We have experienced 11 cases of large bony defect that were treated using microsurgery since 1981. Free vascularized bone transplantation was performed in 8 of them, vascularized bone transposition in 2 cases, and free vascularized joint transplantation in the remaining 1 case. The causes of the large bony defect were primary bone tumor (4 cases), congenital pseudoarthrosis (3 cases), open comminuted fracture (2 cases), sequela of osteomyelitis (1 case), and post-traumatic ankylosis of PIP joint of second finger (1 case). As a donor, fibula was used in 8 cases, iliac crest in 1 case, rib in 1 case and in the remaining 1 case, the second M-P joint of foot was transplanted. In 9 of 11 cases, successful result was obtained and 2 cases were failed because of vascular damage following tibial lengthening in one case and infection on the grafted area in the other one. From the above data and review of articles, following conclusions were obtained. 1. Fibula is thought to be the most appropriate donor for the large bony defect in the extremity, especially in lower extremity, but the donor site must be determined according to the anatomical and physilogical condition of the patient. 2. After mechanical lengthening of the extremity, it is recommened to perform the microvascular surgery after sufficient time for the recovery of vascular damage. But further studies are required for the identification of the change in the vascular tissue following stretching and its recovery time. 3. Progression of the ossification in the epiphysis of transplanted iliac crest was observed and this finding proposed us the idea that the epiphyseal plate injury or leg length discrepancy will be able to be treated with free vascularized epiphyseal plate transplantation and the reconstruction of the destroyed joint of growing children will be possible using free vascularized joint transplantation. 4. As the technique become more popular, the free vascularized bone transplantation is being used for the reconstruction of the extremity more frequently, but it seems to be wise to restrict its indication to cases which are impossible to be treated with more simple methods such as vascularized bone transposition or pedicled bone graft.
Ankylosis ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Epiphyses ; Extremities ; Fibula ; Fingers ; Foot ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Growth Plate ; Humans ; Joints ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Microsurgery ; Osteomyelitis ; Pseudarthrosis ; Ribs ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

In patients disabled by severe rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis of both knees, bilateral total knee arthroplasty(TKA) afforded much functional improvement in pain relief and function. Postoperative results of bilateral TKA was described as being similiar to those observed among patients with single joint replacement. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the etiology and postoperative result of bilateral TKA performed on 32 knees in 16 patients at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital from Mar. 1985 to Oct. 1988. In our series, there were 15 females and only 1 male, their mean age was 53 years. Duration of follow up was ranged from 1 to 4 years and 5 months being average 1 year and 6 months. The results were as follow. 1. Cheif complaints were pain in 18 cases(100%) and difficulty in walking in 15 cases(82%). 2. Preoperative etiology was rheumatoid arthritis in 11 cases and degenerative arthritis in 7 cases. 3. Knee joint function by HSS(Hospital for Special Surgery) knee rating score was increased from 44.6 points preoperatively to 81.2 points postoperatively. 4. The tibiofemoral angle was changed from 1.4 degree varus to 4 degree valgus. 5. The prothesis type used were PFG(Press Fit Condylar) in 22 knees, Miller-Galante in 8 knees, AMK in 3 knees, PCA in 2 knees and unicompartmental type in 1 knee. 6. Complication were 1 case of knee fusion due to concomittant tuberculous arthritis and mild joint effusion in 6 knees. 7. Bilateral one-stage arthroplasty may be considered as an alternative procedure.
Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Orthopedics ; Osteoarthritis ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Seoul ; Walking

