• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between asymptomatic urinary tract infection (aUTI) and postoperative spine infection. Methods : A retrospective review was done in 355 women more than 65 years old who had undergone laminectomy and/or discectomy, and spinal fusion, between January 2004 and December 2008. Previously postulated risk factors (i.e., instrumentation, diabetes, prior corticosteroid therapy, previous spinal surgery, and smoking) were investigated. Furthermore, we added aUTI that was not previously considered. Results : Among 355 patients, 42 met the criteria for aUTI (Bacteriuria ${\geq}\;10^5\;CFU/mL$ and no associated symptoms). A postoperative spine infection was evident in 15 of 355 patients. Of the previously described risk factors, multi-levels (p<0.05), instrumentation (p<0.05) and diabetes (p<0.05) were proven risk factors, whereas aUTI (p>0.05) was not statistically significant. However, aUTI with Foley catheterization was statistically significant when Foley catheterization was added as a variable to the all existing risk factors. Conclusion : aUTI is not rare in elderly women admitted to the hospital for lumbar spine surgery. The results of this study suggest that aUTI with Foley catheterization may be considered a risk factor for postoperative spine infection in elderly women. Therefore, we would consider treating aUTI before operating on elderly women who will need Foley catheterization.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.187-190
• /
• 2015

An 18-month-old female spayed domestic short-haired cat, weighing 4.1 kg, was presented as an emergency case after it suffered a gunshot injury. Physical examination of the cat revealed paraplegia, with loss of deep nociception. A bullet (diameter, 3 mm) lodged in the left epaxial muscle at the level of the first lumbar (L1) was observed on radiographic examination, and a hyperattenuating spot in the spinal canal was confirmed using computed tomography. Exploratory laminectomy was performed, and an incomplete fracture of the right caudal articular process of L1 and a necrotizing spinal cord lesion were found. The animal was euthanized and necropsy was performed, which revealed a crack on the left pedicle of L1. This case report presents the first detailed clinical description of a gunshot injury to the spinal cord in a cat.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.64 no.6
• /
• pp.922-932
• /
• 2021

Objective : It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF. Methods : After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters, including bone fusion, regional Cobb angle, and proximal junctional Cobb angle, were evaluated. Results : In PTCIF and conventional PLF, the mean age was 61.2 and 58.2 years (p=0.46), and the numbers of levels fused were 2.8 and 3.1 (p=0.46), respectively. Every patient showed functional improvement except one case of PTCIF. Postoperative hematoma as a perioperative complication occurred in one and three cases, respectively. The mean difference in the regional Cobb angle immediately after surgery compared with that of the last follow-up was 1.4° in PTCIF and 7.6° in conventional PLF (p=0.003), respectively. The mean durations of postoperative follow-up were 35.6 months in PTCIF and 37.3 months in conventional PLF (p=0.86). Conclusion : PTCIF is an effective fusion method in decompression and fixation surgery with good clinical outcomes for various spinal diseases in the thoracic and TL spine. It provides more stable bone fusion than conventional PLF by anterior column support.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.604-608
• /
• 2000

