PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic results of communited intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus that were treated by surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January, 1998 to December, 2004, we reviewed fifteen cases of intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus, which were treated by surgical treatment. The follow up period ranged from six month to 5 years. The functional results were evaluated using Broberg and Morrey's functional scale according to surgical approach, type of plate and location of plating. RESULTS: The functional results were as follows; seven excellent, six good, one fair and one poor. The mean range of motion in elbow joint was 7~106 degrees. The mean functional score was 86.6 points through olecranon osteotomy, 90.5 points through Campbell's posterior approach. The mean functional score was 91.6 points in cases using 2 reconstruction plate, 78 points in cases using 1 reconstruction plate and 1/3 semitubular plate, and 86 points in case using 1 reconstruction plate and lag screws. The mean functional score was 88.9 points in cases by posterior and lateral fixation, 86 points in cases by both posterior fixation and 97 points in case by both lateral fixation. CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences in treatment outcome according to surgical approach, different plate and location of plating.
Adult* ; Elbow Joint ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Olecranon Process ; Osteotomy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To evaluate the Three years clinical results of a total knee arthroplasty using the NexGen LPS-Flex fixed bearing system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred knees(65 patients) which used the LPS-Flex system for primary TKA and were followed up for a minimum Three years were evaluated. Evaluations included preoperative and postoperative range of motion(ROM), factors affecting the postoperative ROM that included age of the patient, the body mass index, the flexion contracture, degree of varus deformity, and Hospital for Special Surgery score. RESULTS: Knee ROM increased from preoperative 122.8 degrees to postoperative 130.5 degrees. The mean HSS score improved from preoperative 58.4 to postoperative 91.3. The femoral-tibial angle was changed from preoperative 6.4 degrees varus to a pos- toperative 5.5 degrees valgus. The most important factor that influenced the range of motion after an arthroplasty was the preoperative range of motion. One deep infection developed, but was cured with synovectomy and administration of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Primary TKR with NexGen LPS-Flex system showed satisfactory early results including excellent ROM. We found that preoperative ROM had a significant effect on postoperative ROM.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthroplasty* ; Body Mass Index ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Knee* ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and radiological results between patellar resurfacing, group and patellar retention group in total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 74 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty on due to knee osteoarthritis since March 1996, and followed-up for at least for 5 years, there were 42 and 32 cases in the patellar retention and patellar resurfacing groups respectively. These subjects were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 and 5 years postoperatively using the pain score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, walking and stair-climbing in knee function score and radiological analysis. The radiological evaluation was achieved by measuring the patellar tilt angle and displacement with a 45degreesmerchant view. The results were analyzed using the student's t-test. RESULTS: There were no significantly differences between the patellar resurfacing and patellar retention groups in the pain score, HSS knee score, walking in knee function score and radiological analysis (p>0.05), but the patellar retention group achieved superior results in stair-climbing (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological results were similar in the patellar retention and patellar resurfacing groups. The use of selective indications of patellar resurfacing is required in order to achieve better results for total knee arthroplasty.
Arthroplasty* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Patella ; Walking

The time domain entombment of bacteria by intratubular mineralization following orthograde canal obturation with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Single-rooted human premolars (n=60) were instrumented to an apical size #50/0.06 using ProFile and treated as follows: Group 1 (n=10) was filled with phosphate buffered saline (PBS); Group 2 (n=10) was incubated with Enterococcus faecalis for 3 weeks, and then filled with PBS; Group 3 (n=20) was obturated orthograde with a paste of OrthoMTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Korea) and PBS; and Group 4 (n=20) was incubated with E. faecalis for 3 weeks and then obturated with OrthoMTA-PBS paste. Following their treatments, the coronal openings were sealed with PBS-soaked cotton and intermediate restorative material (IRM), and the roots were then stored in PBS for 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 weeks. After each incubation period, the roots were split and their dentin/MTA interfaces examined in both longitudinal and horizontal directions by SEM. There appeared to be an increase in intratubular mineralization over time in the OrthoMTA-filled roots (Groups 3 and 4). Furthermore, there was a gradual entombment of bacteria within the dentinal tubules in the E. faecalis inoculated MTA-filled roots (Group 4). Therefore, the orthograde obturation of root canals with OrthoMTA mixed with PBS may create a favorable environment for bacterial entombment by intratubular mineralization.
Aluminum Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Calcification, Physiologic ; physiology ; Calcium Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Crystallization ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; microbiology ; Dentin ; microbiology ; Drug Combinations ; Enterococcus faecalis ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Methylmethacrylates ; therapeutic use ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oxides ; therapeutic use ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; therapeutic use ; Root Canal Obturation ; methods ; Root Canal Preparation ; instrumentation ; Silicates ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement ; therapeutic use