• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.86-95
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The objectives for this study are to produce the comprehensive management indexes and find their application strategies for appropriate medical care in primary care clinics under workers' compensation insurance. Method: Data of this study was workers' compensation insurance medical fees claim's data from July 2006 to June 2007. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.1 version by applying descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation. The indexes such as costliness index(CI), standard medical fee were calculated based on the fourth revision of korean classification of diseases(KCD-4.). Results: The CI, visiting index(VI), outliers index(OI), and medical review adjustment percentage were positively correlated in the both inpatient and outpatient medical fees in primary care clinics under workers' compensation insurance. The major medical specialities were neurological surgery, general medicine, general surgery, rehabitational medicine, and orthopedic surgery. The CIs were slightly high in rehabitational medicine among major medical specialities. The CIs were mostly high in diagnosis, test, anesthesia, and rehabitational assistive device fees among major medical specialities. The CIs were slightly high in Kwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, and Busan districts among district management centers of Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service. Conclusions: We suggest the continuous development of appropriate disease classification system and medical care quality indicators to successfully take root the comprehensive management for appropriate medical care under workers' compensation.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.29-32
• /
• 2022

Lipoma is one of the most common benign soft tissue tumors. However, giant lipomas compressing and deforming the neurovascular structure rarely occur in the lateral neck. A 70-year-old man visited our outpatient clinic for treatment of a visible painless neck mass that had been identified 2 years prior. Neck magnetic resonance imaging revealed that a 10 × 9 × 4 cm fatty mass located between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles invaded the carotid sheath. Under general anesthesia, the mass was excised without damage to the adjacent neurovascular structures. Upon histopathological examination, the mass was identified as a lipoma. During the surgery, enlargement of the internal jugular vein was observed under the resected mass. However, on ultrasound examination, the function of the internal jugular vein was evaluated as good. No recurrence or neurological and vascular complications were reported during a 6-month follow-up after the surgery. As a giant lipoma located in the deep layer of the lateral neck can deform important cervical structures, its impact on the surrounding structures should be carefully assessed preoperatively to minimize the rate of possible complications.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.22-26
• /
• 2024

Background: This study analyzed the demographic characteristics of patients with facial palsy who were treated using either dynamic or static procedures. This study aimed to compare the frequency of procedure implementation and age distribution between the two groups. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients treated for facial palsy at a single institution from 2014 to 2022. Among cases included in our study, dynamic procedures involved cross-facial nerve graft and latissimus dorsi or gracilis muscle flap transfer. Static procedures included gold weight insertion, canthopexy, browlift, and thread lift/static slings. Results: Among the 31 patients included in our study, eight (25.8%) incorporated dynamic techniques, and the average age of patients was 44.75 years (range, 24-68 years) with a male to female ratio of 1:4. The remaining 23 patients (74.2%) underwent a static procedure, of which the average age was 59.17 years (range, 23-81 years) which was statistically significantly higher than the average age of 44.75 of dynamic patients (p= 0.013). Regarding the timing of treatment after diagnosis, no patient underwent dynamic procedures more than 20 years after initial diagnosis. A greater diversity in the timing of treatment was observed in the static group. All patients who underwent dynamic procedures were treated using static procedures during the study period. Conclusion: Because aesthetics-based static techniques are typically quick outpatient procedures that can be performed under local anesthesia, our study shows that these are often preferred treatments for all age groups, especially for debilitated or older patients. Further research is required to investigate the long-term functional outcomes of these surgical techniques in a wider population of patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.119-131
• /
• 2024

