BACKGROUND: It is one of anesthesiologist's important tasks to know the accurate recovery state of a patient after general anesthesia. Postanesthetic recovery score (PARS) has been widely used as a measure of evaluating recovery state because it is simple, easy to apply and applicapable to all situations. In this study, we investigated whether there were correlations between PARS and PAR-stay time, and examined factors influencing PAR-stay time. METHODS: Two hundreds and five patients were selected randomly. PARS was measured in each patient immediately after he or she arrived at PAR. Correlations between PARS and PAR-stay time were studied. And other variables such as age, sex, physical status, operation site and anesthetic time were studied as influencing factors on PAR-stay time. RESULTS: There were no significant correlations between PARS and PAR-stay time. PARS was influenced by the operation site only. And PAR-stay time was influenced by the patient's age only. CONCLUSIONS: In evaluating the postanesthetic recovery state, it seems to be important to consider not only PARS but also other factors such as patient's age.
Anesthesia, General ; Humans ; Recovery Room*

BACKGROUND: Cardiac patients undergoing open heart surgery usually require ventilatory support that involves ICU admission in the postoperative period. We tried to find out determinants of postoperative ventilatory support time. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 56 open heart surgery patients retrospectively in terms of their disease, preoperative physical status, age, post-bypass arterial oxygen tension/inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FIO2) ratio, number of inotropics used and searched the relationship between each factor and postoperative intubation time. RESULTS: None of the factors except the number of inotropics used had an significant influence on the postoperative intubation time. CONCLUSION: In open heart surgical patients their disease, preoperative physical status, age, postbypass PaO2/FIO2 ratio do not affect postoperative intubation time rather than number of inotropics used does.
Heart* ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Medical Records ; Oxygen ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Outpatients*

BACKGROUND: Infections are usually related to the surgical patients prognosis. Therefore consultations from surgical departments to division of infectious diseases are considered very important in the aspect of improvement of surgical outcomes and control of hospital infection. This study was conducted to analyze the results of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 624 cases of consultation to division of infectious diseases from surgical departments from March to August in the year of 2002. RESULTS: Among 624 cases, 610 were included; 292 cases (47.9%) were new and 318 cases (52.1%) were follow-up requests. More than 50% of consultations were from the department of neurosurgery and orthopedics. Overall, 558 cases (91.4%) were about infection-related conditions, and among them, common causes were soft tissue infection, respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection. However, those results were remarkably variable according to each surgical department. The measures taken after consultations were change of antibiotics (35.6%), maintenance of antibiotics (18.4%), discontinuance of antibiotics (10%), start of antibiotics (9.2%), and observation without antibiotics (4.3%). CONCLUSION: This is the report on analysis of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. Through the analysis of consultations we expect to enable more efficient care of patients and infection control.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Communicable Diseases* ; Cross Infection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Neurosurgery ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Urinary Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Infections are usually related to the surgical patients prognosis. Therefore consultations from surgical departments to division of infectious diseases are considered very important in the aspect of improvement of surgical outcomes and control of hospital infection. This study was conducted to analyze the results of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 624 cases of consultation to division of infectious diseases from surgical departments from March to August in the year of 2002. RESULTS: Among 624 cases, 610 were included; 292 cases (47.9%) were new and 318 cases (52.1%) were follow-up requests. More than 50% of consultations were from the department of neurosurgery and orthopedics. Overall, 558 cases (91.4%) were about infection-related conditions, and among them, common causes were soft tissue infection, respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection. However, those results were remarkably variable according to each surgical department. The measures taken after consultations were change of antibiotics (35.6%), maintenance of antibiotics (18.4%), discontinuance of antibiotics (10%), start of antibiotics (9.2%), and observation without antibiotics (4.3%). CONCLUSION: This is the report on analysis of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. Through the analysis of consultations we expect to enable more efficient care of patients and infection control.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Communicable Diseases* ; Cross Infection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Neurosurgery ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most potent environmental pollutants, is known to disrupt the endocrine, immune, and reproductive system. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of a panax ginseng water extract (PG-WE) on the survival rate, sperm quality, and fertility impaired by TCDD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty male guinea pigs were divided into 8 groups. The normal control group received the vehicle and saline. TCDD was intraperitoneally injected at a single dose of 1microgram/kg. A PG-WE was administered at 100 or 200mg/kg/ day 1wk prior to (P groups) or subsequent to (C groups) TCDD-exposure for 12 and 10 weeks, respectively. The G groups received the vehicle and the PG-WE of 100 or 200mg/kg/day, respectively. The parameters for the male guinea pigs were assessed for 40 weeks. The effects on the F1 generation were assessed at a growth period of F1. RESULTS: All single TCDD-treated group animals died within 18 days and the survival rate of the PG-WE-treated groups increased in a dose dependant manner. Forty to 70% of the P and C groups survived until the 40th week and reached sexual maturation. The death rate of the progeny born from the PG-WE-treated groups was significantly lower than that in the NC group (14.3%). The M/F ratio of the F1 generation in the P and C groups had higher female birth ratio. The sperm number and morphology showed no significant differences among the groups. The PG-WE increased the sperm motility in the guinea pigs exposed to TCDD. CONCLUSIONS: Panax ginseng is a useful agent that can neutralize endocrine disrupters and environmental pollutants, and help maintain a high sperm quality after a growth period.
Animals ; Environmental Pollutants ; Female ; Fertility ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Panax* ; Parturition ; Pregnancy* ; Sexual Maturation ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Survival Rate ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin* ; Water

BACKGROUND: Linezolid, an oxazolidinone, has shown efficacy in the treatment of adults with nosocomial or community-acquired pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We have taken part in the study for evaluation of efficacy and safety of linezolid for the treatment of suspected or proven gram-positive SSTI in Asia. We sub-analyzed and reported the results of the study among Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study for evaluation of efficacy and safety of linezolid for the treatment of gram-positive SSTI at eight teaching hospitals in Korea. We investigated patients' medical history, physical examination and laboratory study. Patients were regularly followed up to evaluate clinical response, laboratory changes, and adverse event up to 4 weeks after treatment. When possible, we performed microbiological study before and after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were enrolled. Average age of the patient was 50.9+/-15.3 years old with male to female ratio being 1.3:1. Cellulitis, open wound infection, skin abscess, and other clinical manifestations were observed in 47 (78.3%), 6 (10.0%), 2 (3.3%), and 5 (8.3%) patients, respectively. Forty two patients completed both follow-up and treatment and among them, treatment was successful in 38 patients (90.5%) and unsuccessful in 4 patients (9.5%). Microoranisms were isolated from seven patients and 14 isolates were documented; 11 S. aureus, 3 coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Among the seven patients, bacteria were eradicated in four patient and the organism proved to be colonization in three patients. The most frequent drug-related adverse events were gastrointestinal (21.7%), hematologic and biochemical (21.7%) and neurologic (3.3%), in decreasing order. Nausea (15%) was the most frequent symptom and there were no serious side effects related to linezolid. CONCLUSION: Linezolid was effective and safe in treatment of gram-positive SSTI.
Abscess ; Adult ; Asia ; Bacteria ; Cellulitis ; Colon ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Korea ; Linezolid ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Nausea ; Physical Examination ; Pneumonia ; Skin* ; Soft Tissue Infections* ; Staphylococcus ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: Influenza is one of the preventable respiratory disease by annual vaccination. Elderly people and patients with chronic medical disease are the primary target for influenza vaccination according to ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization). This study was done to determine whether influenza vaccination affects hospitalization due to influenza like illness or it's related complications among chronic ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, case-control study was conducted for 5 months (Nov. 1999-Mar. 2000). Physicians from two-university hospitals in Korea were instructed to collect clinical data, sera from subjects presenting with a flu-like illness or flu-related exacerbation in patients with chronic underlying diseases. We compared the vaccination history of case patients with control. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odd ratio and efficacy of influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Hospitalization due to ILI (influenza like illness) or it's related complications were observed more frequently in patients with chronic lung disease (25.3%) and chronic cardiac disease (31.3%) compared to others. Influenza vaccination resulted in fewer hospitalization with ILI or ILI-related acute exacerbation of underlying disease in chronic ill patients (adjusted odd ratio, 0.328 [CI, 0.14 to 0.73]) during influenza seasons. CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic disease, influenza vaccination is associated with substantial health benefit including fewer hospitalization. Health care providers should take advantage of all opportunities to immunize these high-risk patients.
