PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the physiological spectrum of anorectal dysfunction among patients with full thickness circunferential rectal prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1988 and March 1995, 88 patients who visited department colorectal surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida with rectal prolapse were studied. There were 8 males and 80 females, with a mean age 69 (range 28~101) years. Patients underwent a detailed history and the following anorectal physiology tests were performed: anal canal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) assessment, anal electromyography and cinedefecography.4 standard continence scoring system, based on the frequency and type of incontinence (0=full continence, 20=complete incontinence) was used. Patients with rectal prolapse (n=88) were divided into two subgroups: Group I=continent patients (n=33) and Group II= incontinent patients (n=55). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between each group when comparing mean resting pressures, anal pressures, anal canal length, rectal compliance, rectoanal inhibitory reflex, increased fiber density, the occurrence of premature evacuation (p<0.001), and rectal capacity (p<0.05). However, dynamic changes of anorectal angle, resting anorectal angle, puborectalis length, and rectal sensitivity were not significantly different (p>0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Continence may be disturbed in patients with rectal prolapse; knowledge of impairment in continence may assist in surgical management.
Anal Canal ; Colorectal Surgery ; Compliance ; Constipation ; Defecography ; Electromyography ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Florida ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Physiology* ; Pudendal Nerve ; Rectal Prolapse* ; Reflex

Many kinds of different treatment options for fecal incontinence such as biofeedback therapy, anterior or posterior sphincteroplasty, pelvic floor repair, gracilis or gluteus muscle transposition have been introduced. However, appropriate indications for these treatment options have not yet been delineated up to now. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to access the preoperative severity of fecal incontinence by physiologic tests to give an idea that indications of appropriate selection criteria and parameters for assess the outcome could be simultaneously considered by preoperatively objective physiologic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 3, 1997 to, August 1, 1997 all patients with fecal incontinence who visited colorectal clinic in the Department of Surgery, Korea Veterans Hospital, were classified into two groups according to the severity of fecal incontinence (0~20): Group I (1~9), Group II (10~20) and compared them with the results of physiologic tests: anorectal manometry, endorectal ultrasound (ERU), cinedefecography, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML). Statistical analysis was performed by Student's-t test, and Chi-square test and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The number of GI was 25, and GII was 22. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age (GI: 57.7+/-14.5, GII: 61.4+/-14.0years), gender (male: female, 19:6, 16:6), cause (neurogenic; 11/25 (GI),7/22(GII), postanal surgery; 6/25,6/22) obstetric trauma (2/25, 2/22), anal trauma (1/25, 1/22) diabetes melitus (1/25, 2/22), rectal prolapse (2/25, 1/22), and others (2/25, 3/22), duration of fecal incontinence (64.4+/-82.2, 48.7+/-65.3 months), high pressure zone (3.3+/-1.7, 3.5+/-1.4 cm), mean resting pressure (50.5+/-27.0, 51.9+/-18.7 cm H2O), maximal resting pressure (88.4+/-50.6, 89.4+/-41.8 cm), maximal squeezing pressure (150.6+/-71.0, 129.7+/-59.5 cm H2O), rectoanal inhibitatory reflex (13/21, 8/21 positive), sensitivity (37.5+/-15.2, 41.8+/-29.0 cc), compliance (19.0+/-14.5, 21.4+/-39.4 cc/cm H2O) in anorectal manometric findings, anal sphincter defect (13/21, 15/22 positive), size of defect (60+/-26.30degrees, 71 +/-30.8degrees/360degrees), thickness of the external anal sphincter (3.46+/-0.78, 3.84 +/-1.02 cm), thickness of internal anal sphincter (1.58+/-0.79, 1.74+/-0.81 cm) in ERU, anorectal angle in rest (85.2+/-28.0degrees, 97+/-22.9degrees), squeeze (72+/-27.1degrees, 82 +/-19.7degrees), push (100+/-43.9degrees, 117.9+/-34.5degrees), length of perineal descent in rest (3.7+/-1.2, 3.6+/-1.7 cm), squeeze (2.9+/-1.5, 2.7+/-1.5 cm), push (7.9+/-3.5, 6.6+/-2.6 cm) in cinedefecography. However, rectal capacity in manometry (212.5+/-99.9, 155+/-51.5 cc, p<0.05), right PNTML (1.73+/-0.39, 2.71+/-0.83 ms, p<0.001), and left PNTML (1.83+/-0.43, 2.94+/-0.80 ms, p<0.001) were significantly increased in GII compare to those of GI. CONCLUSION: As the severity of fecal incontinence was increased, rectal capacity, right and, left PNTML were increased.
Anal Canal ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Compliance ; Fecal Incontinence* ; Female ; Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Korea ; Manometry ; Patient Selection ; Pelvic Floor ; Pudendal Nerve ; Rectal Prolapse ; Reflex ; Ultrasonography

