• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.133-137
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• 2016

The aims of this study were to analyze the Korean fire fighters' applications for the public worker's compensation between 2011 and 2013 and to suggest a feasible solution for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The Korean Ministry of Public Safety and Security provided the complete list of fire fighters' application from January 2011 to December 2013. 510 applicants with chief complaint of musculoskeletal disorders were screened out of all 1596 applicants. Male applicants were 92%. Fire fighters in their early 40's applied most frequently, followed by those in early 30's. Musculoskeletal disorders of fire fighters were reported most frequently in May and June. Regionally, Seoul had most applicants and Jeonbuk showed the highest prevalence. Low back was the most frequently reported body part followed by the knee. Ligament was insured most frequently followed by vertebral disc and bone. The fire fighter's injury occurred while fire extinguish (38.3%), emergency medical service (37.7%), rescue (12.4%), and other duties. Result of this study suggests further investigation on the large variation in regional prevalence and on the injury mechanism of musculoskeletal disorders especially during the fire extinguish and emergency medical service.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2012

Purpose: To consider the proper management of proximal humerus fracture on gunshot wounds. Materials and Methods: A 28-year-old male patient, who sustained a gunshot injury on the left arm 5 days ago, was admitted through the emergency department. Although he underwent an emergency surgery (bullet fragment removal and debridement), there remained bullet fragments around the proximal humerus fracture site. The wound seemed to be infected and a partial dehiscence occurred. No neurologic deficit was noted. Immediate exploration and debridement were performed, and an external fixator was applied to restore the anatomical alignment and manage the wounds. Intravenous antibiotics were administered. On the 9th postoperative day, wound debridement was done again, and cement beads mixed with antibiotics were inserted. After two weeks, the external fixator was removed, and the pin sites were closed after debridement. One week later, the open reduction and internal fixation with locking compression plate and screws were done. Result: At 3 months after the internal fixation, the bone union was obtained with satisfactory alignment of the humerus. Conclusion: The severity of the soft tissue injury influences the fracture management plan. Further, the risk on lead toxicity should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.755-760
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• 2001

Objective : To determine the feasibility of translabyrinthine approach in the vestibular schwannoma patients, the authors reviewed eighteen consecutive cases, focusing at their functional outcome and operative complications. Materials and Method : To evaluate the functional outcome, we reviewed preoperative radiological findings such as size of tumors and location of jugular bulb as well as the preoperative neurological status including audiometric analysis and cranial nerve function in 18 patients, diagnosed as vestibular schwannoma. Also the surgical outcome was evaluated according to the functional preservation of facial nerve and incidence of the surgical complication as well as the extent of surgical resection. Results : The age of patients ranged from 21 to 62 years, with a mean of 50 years. Of 18 patients operated in our center by the translabyrinthine approach, wide exposure with total removal of the mass was possible in 16 cases (88.8%). The facial nerve was anatomically preserved in 88.8%. At six-month follow-up, facial nerve function was good(Grade I-II) in 15 patients(83%) and acceptable(I-IV) in all patients. Although the jugular bulb was highly placed is five patients, gross total resection was possible without facial nerve injury in all patients by the translabyrinthine approach. One patient experienced CSF leakage after surgery, but there was no patient with disabling deficit. Conclusion : Use of the translabyrinthine approach for removal of vestibular schwannomas resulted in good anatomical and functional preservation of the facial nerve, with minimal incidence of morbidity and no mortality. In cases of high jugular bulb impacted into mastoid bone, total removal was possible by displacing the jugular bulb with Surgicel cellulose and placement of bone wax.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2023

Purpose: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is widely used in patients with flail chests, and several studies have reported the efficacy of SSRF even in multiple rib fractures. However, few reports have discussed the hardware failure (HF) of implanted plates. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with HF after SSRF and further investigate the related factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent SSRF for multiple rib fractures at a level I trauma center in Korea between January 2014 and January 2021. We defined HF as the unintentional loosening of screws, dislocation, or breakage of the implanted plates. The baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, and types of HF were assessed. Results: During the study period, 728 patients underwent SSRF, of whom 80 (10.9%) were diagnosed with HF. The mean age of HF patients was 56.5±13.6 years, and 66 (82.5%) were men. There were 59 cases (73.8%) of screw loosening, 21 (26.3%) of plate breakage, 17 (21.3%) of screw migration, and seven (8.8%) of plate dislocation. Nine patients (11.3%) experienced wound infection, and 35 patients (43.8%) experienced chronic pain. A total of 21 patients (26.3%) underwent reoperation for plate removal. The patients in the reoperation group were significantly younger, had fewer fractures and plates, underwent costal fixation, and had a longer follow-up. There were no significant differences in subjective chest symptoms or lung capacity. Conclusions: HF after SSRF occurred in 10.9% of the cases, and screw loosening was the most common. Further longitudinal studies are needed to identify risk factors for SSRF failure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.623-628
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• 2009

