• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 1972

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is one of the most serious Public health problems in Korea. The incidence rate. officially reported has been known to be the highest in the world. This high incidence is mainly due to the wide prevalence of anthracite coal briquette as the domestic fuel for unique Korean heating system called 'ondol,' The coal briquette gas contains around 3-5% of Carbon Monoxide. A nation-wide effort to eliminate or reduce this serious hazards has produced little effect and the most hospitals are offering very ineffective measures such as oxygen inhalation through nasal catheter. Author has believed that this preventable accident should be approached by the secondary preventive measure because of our socio-economic status do not allow us optimistic results from primary preventive measure as far as the problem of CO poisoning is concerned. Author has treated 466 patients during 30 months period by Hyperbaric Oxygenation at Seoul National University Hospital. The results found are as follows. 1. Female has a higher incidence rate than male and the age group between 15-29 years showed highest incidence. 2. The recovery time depends on the time when the patients arrived at hospital. Earlier the arrival time, shorter the recovery time. 3. Some objective signs are representing typical physiological response to tissue hypoxia. 4. Therapeutic effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxypenation is confirmed by such indices as recovery rate, Admission rate and average stay in hospital. Futher, these results are cocordant with other reports on the clinical value of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the treatment of CO poisoning.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2001

Necrotizing fasciitis is defined as infectious disease showing extensive necrosis of the superficial fascia with widespread involvement of the surrounding tissues and concurrent systemic toxicity. It is found commonly in the extremities, the trunk and the perineum, but shows extremely rare occurrence in the well vascularized area such as head and neck area. Occurred in the head and neck area, it is called "cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis" (CFNF). It is a fatal disease which carries a mortality rate up to 60%. Early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement of necrotic tissues and massive antibiotics therapy are essential for achieving a favorable outcome. We present a case of cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis in 35-year-old male patient with literature review.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT) and the resultant amputation rate in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer. Material and methods: From 2000 Jan. to 2002 April, thirty two diabetic foot patients were admitted for treatment of foot ulcers and infection. Of the thirty two cases, thirteen patients received HBOT and nineteen did not. The results were analyzed by amputation rate and healing time. All were classified according to the Wagner classification. Results: Of the HBOT treated group, three(23%) patients underwent amputation: two below knee and one metatarsophalangeal disarticulations. Of the non-treated group, eleven(58%) patients underwent amputation, : four below knee and seven metatarsophalangeal disarticulations. The healing times, based on hospital days were average 16, 38, 43 days in the HBOT treated group and average 20, 50, 35 days in the non treated group respectively in Wagner grade II, III, IV. Conclusions: HBOT might be effective in decreasing amputation rate and hospital stay in diabetic patients with severe foot ulcers.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.675-683
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was designed to examine the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cerebral infarction. Methods : Fifty-five patients with acute or subacute cerebral infarction were classified into two groups, the study group and control group. The study group was treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT) for 2 weeks(5 times/week) and the control group wasn't treated by HBOT. We compared the score of National Institutes of Health Scale(NIHSS scale) between two groups. We subdivided the study group by TOAST classification and onset stage, and compared the results. All of this data was analyzed by statistical method. Results : The study group patients who were treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy saw more improvement than the control group patients in NIHSS score, and there was significant consideration. Among the study group patients, we saw more improvement during the first week period than in the course of the second week, and there was significant consideration. Conclusion : These results suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT) could be a useful medical treatment to treat cerebral infarction. Further studies are needed on more cases to make sure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is surely effective for cerebral infarction.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate current status, indications, and complications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Methods: A retrospective investigation of patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy at a university medical center from September 2004 to August 2013 was conducted based on patients' medical records and results of an email survey for 99 emergency centers. Results: During the study period, a total of 233 patients underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment of illness or injury were as follows: 1) 151 cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning(65.4%), 2) flap wound management, including 42 cases(18.2%), 3) skin care transplanted, including 23 cases(10.4%), 4) Burger's disease, including 5 five cases(2.1%), respectively. Total application time$^*$ frequency was 1,088 and total time was 1,239 hours. Among 233 patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 32 patients(13.7%) had complications: 1) otalgia in 21 cases(9.0%), 2) mastoiditis?in six cases(2.6%), 3) hemotympanum in five cases(2.1%), respectively. There were only 8 emergency centers that currently had an operational hyperbaric oxygen chamber in 77 emergency centers(10.4%). Conclusion: Indications identified through this study showed difference from current indications worldwide. It seems necessary that physicians' perception regarding application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for more indications be changed and improved. A hyperbaric chamber capable of providing respiratory assistance and intensive care is also needed. A good network for sharing treatment experiences and a specialized team for administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also required.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.447-452
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• 2001

