To observe the anesthetic characteristics of two different speeds of injection using 0.5% plain bupivacaine during spinal anesthesia, 40 patients undergoing lower extremity surgery were allocated randomly into two groups. In one group, 3 ml of 0.596 plain bupivacaine was administered into the subarachnoid space using 25 gauge Quincke spinal needle to the patients with a lateral horizontal position at duration of 10 seconds. In the other group, the duration was 180 seconds. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in maximal level and its onset time of sensory blockade, hemodynamic changes, onset time to grade 3 Bromage motor blockade. We concluded that the speed of injection does not affect the anesthetic characteristics of spinal anesthesia using 0.5% plain bupivacaine.
Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Bupivacaine* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Needles ; Subarachnoid Space

PURPOSE: To measure the secretion of IL-8 from cultured human keratocytes after inoculation of conidia of A. fumigatus, and to compare the change of secretion of IL-8 following application of amphotericin B and dexamethasone. METHODS: Human corneal keraoctytes were cultured independently in vitro. The specimens were divided into 4 groups : Group I with only pure culture as control, Group II with conidia of A. fumigatus, Group III with conidia of A. fumigatus and amphotericin B, and Group IV with conidia of A. fumigatus and dexamethasone. The supernatants were aspirated from each group at different time intervals, and then were assayed for IL-8. RESULTS: Group II showed increased secretion of IL-8, at all selected time intervals except 12-h, in comparison with other three groups. Group III secreted IL-8 significantly less than the other groups(p<0.01). Group IV secreted IL-8 less than Group I and II at all selected time points(p<0.01), but more than Group III at the other time points except for 72-h(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The secretion of IL-8 increased in the early stage of fungal keratitis but decreased in case of the administration of amphotericin B or dexamethasone. Amphotericin B was more potent than dexamethasone in decreasing the secretion of IL-8.
Amphotericin B* ; Aspergillus fumigatus* ; Aspergillus* ; Dexamethasone* ; Humans* ; Interleukin-8* ; Keratitis ; Spores, Fungal

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Drainage*

PURPOSE: The results of anal fistula treatments have improved with the development of the anal fistula operative technique. However, there are still complications, such as recurrence and anal incontinence. To this end, the authors classified anal fistulas by using Sumikoshi's classification and performed an anal-sphincter-preserving procedure. METHODS: We experienced 98 anal fistula cases involving 86 patients who underwent anal fistula operations at The Catholic University of Korea, St. Vincent's Hospital from January 2001 to December 2006. This study was done retrospectively by chart review and telephone questioning. The follow-up period was from 2 to 72 months (mean 29.5, SD: 19.1). RESULTS: The study showed 0 cases of Type I (0.0%), 49 cases of Type II (50.0%), 46 cases of Type III (46.9%), and 3 cases of Type IV (3.1%) fistulas. Among the 98 fistula-in-ano operations were 27 (27.6%) of fistulotomies and 71 (72.4%) sphincter-preserving procedures (2 cases of coring-out+muscle filling+rectal mucosal advancement flap, 31 cases of coring-out+ muscle closure+rectal mucosal advancement flap, 28 cases of coring-out+cutting seton, and 10 cases of loose seton). After the sphincter-preserving operation, there were 4 cases (4/71, 5.6%) of recurrence. There were no major disorders of the anal sphincter. However, minor disorders of the anal sphincter (6/71, 8.5%, soiling) were found. CONCLUSIONS: The anal-sphincter-preserving procedure is very effective in preventing recurrence and anal incontinence, but these results are from a retrospective study with a small number of patients and the follow-up period was short. If further cases are collected and continuous follow-up is done, better results can be expected.
Anal Canal ; Classification ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Rectal Fistula ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Telephone

Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant bone tumor that is rarely found in the facial and cranial bones. It may be found in the mandible and maxilla but is very rare in the temporal bone. Surgery with adequate margins seems to be the procedure of choice and postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy is recommended as well as a long term follow up. The authors experienced a case of osteosarcoma of the temporal bone in a 39 years-old male. The patient underwent a tumor removal with open craniotomy and simple mastoidectomy; then, the mastoid was obliterated by temporalis muscle rotation flap. After operation, the patient received chemotherapy. The patient has been free of local recurrence or metastasis for 2 postoperative years.
Adult ; Craniotomy ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mastoid ; Maxilla ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Temporal Bone*

Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 37 IL and 34 CL approaches. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the segment involved was carried out on the same day as the operation for comparison with preoperative imaging. Radiological assessments of recess angle, recess height, facet length, and recess dural sac diameters were compared. In addition, pre- and postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores for the lower limb were analyzed. Results: For IL versus CL approaches, we observed statistical differences in the postoperative recess angle (36.0° vs. 43.7°), recess height (4.27 vs. 5.06 mm), and the dural sac expansion ratio for recess diameter (1.54 vs. 2.17). There was better preservation of facet length in the CL approach than in the IL approach (91.9% vs. 83.7%). There was no difference in VAS improvement between the groups (69.3% vs. 63.6%). Conclusions Unilateral biportal decompression via the CL interlaminar approach may offer better lateral recess clearance and facet preservation than can be achieved via the IL approach. Larger-scale studies are needed for better delineation and for correlation of radiological features with clinical manifestations.

Purpose: Oxyntic gland neoplasm (OGN) is a rare condition that can be classified as oxyntic gland adenoma (OGA) or gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic-gland type (GA-FG). GA-FG primarily presents as early gastric cancer, with only a few reported cases of advanced gastric cancer (AGC). We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of OGN and describe an aggressive variant. Materials and Methods: We investigated a total of 29 cases, including a patient with double primary cases, diagnosed with OGN or differentiated-type adenocarcinoma with GA-FG morphology, between November 2016 and April 2022. We analyzed 54 pathological specimens and reviewed their clinicopathological, endoscopic, and histological features.The lesions were reclassified as OGA or GA-FG, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for MUC-5AC and MUC-6 was performed on available resected GA-FG cases. Results: The median patient age was 65 years and males accounted for 58.6% of patients.Most cases occurred in the body horizontally (69.0%) and on the greater curvature side cross-sectionally (48.3%). Endoscopically, type 0-IIa (41.4%) and a subepithelial tumor-like appearance (24.1%) were the most common findings. Histologically, there were 8 cases of OGA (27.6%) and 21 cases of GA-FG (72.4%). In GA-FG, MUC-6 was positive in 13 cases (81.3%), whereas MUC-5AC was positive in 8 cases (50.0%). Three cases presented as AGCs. Conclusions Although OGNs are generally considered low-grade, they can present as AGCs and may exhibit features of lymphovascular or perineural invasion. Recognizing the clinicopathological features and accurately diagnosing OGN are important for providing adequate treatment.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are important pathogens causing nosocomial infections in Korean hospitals. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and genetic diversity of clinical S. aureus isolates in healthcare settings from 2001 to 2008. METHODS: Samples and data were obtained from 986 individuals as part of the National Antimicrobial Surveillance Project, involving 10 regions nationwide. Molecular typing studies, including multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing were performed, and a representative clone of Korean MRSA was classified by combinational grouping using a DiversiLab (DL; bioMérieux, France) repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) system. RESULTS: Nine Korean MRSA clones (KMRSA-1 to -9) were identified by analysis of genetic backgrounds and molecular characteristics. KMRSA-1 to -3, expressing clonal complex (CC) 5 (carrying SCCmec II), CC8 (carrying SCCmec III), and CC72 (carrying SCCmec IV) were spread nationwide. In contrast, KMRSA-6 was highly prevalent in Gyeongsangnam-do, and KMRSA-4 was highly prevalent in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemic KMRSA clones were genetically similar to major clones identified from the USA, with the exception of KMRSA-2, which had the SCCmec III type. Our results provide important insights into the distribution and molecular genetics of MRSA strains in Korea and may aid in the monitoring of MRSA spread throughout the country.
Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology/microbiology

Objective: This study investigated whether adding outer-well medium to inhibit osmotic changes in culture media in a dry-type incubator improved the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. Methods: In culture dishes, the osmotic changes in media (20 µL)-covered oil with or without outer-well medium (humid or dry culture conditions, respectively) were compared after 3 days of incubation in a dry-type incubator. One-step (Origio) and G1/G2 (Vitrolife) media were used. Results: The osmotic changes in the dry culture condition (308 mOsm) were higher than in the humid culture conditions (285–290 mOsm) after 3 days of incubation. In day 3 IVF-ET cycles, although the pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the dry (46.2%) and humid culture (52.2%) groups, the rates of abortion and ongoing pregnancy were significantly better in the humid culture group (2.3% and 50.2%, respectively) than in the dry culture group (8.3% and 37.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In day 5 IVF-ET cycles, the abortion rate was significantly lower in the humid culture group (2.2%) than in the dry culture group (25.0%, p<0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the rates of clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the dry (50% and 25.0%, respectively) and humid culture groups (59.5% and 57.3%, respectively) because of the small number of cycles. Conclusion Hyperosmotic changes in media occurred in a dry-type incubator by evaporation, although the medium was covered with oil. These osmotic changes were efficiently inhibited by supplementation of outer-well medium, which resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.

The intestinal obstruction during pregnancy is rare but early diagnosis and treatment is essential. This disease can be diagnosed very late because the presenting symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are often seen in normal pregnancies and most pregnant women avoid radiologic examinations. Moreover, this disease can be accompanied by high aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) which can be also found in acute fatty liver of pregnancy or preeclampsia, and it makes diagnosis to be much delayed. If the diagnosis were delayed much, maternal and perinatal mortality would be increased highly. Therefore, the previous record of abdominal surgery or above mentioned symptom should be considered as the intestinal obstruction, and simple abdominal x-ray for early diagnosis and prompt operation step are critical. We present a case of small bowel obstruction accompanied with high AST/ALT during pregnancy which had the history of previous cesarean section with a brief review of the literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Aspartic Acid ; Cesarean Section ; Early Diagnosis ; Fatty Liver ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Nausea ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnant Women ; Vomiting