Purpose: In cases where nasal fractures involve frontal process of maxilla or perpendicular plate of ethmoid, 4 - 5 days of nasal packing may not provide sufficient support for avoiding displacement after packing removal. Therefore a single Kirschner - wire(K - wire) is used as an internal splint when nasal fractures involve the above two areas. Methods: Thirty five patients during the last 3 practical years were treated with a K -wire pinning according to the anatomic locations of nasal fractures. We performed a retrospective study using 13 nasal fractures out of total 35 patients. Among 13 cases, 10 patients involved frontal process of maxilla, and 3 patients were diagnosed as bilateral nasal side wall fractures accompanied with fractures of perpendicular plate of ethmoid. One patient of the last three cases had been augmented with dorsal silicone implant long before the trauma. We analyzed the anteroposterior displacement of key stone area and the width between both lateral walls by comparing immediate postoperative radiographs with 2 month follow - ups. To reduce the errors, the same measurements were taken by two different inspectors, and the mean of each inspector's measurements was compared. Patient satisfaction was analyzed using a questionnaire regarding the esthetic and functional outcomes. Results: Ten patients underwent a longitudinal K - wire fixation in submucoperiosteal plane underneath the frontal process of maxilla. And three patients underwent a transverse K - wire fixation from the one side of lateral wall to the perpendicular plate of ethmoid and to the other side of lateral wall. The mean postoperative anteroposterior displacement of the key stone area measured by two inspectors were 1.84% and 3.06%; mean narrowing of bony pyramid were 1.33% and 1.48%, respectively. Subjective satisfaction scores regarding the esthetic appearance and the maintenance of nasal shape compared with immediate post - operative state with the long term ones were not different (p>0.05). Conclusion: K - wire pinning after closed reduction is a reliable and useful method for the treatment of nasal fractures involving frontal process of maxilla or perpendicular plate of ethmoid. This is because it achieves longer intranasal support after reduction. This method also leaves conspicuous external scar, and minimal soft - tissue injury.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2011

Conventional slinding genioplsty has the risk of mental nerve injury after operation and difficult to correct vertical asymmetry of chin. So, authors propose a new genioplasty to correct asymmetry of chin. Switching genioplasty is a modification method of conventional genioplasty. Between mandibular right and left canine, osteotomy line of triangular shape make until mandibular lower border. In large side, osteotome line of wedge shape is added to reduction. After osteotomy, segment of wedge shape was separated from chin. Distal segment was rotated to reduction side. Because of rotation of distal segment, space is made in opposite side. Seperated segement of wedge shape from large side is switched this space to fill. So, stability of distal segment is achieved. Authors applied to swiching genioplasty the patients who was remained the chin asymmetry after both sagittal split ramus osteotome was done because mandible asymmetry. After operation, patient and operator were satisfied with excellent esthetic results without any other complication. The switching genioplasty is effective surgical technique for chin asymmetry because it has more advantages than conventional sliding genioplasty. First, other donor side does not need for bone graft. Second, the switching genioplasty can reduce infection, bone resroption, dehiscence, capsular contraction after allograft. Third, have little mental nerve damage. Forth, anteroposterior correction is possible. Fifth, operation time is less than other genioplasty for chin asymmetry.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.679-685
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• 2014

