OBJECTIVE: To determine whether local bupivacaine injection into the incision site after gynecologic laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) improves postoperative pain. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included consecutive 158 patients who had LESS for benign adnexal disease from March 2013 to December 2015. Chronologically, 82 patients (March 2013 to August 2014) received no bupivacaine (group 1) and 76 (August 2014 to December 2015) received a bupivacaine block (group 2). For group 2, 10 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was injected into the 20 mm-incision site through all preperitoneal layers after LESS completion. Primary outcome is postoperative pain score using the visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: There was no difference in clinicopathological characteristics between the groups. Operating time (expressed as median [range], 92 [55–222] vs. 100 [50–185] minutes, P=0.137) and estimated blood loss (50 [30–1,500] vs. 125 [30–1,000] mL, P=0.482) were similar between the groups. Post-surgical VAS pain scores after 3 hours (3.5 [2–6] vs. 3.5 [2–5], P=0.478), 6 to 8 hours (3.5 [2–6] vs. 3 [1–8], P=0.478), and 16 to 24 hours (3 [2–4] vs. 3 [1–7], P=0.664) did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Bupivacaine injection into the trocar site did not improve postoperative pain after LESS. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate the benefits of local bupivacaine anesthetic for postoperative pain reduction.
Adnexal Diseases* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Bupivacaine ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prospective Studies ; Surgical Instruments ; Visual Analog Scale

Progression of hip displacement is common in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). We aimed to investigate the rate of progression of hip displacement in patients with CP by assessing changes in radiographic indices according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level during hip surveillance. We analyzed the medical records of patients with CP aged < 20 years who underwent at least 6 months interval of serial hip radiographs before any surgical hip intervention, including reconstructive surgery. After panel consensus and reliability testing, radiographic measurements of migration percentage (MP), neck-shaft angle (NSA), acetabular index (AI), and pelvic obliquity (PO) were obtained during hip surveillance. For each GMFCS level, annual changes in radiographic indices were analyzed and adjusted for affecting factors, such as sex, laterality, and type of CP. A total of 197 patients were included in this study, and 1,097 radiographs were evaluated. GMFCS classifications were as follows: 100 patients were level I-III, 48 were level IV, and 49 were level V. MP increased significantly over the duration of hip surveillance in patients with GMFCS levels I-III, IV, and V by 0.3%/year (P < 0.001), 1.9%/year (P < 0.001), and 6.2%/year (P < 0.001), respectively. In patients with GMFCS level IV, NSA increased significantly by 3.4°/year (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that periodic monitoring and radiographic hip surveillance is warranted for patients with CP, especially those with GMFCS level IV or V. Furthermore, physicians can predict and inform parents or caregivers regarding the progression of hip displacement in patients with CP.
Cerebral Palsy/diagnostic imaging/*pathology ; Child ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Hip Dislocation ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors

Because complications are more common in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), surgeons and anesthesiologists must be aware of perioperative morbidity and be prepared to recognize and treat perioperative complications. This study aimed to determine the incidence of and risk factors for perioperative complications of orthopedic surgery on the lower extremities in patients with CP. We reviewed the medical records of consecutive CP patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Medical history, anesthesia emergence time, intraoperative body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, immediate postoperative complications, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, Cormack-Lehane classification, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification were analyzed. A total of 868 patients was included. Mean age at first surgery was 11.8 (7.6) yr. The incidences of intraoperative hypothermia, absolute hypotension, and absolute bradycardia were 26.2%, 4.4%, and 20.0%, respectively. Twenty (2.3%) patients had major complications, and 35 (4.0%) patients had minor complications postoperatively. The incidences of intraoperative hypothermia, absolute hypotension, and major postoperative complications were significantly higher in patients at GMFCS levels IV and V compared with patients at GMFCS levels I to III (P<0.001). History of pneumonia was associated with intraoperative absolute hypotension and major postoperative complications (P<0.001). These results revealed that GMFCS level, patient age, hip reconstructive surgery, and history of pneumonia are associated with adverse effects on intraoperative body temperature, the cardiovascular system, and immediate postoperative complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebral Palsy/*complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications/*etiology ; Lower Extremity/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures/*adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications/*etiology

