• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.763-771
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• 2000

Objectives : Thoracolumbar burst fractures(TBLF) result in not only compressive deformity of vertebral body but also spinal cord compression by bony fragments. Many thoracolumbar burst fractures demand both anterior decompression and intervertebral fusion. Most of spinal surgeons use anterior instrumentation for anteior intervertebral bony fusion. The use of Z-plate has been increased recently, however there has been only a few reports regarding its clinical long-term strength. We studied nineteen patients with TBLF to find out the long-term stability of Z-plate. Methods : We have operated 19 patients from March 1996 to August 1998. They were treated with anterior decompression through either a transthoracic, retroperitoneal extrapleural or retroperitoneal approach. Retropulsed bony fragments were removed completely by corpectomy. Iliac bone graft was used for interbody fusion in all of the cases. They were evaluated by plain X-ray films including flexion and extention lateral films. Cobbs angle was used to evaluate kyphotic and lateral wedging deformity. Results : Burst fractured sites were T11 in two, three T12, nine L1, and five L2. Mean follow-up duration was fifteen months. Preoperative average kyphotic angle was 23.7 degree. Immediate postoperative kyphotic angle was 10.2 degree. Follow-up resluts of average kyphotic angles revealed 14 degrees. Four patients(21%), including two spinal 3-column injury, showed increasement of kyphotic angle more than 5 degree or breakage of intrumentation. Two patients showed the difference of kyphotic angle more than 3 degree. Five patients(26%) revealed lateral wedging deformity more than 3 degrees. Postoperative complications were two meralgia parestheticas, one pulmonary atelectasis and two donor site infections. Four of the eight patients, who initially showed incomplete spinal cord deficits, were nerologically improved by Frankel's grade. Conclusion : Z-plate fixation and iliac bone graft after anterior decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures is a safe and easy method. Immediate postoperative results revealed excellent correction of posttraumatic kyphosis, but long-term follow-up evalution showed insufficient strength. Therefore we believe that use of Z-plate should be carefully decided, especially in the case of large lumbar fracture or 3-column injury.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.135-139
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• 2016

Background: The ultimate goal of craniofacial reconstructive surgery is to achieve the most complete restoration of facial functions. A bioabsorbable fixation system which does not need secondary operation for implant removal has been developed in the last decade. The purpose of this study is to share the experience of authors and to demonstrate the efficacy of bioabsorbable mesh in a variety of craniofacial trauma operations. Methods: Between October 2008 and February 2015, bioabsorbable meshes were used to reconstruct various types of craniofacial bone fractures in 611 patients. Any displaced bone fragments were detached from the fracture site and fixed to the mesh. The resulting bone-mesh complex was designed and molded into an appropriate shape by the immersion in warm saline. The mesh was molded once again under simultaneous warm saline irrigation and suction. Results: In all patients, contour deformities were restored completely, and bone segments were fixed properly. The authors found that the bioabsorbable mesh provided rigid fixation without any evidence of integrity loss on postoperative computed tomography scans. Conclusion: Because bioabsorbable meshes are more flexible than bioabsorbable plates, they can be molded and could easily reconstruct the facial bone in three dimensions. Additionally, it is easy to attach bone fragments to the mesh. Bioabsorbable mesh and screws is effective and can be easily applied for fixation in various craniofacial trauma reconstructive scenarios.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2011

Purpose: In the process of replantation of the amputated fingertips, the primary concern was given to survival of the amputees, while the functional aspect of digits after the surgery has been easily neglected. Although an internal fixation with a K-wire is often a part of replantation of the amputated fingertips, little consideration had been given to the study of relationship between distal interphalangeal joint fixation and post operative range of motion. A comparative study in relation to post operative range of motion was done on two different groups, one group with K-wire insertion and the other group without a K-wire insertion at the distal interphalangeal joint. Materials and Methods: The study was done on the cases of a single digit amputation conducted at our institute (the age in the range of 10 to 60) in about four-year of time span from March of 2005 to March of 2009. The cases with a thumb replantation, osteomyelitis or articular surface injury have been excluded from this study. The cases of both head and shaft fracture, except the insertion site of tendon, of distal phalanx of internal fixation with a single K-wire were reviewed for this study. A group of 24 cases without distal interphalangeal joint fixation in comparison to a group of 22 cases with distal interphalangeal joint fixation was reviewed to assess the postoperative range of motion at distal interphalangeal joint on the 6th week after the surgery. And, on the 30th month after the surgery, a group of 10 cases without distal interphalangeal joint fixation in comparison to a group of 10 cases with joint fixation was reviewed. A K-wire was removed in about 5 weeks after the fracture was reunited under the radiographic image, immediately followed by a physical therapy. Result: The active range of motion for a group without interphalangeal joint fixation was measured $49.0^{\circ}$ on average, while $28.6^{\circ}$ was measured for a group with interphalengeal fixation on the 6th week after the surgery. On the 30th month after the surgery, the active range of motion was measured $52.0^{\circ}$ and $55.0^{\circ}$ on average for a group without and with interphalangeal fixation respectively. Conclusion: In the process of replantation of the amputated fingertips, short-term(on the 6th week) improvement of postoperative active motion of range can be expected in the cases without distal interphalangeal fixation in comparison to the cases of interphalangeal joint fixation with a K-wire. However, there seems to be no difference on motion of range in a long-term (on the 30th month) follow up period.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 1997

PURPOSE : For the reconstruction of large bone defect after tumor resection, it is possible to reuse the bone involved by tumor with some treatment to it. Several bone-reusing methods have been reported such as autoclaving, low-heat treatment(pasteurization) and intraoperative radiotherapy. We have used extracorporeally radiated autogenous bone graft for reconstruction after tumor resection, and analyzed the periods for junctional union, functional results and complications to know the indications of this method. METHODS : From Dec. 1993 to Sept. 1995, nine patients had taken autogenous bone graft with extracorporeal irradiation. Eight cases were osteosarcoma and 1 giant cell tumor. The graft sites were 5 in femur, 3 proximal tibia and 1 femur and tibia. Stage 3 was 1 case(GCT), Stage IIB 3 and Stage IIIB 5. After wide resection, surrounding soft tissue and intramedullary and extramedullary portion of the tumor were removed. Radiation was done in 5000cGy to the resected bone. Ender nails and bone cement were inserted and filled into the medulla to prevent fracture. RESULTS : Average follow-up period was 12.3(4 to 21) months. Average junctional union period in simple X-ray was 6.5 months in 4 cases. Average functional score following Enneking's criteria was 19(12-27). Complications were as follows ; condylar fractures and femur neck fracture in 4 cases, subluxation of the knee joint 3 and infection 1. Although local recurrence was detected in 1 case, the site of recurrence was not in the radiated bone but surrounding soft tissue. At final follow-up, no recurrence was found in one case(GCT), CDF 2, AWD 2, DOD 3, and died of chemotherapy related sepsis 1. CONCLUSIONS : Extracorporeally radiated bone autograft is considered to be a method for reconstruction of the large bone defect made by tumor resection, especially in the reconstruction around the joint.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2011

Pilon fractures involving distal tibia remain one of the most difficult therapeutic challenges that confront the orthopedic surgeons because of associated soft tissue injury is common. To introduce and describe the diagnosis, current treatment, results and complications of the pilon fractures. In initial assessment, the correct evaluation of the fracture type through radiographic checkup and examination of the soft tissue envelope is needed to decide appropriate treatment planning of pilon fractures. Even though Ruedi and Allgower reported 74% good and excellent results with primary open reduction and internal fixation, recently the second staged treatment of pilon fractures is preferred to orthopedic traumatologist because of the soft tissue problem is common after primary open reduction and internal fixation. The components of the first stage are focused primarily on stabilization of the soft tissue envelope. If fibula is fractured, fibular open reduction and internal fixation is integral part of initial management for reducing the majority of tibial deformities. Ankle-spanning temporary external fixator is used to restore limb alignment and displaced intraarticular fragments through ligamentotaxis and distraction. And the second stage, definitive open reduction and internal fixation of the tibial component, is undertaken when the soft tissue injury has resolved and no infection sign is seen on pin site of external fixator. The goals of definitive internal fixation should include absolute stability and interfragmentary compression of reduced articular segments, stable fixation of the articular segment to the tibial diaphysis, and restoration of coronal, transverse, and sagittal plane alignments. The location, rigidity, and kinds of the implants are based on each individual fractures. The conventional plate fixation has more advantages in anatomical reduction of intraarticular fractures than locking compression plate. But it has more complications as infection, delayed union and nonunion. The locking compression plate fixation provides greater stability and lesser wound problem than conventional implants. But the locking compression plate remains poorly defined for intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia. Active, active assisted, passive range of motion of the ankle is recommended when postoperative rehabilitation is started. Splinting with the foot in neutral is continued until suture is removed at the 2~3 weeks and weight bearing is delayed for approximately 12 weeks. The recognition of the soft tissue injury has evolved as a critical component of the management of pilon fractures. At this point, the second staged treatment of pilon fractures is good treatment option because of it is designed to promote recovery of the soft tissue envelope in first stage operation and get a good result in definitive reduction and stabilization of the articular surface and axial alignment in second stage operation.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2018

PURPOSES : A geo-grid pavement, e.g., a stress-absorbing membrane interlayer (SAMI), can be applied to an asphalt-overlay method on the existing surface-pavement layer for pavement maintenance related to reflection cracking. Reflection cracking can occur when a crack in the existing surface layer influences the overlay pavement. It can reduce the pavement life cycle and adversely affect traffic safety. Moreover, a failed overlay can reduce the economic value. In this regard, the objective of this study is to evaluate the bonding properties between the rigid pavement and a SAMI by using the direct shear test and the pull-off test. The predicted fractural energy functions with the shear stress were determined from a numerical analysis of the moving average method and the polynomial regression method. METHODS : In this research, the shear and pull-off tests were performed to evaluate the properties of mixtures constructed using no interlayer, a tack-coat, and SAMI with fabric and without fabric. The lower mixture parts (describing the existing pavement) were mixed using the 25-40-8 joint cement-concrete standard. The overlay layer was constructed especially using polymer-modified stone mastic asphalt (SMA) pavement. It was composed of an SMA aggregate gradation and applied as the modified agent. The sixth polynomial regression equation and the general moving average method were utilized to estimate the interlayer shear strength. These numerical analysis methods were also used to determine the predictive models for estimating the fracture energy. RESULTS : From the direct shear test and the pull-off test results, the mixture bonded using the tack-coat (applied as the interlayer between the overlay layer and the jointed cement concrete) had the strongest shear resistance and bonding strength. In contrast, the SAMI pavement without fiber has a strong need for fractural energy at failure. CONCLUSIONS : The effects of site-reflection cracking can be determined using the same tests on cored specimens. Further, an empirical-mechanical finite-element method (FEM) must be done to understand the appropriate SAMI application. In this regard, the FEM application analy pavement-design analysis using thesis and bonding property tests using cored specimens from public roads will be conducted in further research.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 1980

We have experienced 2 cases of the hunshot wound sof the chest involving cardiac injuries at department of the thoracic surgery, Capital Armed Forces General Hospital during I year from April I 1979 to Jan. 1980. In one case of two patients , he was a 22 years old man who was transported to this emergency room 4 hour 10 minutes after having gunshot wound of the left chest by helicopter. Physical examination showed small inlet in left 3rd ICS and left parasternal border, large outlet in left 8th ICS and left scapular line, no breath sound on left side and distant heart sound. chest roentgenography demonstrated marked pleural effusion in left side and mediastinum shifted to right. As soon as chest X-ray was taken, the bleeding through penetrating wound became profuse and cardiac arrest ensued. Closed chest cardiac massage was started and vigorous transfusion continued, but no effective cardiac activity could not be obtained. The patient was pronounced dead due to exsanguinating hemorrhage from wuwpected cardiac wounds. In this critically injured patient with evidence of intrathoracic hemorrhage and suspected cardiac penetration, only emergency thoracic exploration and immediate surgical control of bleeding points might offer the maximum possibility of survival. The other case was a 23 years old man who was transferred to the emergency room 4 hours 50 minutes after having kmultiple communicated fractures of sternum and linear fracture of right mandible by a missile. Examination revealed about 30% skin loss of the anterior chest wall, weak pulse of 96 beats/min., distant heart sound and decreased breath sounds bilaterally. finding on the chest X-ray films showed multiple sternal fractures, marked pericardial effusion indicating hemopericardium. So, the patient was moved immediately to the operation room where, after endotracheal tube inserted, a median sternotomy was performced. A hemorrhagic congestion of the right upper lobe and marked bulging pericardium were disclosed. The pericardium was opened anterior to right phrenic nerve and exsanguinating hemorrhage ensued from the 0.5cm lacerated wound in the auricle of right atrium. The rupture site of right atrium was occluded with non-crushing vascular clamps and then was over sewn with interrupted sutures. It was thought to be highly possible that he was alive long enough to have cardiorrhaphy because of cardiac tamponade, which prevented exsanguinating hemorrhage. He was taken closed reduction for linear fracture of right mandible 2 weeks after repair of ruptured right auricle in dental clinic. This patient's post-operative course was not eventful.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2010

Fresh water injection test in a fractured bedrock aquifer was applied as an efficient approach to lower saline concentrations in the saltwater-freshwater transition zone formed by seawater intrusion in a coastal area. The methodology and effectiveness of fresh water injection for hydraulically controlling seawater intrusion is overwhelmingly site dependent, and there is an urgent need to characterize the permeable fractures or unconsolidated porous formations which can allow for seawater flow and transport. Considering aquifer characteristics, injection and monitoring boreholes were optimally designed and completed to inject fresh water through sand layer and fractured bedrock, respectively. We devised and used the injection system using double packer for easy field operation and maintenance. Overall fracture distribution was systematically identified from borehole image logs, and the section of fresh water injection was decided from injection test and monitoring. With fresh water injection, the fluid electrical conductivity of the monitoring well started to be lowered by the inflow of fresh water at the specific depth. And this inflow leaded to the replacement of the fluid in the upper parts of the borehole with fresh water. Furthermore, the injection effect lasted more than several months, which means that fresh water injection may contribute to the mitigation of seawater intrusion in a coastal area.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.111-120
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• 2016

In order to enhance the connectivity of fracture network as fluid path in enhanced/engineered geothermal system (EGS), the exact locating of hydraulic fractured zone is very important. Hydraulic fractures can be tracked by locating of microseismic events which are occurred during hydraulic fracture stimulation at each stage. However, since the subsurface velocity is changed due to hydraulic fracturing at each stage, in order to find out the exact location of microseismic events, we have to consider the velocity change due to hydraulic fracturing at previous stage when we perform the mapping of microseimic events at the next stage. In this study, we have modified 3D locating algorithm of microseismic data which was developed by Kim et al. (2015) and have developed 3D velocity update algorithm using occurred microseismic data. Eikonal equation which can efficiently calculate traveltime for complex velocity model at anywhere without shadow zone is used as forward engine in our inversion. Computational cost is dramatically reduced by using Fresnel volume approach to construct Jacobian matrix in velocity inversion. Through the numerical test which simulates the geothermal survey geometry, we demonstrated that the initial velocity model was updated by using microseismic data. In addition, we confirmed that relocation results of microseismic events by using updated velocity model became closer to true locations.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.146-149
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• 2017

In this study, we compared the standardized value of each signal intensity, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) that digitizes the diffusion of water molecules, and the signal to noise ratio (SNR) using b value 0 400, 1400 ($s/mm^2$). From March 2013 to December 2013, patients with suspicion of simple compound fracture and metastatic spine cancer were included in the MR readout. We used a 1.5 Tesla Achieva MRI system and a Syn-Spine Coil. Sequence is a DWI SE-EPI sagittal (diffusion weighted imaging spin echo-echo planar imaging sagittal) image with b-factor ($s/mm^2$) 0, 400, 1400 were used. Data analysis showed ROI (Region of Interest) in diseased area with high SI (signal intensity) in diffusion-weighted image b value 0 ($s/mm^2$) Using the MRIcro program, each SI was calculated with images of b-value 0, 400, and 1400 ($s/mm^2$), ADC map was obtained using Metlab Software with each image of b-value, The ADC is obtained by applying the ROI to the same position. The standardized values ($SI_{400}/SI_0$, $SI_{400}/SI_0$) of simple compression fractures were $0.47{\pm}0.04$ and $0.23{\pm}0.03$ and the standardized values ($SI_{400}/SI_0$, $SI_{400}/SI_0$) of the metastatic spine were $0.57{\pm}0.07$ and $0.32{\pm}0.08$ And the standardized values of the two diseases were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The ADC ($mm^2/s$) for b value 400 ($s/mm^2$) and 1400 ($s/mm^2$) of the simple compression fracture disease site were $1.70{\pm}0.16$ and $0.93{\pm}0.28$ and $1.24{\pm}0.21$ and $0.80{\pm}0.15$ for the metastatic spine. The ADC ($mm^2/s$) for b value 400($s/mm^2$) was statistically significant (p < 0.05) but the ADC ($mm^2/s$) for b value 1400 (p > 0.05). In conclusion, multi - b value recognition of signal changes in diffusion - weighted imaging is very important for the diagnosis of various spinal diseases.