PURPOSE: Recently, there are many good reports on the arthroscopic management of tibial condylar fractures. But, it may be appropriate for selected tibial condylar fractures and also needs a skilled technique. So we report the results of the tibial condylar fractures treated by the arthroscopy and limited percutaneous fixation or the arthroscopic-assisted management with conventional internal fixation without arthrotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1996 to December 1997, we treated 22 cases of the tibial condy- lar fractures including relatively comminuted one and analysed the results of patients who have been observed at least 1 year with Porters knee evaluation criteria. RESULTS: In 18 out of 22 cases, the results were Acceptable on symptoms(excellent 3, good 15, fair 4), in 18, on function(excellent 10, good 8, fair 3), in 21, on appearance(excellent 12, good 9, fair 1) and in 20, on radiographic appearance(excellent 11, good 9, fair 2). Overall results were Acceptable in 18 cases(82%) and Unacceptable in 4 cases(18%). CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic-assisted management with conventional internal fixation without arthrotomy can be the recommendable treatment for the tibial condylar fractures, including relatively comminuted one, without complications.
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Knee

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study is to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy of vertebral lesions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy and the clinical and pathological correlation of vertebral lesions. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A review of previous articles showed that the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy of vertebral lesions was between 77-94%. The greatest accuracy was achieved in diagnosis of metastatic disease or infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 22 percutaneous needle biopsies in twenty vertebral bodies and two posterior elements under the CT guidance. All biopsies were performed with a 16-gauge Osty-cut bone biopsy needle. There were 1 cervical, 8 thoracic and 13 lumbar biopsies. Transpedicular approach was performed on 13 patients and paraspinal approach on 7 patients. There were 8 malignancies, 9 infections, 2 benign tumors, 2 compression fractures and 1 butterfly vertebra. RESULTS: An accurate diagnosis was made in 18 cases(81.8%) of all cases. Two of the 22 specimens were blood clots and two specimens of tuberculous spondylitis were insufficient for definite diagnosis. Bacteriological studies revealed a causative agent in 43% of pyogenic spondylitis. Histologic diagnosis confirming the clinical suspicion was obtained in 16(80%) of the 20 positive cases. There was no complication. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous needle biopsy under the CT guidance is a safe and accurate method for obtaining a diagnosis of vertebral lesions such as osteolytic lesion and infection.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Butterflies ; Diagnosis ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Needles* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Spondylitis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present the usefulness of arthrometer (KT-2000) in patients with anterior knee instability and to assist in evaluating an objective prognosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed the manual maximum anterior displacement, passive anterior displacement at 30Ib force and compliance index between 15Ib and 30Ib, measured by KT-2000 in 82 cases of patient who had unilateral anterior knee instability and 40 cases of volunteers, as control group, who had no history of knee injury. We used the Paired and Independent t-test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In control group, the mean value of manual maximum anterior displacement is 0.8 +/- 0.9mm, passive anterior displacement, 1.4 +/- 1.3mm and compliance index, 1.1 +/- 1.1mm. In patient group, the mean value of manual maximum anterior displacement is 7.1 +/- 2.7mm, passive displacement, 6.1 +/- 2.6mm and compliance index, 3.8 +/- 1.8mm. We found that the patient group was revealed much higher degree of anterior displacement than the control group (p<0.005) . CONCLUSION: KT-2000 is objective and quantitative in diagnosis of anterior knee instability.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Compliance ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; Knee* ; Prognosis ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: We report the results of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft and a bioab-sorbable interference screw (Bioscrew, poly L-lactic acid, Linvatec co., USA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to December 1998, we performed 39 cases of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BPTB autograft and a bioabsorbable interference screw. The average follow-up period was 2 years and 8 months. We performed KT-2000 testing and measured the IKDC, Tegner and Lysholm scores preoperatively and compared these with the results of a final evalua-tion. We performed second-look arthroscopy on 4 cases and observed the degree of degradation of the bioabsorbable interference screw. RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation revealed an average range with a KT-2000 of 8.1 +/-3.4 mm, a Lysholm score of 66.2 +/-16.3, an IKDC score below C in all cases and a Tegner score of 3.7 +/-0.9, but final results showed a KT-2000 of 2.8 +/-2.2 mm, a Lysholm score of 91.7 +/-7.5, an IKDC score above B in all except 3 cases and a Tegner score of 6.9 +/-1.1. Second-look arthroscopy at 3 and 12 months post-operatively showed no degradation of the bioabsorbable interference screw, but there was partial degradation of the bioabsorbable inteference screw at 21 and 33 months. CONCLUSION: Bioabsorbable interference screws seems a reasonable alternative to metallic screws in ACL reconstruction. Bioab-sorbablescrew implanted in humans may take much longer to degrade than expected, more study is needed.
Arthroscopy ; Autografts* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lactic Acid

PURPOSE: To report the differences between previous articles in Korea on the common occurence of lateral meniscus tears and our cases, and also which clinical symptoms and signs are the most reliable for diagnosis of meniscal tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 118 patients who were confirmed to have a meniscal tear by arthroscopy from May 1996 to May 1998. The Chi-Square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There is no statistical difference of frequency between tears of the medial meniscus and those of the lateral meniscus. The most frequent clinical symptom is feeling of subluxation and sign is McMurray test. A combination of McMurray and squatting test is the most frequent positive sign of meniscal tear in our cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our cases, the frequency of medial meniscus tears is more common than those of the previous articles in Korea. To increase the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of meniscal tear, repeated and accurate history taking and physical examination, including above symptoms and signs are very important.
Arthroscopy ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Korea ; Menisci, Tibial ; Physical Examination