M-mode echocardiograms were recorded in 268 apparently healthy young male adults and the mitral valve motion during systole was analyzed. In 149 cases( 55.6%) out of 268 the predominant echo of mitral valve closure(CD line) was recorded as smooth line moving slowly anteriorly, in 48 cases(17.9%) the CD line showed an abrupt transient posterior motion during early systole, in 24 cases(9.0%) there were multiple additional echoes posterior to the CD line, 17 cases(6.3%) the mitral valve closure was recorded as pansystolic anteriorly concave echo deviating less than 2 mm from a drawn CD line, and 10 cases(3.7%) as curvilinear and anteriorly convex echo deviating from a drawn CD line. In the remaining 20 cases(7.5%), the mitral valve closure was recorded as pansystolic anteriorly concave echo deviating more than 2 mm from a drawn CD line, which was categorized to have mitral valve prolapse in the current study. However, there were no significant differneces in various echocardiographic dimensions of the heart and the aorta between those with and without mitral valve prolapse.
Adult ; Aorta ; Echocardiography* ; Heart ; Humans ; Male* ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Systole

Cardiovascular disease is the most important cause of unexpected sudden death. Although ischemic heart disease by coronary atherosclerosis is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death, other diseases such as cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease and rarely myocarditis can produce sudden cardiac death. Myocarditis is an inflammatory process of the myocardium characterized by an interstitial inflammatory infiltrate and an injury to myocytes adjacent to the inflammatory cells. The clinical expression of myocarditis ranges from the asymptomatic state to fulminant fatal congestive heart failure. Because myocardial involvement is subclinical in most acute infectious disease, the majority of patients have no specific complaints referable to the cardiovascular system. It is possible that it causes a medicolegal problems in case of sudden death. Therefore, author reviewed the clinical and pathological findings of 18 myocarditis autopsy cases. The victims 'age was varied 4-month-59-year olds. 5 (28%) were male and 13 (72%) were female. 15 cases received medical treatment due to clinical symptoms(URI symptoms: 2 cases, tonsillitis and tonsillar abcess: 3 cases, GI symptoms: 5 cases, URI & GI symptoms: 3 cases, pneumonia: 1 case, operation due to ovarian tumor: 1 case) and were associated with medicolegal problem. By the results of this study, important gross findings were pericardial effusions, characteristic cardiomegaly, and pulmonary edema.
Asymptomatic Diseases ; Autopsy ; Cardiomegaly ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cardiovascular System ; Communicable Diseases ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Death, Sudden ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Failure ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Cells ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocarditis* ; Myocardium ; Palatine Tonsil ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Edema ; Tonsillitis

BACKGROUND: Suspension ligamentoplasty using abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon without bone tunneling, was introduced as one of the techniques for treatment of advanced first carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of APL suspension ligamentoplasty. METHODS: The medical records of 19 patients who underwent APL suspension ligamentoplasty for advanced first CMC arthritis between January 2008 and May 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 13 female and 6 male patients, whose mean age was 62 years (range, 43 to 82 years). For clinical evaluation, we assessed the grip and pinch power, radial and volar abduction angle, thumb adduction (modified Kapandji index), including visual analogue scale (VAS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores. Radiologic evaluation was performed using simple radiographs. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 19 to 73.7 months). Mean power improved from 18.3 to 27 kg for grip power, from 2.8 to 3.5 kg for tip pinch, and from 4.3 to 5.4 kg for power pinch. All patients showed decreased VAS from 7.2 to 1.7. Radial abduction improved from 71degrees preoperatively to 82degrees postoperatively. The modified Kapandji index showed improvement from 6 to 7.3, and mean DASH was improved from 41 to 17.8. The height of the space decreased from 10.8 to 7.1 mm. Only one case had a complication involving temporary sensory loss of the first dorsal web space, which resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: The APL suspension ligamentoplasty for treatment of advanced first CMC arthritis yielded satisfactory functional results.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carpometacarpal Joints/*surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis/*surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Tendons/*surgery ; Thumb/*surgery

