• International Neurourology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2018

Purpose: Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is a surgical procedure used in adults and children with refractory bladder dysfunction, including a small bladder capacity and inadequate bladder compliance, and in whom conservative and medical treatment has failed. This study was aimed to determine the long-term outcomes of AC in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 42 patients (31 males; mean age, $14.2{\pm}6.2years$) who underwent AC for neurogenic and nonneurogenic bladder dysfunction, with a median $12.0{\pm}1.5years$ of follow-up. All patients underwent AC using the ileum with or without continent reconstruction. Pre-AC, concurrent, and post-AC procedures and complications were analyzed. Patients who underwent ureterocystoplasty, were lost to follow-up, or had less than 10 years of follow-up were excluded. The primary outcomes were the complication and continence rates, the post-AC linear rate of height and weight gain, and renal function. The Student t-test was used to evaluate between-group differences and the paired t-test was used to evaluate longitudinal changes in measured variables. Results: Renal function was stable or improved in 32 of 42 patients (76.2%), with a post-AC continence rate of 88.1%. Thirty patients (71.4%) required 72 procedures post-AC. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean percentile of height (P=0. 212) or weight (P=0.142) of patients in the pre- and post-AC periods. No cases of bladder perforation or malignancy were detected. Conclusions: We consider AC to be a safe and effective procedure that does not negatively affect future physical growth, while achieving a good rate of stable renal function. Patients need long-term follow-up to address long-term complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.374-378
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• 2016

Objective : A modified surgical technique of posterior cervical foramintomy called posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) was introduced in previous preliminary article. PCIF allows better preservation of facet joint and capsule than conventional techniques. The authors conducted a study to investigate long-term outcomes of PCIF. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed demographic, radiologic, and clinical data from the patients who underwent PCIFs at our institution. Criteria included a minimum of 48 month follow-up and PCIFs for patients with radiculopathy from foraminal stenosis (C2-T1; single or multilevel) with persistent or recurrent root symptoms despite conservative treatment for more than 3 months. Patients who had undergone previous cervical operation were excluded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used for clinical follow-up, and radiologic follow-up was performed to compare the changes of cervical sagittal alignment, focal angle and disc-space height of treated segment. Results : The PCIFs were performed between April 2007 and March 2011 on 46 patients (32 males and 14 females) with a total of 73 levels affected. The average duration of follow-up was 74.4 months. Improvements in radiculopathic pain were seen in 39 patients (84.7%), and VAS score decreased from $6.82{\pm}1.9$ to $2.19{\pm}1.9$. Posterior neck pain also improved in 25 patients (71.4%) among 35 patients, and VAS score decreased from $4.97{\pm}2.0$ to $2.71{\pm}1.9$. The mean disc-space heights of treated segment were $5.41{\pm}1.03mm$ preoperatively and decreased to $5.17{\pm}1.12mm$ postoperatively. No statistically significant changes in cervical sagittal alignment, focal angle were seen during the follow-up period (Cox proportional hazards analysis and Student t-test, p>0.05). Conclusion : The PCIF is highly effective in treating patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, leading to long-lasting relief in pain. Long-term radiologic follow-up showed no significant spinal angular imbalance.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.23-27
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• 2014

Purpose: Laparoscopic hernia repair in children is still controversial. The aim of this study was to report our long-term results of the laparoscopic hernia technique, which is based on the same surgical principles as conventional open herniotomy. Methods: Five hundred fourteen pediatric patients with inguinal hernia were included in this study under informed consent. All patients underwent a laparoscopic technique of sac transection and intracorporeal ligation. The asymptomatic contralateral inguinal ring was routinely explored and repaired if a patient had patent processus vaginalis on the contralateral side. Patients were prospectively followed for 5 years. Those who were lost to follow-up were excluded from the study. Perioperative complications and recurrences were evaluated. Results: The mean follow-up period was 29 months. Mean operation time was 27.5 minutes. Forty one percent of the patients had contralateral patent processus vaginalis. Only one hernia recurred (0.19%). We had one case of contralateral metachronous hernia (0.21%) during follow-up period. Conclusion: The long-term follow-up results of our study revealed that laparoscopic hernia sac transection and ligation can be a safe and effective alternative for conventional herniorraphy.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-43
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify the long-term effects of the self-help program for arthritis patients. The subjects were 126 patients who have participated in the 6-week self-help program from 1997 to 2000, agreed to participate in this study by telephone interview and responded the mailed questionnaires. The measurement tools of this study were all self-reported questionnaires such as Numerical Pain Rating Scale, the number of pain sites, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, Numerical Fatigue Rating Scale, CES-D depression scale, Self-efficacy scale, Social support scale. The repeated measure ANOVA revealed the significant differences among the pre post follow-up pain and fatigue. Whileas there were no significant differences the pre post follow-up pain site and physical functioning. And there were also no significant differences the pain, pain site, fatigue and physical functioning among three groups according to the duration of follow-up. These results suggested that the follow-up program after the self-help program was completed would be helpful for the physical wellbeing of arthritis patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2022