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the nationwide incidence and risk factors for symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after major lower limb orthopedic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database was used to retrospectively identify International Classification of Disease-10 codes for DVT and operation codes representing hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, and hip fracture surgeries. The age- and gender-adjusted annual incidence of DVT, rates of major lower limb orthopedic surgeries, and the postoperative incidence of DVT according to the surgical procedure were assessed. RESULTS: The age- and gender-adjusted annual incidence of DVT was 70.67 per 100000 persons/year. Compared to patients aged <49 years, the relative risk of DVT was five times higher in patients aged 50-69 and 10 times higher in patients aged >70 years (p<0.001). Females showed a greater relative risk for DVT than males (1.08; p<0.001). The incidence of postoperative DVT, according to the type of surgery, was significantly greater for knee replacement arthroplasty than for other forms of surgery (p<0.002). The relative risk of postoperative DVT was higher in females in knee replacement arthroplasty (1.47) and hip fracture surgery (2.25) groups, although relatively lower in those who underwent hip replacement arthroplasty (0.97). CONCLUSION: Among major lower limb surgeries, advanced age, female gender, and undergoing a knee replacement arthroplasty were found to be risk factors for developing postoperative DVT. These findings further emphasize the need for orthopedic surgeons to consider the development of DVT after surgery in high-risk patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leg/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures/*adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology/etiology ; Registries/*statistics & numerical data ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis/*epidemiology/*etiology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Although previous studies have focused on risk factors for osteoarthritis, there is some debate on this issue. Furthermore, associated factors with arthritic symptom (arthralgia) have not been sufficiently investigated, despite its clinical importance in the management of osteoarthritis. This study was performed to examine the risk factors for osteoarthritis and the contributing factors to current arthritic pain in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys was conducted in 2009. Therein, 720 males and 1008 females aged 65 years and older were included. Comprehensive data on habitual, socioeconomic, medical, nutritional, and psychological factors were collected along with the presence of osteoarthritis and arthritic pain. After univariate analysis, binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for osteoarthritis and contributing factors to current arthritic pain. RESULTS: Age (p=0.005), female gender (p<0.001), higher body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001), and osteoporosis (p<0.001) were significant risk factors for osteoarthritis, while higher education level (p=0.025) was a protective factor for osteoarthritis. Higher BMI (p=0.047), lack of weekly moderate intensity activity (p<0.001), and unfavorable subjective health status (p<0.001) were significant factors contributing to current arthritic pain among subjects with osteoarthritis. Both osteoarthritis and current arthritic pain adversely affected health related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Higher BMI, lack of weekly moderate intensity activity, and unfavorable subjective health status were significant factors contributing to current arthritic pain. More attention needs to be paid to psychiatric effects on osteoarthritis and joint related pain.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Demography ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Joints/pathology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Osteoarthritis/*etiology ; Pain/*etiology ; Quality of Life ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: In Korea, since 1990, in an effort to reduce the transmission of non-A, non-B hepatitis, all blood donations with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels above 65 IU/L are discarded. In 2012, 64.8% of the disposed blood units at the Korean Red Cross blood centers were due to high ALT levels. Pre-donation ALT testing might prevent unnecessary blood donation and save related expenses. We evaluated performance of point-of-care test (POCT) devices for pre-donation ALT screening. METHODS: ALT levels by four ALT POCT devices (Mission C100, Acon; Reflotron Plus, Roche; Labgeo PT10, Samsung; and FDC NX500, Fujifilm) were compared with venous blood results using laboratory chemistry analyzers (AU series, Beckman Coulter Inc.). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), sensitivity (ability to detect ALT > or =65 IU/L), and specificity (ability to detect <65 IU/L) for each method were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with the laboratory analyzers, the ICCs of ALT measurements by Mission C-100, Reflotron Plus, Labgeo PT10, and FDC NX500 were 0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95~0.97), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99~0.99), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.98~0.98), and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91~0.96), respectively. The sensitivity was 80.95% for Mission C-100, 83.33% for Reflotron Plus, 78.57% for Labgeo PT10, and 97.62% for FDC NX500. The specificity was 99.13% for Mission C-100, 100.00% for Reflotron Plus, 99.78% for Labgeo PT10, and 98.26% for FDC NX500. CONCLUSION: The ALT POCT devices showed almost perfect agreement with the laboratory analyzers and could be useful for pre-donation ALT screening. However, before implementing ALT POCT devices, cost-effectiveness analyses should be performed.
Alanine Transaminase* ; Blood Donors ; Chemistry ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Missions and Missionaries ; Red Cross ; Sensitivity and Specificity

