• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.1181-1184
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• 2018

Purpose: To present a rare case of tear drainage since birth from a lacrimal ductule fistula, which is the first report in the Republic of Korea. Case summary: A 3-month-old female who presented with discharge of clear fluid from a small skin opening lateral to the right upper eyelid since birth visited the outpatient clinic. The patient was healthy and was receiving no medication. She was born on gestation age 35 weeks and 3 days. No other specific history or other ophthalmic abnormality was found. On examination, a small skin orifice approximately 2 mm diameter and no sign of infection or discoloration was observed. To relieve this symptom, the patient underwent a fistulectomy under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen was performed. The patient's symptom subsided postoperatively without recurrence. Conclusions: This is the first report in the Republic of Korea of tears draining from a lacrimal ductule fistula since birth and the subsequent clinical treatment procedures.

• Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research
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• v.95 no.5
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• pp.286-296
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• 2018

Purpose: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB) is widely accepted for staging of melanoma patients. It has been shown that clinico-pathological features such as Breslow thickness, ulceration, age, and sex are better predictors of relapse and survival than SLN status alone. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term (10-year) prognostic impact of SLNB and to determine predictive factors associated with SLN metastasis, relapse, and melanoma specific mortality (MSM). Methods: This was a prospective observational study on 289 consecutive patients with primary cutaneous melanoma who underwent SLNB from January 2000 to December 2007, and followed until January 2014, at an Italian academic hospital. Results: SLN was positive in 64 patients (22.1%). The median follow-up was 116 months (79-147 months). Tenyear disease-free survival and melanoma specific survival were poor in patients with positive SLN (58.7% and 66.4%, respectively). Only the increasing Breslow thickness resulted independently associated to an increased risk of SLN metastasis. Cox regression analysis showed that a Breslow thickness >2 mm was an independent predictor of relapse, and male sex and Breslow thickness >2 mm was a predictor of MSM. At 10 years, SLN metastasis was not significantly associated to either relapse or MSM. Conclusion: After the fifth year of follow-up, SLN metastasis is not an independent predictive factor of relapse or mortality which are mainly influenced by the characteristics of the primary tumor and of the patient. Patients with a Breslow thickness >2 mm regardless of the SLN status should be considered at high risk for 10-year relapse and mortality.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.333-340
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• 2021

Although gag reflex is an essential function and a useful physiological defense mechanism, it can become an obstacle in a dental treatment. In this case, a questionnaire was designed and used in consultations to objectify the factors associated with gag reflex. Based on the questionnaire, various treatment protocols were planned, such as behavioral control, which is a systematic desensitization that adapts by placing dental instruments in the oral cavity, and habit control to eliminate vomiting habits after drinking. Except for the placement of the implant fixture under general anesthesia, all restoration procedures were performed in the outpatient clinic in the same manner as the conventional implant fixed prosthetic restoration. The systematic desensitization and behavior technique were repeated until the patient was able to endure discomfort and relieve gag reflex in dental treatment. The patient was successfully received the implant-fixed prosthetic restoration in the partial edentulous region.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.183-205
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• 2021

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effectiveness of maxillary stabilization splint (SS) therapy to reduce headache (HA) intensity and HA frequency in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-HA comorbidity. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using full-arch coverage, hard resin, and maxillary SS therapy were included. Electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, MEDLINE through PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE, were searched. The risk of bias was analyzed based on Cochrane's handbook. The search yielded 247 references up to January 28, 2020. Nine RCTs were included at a high risk of bias. The comparison groups included other splints, counseling, jaw exercises, medications, neurologic treatment, and occlusal equilibration. Four studies reported a statistically significant reduction in HA intensity, and five studies reported significant improvement in HA frequency from baseline at 2-12 months in patients with TMD-HA comorbidity treated with a full-arch hard maxillary SS. HA frequency in tension-type HA (TTH) comorbid with TMD diagnoses of myofascial pain (MFP) or capsulitis/synovitis improved significantly with SS than that with full-arch maxillary non-occluding splint (NOS) in two studies. Comparison groups receiving hard partial-arch maxillary splint nociceptive trigeminal inhibition (NTI) showed statistically significant improvements in HA intensity in patients with mixed TMD phenotypes of MFP and disc displacement comorbid with "general HA." Comparison groups receiving partial-arch maxillary resilient/soft splint (Relax) showed significant improvements in both HA intensity and frequency in patients with HA concomitant with MFP. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the improvement of pain intensity at 2-3 months with comparison of the splints (partial-arch soft [Relax], hard [NTI], and full-arch NOS) or splint use compliance at 6-12 months with comparison of the splints (partial-arch Relax and full-arch NOS) versus the SS groups in patients with various TMD-HA comorbidities. In conclusion, although SS therapy showed a statistically significant decrease in HA intensity and HA frequency when reported, the evidence quality was low due to the high bias risk and small sample size. Therefore, further studies are required.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2022

Background: A previous study reported the effectiveness and patient satisfaction in the dental emergency unit (DEU) of the Pitie Salpetrière Hospital in Paris before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The same methodology was used during the COVID-19 pandemic to compare pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction during the two periods. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 2020 (NCT04354272) on adult patients. Data were collected on day zero (D0) on site and then by phone during the daytime on day one (D1), day three (D3), and day seven (D7). The primary objective was to assess the pain intensity at D1. Secondary objectives were to assess pain intensity at D3 and D7, anxiety intensity at D1, D3, and D7, and patient satisfaction. Patients were evaluated on a 0-10 numeric scale on D1, D3, and D7; mean scores were compared with non-parametric statistics (ANOVA, Dunn's). Results: A total of 445 patients were given the opportunity to participate in the study, and 370 patients consented. Seventy-one were lost during follow-up. Ultimately, 299 patients completed all the questionnaires and were included in the analysis. In the final sample (60% men, 40% women, aged 39 ± 14 years), 94% had health insurance. The mean pain scores were: D0, 6.1 ± 0.14; D1, 3.29 ± 0.16; D3, 2.08 ± 0.16; and D7, 1.07 ± 0.35. This indicates a significant decrease of 46%, 67%, and 82% at D1, D3, and D7, respectively, when compared to D0 (P < 0.0001). The mean anxiety scores were D0, 4.7 ± 0.19; D1, 2.6 ± 0.16; D3, 1.9 ± 0.61; and D7, 1.4 ± 0.15. This decrease was significant between D0 and D7 (ANOVA, P < 0.001). Perception of general health improved between D1 and D7. The overall satisfaction was 9.3 ± 0.06. Conclusion: DEU enabled a significant reduction in pain and anxiety with high overall satisfaction during COVID-19, which was very similar to levels observed pre-COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2023

Background: Fearful and anxious patients who find dental treatment intolerable without sedative and analgesic support may benefit from moderate sedation. Target controlled infusion (TCI) pumps are superior to bolus injection in maintaining low plasma and effect-site concentration variability, resulting in stable, steady-state drug concentrations. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of moderate sedation with remifentanil and propofol using TCI pumps in non-hospital dental settings. Methods: A prospective chart review was conducted on 101 patients sedated with propofol and remifentanil using TCI pumps. The charts were completed at two oral surgeons and one general dentist's office over 6 months. Hypoxia, hypotension, bradycardia, and over-sedation were considered adverse events and were collected using Tracking and Reporting Outcomes of Procedural Sedation (TROOPS). Furthermore, patient recovery time, sedation length, drug dose, and patient satisfaction questionnaires were used to measure sedation effectiveness. Results: Of the 101 reviewed sedation charts, 54 were of men, and 47 were of women. The mean age of the patients was 40.5 ±18.7 years, and their mean BMI was 25.6 ± 4.4. The patients did not experience hypoxia, bradycardia, and hypotension during the 4694 min of sedation. The average minimum Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and heartbeats were 75.1 mmHg and 60.4 bpm, respectively. 98% of patients agreed that the sedation technique met their needs in reducing their anxiety, and 99% agreed that they were satisfied with the sedation 24 hours later. The average sedation time was 46.9 ± 55.6 min, and the average recovery time was 12.4 ± 4.4 min. Remifentanil and propofol had mean initial effect-site concentration doses of 0.96 µ/.ml and 1.0 ng/ml respectively. The overall total amount of drug administered was significantly higher in longer sedation procedures compared to shorter ones, while the infusion rate decreased as the procedural stimulus decreased. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, no patients experienced adverse events during sedation, and all patients were kept at a moderate sedation level for a wide range of sedation times and differing procedures. The results showed that TCI pumps are safe and effective for administering propofol and remifentanil for moderate sedation in dentistry.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2023

Background: Dentists make various efforts to reduce patients' anxiety and fear associated with dental treatment. Dental sedation is an advanced method that dentists can perform to reduce patients' anxiety and fear and provide effective dental treatment. However, dental sedation is different from general dental treatment and requires separate learning, and if done incorrectly, can lead to serious complications. Therefore, sedation is performed by a limited number of dentists who have received specific training. This study aimed to investigate the proportion of dentists who practice sedation and the main sedatives they use in the context of the Republic of Korea. Methods: We used the customized health information data provided by the Korean National Health Insurance. We investigated the number of dental hospitals or clinics that claimed insurance for eight main sedatives commonly used in dental sedation from January, 2007 to September, 2019 at the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We also identified the changes in the number of dental medical institutions by region and year and analyzed the number and proportion of dental medical institutions prescribing each sedative. Results: In 2007, 302 dental hospitals prescribed sedatives, and the number increased to 613 in 2019. In 2007, approximately 2.18% of the total 13,796 dental institutions prescribed sedatives, increasing to 3.31% in 2019. In 2007, 168 institutions (55.6%) prescribed N₂O alone, and in 2019, 510 institutions (83.1%) made claims for it. In 2007, 76 (25.1%) hospitals made claims for chloral hydrate, but the number gradually decreased, with only 29 hospitals (4.7%) prescribing it in 2019. Hospitals that prescribed a combination of N₂O, chloral hydrate, and hydroxyzine increased from 27 (8.9%) in 2007 to 51 (9%) in 2017 but decreased to 38 (6.1%) in 2019. The use of a combination of N₂O and midazolam increased from 20 hospitals (6.6%) in 2007 to 51 hospitals (8.3%) in 2019. Conclusion: While there is a critical limitation to the investigation of dental hospitals performing sedation using insurance claims data, namely exclusion of dental clinics providing non-insured treatments, we found that in 2019, approximately 3.31% of the dental clinics were practicing sedation and that N₂O was the most commonly prescribed sedative.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.49-54
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• 2023

Neck masses can have various origins and diverse presentations, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Schwannomas and lymphoepithelial cysts are commonly encountered neck tumors, and it is hard to get differential diagnosis. A 50-year-old woman presented with a progressively enlarging right neck mass discovered five years ago. Upon examination, a 3 cm firm, non-tender, and mobile tumor was found in the right neck level II region. Imaging studies suggested a tumor originating from the cervical sympathetic chain. The patient underwent a resection of the tumor under general anesthesia. Postoperative follow-up showed no complications or signs of recurrence. However, contrary to the initial suspicion of a schwannoma, the final pathological examination revealed a lymphoepithelial cyst. In this paper, we present a case of a cervical lymphoepithelial cyst misdiagnosed as a schwannoma, aiming to compare the clinical and histological characteristics of these two tumors and provide insights into appropriate diagnosis and management.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.129-147
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of deep breathing exercise with Incentive Spirometer on the pulmonary ventilatory function of postoperative patients. This experiment was operated by quasi-experimental design which was compared pre-experimental measures with post-experimental ones. The subject of this study was 46 inpatients who were scheduled for elective upper abdominal surgery under the general anesthesia in P National University Hospital in Pusan and classified into the experimental group(23 patients) and control group(23 patients) by using Incentive Spirometer or unusing one. The data were collected from November, 1, 1993, to December, 31, 1993. The effects of the deep breathing exercise on the pulmonary ventilatory function were compared between experimental group who were recieved deep breathing exercise with Incentive Spirometer and control group who were recieved same method without Incentive Spirometer. The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and the First Second Forced Expiratory Volume ($FEV_1$) were represented as index of the pulmonary ventilatory function and those were measured by Vitalograph Compact. The collected data were analysed by SPSS/PC+ (percentage, average, standard deviation, chi-square test, t-test, and ANOVA). The results were as follow : (1) The $FVC_s$ of the experimental group were significantly increased in course of time, 24, 48, 72 hours after surgery(F=3.530, P=0.035). (2) The $FVC_s$ and $FEV_{1S}$ of the control group were significantly increased in course of time, 24, 48, 72 hours after surgery ($FVC_s$ : F=3.480, P=0.037, $FEV_{1S}$ : F=6. 153, P=0.004). (3) The FVC which was measured at 72 hours after surgery was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group(t=2.620, P=0.013). (4) The $FEV_{1s}$ which were measured at 24 and 72 hours after surgery were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group(24hr. : t=2.530, P=0.017, 72hr. : t=2.540, P=0.016). (5) Among general characteristics, sex was significant variable which influenced to effect of pulmonary ventilatory function. In conclusion, this study showed that the deep breathing exercise with Incentive Spirometer was more effective to recover the pulmonary ventilatory function after surgery than the deep breathing exercise without Incentive Spirometer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.12 s.257
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• pp.807-814
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• 2005

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass is an essential process to maintain circulation for saving life during the cardiac surgery, But it is a process in which systemic inflammation was evoked inevitably because of the exposure of blood to foreign surface. The injuries to distal organs during the cardiopulmonary bypass were resulted from systemic inflammation and the disturbances of micro-circulations in the organs. We designed this study to research the effects of leukocyte depletion from pump-oxygenator priming solution on the systemic inflammation, and the micro-circulation of gastric mucosa that is suggested by the gastric mucosal $CO_{2}$ partial pressure and acidity. Material and Method: The dogs were divided into three groups according to the different pump-oxygenator priming solutions; non-hemic crystalloid solution; leukocyte-depleted homologous blood; and non leukocyte-depleted homo-logous blood. Each priming solution group contained five dogs. In all three groups, 2 hours of cardiopulmonary bypass, and 4 consecutive hours of general anesthesia was maintained on the mechanical ventilation. Each dog was evaluated for the gastric mucosal pH, $CO_{2}$ partial Pressure, arterial pH, $CO_{2}$ partial pressure, the exhaled air $CO_{2}$ partial pressure and the level of IL-8 on before the cardiopulmonary bypass, 1 hour after the cardiopulmonary bypass, 2 hours after the cardiopulmonary bypass, 2 hours after the restoration of normal circulation, and 4 hours after the restoration of normal circulation after the cardiopulmonary bypass. The levels of IL-8 were measured with ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) technique. Result: 1. There were significant differences of gastric mucosal $CO_{2}$ partial pressure between the leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group and other two groups(vs non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group; P=0.02, vs non-hemic crystalloid solution group; P=0,01). 2. The gastric mucosal pH of leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group was significantly different from non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group (p=0.01). 3. The levels of IL-8, which examine the systemic inflammation, showed signi- ficantly better results in leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group and non-hemic crystalloid solution group than non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group (p=0.01, 0.01). Conclusion: Based upon these results, we concluded that the leukocyte depletion from the pump-oxygenator priming solution has a beneficial effects in reducing systemic inflammation and the preserving of gastric mucosal micro-circulation.