Objective : Placement of a single transverse stent via the nondominant A1 across the anterior communicating artery (AComA) into the contralateral A2 can provide sufficient neck coverage for wide-necked bifurcation AComA aneurysms. The authors described the feasibility, safety and long-term outcomes of this technique. Methods : Between January 2015 and February 2018, placement of a single transverse stent via the nondominant A1 was attempted in 17 wide-necked bifurcation AComA aneurysms. The authors reviewed the medical records and radiological studies. Results : The technical success rate was 94.1% (16/17). Periprocedural thromboembolic complications occurred in one patient (6.3%) without permanent neurological deficits. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 39.9±9.8 months. No deaths or delayed thromboembolic complications occurred. The mean angiographic follow-up duration was 38.9±9.8 months. The immediate and final follow-up complete occlusion rates were 87.4 and 93.7%, respectively. There was no recanalization during the follow-up period. Conclusion : Placement of a single transverse stent via the nondominant A1 across the AComA into the contralateral A2 is a feasible and relatively safe endovascular technique for the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation AComA aneurysms, with good long-term occlusion rates and a reasonable complication rate, if only the nondominant A1 is applicable.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2019

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of surgical embolectomy and to clarify the sustained long-term effects of surgery by comparing preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up echocardiography outcomes. Of 22 survivors, 21 were followed up for a mean (median) period of $6.8{\pm}5.4years$ (4.2 years). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 27 surgical embolectomy cases for massive or submassive acute PTE from 2003 to 2016. Immediate and long-term follow-up outcomes of surgical embolectomy were assessed on the basis of 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, postoperative complications, right ventricular systolic pressure, and tricuspid regurgitation grade. Results: The 30-day and long-term mortality rates were 14.8% (4 of 27) and 4.3% (1 of 23), respectively. Three patients had major postoperative complications, including hypoxic brain damage, acute kidney injury, and endobronchial b leeding, respectively (3.7% each). Right ventricular systolic pressure (median [range], mm Hg) decreased from 62.0 (45.5-78.5) to 31.0 (25.7-37.0, p<0.001). The tricuspid valve regurgitation grade (median [range]) decreased from 1.5 (0.63-2.00) to 0.50 (0.50-1.00, p<0.05). The improvement lasted until the last echocardiographic follow-up. Conclusion: Surgical embolectomy revealed favorable mortality and morbidity rates in patients with acute massive or submassive PTE, with sustained long-term improvements in cardiac function.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2000

Purpose : To compare the mid term with long term follow up results of the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)> reconstruction using patellar tendon. Materials and Methods : Seventy-six cases, which could be followed up more than 2 years were included in this study. They were classified into two groups, mid-term group(41 cases) with mean follow-up periods of 2 years and 10 months and long-term group(35 cases) off years and 6 months. Clinical and radiological results and peripatellar complications were evaluated & compared. Results . There was no statistically significant difference in radiological finding and anterior instability between two groups. However, the incidence of anterior knee pain, paresthesia at incision site, kneeling pain, crepitus and quadriceps weakness was lower in long-term group than in mid-term group. Conclusion : ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon graft could successfully restone the stability of knee joint, but there are some complications in donor site and patellofemoral joint. However this complications were gradually decreased with long term follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 1999

We investigated the effectiveness of arthroscopic decompression in stage Ⅱ subacromial impingement after long term follow up. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression was done in 104 consecutive patients who had stage Ⅱ sub­acromial impingement. After average of 8.4 years follow up, the final results were as following; 57 shoulders(55%) in excellent, 25(24%) in good, 16(15%) in fair and 6(6%) in poor. All parameters-pain, function, muscle strength and motion-were improved significantly(p<0.00l). Rotator cuff tear was developed in 10 shoulders after decompression. Among them, 8 shoulders had unfavorable results including two poor. In 6 failures, two had rotator cuff tear, three had recurrence of impingement with degenerative change and reflex sympathetic dystrophy was developed in one. Reoperations were done in 4 shoulders. Improvement of impingement symptoms was maintained in the most of patients(79%) after long term follow up. Arthroscopic decompression surgery was very effective means for stage Ⅱ impingement syndrome.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.457-461
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• 2011

A 24-week randomized open-label study with Korean red ginseng (KRG) showed cognitive benefits in patients with Alzheimer's disease. To further determine long-term effect of KRG, the subjects were recruited to be followed up to 2 yr. Cognitive function was evaluated every 12 wk using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) and the Korean version of the Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) with the maintaining dose of 4.5 g or 9.0 g KRG per d. At 24 wk, there had been a significant improvement in KRG-treated groups. In the long-term evaluation of the efficacy of KRG after 24 wk, the improved MMSE score remained without significant decline at the 48th and 96th wk. ADAS-cog showed similar findings. Maximum improvement was found around week 24. In conclusion, the effect of KRG on cognitive functions was sustained for 2 yr follow-up, indicating feasible efficacies of long-term follow-up for Alzheimer's disease.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1436-1440
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• 2021