Acute appendicitis is a common disease, in general, but is rare in the elderly. This report is a clinical review of 148 patients over the age of 60 who, due to acute appendicitis, underwent appendectomies at the Department of General Surgery of Saint Columban Hospital from January 1993 to December 1995. The results are as follows: 1) The overall percentage of the patients over the age of 60 was about 16.4%. 2) The male to female ratio was 1:1.6. 3) The perforation rate was 33.1%. 4) The mean duration of symptoms were 2 days in non-perforated and 4.5 days in perforated appendicitis. 5) The chief complaints were pain (86.5%) and tenderness (88.5%) on right lower quadrant. 6) This disease occurred most frequently in spring and summer. 7) The highest incidence of leukocyte count was 10,000~15,000 per cubic mm of blood (50%). 8) The most frequent postoperative complication was wound infection as 14.2%. 9) sixty-seven cases (45.3%) were accompanied by concomitant disease, the most frequent being hypertention (14.9%). 10) The mean numbers of hospital days were 7.5 in non-perforated and 14 in perforated appendicitis.
Aged ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Saints ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological properties of commercially available metal orthodontic brackets in South Korea, because national standards for these products are lacking. METHODS: Four bracket brands were tested for dimensional accuracy, (manufacturing errors in angulation and torque), cytotoxicity, composition, elution, and corrosion: Archist (Daeseung Medical), Victory (3M Unitek), Kosaka (Tomy), and Confidence (Shinye Odontology Materials). RESULTS: The tested rackets showed no significant differences in manufacturing errors in angulation, but Confidence brackets showed a significant difference in manufacturing errors in torque. None of the brackets were cytotoxic to mouse fibroblasts. The metal ion components did not show a regular increasing or decreasing trend of elution over time, but the volume of the total eluted metal ions increased: Archist brackets had the maximal Cr elution and Confidence brackets appeared to have the largest volume of total eluted metal ions because of excessive Ni elution. Confidence brackets showed the lowest corrosion resistance during potentiodynamic polarization. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study could potentially be applied in establishing national standards for metal orthodontic brackets and in evaluating commercially available products.
Animals ; Corrosion ; Fibroblasts ; Ions ; Mice ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Republic of Korea ; Torque

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to analyze the primary and secondary stability characteristics of orthodontic mini-screws of tapered design when compared with the cylinder mini-screw. METHODS: A total of 48 mini-screws were placed into the buccal alveolar bone of the mandible in 6 male beagle dogs. Comparison was made between tapered and cylinder type mini-screws (Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea). Maximum insertion torque (MIT) was measured using a torque sensor (Mark-10, MGT 50, USA) during installation, and maximum removal torque (MRT) was recorded after 3 and 12 weeks of loading. RESULTS: Taper mini-screws showed a higher MIT value of 22.3 Ncm compared with cylinder mini-screw showing 13.6 Ncm (p < 0.001). The MRT of the taper mini-screw showed a significantly higher value of 9.1 Ncm than those of cylinder mini-screw of 5.7 Ncm at 3-weeks after installation (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the MRT value between the taper and cylinder mini-screws at 12 weeks of loading. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that the high insertion torque of the taper mini-screw design increases initial stability until 3 weeks of loading, but does not have any effect on the secondary stability at 12 weeks of loading.
Animals ; Dogs ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mandible ; Torque

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure the insertion torque of orthodontic miniscrews regarding changes in their shape, diameter, and length. METHODS: Torque values were measured during continuous insertion of the miniscrews into solid rigid polyurethane foam, using a torque tester of driving motor type with a regular speed of 3 rpm. Orthodontic miniscrews (Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea) of cylindrical type and taper type were used. RESULTS: Increasing the length and diameter of the miniscrews increased the maximum insertion torque value in both cylindrical and taper type screws. Insertion torque was increased at the incomplete head of the cylindrical type screw, and at the tapered part of the taper type screw. The insertion torque value of miniscrews was influenced most by diameter, then shape and length. As a result, it was shown that the diameter of the screw had the most influence on insertion torque, and the taper type screw had a higher torque value than the cylindrical type screw. CONCLUSION: Therefore, a large diameter or taper type screw are adequate for areas of thin cortical bone with a large interdental space, and a small diameter or cylindrical type screw are adequate in the mandibular molar area or the midpalatal area having thick cortical bone.
Head ; Korea ; Molar ; Polyurethanes ; Seoul ; Torque*

Condylar hyperplasia is a pathologic condition showing 3-dimensional skeletal hyperplasia of the mandible. The reason for condylar hyperplasia is not yet known, but the effects of hormone, trauma, infection, genetics, fetal condition, and hypervascularity are known as possible reasons. When we diagnose a patient as having condylar hyperplasia, it is important to decide if it is in progress or not. Treatment for facial asymmetry due to condylar hyperplasia are decided accordingly, including condylectomy, that is removal of growth site of the affected condyle, and conventional orthognathic surgery only or condylectomy with orthognathic surgery after the completion of growth. Therefore, it is important to determine the growth state of condylar hyperplasia in treatment stability. This is verified through bone scan and regular check-ups with 3D CT or PA cephalogram. This case report introduces an improved case of facial asymmetry with condylectomy together with orthognathic surgery.
Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Mandible ; Orthognathic Surgery

