PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present the results after functional reconstruction of the digits using palmaris longus tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flap in digits with compound defects. METHODS: This study is based on 29 cases of palmaris longus tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flaps harvested from the ipsilateral wrist for the reconstruction of compound defect of the digits. Over the past 10 years, we performed in 17 cases of complex defects of extensor tendon on dorsum of the digits, 7 cases of collateral ligament of the proximal or distal interphalangeal joint and 5 cases of flexor tendon defect with soft tissue defect on the palmar aspect of the digits. We assessed survival rate of the flaps and functional recovery of the digits. RESULTS: All free flaps completely survived except one with completele necrosis and another one with 50% necrosis. In cases of extensor tendon defect, the mean total active range of motion of the digits was 180degrees, in cases of flexor tendon reconstruction, it was 165degrees. In reconstruction of collateral ligament of interphalangeal joint of the thumb and digits, flexion and extension was within normal range and we got very good results without instability in all 7 cases. CONCLUSION: Palmaris longus tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flaps are very useful for reconstruction of composite defect of the digits with extensor or flexor tendons as well as collateral ligaments.
Collateral Ligaments ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Joints ; Necrosis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reference Values ; Survival Rate ; Tendons ; Thumb ; Wrist

OBJECTIVE: In patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the risk factors for seizure and the effect of prophylactic anticonvulsants are not well known. This study aimed to determine the risk factor for seizures and the role for prophylactic anticonvulsants after spontaneous ICH. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2010, 263 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH were retrospectively assessed with a mean follow-up of 19.5 months using medical records, updated clinical information and, when necessary, direct patient contact. The seizures were classified as early (within 1 week of ICH) or late (more than 1 week after ICH). The outcomes were measured with the Glasgow Outcome Scale at discharge and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at both 2 weeks and discharge. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (8.4%; 9 patients with early seizures and 13 patients with late seizures) developed seizures after spontaneous ICH. Out of 263 patients, prophylactic anticonvulsants were administered in 216 patients. The prophylactic anticonvulsants were not associated with a reduced risk of early (p=0.094) or late seizures (p=0.326). Instead, the factors associated with early seizure were cortical involvement (p<0.001) and younger age (60 years or less) (p=0.046). The risk of late seizure was increased by cortical involvement (p<0.001) and communicating hydrocephalus (p=0.004). The prophylactic anticonvulsants were associated with a worse mRS at 2 weeks (p=0.024) and at last follow-up (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: Cortical involvement may be a factor for provoked seizures. Although the incidence of early seizures tended to decrease in patients prescribed prophylactic anticonvulsants, no statistical difference was found.
Anticonvulsants ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seizures

No abstract available.
Microsporum ; Tinea Capitis

PURPOSE: The arterial pulsatility index (PI) is measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and is postulated to reflect the vascular resistance distal to the artery being examined. An increased PI of the intracranial artery is often reported with diabetes mellitus (DM), old age, hypertension, intracranial hypertension, vascular dementia, and small artery disease. Microvascular complication of DM, which may contribute to cerebral infarction, involves the small perforating artery and may influence the PI of the proximal artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a TCD examination in patients with type 2 DM with acute lacunar infarction (DML, n=35), type 2 DM without cerebral infarction (DMO, n=69), and in control cases with no DM or cerebral infarction (control group, n=41). We then compared the TCD findings among these groups. RESULTS: The PI was significantly higher in the DML and DMO groups than in the control group (1.05, 0.93, 0.73. respectively, for the right middle cerebral artery; 1.04, 0.90, 0.73, respectively, for the left middle cerebral artery; 0.97, 0.89, 0.70, respectively, for the basilar artery). The PI was also significantly higher in the DML group than in the DMO group for both middle cerebral arteries. The flow velocity was comparable among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The elevated PI of the intracranial arteries may reflect diabetic cerebral microvascular complications. The PI measurement using TCD may be a useful predictor of lacunar infarction in type 2 DM patients.
Aged ; Basilar Artery/physiology/ultrasonography ; Brain/*blood supply ; Brain Infarction/complications/*ultrasonography ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*complications ; Diabetic Angiopathies/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Middle Cerebral Artery/physiology/ultrasonography ; Pulsatile Flow ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ventilation tube is a percutaneous prosthesis which is exposed to external stimuli. The duration of retention and complication rate of ventilation tube partly depends on which type of tube is used. The purpose of this study is to classify ventilation tubes according to biofunctional characteristics and to design new ventilation tubes experimentally using computer graphics. MATERIALS AND METHOD:Two hundred and forty seven ventilation tubes were classified according to shape, size and material. Experimental design of a ventilation tube was performed with various graphic modellings. RESULTS: Grommet style was most common and most of flanges showed round type. Polymer has been a material of choice in making ventilation tubes. Length of the shaft ranged 1.5mm-15mm. Four kinds of models were created for designing a ventilation tube using computer graphics. CONCLUSION: Biofunctionality should be taken into account in designing ventilation tubes.
Computer Graphics ; Polymers ; Prostheses and Implants ; Research Design ; Ventilation*

