BACKGROUND: Shivering is a common postanesthetic complication. Because all shivering patients feel uncomfortable and increase oxygen consumption, various attempts have been made to prevent its occurrence or to control it. Among the pharmacological methods of treating shivering, meperidine has been known to be the most effective. This study was designed to evaluate whether there was any difference among meperidine, fentanyl, doxapram and normal saline in the treatment of post-anesthetic shivering. METHODS: Forty patients (ASA class I or II) who showed postoperative shivering were randomly assigned into four groups (n=10): Normal saline group: normal saline 5 ml, Doxapram group: doxapram 1.5 mg/kg, Meperidine group: meperidine 25 mg, Fentanyl group: fentanyl 25 microgram. And all patients received routine care: oxygen by T-piece and heat-reflective blanketrol (cincinati Subzero, U.S.A.). Evaluation of the state of shivering was done every 5 minutes from the beginning of the treatment by the same investigator who had injected the drugs intravenously for treatment of shivering. The age, sex, weight and duration of surgery were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant statistical differences in age, sex, weight and duration of surgery among the four groups. By 5 minutes, 90% of doxapram group and 30% of meperidine group had stopped shivering. By 10 minutes, 90% of doxapram group and 70% of meperidine group had stopped shivering. But in fentanyl and normal saline group, only 20% had stoppd shivering by 10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that both meperidine and doxapram are effective on post-anesthetic shivering. In cases of patient with respiratory depression, doxapram is especially effective because it stimulates the respiratory center.
Doxapram* ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Meperidine* ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Consumption ; Research Personnel ; Respiratory Center ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Shivering*

PURPOSE: There are few reports describing objective and subjective outcomes in aged patients undergoing distal urethral polypropylene sling (DUPS) and canal transobturator tape (canal TOT) placement, which make the submucosal mesh 'tension-free' state in the operating room. We evaluated surgical outcomes and subjective satisfaction in patients over 70 years of age who underwent DUPS and canal TOT for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 29 consecutive patients over 70 years of age who underwent DUPS and canal TOT for genuine SUI between January 2006 and April 2008. Surgical outcomes were determined on the basis of hemoglobin change, operative time, hospital stay, and complications. Subjective satisfaction was determined on the basis of disease-specific quality of life, measured via the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-short form (IIQ-7) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory-short form (UDI-6). RESULTS: No intraoperative or major postoperative complications were reported. No concomitant procedures were performed, including cystocele repair (n=0) or rectocele repair (n=0). The mean IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores both decreased significantly after DUPS and canal TOT. Moreover, 82% of patients reported no SUI symptoms under any circumstances, and 91% of patients reported being rarely or never bothered by SUI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical outcomes and subjective satisfaction seen with DUPS and canal TOT in this study were superior to those seen in other studies. However, it is possible that this study overestimated the effects of DUPS and canal TOT in aged women because of the small study sample. Therefore, additional studies are needed.
Aged ; Cystocele ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Operating Rooms ; Operative Time ; Polypropylenes ; Postoperative Complications ; Quality of Life ; Rectocele ; Suburethral Slings ; Urinary Incontinence

BACKGROUND: Most of nonrebreathing circuits were used for pediatrics, not for adults and the high flow of fresh gas and specially designed valve or lever should be needed. The current study was designed to compare between one corrugated tube(universal FTMcircuit) and two corrugated tube in patients with oral and maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: Twenty adults undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery were anesthetized with enflurane- N2O-fentanyl after radial arterial cannulation. Under the condition with stable vital signs, ventilator was setted with tidal volume 10ml/kg, respiratory rate 11 breaths/min using two separate limbs(expiratory and inspiratory limbs) and one corrugated tube of anesthesia machine. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, saturated pulse oxygen, end tidal carbon dioxide, peak inspiratory oxygen, arterial blood gas analysis were measured at 15, 30min during the use of each circuit. RESULTS: There were no differences of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, end tidal carbon dioxide, saturated pulse oxygen. peak inspiratory presssure and arterial blood gas analysis between 2 circuits during mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Universal FTMcircuit of single limb could substituted for the two corrugated tube, especially in patients with oral and maxiolofacial surgery.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Gas Analysis* ; Carbon Dioxide ; Catheterization ; Extremities ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Pediatrics ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Rate ; Surgery, Oral* ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vital Signs

