• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.479-485
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• 2001

Objective : Several conservative treatments have been tried in peripheral facial nerve paralysis, because 80% of patients recover spontaneously. Surgical decompression may be helpful to the residual, medically intractable patients. We present here our experiences of facial nerve decompression via middle fossa approach, which seems to be one of good surgical therapeutic options for medically refractory peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Method : Three cases of medically intractable peripheral type facial paralysis were microscopically operated via middle cranial fossa approach to decompress the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and geniculate ganglion by searching landmarks of middle meningeal artery, greater superficial petrosal nerve and facial hiatus. Results : After operation, two cases of Bell's palsy improved substantially and one case of post-traumatic facial paralysis improved partially. Conclusion : This report is presented to describe the surgical facial nerve decompression via middle fossa for early control of peripheral type facial paralysis. Surgical decompression of edematous peripherally paralysed facial nerve could be preferred to conservative treatment in some patients although more surgical experience should be required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.492-495
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• 1993

We experienced one case of surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm using retroperitoneal approach. The transperitoneal route has been the standard surgical approach for elective and emergency treatment of aneurysmal or occlusive disease. Among its cited advantages for aortic reconstruction are familarity with the exposure, easy access to the infrarenal aorta and iliac vessels, possibility of simultaneous inspection of the intra-abdominal viscera, and speed of opening and closure.Despite the proved versatility of the transperitoneal approach, it is commonly associated with prolonged ileus, increased third space fluid loss, and significant pulmonary complications. The retroperitoneal approach, on the other hand, has many advantages; excellent exposure for the repair of juxtarenal or suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms and visceral vessel occlusive disease, fewer postoperative complications, decreased postoperative third-space fluid losses from intraoperative evaporation and ileus, and improved postoperative pulmonary function. Atherosclerosis was most common cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Dacron graft[18mm] was replaced successfully.Postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged in good condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.457-468
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• 2022

Objective : The clinical management paradigm of skull base chordomas is still challenging. Surgical resection plays an important role of affecting the prognosis. Endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) has gradually become the preferred surgical approach in most cases, but traditional transcranial surgery cannot be completely replaced. This study presents a comparison of the results of the two surgical strategies and a summary of the treatment algorithms for skull base chordomas. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the surgical outcomes and follow-up data of 48 patients with skull base chordomas diagnosed pathologically who received transnasal midline approaches (TMA) and transcranial lateral approaches (TLA) from 2010 to 2020. Results : Among the 48 patients, 36 cases were adopted TMA and 12 cases were performed with TLA. In terms of gross total resection (GTR) rate, 27.8% in TMA and 16.7% in TLA and with EEA alone it was increased to 38.9%, while 29.7% in primary surgery. In TMA, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains the most common complication (13 cases, 36.1%), other main complications included death, cranial nerve palsy, hypopituitarism, all the comparisons were no statistical significance. The Karnofsky Performance Scale scores in TMA were all better than those in TLA at different time, and the overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival/progression free survival was just the reverse. Conclusion : The EEA for skull base chordomas resection has improved the GTR rate, but transcranial approach is still an alternative approach. It is necessary to select an appropriate surgical approach based on the location and the pattern of tumor growth in order to obtain the best surgical outcomes.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2018

This study investigates the effect of a combination of homeopathic medicine and electro- acupuncture in two patients with breast cancer and severe liver disease who could not receive standard anaesthesia therapy due to liver problems. Specifically, measurable and quantifiable parameters were used to evaluate whether an integrated approach-consisting of electro- acupuncture and a homeopathic medicine diluted above Avogadro's limit (that is, above a potency of 12CH) during the pre-surgical, surgical and post-surgical phases -can improve general well-being of a patient undergoing breast cancer surgery. In breast cancer surgery, we employed an integrated approach consisting of induction with hypnotics and muscle relaxants, followed by maintenance with anaesthetic gas, combined with a homeopathic treatment (Arnica montana 15CH and Apis mellifica 15CH) before and after surgery and an electro- acupuncture treatment performed in the pre- and post-surgical phases without any analgesic/pain relieving medications. Both of the patients treated with the integrated approach improved their overall condition without need for other common pain relieving medicines. Additionally, thanks to their rapid awakening, the patients were not relocated to a protected area and the hospitalization was shorter. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating homeopathic medicine and electro-acupuncture can be a solution for patients who need or ask about a different and/or safer alternative to the standard treatment. This approach can offer a safe, much less expensive, non-invasive and viable alternative for such cases. Moreover it can be useful for an opioids free anesthesia.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.204-209
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• 2019