T cell activation is a critical event for initiation and regulation of immune responses and inhibitors of such signaling pathways are clinically useful for the treatment of patients received allogratt and autoimmune disease. In the course of screening soil microorganisms from the forest of Cheju island in Korea for new immunosuppressive agent, one of Streptomyces species (CK-95441) was found to produce a new immunosuppressant, tautomycetin which also had antifungal activity. Tautomycetin showed the inhibition of T cell proliferation in murine mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and T cell activation induced by concanavalin A. Tautomycetin also blocked the induction of IL-2 gene expression which was examined in Jurkat TAg cell line in which multiple NFAT-binding sites and minimal IL-2 promoter drive the production of B-galactosidase. Also, the level of inhibition in activation-induced IL-2 receptor expression by tautomycetin was greater than those by cyclosporin A measured by flow cytometry. But, Fas ligand-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells was unaffected by tautomycetin which was measured by DNA fragmentation assay. These results suggested that tautomycetin will be able to be used as a potent immunosuppressive drug following organ transplantation.

No abstract available.
Ataxia* ; Brain Stem Neoplasms* ; Mesencephalon*

No abstract available.
Blood Platelets* ; Fetal Growth Retardation* ; Platelet Count* ; Pregnancy*

Sigmoidscopy is thought to be one of the basest and most essential tools for evaluation of colorectal patient because it could be performed in an out patient clinic with only minimal bowel preparation. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the patient's best position for sigmoidoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 4, 1997 and April 18, 1997, all patients who visited the colorectal clinic at the Dept. of Surgery, Korea Veterans Hospital were alternately underwent sigmoidoscopy in these four different positions: supine(S), left lateral(L), right lateral(R), and jack-knife(J). Sigmoidocopy was routinely performed for all patients who had lower gastrointestinal problems and was done by two well traind surgeons who had performed more than 100 sigmoidoscopies previously to this study, The patients who could not be tolerate insertion of the total length (60 cm) of the sigmoidoscope due to poor bowel preparation and/or complete obstruction by a mass were excluded. We evaluated the patient's complaints according to minimal, moderate, and severe discomfort and time between start and complete insertion of the 60 cm length of the sigmoidoscope. Statistical analysis was performed by an appropriate Anova test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no differences among these four groups relative to age(5; 58.0+/-12.7, L; 64.3+/-10.0, R; 62.0+/-10.1, J; 56.0+/-12.9), gender(5; 76%, L; 70%, R; 72%, J, 83%,male ratio), degree of discomfort (mild: 42.9% (5), 50% (L), 33.3%(R), 66.7%(J), moderate: 42.9%(5), 34.6%(L),25%(R), 13.3%(J), severe: 14.3%(5), 15.4%(L), 41.7%(R), 20%(J)) and duration of insertion of the sigmoidoscope(5; 264.4 +/-192.9, L; 226.5 +/-267, R; 301.6+/-361.3, J; 202.5 +/-117.8 seconds). Also, there were no statistical significances between the two groups according to the surgeon who performed the procedure. CONCLUSION: The best position for sigmoidoscopy does not depend on the patient's position. Therefore, allowing the patient to change his position during the procedure would be the best way for an easy and comfortable sigmoidscopy.
Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Korea ; Sigmoidoscopes ; Sigmoidoscopy*

Before surgery for hemorrhoid, patients always have a worry of postoperative recurrence. The exact incidence and risk factors of recurrent hemorrhoid have not yet been delineated up to now. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the etiology of the recurrence after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March, 1997 and Feburary 1998, all patients who visited the Dept. of Surgery, Korea Veteran Hosipital, due to the recurrent hemorroid after surgical managememt including sclerotherapy(Group II: GII, n=60) were compared to the age and sex mathed(1:2) with primary hemorroid patients(group I: GI, n=120). The risk factors which might be related with the recurrence such as 1) hemorroidal factor(duration of symtom, symtom, associated perinial disease) 2) patient factor (constipation, incontience, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary and hepatic disease) 3) anorectal physiologic factors 4) surgical factors were evaluated. Stastical analysis were performed by a chi-square-test or Mann-Whitney U test and set the significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age(GI 58.1+/-8.5, GII 60.9+/-3.3 years), gender(M:F, GI; 97:23, GII; 56:4 ). The ratio of having a contipation before surgery was 41% in GI, 55% in GII. It was not statistically significant. However, the other factors related with constipation such as duration of constipation(GI; 9.85+/-7.73 years, GII; 14.62+/-7.38 years: p<0.05), duration of straining during defecation(GI; 5.82+/-2.34, GII; 7.32+/-5.6 minutes, p<0.05) number of laxative use(GI; 29, GII; 28) were significantly different between the two groups. The fecal incontince are 5% in group Iand 13% in group II. There were no differences in patient's subject symtoms related with hemorrhoid, and comorbid perianal disease between the two groups. In anorectal manometric findings, rectal complince was significantly lower in GII than that of GI(25.1+/-50.04 cc/cmH20 vs 16.0+/-25.2 cc/cmH20 p<0.05). GII has a significant number of preopertive hypertension than GI(6.7% vs. 21.6%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When a patient with hemorrhoid has a constipation or hypertension, and lower compliance in manometric findings, it would be related with the postoperative recurrence after treatment. Therefore, we surgeons should correct these comorbid conditions before surgery, otherwise give an information to the patient of high chance of postoperative recurrence after management.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Compliance ; Constipation ; Hemorrhoids* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors* ; Veterans

