• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2006

Objective : Meningioma is a benign tumor which has a high occurrence rate of postoperative hematomas. The purpose of this study is to analyze risk factors for postoperative hemorrhages after meningioma surgery. Methods : One hundred and fifty three patients with intracranial meningiomas, operated at the Department of Neurosurgery, National Medical Center, between January 1995 and December 2003 were included in this retrospective study. Risk factors considered to be related with postoperative hematomas were age, sex, preoperative pharmacological anticoagulants for medical co-morbidity, tumor location, histological type of the meningioma, infiltration of dural sinus and arachnoid, removal range of tumors, and the perioperative coagulation status including prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet count. Results : Patients' aged more than 70 years with a platelet count of less than $150{\times}10^9{\ell}^{-1}$ after surgery had statistically significant relations to the occurrence rate of postoperative hematomas. The other factors had no statistical significance. Conclusion : Various and intensive preoperative examinations for coagulation factors of patients, especially of older age, and proper transfusion before meningioma surgery are necessary for preventing postoperative hematoma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.335-339
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• 2006

Objective : The authors present eight cases of immediate post-operative epidural hematomas[EDHs] adjacent to the craniotomy site, describe clinical details of them, and discuss their pathogenesis. Methods : Medical records of eight cases were retrospectively reviewed and their clinical data, operation records, and radiological findings analyzed. Any risk factors of the EDHs were searched. Results : In 5 of 8 cases, adjacent EDHs developed after craniotomies for the surgical removal of brain tumors. Three cases of adjacent EDHs developed after a pterional approach and neck clipping of a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and a craniotomy for a post-traumatic EDH, respectively. In all eight cases, brain computed tomography[CT] scans checked immediately or a few hours after the surgery, revealed large EDHs adjacent to the previous craniotomy site, but there was no EDH beneath the previous craniotomy flap. After emergent surgical removal of the EDHs, 7 cases demonstrated good clinical outcomes, with one case yielding a poor result. Conclusion : Rapid drainage of a large volume of cerebrospinal fluid or intra-operative severe brain collapse may separate the dura from the calvarium and cause postoperative EDH adjacent to the previous craniotomy site. A high-pressure suction drain left in the epidural space may contribute to the pathogenesis. After the craniotomy for brain tumors or intracranial aneurysms, when remarkable brain collapse occurs, an immediate postoperative brain CT is mandatory to detect and adequately manage such unexpected events as adjacent EDHs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2018

Objective : Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) has proven useful in the study of the natural history of ischemic stroke. However, the potential of DW-MRI for the evaluation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) has not been established. In this study, we investigated DW-MRI findings of CSDH and evaluated the impact of the image findings on postoperative outcomes of CSDH. Methods : We studied 131 CSDH patients who had undergone single burr hole drainage surgery. The images of the subdural hematomas on preoperative DW-MRI and computed tomography (CT) were divided into three groups based on their signal intensity and density : 1) homogeneous (iso or low) density on CT and homogeneous low signal intensity on DW-MRI; 2) homogeneous (iso or low) density on CT and mixed signal intensity on DW-MRI; and 3) heterogeneous density on CT and mixed signal intensity on DW-MRI. On the basis of postoperative CT, we also divided the patients into 3 groups of surgical outcomes according to residual hematoma and mass effect. Results : Analysis showed statistically significant differences in surgical (A to B : p<0.001, A to C : p<0.001, B to C : p=0.129) and functional (A to B : p=0.039, A to C : p<0.001, B to C : p=0.108) outcomes and treatment failure rates (A to B : p=0.037, A to C : p=0.03, B to C : p=1) between the study groups. In particular, group B and group C showed worse outcomes and higher treatment failure rates than group A. Conclusion : CSDH with homogeneous density on CT was characterized by signal intensity on DW-MRI. In CSDH patients, performing DW-MRI as well as CT helps to predict postoperative treatment failure or complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2011

