Echocardiographic examination was performed before, immediately after, 4-6 months after and 10-12 months after mitral valve replacement(MVR) surgery in 46 patients with mitral valve disease(8 patients with mitral regurgitation, 24 patients with mitral stenosis and 14 patients with mitral stenosufficiency) to evaluate the effects of mitral valve replacement on dimension of left atrium and left ventricle, volume of left ventricle, ejection fraction(EF) and fractional shortening(FS) of left ventricle. The results are as follows : 1) The endsystolic dimension(ESD), enddiastolic dimension(EDD), endsystolic volume(ESV) and enddiastolic volume(EDV) decreased significantly after operation in patients with mitral stenoinsufficiency(MSR), the ESD, EDD, ESV and EDV increased significantly after the operation, but returned to preoperative value 10-12 months after the operation. 2) The EF and FS of left ventrcle after MVR were significantly lower than preoperative value throughout the postoperative period in patients with MR. However in patients with MS or MSR, there were no significant postoperative changes in EF and FS, except transient depression in the patients with MS at the immediate postoperative period. 3) In all patients with mitral valve disease, the left atrial dimension and the ratio of domension of left atrium to the dimension of aorta decreased significantly after MVR. From above results, it is suggested that surgery should be considered seriously for the patients with MR before the ESD, EDD and ESV increase maekedly, even if the EF anf FS are in normal range and the symptoms are not severe, to prevent irreversible depression of myocardial function. It seems that serial echocardiographic examination is very helpful in this respect.
Aorta ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Depression ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Postoperative Period ; Reference Values

A series of 250 patients with filariasis due to periodic type of Brugia malayi was selected for the mass treatment with diethylcarbamazine from two areas in Cheju-Do. Two types of dosage schedules have been employed: the one was the conventional dosage schedule (uninterrupted dose of 6 mg/kg once daily 6 times repeated with an interval of one or two month totaling 72 mg/kg), and the other was the low dosage schedule (uninterrupted dose of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 mg/kg body weight given once a day with an additional 6 mg/kg once daily totaling the maximum 37.5 mg/kg). The relative effectiveness of those two schedules was evaluated under the basis of the effects on microfilaria counts and the results of analysis of side-reactions observed. The results obtained in this experiment are summarized as it follows. In the conventional dosage treatment, 118 out of 141 microfilaria positives treated (83.7%) became negative and microfilaria reduction rate was about 99%. However, in the low dosage treatment, 35 out of 43 positives treated (85.4%) became negative and reduction rate of microfilaria, 99.5% in average. Total dose and duration of treatment were 72 mg/kg and about 60 days in the former schedule but it were maximum 37.5 mg/kg and 10 days in the latter. The recurrence of filariasis after treatment in both conventional and low dosage was negligible. Comparative analyses regarding the resulting side-reactions between the two schedules were made on their frequency, severity, onset and duration and relationship with microfilaria density. The febrile reaction was most frequently observed in 80.5% in the conventional, 43.9% in the low dosage schedule. The main side-reactions usually appeared within 6 to 10 hours and lasted 48 to 72 hours in the former threament, however they occurred in 7 to 8 hours and lasted 24 to 43 hours in the latter dosage schedule. It is assumed that the side-reactions are not directly related with the microfilaria count. However, the febrile reaction seems to be correlated with microfilaria density if it is above a certain limit. The presence of adult worm in a lymphnode involved with local reaction was ascertained from the biopsy specimens performed and local reactions such as lymphangitis and lymphadenitis after drug administrations were assessed from clinical and pathological point of view. It was conclusively indicated that the chemotherapeutic response to low dosage schedule within shorter length of treatment was equal to that of larger doses in long term medication from the point of the reduction in microfilaria, and particularly the resulting side-reactions were also reduced in the low dosage schedule.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda-Bruigia malayi ; chemotherapy-diethylcarbamazine ; microfilaria ; diethylcarbamazine