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBO) is defined as breathing 100% oxygen while in an enclosed system pressurized to greater than on atmosphere(sea level). This increased oxygen delivery furthers your body's ability to kill germs and to increase healing. HBO is a supplemental therapy to be used in addition to the current medical and surgical therapy you are receiving. HBO typically is used to complement treatments of medical problems such as bone infections, complication of radiotherapy, and certain chronic, non-healing wounds. On an emergency basis, the chamber also is used to treat problems such as carbon monoxide poisoning and the decompression sickness. We analysed stastically cases which are treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy in point of oral and maxillofacial region on the Kangnam General Hospital for aid in comprehension and application of this therapy. Total 760 patients were treated at Gangnam General Hospital from July 1996 to September 1999. They were classified by region to Decompression sickness(DCS), Carbon monoxide poisoning(CO), General surgery(GS), Orthopedics(OS), Oral and Maxillofacial surgery(OMFS), others. Patients of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery were divided by diseses to Osteomyelitis, Osteoradionecrosis, Reconstruction, Bone graft, Difficult wounds, others. The results were as follows. 1. This institute conducts HBO therapy for DCS which takes up 62% and 10.5% for OMF region. 2. In OMF region, Osteomyelitis is 40%, Osteoradionecrosis is next, Bone graft, and Reconstruction is a row. 3. According to our precious study, HBO has been frequently conducted in OMF region compared to past, however, it is less actively conducted in this area for research than other conturies. Therefore, We need further application to the clinical use.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2023

Purpose: No consensus currently exists regarding the maximal pressure of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy performed within 24 hours of acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in therapeutic effects according to the first HBO₂ pressure (3.0 atmospheres absolute [ATA] vs. 2.8 ATA). Methods: We used prospectively collected registry data on CO poisoning at a tertiary academic hospital in the Republic of Korea. Adult patients with acute CO poisoning treated with HBO₂ within 24 hours after arrival at the emergency department and without the use of additional HBO₂ after 24 hours between January 2007 and February 2022 were included. Data from 595 patients were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM). Patients with mild (non-intubated) and severe (intubated) poisoning were also compared. Neurocognitive outcomes at 1 month after CO poisoning were evaluated using the Global Deterioration Scale combined with neurological impairment. Results: After PSM, the neurocognitive outcomes at 1-month post-CO exposure were not significantly different between the 2.8 ATA (110 patients) and 3.0 ATA (55 patients) groups (p=1.000). Similarly, there was also no significant difference in outcomes in a subgroup analysis according to poisoning severity in matched patients (165 patients) (mild [non-intubated]: p=0.053; severe [intubated]: p=1.000). Conclusion: Neurocognitive sequelae at 1 month were not significantly different between HBO₂ therapy pressures of 2.8 ATA and 3.0 ATA in patients with acute CO poisoning. In addition, the 1-month neurocognitive sequelae did not differ significantly between intubated and non-intubated patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.480-483
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• 2004

CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure for the evaluation of pulmonary and mediastinal lesions. The most frequent complications include pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and hemoptysis. Air embolism, and especially cerebral embolism, is a rare but potentially fatal complication after this procedure. Here, we report on a case of cerebral air embolism that occurred after CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy for the peripheral lung mass.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.187-196
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• 1982

The followings are the results of the study on industrial accidents occurred at 12 factories manufacturing metal products during the period of 2 years from January 1980 to December 1981 in the area of Yong-Dung-Po in Seoul. The results of the study are as follows: 1. The incidence rate of industrial injuries was 45.7 per 1,000 workers of the sample group and the rate of male (54.0) was three times higher than that of female (17.5). 2. In age groups, the highest rate was observed in the group of under 19 years old with 83.5, while the lowest in the group of 40s. 3. It was found that those who had short term of work experience produced a higher rate of injuries, particularly, the group of workers with less than 1 year of experience showed the highest rate of it as 48.1%. 4. In working time, the highest incidence rate occurred 3 and 7 hours after the beginning of their working showing the rate of 6.0 and 6.1 per 1,000 workers, respectively. 5. The highest incidence rate was observed on Monday as 8.4 per 1,000 workers, and it was 18.3% in aspect of the days of a week. 6. In aspect of the months of a year, the highest incidence was observed on July 1,000 workers and the next was on March as 4.8. These figures account for 11.8% of total occurrence in respective month. as 5. 4 per and 10.5% 7. In causes of injuries, the accident caused by power driven machinery showed the highest rate with 37.5%, the second was due to handling without machinery with 17.2%, and the third was due to falling objects with 14.2%, and striking against objects with 10.2%, and so on. 8. By parts of the body affected, the most injuries 84.3% of them occurred on both upper and lower extremities with the rate of 58.8% for the former and 25.5% for the latter. Fingers were most frequently injured with a rate of 40.3%. Comparing the sites of extremities affected, rate of injuries on the right side was 55.0% and 45.0% on the left side. 9. In the nature of injury, laceration and open wound were the highest with 34. 0%, the next was fracture and dislocation with 31. 9%, and sprain was the third with 8.1%. 10. On the duration of treatment, it lasted less than one month in 68.9% of the injured cases, of which 14.5% of the cases were recovered within 2 weeks, and 54.4% of them were treated more than 2 weeks. And the duration of the treatment tended to be prolonged in larger industries. 11. The ratio of insured accidents to uninsured accidents was 1 to 4.7.