Intermittent exotropia shows higher incidence in Oriental than in Caucassian. The results of surgical treatment is variable and the factors related to that have been a matter of some dispute. The authors retrospectively reviewed the relationships between the factors and the results of surgical treatment on the 186 children who had intermittent exot ropia and who were treated with bilateral lateral recti recessions. The 162 cases(86.5%) of 187 cases showed satisfactory surgical results, which was less than 5 prism diopters of exotropia and esotropia at far and near, with good stereopsis. The age at onset and initial surgery, the time interval from onset to initial surgery, the preoperative deviation angle, the types of intermittent exotropia, the inferior oblique overaction and dissociated vertical deviation did not significantly influence the surgical results(p>0.05). But, early postoperative overcorrection of 6~9 prism diopters lead to successful result(95.6%). This study revealed initial postoperative overcorrection influence the surgical results of bilateral lateral recti recessions in intermittent exotropia(p=0.03).
Child ; Depth Perception ; Dissent and Disputes ; Esotropia ; Exotropia* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies

To search for the more effective amblyopia treatment, we prospectively compared the results of initial group and alternative group with use of Min's glasses. Initial and alternative groups consisted of 18 and 64 patients. 15 patients (83.3%) of initial group were compliant with the treatment while 50 patients(78.1%) of alternative group were. No significant differences existed between them based on age, sex, causes of amblyopia and initial visual acuity (P>0.05). Average visual acuity improvements were 2.13 +/- 1.81 lines in initial group, compared to 2.51 +/- 1.50 lines in alternative group and no significant differences existed between them according to age, causes of amblyopia and initial visual acuity (P>0.05), However, in cases of female, there was significant visual acuity improvement in alternative group in comparision with initial group (P=0.034). In conclusion, Min's glasses were effective not only in initial treatment group but also in alternative treatment group, and in female patients who previously failed with conventional occlusion therapy the effect was more pronounced than male patients.
Amblyopia ; Child* ; Compliance ; Eyeglasses* ; Female ; Glass* ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

The colostomy may cause considerable discomfort as well as surgical, psychological and esthetic problems. The ostomates probably suffer most from fecal incontinence, even though many attempts have been made to eliminate the problems related to the spontaneous colonic emission. Hence the aims of this study are to survey ostomates' satisfaction with colostomy irrigation. METHODS: This medical survey attempts to assess the degree of satisfaction that ostomates are satisfied with the quality of their lives and the extent to which they are affected in doing their jobs and sexuality. The survey was conducted for 146 ostomates, who responded to the questionnaire at the 3rd & 4th Workshop for Stoma Rehabilitation for Ostomates in 1998 and 1999 developed by the Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital. The irrigation group was formed with 66 cases (45.2%) and the non-irrigation group 80 cases (54.8%). In assessment of the satisfaction of sexuality, the irrigation group was composed of 37 cases (male: 22 cases, female: 15 cases) and the non-irrigation group 48 cases (male: 30 cases, female: 18 cases). RESULTS: It is found out that the ratio of male to female is 1.5:1 (97:59) and by the age distribution, the ostomates in their 50's and 60's constitute 67.1%: by the cause of stoma operation, malignancy consists of 133 cases (91.1%), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 6 cases, the others 7 cases. As for the degree of the satisfaction of ostomates for their life quality, it is found that 52 cases (78.9%) of the irrigation group and 71 cases (88.8%) of the non-irrigation group (p<0.05) reveal dissatisfaction. As for the degree of the satisfaction of the ostomates for the extent to which they are affected in doing their social activities, dissatisfaction is revealed in 52 cases (78.9%) in the irrigation group and in 64 cases (80.0%) in the non-irrigation group (p>0.05). As for the degree of the satisfaction of the ostomates for the sexuality in male, dissatisfaction is revealed in 13 cases (59.1%) of the irrigation group and in 23 cases (76.7%) of the non-irrigation group (p<0.05). In the case of female, the dissatisfaction is observed in 8 cases (53.3%) of the irrigation group and in 13 cases (72.2%) of the non-irrigation group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This medical survey clearly shows high dissatisfaction rates especially in the non-irrigation group, and the better significant satisfaction was shown in the quality of life and sexuality between the male and the female in the irrigation group. Therefore, colostomy irrigation may be an effective method for the management of colostomy.
Age Distribution ; Colon ; Colostomy* ; Education ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Sexuality

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was conducted to investigate the mean nRBC count in very low births weight infants (VLBWIs) and to determine the usefulness of the nRBC as an independent prognostic factors of perinatal complications in VLBWIs. METHODS: This study was conducted on 112 VLBWIs who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the author's hospital within the period from March 2003 to and May 2008. Based on the infants' nucleated red blood cells (nRBC) counts at birth, on the third day after birth, on the seventh day after birth, in the second week after birth, and in the fourth week after birth in the medical records, the correlation between nRBC or absolute nRBC counts with birth weight, gestational age, and other perinatal outcomes were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: In VLBWIs, their mean nRBC and absolute nRBC counts were showing a gradual decrease after birth, and they were consisteantly kept at low values since one week after and inversely proportional to the birth weights. The mean nRBC counts based on the stage after birth showed a significant correlation with perinatal death, necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The increase in the nRBC count showed a significant correlation with having a severe intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and perinatal death in VLBWIs. If an increase or no decrease in the nRBC count after birth is observed, newborn-infant care precautions should be required.
Birth Weight ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Erythrocytes ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effect on development of mouse preimplantation embryos in culture media with different composition of energy sources in vitro culture. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy one two-cell embryos were cultured in four different culture system for 96 hours. Group I (n=61) was cultured in DMEM-G (DMEM with glutamine) only, groupII (n=64) was cultured in DMEM-GGP (DMEM with glutamine, glucose and pyruvate) only, group III (n=72) was cultured for 48 hours in DMEM-G and then transferred to DMEM-GGP and group IV (n=74) was cultured for 48 hours in DMEM-GGP and then transferred to DMEM-G. Development of embryos in each group was observed every 24 hours. RESULTS: After 24 hours, the rate of development > or = 3-cell was significantly higher in groupII (87.5%) and IV (86.5%) compared with group I (59.0%) and III (62.5%). After 48 hours, the rate of development into > or = morula stage was significantly higher in GroupII (79.7%) and IV (86.5%) compared with group I (34.4%) and III (37.5%). After 72 hours, the rate of development into blastocyst was significantly higher in group IV (74.3%) compared with group I (49.2%) and III (45.8%). After 96 hours, the rate of development into > or = expanded blastocyst was significantly higher in group IV (70.3%) compared with group I (32.8%),II (53.1%), and group III (40.3%). CONCLUSION: Mouse preimplantation embryos development was the most effective in culture system with DMEM-GGP for 48 hours and then transferred to DMEM-G.
Animals ; Blastocyst* ; Culture Media* ; Embryonic Structures ; Glucose ; Glutamine ; Mice* ; Morula ; Pyruvic Acid

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to find out current state of conservative treatment modalities for cervical pregnancies in korean. METHOD: 64 cases of cervical pregnancies reported by the joining of The Korean Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology from 1960 to 2000 and the 10 cases at Chungnam National University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of the 74 cases was 31.7+/-6.6 years, and the average gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 8.3+/-3.4 weeks. The average duration of hospitalization was 8.2+/-4.8 days. Most (67/74) of the patients had previously experienced delivery or abortion. Out of the 74 cases, 36 had total hysterectomy; 4 cases had curettage; 12 were used only methotrexate; 11 had combined curettage and methotrexate; 10 cases had Foley catheter ballooning after curettage. From the 1960's to the end of 1980's, 33 (84.6%) cases out of 39 were performed hysterectomy. Whereas mainly conservative methods, in particular methotrexate treatment, were performed in the 1990's. Among the conservative modalities, Foley catheter ballooning after curettage had the shortest length of hospitalization with 4.3 days. CONCLUSION: After comparing the conservative methods for treating cervical pregnancies, it was found that methotrexate treatment was performed the most; however, Foley catheter ballooning after curettage seems to be an excellent treatment option.
Catheters ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Gestational Age ; Gynecology ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Methotrexate ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy* ; Retrospective Studies