One fetal demise of twin pregnancy in the second or third trimester is an unusual and difficult problem in the managemcnt of pregnancy. It can be associated with an increased risk for mortality and morbidity in the remaining fetus and with maternal DIC. 255 twin gestations were delivered at our hospital between December 1984 and August 1998. 8 cases of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise were observed. We reviewed 8 cases of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise that had been managed conservatively. The incidence of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise was 3.14% in the study population. The incidence of preterm delivery was 87.5%. The perinatal mortality rate of surviving twins was 25%. There were no cases of maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation or infection. There were no cases of neurologic damages in the surviving twins. The main cause of neonatal death was prematurity. An expectant approach to the twin pregnancies with one fetal demise seems reasonable.
Dacarbazine ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy, Twin*

BACKGROUND: To provide basic data to help construct regional EMSS. METHOD: Using preformed questionnaire, authors investigated prospectively data of 214 patients transferred directly to emergency medical center from other hospitals from May 11 to june 10,1998. RESULTS: 1. Total 214 patients were transferred directly to the emergency medical center of KNUH (14.4% of total), and 63.5% of patients excluding children were non-traumatic patients. 2. The peak age group was 5th decade (19.6%) with mean age of49.6 years old. The male to female ratio was 1.8 : 1. 3. The period between 08 : 00 to 16 : 00 was the most frequent arrival time of transfer patients (42.5%), and the proportion of patients for surgical departments were more common than those for other departments (53.7%). 4. the majority of patients were transferred from secondary hospitals (91.6%), but among them the proportion of mild non-traumatic and mild traumatic patients was 52.3%, and 72.0%. 5. The decision-maker for transfer was a patient himself or family members in 32.3% of severe and 26.8(/) of mild non-traumatic patients, compared with 37.5% of severe and 26.8% of mild traumatic patients. 6. The physician-to-physician communication prior to the patient's transfer was not carried out in 90.8% of severe and 85.9% of mild non-traumatic patients, compared with 75.0%of severe and 67.0%of mild traumatic patients. 7. The hospital ambulance was the most common mode of transfer (64.5%), but non-emergency vehicles such as a taxi or a private car was used for transfer in 21.5% of severe non-traumatic patients, and 12.5% in severe traumatic patients. 8. Transfer accompanied by medical personnel took place in 15.4% of severe non-traumatic patients, 25.0% in severe traumatic patients, and in 27.0% of severe non-traumatic patients, and 44.4% in severe traumatic patients transferred 4 by hospital ambulance. 9. Transfer took less than 1 hour in 66.9% of non-traumatic patients, and 45.2% of traumatic patients, but it took 1 hour or more in 27.7% of severe non-traumatic patients, and 43.7% of severe traumatic patients. 10. Transfer record accompanied the patient in 90.2% of total, but radiologic film and results of laboratory tests did not in 36.9% and 56.9% of severe non-traumatic patients, and in 12.5% and 43.7% of severe traumatic patients. CONCLUSION: It is considered that an appropriate triage system, interhospital transfer guidelines, good transfer records, cooperative interhospital communication, emergency medical information center, public information with education about regional EMSS, improvement of equipment in ambulance, and training of emergency personnel are necessary for effective and well-organized EMSS.
Ambulances ; Child ; Education ; Emergencies* ; Female ; Humans ; Information Centers ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Triage

PURPOSE: The skeleton is commonly affected by metastatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of treating metastatic pathologic fractures in lower extremities using locking plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, we evaluated 12 patients (13 cases) of metastatic pathologic fractures in lower extremities, treated with the locking plate. Mean patient age was 62.2 years (range, 50-81 years), the locations of the fractures were; proximal femur in 2 cases, femoral mid-shaft in 3, distal femur in 3, proximal tibia in 4, and distal tibia in 1 case. The interval to wheelchair ambulation, pain relief and complications were evaluated. Additionally, we assessed operation time and postoperative blood loss. RESULTS: Mean time from operation to wheelchair ambulation was 3.2 days (range, 1-6 days). Mean VAS scores improved from a preoperative score of 8.1 points (range, 7-9 points) to a score of 2.7 points (range, 2-4 points) at 1 week postoperatively. No early complications associated with surgery were encountered. Mean operation time was 88.4 minutes (range, 70-105 minutes), and mean postoperative blood loss was 246.5 ml (range, 130-320 ml). CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of metastatic pathologic fractures using a locking plate in the lower extremity can be an effective treatment option in the meta- or diaphyseal area of long bones with massive bony destruction or poor bone stock by offering early ambulation, pain relief and low postoperative complications.
Early Ambulation ; Femur ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Skeleton ; Tibia ; Walking ; Wheelchairs

