• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 1990

Splanchnic nerve block (SNB) is performed to relieve intractable upper abdominal pain caused by carcinoma of the upper G-I tract. Not all patients achieve satisfactory pain relief; therefore, a second or third nerve block trial may need to be performed. In this study, an attempt was made to analyze the possible factors which might affect the result of repeated SNB in 42 the patients among 264 patients who received SNB at Severance Hospital during the period from January 1985 to December 1989. The results are as follows: 1) Among the 42 patients, including 30 males and 12 females, the fifties and forties were the major age groups. 2) Among the underlying diseases, stomach cancer was the most common (18 cases) and pancreatic cancer was next (14 cases). 3) The main locations of pain were the upper abdomen, epigastrium and entire abdomen in decreasing order. 4) Among the thirty-nine cases of first SNB combined with ascites, 13 cases received a repeat block, 81.0% of whom had had metastatic lesion. 5) There were 54.2% who had had single or combined treatment, operation, chemotherapy or radiotherapy before SNB. 6) Twently seven cases (64.3%) had received opioid medication for pain control. 7) In the 75% alcohol group, 11.7% of patients required a second block, and in the pure and 50% alcohol group, 9.6% of patients required a second block within two weeks of the first block. Three cases in both of these repeated block groups required a third block; representing 3.9%, of the 75% alcohol group and 1.6% of the pure and 50% alcohol group. 8) The volume of alcohol used was more than 16 ml bilaterally in both cases. 9) The points of the inserted needle were positioned in the upper and anterolateral part of the $L_1$ vertebra on both sides on the anteroposterior roentgenogram. The contrast media was spread upward along the anterior margin of the vertebral body and posteriorly in repeat block. The frequency of repeat block was higher in cases with ascites or metastasis. The instance of repeat block within 2 weeks of the first block was lower in the pure and 50% alcohol group than in the 75% alcohol group. Thus, alcohol concentration and patient status may be considered factors which influence the result of repeated SNB. We suggest early application of SNB in upper abdominal cancer patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.129-135
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this research was to examine that effect of Sosang($LU_1$)-Eunbaek($SP_1$) bloodletting was similar to effect of Sa-kwan $LI_4$) and Taechung($LR_3$)> acupuncture on pain and discomfort of acute dyspepsia in upper abdomen. Methods : We divided 36 patients with acute dyspepsia into two groups and treated Group A with Sosang($LU_{11}$)-Eunbaek($SP_1$) bloodletting and Group B with Sa-kwan $LI_4$) and Taechung($LR_3$)> acupuncture. Pain and discomfort in upper abdomen was measured by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) scores of the two groups before treatment and after 15 minutes to treat. Results : Both group A and B represented effective improvement in VAS of pain and discomfort in upper abdomen. And there was no difference between A group and B group statistically. Conclusions : It is suggested that Sosang($LU_{11}$)-Eunbaek($SP_1$) bloodletting may have similar effect compared with Sa-kwan $LI_4$) and Taechung($LR_3$)> acupuncture on acute dyspepsia treatment.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2014

Purpose: With previous methods based on only age and location, there are many difficulties in identifying the etiology of acute abdominal pain in children. We sought to develop a new systematic classification of acute abdominal pain and to give some helps to physicians encountering difficulties in diagnoses. Methods: From March 2005 to May 2010, clinical data were collected retrospectively from 442 children hospitalized due to acute abdominal pain with no apparent underlying disease. According to the final diagnoses, diseases that caused acute abdominal pain were classified into nine groups. Results: The nine groups were group I "catastrophic surgical abdomen" (7 patients, 1.6%), group II "acute appendicitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis" (56 patients, 12.7%), group III "intestinal obstruction" (57 patients, 12.9%), group IV "viral and bacterial acute gastroenteritis" (90 patients, 20.4%), group V "peptic ulcer and gastroduodenitis" (66 patients, 14.9%), group VI "hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease" (14 patients, 3.2%), group VII "febrile viral illness and extraintestinal infection" (69 patients, 15.6%), group VIII "functional gastrointestinal disorder (acute manifestation)" (20 patients, 4.5%), and group IX "unclassified acute abdominal pain" (63 patients, 14.3%). Four patients were enrolled in two disease groups each. Conclusion: Patients were distributed unevenly across the nine groups of acute abdominal pain. In particular, the "unclassified abdominal pain" only group was not uncommon. Considering a systemic classification for acute abdominal pain may be helpful in the diagnostic approach in children.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 1999

Background: About 75% of terminal cancer patients have severe pain. For the treatment of these patients, physicians usually use potent opioid analgesics. But many of the cancer patients were not controlled by IV or IM injection of opioids. In spite of the untreatable nature of the patient's illness, they should be hospitalized only for pain control. In that case, epidural opioid injection is one of the most effective methods in pain management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 126 terminal cancer patients who were treated with epidural morphine for pain management from 1993-97. In the routine procedure, an epidural catheter was inserted into the epidural space and tunnelled subcutaneously, exiting out from the anterior chest or abdomen. Morphine was used as the main analgesic and Multiday Infusor$^{(R)}$ (Baxter, 0.5 ml/h) as a continuous infusion system. Results: 1. Mean treatment time was 55 days (range; 3~373). 2. Mean daily epidural start mg dose of morphine was 8 mg (range; 2~20). 3. Mean daily dose at termination was 19 mg (range; 4~60) 4. 94 patients were controlled with continuous infusion but 32 patients needed additional bolus doses of morphine. 5. heter-associated subcutaneous infection occurred in 2 patients (1.6%). Conclusion: Terminal cancer pain management administered by a tunnelled epidural catheter is a simple, inexpensive method with a very small rate of infection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.245-247
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• 2011