Objective : The purpose of this non randomized prospective study was to verify the effect of pain control in small doses of epidural morphine and bupivacaine through continuous infusion for 48 hours. Patients and Methods : Thirty-five patients who underwent spine surgery including laminectomy, fusion with fixation were assigned into two groups ; pain control group(n＝20) and control group(n＝15). Pain score was measured on a visual analogue scale(VAS). A continuous infusor was used to give morphine and bupivacaine continuously via indwelling epidural catheter which was placed before closure of muscles in pain control group. Results : Mean scores(VAS) of pain control group were between 1.3 and 2.1 from the 30 min to the 72 hour, but the lowest mean score in the control group was about 2.6 at the 72 hour. Although a number of extra-analgesics were used in control group, differences of mean scores were statistically significant till 24 hour in pain control group. The patients in pain control group was less painful than the patients in control group from 24 hour till 72 hour, but it was statistically insignificant. There were some side effects such as nausea/vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention which existed transiently, but there was no respiratory depression. Conclusion : It was concluded that the early postoperative pain can be easily and safely controlled with continuous infusion of epidural morphine and bupivacaine in small doses.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to identify the effect of meridian acupressure on defecation of patients with post spinal operation. The nonequivalent control group posttest only design was used. The data were obtained from 77 post spinal operative patients, 34 in the experimental 43 in control group in Y Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The neurosurgical unit A and B ward, assigned by matched sample by the name of operation such as laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion are performed. Meridian acupressure meant the method that an examiner presses response points distributed in the pass of energy vessel. In this study, meridian acupressure program was performed on as points in order of Hegue (LI-4), Zhigou (TE-6), Zusanli (S-36), Shangjuxu (S-37), Xiajuxu (S-39), Tianshu (S-25), Taichong (L-3) which was known to be related to large intestine. Data were collected from 1, July 2003 to 1, September 2003. Meridian acupressure program was carried out for 20 minutes 4 hours after operation twice daily. In order to evaluate the effect of meridian acupressure intervention, they were asked time of bowel recovery, gas passing, and defecation though questionnaire method. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/ WIN 11.0 program. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. Homogeneity tests of general characteristics and operation related characteristics of the experimental group and the control group were performed. General characteristics included age, sex, defecation habit, eating pattern, fluid intake, life style, activity, usage of laxative and etc. 2. Hypotheses were verification as follows; 1) Recovery of bowel sound of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure intervention was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-6.770,P=.000). 2) Time of gas passing of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-8.003, P=.000). 3) Time to defecation of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-9.026, P=.000). 4) Abdominal discomfort due to defecation of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was lesser than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-3.431, P=.001). From these results, meridian acupressure intervention was effective for recovery of bowel sound, reduce time to gas passing, time to defecation and lessen abdominal discomfort due to defecation on post spinal operative patients. And therefore this intervention can probably considered on clinical practice.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.6 s.275
• /
• pp.455-458
• /
• 2007

A 40 year-old male patient admitted for dyspnea and edema of the lower extremities. A pulsatile abdominal mass with a bruit was palpable in the right lower quadrant. Four months previously, he had underwent left partial lam-inectomy ($L4{\sim}5$) and discectomy at the L4 level due to disc protrusion, Computed tomography showed an ilio-iliac AV fistula with pseudoaneurysm at the L5 level. Because massive bleeding occurred when the aneurysm was entered, we closed the aneurysm and performed resection and suture of the aorta and both iliac arteries very near the aneurysm. After exclusion of the arterial side, we performed reduction angioplasty at the aneurysm and aorto-biiliac reconstruction with an artifcial graft. Twenty-four months after operation, he is doing well and hasn't had any complications on the follow-up.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.152-155
• /
• 2014

An 11-year-old castrated Schnauzer presented with paraplegia for the last two weeks, initially developed pelvic limb ataxia 6 months ago and left pelvic limb paresis 3 months ago. On neurological examination, paraplegia and postural reaction deficits were noted in the pelvic limbs with no deep pain sensation, and the dog showed exaggerated spinal reflexes and involuntary urination. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of thoracolumbar spinal cord were obtained with a 0.3 Tesla magnet. A mass with a broad base to the dorsal and left dural margins was identified at the level of L2, causing marked spinal cord compression. The mass showed isointensity to the spinal cord on T1-weighted (T1W) precontrast images, hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, marked homogeneous contrast enhancement with well-defined margins and the "dural tail" sign on T1W postcontrast images. An intradural-extramedullay tumor was considered, most likely, meningioma was highly suggestive. Left-sided hemilaminectomy and dorsal laminectomy were performed. An intradural mass partially adherent to dura mater was compressing the spinal cord, and the mass was completely removed with the attached dura mater. A histopathologic diagnosis of angiomatous subtype meningioma was made.