• 한국응급구조학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

In Korea, the number of those who were drowned of the dead by 'accident and injury' ranked the third of causes of death is over 2,300 people a year. So the Ministry of Home Affairs arranged '119 drowning rescue team' at frequent occurrence regions of drowning temporarily as a part of drowning rescue measures during every summer season and made perfection more perfect for safety control and rescue services at prevention areas of accidents. However, considering that the number of professional drowning rescuers is small and it is managed temporarily only for summer, the placement of special rescue team equipped with professional education and qualification should be ensured and quick lifesaving and first-aid treatment should be conducted, since much time is required to arrive at accident place after receiving accident report at 119 office, rapid rescue and relief have not been achieved. Therefore, the placement of special rescue team should be increased for reducing the personal damages by considering regional characteristics and in particular placement of more drowning rescue teams in Jeonnam region which has more seas and rivers is needed This study aims at analyzing relief activities and statistics to cope with water accidents and achieve qualitative growth of first-aid services, examining actual conditions of water accident relief team and personnel assignment, providing first-aid services of good quality and establishing improvement methods to increase operation of relief team.

• 의료법학
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.383-422
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• 2008

Considering above, It might be efficient that medical disputes would be settled by the intervention, the agreement, and the administrative relief that reflect mediators' opinion, who have rich social experience as well as specialized knowledge. Therefore, KCA needs to strengthen its function of mediation and improve relevant systems to become an effective settlement institution. And although Oriental medicine disputes have mainly given ex post facto explanations so far, administrative efforts such as policy development or legislation should be made for the high quality of Oriental medical services offered because an efficient way saving social or economic costs caused by the dispute would be precautionary measures. The traditional Oriental medicine is featured with the lack of baseline examination, the uncertainty of medical mistakes, the difficulty in clarifying and proving facts, the hardship of injury conformation and causality because of the characteristics of Oriental medicine, and the relative lightness of physical damages. Actually, there has been few legal settlements in Oriental medical disputes since the compensation, itself, compared to the lawsuit cost, is relatively much lower without practical benefits.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.186-191
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• 2014

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to assess pain relief according to the time after kyphoplasty and to evaluate the factors affecting pain relief after kyphoplasty in the treatment of a single-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Methods: A retrospective review of 34 kyphoplasties for single-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures was performed. Pain relief was assessed by using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Associated factors, including age, sex, pain duration, bone mineral density, and cement leakage, were evaluated using the patients' medical records. Statistical analyses were conducted using the paired t-test to assess pain relief and using the independent t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate the relationship between those factors and pain relief. Results: Preoperatively, the mean VAS score was 7.06. Postoperatively, it declined to 3.66 (p=0.001), 2.81 (p=0.001) and 2.24 (p=0.001) at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Also, statistically significant pain relief was observed during the periods from 6 weeks to 3 months (p=0.001) and from 3 months to 6 months (p=0.001). However, reduction of the VAS score showed no significant correlation with age, sex, pain duration, bone mineral density, or cement leakage (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that a kyphoplasty may be effective in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients with acute pain and that after the kyphoplasty, pain is reduced remarkably for 6 weeks and then continuously for 6 months.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.104-106
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• 2007

Pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery is a rare cause of pain and swelling of the lower leg and the foot following minor sports injuries. When there is no definite musculoskeletal cause of pain, it is important to consider pseudoaneurysm. Early diagnosis and management are essential for the successful outcome. MRI and angiogram are useful for early diagnosis. We report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery following minor sports injury. The patient experienced complete relief of the symptoms after resection of the pseudoaneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.242-245
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• 2008

A 64-year-old man with TBI was admitted to our institute. In following days, he showed unusual behavior of agitation, restlessness, emotional instability and inattention. Post-traumatic delirium was tentatively diagnosed, and donepezil was given for his cognitive dysfunction. Although there was partial relief of agitation, he sustained back pain despite medication. Lumbar magnetic resonance image revealed SDH along the whole lumbar spine, and surgical drainage was followed. Postoperatively, his agitation disappeared and further medication was discontinued. We report a unique case of post-traumatic delirium in a patient with concomitant TBI and spinal subdural hemorrhage (SDH) that resolved with operative drainage of spinal hemorrhage.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty for the post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who had undergone total ankle arthroplasty from February 2005 to June 2006 were reviewed. Eleven patients were male and three patients were female. The mean age was 52.8 years (range, 33 to 69 years). The mean follow-up duration was 15.9 months (range, 12 to 24 months). Primary injuries were pilon fractures in eight cases, malleolar fractures in three, ankle syndesmotic injury in one, talus fracture and dislocation in one, and distal tibial physeal injury in one. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Range of motion (ROM), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and complications were evaluated. Results: The mean VAS improved from 8.6 preoperatively to 2.6 at last follow-up. The mean ROM improved from 24.6 degrees preoperatively to 33.1 degrees postoperatively. The mean AOFAS score improved from 44.5 points preoperatively to 75.1 points postoperatively. Radiographically, all components were stable, but there were component malpositions in two cases, including one varus malposition of tibial component and one increased anterior translation of talar component. Complications were deep infection in one case, intraoperative malleolar fracture in three, marginal wound necrosis in two, and heterotopic ossification in one. One prosthesis was revised because of deep infection. Conclusion: Total ankle arthroplasty for the post-traumatic osteoarthritis is believed to be an useful method for preservation of the motion, relief of the pain and high satisfaction of patients in short-term results.

• Neurospine
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.368-375
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the results of operative management of subaxial spine injuries managed with 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone-filled titanium mesh cage. Methods: This study included 23 patients with a subaxial spine injury who matched the inclusion criteria, underwent 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion at our institution between 2013 and 2016, and were followed up for neurological recovery, axial pain, fusion, pseudarthrosis, and implant failure. Results: According to Allen and Ferguson classification, there were 9 cases of distractive extension; 4 of compressive extension; 3 each of compressive flexion, vertical compression, and distractive flexion; and 1 of lateral flexion. Sixteen patients had a score of 6 on the Subaxial Injury Classification system, and the rest had a score of more than 6. The mean follow-up period was 19 months (range, 12-48 months). Neurological recovery was observed in most of the patients (78.21%). All patients experienced relief of axial pain. None of the patients received a blood transfusion. Twenty-one patients (91.3%) showed solid fusion and 2 (8.69%) showed possible pseudarthrosis, with no complications related to the cage or plate. Conclusion: Two-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, along with stabilization with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone graft-filled titanium mesh cage, can be considered a feasible and safe method for treating specific subaxial spine injuries, with the benefits of high primary stability, anatomical reduction, and direct decompression of the spinal cord.

• 의료법학
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.179-214
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• 2012

There are two opinions on the legal characteristics of damages for non-pecuniary loss, a private sanctions theory and complementary function of damages for non-pecuniary loss, briefly. There is a close connection between the legal characteristics and the function of damages for non-pecuniary loss. The functions of damages for non-pecuniary loss are consist of satisfaction, prevention( sanctions) and complementation. Several cases of medical injury relief reported to Korea Comsumer Agency are categorized as follows, 1) cases of death after having an operation, 2) diagnosed with disability after a medical accident, 3) extended damages happening related to delayed diagnosis, 4) et cetera(a plastic surgery, a treatment with oriental medicine), and the damages for non-pecuniary loss in respect to each cases are examined. In the case of occurring death or disability, Korea Comsumer Agency has set up guidelines for assessment of damages for non-pecuniary loss by classifying into major and collateral violation for a duty of care. Furthermore, the damages for non-pecuniary loss in the case of all sorts of cancers, are assessed in accordance with the degree of responsibility subsequent to dividing cancer into good and poor prognosis. When it comes to a complementary function of damages for non-pecuniary loss in the actual work, it is hard to assess the damages as it is difficult to objectify non-pecuniary loss, such as emotional distress. Though compensation for damages is major legal characteristics of consolation money, preventing a damage(private sanctions) through consolation for a victim or sanctions against an assailant also has great significance. Therefore, it is necessary to approach flexibly for mutual agreement by considering specialty( concrete facts) of individual issue thoroughly. If considering this aging society that limits the possible age for work to 60 years old, it is needed to have a complementary function of consolation money in mind not to make it less meaningful for victims due to small sum of consolation money.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.538-544
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• 2009

Objective : Primary treatment of spinal metastasis has been external beam radiotherapy. Recent advance of technology enables radiosurgery to be extended to extracranial lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery using Cyberknife in spinal metastasis. Methods : From June, 2002 to December, 2007, 129 patients with 167 spinal metastases were treated with Cyberknife. Most of the patients (94%) presented with pain and nine patients suffered from motor deficits. Twelve patients were asymptomatic. Fifty-three patients (32%) had previous radiation therapy. Using Cyberknife, 16-39 Gy in 1-5 fractions were delivered to spinal metastatic lesions. Radiation dose was not different regarding the tumor pathology or tumor volume. Results : After six months follow-up, patient evaluation was possible in 108 lesions. Among them, significant pain relief was seen in 98 lesions (91%). Radiological data were obtained in 83 lesions. The mass size was decreased or stable in 75 lesions and increased in eight lesions. Radiological control failure cases were hepatocellular carcinoma (5 cases), lung cancer (1 case), breast cancer (1 case) and renal cell carcinoma (1 case). Treatment-related radiation injury was not detected. Conclusion : Cyberknife radiosurgery is clinically effective and safe for spinal metastases. It is true even in previously irradiated patients. Compared to conventional radiation therapy, Cyberknife shows higher pain control rate and its treatment process is more convenient for patients. Thus, it can be regarded as a primary treatment modality for spinal metastases.

• 의료법학
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.435-459
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• 2014

Supreme Court of Korea has been mitigating the burden of proof on the malpractice and causal relation by a patient in accordance with the practical transfer of such burden of proof on causal relation as well as relieving a doctor's burden of proof on mistake in the civil damage claim suits on the malpractice. However, a prosecutor shall strictly prove the causal relation between malpractice and unfavorable results as well as a doctor's mistake in the criminal cases for making a doctor accept the professional negligence resulting in death or injury in accordance with In Dubio Pro Reo principles. Furthermore, it shall not be allowed to relieve the burden of proof on malpractice and causal relation which has been frequently applied in the civil proceedings. Nevertheless, it was widely known that the front-line courts accepted the malpractice and causal relation by quoting the legal principles on relieving the burden of proof on malpractice and causal relation applied in the civil cases even in criminal cases with no or insufficient proof on malpractice or causal relation. However, the latest precedents in Supreme Court explicitly declared the opinion that there was no reason to apply the legal principle to relieve the burden of proof on the malpractice and causal relation in the criminal cases requiring the proof 'which doesn't cause any reasonable doubt' on malpractice and causal relation in accordance with the legal principles 'favorable judgment for a defendant in case of any doubt' on the basis of the strict principle of 'nulla poena sine lege.' Accordingly, Supreme court definitely clarified that there would be no reason to relieve the burden of proof on malpractice and causal relation in criminal cases by reversing several original judgments accepting malpractice and causal relation even though there were no strict evidence.