Macrostomia is a relatively rare malformation. There have been many surgical methods for the correction of macrostomia. The old method, a simple straight line closure , did not include reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle. Postoperatively, a depressed scar and severe contraction on the cheek were found, especially with animation. As a result, many authors have known that reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle was very important to avoid a depressed scar for the correction of macrostomia. The tendency toward lateral displacement of the reconstructed commissure has been attributed to linear scar contraction, and Z-plasty is advocated to prevent this deformity. However, we found that the Z-plasty scar may be conspicuous when the patient smiles. So we performed reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle to avoid a depressed scar, and straight line closure to avoid a conspicuous scar. In order to prevent linear scar contracture due to straight line closure, we overcorrected the new commissure. We treated 6 cases of macrostomia form May 1, 1996 to April 30, 1999 using straight line closure and reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle. Periods of follow-up were from 12 months to 35 months, with an average of 20,2 months. Every patient was analyzed clinically by ordinary scale method and anthropometrically by the ratio of abnormal distances to normal distances between cheilion and crista philtri. In 3 clinical assessments : symmetry of the commissure was excellent: degree of the scar at rest was good: and degree of depression with animation was excellent. The anthropometrical ratio was 1:1.05. Despite the fact that the linear scars were perpendicular to the minimal skin tension lines, the scars were inconspicuous. The muscle repair provided reconstruction to the modiolus and gave a natural appearance to the commissure, however it did not seem to provide sufficient bulkiness around the commissure. The straight line skin closure and repair of the orbicularis oris muscle provide effective functional and aesthetic reconstruction.
Cheek ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Macrostomia* ; Skin

The placements of silicone tube and silicone stent are helpful in maintaining the patency of lacrimal passage in endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR). Hwoever, they can cause obstruction of internal ostium due to complications, such as inflammation and granuloma formation. The authors evaluated the rates of granuloma formation in 33 cases who had undergone endoscopic DCR with placement of silicone tube and silicone stent and the optimal removal timing to increase patency rates. Granuloma formation was noted in 19 of 33 cases; 12 of the 19 cases developed granuloma formation between 7 and 12 week after operation. Therefore, we concluded that the rates of granuloma formation were higher in placement of both silicone tube and silicone stent than those of silicone tube alone, and the optimal time for their removal seemed to be between 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively.
Dacryocystorhinostomy* ; Granuloma* ; Inflammation ; Silicones* ; Stents*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland*

BACKGROUND: It has been recognized for many years that myocardial infarction is almost invariably associated with significant narrowing of one or more coronary arteries. However, the widespread use of selective coronary angiography has resulted in an increasing number of reports of patients with proved infarction and patent coronary arteries. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether any clinical features distinguishes patients with these findings from those having coronary arterial lesions. METHODS: The clinical association of myocardial infarction with no significant stenosis of major coronary artery on cineangiogram was analysed retrospectively. The findings on the 13 patients in this group was compared with those of myocardial infartion with significant coronary artery stenosis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in risk factors, hemodynamic findings of cardiac catheterization and the site of infarction between both groups. However, the patients with no significant stenosis of coronary artery had fewer complications during hospitalization and lesser ST segment change during exercise test before discharge. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that the acute myocardial infarction with no significant stenosis of coronary arteries would have the better prognosis. The mechanism of the acute myocardial infarction with no significant stenosis of coronary arteries might be studied in the aspect of the coronary artery spasm and the alternation of function of endothelial cell.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Endothelial Cells ; Exercise Test ; Hemodynamics ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spasm

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), which in Korea is used chiefly for CO poisoning, can be used in many disorders in orthopaedic field through the action of increasing oxygen tension of peripheral tissue, Since June 1986, when the multiplace hyperbaric chamber was built in our hospital, we have experienced 197 cases of HBO in orthopaedic field and we are to analyze the result of treatment and suggest reasonable indications. The outline of results are as follows ;1. Crushing injuries and wounds caused or accompanied by circulatory disturbance were most frequent among the 197 cases we've experienced, and received 17.5 times of HBO on average. 2. Discernible effectiveness was found in split thickness skin graft, diabetic ulcer and Buerger's disease as compared to the control group. 3. Otalgia was the most common side effect, but not severe. 4. From the above results, it is thought that HBO has fair range of indications in orthopaedic field and is worth using as an adjuvant means to surgery.
Earache ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Korea ; Oxygen ; Poisoning ; Skin ; Thromboangiitis Obliterans ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Wounds and Injuries