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to identify the characteristics of the MSX1 gene (locus chromosome 4p16) in Korean nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CL/P), which is assumed to be a major candidate gene acting as a causal factor in nonsyndromic CL/P and missing teeth. METHODS: The 36 individuals (23 males and 13 females) who had visited the department of orthodontics at from 1998 to 2002 and who had nonsyndromic CL/P were included in the study. Using a PCR-based assay, the MSX1 gene was amplified, sequenced, and searched for inferred protein products (Reference: Homo sapiens MSX1, accession number AF426432 and NP_002439). The common single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed. RESULTS: In exon 1, nucleotide "A" of the 253 basepair (bp) region was substituted for "G", and in the 255 bp region, nucleotide "G" was inserted. In exon 2, nucleotide "C" of the 11 bp region was substituted for "A", and "T" or "G" was inserted into the 351 bp region whereas "T" or "A" was inserted into the 352 bp region. In protein analysis, "Thr85Ala" missense mutation was found. The "Thr85Ala" missense mutation in this study is different from those of studies using subjects of other races. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there is specific mutation of MSX1 in Korean and it plays an important role in Korean nonsyndromic CL/P. However, any distinct genetic polymorphisms between CL/P with missing teeth in the cleft region and CL/P without missing teeth could not be found.
Cleft Lip ; Continental Population Groups ; Exons ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Orthodontics ; Palate ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of the serum Creatine kinase(CK), especially brain typical creatine kinase(CK-BB) as an indicator of brain damage extent, mortality and long term nurologic sequelae, the study was done. METHODS: CK and CK isoenzyme activites were measured at 6-10 hours after birth in 160 asphyxiated newborn infants who admitted in Eulji General Hospital from August 1990 to July 1994. Infants were followed up for 1 years after birth to evaluate survival and neurologic outcome. RESULTS: 1) There was low correlation between CK-BB and 5 minute Apgar score(r=0.245, p=0.0026). 2) There was intermediate correlation between CK-BB and Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)(r=0.470, p<0.0001). 3) Infants who died within 24 hours after birth had significantly higher CK-BB activity(144.9+/-98.5U/L) than survivors(82.2+/-159U/L), (p=0.0160). Infants who died within 72 hours after birth had significantly higher CK-BB activity(130.2+/-108.4U/L) than survivors(80.5+/-161.1U/L), (p=0.0209) 4) Infants who died within 24 hours after birth had significantly higher CK-BB%(23.4+/-17.4%) than survivors(9.6+/-11.9%), (p=0.0042). Infants who died within 72 hours after birth had significantly higher CK-BB%(20.0+/-15.4%) than survivors(9.3+/-11.8%), (p= 0.0027). Infants who died within 28 days after birth had significantly higher CK-BB% (12.7+/-13.4%) than survivors(9.7+/-12.3%), (p=0.0500). 5) In the cases of neonatal seizure in 24-48 hours after birth, CK-BB was higher than in the cases of no seizure or seizure in 48 hours after birth. 6) CK-BB was well correlated to the grade of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. 7) CK-BB, CK-BB% and 5 minute Apgar score showed similar positive and negative predictive values for survival rate, abnormal findings of imaging studies and neurologic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: CK-BB is a good predictive value for the death within 24 and 72 hours after birth and the neonatal seizure in 24-48 hours after birth. CK-BB% is a good predictive value of the death within 24, 72 hours and 28 days after birth. CK-BB, CK-BB% and 5 minute Apgar score showed similar predictivity for neurologic outcomes during 1 years after birth.
Apgar Score ; Asphyxia* ; Brain ; Creatine Kinase* ; Creatine* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Isoenzymes* ; Mortality ; Oxidoreductases ; Parturition ; Seizures ; Survival Rate

Direct arterial pressure monitoring by means of an intra-arterial catheter has been considered benefit for assessment of the critically ill patients, safe conduct of controlled hypotension and frequent obtaining arterial samples for blood gas analysis. However in stead of these advantages, there would be high incidence of potential complications of arterial catheterization, such as pain, trauma to the artery and surrounding tissues(e. g., nerve), hematoma, infection, thrombosis, and distal embolization of air, clot, pieces of the catheter, and other debris. We have recently experienced an unexpected episode of amputation of the upper extremity resulting from axillary arterial occlusion following accidental injection of diphenylhydantoin through the radial arterial catheter in 57 year old neurosurgical patient. To prevent these serious and unexpected complications following arterial cannulation, we have to keep a continuous interest and vigilance to those who have invasive monitorings and those who are stranger to handle the arterial cannulation.
Amputation ; Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Axillary Artery* ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Catheterization ; Catheters* ; Critical Illness ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypotension, Controlled ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Phenytoin ; Radial Artery* ; Thrombosis ; Upper Extremity