PURPOSE: To develop a robot-arm type image-guided surgery system for percuatneous screw fixation of the sacro-iliac joint and to evaluate its accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have developed an image-guided surgery system using a three-dimensional digitizer (Microscribe 3-D G2, Immersion, USA) and a personal computer. The registration error and target localization error at fiducial registration were measured 30 times for each using a phantom made with plastic pelvic bone model (Sawbones, USA). Sixteen 6.5 mm cannulated screws were inserted into four plastic bone models, and the accuracy was evaluated. RESULTS: The target localization error was 1.46+/-0.47 mm while the registration error was 0.73+/-0.23 mm. All of the 16 screws were inserted well across the sacro-iliac joint, and there was neither cortical breach nor collision between screws or washers. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the developed system was similar to that of optical tracker-based navigation systems, and its helpfulness and usefulness was proven with simulation surgery using plastic bone models.
Immersion ; Joints* ; Microcomputers ; Pelvic Bones ; Plastics ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted*

BACKGROUND: Since 2001, the Korean Red Cross has performed malaria antibody test for blood donors in malaria-risk areas to prevent transfusion-transmitted malaria. However, due to insufficient sensitivity and specificity the malaria antibody assay is not considered an efficient screening method. Therefore, we have considered discontinuing malaria antibody testing for blood donors. METHODS: We analyzed the results of malaria antibody test from 2001 to 2014 utilizing data from the Blood Information Management System of the Korean Red Cross. RESULTS: Among 16,650,812 donations tested from 2001 to 2014, 50,143 donations (0.30%) showed positive results. However, there was no truly infected case at the time of donation. The positive rate among blood donations was between 34 and 39 per 10,000 in 2001, but between 9 and 10 per 10,000 in 2014. There was no interregional disparity in the positive rate of blood donations. CONCLUSION: Korea is in a malaria elimination phase and malaria antibody testing in limited areas is not effective, therefore we propose discontinuing the malaria antibody test.
Blood Donors* ; Humans ; Information Management ; Korea ; Malaria* ; Mass Screening* ; Red Cross ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: This research aims at developing a simulation system for training of the correct placement of isometric points in arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments, using personal computer-based software and rapid prototyping knee models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scan images of the knee joints of thirteen patients were used. Simulation software was developed on V-works(Clinic3D Inc.), a three-dimensional medical imaging system. Rapid prototyping models were made of hardened starch with a 0.178 mm slice thickness. RESULTS: In the first phase, trainee surgeons can study the positions of the bony attachments of healthy anterior cruciate ligaments, and compare their multiplanar reformatting images and a three-dimensional computer model of the bones. In the second phase, trainee sur-geons can place isometric points on the three-dimensional computer models and compare the results with the points set by a supervis-ing surgeon. Finally, rapid prototyping models, which are almost identical to the actual bones, are produced to allow the trainees to observe the isometric points marked on the models. CONCLUSION: Our system can provide a patient-specific simulation environment for beginners at arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It can be used as an educational and training tool for locating the isometric point of the anterior cruciate ligament during an operation.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Computer Simulation* ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Starch ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: To study the distribution of the polymorphism of apo E and angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes in type 2 diabetic patients and to evaluate possible association between the apo E genotypes and angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. METHODS: Study participants were 206 type 2 diabetic patients (112 men and 94 women), aged 18-81 years. HbA1C, albuminuria, and lipid status were assessed by standard laboratory techniques ; the apo E genotypes were assessed by modified amplification refractory mutation system of polymerase chain reaction technique and the angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes were assessed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique. The intima-media thickness was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: The apo E allele frequencies of patients were E2 11%, E3 72%, and E4 17%. Mean HDL-cholesterol was lower in E4 carrier (n=35) than E2 (n=148) and E3 (n=35) carrier. E2 carriers has less common carotid intima-media thickness than E3 and E4 carriers (p< 0.05). The angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes were distributed as follows ; II 38%, ID 47%, DD 15%. The intima-media thickness value did not differ among patients with various genotypes. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only apo E polymorphism was determinant for the intima-media thickness. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that apo E polymorphism was associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetic patients. But we could not find an association between carotid artery intima-media thickness and angiotensin converting enzyme genotype in this patients population.
Albuminuria ; Angiotensins* ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ultrasonography

Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinomas have a median survival of less than 1 year and a 0-20% 5-year survial. The immunotherapy agent interferon-alpha has consistently produced objective responses rarely exceeding 20% of treated patients. Moreover, in patients with metastases to brain, liver or bone, the prognosis is extremely poor. A 66-year-old man, with a right renal cell carcinoma, with metastases to lung and bone who had entered a remarkable complete radiological remission of the metastases to lung and bone by 82 months following interferon-alpha immunotherapy, underwent a nephrectomy. The patient has remained recurrence free for 16 months after the nephrectomy.
Aged ; Brain ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Interferon-alpha* ; Liver ; Lung* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Nephrectomy* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.