• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.11-50
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• 2023

As the field of interventional pain management (IPM) grows, the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) is increasing. SSI is defined as an infection of the incision or organ/space that occurs within one month after operation or three months after implantation. It is also common to find patients with suspected infection in an outpatient clinic. The most frequent IPM procedures are performed in the spine. Even though primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis via hematogenous spread is the most common type among spinal infections, secondary spinal infections from direct inoculation should be monitored after IPM procedures. Various preventive guidelines for SSI have been published. Cefazolin, followed by vancomycin, is the most commonly used surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in IPM. Diagnosis of SSI is confirmed by purulent discharge, isolation of causative organisms, pain/tenderness, swelling, redness, or heat, or diagnosis by a surgeon or attending physician. Inflammatory markers include traditional (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and white blood cell count) and novel (procalcitonin, serum amyloid A, and presepsin) markers. Empirical antibiotic therapy is defined as the initial administration of antibiotics within at least 24 hours prior to the results of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Definitive antibiotic therapy is initiated based on the above culture and testing. Combination antibiotic therapy for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria infections appears to be superior to monotherapy in mortality with the risk of increasing antibiotic resistance rates. The never-ending war between bacterial resistance and new antibiotics is continuing. This article reviews prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infection in pain medicine.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.73-77
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• 2002

Medical application of leeches, by means of leech's blood suction, has advantages in not only directly removing blood congestion, but also preventing hindrance to venous drainage by inhibiting local thrombus formation and inducing continuous bleeding. Nevertheless, Aeromonas hydrophila infection secondary to such suction is most common and may develop into serious conditions from local inflammatory reaction to total necrosis of replanted parts and enterocolitis as well as sepsis. Once infected, it requires infection treatment, removal of necrotic tissues and reconstruction. Hence, duration and cost of treatment increase while functional recovery falls markedly. Accordingly, we present measures to reduce Aeromonas infections as follows: First, do not manipulate as much as possible while the leeches are sucking or moving. Second, the site which suction plates of the leeches are attached, should be selected away from the surgical wound site or open wound as much as possible. Third, contaminated or blood-wet gauze should be replaced often so that the skin of surgical areas would not swell. Furthermore, bleeding or oozing should be well-drained. Fourth, the areas other than the sites of leech attachment should be covered with sterilized gauzes in order to limit leech movement.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.145-149
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• 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease presenting progressive spinal stiffness and sacroiliitis. Cervical spine fracture combined with AS should be treated with operation, but it is closely related with increased rates of surgical site infection, which are associated with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and elevated C-reactive protein. We report a case of delayed postoperative infection appeared in cervical paravertebral space, which was masked by laboratory findings and clinical characteristics represented in this rheumatic disease. A 53-year-old man who had medical history of AS got operation after cervical spine fracture. During hospitalization, he experienced aching pain originating from left posterior neck to shoulder, which was revealed out to be delayed postoperative infection, diagnostically obscured by elevated values of inflammatory markers. This case emphasizes detailed evaluation considering symptoms and comorbidity of the patient should be performed to apply proper management.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

It is well known that concentration of C-reactive protein(CRP) in the serum increase as nonspecific reaction of the various tissue injury. The CRP, synthesized in the hepatocyte, is one of 'acute phase proteins' in the serum. The main signal patterns of this protein are regulated by synthesis of interleukin-I secreted from macrophage in the area of tissue injury. Many studies were performed for quantitative analysis for CRP according to various surgical operation, but the study for fracture patients associated with trauma, especially in mandible, are rare. The mandible fracture have intrinsic danger for infection in oral bacteria associated with open wound in oral cavity, and, are difficult for detection of tissue reaction between surgical swelling and infection by facial swelling. In this study, quantitative analysis for CRP associated tissue injury in mandibular fracture and surgical intervention was done, the results were as follows: 1. After initial mandibular trauma, the value of serum CRP diminished sequentially, most high value was presented in post-traumatic 2 days. 2. The CRP was diminished significantly 2 days after surgical intervention, and maintained normal value in 5 days after surgery. 3. The change of CRP are higher value in surgical intervention than initial trauma, it suggested that tissue injury from surgery was severe than trauma. 4. The high value of CRP was obtained in mandibular fracture combined soft tissue injury than no associated soft tissue injury. 5. In measurement of CRP according to surgical approach, highest serum value in patients of combined intra-oral and extra-oral approach was showed, and intra-oral approach, extra-oral approach, in sequential orders. 6. The CRP value are more higher in patient of 2 fracture site than only one fracture site. From the results obtained in this study, CRP has showed different values in mandibular fracture associated with severity of tissue injury and surgical intervention, and quantitative analysis of CRP value in serum can be applied to the clinical management of mandibular fracture.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.298-305
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• 2010

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs) after craniotomy. Methods: This study was a retrospective case-control study of 103 patients who had craniotomies between March 2007 and December 2008. A retrospective review of prospectively collected databases of consecutive patients who underwent craniotomy was done. SSIs were defined by using the Centers for Disease Control criteria. Twenty-six cases (infection) and 77 controls (no infection) were matched for age, gender and time of surgery. Descriptive analysis, t-test, $\chi^2$-test and logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis. Results: The statistical difference between cases and controls was significant for hospital length of stay (>14 days), intensive care unit stay more than 15 days, Glasgrow Coma Scale (GCS) score (${\leq}7$ days), extra-ventricular drainage and coexistent infection. Risk factors were identified by logistic regression and included hospital length of stay of more than 14 days (odds ratio [OR]=23.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.53-216.11) and GCS score (${\leq}7$ scores) (OR=4.71, 95% CI=1.64-13.50). Conclusion: The results of this study show that patients are at high risk for infection when they have a low level of consciousness or their length hospital stay is long term. Nurses have to take an active and continuous approach to infection control to help with patients having these risk factors.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2019

