No abstract available.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Cytokines* ; Humans*

PURPOSE: Many investigators suggested that changes in hormonal environment in the postmenopausal women functionally or histologically effect the clitoris and vagina. We investigated the mechanism of female se xual dysfunction occurring in the decreased hormonal status, and aimed to establish and experimental base for the hormone replacement in postmenopausal women to correct sexual dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty mature female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups; control group, oophorectomy group, estrogen replacement group after oophorectomy. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and the degree of expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS), collagen content in clitoral tissues were analysed. RESULTS: nNOS and eNOS were significantly increased in the oohporectomized group while decreased in the estrogen replacement group (p<0.01). NOS activity showed the similar pattern of change (p<0.05). Oophorectomy induced a significant increase in collagen content, while the ratio of smooth muscle content was increased significantly after the estrogen replacement (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen deficiency induces collagen synthesis and decreases the content of smooth muscle in clitoris, resulting in a structural relaxation difficulty. We believe that NOS becomes more active to improve the relaxation difficulty and that hormone replacement helps to restore the normal state of smooth muscle relaxation. Considering these findings, we suggest that estrogen down-regulates NOS and its activity.
Clitoris* ; Collagen ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Ovariectomy ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Research Personnel ; Vagina

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical results and safety of the acellular dermal allograft (SureDerm(R), Hans Biomed co., Korea) as a new spacer graft in anophthalmic socket contracture. METHODS: We grafted SureDerm(R) as the replacing spacer in 8 patients for the treatment of anophthalmic socket contracture. Under local anesthesia, SureDerm(R) was sutured at the levator aponeurosis and upper margin of the tarsus using 6-0 Vicryl in the upper lid. In the lower lid, SureDerm(R) was sutured at the tarsal conjunctiva and lower margin of the incised conjunctiva. The patients were followed-up individually for 6 to 15 months. RESULTS Surgical results in all 8 eyelids (6 lower lids, 2 upper lids) were satisfactory. The grafted SureDerm(R) survived in all patients with little contracture. There were no other complications such as infection, rejection, or exposure. CONCLUSIONS: We consider SureDerm(R) a good replacing spacer material for the treatment of anophthalmic socket contracture.
Allografts* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Ankle ; Conjunctiva ; Contracture ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Polyglactin 910 ; Transplants

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To verify the advantages of adding gentle reduction and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), using a cage to the usual posterolateral fusion (PLF), with pedicle screw instrumentation, in the surgical treatment of spinal stenosis with isthmic spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The stabilization of isthmic spondylolisthesis, following decompression, is difficult. The PLIF, with a cage, offers anterior column support, reduction and a broad fusion base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 31 patients were treated with wide decompression, pedicle screws fixation, PLF and PLIF, and followed up for more than 1 year. The degrees of slippage were grades I and II in 20 and 11 patients, respectively. The grade I patients were treated with gentle reduction of the slippage in the disc space, using a leverage maneuver with a Cobb's spinal elevator. The grade II patients were treated with the insertion of a pedicle screws, fixation of rods, reduction and distraction, and then insertion of a cage. After the procedure all the patients were evaluated for the reduction of spondylolisthesis, restoration of the disc space, radiological bony union and clinical results. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the patients were rated as excellent or good. Fusion of the PLIF occurred in all patients. The average reduction in the spondylolisthesis was 42.6 and 47.8% in the grade I and II patients, respectively. The average restorations of the disc spaces were 46.9 and 100.2% in the grade I and II patients, respectively. The maintenance of the reduction and disc height were excellent in the final follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Adding gentle reduction and PLIF, using a cage, to the usual posterolateral fusion, with pedicle screw instrumentation, in the surgical treatment of spinal stenosis, with isthmic spondylolisthesis, showed satisfactory results in the reduction of the spondylolisthesis, the restoration of the disc height, the bony union and clinically.
Decompression* ; Elevators and Escalators ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis*