Background Frontal sinus fractures, particularly anterior sinus fractures, are relatively common facial fractures. Many agree on the general principles of frontal fracture management; however, the optimal methods of reduction are still controversial. In this article, we suggest a simple reduction method using a subbrow incision as a treatment for isolated anterior sinus fractures. Methods Between March 2011 and March 2014, 13 patients with isolated frontal sinus fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation through a subbrow incision. The subbrow incision line was designed to be precisely at the lower margin of the brow in order to obtain an inconspicuous scar. A periosteal incision was made at 3 mm above the superior orbital rim. The fracture site of the frontal bone was reduced, and bone fixation was performed using an absorbable plate and screws. Results Contour deformities were completely restored in all patients, and all patients were satisfied with the results. Scars were barely visible in the long-term follow-up. No complications related to the procedure, such as infection, uncontrolled sinus bleeding, hematoma, paresthesia, mucocele, or posterior wall and brain injury were observed. Conclusions The subbrow approach allowed for an accurate reduction and internal fixation of the fractures in the anterior table of the frontal sinus by providing a direct visualization of the fracture. Considering the surgical success of the reduction and the rigid fixation, patient satisfaction, and aesthetic problems, this transcutaneous approach through a subbrow incision is concluded to be superior to the other reduction techniques used in the case of an anterior table frontal sinus fracture.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.131-138
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study is to present a retrospective review of patients who had a sudden onset of facial palsy after trauma and who underwent facial nerve decompression. Methods: The cases of 25 patients who had traumatic facial palsy were reviewed. Facial nerve function was graded according to the House-Brackmann grading scale. According to facial nerve decompression, patients were categorized into the surgical (decompression) group, with 7 patients in the early decompression subgroup and 2 patients in the late decompression subgroup, and the conservative group(16 patients). Results: The facial nerve decompression group included 8 males and 1 female, aged 2 to 86 years old, with a mean age of 40.8. In early facial nerve decompression subgroup, facial palsy was H-B grade I to III in 6 cases (66.7%); H-B grade IV was observed in 1 case(11.1%). In late facial nerve decompression subgroup, 1 patient (11.1%) had no improvement, and the other patient(11.1%) improved to H-B grade III from H-B grade V. A comparison of patients who underwent surgery within 2 weeks to those who underwent surgery 2 weeks later did not show any significant difference in improvement of H-B grades (p>0.05). The conservative management group included 15 males and 1 female, aged 6 to 66 years old, with a mean age of 36. At the last follow up, 15 patients showed H-B grades of I to III(93.7%), and only 1 patient had an H-B grade of IV(6.3%). Conclusion: Generally, we assume that early facial nerve decompression can lead to some recovery from traumatic facial palsy, but a prospective controlled study should and will be prepared to compare of conservative treatment to late decompression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.605-610
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• 2009

Purpose: Substantial tissue necrosis after snake bites requiring coverage with flap surgery is extremely rare. In this article, we report 7 cases of soft tissue defects in the upper and the lower extremities caused by snake bites, which needed to be covered with flaps. Among the vast mass of publications on snake bites there has been no report that focuses on flap coverage of soft tissue defects due to snake bite sequelae. Methods: Seven cases of soft tissue defects with tendon, ligament, or bone exposure after snake bites were included. All patients were males without comorbidities, the average age was 35 years. All of them required coverage with a flap. In 6 cases, the defect was localized on the upper extremity, in one case the lesion was on the lower extremity. Local flaps were used in 6 cases, one case was covered with a free flap. The surgical procedures included one kite flap, one cross finger flap and digital nerve reconstruction with a sural nerve graft, one reverse proximal phalanx island flap, one groin flap, one adipofascial flap, one neurovascular island flap, and one anterolateral thigh free flap. The average interval from injury to flap surgery was 23.7 days. Results: All flaps survived without complication. All patients regained a good range of motion in the affected extremity. Donor site morbidities were not observed. The case with digital nerve reconstruction recovered a static two point discrimination of 7 mm. The patient with foot reconstruction can wear normal shoes without a debulking procedure. Conclusion: The majority of soft tissue affection after snake bites can be treated conservatively. Some severe cases, however, may require the coverage with flap surgery after radical debridement, especially, if there is exposure of tendon, bone or neurovascular structures. There is no doubt that definite coverage should be performed as soon as possible. But we also want to point out that this principle must not lead to a premature coverage. If the surgeon is not certain that the wound is free of necrotic tissue or remnants of venom, it is better to take enough time to get a proper wound before flap surgery in order to obtain a good functional and cosmetic result.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of treatment of humerus shaft simple fracture by minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique using locking compression plate (LCP). Materials and Methods: Six patients who were operated for humerus shaft simple fracture from August 2010 to May 2011 were enrolled for this study. We checked the cause of injury and the accompanying injuries and evaluated the operation time, the clinical and radiological period of union, postoperative range of motion of the shoulder and elbow joint, pain, activities in daily living, radiologic alignment, and other complications. Results: The clinical period of bone union was 7.2 weeks on average, and the radiologic period of bone union was 8 weeks on average. Follow-up period was more than 12 months in all cases. The angulation through postoperative alignment was 2.8 degrees in AP view and 2 degrees in lateral view. The postoperative range of motion was 167 degrees in forward flexion, 50 degrees in external rotation, and thoracic vertebra 12 level in internal rotation. The average value of visual analogue scale (VAS) was 1.2 and that of KSS was 91.3. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons' score (ASES) was 26.5 and the UCLA score was 31.5. Conclusion: MIPO technique for the humerus shaft simple fracture showed good functional and radiological outcomes and may be considered as one of the treatment options for humerus shaft simple fracture.