• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.808-817
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• 2021

Objective : Cervical surgery in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and cerebral palsy (CP) is challenging owing to the complexities of the deformity. We assessed factors affecting postoperative complications and outcomes after CSM surgery in patients with CP. Methods : Thirty-five consecutive patients with CP and CSM who underwent cervical operations between January 2006 and January 2014 were matched to 35 non-cerebral palsy (NCP) control patients. Postoperative complications and radiologic outcomes were compared between the groups. In the CP group, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score; Oswestry neck disability index; modified Barthel index; and values for the grip and pinch, Box and Block, and Jebsen-Taylor hand function tests were obtained pre- and postoperatively and compared between those with and without postoperative complications. Results : Sixteen patients (16/35%) in the CP group and seven (7/35%) in the NCP group (p=0.021) had postoperative complications. Adjacent segment degeneration (p=0.021), postoperative motor weakness (p=0.037), and revisions (p=0.003) were significantly more frequent in the CP group than in the NCP group; however, instrument-related complications were not significantly higher in the CP group (7/35 vs. 5/35, p=0.280). The number of preoperative fixed cervical deformities were significantly higher in CP with postoperative complications (5/16 vs. 1/19, p=0.037). In the CP group, clinical outcomes were almost similar between those with and without postoperative complications. Conclusion : The occurrence of complications during the follow-up period was high in patients with CP. However, postoperative complications did not significantly affect clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was based on the Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey and aimed to report the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries over the last few decades. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 36 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. The questions were mainly related to the preferred techniques and clinical experiences in the treatment of patients with syndesmotic injuries. Answers with a prevalence ≥50% of respondents were considered a tendency. Results: Seventy-six (13.8%) of the 550 members responded to the survey. The results showed that the most preferred method to diagnose a syndesmotic injury was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intraoperatively, the external rotation stress test and the Cotton test were most frequently used to confirm syndesmotic diastasis. The reduction was usually done by a reduction clamp. One 3.5-mm screw was used most frequently over three cortices at 2~4 cm above the ankle joint. The preferred ankle position during fixation was 0° dorsiflexion. Removal of the syndesmotic screw was routinely done by most surgeons, mainly because of the limitation of movement and risk of screw breakage. Factors that affect suture button selection included non-rigid fixation which enables adequate fixation, early weight-bearing, and an infrequent need to remove the hardware. Inadequate reduction was considered the main factor that affects poor prognosis. Conclusion: This study proposes updated information about the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries in Korea. Consensuses in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with syndesmotic injury were identified in this survey study. This study may raise the awareness of the various possible approaches toward the injury and should be used to further establish a standard protocol for the management of syndesmotic injuries.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.308-318
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of fractured adjacent soft tissue during closed reduction after forearm fracture using the finite element method. To accomplish this, a finite element (FE) model of the forearm including soft tissue was constructed, and the material properties reported in previous studies were implemented. Based on this, nine finite element models with different fracture types and fracture positions, which are the main parameters, were subjected to finite element analysis under the same load and boundary conditions. The load condition simulated the traction of increasing the fracture site spacing from 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm at intervals of 0.4 mm at the distal end of the radioulnar bone. Through the finite element analysis, the fracture type, fracture location, and displacement were compared and analyzed for the fracture site spacing of the fractured portion and the maximum equivalent stress of the soft tissues adjacent to the fracture(interosseous membrane, muscle, fat, and skin). The results of this study are as follows. The effect of the major parameters on the fracture site spacing of the fractured part is negligible. Also, from the displacement of 1.2 mm, the maximum equivalent stress of the interosseous membrane and muscle adjacent to the fractured bone exceeds the ultimate tensile strength of the material. In addition, it was confirmed that the maximum equivalent stresses of soft tissues(fat, skin) were different in size but similar in trend. As a result, this study was able to numerically confirm the damage to the adjacent soft tissue due to the fracture site spacing during closed reduction of forearm fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.84-95
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• 2022