Molded tympanic graft is beneficial in the difficult cases of middle ear surgery, for instance, total perforation of ear drum or revision surgery. For producing molded graft, it is essential to treat the graft material with physico-chemical methods. However, morphological change by influence to the epithelial migration by treatment of graft have not been clarified. To evaluate the morphological effects of molding process on the graft, human temporalis muscle fascias were taken and molded through drying, heating or treatment with chemical preservatives. Their ultrastructures were also evaluated using scanning electron microscope. In molding process, drying of fascia produced widening of interfiber space as well as flattening and fusion of fibers. Heating of fascia produced crater-like defects with amorphous matrix. Formaldehyde preservation induced more remarkable changes of fascia than alcohol.
Ear* ; Ear, Middle ; Fascia* ; Formaldehyde ; Fungi* ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Transplants*

Jeollabuk-do ; Osteotomy ; Recurrence

Orthognathic Surgery ; Politics ; Prognosis ; Social Change

Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a rare condition involving the distal lymphatics that is characterized by cord-like lesions on the shaft or coronal sulcus. Although the etiology is unknown, its association with mechanical trauma, anatomic variants, or infection has been shown. Clinically, the patient notices a painless, firm, cord-like lesion just proximal to the sulcus. Histologic study reveals hypertrophy and sclerosis of lymphatic vessel walls and, in some cases, thrombus formation within the dilated vessels. Most cases are self-limited, and conservative management is indicated, but surgical excision is warranted for persistently symptomatic lesions. We report three cases of sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis that required treatment by surgical excision.
Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Lymphangitis* ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Penis* ; Sclerosis ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: A retroperitoneal laparoscopy, by providing direct access to the retroperitoneal cavity, is useful as an approach to urological surgery. Here, our initial experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomies, in 18 consecutive patients with renal cell carcinomas, is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 18 consecutive patients, with renal cell carcinomas, that underwent a retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy between June 2000 and September 2002, were reviewed. RESULTS: The retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomies, for the renal cell carcinomas, were successfully performed in all but 3 patients. These 3 were converted to an open technique due to severe adhesion in 1 and bleeding in the other 2. Of the 15 renal cell carcinomas, the final pathological stages were pT1N0M0 in 14 and pT2N0M0 in 1. The mean tumor size and specimen weight were 4.3cm, ranging from 2 to 7.5cm and 258gm, ranging from 203 to 372gm, respectively. The tumors involved the upper pole, the mid pole and the lower pole in 5, 6 and 4 cases, respectively. The mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 195 minutes, ranging from 160 to 260 minutes, and 181.3cc, ranging from 50 to 500cc, respectively. In 4 of the 15 patients, Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) were used for the control of post operative pain, the other 11 required minimal postoperative analgesics. The mean interval to resuming oral intake and hospital stay were 2.3 days, ranging from 2 to 3 days, 5.4 days, ranging from 4 to 7 days, respectively. Complications occurred in 2 patients, and included partial atelectasis in 1 and pulmonary edema in the other. Neither local recurrence nor distant dissemination was observed during the mean follow-up of 13.6 months (range 4 to 25). CONCLUSIONS: A retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a safe and effective alternative, to an open radical nephrectomy, in patients with a localized renal cell carcinoma.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Analgesics ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Kidney ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy* ; Operative Time ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema ; Recurrence