• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.539-548
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• 2022

Objective : Although full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) has been tried as the latest alternative technique to minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interobody fusion (MIS-TLIF) since mid-2010, the evidence is still lacking. We compared the clinical outcome and safety of Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF for lumbar degenerative disease. Methods : We systematically searched electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to find literature comparing Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF. The results retrieved were last updated on December 11, 2020. The perioperative outcome included the operation time, blood loss, complication, and hospital stay. The clinical outcomes included Visual analog scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the radiological outcome included pseudoarthosis rate with 12-month minimum follow-up. Results : Four retrospective observational studies and one prospective observational study comprising 423 patients (183 Endo-LIF and 241 MIS-TLIF) were included, and the pooled data analysis revealed low heterogeneity between studies in our review. Baseline characteristics including age and sex were not different between the two groups. Operation time was significantly longer in Endo-LIF (mean difference [MD], 23.220 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.669-35.771; p=0.001). However, Endo-LIF resulted in less perioperative blood loss (MD, -144.710 mL; 95% CI, 247.941-41.478; p=0.023). Although VAS back pain at final (MD, -0.120; p=0.586), leg pain within 2 weeks (MD, 0.005; p=0.293), VAS leg pain at final (MD, 0.099; p=0.099), ODI at final (MD, 0.141; p=0.093) were not different, VAS back pain within 2 weeks was more favorable in the Endo-LIF (MD, -1.538; 95% CI, -2.044 to -1.032; p<0.001). On the other hand, no statistically significant group difference in complication rate (relative risk [RR], 0.709; p=0.774), hospital stay (MD, -2.399; p=0.151), and pseudoarthrosis rate (RR, 1.284; p=0.736) were found. Conclusion : Relative to MIS-TLIF, immediate outcomes were favorable in Endo-LIF in terms of blood loss and immediate VAS back pain, although complication rate, mid-term clinical outcomes, and fusion rate were not different. However, the challenges for Endo-LIF include longer operation time which means a difficult learning curve and limited surgical indication which means patient selection bias. Larger-scale, well-designed study with long-term follow-up and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and update the results of this systematic review.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.299-302
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• 1994

Prostaglandin E1(PGE1) is a potent vasodilator and is a useful drug for the treatment of occlusive peripheral vascular disease. It has been used systemically via intravenous route or regionally via intraarterial route. We tried intravenous regional administration of PGE1 for the treatment of a patient with occlusive arterial disease involving left fingers. During the 13th injection, the patient complained of severe pain at the injection site during the drug administration. Thereafter, the patient developed painful and severe swelling with blebs on his left hand. Systemic antibiotics were given together with stellate ganglion block of the affected left side. PGE1 was substituted to reserpine, which is subcutaneously injectable, for the second term treatment.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2017

Carotidynia is characterized by unilateral neck pain around the carotid artery. We describe a 50-year-old woman who presented with transient left-side weakness and right-side neck pain. She frequently massaged the uncomfortable neck area during the symptomatic course of the condition. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal cerebral infarctions and a carotid intramural thrombus ipsilateral to the carotidynia.Long-term carotidynia might result in the involvement of an intramural thrombus and intimal disruption, and ischemic stroke after carotidynia may be provoked by carotid sinus massage.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.139-143
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• 2001

Work-related injurieshave become the issue in the twentieth century. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related injuriesand the most frequent from of work-related i11-health (more than 50％ of total work-related injuries (BLS 1990)). The workers at copy shops have complained of pain in their back, legs, and shoulders. Most of them work for more than 8 hours a day. They have claimed that their pains were associated with repetitive and continuous work over a long term. The purpose of this research is to suggest an ergonomically comfortable redesign of the copy machine. This study was performed by conducting a survey of copy shop workers who have complained of job-related physical pain, and analyzing their working postures. The copy machine was ergonomically modified to reduce the workers' pain. The VIS10N 3000 software was used to analyze the posture. The analysis showed significant difference in the ranges of back and neck motion (p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2023

Endometriosis is characterized by the implantation of endometrial cells outside the uterus. This hormone-dependent disease is highly prevalent among women of reproductive age. Clinical symptoms of endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility, which can negatively impact the overall quality of life of those affected. The medical treatment of endometriosis serves as an important therapeutic option, aimed at alleviating pain associated with the condition and suppressing the growth of endometriotic lesions. As such, it is employed as an adjuvant therapy following surgery or an empirical treatment after the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. Dienogest, a fourth-generation progestin, has received approval for the treatment of endometriosis in many countries. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated its efficacy in managing endometriosis-associated pain, preventing symptoms, and reducing lesion recurrence. In this review, we examine the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dienogest in treating endometriosis. We also provide updated findings, drawing from clinical studies that focus on the long-term use of this medication in patients with endometriosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8797-8800
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• 2014

Objective: To analyze cost-effectiveness of morphine, MS contin and oxycodone in the treatment of cancer pain, providing guidance for rational drug use in the clinic. Methods: Confirmed by histology, a total of 171 patients with various cancers who required analgesic treatment were selected and divided into 3 groups, 57 cases for each group, given morphine, MS contin and oxycodone, respectively. If there appeared a poor short-term effect or aggravated sudden pain during the treatment, a short-acting morphine injection was given and adverse reactions were processed by symptomatic treatment. The pain relief rate and adverse reactions of groups were observed and pharmacoeconomics evaluation was undertaken. Results: The pain relief rates with morphine, MS contin and oxycodone were 89.5%(51/57), 91.2%(52/57) and 93.0%(53/57), respectively, with no difference samong groups (${\chi}^2=4.4489$, P=0.6162). The occurrence rates of adverse reactions were 59.7%(34/57), 54.4%(31/57) and 43.9%(25/57), again with no significant variation (P>0.05). The ratios of cost-effectiveness (C/E) for the 3 groups were $14.6{\pm}7.21$, $15.0{\pm}7.44$ and $16.1{\pm}8.10$. When the price of 3 kinds of analgesics was reduced by 10%, the ratios of cost-effectiveness were $12.2{\pm}6.53$, ($13.4{\pm}6.08$ and $14.5{\pm}6.74$ but there was no differences when compared with before the price adjustment (t=1.86, P=0.0651; t=1.30, P=0.1948; t=1.17, P=0.2453). Conclusion: Morphine, MS contin and oxycodone give similar pain relief and adverse reaction rates but of all, morphine is the preferred drug for the treatment of cancer pain from the perspective of pharmacoeconomics.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.286-297
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of myofascial pain syndrome on shoulder pain, range of motion, and body composition around the shoulder in middle-aged women. Methods: A total of 72 women participated in the randomized controlled trial. The subjects were grouped into an experimental group (n=39) and a control group (n=33). The experimental group received a resistance exercise program using an elastic band for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. The control group followed a normal daily for 8 weeks. Measurements were conducted three times; before the experimental treatment (pre-test), the 2nd and 8th weeks after treatment. Results: Regarding the general characteristics and homogeneity of the dependent variables, there were no significant differences between the two groups, except for the thickness of the left and right muscles and the left fat. After treatment, shoulder pain was significantly different between the two groups (F=18.54, p<.001) and the range of shoulder motion was significantly different (left, F=86.70, p<.001; right, F=98.66, p<.001). Furthermore, there were a significant differences in the thickness of muscles between the two groups (left, F=40.20, p<.001; right, F=29.57, p<.001); however, the thickness of fat was not significantly different. Conclusion: The resistance exercise program reduces shoulder pain and improves the range of motion of the shoulder joint and increases muscle mass on around the shoulder. It suggests to conduct a study to confirm the long-term exercise effect.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2014

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of medial branch in patients with chronic low back pain originating from facet joints. Methods : Between October 2010 and December 2013, 52 consecutive patients had suffering from chronic low back pain had undergone endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch of dorsal ramus. The clinical outcomes of these 52 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), and patients' satisfaction with the procedure were assessed. Results : The pain scores on the VAS for back pain had improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 7.1 to a postoperative mean of 2 at the last follow-up (p<0.001). The clinical outcomes based on the K-ODI had also improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 26.5% to postoperative mean of 7.7% at the last follow-up (p<0.001). 80% of patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion : Our preliminary results demonstrate that endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch could be an effective alternative treatment modality for chronic back pain originating from facet joints that provides long-term pain relief.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2011

Background: Nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal surgery using a $Coblation^{(R)}$ technique that creates small voids within the disc. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cervical nucleoplasty in patients with cervical disc disorder. Methods: Between March 2008 and December 2009, 22 patients with cervical disc disorders were treated with cervical nucleoplasty after failed conservative treatment. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia, and fluoroscopic guidance and voids were created in the disc with the $Perc^{TM}$ DC Spine $Wand^{TM}$. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Modified Macnab criteria and VAS score at preprocedure, postprocedure 1 month, and 6 months. Results: Six patients had one, eight patients had two and eight patients had three discs treated; a total of 46 procedures was performed. Mean VAS reduced from 9.3 at preprocedure to 3.7 at postprocedure 1 month and to 3.4 at postprocedure 6 months. There was no significant complication related to the procedure within the first month. Outcomes were good or excellent in 17/22 (77.3%) cases. Postprocedure magnetic resonance imaging was acquired in two patients after two months showing morphologic evidence of volume reduction of protruded disc material in one patient but not in the other. Conclusions: Percutaneous decompression with a nucleoplasty using a $Coblation^{(R)}$ technique in the treatment of cervical disc disorder is a safe, minimally-invasive and less uncomfortable procedure, with an excellent short-term clinical outcome.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-29
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• 2006

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to survey the extent of pain and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system among visiting housekeepers, above all concerning neck, shoulder, back, wrist, knee, and arm pain and to find possible relations between symptoms and various working conditions. Method: A questionnaire was answered by 174 woman visiting housekeepers living in Kyeonggi-do and Seoul from December 1, 2003 to February 30, 2004. The symptoms of musculoskeletal system were coded by the pain index which illustrates the extent of the symptoms, and analyzed in view of NIOSH guideline and Kim, et. al.'s notion. Result: 1. As to the complaint rate of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms by body region, the figure was the highest for shoulder with 78.2%, followed by back with 66.7%, knee 53.6%, neck 56.3%, wrist 40.2%, and arm 29.2%, respectively. The logistic analysis showed shoulder pain and arm pain have no relation with working and health conditions, and back pain was significantly related to current health condition. In same way, knee pain and wrist pain were found to be mainly related to marital status. 2. Following the NIOSH guideline, the positive rate of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms was found out in following order: shoulder 69.5%, back 59.2%, knee 54%, neck 46%, wrist 32.8%, and arm 25.3%. To investigate the main cause of each disease, the symptoms were classified by pain index, where the value of more than 3 comes to the NIOSH case, and analyzed in term of complaint rate using discrete logistical method : shoulder pain was highly related to the housekeeping time after work, back pain was to current health condition and the heavy weight carrying and neck, wrist, arm pain were commonly related to the ordinary health condition. For knee pain, working speed was a main cause. 3. In view of Kim et. al.'s standard, where the pain index is over 7, the positive rate was showed in order slightly different from previous analyses : shoulder 33.3%. knee 29.9%, back 28.2%, neck 17.2%, wrist 17.2%, and 16.7%. From the logistical analysis, insufficient rest was shown as the main cause of shoulder, back, arm and wrist pain. For neck pain, ordinary health condition was mainly related. In case of knee pain, any apparent relation is not found. Conclusion: According to the logistic regression analysis of musculoskeletal system, there was strong suggestion that the less insufficient physical rest, the more significant disorder complaint. This means that the most musculoskeletal symptom among the visiting housekeepers can be prevented and cured by sufficient physical resting.