Anesthesia, General ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Palatine Tonsil ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Tonsillectomy

PURPOSE: Recently, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the major nosocomial pathogens in Korea. However, there have been few studies on the epidemiology of VRE colonization among neonates. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of VRE colonization, risk factors for VRE, and how to control the spread of VRE infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 192 neonates who were admitted to the NICU of PNUH from March 2006 to March 2007. Surveillance cultures from rectal swabs for detecting VRE were obtained weekly during the study period. We analyzed the prevalence of VRE and various risk factors. RESULTS: The rate of VRE colonization among NICU patients was 25% (48/192). Thirty five of these VRE colonized patients were transferred to the NICU from other local hospitals. Compared with the non-VRE group, the risk factors associated with VRE colonization were lower birth weight, congenital heart disease, applied mechanical ventilation, use of a central venous catheter, chest tubing, a history of surgery, and use of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: VRE colonization among patients admitted to the NICU is rapidly increasing. Monitoring and managing premature neonates from the beginning of the birth process, avoiding many invasive procedures, avoiding antibiotics such as vancomycin and third generation cephalosporin are important for preventing the emergence and spread of VRE colonization in the NICU.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Birth Weight ; Central Venous Catheters ; Colon ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thorax ; Vancomycin ; Vancomycin Resistance

Fluid resuscitation is a basic treatment in hemorrhagic shock. We compared the circulatory responses to fluid resuscitation of 10% pentastarch with those of fresh whole blood and plasmanate in hemorrhagic shock. Eighteen mongrel dogs were bled 24 ml/kg and replaced by equivalent amounts of fresh whole blood(n=6, group B), pentastarch(n=6, group P) and plasmanate(n=6, group PL). Hemodynamic measurements and calculations were performed before and after bleeding and after volume therapy. The decrease of hematocrit and platelet count after volume replacement indicate that hemodilutional effect was maximum 30 min after volume therapy and significantly greater in group P than PL(p<0.05). Central venous pressure(CVP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(PCWP) and cardiac index(CI) were increased to 146-189%, 146-172% and 146-175% in group P, respectively during 60 min. These changes were significantly greater than group B and PL(p<0.05). There was delayed recovery of mean arterial pressure in group PL(92% 30 min after volume therapy) compared with group B and P(92% and 93% 5 min). Also group P and PL showed significant prolongation in prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time during experiment(120 min) and these were significantly more prolonged in group P than PL(P<0.05). And group P showed similar O transport and O extraction ratio to those of group B. The increases in plasma catecholamine were observed after hemorrhage, but no significant changes 5 and 30 min after volume therapy. This suggests that the neurohumoral response to hemodilution was not marked. Mixed venous O2 saturation(SvO2) was directly proportional to CI during experiment(r=0.69, p<0.01), indicating that SvO2 can represent CI during shock and volume therapy. In conclusion, l0% pentastarch is useful as a substitute for fresh whole blood or plasmanate.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous* ; Capillaries ; Dogs* ; Hematocrit ; Hemodilution ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plasma ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time ; Resuscitation* ; Shock ; Shock, Hemorrhagic*

To compare the effects of atracurium, 0.75 mg/kg, on the mean arterial pressures, heart rates and plasma histamine levels under 2%-enflurane inhalation with mask, 24 patients were allocated randomly into two groups; one(Group I, n=12) which atracurium was administered with rapid bolus injection for 5 seconds and the other(Group II, n=12) with the slow injection for 75 seconds. In both groups, there are the most significant decreases and the recovery in mean arterial pressure 1~2 min and 5 min after atracurium, respectively, Group I showed a significant decrease of mean arterial pressure about 10% more than Group II. In heart rate, there are the significant decreases gradually to 87~88% of control 5 min after atracurium in both graups except the only significant increase(104%) 1 min after atracurium in Group I. And Group I showed a significant increase(200%) in plasma histamine concentration (p< 0.05) 2 min after injection than before, but Group II did no significant change. In conclusion, the slow injection of atracurium over 75s during induction of anesthesia can attenuate the histamine-induced cardiovascular response.
Anesthesia* ; Arterial Pressure ; Atracurium* ; Heart Rate ; Histamine Release* ; Histamine* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Masks ; Plasma