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide physicians to prescribe opioids effectively and safely. Since then, investigations have provided updated data regarding opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and have focused on initial dosing schedules, reassessment follow-ups, recommended dosage thresholds considering the risk-benefit ratio, dose-reducing schedules for tapering and discontinuation, adverse effects, and inadvertent problems resulting from inappropriate application of the previous guidelines. Herein, we have updated the previous KPS guidelines based on a comprehensive literature review and consensus development following discussions among experts affiliated with the Committee on Hospice and Palliative Care in the KPS. These guidelines may assist physicians in prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, but should not to be regarded as an inflexible standard. Clinical judgements by the attending physician and patient-centered decisions should always be prioritized.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
• /
• v.59 no.12
• /
• pp.1181-1184
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To present a rare case of tear drainage since birth from a lacrimal ductule fistula, which is the first report in the Republic of Korea. Case summary: A 3-month-old female who presented with discharge of clear fluid from a small skin opening lateral to the right upper eyelid since birth visited the outpatient clinic. The patient was healthy and was receiving no medication. She was born on gestation age 35 weeks and 3 days. No other specific history or other ophthalmic abnormality was found. On examination, a small skin orifice approximately 2 mm diameter and no sign of infection or discoloration was observed. To relieve this symptom, the patient underwent a fistulectomy under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen was performed. The patient's symptom subsided postoperatively without recurrence. Conclusions: This is the first report in the Republic of Korea of tears draining from a lacrimal ductule fistula since birth and the subsequent clinical treatment procedures.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.333-340
• /
• 2021

Although gag reflex is an essential function and a useful physiological defense mechanism, it can become an obstacle in a dental treatment. In this case, a questionnaire was designed and used in consultations to objectify the factors associated with gag reflex. Based on the questionnaire, various treatment protocols were planned, such as behavioral control, which is a systematic desensitization that adapts by placing dental instruments in the oral cavity, and habit control to eliminate vomiting habits after drinking. Except for the placement of the implant fixture under general anesthesia, all restoration procedures were performed in the outpatient clinic in the same manner as the conventional implant fixed prosthetic restoration. The systematic desensitization and behavior technique were repeated until the patient was able to endure discomfort and relieve gag reflex in dental treatment. The patient was successfully received the implant-fixed prosthetic restoration in the partial edentulous region.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.251-259
• /
• 1999

Background: Even though the necessity for premedication has been questioned, some combinations of antisialogogues, sedatives and analgesics are usually employed by most bronchoscopists. The goal of this study was to determine whether fiberoptic bronchoscopy(FOB) could be performed safely and effectively without premedication while using a standardized topical anesthetic. Method: Eighty outpatients were randomized in a double-blind manner into group I(n=20) with 1 ml normal saline, group II(n=20) with 0.5mg of atropine, group III(n=20) with 0.5mg of atropine plus 5mg of midazolam, and group IV(n=20) with 0.5mg of atropine plus 50mg of meperidine, given intramuscularly 30 minutes before FOB as premedication Topical anesthetics administered were same in each group. Each patient was given 5ml(200mg) of 4% nebulized lidocaine and additional intratracheobronchial 2% lidocaine. Oxygen saturation, pulse rate and electrocardiogram were monitored and recorded before, during, just after and 2 minutes after FOB. Immediately after FOB, the bronchoscopists answered four questions such as ease of procedure, extent of coughing, extent of secretion, and overall impression. Before leaving bronchoscopy suite, patients completed similar questions on discomfort during procedure, and willingness to return for a repeat procedure. Results: Age, gender, baseline pulmonary function, dose of 2% lidocaine used for topical anesthesia, and duration of FOB were not significantly different. There was no statistical difference among group I to IV with regard to extent of coughing answered by bronchoscopist. But extent of secretion was significantly different between group I without atropine and group II-IV with atropine. And there was also significant difference in ease of procedure and overall impression among groups. There was no statistical difference in patient's willingness and level of discomfort among the groups. Thirteen patients(16%) showed hypoxemia(arterial oxygen saturation: <90%), and 3 patients(4%) showed significant tachyarrhythmia(heart rate: > l60/min), but the rate of complication was not statistically different among the groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that the value of premedication is questionable for outpatient FOB, although it may be necessary in excessively anxious patient.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 1987

The effect of intravesical formalin instillation as a therapeutic modality for intractable bladder hemorrhage is well known. And despite clear evidence of therapeutic efficacy of intravesical cytotoxic drugs and/or BCG immunotherapy, there have been substantial recurrences during followup after transurethral resection for superficial bladder tumor. If formalin injected at the bed of superficial bladder tumor is able to coagulate and necrotize the tumor, it will be greatly helpful to the patients With recurrent bladder tumor developed during followup. Since this technique is applicable on outpatient basis, an economical as well as a psychological burden of the patients can be reduced considerably. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of submucosal formalin injection on rat bladder wall, 36 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 350gm in average) were divided into 3 groups: In Group I (control group), 0.01ml of normal saline was injected submucosally at the left posterolateral wall of the bladder opened under intraperitoneal Nembutal anesthesia ; In Group II and III, 0.01 ml of 10% and 4% formalin, respectively, were administered at the same site as in the Group I, two rats in each group were sacrificed at day 1, 2, and 3, and week 1, 2 and 4 after injection, respectively. Gross and microscopic examination of the cystectomized specimen were done in each group. In the Group II, bladder stones were formed at week I, and in both the Group I and III, stones were seen at week 2 post injection. There was no significant difference III histologic findings of the bladder between the group II and III. Mucosal ulcer and/or prominent mucosal disruption was observed at 24 hours after injection in both Group II and III. Epithelial regeneration began at day 2, and was marked at day 3, and epithelial lining was almost normalized one week after injection. Subepithelial edema, telangiectasia and inflammatory reaction were prominent at 24 hours post formalin injection. Subepithelial edema persisted in moderate degree for 1 week. Telangiectasia and inflammatory reaction were noted for 4 weeks. Mild degree of these findings also appeared In the control group. Fibroblastic proliferation appeared at day 2 and persisted in moderate degree for 4 weeks. There has been no mortality or bladder perforation. These results suggest that clinical application of this technique is feasible for the selected cases of recurrent, solitary superficial bladder tumor. However, optimal dosage of formalin in relation to the size of the lesion remains to be investigated.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.231-239
• /
• 1990

From May 1979 through December 1981 a total of 524 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated by radiation therapy with curative intent. Among the 524 patients, 350 were treated with a high-dose-rate (HDR), remote-controlled, afterloading intracavitary irradiation (ICR) system using a cobalt source (Ralstron), and 168 patients received a low-dose-rate (LDR) ICR using a radium source. External beam irradiation with a total dose of 40-50 Gy to the whole pelvis followed by intracavitary irradiation with a total dose of 30-39 Gy in 10-13 fractions to point A was the treatment protocol. ICR was given three times a week with a dose of 3 Gy per fraction. Five-year actuarial survival rates in the HDR-ICR group were $77.6{\%}$ in stage IB (N=20), $68.2{\%}$ in stage II (N=182), and $50.9{\%}$ in stage III (N=148). In LDR-ICR group, 5-year survival rates were $87.5{\%}$ in stage IB (N=22), $66.3{\%}$ in stage II (N=91), and $55.4{\%}$ in stage III (N=52). Survival rates showed a statistically significant difference by stage, but there was no significant difference between the two ICR groups. Late bowel complications after radiotherapy were noted in $3.7{\%}$ of the HDR-ICR group and $8.4{\%}$ of the LDR-ICR group. There was no severe complication requiring surgical management. The incidence of bladder complications was $1.4{\%}$ in the HDR-ICR group and $2.4{\%}$ in the LDR-ICR group. The application of HDR-ICR was technically simple and easily performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia, and the patients tolerated it very well. Radiation exposure to personnel was virtually nil in contrast to that of LDR-ICR. Within a given period of time, more patients can be treated with HDR-ICR because of the short treatment time. Therefore, the HDR-ICR system is highly recommended for a cancer center, particularly one with a large number of patients to be treated. In order to achieve an improved outcome, however, the optimum dose-fractionation schedule of HDR-ICR and optimum combination of intracavitary irradiation with external beam irradiation should be determined through an extensive protocol.