No abstract available.
Epiphyses* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Osteochondrosis*

STUDY DESIGN: The treatment of a stable fracture around thoracolumbarjunction is a controversial subject. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the result from long term follow-up of the stable spinal fracture around thoracolumbar junction according to the operation, osteoporosis and in situ extension bar, respectively. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The thoracolumbar junction is a transitional zone in which the kyphotic angle of thoracic spine is continued to the lordotic angle of lumbar splne. So it is prone to be injured biomechanically, and the stability of the spine around thoracolumbar junction is not determined yet. METHODS: We studied retrospectively 105 cases of the stable fracture around thoracolumbar junction from January 1985 to December 1995. The criteria of the stability were a compression fracture by Denis F., a bursting fracture without involvement of posterior column, a neural enchroachment of bony fragment below 30%, fracture without subluxation or dislocation in spinal junction. RESULTS: The most common cause was traffic accident and, the first lumbar vertebrate was common site. Below 30% of initial compression, the progression was not exceded 5% in operative group. But in nonoperative group, anterior compression was more progressed than initial compression over 5%. The degree of anterior compression was affected by osteoporosis and in situ extension bar just after injury. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest an anterior compression abode 30% in spinal body of thoracolumbar junction for an additional operative indication. The prognosis may be affected by osteoporosis and in situ extension bar.
Accidents, Traffic ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Fractures, Compression ; Osteoporosis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine ; Vertebrates

Many authers insisted that the fracture-dislocation of the vertebral column with locked facet, bilateral dislocation of articular facets which resistant to closed reduction, were necessary to posterior stabilization with anterior decompression. But using Harrington-Distraction rod, we experienced that the acceptable reduction of locked facet and posterior impinged bony fragments without anterior decompression, were obtained.
Decompression ; Dislocations ; Spine

No abstract available.
Hysteroscopy*

No abstract available.
Hysteroscopy*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Measles* ; Vaccine Potency

Microvascular anastomosis has become an essential technique in reconstructive surgery. A lot of techniques have been developed to improve patency rate and reduce operation time. But interrupted suture technique is still most widely used because of limited indication and inconvenience of other methods. A comparative study was undertaken to evaluate new microvasular anastomosis technique using fibrin glue. In this report 40 femoral arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats were anastomosed by utilizing four stay sutures which were placed 90 degrees apart and the intervals covered with fibrin glue, and by conventional eight suture method served as control. The patency rate(immediate postoperative, postoperative two weeks), time needed for vascular anastomosis, and microscopic evaluation were compared to those of conventional microvascular suture technique. Postoperative patency rate was 100% and 85% by fibrin glue technique compared to 100% and 90% by conventional technique at immediate postoperative and postoperative two weeks. Less time consumed with fibrin glue technique by 16 minutes compared to conventional technique by 21 minutes. Microscopically reendothelization was complete with smooth and less injured inner lining and also less inflammatory response by fibrin glue technique compared to conventional technique.
Femoral Artery ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures

No abstract available.
Myocutaneous Flap* ; Pressure Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Gamma linoleic acid (GLA, Epogam) is considered a safe and effective modality in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in which impaired function of the enzyme, delta-6-desaturase, has been reported to result in reduced levels of GLA, desaturated fatty acids. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to observe the changes of skin surface conditions measured objectively by bioengineering methods in relation to clinical improvement after treatment with GLA (Epogam®) in children with AD. METHODS: Thirty-four children with AD were treated with GLA (Epogam®) and evaluated with clinical parameters.The changes of skin surface conditions were monitored by non-invasive experimental instruments. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and gradual improvements in clinical severity after 12 weeks of GLA (Epogam®) treatment. The change of skin surface pH was statistically significant on the antecubital fossa and abdomen except the popliteal fossa. The other parameters including skin surface hydration and skin surface lipid did not show consistent changes. CONCLUSION: Clinical improvement of AD with GLA (Epogam) seemed to be achieved by the reduction of TEWL.
Abdomen ; Bioengineering ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Fatty Acids ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Linoleic Acid* ; Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase ; Skin* ; Water

Since calcification or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine was first described inJapan in 1960 by Tsukimoto, Terayama used the term of OPLL(Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament) in1964 and mainly reported in Japanese. But recently, the incidence of the OPLL has been reported increasing amongthe non-Japanese. Because of the OPLL may be associated wtih severe neurologic symptoms, which need to havesurgical decompression, exact diagnosis and analysis are necessary. The OPLL can be diagnosed by simple spine,conventional tomography, myelography and CT. Authors analysed radiologic findings of the OPLL in 8 patients, whowere diagnosed by simple spine. Conventional tomography, myelography and CT, and then performed spinal operation,at Hanyang University Hospital from March 1980 to June 1983. The results were as followings; 1. The age range wasbetween 45 and 63 years and most prevalent age was 6th decades(63%). 2. All of the patients were male. 3. All ofthe OPLL occurred in the cervical spine and predominant at the level of C3,4 (48%). 4. The most common length ofthe OPLL was 2 vertebral level. 5. Except one, which was discontinuous at the level of disc space, all of the OPLLwere continuous in length. 6. 7 of 8 OPLL were located in the midline, but one was in right. 7. The OPLL seemed tocorrelate with spondylotic changes. 8. Of all diagnostic procedure, CT provided better and exact visualization ofthe lesion with axial scan and sagittal reconstruction.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Male ; Myelography ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Spine