Higenamine was isolated originally from Aconiti tuber from Aconitum species and recently Higenamine was synthesized. The purpose of this study is to investigate the adrenergic effect of Higenamine on rabbit cardiovascular system. Blood pressure, cardic output, systemic vascular resistance and heart rate were measured after intravenous injection of Higenamine(2-100microg/kg/min). The effects of Higenamine were compared with those of other sympathomimetic drugs. The changes in the cardiovascular systems after pretreatment with Propranolol, Atenolol and Hexamethonium were also studied. The following results were obtained. 1) Higenamine increased the cardic output and the heart rate and decreased the blood pressure and the systemic vascular resistance. Those changes were dose-dependent. The duration of action of Higenamine was 5 to 8 minutes. 2) The effects of Higenamine were similar to those of Isoproterenol. The amount of Higenamine was more than 100 times the required amount of Isoproterenol in order to obtain the same casdiovascular effects. 3) The effects of Higenamine were blocked by Propranolol, The increase of cardic output and heart rate were blocked by Hexamethonium. Higenamine has stimulating action on beta1 and beta2 receptors. But Higenamine is much less potent than Isoproterenol.
Aconitum ; Adrenergic Agents* ; Atenolol ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System* ; Heart Rate ; Hexamethonium ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isoproterenol ; Propranolol ; Sympathomimetics ; Vascular Resistance

PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of ureteroscopic stone manipulation with comparing the success rates and complications rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The manipulation of calculi can be done under the direct vision of ureteroscope using dormia baskets with increasing safety and efficacy. The results of ureteroscopic removal of stones were reviewed in 636 cases. From January 1992 to October 1997, 636 patients underwent ureteroscopic removal of stones. RESULTS: There were 236 female and 400 male patients between 16 and 75 years old. The success rates of ureteroscopic removal of stones were related to location of the calculus: 95.8% in lower ureter, 87.7% in mid ureter and 90% in upper ureter(overall success rate was 95%). 35 cases(5.8%) of complication occurred in 604 cases of success: Severe ureteral mucosal injury in 25 patients, gross hematuria(>48hours) in 4 patients, ureteral mucosal prolapse in 3 patients, flank pain(>48hours) in 2 patients, ureteral perforation in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopic removal of stones can be successful and safe treatment modality for lower urethral stones, especially with plentiful experience and good surgical skill.
Aged ; Calculi ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prolapse ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopes ; Ureteroscopy