JL1, a specific epitope on CD43, is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of acute leukemia. Although qualitative assays for detecting leukemia-specific CD43 exist, there is a need to develop quantitative assays for the same. Here, we developed two novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 2C8 and 8E10, recognizing different epitopes on CD43. These clones are capable of pairing with YG5, another mAb against JL1 epitope, because they were selectively obtained using sandwich ELISA. Antigens recognized by 2C8 and 8E10 were confirmed as CD43 by western blotting using the CD43-hFC recombinant protein. When expression on various leukemic cell lines was investigated, 2C8 and 8E10 displayed a disparity in the distribution of the epitope. Enzyme assays revealed that these mAbs recognized a sialic acid-dependent epitope on CD43. Using normal thymus and lymph node paraffin-embedded tissues, we confirmed a difference in the epitopes recognized by the two mAbs that was predicted based on the maturity of the cells in the tissue. In summary, we developed and characterized two mAbs, 2C8 and 8E10, which can be used with YG5 in a sandwich ELISA for detecting leukemia-specific CD43.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Clone Cells ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme Assays ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes* ; Leukemia ; Lymph Nodes ; Thymus Gland

BACKGROUND: Despite the wide use of knee radiography in children and adolescent patients visiting the outpatient clinic, there has been no analysis about the prevalence and type of incidental findings yet. This study was performed to investigate the incidental findings on knee radiographs in children and adolescents according to age. METHODS: A total of 1,562 consecutive patients younger than 18 years of age were included. They who visited Seoul National University Bundang Hospital's outpatient clinic with a chief complaint of knee pain or malalignment between 2010 and 2011. We reviewed the knee radiographs and analyzed the prevalence and type of incidental findings, such as metaphyseal lucent area, epiphyseal cortical irregularity, osteochondroma and Harris growth arrest line. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 10.2 years (range, 1 month to 18 years). We identified 355 incidental findings in 335 patients (21.4%) and 98 abnormal findings (6.3%). The most common incidental finding was metaphyseal lucent area (131, 8.4%), followed by epiphyseal cortical irregularity (105, 6.7%), Harris growth arrest line (75, 4.8%), and osteochondroma (44, 2.8%). An epiphyseal cortical irregularity tended to have a higher prevalence at younger age (p < 0.001) and the prevalences of metaphyseal lucent area and Harris growth arrest line were also higher at a younger age (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the osteochondroma tended to have a higher prevalence at an older age (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the incidental findings on knee radiographs in children and adolescents and provides effective information from a viewpoint of an orthopedic doctor. The authors recommend considering those incidental findings if unfamiliar findings appear on a knee radiograph in the pediatric outpatient clinic.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; *Incidental Findings ; Infant ; Knee/*radiography ; Knee Joint/*radiography ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Little is known about the clinical features of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) combined with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The main objective of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of patients with AGC complicated by DIC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 68 AGC patients diagnosed with DIC at four tertiary medical centers between January 1995 and June 2010. RESULTS: Sixty eight patients were included. The median age was 55 years (range, 25 to 78 years). Nineteen patients received chemotherapy, whereas 49 patients received only best supportive care (BSC). The median overall survival (OS) of the 68 patients was 16 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 11 to 21 days). Significantly prolonged OS was observed in the chemotherapy group, with a median survival of 61 days compared to 9 days in the BSC group (p<0.001, log-rank test). Age and previous chemotherapy were another significant factors that were associated with OS in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, age (> or =65 vs. <65; hazard ratio [HR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.78; p<0.001), chemotherapy (BSC vs. chemotherapy; HR 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.63; p<0.001), and previous chemotherapy (yes or no; HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.98; p<0.045) were consistently independent prognostic factors that impacted OS. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that patients with AGC complicated by DIC had very poor OS, and suggested that chemotherapy might improve OS of these patients.
Dacarbazine ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop and to evaluate the applicability of the Korean comprehensive geriatric assessment tools through reliability and validity testing. METHODS: We developed standard and short-form assessment tools comprised of questionnaires on medical, functional, mental, socioeconomic status and lifestyle information and functional tests. The tools were administered as test-retest on 111 elderly outpatients at four university hospitals and two welfare centers in Seoul. Weighted kappa value, kappa value, Pearson's correlation coefficients and overall percent agreement were calculated to evaluate reliability. Validity coefficient was estimated by using the reliability coefficient. RESULTS: Reliability and validity coefficients were higher than 0.50 (fair or good) for 29 of 36 items. For test-retest reliability, the median was 0.66 (range, 0.29 to 1.00) for the kappa value and 0.83 (range, 0.53 to 1.00) for the Pearson's correlation coefficients. Compared to the standard form, the short-form assessment questionnaires showed to be reliable and valid. CONCLUSION: The Korean Comprehensive Assessment Tools, both the standard form and the short form, were shown to be a reliable and valid screening medium for assessing the health status of the elderly in the ambulatory care setting. These instruments can be used conveniently for comprehensive outpatient geriatric assessment.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Geriatric Assessment ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Life Style ; Mass Screening ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reproducibility of Results ; Social Class