Vascular catheters are associated with complications such as infection, thrombosis and stenosis. The embolization of a venous catheter fragment is a rare complication. A 39-year-old woman underwent placement of a totally implantable venous access device for chemotherapy to treat a recurrent liposarcoma of the left thigh. The "pinch-off sign" was noted on a routine chest X-ray but that was ignored. Three-months after implantation of the intravenous access device, the indwelling central catheter was fractured and embolized to the pulmonary trunk. The catheter in the pulmonary trunk was successfully removed through a percutaneous femoral vein approach using a pigtail catheter and goose neck snare.
Thigh/pathology ; Pulmonary Artery/*injuries/surgery ; Liposarcoma/drug therapy ; Humans ; Foreign-Body Migration/*complications/surgery ; Female ; *Equipment Failure ; Embolism/*etiology/surgery ; Catheters, Indwelling/*adverse effects ; Catheterization, Central Venous/*adverse effects/instrumentation ; Adult

PURPOSE: This study investigated the pattern of hematologic profile and eosinophilia for a month after birth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: The medical records of 141 VLBW infants (birth weight, <1,500 g) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Konyang University Hospital. We collected complete blood cell counts (CBC) weekly for 4 weeks and studied hematologic profile and related factors of eosinophilia (> or =700/mm3). RESULTS: Overall, 50.4% of all infants had at least one instance of eosinophilia for a month after birth. There were 50.7% with moderate eosinophilia (1,000-2,999/mm3). White blood cell (WBC) counts and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) climaxed on 7th day of life, whereas eosinophilia mainly occurred on 21st day of life. The demographic data and perinatal characteristics of infants with and without eosinophilia were compared. Prevalence of eosinophilia was associated with gestational age and total parenteral nutrition on 21st day of life; total parenteral nutrition and transfusion on 28th day of life. Eosinophilia was closely associated with transfusion on logistic regression analysis (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Eosinophilia in VLBW infants occurs mainly on 21st day of life. Eosinophil counts showed a separate trend different from WBC counts and ANC. Transfusion was significantly associated with eosinophilia.
Blood Cell Count ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukocytes ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Neutrophils ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Parturition ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs frequently in patients with facial injuries. In patients with facial injuries without neurologic deficit, it is a challenging decision for emergency physicians whether brain computed tomography (CT) is necessary or not. Our objective is to evaluate the availability of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by facial CT in predicting TBI. METHODS: From January, 2010, to December, 2012, we conducted a retrospective study of patients with head or facial injuries who underwent both facial CT and brain CT simultaneously in the emergency department. Patients with obvious orbital trauma or ocular disease were excluded. We analyzed correlation between ONSD measured by facial CT and the brain CT findings of TBI. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were enrolled. Ninety six patients without TBI on facial CT showed mean ONSD of 5.11+/-0.44 mm, and 82 patients with TBI showed mean ONSD of 5.89+/-0.78 mm. The sensitivity and the specificity compared with the presence of TBI findings on brain CT were 78.05% and 82.29%, respectively, when the cut-off value was set to 5.5 mm. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.826 in the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). CONCLUSION: ONSD measured on facial CT is available for predicting TBI in patients with facial injuries.
Brain ; Brain Injuries* ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Facial Injuries ; Head ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Optic Nerve* ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

MIN GLASSES is specially manufactured in order to enhance satisfaction of wearer and therefore increase the effectiveness of treatment of an amblyopia and a diplopia. One of the lens is specially grounded and coated to blur vision. Cosmetically, the eye appears to wear regular glasses through the blur lens. We prospectively studied 58 amblyopic children and 10 diplopic adults. Each patient was treated with MIN GLASSES for cosmetic problems. We checked linear visual acuity of pre- and post-treatment. Questionnaires were given to the patients and parents regarding cosmetic satisfaction with treatment. In amblyopic children. 44 patients(75.9%) showed visual acuity improvement of 1.61 +/- 1.50 lines by Han's visual acuity chart. Patient compliance was 87.9%(51 patients) with patient satisfaction based on a questionnaire response. Parents were 87.9%(51 parents) positive response. In diplopic adults, 10 patients(100%) were positive response with satisfaction and demonstrated to be free of symptom of diplopia. MIN GLASSES is effective in high compliance satisfaction of amblyopia and diplopia, and improvement of visual acuity of amblyopia.
Adult ; Amblyopia* ; Child ; Compliance ; Diplopia* ; Eyeglasses* ; Glass* ; Humans ; Parents ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visual Acuity