Aged ; Case-Control Studies* ; Chronic Disease ; Health Personnel ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza, Human* ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; Retrospective Studies* ; Seasons ; Vaccination*

BACKGROUND: Linezolid, an oxazolidinone, has shown efficacy in the treatment of adults with nosocomial or community-acquired pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We have taken part in the study for evaluation of efficacy and safety of linezolid for the treatment of suspected or proven gram-positive SSTI in Asia. We sub-analyzed and reported the results of the study among Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study for evaluation of efficacy and safety of linezolid for the treatment of gram-positive SSTI at eight teaching hospitals in Korea. We investigated patients' medical history, physical examination and laboratory study. Patients were regularly followed up to evaluate clinical response, laboratory changes, and adverse event up to 4 weeks after treatment. When possible, we performed microbiological study before and after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were enrolled. Average age of the patient was 50.9+/-15.3 years old with male to female ratio being 1.3:1. Cellulitis, open wound infection, skin abscess, and other clinical manifestations were observed in 47 (78.3%), 6 (10.0%), 2 (3.3%), and 5 (8.3%) patients, respectively. Forty two patients completed both follow-up and treatment and among them, treatment was successful in 38 patients (90.5%) and unsuccessful in 4 patients (9.5%). Microoranisms were isolated from seven patients and 14 isolates were documented; 11 S. aureus, 3 coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Among the seven patients, bacteria were eradicated in four patient and the organism proved to be colonization in three patients. The most frequent drug-related adverse events were gastrointestinal (21.7%), hematologic and biochemical (21.7%) and neurologic (3.3%), in decreasing order. Nausea (15%) was the most frequent symptom and there were no serious side effects related to linezolid. CONCLUSION: Linezolid was effective and safe in treatment of gram-positive SSTI.
Abscess ; Adult ; Asia ; Bacteria ; Cellulitis ; Colon ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Korea ; Linezolid ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Nausea ; Physical Examination ; Pneumonia ; Skin* ; Soft Tissue Infections* ; Staphylococcus ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: Influenza is one of the preventable respiratory disease by annual vaccination. Elderly people and patients with chronic medical disease are the primary target for influenza vaccination according to ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization). This study was done to determine whether influenza vaccination affects hospitalization due to influenza like illness or it's related complications among chronic ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, case-control study was conducted for 5 months (Nov. 1999-Mar. 2000). Physicians from two-university hospitals in Korea were instructed to collect clinical data, sera from subjects presenting with a flu-like illness or flu-related exacerbation in patients with chronic underlying diseases. We compared the vaccination history of case patients with control. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odd ratio and efficacy of influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Hospitalization due to ILI (influenza like illness) or it's related complications were observed more frequently in patients with chronic lung disease (25.3%) and chronic cardiac disease (31.3%) compared to others. Influenza vaccination resulted in fewer hospitalization with ILI or ILI-related acute exacerbation of underlying disease in chronic ill patients (adjusted odd ratio, 0.328 [CI, 0.14 to 0.73]) during influenza seasons. CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic disease, influenza vaccination is associated with substantial health benefit including fewer hospitalization. Health care providers should take advantage of all opportunities to immunize these high-risk patients.
Aged ; Case-Control Studies* ; Chronic Disease ; Health Personnel ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza, Human* ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; Retrospective Studies* ; Seasons ; Vaccination*