• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2021

Objectives : This study reports changes in liver function test (LFT) after Korean Medicine treatment in patients admitted to Korean Medicine hospital with abnormal LFT. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Korean medicine treatment and abonormal LFT to verify safety of Korean medicine treatment by analyzing index of LFT. Methods : From Oct. 2015 to Sep. 2020, the result was analyzed for 91 patients admitted to the Pohang Korean Medicine Hospital and received Korean Medicine treatment. Asparate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TB) were compared at admission and discharge. Results : Comparison between admission and discharge LFT showend AST decreased from 52.72±25.08 to 43.2±19.20, ALT from 70.85±32.40 to 62.13±29.40, and TB from 1.33±0.37 to 0.81±0.29. Conclusions : After Korean medicine treatment, AST, ALT, and TB decreased compared with the values at admission. Further studies on safety of Korean Medicine treatment are warranted.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.494-500
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• 2022

Background Seroma formation is the most common donor site complication following autologous breast reconstruction, along with hematoma. Seroma may lead to patient discomfort and may prolong hospital stay or delay adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to compare seroma rates between the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG), and superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) donor sites. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study consisting of chart review of all patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction from April 2018 to June 2020. The primary outcome studied was frequency of seroma formation at the different donor sites. The secondary outcome evaluated potential prognostic properties associated with seroma formation. Third, the number of donor site seroma evacuations was compared between the three donor sites. Results Overall, 242 breast reconstructions were performed in 189 patients. Demographic data were found statistically comparable between the three flap cohorts, except for body mass index (BMI). Frequency of seroma formation was highest at the SGAP donor site (75.0%), followed by the TMG (65.0%), and DIEP (28.6%) donor sites. No association was found between seroma formation and BMI, age at surgery, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or DIEP laterality. The mean number of seroma evacuations was significantly higher in the SGAP and the TMG group compared with the DIEP group. Conclusion This study provides a single center's experience regarding seroma formation at the donor site after microsurgical breast reconstruction. The observed rate of donor site seroma formation was comparably high, especially in the TMG and SGAP group, necessitating an adaption of the surgical protocol.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Integrative treatment of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on 7 hospitalized patients after hip fracture surgery, and to identify significant herbs and co-prescribed herbs by using network analysis and association rule mining. Methods A retrospective chart review of the 7 hospitalized patients treated for postoperative hip fractures between January and December 2021 was performed. All TKM treatments for the patients were identified and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare hip pain and mobility on admission and discharge. We visualized the network of herbal medicines and complications. By using network analysis, we also identified the significant herbs (high centrality of degree, eigenvector, and sub-graph). Co-prescription patterns for the hip fracture patients were further analyzed by association rule mining. Results We found that TKM treatment significantly relieved hip pain and improved mobility. Accompanying symptoms reported by the patients were general weakness, anorexia, dizziness, delirium, edema, sputum, sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, and chills. Herbs composed of Sagunja-tang and Samul-tang showed high centralities and high associations with other herbs. In addition, Gupan, Nokyong, Yukjongyong, Useul, and Hyunhosaek were identified as important herbs for postoperative hip fracture patients. Conclusions This study provides evidence for clinical TKM use as an effective postoperative treatment for pain relief and improvement of mobility in patients with hip fractures. In addition, herbs that can be considered in the treatment of patients after hip fracture surgery were identified through network analysis and association rule mining.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.779-793
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report on the cases and prescriptions of non-face-to-face care performed to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms and to present their results. Methods: This study was conducted on 63 COVID-19 patients who visited the Ilsan Hamsoa Korean Medicine Clinic from January 24 to June 11, 2022. We retrospectively analyzed all 63 patient charts and amassed COVID-19-related symptoms and their changes according to clinical characteristics and outcomes. Results: All 63 COVID-19 patients complained of symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, sputum, fever, headache, myalgia, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, postnasal drip, and voice change. In total, 30 patients were administered Eunma-san, 6 patients were administered Eungyo-san plus Mahaenggamseok-tang, 10 patients were administered Galgeunhaegi-tang, 7 patients were administered Eungyo-san, 6 patients were administered Maekmundong-tang, and 4 patients were administered Jugyeopseoggo-tang. Improvements in symptoms due to herbal medicine included the disappearance of COVID-19 fever (22 cases) within 3.59±4.2 days, sore throat (32 cases) within 4.37±2.98 days, and cough (36 cases) within 4.86±3.1 days. Conclusion: Various herbal medicine prescriptions were effective COVID-19 treatments, indicating that herbal medicines may be alternative treatment options for COVID-19. However, the evidence should be supplemented with better designed prospective research on individual prescriptions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics of patients with knee pain caused by traffic accidents and test the effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) treatment. Methods: The medical charts of 114 inpatients with knee pain caused by a traffic accident were reviewed from July 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 at Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of KM. The patients' demographics including gender, age, period of hospitalization, and type of pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine prescribed were reviewed. The Numeric Rating Scale scores and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were used to assess subjective knee pain. Results: There were more females (55%) than males in this study. Patients were more likely to be in their 30s (27.2%), be hospitalized for 11-14 days (41.2%), treated with Hwangryunhaedok pharmacopuncture (78.1%), and be prescribed Hwalhyeoljitong decoction (62.3%).The mean Numeric Rating Scale score for patients with knee pain caused by a traffic accident decreased significantly from 4.26 ± 1.39 to 2.53 ± 1.60 (p < 0.001), and the mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score also decreased significantly from 32.72 ± 18.36 to 23.40 ± 15.80 (p < 0.001) following KM treatment. Conclusion: As a result of analyzing 114 hospitalized patients with knee joint pain due to TAs, inpatients were more likely to be female (55%), a patient in their 30s (27.2%), and be a patient hospitalized for 11-14 days (41.2%). KM treatment of traumatic knee injury using pharmacopuncture therapy and herbal medicine can be an may be effective at reducing pain, and healing functional disorders of the knee.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.8.1-8.5
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• 2020