PURPOSES: To evaluate the effect of cycloplegia on the visual acuity and stereopsis according to the refraction and age. METHODS: This study included 112 eyes of 56 patients, which were divided into three groups according to the refraction. The best corrected visual acuity and stereopsis were compared between without and with cycloplegia in all groups according to age. RESULTS: After cycloplegia, at near, naked visual acuity decreased in 0.53 logMAR, average and stereopsis also deceased from 93 seconds to 343 seconds. At far, the naked and best corrected visual acuity had less decreased than near visual acuity. At near, there was no significant difference on the degree of decreased visual acuity and stereopsis according to refraction, but in emmetropic patients, the visual acuity at near significantly decreased. Patients younger than ten years old had more decreased visual acuity at near compared with older than forty-five years old. CONCLUSIONS: After pupil dilatation, there significant decreased near visual acuity and stereopsis, there was little change at far. The degree of decreased vision was different according to the refraction and age, therefore it would be helpful to explain the anticipating result.
Depth Perception* ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Pupil ; Visual Acuity

Most acute patella dislocations can be reduced closely using a spontaneous or simple maneuver, but it may not be possible if accompanied the by anomalies, such as rotation of the patella, osteophyte ridge protruding from the femur, or anatomical variations. This case report outlines irreducible acute patella dislocation with anatomical variations, a notched patella. If the reduction of an acute patella dislocation fails, an additional radiological examination and reduction under general anesthesia may be necessary with the possibility of an anatomical variant in mind.

A peroneal dislocation is a rare disease that is often misdiagnosed as a simple sprain and can be treated inadequately in the acute phase.For this reason, it is important to have an appropriate diagnosis in the early stages because it can progress to chronic and recurrent conditions. Surgical treatment is considered mainly when progressing to chronic recurrent dislocation. Recently, patients with an acute peroneal dislocation tend to prefer surgical treatment, so accurate initial diagnosis and management are very important. This paper reports a case of chronic recurrent peroneal tendon dislocation in both ankle joints, which was treated by a superior peroneal retinaculum reconstruction and a groove deepening procedure.

PURPOSE: We have experienced a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. METHODS: 39-year-old male patient complaint of proptosis and upper eyelid swelling of the left eye for 4 months. Orbit radiographs showed a 2 cm sized inhomogenous density mass in upper lateral aspect of the left orbit. Excisional biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Histopathologically, the mass was proved as an intermediate grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Postoperative radiopraphs showed no metastasis. Additional operation was performed to eliminate the remnant tumor near the lacrimal gland. The patient underwent a concurrent chemoradiotherapy and no recurrence or metastasis was found. CONCLUSIONS: We report a mucoepidermoid carcinoma which occurs rarely in lacrimal gland.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid* ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Exophthalmos ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus* ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Orbit ; Recurrence

The HELLP syndrome, which is characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets, complicates 4 to 14% of preeclamptic or eclamptic pregnancy. Its course is usually benign except when spontaneous hepatic rupture, a rare catastrophic event, threatens life. The authors have experienced one case of spontaneous hepatic rupture in HELLP syndrome during immediate postpartum period, which was treated with surgical intervention on the first postpartum day. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.
Female ; HELLP Syndrome* ; Hemolysis ; Hemorrhage* ; Liver ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture*

Purpose: We report the clinical outcomes of Korean patients who were diagnosed with orbital malignancies and underwent orbital exenteration. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the tumor origins, histopathological diagnoses, local/regional recurrences, distant metastases, surgical margin clearances, overall and event-free survivals, and adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy statuses of 14 patients who underwent orbital exenteration in our center from February 2009 to March 2020. Results: We enrolled seven men and seven women of mean age at the time of exenteration of 68 years (range, 37 to 80 years). The mean follow-up period was 44.6 months (range, 10 to 133 months). Most tumors had arisen in the eyelid (seven cases, 50.0%). The most common pathological diagnosis was malignant melanoma (five cases, 35.7%). We observed no local or regional recurrence after exenteration, but distant metastases developed in seven cases, of which four were malignant melanomas (80% of all melanomas). Positive surgical margins were observed in six cases (42.9%). The distant metastasis rate was 42.9%; the overall survival rate was 60%. The 1-year overall survival rate was 100%, the 2-year survival rate was 81.8%, and the 5-year survival rate was 56.1%. The 1-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 100%, the 2-year EFS rate was 72.7%, and the 5-year EFS rate was 49.9%. Nine patients received adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy and six patients received combined chemoradiation. Conclusions Patients underwent orbital exenteration to treat orbital malignancies and received postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiation exhibited differences in clinical outcomes and survival rates depending on the tumor type.