For a minimally invasive approach to access the facial nerve, we designed an extended epitympanotomy via a transmastoid approach that has proven useful in cases of traumatic facial nerve palsy and pre-cholesteatoma. To evaluate the surgical exposure through an extended epitympanotomy, six patients with traumatic facial nerve palsy were enrolled in this study. The same surgical technique was used in all patients. Patients were assessed and the degree of facial nerve paralysis was determined prior to surgery, 1-week post-operatively, and 6-months post-operatively using the House-Brackmann grading system. In all cases, surgical exposure was adequate. All patients with traumatic facial nerve palsy were male and the age range was 13 to 83 years. In all cases, the location of the facial nerve damage was limited to the area between the first and second genu. Symptoms of all the patients improved by 6 months post-operation (p=0.024). There were no complications in any of the patients. Extended epitympanotomy is useful for safe, rapid surgical exposure of the attic area, sparing the patient post-operative dimpling, skin incision complications, and lengthy exposure to anesthesia. We suggest that surgery for patients with facial nerve palsy secondary to trauma be performed using this described technique.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.204-209
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• 2019

For a minimally invasive approach to access the facial nerve, we designed an extended epitympanotomy via a transmastoid approach that has proven useful in cases of traumatic facial nerve palsy and pre-cholesteatoma. To evaluate the surgical exposure through an extended epitympanotomy, six patients with traumatic facial nerve palsy were enrolled in this study. The same surgical technique was used in all patients. Patients were assessed and the degree of facial nerve paralysis was determined prior to surgery, 1-week post-operatively, and 6-months post-operatively using the House-Brackmann grading system. In all cases, surgical exposure was adequate. All patients with traumatic facial nerve palsy were male and the age range was 13 to 83 years. In all cases, the location of the facial nerve damage was limited to the area between the first and second genu. Symptoms of all the patients improved by 6 months post-operation (p=0.024). There were no complications in any of the patients. Extended epitympanotomy is useful for safe, rapid surgical exposure of the attic area, sparing the patient post-operative dimpling, skin incision complications, and lengthy exposure to anesthesia. We suggest that surgery for patients with facial nerve palsy secondary to trauma be performed using this described technique.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of symptomatic postdiscectomy pseudocyst (PP) after endoscopic discectomy and to compare the results of surgical and conservative management of them. Methods: Initial study participants were 1,503 cases (1,406 patients) receiving endoscopic lumbar discectomy by 23-member board of neurosurgeons from March 2003 to October 2008. All patients' postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated. On the postoperative MRI, cystic lesion of T2W high and T1W low at discectomy site was regarded as PP. Reviews of medical records and radiological findings were done. The PP patients were divided into two groups, surgical and conservative management by treatment modality after PP detection. We compared the results of the two groups using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain (LBP), VAS for leg pain (LP) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: Among 1,503 cases of all male soldiers, the MRls showed that pseudocysts formed in 15 patients, about 1.0% of the initial cases. The mean postoperative interval from surgery to PP detection was 53.7 days. Interlaminar approach was correlated with PP formation compared with transforaminal approach. (p=0.001).The mean VAS for LBP and LP in the surgical group improved from 6.5 and 4.8 to 2.0 and 2.3, respectively. The mean VAS for LBP and LP in the conservative group improved from 4.4 and 4.4 to 3.9 and 2.3, respectively. There was no difference in treatment outcome between surgical and conservative management of symptomatic PP. Conclusion: Although this study was done in limited environment, symptomatic PP was detected at two months' postoperative period in about 1% of cases. Interlaminar approach seems to be more related with PP compared with transforaminal approach.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2005