Background: The cause of maxillary growth restriction in patients with cleft lip and palate remains controversial. While studies have investigated the effects surgical technique and timing have on maxillary growth, few focus on patients with isolated cleft palate (ICP). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact palate repair and its associated complications may have on maxillary growth. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ICP patients who underwent palatoplasty from 1962 to 1999 at Akron Children's Hospital was performed. Patient demographics, Veau type, age at primary repair, closure technique, presence of fistula or velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), number of palatal operations, maxillary hypoplasia (MH) frequency, and follow-up were recorded. Exclusion criteria included patients with cleft lip, submucous cleft, or syndromes. Results: Twenty-nine non-syndromic ICP patients were identified; 62% (n = 18) had Veau type 1 and 38% (n = 11) had Veau type 2. All patients underwent 2-flap or Furlow palatoplasty with mobilization of mucoperiosteal flaps. Vomerine flaps were used in all Veau 2 cleft palate closures. Palatoplasty was performed at a mean age of 19.9 ± 8.2 months. Average follow-up was 209 ± 66.5 months. The rate of VPI was 59% (n = 17) and the rate of oronasal fistula was 14% (n = 4). Conclusions: There was a low incidence of MH despite complications after initial palate closure. Our results seem to suggest that age at palate closure, type of cleft palate, and type of surgical technique may not be associated with MH. Additionally, subsequent procedures and complications after primary palatoplasty such as VPI and palatal fistula may not restrict maxillary growth.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to provide evidence for the use of Korean medicine in underweight patients by analyzing the medical records of underweight children and adolescents. Methods Children and adolescents who visited Korean pediatrics at Kyung Hee University Hospital from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2022, who had an age-specific weight percentile which was less than 5 and diagnosed with E639.005 or R628.001 were selected for the study. A retrospective chart review was conducted by examining the medical records of subjects who received Korean medical treatment. The treatment effect was analyzed in all subjects and subgroups by comparing changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) percentiles before and after Korean medicine treatment. Results A total of 55 underweight subjects were included in the study. General characteristics such as distribution by sex, age, number of visits, and weight percentile, and clinical characteristics such as diagnosis, past history, family history, drug history, current or past symptoms, and symptom differentiation were collected. The composition of herbal medicines and the contents of other Korean medical treatments were analyzed. In the case of treatment effect, the weight and BMI percentile of all subjects increased significantly. Conclusions This study was conducted to suggest Korean medicine as a method of proper weight management in children and adolescents. In the future, follow-up studies with a large number of subjects and controlled variables, such as the period of taking herbal medicine, are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the clinical effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Methods: There were 61 patients who were diagnosed with SIS in the Jaseng hospital network of KM (7 hospitals located in Korea: Gangnam, Daejeon, Bucheon, Haeundae, Bundang, Ulsan, and Gwangju) between January 1^st, 2015 and December 31^st, 2020 who were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were grouped according to complications, intake of analgesics, duration of illness preadmission, and treatment. Treatments consisted of herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, Chuna, pharmacopuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture, medicinal steaming, Daoyin exercises, and physical therapy. By comparing the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions questionnaire scores, the effectiveness of integrated KM treatment was evaluated. Results: There were 14 males and 47 females. For inpatients diagnosed with SIS, the mean NRS score decreased from 5.78 ± 1.33 to 3.40 ± 1.43 (p < 0.001). The mean Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score decreased from 53.87 ± 14.76 to 38.56 ± 18.87 (p < 0.001), and the mean European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions questionnaire increased from 0.67 ± 0.13 to 0.76 ± 0.09 (p < 0.001) after KM treatment. Medicinal steaming (0.398; p < 0.001), acupuncture (0.290), cupping (0.288), bee venom pharmacopuncture (0.282), and Daoyin exercises (0.262; p < 0.05) had a positive correlation with improved changes in the NRS score. Conclusion: Conclusion: Treatment with integrated KM treatment improved the pain, range of motion, shoulder function, and quality of life of patients with SIS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2022

Changes in symptoms and dysfunction related to meniscus tears following the use of Korean medicine for ≥ 4 days were studied. The medical charts of 53 cases of diagnosed meniscus tears (magnetic resonance imaging) with an admission Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4, between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatments included acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal treatment, Chuna therapy, and physiotherapy. The NRS, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions were performed at admission and discharge. There were 42 females and 11 males in this study. Patients were more likely to be in their 60s (38.18%), have an unknown etiology (81.13%), and have complex tears (50.94%). After receiving a combination of alternative Korean medicine during hospitalization, the mean NRS score improved from 6.82 ± 1.19 to 3.66 ± 1.83 (p < 0.001), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score improved from 46.47 ± 20.99 to 37.98 ± 19.23 (p < 0.001), and the mean European Quality of Life Five Dimensions score improved from 0.61 ± 0.18 to 0.68 ± 0.14 (p < 0.001) after treatment. These results suggest that Korean medicine treatment of meniscus tears alleviated pain and improved physical function.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.262-268
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• 2022

Background: The delayed diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) requires complex treatment and sometimes progresses to hip osteoarthritis. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and screening time for DDH in preterm infants. Methods: A total of 155 preterm infants with a gestational age <32 weeks screened for DDH with ultrasonography were enrolled in this retrospective chart review. Results: The incidence of DDH was 6.45% (10 of 155). Gestational age, birth weight, sex ratio, and breech presentation did not differ significantly between infants treated for DDH (n=10) and nontreated infants (n=145) (gestational age, 29.2±1.4 weeks vs. 29.6±2.0 weeks, P=0.583; birth weight, 1,240±237 g vs. 1,295±335 g, P=0.607; female sex, 7 of 10 (70.0%) vs. 77 of 145 (53.1%), P=0.346; and breech presentation, 5 of 10 (50.0%) vs. 43 of 145 (29.7%), P=0.286, respectively). Performing the first ultrasonography earlier than 38 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) increased the risk of an abnormal finding by 3.76 times compared to performing it at ≥38 weeks of PMA. These abnormal findings on ultrasonography resolved spontaneously. Breech presentation increased the risk of minor abnormal findings on the first ultrasonography by 3.11 times versus nonbreech presentation and resolved spontaneously. DDH in preterm infants did not occur predominantly on the left side or in infants born with breech presentation. Conclusion: Performing ultrasonography screening earlier than 38 weeks of PMA caused unnecessary subsequent ultrasonography and overtreatment. Breech presentation was not a risk factor for DDH in preterm infants. However, breech presentation could increase the risk of minor abnormal findings at the 1st ultrasonography compared to nonbreech presentation, which resolved spontaneously. The etiology and risk factors for DDH in preterm infants are somewhat different from those for DDH in term infants.