No abstract available.
Thyroidectomy*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and the value of Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy, and to evaluate the possibility whether to replace abdominal hysterectomy to LAVH. METHOD: A retrospective study of the surgical procedure was performed by one team with one experienced laparoscopist. The operations were carried out in a private hospital, where operative laparoscopic set was available. All 500 patients underwent LAVH from March 1998 to March 1999 at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eun hospital. Patients were required hysterectomy for uterine fibroid, chronic pelvic pain and carcinoma in situ of cervix,. etc. RESULTS: The average operating time was 56.4+/-11.8 minutes, and the mean estimated postoperative hemoglobin loss was 0.62+/-1.0 g/dL. The mean uterine weight was 223.9+/-129.7 gram (range from 60gram to 800gram). The most common pathologic finding was adenomyosis(59.6%),and the second most pathologic findig was uterine fibroid(47%). No serious complications occured, but 3 vault hematoma cases occured. The combined procedures were salpingoophorectomy, adhesiolysis, and anterior or posterior colporrhaphy, etc. CONCLUSIONS: LAVH that has been possible to replace abdominal hysterectomy, may be valuable for gynecologic uterine diseases, but the experience is important for laparoscopic surgery. The learning curve influences the results of surgery and incidence of complications. Therefore the procedure may only be carried out by experienced laparoscopists, then the maximum value and advantages of laparoscopic surgery can be obtained. Our experience indicates that LAVH is to reduce almost all incidence of abdominal hysterectomy(0.4%)
Carcinoma in Situ ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Gynecology ; Hematoma ; Hospitals, Private ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Learning Curve ; Leiomyoma ; Obstetrics ; Pelvic Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Diseases

No abstract available.
Pancytopenia*

The authors have reviewed 46 cases (38 males and 8 females) with ligamentous injuries of the knee in the Department. of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Mary's Hostpital, Catholic Medical College and Center, during the period from Feb. 1983 to May 1985. The patients were divided into two groups according to the two different postoperative rehabilitation programs. In one group, rehabilitation was begun with limited motion brace from 2nd week postoperatively (Group I). In another group, a long leg circular cast was applied for 6 weeks postoperatively, followed by rehabilitation (Group II). All patients were allowed to bear full weight in 12 weeks postoperatively and were recommended to keep appling braces for at least 6 months postoperatively. Sports or other vigorous activities were allowed in one year postoperatively. Primary repair was performed in 14 cases in Group I (66.7%) and in 17 cases in Group II (68.0%). Reconstruction of ligament was performed in 7 cases in Group I (33.3%) and in 8 cases in Group II (32.0%). The results were analyzed in terms of range of motion, pain, instability and muscle power in each group according to O'Donoghue. The results were as follows: 1. Three months after operation, over 120 degrees in flexion was achieved in 18 cases in Group I (85.7%) and in 7 cases in Group II (28.0%). The recovery of range of motion was achieved earlier in Group I than in Group II. 2. Three months after operation, extension lag was seen in only 2 cases in Group I, all of which were below 10 degrees, and 13 cases in Group II of which 10 cases had extension lag of over 10 degrees. The recovery of muscle power was achieved earlier in Group I than in Group II. 3. Overall results showed “excellent” in 17 out of 21 cases in Group I (80.9%) and in 12 out of 25 cases in Group II (48.0%). In conclusion, the limited motion brace was effective in early recovery of range of motion and muscle power, without any significant loss of stability, after repair or even reconstruction of theligamenta of the knee, regardless of the type of injury, although the number of posterior cruciate ligament tears were too small to come to a concrete conclusion.
Braces ; Humans ; Knee ; Leg ; Ligaments ; Male ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Sports ; Tears

No abstract available.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament*