• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2010

Objective : A minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLlF) has recently been introduced. However, MIS TLlF is a technically challenging procedure. The authors performed retrospective analysis about MIS TLlF using a single interbody cage. Methods : Twenty-eight consecutive patients were treated by MIS TLlF. Of these 28 patients, 20 patients were included in this retrospective study. Perioperative, clinical, and radiologic outcomes were assessed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scores (VAS). Fusion rates and cross-sections of operated spinal canals were assessed by CT. Results : Twelve patients underwent MIS TLlF at one segment and 8 patients at two segments (L3/4: 4, L4/5: 17, L5/S1: 7). Operation time for a single segment was 131.7 min and for two segment was 201.4 min, and corresponding blood losses were 208.3 mL and 481.2 mL, respectively. ODI and VAS scores were significantly improved at 6 months postop (ODI from 30.32 to 15.54, VAS from 7.80 to 2.20, p = 0.001) Twenty-two segments (78.6%) achieved grade I fusion, 4 segments (14.3%) achieved grade II, 2 segments (7.1%) achieved grade III and 0 segments achieved grade IV at 12 months. Postoperatively at 12 months, spinal canal cross sectional areas at disc spaces significantly increased from 157.5 to $294.3\;mm^2$ (p = 0.012). Conclusion : MIS TLlF achieved good clinical outcomes and high fusion rates. Our findings show that MIS TLlF performed with a single Interbody cage and a tubular retractor system can be used as a standard MIS TLlF technique.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.684-690
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• 2017

Objective : As increasing the size of the geriatric population, the number of elderly patients, who need the surgery for painful degenerative spinal stenosis has been increasing. The geriatric population may be relatively high complications, because of age and age-associated medical conditions. However, there is a lack of studies addressing the perioperative complications and outcomes in elderly patients with posterior lumbar inter body fusion with screw augmentation (PLIF). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiographic studies of geriatric patients who had spine surgery of PLIF due to spinal stenosis for 11 years. We divided into 2 groups (A; 70-75 years, B; over then 76 years) according to the age. Surgical level of each groups, hospital day and postoperative day, co-morbidities, complications, clinical outcomes were analyzed. Operative reports, hospital and outpatient clinic charts, and radiographic studies were reviewed. Results : Group A was composed of 80 patients, their mean age was 72.21 and female dominant (n=46), and their mean surgically fused level was 1.52 level. Group B was 36 patients, their mean age was 78.83 and female dominant (n=20), and their mean surgically fused level was 1.36 level. Comparing between two groups, complications, postoperative hospital stay were slightly increase in group B and co-morbidity was statistically high in group B, however clinical outcomes were similar between two groups. Conclusion : Increasing age might be an important risk factor for complications in patients undergoing PLIF, however, we would like to recommend that if the situation of spine of extreme geriatric patients need PLIF, it should be in the surgeon's consideration after careful selection and clinical judgement.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.363-369
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• 2011

Objective : We investigated the clinical and radiological advantages of unilateral laminectomy in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure comparing with bilateral laminectomy, under the same procedural condition including bilateral instrumentation and insertion of two cages, in patients with degenerative lumbar disease with unilateral leg symptoms. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 124 consecutive cases of PLIF via unilateral or bilateral approach between January 2006 and April 2010. In 80 cases (bilateral group), two cages were inserted via bilateral laminectomy, and in 44 cases (unilateral group), via unilateral laminectomy. The average follow-up duration was 29.5 months. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The fusion rates and disc space heights were determined by dynamic standing radiographs and/or computed tomography. Operative times, intra-operative and post-operative blood losses and hospitalization periods were also evaluated. Results : In clinical evaluation, the VAS and ODI scores showed excellent outcomes in both groups. There were no significant differences in term of fusion rate, but the perioperative blood loss and the operative time of the unilateral group were lower than that of the bilateral group. Conclusion : Unilateral laminectomy can minimize the operative time and perioperative blood loss in PLIF procedure. However, the different preoperative disc height between two groups is a limitation of this study. Despite this limitation, solid fusion and satisfactory symptomatic improvement could be achieved uniquely by our surgical method. This surgical method can be an alternative surgical technique in patients with unilateral leg pain.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.95-107
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Action Research (AR) approach in nursing. Methods: Participants were 64 perioperative nurses recruited from C hospital in Gwangju, Korea. The nurses were engaged in the project through 2 cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. A mixed-methods design was used to examine changes in participants and their knowledge management practice. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 program and qualitative reflection data underwent content analysis. Results: During the project, participants developed standardized pre-operative checklists and opened an Internet Cafe to better manage their perioperative nursing information. At the end of the project, there was a significant increase in nurses' knowledge management (p=.015) and the rate of surgical material prescription errors decreased from 8.0% to 2.9%. Core AR project team members' teamwork skills and organizational commitment increased significantly (p=.040, p=.301, respectively). The main themes that emerged from the qualitative data were learning how to solve problems in practice, facilitating team activities through motivation, barriers of large participation, and rewarded efforts and inflated expectations. Conclusion: The AR project contributed to empowering participants to solve local problems. AR is a useful methodology to promote changes in practices and research participants.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.170-180
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the types of nursing organizational culture, and degree of self-leadership and burnout as perceived by perioperative nurses, and to identify correlations between these variables. Methods: Participants were 155 nurses from 3 tertiary hospitals in Seoul and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Scheffe, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: In the types of nursing organizational culture, the mean score for hierarchy-oriented culture was 3.57, and for self-leadership, 3.61 and for burnout, 2.87. In the relationship between the types of nursing organizational culture, self-leadership and burnout, relation-oriented culture (r=.24, p<.01), innovation-oriented culture (r=.23, p<.01) and task-oriented culture (r=.22, p<.01) had a slight positive correlation with self-leadership in that order. The innovation-oriented culture (r=-.29, p<.01) and relation-oriented culture (r=-.42, p<.01) among the types of nursing organizational culture showed a negative correlation with burnout while the hierarchy-oriented culture (r=.28, p<.01) showed a positive correlation with burnout. Self-leadership showed a negative correlation with burnout (r=-.42, p<.01). Conclusion: The results show that nurses in operating rooms have a high awareness of hierarchy-oriented culture that affects burnout in a negative way while having a low awareness of relation-oriented culture that has a positive influence on burnout.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.297-310
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude of job transfer and job satisfaction in operating rooms, and to use this data towards efficient human resource management. Method: One hundred and seven nurses in operating rooms in a general hospital in Seoul, Korea were surveyed using a questionnaire. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS/PC program. Results: The attitude toward the job transfer was generally favorable with a mean of 3.32 out of a 5 point scale in rating the need for job transfer. Among the five domains of attitudes toward job transfer, individual development scored the highest(mean, 3.75). The mean score of job satisfaction in the study participants was rated in a 5 point scale with a mean of 3.12. Among the seven domains of job satisfaction, networking(3.37) scored the highest, followed by the perspective of professional position(3.32). Therefore, it can be said that mutual interaction and professional position are the most important factors for job satisfaction. The correlation between the attitude toward job transfer and job satisfaction showed a positive relationship with a coefficient of 0.210, implying that job satisfaction was higher when the attitude toward transfer was more favorable. Conclusion: From the attitude toward job transfer, individual development and professional improvement was favorable, implying the need for such program. Therefore, it is recommended that an official policy should be provided to achieve these goals in perioperative nursing.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.247-258
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• 2010

The objective of this research was to evaluate the relationships of preoperative (Pre-OP) levels of hematological and biochemical indices to perioperative variables in patients that underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Pre-OP levels of hematological factors [total white blood cells (T-WBC), erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glycohemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), or platelet] were negatively or positively related with biochemical indices [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, glucose, fructosamine, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)]. Pre-OP levels of hematological factors and biochemical indices were negatively or positively correlated with echocardiographic variables. Pre-OP level of HbA1c had a relationship with C-reactive protein. Pre-OP levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, HDL, glucose, fructosamine, or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were positively or negatively associated with Pre-OP levels of cardiac markers (brain natriuretic peptide, troponin-I, creatine kinase isoenzyme 2, or CRP). Pre-OP levels of hematological factors (excepting T-WBC) related with operation time (OPT), postoperative mechanical ventilation time (POMVT), intensive care unit-period (ICU-period) or hospitalization. Pre-OP levels of AST, ALT, bilirubin, triglyceride, HDL, low dwensity lipoprotein, fructosamine, or BUN were positively or negatively correlated with OPT, graft numbers, POMVT, ICU-period or hospitalization. Retrospective this study reveals that Pre-OP levels of hematological and biochemical markers are associated with echocardiographic variables, several cardiac markers and postoperative outcomes, suggesting that Pre-OP levels of hematological and biochemical markers may be useful predictors for the diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

Objective: Although prophylactic antiepileptic drug (AED) use in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common practice, lack of uniform definitions and guidelines for seizures and AEDs rendered this prescription more habitual instead of evidence-based manner. We herein evaluated the incidence and predictive factors of seizure and complications about AED use. Methods: From July 1999 to June 2007, data of a total of 547 patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent operative treatments were reviewed. For these, the incidence and risk factors of seizures and epilepsy were assessed, in addition to complications of AEDs. Results: Eighty-three patients (15.2%) had at least one seizure following SAH. Forty-three patients (79%) had onset seizures, 34 (6.2%) had perioperative seizures, and 17 (3.1%) had late epilepsy. Younger age (< 40 years), poor clinical grade, thick hemorrhage, acute hydrocephalus, and rebleeding were related to the occurrence of onset seizures. Cortical infarction and thick hemorrhage were independent risk factors for the occurrence of late epilepsy. Onset seizures were not predictive of late epilepsy. Moreover, adverse drug effects were identified in 128 patients (23.4%) with AEDs. Conclusion: Perioperative seizures are not significant predictors for late epilepsy. Instead, initial amount of SAH and surgery-induced cortical damage should be seriously considered as risk factors for late epilepsy. Because AEDs can not prevent early postoperative seizures (< 1 week) and potentially cause unexpected side effects, long-term use should be readjusted in high-risk patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.834-840
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• 2020

Objective : Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an effective surgical procedure for treating symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis. Many neurosurgeons use a shunt to reduce perioperative ischemic complications. However, the use of shunting is still controversial, and the shunt procedure can cause several complications. In our institution, we used two types of modified arteriotomy suture techniques instead of using a shunt. Methods : In technique 1, to prevent ischemic complications, we sutured a third of the arteriotomy site from both ends after removing the plaque. Afterward, the unsutured middle third was isolated from the arterial lumen by placing a curved Satinsky clamp. And then, we opened all the clamped carotid arteries before finishing the suture. In technique 2, we sutured the arteriotomy site at the common carotid artery (CCA). We then placed a curved Satinsky clamp crossing from the sutured site to the carotid bifurcation, isolating the unsutured site at the internal carotid artery (ICA). After placing the Satinsky clamp, the CCA and external carotid artery (ECA) were opened to allow blood flow from CCA to ECA. By opening the ECA, ECA collateral flow via ECA-ICA anastomoses could help to reduce cerebral ischemia. Results : The modified suture methods can reduce the cerebral ischemia directly (technique 1) or via using collaterals (technique 2). The modified arteriotomy suture techniques are simple, safe, and applicable to almost all cases of CEA. Conclusion : Two modified arteriotomy suture techniques could reduce perioperative ischemic complications by reducing the cerebral ischemic time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 1989

Nowadays, in spite of the remarkable development of the results of open heart surgery, the incidence of postoperative acute renal failure [ARF] has been increased due to the expansion of the candidates and prolonged operation time for complicated cases. It is also well known that ARF after open heart surgery, if once occurred, is a critical complication, therefore early diagnosis and treatment about it are very important for prognosis. Recently a low molecular weight [2 * microglobulin [[2* MG]has been used as a indicator of renal function. Because of the properties of [2 * MG, serum concentration of it is increased in glomerular dysfunction and urine excretion of it is increased in tubular dysfunction. Author studied about the perioperative changes of serum [2* MG and BUN concentration in 25 children and 30 adults for evaluation of significances of [2* MG as a parameter of postoperative renal function in open heart surgery, and the results were obtained as follows. l. In open heart surgery, the serum [2* MG concentration was elevated postoperatively in the all cases from the first postoperative day. 2. There were a significant correlation between the preoperative BUN and [2* MG concentration [P< 0.01]. The correlation factor[r] in child group was 0.8512, and in adults 0.8636. 3. The maximum level of serum [2* MG in the both child and adult groups were noticed in 4th postoperative day as 2.61*0.80mg/ 1 in child group and 3.39*1.47 mg/ 4 in adult group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups statistically[P < 0.05]. 4. The pattern of changes of serum concentration of [2* MG with time was very similar with the changes of BUN, but in a case of ARF [expired with it] the changes of [2* MG was more remarkable. 5. There was a significant differences in the maximum level of [2* MG between the 2 group according to the ECC time [groups of below and above 60 minutes] [P< 0.01].