BACKGROUND: The prognosis for a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is very poor because of delayed diagnosis caused by the absence of specific clinical manifestations in the early stage, the limitation of the extent of resection, the high postoperative complication rate due to associated liver cirrhosis, and the high recurrence rate due to multifocal tumorigenesis. Among the various kinds of treatment modalities for HCC, surgical resection is still recognized as the first treatment method. However, it is true that surgical resection has many problems, such as a high operative risk and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Therefore, an evaluation of the factors associated with the overall survival rate and with the recurrence rate is very important for improving the results of operative therapy for HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and the pathological results of 44 curative hepatic resections for HCC performed at Chonnam University Hospital from 1991 to 1997. We evaluated 19 clinical and pathological factors by univariate and multivariate analysis, and we calculated the survival rate by using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 81%, 66%, and 28%, respectively. In 25 of the 44 cases, recurrences developed, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rates were 38%, 60%, and 65%, respectively. Factors with an independent effect on the overall survival rates were multiplicity of tumors, HBs Ag status, and Child classification. However, liver cirrhosis, ascites, prothrombin time, AFP level, and portal vein invasion were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The significant prognostic factors detected by multivariate analysis were multiplicity of tumors, HBs Ag status and Child classification. A preoperative evaluation for these factors should be done. If early diagnosis and multidisciplinary therapies are done through frequent postoperative follow-up surveys in these high risk groups, we can anticipate better long-term survival rates after a hepatectomy.
Ascites ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Child ; Classification ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Portal Vein ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Prothrombin Time ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate*

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia and surgery may exacerbate liver function in patients with pre-existing liver disease so it is important to choose less hepatotoxic anesthetics in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: This study was designed to examine the postoperative liver function test in 150 patients after hepatectomy with portal triad clamping through retrospective chart review. Patients were divided into an isoflurane group (group I, n = 56) and a propofol group (group P, n = 57) by used anesthetics for maintaining anesthesia. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time were checked at preoperation, and postoperatively at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days in the two groups. Indocyanine retention rate (ICG-R15) was measured at preoperation, and postoperatively at 1 and 7 days. RESULTS: AST values increased postoperatively at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days compared with preoperation. ALT values increased postoperatively at 1, 3 and 7 days compared with preoperation and there was difference between group I (443.8 +/- 52.1 U/L) and group P (202.7 +/- 24.7 U/L) at postoperative 1 day. Other values had no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Though it might need a well controlled study to find the differences in effect between isoflurane and propofol on the postoperative liver function test, we concluded that total intravenous anesthesia using propofol is also one of the safest anesthetic methods for hepatic resection with minimal hepatotoxicity.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Anesthetics ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Constriction* ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Isoflurane* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests* ; Liver* ; Propofol* ; Prothrombin Time ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The advantages of addition of epinephrine to local anesthetics during caudal epidural anesthesia are core intense block, prolonged duration of anesthesia and reduction of systemic toxic effect of local anesthetics. The currently recommended concentration of epinephrine is 1 : 200,000, but absorbed epinephrines cause unwanted hemodynamic changes, so we attempted to ascertain the minimum effective concentrations of epinephrine during caudal epidural anesthesia. METHODS: Ninty patients classified ASA physical status I or II scheduled for perianal surgery were studied. These patients were divided into four groups who received 20 ml of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine concentrations of 1 : 100,000, 1 : 200,000, 1 : 400,000 or 1 : 800,000 respectively. Before and during anesthesia, patients' mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured. Caudal anesthesia was performed with patients in the jack-knife position. A 3 ml test dose was administered initially and then the remaining local anesthetics were injected slowly. The onset of analgesia, duration of analgesia, and other complications were observed. RESULTS: The onset of analgesia was slowest in the 1 : 800,000 group. The duration of analgesia was longest in the 1 : 100,000 group. There were no significant difference in MAP changes, but HR increased significantly in the 1 : 100,000 group compared to the 1 : 200,00 group. There were no systemic toxic symptoms for local anesthetics except that 1 patient, who was in the 1 : 100,000 group, had symptoms of palpitation and headache, considered to be the unwanted pharmacologic effects of epinephrine. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the 1 : 400,000 epinephrine concentration can be used during caudal epidural anesthesia.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Caudal ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Arterial Pressure ; Epinephrine* ; Headache ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Lidocaine

