ; Total Disc Replacement