Background and Objectives: Post-thyroidectomy hematoma is reported in about 0.7%- 2.1% of patients who underwent thyroidectomy. A drain is frequently placed after surgery to prevent swelling and hematoma. This study aims to compare clinical differences and postoperative complications depending on the presence or absence of a drain, and to identify the factors affecting hematoma after thyroidectomy.Subjects and Method This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy from March 2019 to Jun 2023. We examined patient’s age, gender, underlying diseases, use of antithrombotic drug, surgery type, thyroid volume, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications (hematoma and vocal cord palsy) by examining medical records. Results: Of 587 patients enrolled in the study, the drain was placed in 369 (62.9%) patients, and not in 218 (37.1%) patients. The mean age, incidence of hypertension and Grave’s disease comorbidity, antithrombotic drug use, number of patients who underwent neck dissection, thyroid volume, operating time, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the drain placed group (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the ratio of vocal cord palsy and hematoma occurrence between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis, diabetes, the use of antithrombotic drugs, neck dissection, and larger thyroid volume were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of hematoma (p<0.05). Conclusion Surgeons tended to place the drain in patients with high bleeding tendency after thyroidectomy, but there was no difference in the incidence of hematoma according to drain placement. Rather, patients’ length of hospital stay increased due to the placement of drain.

Background and Objectives: Post-thyroidectomy hematoma is reported in about 0.7%- 2.1% of patients who underwent thyroidectomy. A drain is frequently placed after surgery to prevent swelling and hematoma. This study aims to compare clinical differences and postoperative complications depending on the presence or absence of a drain, and to identify the factors affecting hematoma after thyroidectomy.Subjects and Method This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy from March 2019 to Jun 2023. We examined patient’s age, gender, underlying diseases, use of antithrombotic drug, surgery type, thyroid volume, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications (hematoma and vocal cord palsy) by examining medical records. Results: Of 587 patients enrolled in the study, the drain was placed in 369 (62.9%) patients, and not in 218 (37.1%) patients. The mean age, incidence of hypertension and Grave’s disease comorbidity, antithrombotic drug use, number of patients who underwent neck dissection, thyroid volume, operating time, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the drain placed group (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the ratio of vocal cord palsy and hematoma occurrence between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis, diabetes, the use of antithrombotic drugs, neck dissection, and larger thyroid volume were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of hematoma (p<0.05). Conclusion Surgeons tended to place the drain in patients with high bleeding tendency after thyroidectomy, but there was no difference in the incidence of hematoma according to drain placement. Rather, patients’ length of hospital stay increased due to the placement of drain.

Background and Objectives: Post-thyroidectomy hematoma is reported in about 0.7%- 2.1% of patients who underwent thyroidectomy. A drain is frequently placed after surgery to prevent swelling and hematoma. This study aims to compare clinical differences and postoperative complications depending on the presence or absence of a drain, and to identify the factors affecting hematoma after thyroidectomy.Subjects and Method This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy from March 2019 to Jun 2023. We examined patient’s age, gender, underlying diseases, use of antithrombotic drug, surgery type, thyroid volume, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications (hematoma and vocal cord palsy) by examining medical records. Results: Of 587 patients enrolled in the study, the drain was placed in 369 (62.9%) patients, and not in 218 (37.1%) patients. The mean age, incidence of hypertension and Grave’s disease comorbidity, antithrombotic drug use, number of patients who underwent neck dissection, thyroid volume, operating time, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the drain placed group (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the ratio of vocal cord palsy and hematoma occurrence between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis, diabetes, the use of antithrombotic drugs, neck dissection, and larger thyroid volume were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of hematoma (p<0.05). Conclusion Surgeons tended to place the drain in patients with high bleeding tendency after thyroidectomy, but there was no difference in the incidence of hematoma according to drain placement. Rather, patients’ length of hospital stay increased due to the placement of drain.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by chronic joint degeneration, particularly prevalent in the aging population.Current therapeutic options to address the symptoms of pain and reduced mobility provide limited relief and carry a significant risk of adverse effects. Thus, there is a need to explore non-invasive alternative therapies to manage OA symptoms while preventing disease progression and promoting joint tissue regeneration. This review examined studies conducted in the last 10 years to determine the potential of light-based therapy, particularly focusing on three key aspects: pain management and improvement of articular function; use of complementary light therapy; and stimulation of articular cartilage repair. Various studies have investigated the efficacy of phototherapy, particularly low-level laser therapy, in alleviating pain, improving functionality, and enhancing articular cartilage repair in OA patients. Efforts have also been made to investigate the regenerative potential of phototherapy in stimulating articular cartilage repair. Despite promising findings, several challenges remain, including the lack of standardized testing methods for evaluating the efficacy of laser therapy on OA joints and the need for further research to bridge the gap between early-stage OA in humans and the advanced stages of the disease. Nonetheless, laser therapy presents a non-invasive, well-tolerated treatment option with potential benefits for individuals with OA. Further research is warranted to optimize treatment protocols and explore potential synergistic effects with other interventions.

Background and Objectives: Post-thyroidectomy hematoma is reported in about 0.7%- 2.1% of patients who underwent thyroidectomy. A drain is frequently placed after surgery to prevent swelling and hematoma. This study aims to compare clinical differences and postoperative complications depending on the presence or absence of a drain, and to identify the factors affecting hematoma after thyroidectomy.Subjects and Method This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy from March 2019 to Jun 2023. We examined patient’s age, gender, underlying diseases, use of antithrombotic drug, surgery type, thyroid volume, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications (hematoma and vocal cord palsy) by examining medical records. Results: Of 587 patients enrolled in the study, the drain was placed in 369 (62.9%) patients, and not in 218 (37.1%) patients. The mean age, incidence of hypertension and Grave’s disease comorbidity, antithrombotic drug use, number of patients who underwent neck dissection, thyroid volume, operating time, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the drain placed group (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the ratio of vocal cord palsy and hematoma occurrence between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis, diabetes, the use of antithrombotic drugs, neck dissection, and larger thyroid volume were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of hematoma (p<0.05). Conclusion Surgeons tended to place the drain in patients with high bleeding tendency after thyroidectomy, but there was no difference in the incidence of hematoma according to drain placement. Rather, patients’ length of hospital stay increased due to the placement of drain.

Background and Objectives: Post-thyroidectomy hematoma is reported in about 0.7%- 2.1% of patients who underwent thyroidectomy. A drain is frequently placed after surgery to prevent swelling and hematoma. This study aims to compare clinical differences and postoperative complications depending on the presence or absence of a drain, and to identify the factors affecting hematoma after thyroidectomy.Subjects and Method This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy from March 2019 to Jun 2023. We examined patient’s age, gender, underlying diseases, use of antithrombotic drug, surgery type, thyroid volume, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications (hematoma and vocal cord palsy) by examining medical records. Results: Of 587 patients enrolled in the study, the drain was placed in 369 (62.9%) patients, and not in 218 (37.1%) patients. The mean age, incidence of hypertension and Grave’s disease comorbidity, antithrombotic drug use, number of patients who underwent neck dissection, thyroid volume, operating time, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the drain placed group (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the ratio of vocal cord palsy and hematoma occurrence between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis, diabetes, the use of antithrombotic drugs, neck dissection, and larger thyroid volume were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of hematoma (p<0.05). Conclusion Surgeons tended to place the drain in patients with high bleeding tendency after thyroidectomy, but there was no difference in the incidence of hematoma according to drain placement. Rather, patients’ length of hospital stay increased due to the placement of drain.

Considerable evidence has been published since the 2020 Korean Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines were reported. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) also publishes the Consensus on CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) summary annually. This review provides expert opinions by reviewing the recent evidence on CPR and ILCOR treatment recommendations. The authors reviewed the CoSTR summary published by ILCOR in 2021 and 2022. PICO (population, intervention, comparator, outcome) questions for each topic were reviewed using a systemic or scoping review methodology. Two experts were appointed for each question and reviewed the topic independently. Topics suggested by the reviewers for revision or additional description of the guidelines were discussed at a consensus conference. Forty-three questions were reviewed, including 15 on basic life support, seven on advanced life support, two on pediatric life support, 11 on neonatal life support, six on education and teams, one on first aid, and one related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Finally, the current Korean CPR Guideline was maintained for 28 questions, and expert opinions were suggested for 15 questions.

Background: Human breast milk is essential and provides irreplaceable nutrients for early humans. However, breastfeeding is not easy for various reasons in medical institution environments. Therefore, in order to improve the breastfeeding environment, we investigated the difficult reality of breastfeeding through questionnaire responses from medical institution workers. Methods: A survey was conducted among 179 medical institution workers with experience in childbirth within the last five years. The survey results of 175 people were analyzed, with incoherent answers excluded. Results: Of the 175 people surveyed, a total of 108 people (61.7%) worked during the day, and 33 people (18.9%) worked in three shifts. Among 133 mothers who stayed with their babies in the same nursing room, 111 (93.3%) kept breastfeeding for more than a month, but among those who stayed apart, only 10 (71.4%) continued breastfeeding for more than a month (P = 0.024). Ninety-five (88.0%) of daytime workers, 32 (94.1%) two-shift workers, and 33 (100%) three-shift workers continued breastfeeding for more than a month (P = 0.026). Workers in general hospitals tended to breastfeed for significantly longer than those that worked in tertiary hospitals (P = 0.003). A difference was also noted between occupation categories (P = 0.019), but a more significant difference was found in the comparison between nurses and doctors (P = 0.012). Longer breastfeeding periods were noted when mothers worked three shifts (P = 0.037). Depending on the period planned for breastfeeding prior to childbirth, the actual breastfeeding maintenance period after birth showed a significant difference (P = 0.002). Of 112 mothers who responded to the question regarding difficulties in breastfeeding after returning to work, 87 (77.7%) mentioned a lack of time caused by being busy at work, 82 (73.2%) mentioned the need for places and appropriate circumstances. Conclusion In medical institutions, it is recommended that environmental improvements in medical institutions, the implementation of supporting policies, and the provision of specialized education on breastfeeding are necessary to promote breastfeeding.

Background: This study aimed to describe the maternal, obstetrical, and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and identify the predictors associated with the severity of COVID-19. Methods: This multicenter observational study included consecutive pregnant women admitted because of COVID-19 confirmed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test at 15 hospitals in the Republic of Korea between January 2020 and December 2021. Results: A total of 257 women with COVID-19 and 62 newborns were included in this study. Most of the patients developed this disease during the third trimester. Nine patients (7.4%) developed pregnancy-related complications. All pregnant women received inpatient treatment, of whom 9 (3.5%) required intensive care, but none of them died. The gestational age at COVID-19 diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.096, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.15) and parity (OR, 1.703, 95% CI, 1.13–2.57) were identified as significant risk factors of severe diseases. Among women who delivered, 78.5% underwent cesarean section. Preterm birth (38.5%), premature rupture of membranes (7.7%), and miscarriage (4.6%) occurred, but there was no stillbirth or neonatal death. The RT-PCR test of newborns’ amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples was negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Conclusion At the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, gestational age and parity of pregnant women were the risk factors of disease severity. Vertical transmission of COVID-19 was not observed, and maternal severity did not significantly affect the neonatal prognosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of percutaneous cannulated screws with tension band wiring (PC-STBW), a minimally invasive surgical technique, compared to conservative treatment for a minimally displaced patella transverse fracture. Materials and Methods: The subjects included patients from 2010 to 2019 with transverse patella fractures, who were diagnosed as minimally displaced fractures, and were followed up for at least 1 year. Of these, 61 patients who were treated with cylinder casts were classified as Group A, and 53 patients who were treated with PCSTBW were classified as Group B. The clinical evaluation was carried out by evaluation of the radiographic bone union and calculation of the Bostman knee score. Any complications observed were investigated. Results: All patients in both groups showed no further displacement of the fracture gap, and the bone union was achieved in all cases. The functional evaluation of the knee joint measured at the 8- and 12-week follow-up showed superior results in Group B wherein subjects were treated with surgery, and similar results were seen in both groups during the 6 months and 1-year follow-up. One case in Group A suffered the complication of knee stiffness. Conclusion For the treatment of minimally displaced transverse patellar fractures, both conservative treatment and PCSTBW showed similar good results at the 6-month and one-year follow-up. However, the PCSTBW technique showed superior clinical results in the early stage follow-up within 12 weeks.