There were only a few reports of mercury on pulmonary artery. However, there is no data on surgery related mercury dissemination. The objective of the present article is to describe one case of postoperative injected mercury dissemination. A 19-year-old man presented severe neck pain including meningeal irritation sign and abdominal pain after injection of mercury for the purpose of suicide. Radiologic study showed injected mercury in the neck involving high cervical epidural space and subcutaneous layer of abdomen. Partial hemilaminectomy and open mercury evacuation of spinal canal was performed. For the removal of abdominal subcutaneous mercury, C-arm guided needle aspiration was done. After surgery, radiologic study showed disseminated mercury in the lung, heart, skull base and low spinal canal. Neck pain and abdominal pain were improved after surgery. During 1 month after surgery, there was no symptom of mercury intoxication except increased mercury concentration of urine, blood and hair. We assumed the bone work during surgery might have caused mercury dissemination. Therefore, we recommend minimal invasive surgical technique for removal of injected mercury. If open exposures are needed, cautious surgical technique to prohibit mercury dissemination is necessary and normal barrier should be protected to prevent the migration of mercury.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2011

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) for contraction training of transversus abdominis (TrA) to the patient with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: A 37-year female patient with CLBP participated in study. This study was fix to method of ADIM that maintain to draw in lower abdomen in sitting position on chair and fix 1 time protocol that perform rest for 1-min and ADIM for 1-min during 10-min. Hereunder the subject performed 2 times protocol during 30-min. Measurement method were visual analogue scale (VAS), Korean version of Oswestry disability index (KODI) and using ultrasound imaging. Results: VAS was decreased 5cm to 1cm after intervention 3 weeks, KODI was decreased 22% to 9% after intervention 3 weeks and changes in thickness of the TrA were increased 32% to 68% during ADIM. Conclusions: These findings suggest that performed the ADIM took effect for decreased pain and functional disability level with increased changes in thickness of the TrA. Therefore, patients with CLBP should be use for training of deep abdominal muscles apply to the ADIM.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.295-298
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• 1977

The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm is very rare in this country as other disease of the aorta. Aneurysm can be cased by a variable cause but mainly by arteriosclerosis. It is the disease of aged and degeneration. So recently it may be prevalent due to increase of aged people. In general the natural course of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is very grave so surgical intervention is indicated as soon as possible after the diagnosis. Recently a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm was seen in this clinic with abdominal pain and pulsating mass on the abdomen. This case was confirmed by aortography and treated by graft replacement of the aneurysm with favorable result.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2019

Isolated tubal torsion is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in pregnancy. Tubal torsion may occur in the absence of adnexal disease. Diagnosing tubal torsion is especially difficult in pregnancy because no precise preoperative radiological and biochemical investigations have been conducted. Most patients are diagnosed during surgery. Here, I present a case of isolated tubal torsion in a pregnant woman at 35 weeks and 6 days of gestation that was managed with salpingectomy and cesarean section simultaneously.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.159-170
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• 2001

The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the effects of hand moxibustion therapy to decrease pain and relieve coldness of the body in women who had a hysterectomy. The conceptual framework of this study was derived from Ying-Yang, Khi and other corresponding theories. The data were collected from February to May 1997. A Graphic Rating scale was used to measure the degree of pain and Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(D.I.T.I) was used to examine the degree of coldness. The subjects were women who resided in Seoul and had a hysterectomy within five years. An experimental group was composed of five women who received moxibustion and a control group was composed of five who did not. The research procedure began with having both the experimental group and control group describe their general characteristics and the degree of pain they perceived. Then, Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(D.I.T.I) was conducted. Moxibustion was only given to the experimental group on both hands twice every day for a total of five weeks. Their perception of pain and D.I.T.I were examined weekly. The control group received no therapy. After finishing therapy, the perception of pain and D.I.T.I for both groups were also measured. According to this study, moxibustion therapy resulted in a change of body temperature on the right shoulder joint(p=0.00074), abdomen(p= 0.0047), waist(p=0.0068) and hands(p=0.0317) respectively. Also, the study results showed significant decrease (p=0.0001) in pain over time and significant improvement over body coldness.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.823-828
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• 2004

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is surgery of the chest, abdomen, spine and pelvis, done with the aid of a viewing scope, and specially designed instruments. Benefits of minimally invasive surgery are less pain, less need for post-surgical pain medication, less scarring and less likelihood for incisional complications. Since the late 1980's, minimally invasive surgery has gained widespread acceptance because of the such advantages. However there are significant disadvantages which have, to date, limited the applications for these promising techniques. The reasons are limited degree-of-freedom, reduced dexterity and the lack of tactile feeling. To overcome such disadvantages many researchers have endeavored to develop robotic systems. Even though some robot aided systems achieved success and commercialized, there still remain many thing to be improved. In this paper, the robotic system which can mimic whole motions of a human arm by adding additional DOF is presented. The suggested design is expected to provide surgeons with improved dexterity during minimally invasive surgery.