We reviewed forensic autopsies and scene examinations performed at Central District of National Institute of Scientific Investigation, requested by every kinds of law enforecement agencies in Chung-cheong area of Korea during the year of 2002, and analysed the data of forensic autopsies and scene examinations according to the cause of death and the maner of death. The results are as follows ; 1. Scene examination on the spot was performed in 18 cases ; Among these cases, 17 cases were unnatural deaths and the most common cause of death was thermal injury. Autopy was performed in all 18 cases. 2. The total number of forensic autopsy were 590 cases (399 males and 191 females). The number of the thirties (155 cases) and the forties (118 cases) occupied almost half (46.3%) of all cases of autopsy. 3. Unnatural deaths were 378 cases (64.1%), natural 177 cases (30.0%), and the unknown 35 cases (5.9%). In 378 cases of unnatural deaths, suicide was 63 cases (16.7%), homicide 135 cases (35.7%), accident 94 cases (24.9%), and the undetermined 86 cases (22.7%). Homicide occupied 60.1% of trauma, 65.0% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 91.4% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 61.0%, but it went up to 89.3% excluding hanging. It showed only 1 cases (2.0%) of homicide in poisoning. 4. In 378 cases of unnatural deaths, traumatic deaths were 167 cases(44.2%). Blunt trauma was 60 cases (35.9%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Of remaining 211 cases of unnatural deaths, there were 61 cases (16.1%) of thermal injuries, 49 cases (13.0%) of poisonings, 46 cases (13.0%) of drowning, 41 cases (10.8%) of asphyxia, 9 cases (2.3%) of medical procedures, 4 cases (1.1%) of electrocution, and one case of neglect. 5. Among 177 natural deaths, cardiovascular diseases were 113 cases(63.8%) and the leading cause of death in natural deaths. 30 cases(16.9%) of diseases involving digestive system were followed. 6. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 45 cases. Among these cases, homicide were 24 cases(53.4%) and most of them occurred in the preschool period.
Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Digestive System ; Drowning ; Homicide ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Male ; Poisoning ; Suicide