Purpose: To evaluate the proportion of bevacizumab and the reason for its usage in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for 1,541 patients who received ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab injection to treat wet AMD. The proportion of bevacizumab among the entire set of injections was identified. The reason for selecting bevacizumab was additionally identified. Results: During the study period, a total of 2,929 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections were performed; 2,236 (76.3%) were ranibizumab or aflibercept injections and 693 (23.7%) were bevacizumab injections. The most common reason for bevacizumab usage was ‘having a 0.1 or worse best-corrected visual acuity or being unable to assure reimbursement due to the development of extensive scarring or geographic atrophy’ (297 bevacizumab injections, 42.9%). The second most common reason was ‘the inability to assure reimbursement such as extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or early CNV without definite fluid in the foveal region’ (201 bevacizumab injections, 29.0%). Conclusions Bevacizumab was used in 23.7% of the anti-VEGF injections to treat wet AMD. When analyzing patients’ treatment burden and financial impact, the results of the present study may provide useful information. Further multi-center studies are required to evaluate more precisely the usage of anti-VEGF drugs.

Purpose: To evaluate the proportion and reasons for ineligibility to re-register for extended health insurance at 5 years in patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and registered for extended health insurance. Methods: This retrospective study was performed in patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD and registered for extended health insurance with follow-up for at least 5 years. The criteria for re-registration for extended health insurance were determined along with the ineligibility for re-registration. Results: In total, 263 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 148 (56.3%) did not satisfy the criteria for re-registration. No active treatment was performed in 98 patients during the last 6 months of the study period (no recurrence, 51 patients; additional treatment was not considered beneficial due to retinal damage even without disciform scar formation, 44 patients). Macular disciform scar formation was noted in 50 patients (33.8%). Older age (p = 0.013), poor visual acuity (p = 0.004), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (p < 0.001) were associated with ineligibility for re-registration due to severe retinal damage. Conclusions Among the patients who were initially registered for extended health insurance, 56.3% failed to satisfy the re-registration criteria. The primary reason was advanced retinal damage. The results of this study provide useful information for patient education and to establish long-term treatment strategies.

Purpose: To evaluate the proportion of bevacizumab and the reason for its usage in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for 1,541 patients who received ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab injection to treat wet AMD. The proportion of bevacizumab among the entire set of injections was identified. The reason for selecting bevacizumab was additionally identified. Results: During the study period, a total of 2,929 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections were performed; 2,236 (76.3%) were ranibizumab or aflibercept injections and 693 (23.7%) were bevacizumab injections. The most common reason for bevacizumab usage was ‘having a 0.1 or worse best-corrected visual acuity or being unable to assure reimbursement due to the development of extensive scarring or geographic atrophy’ (297 bevacizumab injections, 42.9%). The second most common reason was ‘the inability to assure reimbursement such as extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or early CNV without definite fluid in the foveal region’ (201 bevacizumab injections, 29.0%). Conclusions Bevacizumab was used in 23.7% of the anti-VEGF injections to treat wet AMD. When analyzing patients’ treatment burden and financial impact, the results of the present study may provide useful information. Further multi-center studies are required to evaluate more precisely the usage of anti-VEGF drugs.

Purpose: To evaluate the proportion and reasons for ineligibility to re-register for extended health insurance at 5 years in patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and registered for extended health insurance. Methods: This retrospective study was performed in patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD and registered for extended health insurance with follow-up for at least 5 years. The criteria for re-registration for extended health insurance were determined along with the ineligibility for re-registration. Results: In total, 263 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 148 (56.3%) did not satisfy the criteria for re-registration. No active treatment was performed in 98 patients during the last 6 months of the study period (no recurrence, 51 patients; additional treatment was not considered beneficial due to retinal damage even without disciform scar formation, 44 patients). Macular disciform scar formation was noted in 50 patients (33.8%). Older age (p = 0.013), poor visual acuity (p = 0.004), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (p < 0.001) were associated with ineligibility for re-registration due to severe retinal damage. Conclusions Among the patients who were initially registered for extended health insurance, 56.3% failed to satisfy the re-registration criteria. The primary reason was advanced retinal damage. The results of this study provide useful information for patient education and to establish long-term treatment strategies.