BACKGROUND: Continuity is very important in primary care, and in most studies continuous care has been reported to have a good effect on the result of care. So we studied the factors influencing the continuity of patient care by physician in charge, especially in case of out-patient department in a university hospital. METHODS: We posed questionnaires to 55 persons who had visited continually to Paik Hospital in Pusan for at least 6 months. We classified them into three groups according to the degree of continuity using 'Modified Continuity Index', and compared the lower group (18 patients) with the higher group(18 patients). RESULTS: The incame of the higher continuity group was significantly less than that of the lower continuity group(P=0.042). But there were no significant differences between the two groups according to sex, age, the type of family, marital status, job and the level of education. The higher continuity group agreed more significantly than the lower continuity group with the question whether it is important to be treated continually from physician in charge(P=0.005). About the reasons for visiting to other doctors instead of the physician in charge, most of them in both group replied that they could not keep appointment. And there were no significant differences in the care pattern of disease between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the continuity of patient care by physician in charge, it is necessary to instruct the importance of continuous care to the patients and to motivate them through various methods.
Busan ; Continuity of Patient Care* ; Education ; Family Practice* ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Outpatients ; Primary Health Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a distressing adverse effect of anesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate antiemetic effects of metoclopramide, ondansetron and granisetron in middle ear surgery. METHODS: We compared the antiemetic activity of prophylactic administration of metoclopramide, ondansetron and granisetron in 103 patients undergoing middle ear surgery (tympanomastoidectomy and tympanoplasty). All Study drugs were given as a short intravenous infusion 30 minutes before the end of anesthesia. The incidence of PONV were assessed by direct questioning of patients at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hr after recovery from anesthesia. RESULTS: For the first 6 hr recovery period after surgery, the percentages of emesis in patients were 46.7%, 16%, 12% and 16% in the control, metoclopramide, ondansetron and granisetron groups respectively. After 6 hr, the percentage of emesis in patients significantly decreased in the control, ondansetron and granisetron groups when compared with the first 6 hr, but in the metoclopramide group there was no changes after 6 hr. CONCLUSIONS: The antiemetic drugs, metoclopramide, ondansetron and granisetron, were all effective in controling PONV in middle ear surgery.
Anesthesia ; Antiemetics* ; Ear, Middle* ; Granisetron* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Metoclopramide* ; Ondansetron* ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Vomiting

Apocrine adenocarcinoma is rarely reported in the world and only 4 cases are reported in Korean literature. We encountered a case of apocrine adenocarcinoma associated with basal cell carcinoma in a 76-year-old female. Excisional biopsy showed well demarcated basophilic cell mass in the upper dermis and glandular structure in the lower dermis. Basophilic cell mass consisted with basaloid cells and had peripheral palisading arrangement. Glandular structures characterized by cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm showed decapitation secretion. The cells showed nuclear atypicality, plemorphism and prominent nucleoli. The cytoplasm contained PAS-positive, diastase-resistant granules and stains for lysozyme and GCDFP-15(Gross Cystic Disease Fluid Protein-15) were positive.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Basophils ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Decapitation ; Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Muramidase