The plume produced by vaporizing tissue with a laser contains a variety of contaminants called laser-generated air pollutants (LGACs). LGACs consist of a mixture of toxic gas components, biomicroparticles, dead and living cells, and viruses. Toxic odors and thick smoke from surgical incisions and the coagulation of tissues can irritate eyes and airways, as well as cause bronchial and pulmonary congestion. Because of the potential risk of the smoke, it is advisable to appropriately remove it from the surgical site. We recommend using a smoke evacuator to remove the smoke. Suction nozzles should be placed as close as possible to the surgical site in a range of 2 cm or less. In-line filters should be used between the inlet and outlet of the surgical site. All air filtration devices should be capable of removing particles below 0.1 microns in size. The filter pack should be handled according to infection control procedures in the operating room. The laser mask can be an auxiliary protective device if it is properly worn. Some smoke inhaled under the nose wrap or over the side of the mask will not be filtered. As in electrosurgical operations, a suitable mask should be worn while smoke is present.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.599-606
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• 2021

Background Postoperative dehiscence and surgical site infection after spinal surgery can carry serious morbidity. Multidisciplinary involvement of plastic surgery is essential to minimizing morbidity and achieving definitive closure. However, a standardized approach is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify effective reconstructive interventions for the basis of an evidence-based management protocol. Methods A retrospective review was performed at a single tertiary institution for 45 patients who required 53 reconstruction procedures with plastic surgery for wounds secondary to spinal surgery from 2010 to 2019. Statistical analysis was performed for demographics, comorbidities, and treatment methods. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, including dehiscence, seroma, and infection. The secondary outcome was time to healing. Results The overall complication rate was 32%, with dehiscence occurring in 17%, seroma in 15% and infection in 11% of cases. Median follow-up was 10 months (interquartile range, 4-23). Use of antibiotic beads did not affect rate of infection occurrence after wound closure (P=0.146). Use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) was significant for reduced time to healing (P=0.001). Patients treated without iNPWT healed at median of 67.5 days while the patients who received iNPWT healed in 33 days. Demographics and comorbidities between these two groups were similar. Conclusions This data provides groundwork for an evidence-based approach to soft tissue reconstruction and management of dehiscence after spinal surgery. Timely involvement of plastic surgery in high-risk patients and utilization of evidence-based interventions such as iNPWT are essential for improving outcomes in this population.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2009

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a leading cause of nosocomial infections, has been increasingly recognized in communities of the United States. This article will review the clinical spectrum and treatment of MRSA infections in children in the context of recent epidemiological changes of MRSA infections. In general, community-associated (CA) MRSA most frequently causes skin and soft tissue infections and has an increased association with invasive infections, particularly pneumonia and musculoskeletal infections. Hospital-associated (HA) MRSA strains tend to be associated with bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Different from the United States, CA-MRSA infections are not common in Korea (only 5.9%); however, there are some CA-MRSA clones that are different from HA-MRSA clones in Korea and from CA-MRSA clones in other countries. The treatment of MRSA infections should be guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, the site of infection, and the infection severity. Vancomycin is the treatment of choice for invasive MRSA infections. Other agents such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and daptomycin have been used for some conditions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.18-24
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• 2012

Background : Infection caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) is not uncommon, and the prevalence of RGM infection has been increasing. Clinical diagnosis is difficult because there are no characteristic clinical features. There is also no standard antibiotic regimen for treating RGM infection. A small series of patients with RGM infections was studied to examine their treatments and outcomes. Methods : A total of 5 patients who had developed postoperative infections from January 2009 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were initially screened using a mycobacteria rapid screening test (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-reverse blot hybridization assay). To confirm mycobacterial infection, specimens were cultured for nontuberculous mycobacteria and analyzed by 16 S ribosomal RNA and rpoB gene PCR. Results : The patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics during hospitalization, and oral antibiotics were administered after discharge. The mean duration of follow-up was 9 months, and all patients were completely cured of infection with a regimen of a combination of antibiotics plus surgical treatment. Although none of the patients developed recurrence, there were complications at the site of infection, including hypertrophic scarring, pigmentation, and disfigurement. Conclusions : Combination antibiotic therapy plus drainage of surgical abscesses appeared to be effective for the RGM infections seen in our patients. Although neither the exact dosage nor a standardized regimen has been firmly established, we propose that our treatment can provide an option for the management of rapidly growing mycobacterial infection.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.103-106
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• 2018

Objectives: The goal of the study was to investigate the clinical effects of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (500+125 mg) with metronidazole 400 mg administered three times daily (Group I) versus azithromycin 500 mg administered once daily and with metronidazole 400 mg three times daily (Group II) for the prevention of postoperative infection following mandibular third molar surgical removal. Materials and Methods: The study design was a single-center prospective study. Patients who reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between February 2015 and January 2017 for removal of mandibular third molar were screened, and 108 patients were chosen. One surgeon carried out all procedures. Patients were prescribed antibiotics until the two groups contained a similar number of cases. Results: Our data showed that Group II had fewer incidences of surgical site infection, but with no statistical significance. Conclusion: Although both treatments are used routinely after removal of the mandibular third molar, neither is significantly better than the other.