• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.495-503
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• 2020

Objective : Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma (PA) is an extremely rare functioning form of PA that accounts for 0.7-2% of all such cases. The previously reported outcomes of the surgical removal of TSH-PA are poor. Owing to its extremely low incidence, most available reports on TSH-PA are case reports or small case series. Thus, we investigated the clinical and endocrinological outcomes of surgically treated TSH-PA through our institutional series. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 14 consecutive cases of surgically treated TSH-PA, focusing on the clinical, radiological, surgical, and endocrinological data. Results : There were seven male (50%) and seven female (50%) patients. The mean age was 42.5 years (range, 19-63). The mean tumor size was 16.6 mm (range, 4-30). Optic chiasm compression was noted in six patients (42.9%), and no patient showed cavernous sinus invasion. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.8%) underwent transnasal transsphenoidal approach (TSA), and one patient underwent TSA followed by transcranial approach for residual tumor removal. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.8%) showed endocrinological remission; all patients who experienced remission showed subnormal levels of TSH (<0.4 μU/mL) on postoperative day 2. Recurrence occurred in two patients (14.2%). One patient underwent subsequent revision transnasal TSA for recurrent tumor removal, and the other patient underwent gamma knife radiosurgery for recurrence. Conclusion : Surgical treatment showed excellent surgical outcomes. The TSH level in the immediate postoperative period may be a predictor for endocrinological remission.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2011

Purpose: The injection of various materials, including medical fillers and unregulated products, is widespread, potentially causing the development of foreign body granulomas. Should this occur on the nose, the contour deformity and inflammatory signs that result from these granulomas are aesthetically undesirable to patients. The purpose of our study is to share our experiences using different surgical approaches, depending on the affected portion of the nose, to optimize management of this challenging problem and to evaluate patient's satisfaction using our in-house questionnaire along with degree of improvement by two independent plastic surgeons. Methods: We treated 18 patients who underwent surgical excision of nasal foreign body granulomas via a perilesional approach to the lesion (n=12) or by transcolumellar incision (n=6) at our hospital over a period of seven years from March 2003 to October 2010. Nonparametric statistics were used and are presented as medians (25th-75th). Patient satisfaction was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 using an in-house questionnaire. All pre-and post-operative photographs were analyzed by two independent plastic surgeons. Post-operative outcomes were evaluated based on the surgeons' consensus ratings. Results: All patients receiving the transcolumellar approach reported a high level of satisfaction with the results. All but two patients who received the perilesional approach were satisfied with the outcome. No outcomes were rated as no change or worse by the consensus ratings. Conclusion: For the upper two-thirds of the nose, perilesional surgical excision can lead to substantial patient satisfaction with modified contour deformity and infection control. The transcolumellar approach resulted in better outcomes and patient satisfaction for the lower one-third of the nose.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2019

Background: Closed reduction of the fracture under general or local anesthesia with elevators or forceps is widely used to treat nasal bone fractures. However, operating under general anesthesia increases the risk of morbidity and raises the cost of management. Furthermore, using forceps or elevators may cause undercorrection, new fractures, mucosal damage, and nasal hemorrhage. We therefore performed manual reduction under local anesthesia, using the little finger, to minimize the demerits of treatment under general anesthesia with forceps or elevators and aimed to assess functional and aesthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Methods: Patients who visited the plastic and reconstructive surgery department between November 2016 and November 2017 with nasal bone fractures and treated by a single surgeon were prospectively followed up. Patients with simple unilateral or bilateral nasal bone fractures were treated with bedside finger reduction under local anesthesia and patients with comminuted nasal bone or septal fractures were scheduled for closed reduction under general anesthesia. Results: Of 84 patients, 28 met the inclusion criterion and underwent bedside finger reduction under local anesthesia. Twenty-seven patients (96.4%) were successfully contacted via telephone for survey. Twenty-three (85.2%) showed good and three (11.1%) showed fair results. All 27 patients (100%) were satisfied with their postoperative function and 25 (92.6%) were satisfied with their postoperative aesthetic result. Twenty-five patients (92.6%) preferred the finger reduction method under local anesthesia over closed reduction under general anesthesia. Conclusion: Finger reduction under local anesthesia in patients with mild unilateral or bilateral nasal bone fractures is an easy and efficient procedure with high patient satisfaction and favorable postoperative functional and aesthetic outcomes.

• Knee surgery & related research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.356-363
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• 2018

Purpose: A meta-analysis was performed to assess the outcomes following surgical intervention for medial knee plica. Materials and Methods: A literature search of Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL was performed using relevant key words. The primary outcome was patient-reported postoperative scores of "good" and "excellent". Meta-analyses were performed using a random effects model. Results: The literature search identified 731 articles. After removing duplicates and those not meeting the inclusion criteria, 12 articles reporting on a total of 643 knees were included for analysis, and of these, 7 articles including 235 knees were used for meta-analysis. The overall rate of good and excellent outcomes following surgery was estimated at 84.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.8-91.4). In those cases that had non-surgical therapy prior to surgery, the rate of good and excellent outcomes of surgery was estimated at 76.1% (95% CI, 60.1-87). Conclusions: Arthroscopic surgical management of symptomatic medial knee plica results in favourable outcomes. Our results suggest that arthroscopic surgical excision should be considered as a treatment modality in patients with pathological medial plica disease of the knee either as a first-line treatment or when symptoms have not responded to non-surgical interventions. Level of Evidence: IV.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.457-464
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• 2016

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to determine whether two methods of documentation, print and electronic forms, for the assessment of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in complete denture wearers provide comparable results. The study also quantified the time needed for filling the forms by each method. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty participants enrolled in a university clinic answered two forms (a questionnaire for denture satisfaction and OHIP-EDENT). They provided answers with two application methods in a random order, with a one-month interval between them: (1) electronic forms on a tablet computer; and (2) print forms. The methods were compared in terms of mean results, correlation/agreement, internal consistency, and spent time. RESULTS. Mean results for both methods were similar for each denture satisfaction item (100-mm VAS) and OHIP-EDENT summary score. Both questionnaires presented good internal consistency regardless of the application method (Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.86$ or higher). Correlation and agreement between the methods regarding specific items was at least moderate for the majority of cases. Mean time for the electronic and print forms were 9.2 and 8.5 minutes, respectively (paired t test, P=.06, non-significant). CONCLUSION. The electronic method is comparable to print forms for the assessment of important PRO of prosthetic treatment for edentulism, considering the results and time needed. Findings suggest the viability of replacing print forms with a tablet for applying the tested inventories in clinical trials.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to use four sets of success criteria to evaluate the outcomes of arthrocentesis treatment with hyaluronic acid injection in patients with internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and Methods: The study included 40 patients diagnosed with unilateral Wilkes stage III TMJ dysfunction. Clinical parameters, including maximum mouth opening (MMO) and pain during function, were evaluated preoperatively, 6 months, and 1 year after TMJ arthrocentesis. Outcomes were assessed and compared using four sets of success criteria from the following: the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS; MMO ${\geq}35mm$ and visual analogue scale [VAS] score ${\leq}3$), Murakami et al.'s criteria (MMO >38 mm and VAS score <2), Emshoff and Rudisch criteria (MMO ${\geq}35mm$ and >50% pain reduction), and patient self-reports (self-evaluation of treatment as successful or unsuccessful). Results: Significant improvements in MMO and pain reduction during function were observed between the preoperative period and 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (P<0.01). The success rates of treatment determined using AAOMS (52.5%), Emshoff and Rudisch criteria (57.5%), and self-reported patient criteria (40.0%) were similar. Application of the Murakami et al. criteria reported the lowest success rate (12.5%). Conclusion: The AAOMS and Emshoff and Rudisch criteria are consistent with patient expectations and can be used to assess treatment efficacy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6821-6832
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• 2013

Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas require tailored and multidisciplinary treatment and management. However, little is known about how sarcomas are treated and managed throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE was systematically searched using prespecified criteria. Publications (previous 10 years) that reported tumour characteristics, treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and/or safety outcomes of patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were selected. Exclusion criteria were studies of patients <18 years of age; ${\leq}10$ patients; countries other than Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand; >20% benign tumours; sarcomas located in bones or joints; gastrointestinal stromal tumour; Kaposi's sarcoma; or not reporting relevant outcomes. Results: Of the 1,822 publications retrieved, 35 (32 studies) were included. Nearly all patients (98%, 1,992/2,024; 31 studies) were treated with surgery, and more studies used adjuvant radiotherapy than chemotherapy (24 vs 17 studies). Survival outcomes and recurrence rates varied among the studies because of the different histotypes, sites, and disease stages assessed. Only 5 studies reported safety findings. Conclusions: These findings highlight the lack of specific data available about soft-tissue sarcomas in the Asia-Pacific region. Better efforts to understand how the sarcoma is managed and treated will help improve patient outcomes in the region.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.510-516
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• 2014

Background: Acute cerebral infarction is a major risk factor for postoperative neurologic complications in cardiac surgery. However, the outcomes associated with acute silent cerebral infarction (ASCI) have not been not well established. Few studies have reported the postoperative outcomes of these patients in light of preoperative Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). We studied the postoperative neurologic outcomes of patients with preoperative ASCI detected by DWI. Methods: We retrospectively studied 32 patients with preoperative ASCI detected by DWI. None of the patients had preoperative neurologic symptoms. The mean age at operation was $68.8{\pm}9.5$ years. Five patients had previous histories of stroke. Four patients had been diagnosed with infective endocarditis. Single cerebral infarct lesions were detected in 16 patients, double lesions in 13, and multiple lesions (>5) in three. The median size of the infarct lesions was 4 mm (range, 2 to 25 mm). The operations of three of the 32 patients were delayed pending follow-up DWI studies. Results: There were two in-hospital mortalities. Neurologic complications also occurred in two patients. One patient developed extensive cerebral infarction unrelated to preoperative infarct lesions. One patient showed sustained delirium over one week but recovered completely without any neurologic deficits. In two patients, postoperative DWI confirmed that no significant changes had occurred in the lesions. Conclusion: Patients with preoperative ASCI showed excellent postoperative neurologic outcomes. Preoperative ASCI was not a risk factor for postoperative neurologic deterioration.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.161-169
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is aimed to report the outcomes of the treatment of a patient with chronic anal fissure during a 8-year period. Methods : Basic patient’s data was analyzed as a CARE guideline. And related psychological state was measured with BAI, STAI-X-II test. Results : The treatment is based on Shanghanlun and the patient reported better outcomes. The main symptoms of the patient were chronic constipation, blood in the stool. The main clinical findings were that the patient’s symptoms got worse during the examination period because of the anxiety of the exam. And loss of appetite and digestive disorders are due to Jue-Yin-Bing(厥陰病) and the clue of bleeding can be found in article 375 in Shanghanlun. The main diagnoses was chronic anal fissure and main interventions were Chijasi-tang according to article 375 in Shanghanlun and counseling on anxiety. As a results bleeding has stopped after taking herbal medicine and constipation has been treated at the same time. After 6 months, the patient performed BAI, STAI-X-II test and scores got lowered indicating decreasing anxiety level. Conclusion : Chijasi-tang with counseling achieved valid positive results to the patient with chronic anal fissure.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2021

Background: Good patient experience is positively associated with adherence to treatment recommendations, better clinical effectiveness, and health outcomes. This study aims to find out the key factors affecting positive patient experience to improve the quality of care using nationally representative survey data. Methods: The data was collected from the 6th National Health Nutrition Survey in 2015. Four patient experience items were investigated for patients with visiting outpatient care over the past year. Positive patient experience was defined as a case of responding always or usually yes. The t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression were performed to determine the key factors affecting the outpatient experience. Results: More than 80% of the respondents reported their care experience as positive excluding doctor spending enough time during the consultation. Male, poor health status, and single/divorced, and the longer time interval between outpatient care visit and survey were found to be significantly correlated with negative care experiences in the multiple logistic regression. Patients who received outpatient care at the oriental medicine clinic had a positive experience compared to those received outpatient care at the general hospital. However, patient factors including age, income, job, and insurance type had no significant association with patient experience. Conclusion: Health care providers should prioritize patients who report negative patient experiences and implement management decisions to improve the patient experience.