• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 2014

Objective : A thoracolumbar burst fracture is usually unstable and can cause neurological deficits and angular deformity. Patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture usually need surgery for decompression of the spinal canal, correction of the angular deformity, and stabilization of the spinal column. We compared two struts, titanium mesh cages (TMCs) and expandable cages. Methods : 33 patients, who underwent anterior thoracolumbar reconstruction using either TMCs (n=16) or expandable cages (n=17) between June 2000 and September 2011 were included in this study. Clinical outcome was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale and Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS) for functional neurological evaluation. The Cobb angle, body height of the fractured vertebra, the operation time and amount of intra-operative bleeding were measured in both groups. Results : In the expandable cage group, operation time and amount of intraoperative blood loss were lower than that in the TMC group. The mean VAS scores and LBOS in both groups were improved, but no significant difference. Cobb angle was corrected higher than that in expandable cage group from postoperative to the last follow-up. The change in Cobb angles between preoperative, postoperative, and the last follow-up did not show any significant difference. There was no difference in the subsidence of anterior body height between both groups. Conclusion : There was no significant difference in the change in Cobb angles with an inter-group comparison, the expandable cage group showed better results in loss of kyphosis correction, operation time, and amount of intraoperative blood loss.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.64-70
• /
• 2009

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDR) with severe pulmonary hypoplasia is associated with significant mortality. Recently, several new therapeutic methods have been suggested, such as high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide. For hypoxemic respiratory failure unresponsive to these advanced medical treatment options, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) serves as the last potentially effective treatment. An understanding of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension associated with CDH led to a strategy involving preoperative stabilization and delayed surgical intervention with ECMO. We describe four cases of ECMO, including the first report of ECMO for neonatal CDH in Korea.