Purpose: To review the surgical results of stiff elbow using the posterior extensile approach which provides a wide surgical view with a single posterior skin incision. Materials and Methods: From February 1999 to May 2002, we performed 6 surgical correction of stiff elbow using posterior extensile approach and followed the patients more than 1 year. In order to get better result, we performed cadaver study (four elbows of two fresh cadavers). Average duration of follow up was 15.7 months $(14{\sim}21)$. Functional results was analyzed using Brobery and Morrey analysis scale. Results: The approach through the plane between the extensor carpi radialis longus and the extensor carpi radialis brevis was ideal, because it preserves normal anatomy and provides a wide surgical view of the anterior joint. The posterior joint could be approached directly between the medial head of the triceps brachii and brachialis medially, the lateral head of triceps brachii and brachioradialis laterally. In all patients, an improved ROM was obtained with intra and extra-articular adhesiolysis: an average $61.7^{\circ}$ improvement $(50{\sim}75)$. Functional results were as follows: five excellent, one good. In addition, the patients' satisfaction was high since the scar from the operation was only a single line at the posterior surface of the elbow. Conclusion: In the treatment of stiff elbow, posterior extensile approach is thought to be useful because this method provides wide anterior and posterior surgical view.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2008

Purpose: Unicoronal synostosis is the craniofacial anomaly caused by premature fusion of unilateral coronal suture. Ipsilateral flattening of the frontal and parietal bones, temporal retrusion with elevation and recession of the supraorbital rim are main clinical features. Compensatory contralateral frontal bossing and deviation of the nasal root and/or chin can also occur. There is a controversy about techniques for surgical correction, however, bilateral approach technique is more effective for correction of deformity. Methods: A 4-year-old patient with unicoronal synostosis had undergone unilateral suturectomy at 28-month-old but fronto-facial deformity had remained and aggravated as she grew older. She had both fronto-facial and endocranial asymmetry. We performed coronal cranial approach and fully exposed affected cranium including supraorbital rim. Anterior 2/3 calvarial reconstruction with bilateral frontal bone osteotomy and fronto-orbital bandeau advancement was performed. Results: Fronto-facial symmetry including fronto-orbital contour, nasal devation was improved. Endocranial twisting was also improved from $158^{\circ}$ to $162^{\circ}$ in CSO(crista gallisella turcica-opisthion) degree. There was no postoperative complications and no need for revision, and facial asymmetry improved at the period of 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion: Bilateral approach with fronto-orbital bandeau remodeling in surgery of unicoronal synostosis looked superior to unilateral approach in achieving better symmetry and preventing recurrence of asymmetry. Remodeling surgery should be tried in patients even at an older age to correct fronto-facial asymmetry.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.239-253
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• 2021

Purpose: The single-flap approach (SFA) is a minimally invasive technique with limited mucoperiosteal flap elevation to gain access to the buccal/palatal aspects, thus limiting post-surgical complications. The purpose of the present study was to gain insights into the impact of the SFA over the double-flap approach (DFA) on periodontal flap treatment outcomes and patient compliance in terms of discomfort and time taken for surgical procedures. Methods: Twenty patients with persistent probing pocket depths of ≥5 mm were scheduled for the SFA (test site) and for the DFA (control site). All the clinical periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Radiographic bone level (cone-beam computed tomography) was evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Patients' postoperative pain perception and wound healing were also assessed. Results: The SFA showed a significant reduction in periodontal pocket depth, gain in clinical attachment level (CAL), and gain in bone level when compared with the DFA. The SFA substantially improved wound healing and induced less postoperative pain than the DFA. Conclusions: The SFA resulted in substantial improvement in the composite outcome measures, as shown by a reduction in pocket depth with minimal gingival recession, gain in CAL, early wound healing, less postoperative discomfort, and better patient-centered outcomes.