This paper proposes a system for nursing diagnosis and intervention management that is using nursing outcome indicators to guide the nursing intervention. In Korea, it has been studied on computerization of nursing process, but most of the studies are on the management of nursing records and not on the databases of nursing intervention. So far, the actual nursing processes have been performed by individual nurses' judgement without any supporting programs. Therefore, we provide the system with standardized database for nursing diagnosis and interventions so that nurses can make more accurate diagnoses and perform more adequate interventions. For that purpose, we have developed an algorithm that links nursing outcome indicators to nursing diagnoses and interventions. As a result, we expect the system can be used in many hospitals efficiently in the future after pilot operations.
Diagnosis ; Korea ; Nursing Diagnosis* ; Nursing Process ; Nursing Records ; Nursing*

PURPOSE: Of all meniscal tears, isolated meniscal tear accounted for about 20%~30%. Also only a few reports in the literature dealt with isolated meniscal tear, which has a lower repairability and healing rate compared to patients with meniscal tear associated with ACL rupture. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics of isolated meniscal tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June, 1996 and May, 1999, 170 cases confirmed to have a meniscal tear by arthroscopy, were included in this study. We analysed clinical characteristics, according to the type of injury, medial meniscal tear versus lateral meniscal tear, type and site of meniscal tear, as well as possibility of repair. RESULTS: The frequency of medial meniscus tear is more common than that of lateral meniscus tear. Additionally, the most common cause of meniscal tear was non- contact injury. Of the total isolated meniscal tears, 20.5% were repaired. CONCLUSION: In our case, the incidence of medial meniscus tear is higher than that of the lateral meniscus tear, but this study noted a significantly low incidence of repairablity in isolated meniscal tear. Based on preliminary findings in this study, we consider degenerative change of meniscus as the most important factor explaining the clinical characteristics of meniscus tear in patients, especially, over the age of 30.
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Menisci, Tibial ; Rupture

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the current trend of nursing research as exploring both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and to provide the explicit direction to improve the quality of published papers. METHODS: Total of 366 articles published between 2004 and 2006 was reviewed using the criteria of analysis. RESULTS: There was more number of quantitative studies than qualitative studies. More studies were conducted with subjects who had health problems, and studies that targeted women and elderly population have been significantly increased. In quantitative methodology, utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs has been increased, however descriptive study was dominant as yet. In qualitative methodology, studies using grounded theory and phenomenology were frequently published. It was noted that theoretical framework and rational for sample size were rarely presented in quantitative study. Philosophical position and the process of preparation for study, which guided the research, were not clearly described in qualitative study. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified, however, detailed and clear evaluation tool that assesses study process and method should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of published papers.
Bibliometrics ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing Methodology Research/*standards ; *Periodicals as Topic ; Qualitative Research

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify current characteristics of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and to explore a way to elevate it to an international level and to critique the overall review process so as to delineate the advanced, objective paper appraisal in this journal. METHODS: Data was collected using self administered questionnaires to 75 journal reviewers belonging to the Korean academy of nursing and its division academy of nursing from August 15th to September 30th, 2006. RESULTS: The majority of reviewers pointed out a lack of discrimination between the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and other journals. Among the main answers of reviewers, Creativeness(52.3%) and excellence of nursing(38%) will be critical factors to develop in order to elevate to an the journal to an international level. In specific evaluation areas, reviewers preferred a subjective critique method(60%), and the condition of the decision making process regarding paper acceptance as a combination of checklist and subjective evaluation(84%). Subjective evaluation opinions with major categories will occur in the next revised evaluation format. 76% of reviewers agreed with the current objective evaluation form. CONCLUSIONS: The journal review process should be evaluated on a regular basis to elevate the journal level and a mutual agreement of the journal's scope, range, and purpose will be necessary. As a recommendation, an attempt at various approaches in journal reviews and reviewer training should be made.
Adult ; Advisory Committees/standards ; Editorial Policies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nursing Research ; *Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic/*standards

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify current characteristics of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and to explore a way to elevate it to an international level and to critique the overall review process so as to delineate the advanced, objective paper appraisal in this journal. METHODS: Data was collected using self administered questionnaires to 75 journal reviewers belonging to the Korean academy of nursing and its division academy of nursing from August 15th to September 30th, 2006. RESULTS: The majority of reviewers pointed out a lack of discrimination between the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and other journals. Among the main answers of reviewers, Creativeness(52.3%) and excellence of nursing(38%) will be critical factors to develop in order to elevate to an the journal to an international level. In specific evaluation areas, reviewers preferred a subjective critique method(60%), and the condition of the decision making process regarding paper acceptance as a combination of checklist and subjective evaluation(84%). Subjective evaluation opinions with major categories will occur in the next revised evaluation format. 76% of reviewers agreed with the current objective evaluation form. CONCLUSIONS: The journal review process should be evaluated on a regular basis to elevate the journal level and a mutual agreement of the journal's scope, range, and purpose will be necessary. As a recommendation, an attempt at various approaches in journal reviews and reviewer training should be made.
Adult ; Advisory Committees/standards ; Editorial Policies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nursing Research ; *Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic/*standards