Background: We analyzed the results of surgical reduction and fixation of ribs under thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia (TEA) in patients who had no more than 3 consecutive rib fractures with severe displacement to examine the clinical usefulness of this method. Materials and Methods: From May 2008 to March 2010, 35 patients underwent surgical reduction and fixation of ribs under TEA. We reviewed the indications for this technique, number of fixed ribs, combined surgical procedures for thoracic trauma, intraoperative cardiopulmonary events, postoperative complications, reestablishment of enteral nutrition, and ambulation. Results: The indications of TEA were malunion or nonunion of fractured ribs in 29 (82.9%; first operation) and incompletely ribs under previous general anesthesia in 6 (17.1%; second operation). The average number of fixed ribs per patient was 1.7 (range: 1~3). As a combined operation for thoracic trauma, 17 patients (48.6%) underwent removal of intrathoracic hematomas, and we performed repair of lung parenchyma (2), wedge resection of lung (1) for accompanying lung injury and pericardiostomy (1) for delayed hemopericardium. No patient had any intraoperative cardiopulmonary event nor did any need to switch to general anesthesia. We experienced 3 postoperative complications (8.6%): 2 extrapleural hematomas that spontaneously resolved without treatment and 1 wound infection treated with secondary closure of the wound. All patients reestablished oral feeding immediately after awakening and resumed walking ambulation the day after operation. Conclusion: Thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia (TEA) may positively affect cardiopulmonary function in the perioperative period. Moreover, this technique leads to an earlier return of gastrointestinal function and early ambulation without severe postoperative complications, resulting in a shortened hospital stay and lowered costs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.591-596
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• 2017

Objective : Frameless stereotactic aspiration of a hematoma can be the one of the treatment options for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia. Postoperative hematoma enlargement, however, can be a serious complication of intracranial surgery that frequently results in severe neurological deficit and even death. Therefore, it is important to identify the risk factors of postoperative hematoma growth. Methods : During a 13-year period, 101 patients underwent minimally invasive frameless stereotactic aspiration for basal ganglia hematoma. Patients were classified into two groups according to whether or not they had postoperative hematoma enlargement in a computed tomography scan. Baseline demographic data and several risk factors, such as hypertension, preoperative hematoma growth, antiplatelet medication, presence of concomitant intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), were analysed via a univariate statistical study. Results : Nine of 101 patients (8.9%) showed hematoma enlargement after frameless stereotactic aspiration. Among the various risk factors, concomitant IVH and antiplatelet medication were found to be significantly associated with postoperative enlargement of hematomas. Conclusion : In conclusion, our study revealed that aspirin use and concomitant IVH are factors associated with hematoma enlargement subsequent to frameless stereotactic aspiration for basal ganglia hematoma.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 1999

Introduction: The surgical treatment of Graves' disease has several advantage such as rapid and long lasting therapeutic effect, relatively low incidence of postoperative hypothyroidism and recurrence. Because of less frequent but serious postoperative complications, the operation have not been casually used for treatment of Graves' disease. Hypoclacemia, hoarseness and hematomas are common complications after operative treatment. However, the causative mechanisms of these complications have not been well explained. Objective: We aimed to analyze the risk factors affecting the occurance of complications in surgical treatment for Graves' disease and to evaluate what are the causative mechanisms of postoperative complications. Patients and Methods: From January 1985 to December 1998, a total of 668 surgically treated patients for Graves' disease were enrolled in this study. The incidence of postoperative complications were analyzed in relation to types of surgery, preoperaive preparation, specimen weight, bleeding amount and remnant weight. Results: Postoperative complication was developed in 108(16.2%) of 668 patients. The most common complication was transient hypocalcemia in 85 cases(12.7%). Other complications were: Hematoma in 9 cases(1.3%), transient hoarseness in 5 cases(0.7%), permanent hypocalcemia in 6 cases(0.9%), permanent hoarseness in 3 case(0.4%). The important etiologic factors affecting the occurance of complications were preoperative preparation, perioperative thyroid weight, and remnant thyroid weight. Since 1993, the incidence of complication was more decreased than that in before. Conclusion: To decrease the incidence of postoperative complications of Graves' disease, the patients should be selected carefully, sufficient preoperative preparation should be achieved, and the operation should be performed by well-experienced surgeons.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.197-201
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• 2018