PURPOSE: This study was performed to be helpful in early diagnosis and treatment of the children with peptic ulcer disease. METHODS: The authors observed 36 children with peptic ulcer disease who had been admitted to Hanyang University Hospital during the 11 year 4 mont period from January 1981 to April 1992 retrospectively. The diagnosis was established in 33.3% by gastric endoscopy, in 25% by upper gastrointestinal barium study, in 11.7% by gastric endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal barium study simultaneously, and in 30% by emergency operation. RESULTS: 1) Age and sex incidence of chidlren with peptic ulcer disease(3 days to 16 years old) showed that males predominated in a proportion of 8:1 and 83.3% were 7 years of age or older. Under the age of 7, the incidence of gastric ulcer was greater than that of duodenal ulcer and above the age of 7 duodenal ulcer was 2.6 times more frequent than gastric ulcer. 2) The chief comlaints on admission were abdominal pain in 17 patients(47%), hematemesis or melena in 15 patients(25%), vomiting in 6 patients(16%). There was a tendency that abdominal pain also increased as the age increased. 3) Most common blood type among 13 patients with duodenal ulcer was Rh+O type(53.8%). 4) Of the 15 children who had gastrointestinal bleeding, 10(43.3% of duodenal ulcer) were doudenal ulcer and 4(33.3% of gastric ulcer) were gastric ulcer. Severe anemia(Hb<7g/dl) was shown in only 5 patients with duodenal ulcer. 5) According to the region of the ulcer, 20(86.9%) of 23 children with doudenal ulcer had ulcers in doudenal bulb and 8(66.7%) of 12 children with gastric ulcer had ulcers in antrum. 6) 18 children with duodenal ulcer, 7 children with gastric ulcer and 1 child with gastroduodenal ulcer had complications. Of the 26 children, bleeding occured in 10 children, perforation occured in 7 children and obstruction occured in one child. 7) 23 children were treated medically and 13 children were treated surgically. 11 patients received operation due to panperit unitis(perforation), 1 patients(71%) were treated medically, however, under 7 year of age, 5 patients(62%) received surgical treatment. Surgical methods used were primary closure(4 patients), vagotomy with pyloroplasty(1 patients), subtotal gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy(7 patients) and antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy(1 patients). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that it is important to diagnose early peptic ulcer disease in children, who have nonspecific symptoms and signs above mentioned, to prevent possible complications including failure to thrive.
Abdominal Pain ; Barium ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Endoscopy ; Failure to Thrive ; Gastrectomy ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Male ; Melena ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Ulcer ; Ulcer ; Vagotomy ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate clinical characteristics of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics in patients with VTE confirmed with cancer. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify differences associated with the development, between the pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) groups. RESULTS: From January 2009 to December 2014, a total of 103 patients with VTE were included in the final analysis: mean age, 70.6+/-11.8 years; female, 56.3%. Most of the patients had a solid cancer (95.1%), and half of all patients had distant metastasis (50.5%). Proportion of patients with VTE who received chemotherapy within a year was 64.1%. Central venous catheters were applied to 59 patients within 6 weeks before the diagnosis of VTE. The proportion of patients with DVT only among VTE patients was 21.4%. In logistic regression analysis, central venous catheter insertion (OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.09, 6.49; p=.032), as well as lung metastasis (OR=2.94; 95% CI=1.06, 8.18; p=.039) were significant predictors for PE rather than DVT only. CONCLUSION: VTE developed in patients with advanced stage cancer. Further studies analyzing the effects of prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with cancer in regards to development of VTE are recommended.
Central Venous Catheters ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Venous Thromboembolism* ; Venous Thrombosis

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Kirschner's wire (K-wire) transfixation and locking hook plate fixation techniques are widely used in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes between K-wires transfixation and a locking hook plate fixation technique. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with acute ACJ dislocation managed with K-wire (56 shoulders) and locking hook plate (21 shoulders) were enrolled for this study. The mean follow-up period was 61 months. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the shoulder rating scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) was higher in patients treated with locking hook plate than with K-wires (33.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 31.3 +/- 3.4, p=0.009). In radiologic assessments, coracoclavicular distance (CCD) (7.9 mm vs. 7.7 mm, p=0.269) and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) (3.0 mm vs. 1.9 mm, p=0.082) were not statistically different from contralateral unaffected shoulder in locking hook plate fixation group, but acromioclavicular interval (ACI) was significant difference. However, there were significant differences in ACI, CCD, and ACD in K-wire fixation group (p<0.001). Eleven complications (20%) occurred in K-wire transfixation group and 2 subacromial erosions on computed tomography scan occurred in locking hook plate fixation group. CONCLUSIONS: ACJ stabilization was achieved in acute ACJ dislocations treated with K-wires or locking hook plates. Locking hook plate can provide higher UCLA shoulder score than K-wire and maintain CCD, and ACD without ligament reconstruction. K-wire transfixation technique resulted in a higher complication rate than locking hook plate.
Acromioclavicular Joint* ; Bone Wires ; California ; Dislocations* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Shoulder