Pontine hematoma would be diagnosed and made its follow-up readily as the extent of hematoma could be clearly defined since the CT scan was available, especially with MRI in recent. Authors attemped to analyse 20 cases of pontine hematoma clinically, considering factors of influence their prognosis, admitted in Inha hospital from March 1989 to February 1992. Classification of pontine hematoma was made out according to the findings of brain CT scan taken on admission:2 cases of Type T1 to the hematoma localized in the tegmentum unilaterally, 1 case of Type T to those in the tegmentum bilaterally with some extent into the 4th ventricle, 12 in Type T to those in the tegmentum, midbrain and mostly the 4th ventricle, and 5 in Type B to those in the basis pontis mainly with tegmentum and midbrain. Of 219 spontaneous intracerebral hematoma, pontine hematoma was 9.1%. 17 hypertension and 11 previous CVA episodes including 7 cerebral infarction and 4 ICH were endountered. Age distribution was 50% in 6th decade and male to female ratio was 3:2. On admission 14 cases were under 6 in Glasgow coma scale, 6 small reactive pupils and 11 ocular bobbing. Particularly, nuclear facial paralysis was 14 in initial bilateral type, of which 7 dead within 10 days, 5 fixed in left facial paralysis and 1 case into right paralysis later. Four surgical interventions were 1 simple EVD, 1 Urokinase irrigation through EVD, 1 steretactic aspiration and 1 direct hematoma removal. Prognosis was related to various factos:GCS on entry, volume and classification of hematoma, in addition to laterality of nuclear facial paralysis. Clinical course was better in cases over 10 GCS on entry, volume and classification of hematoma, in addition to laterality of nuclear facial paralysis. Clinical course was better in cases over 10 GCS, Type T1 and T2, and unilateral facial paralysis in which the ratio of left to right was 2:1, while it was very poor in patients who were GCS below 6, Type B and bilateral facial paralysis. On the contrary, 7 of 20 cases were dead within 10 days, 13 patients alive for more 3 months after the hemorrhage were observed with fixed facial paralysis in nuclear type, 1 ilateral, 4 right, and 8 left side. It is suggested and requested for further careful follow-up that the hemorrhage may occur from the border zone between paramedian, short and long circumferential arteries supplying transection area of the pons unilaterally, near on around the facial nucleus, more frequent in left side.
Age Distribution ; Arteries ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction ; Classification ; Facial Paralysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mesencephalon ; Paralysis ; Pons ; Prognosis* ; Pupil ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Thirty four patients with diffuse axonal injury, defined as post-traumatic coma for over 24 hours with Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score of 8 or less following nonsurgical resuscitation, admitted to Inha Hospital from January to December 1991, were studied in order to identify clinical analysis. The aim of this study was to find out the effects of barbiturates or other intensive therapy or head elevation on the intracranial pressure(ICP), arteriovenous oxygen difference(AVDO2) and outcome. The results were as follows; The ratio of male to female was about 6 to 1. 2) In clinical signs at the emergency room, abnormal pupil size was shown 17 cases(61%) under 8-5 on the GCS, but all cases under 5 on the GCS showed abnormal pupil size. 3) Ventricular compression was shown in 29 cases(85%), 17 cases(50%) was showed the ventricular compression & cisternal obliteration. 4) Post-traumatic cerebral infarction was developed 59% of DAI and occurred in 88% of ventricular compression and cisternal obliteration. 5) On admission, above 5 ml/100 ml in AVDO2 was developed in 32 cases(94%) under 8 on the GCS, but in all cases under 5 on the GCS. Recording of ICP showed above 20 mmHg in 15 cases(44%). On coagulopathy, our cases showed that decrease of platelet was involved in 5 cases(15%), prothrombin time(PT) prolongation in 11 cases(32%), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) in 4 cases, fibrinogen in 5 cases. 6) The mean ICP was slightly lower when the patient's head was elevated at 30 degree than at 0 degree. The mean ICP was moderately lower when the patients were taken barbiturates therapy. ICP tends to increase from the 1st to 3rd day after injury. 7) The mean AVDO2 was significantly lower when the patients were taken barbiturates therapy, especially at the 1st day. 8) On the relation between Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) and Neurological grading(NG), GOS IV was developed in 8 cases(NG score 3-6), GOS III in 5 cases(NG score 7-9), GOS II in 2 cases(NG score 10). Total mortality rate was 56%.
Axons* ; Barbiturates ; Blood Platelets ; Cerebral Infarction ; Coma ; Coma, Post-Head Injury ; Diffuse Axonal Injury ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Prothrombin ; Pupil ; Resuscitation ; Thromboplastin

Two autopsy cases of asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency are reported. The first case is that a 38-year-old man died in a storehouse. Many pears were stored in a storehouse and the its atmosphere was strictly controlled. The second case is that a 42-year-old man died in the boiler room of a fishing ship. Much amount of Freon gas escaped due to a defect of the refrigerator in the boiler room. The victim entered the boiler room because he repaired the refrigerator. But, the victim died when he entered the boiler room immediately. In this article, the autopsy findings and the contents of the investigation of scene of two cases are described.
Adult ; Anoxia* ; Asphyxia* ; Atmosphere ; Autopsy* ; Chlorofluorocarbons ; Humans ; Oxygen* ; Pyrus ; Ships ; United Nations

Postmortem body inspection at scene and examination of the scene of death are very important in determination of the suspected cause of death, manner of death and interpretation of events leading death, nature of injuries, time of death etc. Actually these works must be performed by well-experienced forensic pathologists. And forensic pathologists should visit the scene of death before the body is removed. In Korea, attendance at scene of death by forensic pathologists is not performed effectively due to low faculty of forensic pathologists and the problem of medicolegal investigation system. But we try to overcome these problems and begin to the work of postmortem body inspection at scene and examination of the scene of body in area of Daejeon Metropolitan city since March, 2003. In this report we recommend the guideline for postmortem body inspection at scene on forensic aspects. We believe that sharing the experience and knowledge about scene investigation including postmortem body inspection at scene and examination of the scene of death is very important to improve and change the environment of medicolegal investigation system in the future.
Cause of Death ; Korea