• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2016

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical outcomes of plate fixation using autologous iliac bone graft shaped in the form of a matchstick in clavicle nonunion resulting from prior surgical or non-surgical management. Methods: From May 2005 to February 2013, 17 patients underwent surgery for clavicle nonunion. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48.8 years. The iliac bone was harvested and shaped into slivers approximately 3 cm long, which resembled matchsticks. After opening of the medullary canal, the plate and screws were applied and cancellous bone was placed at the nonunion site. Matchstick bone grafts which were longitudinally placed and encircled on the nonunion site were tied with periosteum using 3-4 stitches. Union was determined via postoperative plane X-ray. Clinical status was evaluated using the visual analogue scale score for pain, and Constant and American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon score. Results: All patients had a stable radiological union at the follow-up. The mean duration from index operation to nonunion operation was 13.2 months (7-32 months). The mean follow-up period was 20.1 months (8-56 months), and the mean duration until union was 11.2 weeks (8-16 weeks). All clinical scores were improved at the final follow-up (p<0.001). The mean segmental defect was $3.3{\pm}2.6mm$ (1-18 mm); and the difference in clavicular length between operative and non-operative site was $5.9{\pm}6.9mm$. Conclusions: Matchstick shaped autologous iliac bone grafting technique in clavicle nonunion is acceptable with a high union rate.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.94-96
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• 2020

In November 2013, a case of sustained combustion of a female body was encountered in a Korean farming village. The body was almost completely incinerated from the neck to the knees, and other parts of the body, such as the head, arms, lower legs, and feet, were slightly damaged. The most likely external ignition source was the flame from a matchstick. The elderly woman was found incinerated on the floor of the living room, while other objects in the house were largely undamaged except for having a brown oily or greasy coating. Flammable substances were not detected from the woman's intact pieces of clothing and socks, and her muscular tissues did not contain toxic chemicals. The concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in her peripheral blood was 11% and that of ethyl alcohol in her aqueous humor was below 0.010%. An autopsy failed to determine the exact cause of death because of excessive charring.