BACKGROUND: Several types of three-dimensional (3D)-printed tracheal scaffolds have been reported. Nonetheless, most of these studies concentrated only on application of the final product to an in vivo animal study and could not show the effects of various 3D printing methods, materials, or parameters for creation of an optimal 3D-printed tracheal scaffold. The purpose of this study was to characterize polycaprolactone (PCL) tracheal scaffolds 3D-printed by the 4-axis fused deposition modeling (FDM) method and determine the differences in the scaffold depending on the additive manufacturing method. METHODS: The standard 3D trachea model for FDM was applied to a 4-axis FDM scaffold and conventional FDM scaffold. The scaffold morphology, mechanical properties, porosity, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Scaffolds were implanted into a 7 × 10-mm artificial tracheal defect in rabbits. Four and 8 weeks after the operation, the reconstructed sites were evaluated by bronchoscopic, radiological, and histological analyses. RESULTS: The 4-axis FDM provided greater dimensional accuracy and was significantly closer to CAD software-based designs with a predefined pore size and pore interconnectivity as compared to the conventional scaffold. The 4-axis tracheal scaffold showed superior mechanical properties. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the 4-axis FDM process is more suitable for the development of an accurate and mechanically superior trachea scaffold.
Animals ; Methods ; Porosity ; Printing, Three-Dimensional* ; Rabbits ; Trachea*

Hydrocolloid dressings have been developed for many types of wound healing. In particular, dressing is a critical component in the successful recover of burn injuries, which causes a great number of people to not only suffer from physical but also psychological and economic anguish each year. Additionally, silk fibroin is the safest material for tissue engineering due to biocompatibility. In this study, we fabricated hydrocolloid dressings incorporating silk fibroin nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of hydrocolloid dressing and then use this silk fibroin nanoparticle hydrocolloid dressing (SFNHD) in animal models to treat burn wounds. The structures and properties of SFNHD were characterized using tensile strength and Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The results indicated the structural stability and the cellular biocompatibility of the hydrocolloid dressing suggesting that SFNHD can be applied to the treatment of wounds. To demonstrate the capacity of a silk fibroin hydrocolloid dressing to treat burn wounds, we compared SFNHD to gauze and Neoderm®, a commercially available dressing. This study clearly demonstrated accelerated wound healing with greater wound structural integrity and minimal wound size after treatment with SFNHD. These observations indicate that SFNHD may be an improvement upon current standard dressings such as Gauze and Neoderm® for burn wounds.
Bandages ; Bandages, Hydrocolloid* ; Burns ; Cell Count ; Colloids* ; Fibroins* ; Models, Animal ; Nanoparticles* ; Silk* ; Stress, Psychological ; Tensile Strength ; Tissue Engineering ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening soft tissue infection primarily affecting the superficial and deep fascial planes. If proper treatment is delayed, the infection may cause extensive necrosis of overlying skin, destroying fascia, adipose tissue and muscle and producing severe systemic toxicity. So the key to the successful outcome is early recognition and rapid initiation of definitive radical debridement. The authors report, along with a literature review, one case of necrotizing fasciitis spreading into the anterior chest wall.
Adipose Tissue ; Debridement ; Fascia ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Muscles ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Gore-Tex is a popular graft material used in rhinoplasty. But there are several complications such as infection, seroma, and persistent swelling. Infection is the most common complication. The aim of this study was the evaluation of various protocols for Gore-Tex decontamination. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Gore-Tex specimens were sectioned and separated into six groups. These were treated with povidone-iodine or antibiotics solution. Nasal cavity swab was performed both in the control group and patient group of chronic sinusitis. The culture of swab specimens incubated in agar plates were compared statistically. RESULTS: Povidone-iodine groups revealed significant decrease in the bacterial colony counts. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that impregnation of povidone-iodine supports the efficacy of decontamination Gore-Tex Implant.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Decontamination ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Povidone-Iodine ; Rhinoplasty ; Seroma ; Sinusitis ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the change of clinical manifestations after 1 year of administration of anthocyanoside (Tagen-F(R)) to patients with NPDR-associated macular edema. METHODS: One hundred seventy-five eyes in 88 patients were enrolled in this study, at 5 centers, from March, 2005 to October, 2005. Patients took 3 capsules of Vaccinium myrtillus extract (170 mg/capsule, Tagen-F(R), Kukje pharmaceutical) per day. The primary endpoints were corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity which were checked at 2 months following the beginning of treatment [East 1]. The secondary endpoints were the number of hard exudates, microaneurysms, leaking points and the changes of foveal thickness. These were examined at the beginning of, 6 months after, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Corrected visual acuity showed no significant changes during 12 months. Contrast sensitivity improved gradually, especially in 12, 16 cycles per degree [East 2]. There was no statistically significant changes in the numbers of hard exudates, microaneurysms, and leaking points. Foveal thickness measured by OCT was maintained and there was no aggravation of macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: There was marked improvement of contrast sensitivity in patients with NPDR after 1 year of administration of anthocyanoside (Tagen-F(R)), and it might contribute to the quality of vision and the satisfaction of patients. Visual acuity and macular edema were maintained without aggravation.
Anthocyanins ; Capsules ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Exudates and Transudates ; Eye ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccinium myrtillus ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Malignant skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy, and is frequently found and increasing nowadays. Surgery for removal of skin cancer is very important. The authors had good results from surgery and reconstruction of facial defect. The effective surgical method and variable method of reconstruction are described here with a clinical analysis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 19 patients who were diagnosed facial skin cancer were divided by age, sex, type of cancer, region, and reconstruction method, and they were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, squamous cell carcinomas were 5, basal cell carcinomas 11, and Merkel cell carcinoma 2. One patient had basosquamous cell carcinoma. Sites of skin cancer occurrence was nasal region (11 patients), auricular region (4 patients), cheek (2 patients) and preauricle (2 patients). Reconstruction was done right after the excision. There was no recurrence cases to date. CONCLUSION: The authors had good results regarding reconstruction following the excision of the skin cancer. Therefore, every physician have to consider this method as a treatment of skin cancer, and think of as many reconstruction methods as possible for the patient.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

Genital HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection, but the majority of infections are self-limited. However, persistent infection with high-risk types can cause cervical cancer in women, which is the most common female genital cancer in Korea. In addition, HPV infection is the cause of genital warts and is associated with other anogenital cancers. The HPV vaccine is composed of the HPV L1 protein, the major capsid protein of HPV. Expression of the L1 protein in yeast using recombinant DNA technology produces noninfectious virus-like particles (VLP) that resemble HPV virions. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine is a mixture of four HPV type-specific VLPs prepared from the L1 proteins of HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 combined with an aluminum adjuvant. Clinical trials indicate that the vaccine has high efficacy in preventing persistent HPV infection, cervical cancer precursor lesions, vaginal and vulvar cancer precursor lesions, and genital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, or 18 among females who have not already been infected with the respective HPV type. The recommended age for primary vaccination of Korean females is 15-17 years, considering sexual debut and duration of protection of the vaccine. Vaccine can be administered as young as age 9 years. Catch-up vaccination is recommended for females aged 18-26 years who have not been previously vaccinated. Vaccination is not a substitute for routine cervical cancer screening, and vaccinated females should have cervical cancer screening as recommended.
Aluminum ; Capsid Proteins ; Colposcopy* ; Condylomata Acuminata ; DNA, Recombinant ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 6 ; Humans* ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vaccination ; Virion ; Vulvar Neoplasms ; Yeasts

Appendiceal mucocele is a cystic dilatation of the appendiceal lumen with mucus, which may be caused by either benign or malignant diseases. In this report, five cases of appendiceal mucocele are reported, three of which had a preoperative diagnosis of mucocele, whereas the others were found incidentally during the operation under the diagnosis of intussusception and periappendiceal abscess. All five patients underwent surgical resections, including one ileocecal resection and four right hemicolectomies. Histopathology revealed a mucinous cystadenoma in four cases, and a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in one. There was no disease-related death during 18 months of follow-up.
Abscess ; Appendix ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intussusception ; Mucocele* ; Mucus

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who were treated with repeated (3 times or more) PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD and followed up for more than 6 months were collected from 17 hospitals around the country. Visual outcomes at 12 and 24 months, follow-up were compared between subtypes of choroidal neovascularization. The factors related to final visual prognosis and PDT-related adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 244 patients (244 eyes) were recruited (male: 60%, age: 67.7+/-9.1 years). The portion of patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was 57%, 13%, and 24%, respectively and that of patients with visual improvements or less than moderate visual loss at 24 months follow-up were 28%, 38%, 30% and 47%, 56%, and 65%, respectively. Baseline visual acuity and age were significantly related to the final visual prognosis (p<0.05). PDT-related adverse events developed in 15 (6.1%) patients, but most were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD has effects comparable to those of previous prospective, controlled trials without any significant safety concerns in Korea.
Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Visual Acuity

The occurrence of multiple primary cancers associated with the esophagus and stomach is a well known phenomenon. However, the majority of those lesions are located apart each other. Finding of esophageal cancer and gastric cancer occurring simultaneously at the esophagogastric junction is extremely rare. In this case, the endoscopic findings showed that the cancer of the gastric cardia had invaded to the lower esophagus, but after the operation, the pathology report show the synchronous occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma. Therefore, we report here on a rare case of double primary cancer, and this double primary cancer occurred at the esophagogastric junction of a 67 year-old woman.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cardia ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagogastric Junction* ; Esophagus ; Female ; Humans ; Pathology ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms