• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2012

Background : Poststernotomy mediastinitis is a rare, but life-threatening complication, thus early diagnosis and proper management is essential for poststernotomy mediastinitis. The main treatment for mediastinitis is aggressive debridement. Several options exist for reconstruction of defects after debridement. The efficacy of immediate debridement and reconstruction with a pectoralis major muscle flap designed for the defect immediately after the diagnosis of poststernotomy mediastinitis is demonstrated. Methods : Between September 2009 and June 2011, 6 patients were referred to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Ajou University Hospital for poststernotomy mediastinitis. All of the patients underwent extensive debridement and reconstruction with pectoralis major muscle flaps, advanced based on the pedicle of the thoracoacromial artery as soon as possible following diagnosis. A retrospective review of the 6 cases was performed to evaluate infection control, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. Results : All patients had complete wound closures and reduced severity of infections based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels and a reduction in poststernal fluid collection on computed tomography an average of 6 days postoperatively. A lack of growth of organisms in the wound culture was demonstrated after 3 weeks. There were no major wound morbidities, such as hematomas, but one minor complication required a skin graft caused by skin flap necrosis. No patient expired after definitive surgery. Conclusions : Immediate debridement and reconstruction using a pectoralis major muscle flap is a safe technique for managing infections associated with poststernotomy mediastinitis, and is associated with minimal morbidity and mortality.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.401-406
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• 1999

Secondary deformities of the lip and nose in individuals with repaired unilateral and bilateral clefts may vary in severity, depending on the state of the original defect, the care taken in the initial surgical procedure, the pattern of the patient's facial growth, and the effectiveness of interceptive orthodontic technique. Because each patient has a unique combination of deformities, their surgical reconstruction usually requires the modification and combination of several surgical techniques. Residual lip deformities after primary repair may be esthetic or functional and include scars, skin shortage or excess(vertical and transverse), orbicularis oris muscle malposition or diastasis. The key to accurate repair of secondary cleft lip deformities is a precise diagnosis. This requires observation of the patient in animation and repose. The quality of the scar is not the only factor determining the overall appearance of the lip. Observing the patient in the animated position is critical to assess muscular function. Factors that require precise analysis include lip length, the appearance of the Cupid's bow and philtrum, and nasal symmetry. Only after this detailed analysis can a decision be made as to wether a major or minor deformity exists. We report successful cases using various techniques for the secondary lip deformities.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.939-948
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• 2021

Objectives: This study considered the effectiveness of Korean medicine for the treatment of eyelid edema post craniotomy. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with Taeumin-one of the four constitution types in Korean medicine-and treated with herbal medicines: Cheongsimyeunja-tang, Chungpyesagan-tang, and Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacoacupuncture treatment. The severity of eyelid edema was assessed using Kara and Gokalan's scale, daily imaging of the patient's eyelids, and the ratio of the length of the left eye to that of the right. Results: Following treatment, the Kara and Gokalan score decreased from 3 to 0. The changes in the ratios were 29% and 50%, respectively. The visual field defect due to edema in the left eye was also repaired. Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medical treatment could be an effective option for treating eyelid edema following craniotomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2022

The face and the external nose define an individual's physical appearance. Nasal deformities can cause facial disfigurement along with unwanted psychological repercussions. Nasal deformities range in severity, with the most severe cases being indications for a rhinectomy, due to the complexity of the nasal defect. According to published literature, there is no consensus among otolaryngologists and plastic surgeons on which technique or flap use is preferred in terms of complications, aesthetic outcome, or patient satisfaction. The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of published studies on nasal reconstruction following rhinectomy. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines for writing systematic reviews, a systematic review was conducted. Four databases were searched using a search strategy. These articles were then imported into the COVIDENCE software and went screening and thorough article review. After screening 2,237 articles, 23 studies were then extracted for data collection analysis. We collected data from 12 case series, 4 case studies, 1 prospective case series, and 4 retrospective chart review studies. The most commonly reported flaps were forehead flaps, superior extended nasal myocutaneous island, forearm free flaps, anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap, medial femoral condyle free flap (n = 8), and zygomaticus implants (n = 6), and retained nasal prosthesis. Although not specifically indicated by a certain number, the most common indication for the rhinectomy was malignancy, followed by traumas, postsurgical complications, radionecrosis, and congenital nasal malformations.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.406-416
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• 2023