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to perform histomorphometric evaluations of the bone surrounding orthodontic miniscrews according to their proximity to the adjacent tooth roots in the posterior mandible of beagle dogs. METHODS: Four male beagle dogs were used for this study. Six orthodontic miniscrews were placed in the interradicular spaces in the posterior mandible of each dog (n = 24). The implanted miniscrews were classified into no loading, immediate loading, and delayed loading groups according to the loading time. At 6 weeks after screw placement, the animals were sacrificed, and tissue blocks including the miniscrews were harvested for histological examinations. After analysis of the histological sections, the miniscrews were categorized into three additional groups according to the root proximity: high root proximity, low root proximity, and safe distance groups. Differences in the bone–implant contact (BIC, %) among the root proximity groups and loading time groups were determined using statistical analyses. RESULTS: No BIC was observed within the bundle bone invaded by the miniscrew threads. Narrowing of the periodontal ligament space was observed in cases where the miniscrew threads touched the bundle bone. BIC (%) was significantly lower in the high root proximity group than in the low root proximity and safe distance groups. However, BIC (%) showed no significant differences among the loading time groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the loading time, the stability of an orthodontic miniscrew is decreased if it is in contact with the bundle bone as well as the adjacent tooth root.
Animals ; Dogs ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Periodontal Ligament ; Tooth Root

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical performance of mini-screws during insertion into artificial bone with use of the driving torque tester (Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea), as well as testing of Pull-out Strength (POS). METHODS: Experimental bone blocks with different cortical bone thickness were used as specimens. Three modules of commercially available drill-free type mini-screws (Type A; pure cylindrical type, Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea, Type B; partially cylindrical type, Jeil Medical, Seoul, Korea, Type C; combination type of cylindrical and tapered portions, Ortholution, Seoul, Korea), were used. RESULTS: Difference in the cortical bone thickness had little effect on the maximum insertion torque (MIT) in Type A mini-screws. But in Type B and C, MIT increased as the cortical bone thickness increased. MIT of Type C was highest in all situations, then Type B and Type A in order. Type C showed lower POS than Type A or B in all situations. There were statistically significant correlations between cortical bone thickness and MIT, and POS for each type of the mini-screws. CONCLUSION: Since different screw designs showed different insertion torques with increases in cortical bone thickness, the best suitable screw design should be selected according to the different cortical thicknesses at the implant sites
Biocompatible Materials ; Korea ; Seoul ; Torque*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the Periotest values for the prediction of orthodontic mini-implants' stability. METHODS: Sixty orthodontic mini-implants (7.0 mm x O1.45 mm; ACR, Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea) were inserted into the buccal alveolar bone of 5 twelve month-old beagle dogs. Insertion torque (IT) and Periotest values (PTV) were measured at the installation procedure, and removal torque (RT) and PTV were recorded after 12 weeks of orthodontic loading. To correlate PTV with variables, the cortical bone thickness (mm) and bone mineral density (BMD) within the cortical bone and total bone area were calculated with the help of CT scanning. RESULTS: The BMD and cortical bone thickness in mandibular alveolus were significantly higher than those of the maxilla (p< 0.05). The PTV values ranged from -3.2 to 4.8 for 12 weeks of loading showing clinically stable mini-implants. PTV at insertion was significantly correlated with IT (-0.51), bone density (-0.48), cortical bone thickness (-0.42) (p< 0.05) in the mandible, but showed no correlation in the maxilla. PTV before removal was significantly correlated with RT (-0.66) (p< 0.01) in the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the periotest is a useful method for the evaluation of mini-implant stability, but it can only be applied to limited areas with thick cortical and high density bone such as the mandible.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Density ; Dogs ; Korea ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Torque

We compared 30 cases that had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy(L.C.) with 30 cases which revealed chronic cholecystitis on biopsy among the patients who had a standard open cholecystectomy(O.C.). The patients were treated at the Department of Surgery, Saint Columban Hospital, Mokpo, Korea, from January 1995 to July 1996. The results from the 60 patients are as follows: 1) The ratio of males to females was 1:2 in the L.C. group and 1:0.8 in the O.C. group. The prevalent age was the 6th decade in both groups. 2) Associated diseases were seen in 22 cases(73%) in the L.C. group and 20 cases(67%) in the O.C. group. 3) There were 6 cases(20%) of previous abdominal operations in the L.C. group and 7 cases(23%) in the O.C. group. 4) The mean operation time was 139.8+/-35.7 minutes in the L.C. group and 155.3+/-34.4 minutes in the O.C. group. 5) The mean hospital stay after the operation was shorter in the L.C. group(range: 4~7 days) than in the O.C. group(range:8~12 days). 6) Postoperative complications occurred in 2 cases(7%) in the L.C. group and 8 cases(27%) in the O.C. group. 7) The conversion rate from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to an open cholecystectomy was 21%(8 cases). 8) Problem experienced during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy were bleeding at the operative field(4 cases), stone drop from gallbladder(3 cases), and bile leakage(1 case). 9) The time until postoperative oral intake was 2 postoperative days in the L.C. group and 4 postoperative days in the O.C. group. 10) The average duration of postoperative pain was 2.6+/-0.6 days in the L.C. group and 4.3+/-1.3 days in the O.C. group. 11) The average duration of narcotic requirement was 2.4+/-0.6 days in the L.C. group and 3.8+/-1.8 days in the O.C group.
Bile ; Biopsy ; Cholecystectomy* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Cholecystitis ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Saints

No abstract available.
Sepsis* ; Yersinia*