Objective : To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the controlled distraction-compression technique using an expandable titanium cage (ETC) in posttraumatic kyphosis (PTK). Methods : We retrospectively studied and collected data on 20 patients with PTK. From January 2014 to December 2017, the controlled distraction-compression technique using ETC was consecutively performed in 20 patients with PTK of the thoracolumbar zone (range, 36-82 years). Among them, nine were males and 11 were females and the mean age was 61.5 years. The patients were followed regularly at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and the last follow-up was more than 2 years after surgery. Results : The mean follow-up period was 27.3±7.3 months (range, 14-48). The average operation time was 286.8±33.1 minutes (range, 225-365). The preoperative regional kyphotic angle (RKA) ranged from 35.6° to 70.6° with an average of 47.5°±8.1°. The immediate postoperative mean RKA was 5.9°±3.8° (86.2% correction rate, p=0.000), and at the last follow-up more than 2 years later, the mean RKA was 9.2°±4.9° (80.2% correction rate, p=0.000). The preoperative mean thoracolumbar kyphosis was 49.1°±9.2° and was corrected to an average of 8.8°±5.3° immediately after surgery (p=0.000). At the last follow-up, a correction of 11.9°±6.3° was obtained (p=0.000). The preoperative mean back visual analog scale (VAS) score was 7.9±0.8 and at the last follow-up, the VAS score was improved to a mean of 2.3±1.0 with a 70.9% correction rate (p=0.000). The preoperative mean Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was 32.3±6.9 (64.6%) and the last follow-up ODI score was improved to a mean of 6.85±2.9 (3.7%) with a 78.8% correction rate (p=0.000). The overall complication was 15%, with two of distal junctional fractures and one of proximal junctional kyphosis and screw loosening. However, there were no complications directly related to the operation. Conclusion : Posterior vertebral column resection through the controlled distraction-compression technique using ETC showed safe and good results in terms of complications, and clinical and radiologic outcomes in PTK. However, to further evaluate the efficacy of this surgical procedure, more patients need long-term follow-up and there is a need to apply it to other diseases.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1249-1259
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for osteoporosis screening. Materials and Methods: Eligible patients who had and had not undergone DXA screening were identified from among those aged 50 years or older at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Age, sex, screening year (index year), and Charlson comorbidity index of the DXA and non-DXA groups were matched using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) for propensity score analysis. For cost-effectiveness analysis, a societal perspective, 1-year cycle length, 20-year time horizon, and discount rate of 2% per year for both effectiveness and costs were adopted in the incremental cost-effectiveness (ICER) model. Results: The outcome analysis included 10337 patients (female:male, 63.8%:36.2%) who were screened for osteoporosis in southern Taiwan between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. The DXA group had significantly better outcomes than the non-DXA group in terms of fragility fractures (7.6% vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001) and mortality (0.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.001). The DXA screening strategy gained an ICER of US$ -2794 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) relative to the non-DXA at the willingness-to-pay threshold of US$ 33004 (Taiwan's per capita gross domestic product). The ICER after stratifying by ages of 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥ 80 years were US$ -17815, US$ -26862, US$ -28981, and US$ -34816 per QALY, respectively. Conclusion: Using DXA to screen adults aged 50 years or older for osteoporosis resulted in a reduced incidence of fragility fractures, lower mortality rate, and reduced total costs. Screening for osteoporosis is a cost-saving strategy and its effectiveness increases with age. However, caution is needed when generalizing these cost-effectiveness results to all older populations because the study population consisted mainly of women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.3-23
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• 2024

Intervertebral disc herniation is frequently encountered in radiological practice. Sequestered disc herniation occurs when the disc material undergoes degeneration and completely loses continuity with the parent nucleus pulposus. Sequestered discs can reside within and outside the spinal canal, exerting a mass effect on adjacent structures, compressing nerve pathways, and eliciting a range of clinical symptoms. In particular, sequestered discs within the dura cannot be identified without durotomy. Therefore, precise preoperative localization is crucial for surgical planning. On MRI, the signal intensity of the sequestered disc may vary due to independent degeneration processes. Additionally, most sequestered disc fragments show varying degrees of peripheral enhancement depending on the degree of angiogenesis and granulation around the isolated tissue. In this article, we review various imaging findings and the location of the sequestered disc to provide patients with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment direction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.240-246
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• 2024

Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a rare variant of angiosarcoma characterized by an epithelioid morphology that mimics carcinoma. Therefore, multicentric epithelioid angiosarcoma is easily misdiagnosed as bone metastasis from carcinoma and has an aggressive clinical course. Here, we present a rare case of a 61-year-old male with multicentric epithelioid angiosarcoma of the bone. Plain radiography, CT, and MRI revealed multiple osteolytic lesions in both femurs; some lesions showed soft tissue extension with cortical bone destruction. Interestingly, PET-CT revealed that the lesions were only distributed along the bones of the lower extremities, including the pelvic bones, femurs, and tibiae. Despite histological analysis initially suggesting metastatic carcinoma, after additional immunohistological staining, including that for vascular markers (CD31 and ERG), the final diagnosis was epithelioid angiosarcoma. A better understanding of the clinicoradiological features of this disease may help eliminate diagnostic confusion and provide better management.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.251-257
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• 2024

Background Plastic surgery has developed to benefit in a variety of challenging areas formerly handled by other disciplines. Medical students do not have a clear picture of plastic surgery as a career due to lacking scope, clinical practice, and understanding of plastic surgery as a clinical area of expertise, including general practitioners, nursing staff, medical trainees, and the general public, and misconceptions about the extent of reconstructive and plastic surgery. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Kuwait University Medical students (2nd-7th Years) over a period of 1 month. A questionnaire and a consent form were provided to eligible students. The inclusion criteria were Kuwait University Medical students from 2nd to 7th Years with signed consent form. The response was collected via email sent in coordination with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine. Using statistical package for the social sciences, responses were statistically analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to calculate p-values, where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 244 eligible medical students, 121 males and 123 females, were included in the study, with a mean age of 21 (±2) years. Similarly, 126 (51.6%) were preclinical students (2nd-4th-year students), while 118 (48.4%) were clinical students (5th-7th-year students). About 79.8% of medical students believed that plastic surgery plays an essential role in trauma management, whereas 9.2% did not consider plastic surgery significant for trauma management. This study found that only 15.5% of medical students were interested in enrolling in plastic surgery residency after graduation, while 47.1% of students did not consider plastic surgery residency after graduation. However, 37.4% were uncertain. The two most driving factors in deciding on plastic surgery residency were expected income (61.8%) and lifestyle (14.3%). Conclusion Improving medical students' education quality can enhance their perception and awareness of plastic surgery. Students should be taught the broader scope of plastic surgery. The inclusion of formal training during undergraduation is the essence of time and should be added to or improved during plastic surgery rotations with more emphasis on reconstructive and hand/peripheral nerve surgery. Student-led interest groups can be a useful tool for educating students about their specialty.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.653-667
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• 1995

Post - operative wound infections have been a serious problem in nursing care in the operating room and appear to be strongly related to the infection occurring during the performance of operation. The purpose of this study is to identify patterns in duration of surgical hand scrub (SHS), to evaluate the method of SHS and to examine the rate of glove perforation. Subjects for this study include 244 doctors and 169 nurses working in the operative theatre of a hospital in Seoul area. Test samples and related data were collected from this medical facility between April 1, through 15, and July 1, through 5, 1995 by the author and a staff member working in the operating room. For the study, data on the SHS of doctors and nurses were obtained at the time of operation and multiple batches of surgical gloves worn by the operating doctors were collected after each operation. The duration of SHS was measured with a stop watch and the method of SHS was evaluated according to Scoring Hand Scrub Criteria (SHS Criteria) and expressed as SHS scores. For the analysis of the data, t-test was used to compare the differences in the duration and the SHS scores of doctors and nurses, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between the SHS duration and the SHS scores. The results of the study are summarized as follows. 1) The mean time spent in each SHS was 167 seconds in nurses, and 127 seconds in doctors. The data comparing nurses and doctors indicated that there were significant differences in Our ation of SH S between these two groups (t=5.58, p=.000). 2) The mean time spent in the first SHS was 145 seconds and that in the End SHS, 135 seconds, and there was not a significant difference in the duration of the SHS between doctors and nurses (t=1.44, P=.156). 3) The mean time spent in the SHS by OS (Orthopaedic surgery) doctors was 162 seconds, 150 seconds by NS(Neurologic surgery), 121 seconds by GS(General surgery), 94 seconds by OPH(Opthalmology) and DS(Dental surgery), 82 seconds by URO(Urology), 78 seconds by PS(Plastic surgery) and 40 seconds by ENT(Ear, Nose & Throat) These also showed a significant difference in the duration of the SHS among the medical specialities (t=4.8, P=.0001). 4) The average SHS score of the nurses was 15.2, while that of doctors was 13.1. The statistical analysis showed that t-value was 3.66, p was. 000. This indicates that the nurses actually clean their hands more thoroughly than the doctors do. 5) The average SHS score of NS doctors was 15.5, 15.3 for doctors for OPH,14.3 for OS,12.7 for GS, 12.0 for DS, 11.7 for URO, 10.1 for PS, 7.5 for ENT. Comparison of the average SHS scores from 8 specialties showed that there was a significant differences in the patterns of the SHS (F=5.08, P=.000) among medical specialties. 6) It appears that the operating personnel scrub the palms and dorsum of their hand relatively well, however, less thorough the nails and fingers. 7) The more the operating personnel spend their time in hand scrubbing, the more correctly they clean their hands(r=.6427, P<.001). 8) The overall frequencies of perforation in all post-operative gloves tested was 38 out of 389 gloves (10.3%). The perforation rate for PS was 13%, 12.1% for GS,8.8% for 05, and 3.3% for NS.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2012

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome and identify prognosis of retear patients in patients aged 65 years or over undergoing surgical repair for a large to massive full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: From 1995 September to 2010 March, 147 patients aged 65years or over (40 male, 107 female, with an average age of 69.6) undergoing surgical repair for large to massive full thickness rotator cuff tear (large 67 cases, massive 80 cases). For functional evaluation, preoperative and postoperative 1 year range of motion and muscle power checked. For subjective evaluation, American shoulder and elbow surgeons score and Constant score were checked. For anatomical evaluation, 87 patients were checked shoulder MRI at the time of the postoperative 1 year. Results: ASES score improved from to 50.4 to 88.9, Constant score improved from 47.1 to 75.2. Supraspinatus power improved from 51.1% to 80.8%, external rotator muscle power improved from 64.5% to 83.1%. Forward elevation improved from 117.4 degrees to 153 degrees, external rotation improved from 23.6 degrees to 41.8 degrees. Follow up MRI showed re-tear in 23%, all re-tear patients were from massive tear except one patient. All re-tear patients showed improved clinical outcomes, but supraspinatus and external rotator muscle power were not improved. Conclusions: Patients aged 65 years or over undergoing surgical repair for a large to massive full-thickness rotator cuff tear showed successful outcomes over 90 percent. Re-tear patients also showed successful clinical outcomes. In elderly patients with large to massive full thickness rotator cuff tear, aggressive surgical repair leads good clinical outcomes.