Purpose: No evidence exists regarding the advantages of periodontal regeneration treatment for furcation defects using soft block bone substitutes. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of regenerative therapy using porcine-derived soft block bone substitutes (DPBM-C, test group) compared with porcine-derived particulate bone substitutes (DPBM, control group) for the treatment of severe class II furcation defects in the mandibular molar regions. Methods: Thirty-five enrolled patients (test group, n=17; control group, n=18) were available for a 12-month follow-up assessment. Clinical (probing pocket depth [PPD] and clinical attachment level [CAL]) and radiographic (vertical furcation defect; VFD) parameters were evaluated at baseline and 6 and 12 months after regenerative treatment. Early postoperative discomfort (severity and duration of pain and swelling) and wound healing outcomes (dehiscence, suppuration, abscess formation, and swelling) were also assessed 2 weeks after surgery. Results: For both treatment modalities, significant improvements in PPD, CAL, and VFD were found in the test group (PPD reduction of 4.1±3.0 mm, CAL gain of 4.4±2.9 mm, and VFD reduction of 4.1±2.5 mm) and control group (PPD reduction of 2.7±2.0 mm, CAL gain of 2.0±2.8 mm, and VFD reduction of 2.4±2.5 mm) 12 months after the regenerative treatment of furcation defects (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found in any of the measured clinical and radiographic parameters, and no significant differences were observed in any early postoperative discomfort and wound healing outcomes between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Similar to DPBM, DPBM-C showed favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes for periodontal regeneration of severe class II furcation defects in a 12-month follow-up period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.961-969
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fate of left atrioventricular valve regurgitation(LAVVR) following repair of complete atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs). Material and Method: Between July 1984 and March 2002, repair of complete AV defects were performed in 77 patients. Mean age at surgery was 30.23$\pm$69.11 months (range 1 to 456). Echocardiograms of all survivors after isolated AVSDs correction were reviewed. LAVVR were evaluated with color doppler echocardiography in 64 survival periodically. On each study, LAVVR severity was graded on a 1 to 4 scale, based upon the size of the regurgitated jet. Result: Mild deterioration of LAVV function was fairly common. LAVVR severity increased by >1 grade in 19 patients (30.2%) during the course of the study. However, the deterioration in LAVVR function occurred primarily between 12 and 24 months postoperatively. After the initial 24 postoperative months, LAVVR worsened on only 8 occasions and in each instance worsened by only 1 grade. Deterioration more than 3+ LAVVR occurred in only 3 patients. And deterioration to 4+ LAVVR was not observed after the initial 24 postoperative months but one. Survival curve analysis predicted a 88.2% of ten-year freedom rate from development of 4+ LAVVR after initial operation of complete AVSDs. Conclusion: Postoperative LAVVR remains fairly stable following AVSDs repair, Serious deterioration is rare after 24 postoperative months, especially after the initial 48 postoperative months. But serial follow-up study with echocariogram was need till 24 postoperative months after repair of complete AVSDs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2003

Background: Lung-to-heart uptake ratio (LHR) in $^{201}Tl-chloride$ myocardial perfusion scan is believed to be a reliable marker for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, but the clinical value of LHR is controversial for $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging. Furthermore, most of results suggesting lung uptake of $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ as a potential marker for LV dysfunction used immediate post-stress images, instead of routine images acquired 1 hour after tracer injection. The goal of our study was to investigate whether LHR evaluated with routine gated $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging can reflect the degree of perfusion defect or left ventricular performance. Subjects and Methods: 241 patients underwent exercise $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ myocardial SPECT were classified into normal myocardial perfusion (NP, n=135) and abnormal myocardial perfusion (AP, n=106) group according to the presence of perfusion defect. LHR was calculated from anterior projection image taken at 1-hour after injection. Two legions of interest (ROIs) were placed on left lung above LV and on myocardium showing the highest radioactivity. Subjects were classified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as Gr-I: >50%, Gr-II: 36-50%, Gr-III: <36% and by summed stress score (SSS), as Gr-A: <4, Gr-B: 4-8, Gr-C: 9-13, Gr-D: >13, LHR was compared among these groups. Results: In NP group(n=135), LHR, were higher in men than women ($men:\;0.311{\pm}0.03,\;women:\;0.296{\pm}0.03,\;p<0.05$). Significant difference, in LHR were found between NP and AP groups both for men and women ($men:\;0.311{\pm}0.03\;vs\;.\;0.331{\pm}0.06,\;women:\;0.296{\pm}0.03\;vs.\;0.321{\pm}0.07.\;p<0.05$). There were weak negative correlation between LHR and LVEF (r=-0.342, p<0.05) and weak positive correlation between LHR and SSS (r=0.478, p<0.05) in men, but not in women (LVEF: r=-0.279, p=0.100, SSS: r=0.276, p=0.103). Increased LHR was defined when for more than mean + 2SD value ($men{\geq}0.38,\;women{\geq}0.37$) of the LHR of the subject with normal perfusion. Increased LHR were observed more frequently in subjects with lower LVEF (Gr-I: 11.1%, Gr-II: 27.0%, Gr-III: 35.4%, p<0.05) and higher SSS(Gr-A: 14.0%, Gr-B: 5.7%, Gr-C: 18.2%, Gr-D: 40.7%, p<0.05). Conclusions: LHRs obtained from routine $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ gated SPECT images were weakly correlated with LVEF and perfusion defect. Although significant overlaps were observed between normal and abnormal perfusion group, LHRs could be used as an indirect marker of severe perfusion defect or reduced left ventricular function.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.473-480
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• 2005

Purpose: Adenosine myocardial perfusion SPECT has proven to be useful in the detection of coronary artery disease, in the follow up the success of various therapeutic regimens and in assessing the prognosis of coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to define the reproducibility of myocardial perfusion SPECT using adenosine stress testing between two consecutive Tc-99m sestaMIBI (MIBI) SPECT studies in the same subjects. Methods: Thirty patients suspected of coronary artery disease in stable condition underwent sequential Tc-99m MIBI SPECT studies using intravenous adenosine. Gamma camera, acquisition and processing protocols used for the two tests were identical and no invasive procedures were performed between two tests. Mean interval between two tests were 4.1 days (range: 2-11 days). The left ventricular wall was divided into na segments and the degree of myocardial tracer uptake was graded with four-point scoring system by visual analysis. Images were interpretated by two independent nuclear medicine physicians and consensus was taken for final decision, if segmental score was not agreeable. Results: Hemodynamic responses to adenosine were not different between two consecutive studies. There were no serious side effects to stop infusion of adenosine and side effects profile was not different. When myocardial uptake was divided into normal and abnormal uptake, 481 of 540 segments were concordant (agreement rate 89%, Kappa index 0.74). With four-grade storing system, exact agreement was 81.3% (439 of 540 segments, tau b=0.73). One and two-grade differences were observed in 97 segments (18%) and 4 segments (0.7%) respectively, but three-grade difference was not observed in any segment. Extent and severity scores were not different between two studios. The extent and severity scores of the perfusion defect revealed excellent positive correlation between two test (r value for percentage extent and severity score is 0.982 and 0.965, p<0.001) Conclusion: Hemodynamic responses and side effects profile were not different between two consecutive adenosine stress tests in the same subjects. Adenosine Tc-99m sestaMIBI SPECT is highly reproducible, and could be used to assess temporal changes in myocardial perfusion in individual patients.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.211-253
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• 2005

Recently, the Korean Supreme Court released two important decisions concerning damages for the pain and suffering from Aircraft noise. The local people who are living near the Air Force practice site at Maehyang-ri and the Kimpo International Airport brought lawsuits against the Korean government requesting damages for their financial loss from the severe noise and the damages for their pain and suffering. Plaintiffs alleged that they suffered physical malfunctions, extreme disturbances and the reduction of property values from the extreme noises which were daily repeated. District Court of Seoul Province did not allow plaintiffs all but the damages for pain and suffering. Plaintiffs could not prove the causation between their financial loss and the noise. The Supreme Court confirmed the lower court's decision. Article V of the National Compensation Act (analogous to the Federal Tort Claims Act of the USA) reads, "the government shall be liable for any loss caused by the defect on establishment or maintenance of public facilities." In the two cases, the major issue was whether the government's establishment or maintenance of Air Force practice site and the airport was defective because they caused serious noise to surrounding neighbors. Previously, the Supreme Court interpreted the clause "defect on establishment or maintenance of public facilities" as failure of duty to provide safety measures to the degree generally required to ordinary manager. However the Court at this time interpreted differently that the defect could be found if the facility caused to any person loss to the degree intolerable. In the two cases the Court confirmed the lower court's finding that noise level at the site was severe enough to be intolerable. This standard is based on the severity of the loss rather than the failure of duty. It became easier for plaintiffs to prove the cause of action under this interpretation. The consequence of the ruling of these two cases is 'rush to the courtroom' by the local people at similar situations. The ruling of these two cases was not appropriate both in theory and in consequence. The Korean tort system is basically based on the theory of negligence. Strict liability is exceptional only when there is special legislation. The Court created strict liability rule by interpreting the Art. V of the National Compensation Act. This is against the proper role of the court. The result of the cases is also dismal. The government was already sued by a number of local people for damages. Especially the Department of Defense which is operating many airports nationwide has financial hardship, which will cause downsizing military practice by the Air Force in the long run, This is no good to anyone. Tens of millions of dollars which might be used for compensation might be better used to prevent further noise problem surrounding airports.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2001

Purpose : We investigated the incidence and predisposing factors of pulmonary embolism in minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). Methods : Lung perfusion scan using 99mTC-MAA were done on 14 patients who were diagnosed to minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Group h: Five patients who had perfusion defects on scan, Group B; Nine patients who had no perfusion defect on scan. Between the two groups, the differences of platelet number, hematocrits, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, proteinuria were evaluated. Results : Five patients were found to have perfusion defect consistent with pulmonary embolism($35.7\%$). However, there were minimal or no respiratory symptoms and signs. In our laboratory studies, the mean proteinuria on admissions was $676{\pm}31\;mg/m2/hr$ in the group with pulmonary embolism, and $313{\pm}28\;mg/m2/hr$ in the group without pulmonary embolism. There were more severe proteinuria in group with pulmonary embolism(P<0.05). The mean platelet count at early stage of remission after steroid treatment was $746,600{\pm}280,000/mm3$ in the group with pulmonary embolism, $511,890{\pm}90,000/mm3$ in the group without pulmonary embolism. There were significant difference of platelet count between the two groups(P<0.01). In patients with pulmonary embolism, there were more higher and sustained increasement of platelet count. All cases of pulmonary embolism were treated with dipyridamole(5 mg/kg). In 4 cases the perfusion defects were improved in two weeks, however, one case showed persistent perfusion defect after 1 month. Conclusion : Our study suggested that pulmonry embolism might be one of tile major complications in childhood MCNS The occurrence rate was correlated with severity of proteinuria before treatment and sustained increasement of platelet counts in early remission state after steroid treatment. Therefore, the scintigraphic pulmonary perfusion study is mandatory in childhood MCNS, especially in the high risk patients, such as the patients with severe proteinuria and sustained increasement of platelet count. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001;5 : 100-8)