PURPOSE: This study was to examine attitude to death and life satisfaction between groups of elderly people with and without cancer. METHODS: This study used a descriptive research design. Data were collected from January to March 2013. Participants were 66 elderly without cancer and 65 elderly with cancer. A questionnaire was used to collect data. RESULTS: The attitude to death of participants was relatively positive and the degree of life satisfaction was medium or greater. There was no significant difference in attitude to death between the groups with and without cancer. However, the score for the life satisfaction of the group without cancer was significantly higher than that of the group with cancer. Attitude to death was significantly different according to sex, living together with family, and intention to prepare for death. Life satisfaction was significantly different according to gender and religion. The correlation between attitude to death and life satisfaction was not significant in both groups. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study the elderly had a generally positive attitude to death and were satisfied with their lives. Cancer influenced elderly people's life satisfaction, not their attitude towards death. To improve life satisfaction for elderly people with cancer, we need to research which factors could be important.
Aged* ; Attitude to Death* ; Humans ; Intention ; Research Design ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food composition databases are necessary for assessing dietary intakes. Developing and maintaining a high quality database is difficult because of the high cost of analyzing nutrient profiles and the recent fast-changing food marketplace. Thus, priorities have to be set for developing and updating the database. We aimed to identify key foods in the Korean diet to set priorities for future analysis of foods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: modified the US Department of Agriculture's key food approach. First, major foods were analyzed, contributing to 75%, 80%, 85%, or 90% of each nutrient intake. Second, the cumulative contributions to nutrient intakes were compared before and after excluding the foods least commonly consumed by individuals. Third, total nutrient score for each food was calculated by summing all percent contributions times 100 for nutrients. To set priorities among the foods in the list, we sorted the score in descending order and then compared total percent contributions of foods, within the 100, 90, 85, 80, and 75 percentiles of the list. Finally, we selected the minimum list of foods contributing to at least 90% of the key nutrient intake as key items for analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1,575 foods consumed by individuals, 456 were selected as key foods. Those foods were chosen as items above the 80 percentile of the total nutrient score, among the foods contributing at least 85% of any nutrient intake. On an average, the selected key foods contributed to more than 90% of key nutrient intake. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 456 foods, contributing at least 90% of the key nutrient intake, were selected as key foods. This approach to select a minimum list of key foods will be helpful for systematically updating and revising food composition databases.
Diet ; Food Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys

BACKGROUND: An intravenous infusion of lidocaine has been used on numerous occasions to produce analgesia in neuropathic pain. In the cases of failed back surgery syndrom, the pain generated as result of abnormal impulse from the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord, for instance as a result of nerve injury may be particularly sensitive to lidocaine. The aim of the present study was to identify the effects of IV lidocaine on neuropathic pain items of FBSS. METHODS: The study was a randomized, prospective, double-blinded, crossover study involving eighteen patients with failed back surgery syndrome. The treatments were: 0.9% normal saline, lidocaine 1 mg/kg in 500 ml normal saline, and lidocaine 5 mg/kg in 500 ml normal saline over 60 minutes. The patients underwent infusions on three different appointments, at least two weeks apart. Thus all patients received all 3 treatments. Pain measurement was taken by visual analogue scale (VAS), and neuropathic pain questionnaire. RESULTS: Both lidocaine (1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg) and placebo significantly reduced the intense, sharp, hot, dull, cold, sensitivity, itchy, unpleasant, deep and superficial of pain. The amount of change was not significantly different among either of the lidocaine and placebo, or among the lidocaine treatments themselves, for any of the pain responses, except sharp, dull, cold, unpleasant, and deep pain. And VAS was decreased during infusion in all 3 group and there were no difference among groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that 1 mg/kg, or 5 mg/kg of IV lidocaine, and palcebo was effective in patients with neuropathic pain attributable to FBSS, but effect of licoaine did not differ from placebo saline.
Analgesia ; Appointments and Schedules ; Cold Temperature ; Cross-Over Studies ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lidocaine ; Neuralgia ; Pain Measurement ; Prospective Studies ; Spinal Cord

Patient with compalints of swelling, pain in the maxillary region and discomfort visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital in August last year. Clinical examination and diagnostic imagings implied he was suffered from fungal h yphal infection but no causative fungus was found by the histopathologic and microbiologic investigation. Therefore he w as diagnosed with nonspecific inflammation. But as yet, we do think this case is very similar to some kinds of mucomycos is. So we presented this case for more thorough discussion. Following are founded in the examination. 1. Patient had sufferd from Diabetes mellitus and complained of stuffness, headache, swelling in buccal cheeks and pare sthesia. And we found more maxillary bony destruction and ulcer with elevated margin in the palate by clinical examinati on. 2. In the first visit, Plain films revealed general bony destruction of the maxilla, radiopaqueness in the sinonasal ca vities. CT and MRI showed soft tissue mass filled in the paranasal sinus except frontal sinus and bony destruction in in volved bones. 3. No causative bacteria and fungus was found in the biopsy and microbiologic cultures. 4. Caldwell-Luc operation and curettage were carried and antibiotics were taken for 4 months. But now he was worse than in the past. 5. In the second visit, involvement of orbit, parapharyngeal sinus, clivus, cavernous sinus and middle cranial fossa we re seen clearly in the CT and MRI.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cheek ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Curettage ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Frontal Sinus ; Fungi ; Headache ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Maxilla ; Orbit ; Palate ; Seoul ; Ulcer