Although wound healing is a natural biologic process by which the homeostasis is preserved, the resultant hypertrophic scar or scar contracture may produce undesirable morphologic and functional sequelae. To overcome these problems, a number of attempts to produce skin substitute have been made in recent years, but none have proved to be entirely satisfactory. We compared the wound healing of full-thickness dorsal skin defects between ADM(acelluar dermal matrix)-applied wound and ADM non-applied wound group in 20 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. The wound area was serially evaluated at 1,2,3 weeks and the difference in the mean area ratios between the two groups was then statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sums test. We also performed histological evaluation of the wounds at 1,2,3 weeks. Results were as follows: 1. Experimentally produced ADM was easy to handle. Histologic findings showed no epithelium, no appendages, no cells dermal and subcutaneous layer and pure bundles of collagen. 2. The wound area ratio of ADM applied wound group was statistically larger than that of ADM non-applied(control) wound group. That is, ADM was able to inhibit the wound contraction compared with the ADM non-applied wound group. 3. In the ADM-applied group, we observed low grade exudates, no infection, fine take-up of ADM on full-thickness skin defect, gross and histologic findings of neovascularization, and progressive epithelization on ADM. These findings of biologic attachment implies the function of the ADM as a dermal substitute. These can be basis of the study on the development of artificial skin.
Acellular Dermis* ; Adult ; Animals ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Collagen ; Contracture ; Epithelium ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin* ; Skin, Artificial ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Chlamydia trachomatis* ; Chlamydia* ; Female

No abstract available.
Dinoprostone* ; Suppositories*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of experiences in home visiting nursing service among the elderly in community provided by nursing students. METHOD: This is a phenomenological study to investigate the experience of community-based patients. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from the 4th of March to the 15th of December 2003. Individual interviews were conducted with 8 patients on subjective experiences. Data were analyzed through Colaizzi's method, in which meaningful statements were extracted. RESULT: Four categories were identified from nine theme clusters. The four categories were 'thankfulness', 'dependence', 'sorrowfulness' and 'the sense of being'. CONCLUSION: These results show the importance of visiting nursing service for the elderly in community.
Aged* ; House Calls* ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Nursing Services* ; Qualitative Research ; Students, Nursing

Dentocutaneous fistula of the face neck is an infrequent manifestation of chronic dental infection. A periapical dental abscess may be initiated by disease, trauma, or thermal or chemical injury and develops into an extensive necrosis of surrounding tissue. Diagnostic errors can result in multiple excision, biopsies, and ineffective long-term antibiotic therapy. Awarness that periapical dental abscess is the most common etilolgic factor of cutaneous sinus tracts involves the face & neck will facilitate their early diagnosis and prevent needless treatment or anxiety for the patient. From 1994 to 1998, we have performed 6 cases of dentocutaneous fistula. Among of them, three were men and the others were women, age ranged from 18 to 66-year-old, and morbidity period was from 3 weeks to 3 years, the follow-up period ranged from 5 to 18 months (mean period 11 months). In conclusion, an understanding of the pathogenesis of cutaneous fistulae arising from dental infections will lead to proper early diagnosis and treatment without unnecessary surgery.
Abscess ; Aged ; Anxiety ; Biopsy ; Cutaneous Fistula ; Diagnostic Errors ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Fistula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Unnecessary Procedures

A 70-year-old female Patient was admitted due to the impression of lung abscess via local clinic. Chest P-A showed air shadow containing huge mass lesion in the right lower lung field, pericardio phrenic angle. But the patient complained of only mild upper respiratioy tract infection symptoms and the laboratory tests were within normal limits. Barium enema and chest C-T taken right after barium enema were performad in suggesting of the diaphragmatic hernia. Barium tilled transverse colon and associated omentum were in the right anterior hemithorax surrounded by the hernial sac. The mass lesion shown in the chest P-A was compatible with the diaphragmatic hemia, Morgagni type. Operative reduction of the herniated bowel and simple closure of the diaphragm was performed.
Aged ; Barium ; Colon, Transverse ; Diaphragm ; Enema ; Female ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Abscess ; Omentum ; Thorax*

The authors reviewed 3145 pediatric patients who visited the emergecy room in this hospital during 3yrs period from Jan. 1989 to Dec. 1991. 1) Among the patients visiting the emergency room, the patients under 15 years of age were 26.4% (3145) of total emergency patients (11930). 2) yearly distribution of patients were decreased 17% between 1989 and 1991. 3) Monthly distribution of visits showed higher incidence in June and July. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. 4) Weekly distribution of visits showed higher incidence on Sunday and Saturday, relatively. 5) Most popular time of visiting the emergency room was between 8:00 PM to 12:00 PM during which time 29.5% of all pediatric patient were seen. 6) Distribution of age showed peak incidence between 6 and 12 years of age (30.9%). 7) 65.18% of total emergency room isits were pediatric patients. 8) Distribution of cases was as follows: Respiratory disease 37%, accident, GI disease in turn listed respectively in ecreasing order of freqency. 9) The admission rate through emergency was 8.5% of total pediatric emergency patients. 10) 82.3% of total emergency visits had medical insurance coverage, 7% had no insurance and 10.7% were on medical aid program.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance ; Insurance Coverage ; Male

The retinal vascular changes and the results of treatment were studied in five incontinentia pigmenti patients. All patients were female and had a mean follow-up of 4 1/2 years (7 months~7 1/2 years). Abnormal retinal vascular changes included peripheral avascular retina, retinal and preretinal neovascularization, and dilated, tortuous retinal vessels. Two of them were treated; one received a cryotherapy and the other a laser photocoagulation to the avascular retinal area and showed regression of abnormal vessels. At last follow-up, no eye developed retinal detachment, but traction of the peripheral retina by a vitreous band was visible in three patients. One showed a degenerative macula and an atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium in the papillomacular bundle area. Our result suggests that incontinentia pigmenti eyes may show retinal vascular changes very similar to that in retinopathy of prematurity, and can be effectively treated by destroying an avascualr retina if indicated.
Atrophy ; Cryotherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incontinentia Pigmenti* ; Light Coagulation ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinal Vessels ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Traction

Hamartoma of the breast is a rare benign lesion presenting as palpable mass. They are, however, sometimes misdiagnosed by pathologist due to their resemblance to other benign or physiologic conditions of the breast. We report two cases of hamartomas of the breast. The clinical diagnosis was fibroadenoma in both cases. One patient was a 49-year-old woman presented with palpable mass for the duration of 5 months. Mammography showed a well demarcated round mass with homogeneous density which is slightly greater than the surrounding glandular tissue. Grossly it was a 3.5 3.0 2.0 cm sized round firm mass covered by thin fibrous tissue. Microscopically it was a well defined mass composed of variable amount of breast lobules, dilated ducts and adipose tissue surrounded by dense hyalinized connective tissue. The adipose tissue accounted for 30% of the entire lesion. Cellular atypism was not found. The other patient was a 18-year-old woman presented with palpable mass of the duration of 3 years, which was increased in size recently. Mammography demonstratesd a well delimited lobulated mass with lucent halo. Ultrasonography showed a well encapsulated low echoic mass admixed with high echoic areas. Grossly, it was a 4.0 4.0 2.0 cm sized well demarcated oval-shaped firm mass with translucent thin fibrous capsule.. Microscopic findings were similar to the former. The amount of adipose tissue was 20%.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Breast* ; Connective Tissue ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography