PURPOSE: We analyzed the usefulness of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing to facilitate the healing of difficult wounds by comparing the results of conventional dressings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 20 cases for the experimental group (VAC group) and 20 cases for the control group (conventional dressing), and investigated the change in wound size, formation of granulation tissue, and duration of wound healing in the two groups. RESULTS: In the VAC group, the size of wound decreased from 60.2+/-59.1 cm2 to 29.7+/-18.8 cm2 (p=0.001). In the control group, it decreased from 60.3+/-83.3 cm2 to 34.4+/-47.6 cm2 (p=0.04). For formation of granulation, it increased from 1.2+/-0.4 to 2.7+/-0.6 (p=0.001) in the VAC group and from 1.2+/-0.4 to 2.4+/-0.5 in the control group. For the duration of healing, it took 17.5+/-8.3 days for the VAC group and 22.9+/-22.0 days in the control group (p=0.857). However there were no statistically significant differences in all the parameters between the 2 groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical application of VAC to difficult wound yield comparable results in terms of a decrease in wound size, formation of granulation, and the duration of healing. VAC dressing could be an alternative treatment option for a difficult wound considering the advantage of saving medical human resources.
Bandages ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Nitro Compounds ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: Anogential distance (AGD) and the 2:4 digit length ratio appear to provide a reliable guide to fetal androgen exposure. We intended to investigate the current status of penile size and the relationship between penile length and AGD or digit length according to birth weight in Korean newborn infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and February 2014, among a total of 78 newborn male infants, 55 infants were prospectively included in this study. Newborn male infants with a gestational age of 38 to 42 weeks and birth weight>2.5 kg were assigned to the NW group (n=24) and those with a gestational age<38 weeks and birth weight<2.5 kg were assigned to the LW group (n=31). Penile size and other variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Stretched penile length of the NW group was 3.3+/-0.2 cm, which did not differ significantly from that reported in 1987. All parameters including height, weight, penile length, testicular size, AGD, and digit length were significantly lower in the LW group than in the NW group. However, there were no significant differences in AGD ratio or 2:4 digit length ratio between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The penile length of newborn infants has not changed over the last quarter century in Korea. With normal penile appearance, the AGD ratio and 2:4 digit length ratio are consistent irrespective of birth weight, whereas AGD, digit length, and penile length are significantly smaller in newborns with low birth weight.
Anthropometry ; *Birth Weight ; *Body Weights and Measures ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fingers/*anatomy & histology ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Organ Size ; Penis/*anatomy & histology ; Republic of Korea

We made a mistake in our recently published article.

PURPOSE: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is very common among patients with a urological malignancy. We assessed the prevalence and patterns of use of complementary therapies among patients with bladder, prostate and renal cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and July 2004, we conducted a survey to assess the use of CAM at 13 outpatient clinics in Korea. Seven hundred and eleven patients with bladder (269), prostate (300) or renal cancers (142) were selected to answer a self-administered questionnaire on CAM, which were then analyzed. RESULTS: Among 711 patients with urological malignancies, 279 (39.2%) had been treated with at least one type of CAM, in addition to conventional Western treatment. The cancer patients treated with radiation therapy or immunotherapy were more likely to employ CAM than those using other therapies. Age, gender, cancer type, occupations, religions, level of education and disease status (stable or progressive) were not associated with the prevalence of CAM. 44.3% of CAM users wanted to discuss CAM techniques with their doctors, but only 24.8% received an explanation of there use. CONCLUSIONS: CAM is used by a large number of patients with urological malignancies, particularly in those undergoing radiation therapy or immunotherapy. Urologists need to have an accurate knowledge and apprehension of CAM. The possible effects and side effects should be defined, with appropriate guidelines recommended for patients with a urological malignancy.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Complementary Therapies* ; Education ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Korea ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of various anticholinergics in Korean children with non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB). A total of 326 children (males:females= 157:169) aged under 18 yr (mean age 7.3+/-2.6 yr) who were diagnosed with OAB from 2008 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean duration of OAB symptoms before anticholinergic treatment was 16.9+/-19.0 months. The mean duration of medication was 5.6+/-7.3 months. Urgency urinary incontinence episodes per week decreased from 1.9+/-3.1 to 0.4+/-1.5 times (P<0.001). The median voiding frequency during daytime was decreased from 9.2+/-5.4 to 6.3+/-4.2 times (P<0.001). According to 3-day voiding diaries, the maximum and average bladder capacity were increased from 145.5+/-66.9 to 196.8+/-80.3 mL and from 80.8+/-39.6 to 121.8+/-56.5 mL, respectively (P<0.001). On uroflowmetry, maximum flow rate was increased from 17.6+/-8.4 to 20.5+/-8.2 mL/sec (P<0.001). Adverse effects were reported in 14 (4.3%) children and six children (1.8%) discontinued medication due to adverse effects. Our results indicate that anticholinergics are effective to improve OAB symptoms and tolerability was acceptable without severe complications in children.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholinergic Antagonists/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Constipation/etiology ; Dizziness/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/*drug therapy

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes and safety profiles of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT)+abiraterone/prednisone with those of ADT+docetaxel in patients with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Materials and Methods: A web-based database system was established to collect prospective cohort data for patients with mHSPC in Korea. From May 2019 to November 2022, 928 patients with mHSPC from 15 institutions were enrolled. Among these patients, data from 122 patients who received ADT+abiraterone/prednisone or ADT+docetaxel as the primary systemic treatment for mHSPC were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: ADT+abiraterone/prednisone group (n=102) and ADT+docetaxel group (n=20). We compared the demographic characteristics, medical histories, baseline cancer status, initial laboratory tests, metastatic burden, oncological outcomes for mHSPC, progression after mHSPC treatment, adverse effects, follow-up, and survival data between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in the demographic characteristics, medical histories, metastatic burden, and baseline cancer status were observed between the two groups. The ADT+abiraterone/prednisone group had a lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression rate (7.8% vs. 30.0%; p=0.011) and lower systemic treatment discontinuation rate (22.5% vs. 45.0%; p=0.037). No significant differences in adverse effects, oncological outcomes, and total follow-up period were observed between the two groups. Conclusions ADT+abiraterone/prednisone had lower PSA progression and systemic treatment discontinuation rates than ADT+docetaxel. In conclusion, further studies involving larger, double-blinded randomized trials with extended follow-up periods are necessary.