In Western patient populations, the reported incidence of imaging-demonstrated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is as high as 70% without prophylaxis. The reported rates of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) after THA in recent studies range from 0.6% to 1.5%, and the risk of fatal PE ranges from 0.11% to 0.19% in the absence of prophylaxis. Predisposing factors to DVT in western patients include advanced age, previous venous insufficiency, osteoarthritis, obesity, hyperlipidemia, dietary and genetic factors. However, Asian patients who have undergone THA have a strikingly low prevalence of DVT and virtually no postoperative PE. Some authors suggest low clinical prothrombotic risk factors and the absence of some DVT-related genetic factors in Asian patient populations decrease the risk of DVT, PE or both. In Korea, the prevalence of DVT after THA without thromboprophylaxis have ranges from 6.8% to 43.8%, and asymptomatic PE have ranges from 0% to 12.9%; there have been only two reported cases of fatal PE. Deep-wound infections resulting from postoperative hematomas or prolonged wound drainage have been reported with routine thromboprophylaxis. The prevalence of DVT differs varies based on patient ethnicity. Guidelines for the use of thromboprophylaxis were altered and focus on the potential value of outcomes compared with possible complications (e.g., bleeding).

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between intraoperative transcranial sonography (TCS) and postoperative computed tomography (CT) in patients with traumatic brain injuries. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 35 patients who underwent TCS during surgery, among those who presented to a regional trauma center and underwent decompressive craniectomy between January 1, 2017 and April 30, 2020. Results: The mean difference between TCS and CT in measuring the midline shift was -1.33 mm (95% confidence interval, -2.00 to -0.65; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.96; P<0.001). An excellent correlation was found between TCS and CT in assessing contralateral subdural hematomas (ICC, 0.96; P<0.001) and focal hematoma lesions (ICC, 0.99; P<0.001). A very good correlation between TCS and CT was found for measurements of ventricle width (ICC, 0.92; P<0.001). Conclusions: TCS during surgery is considered an effective diagnostic tool for the detection of intraoperative parenchymal changes in patients with traumatic brain injuries.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.518-523
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• 2010

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is known to have a significant recurrence rate. There are different criteria defining the recurrence of CSDH. We evaluated the postoperative course of CSDH and tried to propose the reasonable criteria of recurrence. Methods : We retrospectively examined the medical records and pre- and postoperative CT scans of 149 consecutive patients who underwent surgery from January 2005 to December 2009. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT scanning or MRI. The postoperative courses were either resolved or recurrent. The resolved CSDH was one of the three types; early resolution, delayed resolution, or late resolution. The recurrent CSDH was one of the four types; recurrence without resolution, early recurrence after resolution, late recurrence after resolution, or recurrent-and-resolved type. Results : The CSDH was resolved within 30 days after surgery in 58 (39%) patients, between 1 to 3 months in 62 (42%), and after 3 months in 11 (7%) patients. The CSDH was recurred in 18 (12%) patients. Late resolution or recurrence was more common in the aged. The recurrent hematoma was seen on the same side in 11 patients, on the different side in 7 patients. Recurrence was significantly more common in the thick hematomas. Conclusion : For a working criteria of the recurrence of CSDH, we propose the early recurrence as return of symptoms or reaccumulation of the hematoma after a surgery within 3 months regardless of the location, amount or repeated operations. The late recurrence can be defined as reappearance or enlargement of a liquefied hematoma within the cranial cavity surrounded by the membranes or persistent CSDH beyond 3 months after surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.407-410
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• 2000

The traumatically induced mass lesions of the posterior cranial fossa are unusual. Various types of traumatic posterior fossa hematoma have been described ; the most common forms is epidural hematomas, and frequently traumatic intracerebellar hemorrhage is encountered. A sixty-six-old male patient was initially presented with the occipital skull fracture and contusional hemorrhage on the both frontal lobe, a developed delayed cerebellar hemorrhage. The patient was operated for hematoma removal with good postoperative recovery. We advise a consideration for delayed intracerebellar hematoma in patients with cerebellar contusion following trauma.