• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 1998

Appropriate clinical examination and imaging may lead to early diagnosis and treatment of the shoulder impingement syndrome, thus preventing progressing to a complete tear of rotator cuff. The impingement syndrome was caused by repeated entrapment and compression of supraspinatus tendon between the proximal end of humerus inferiorly, particullary its greater tuberosity. and one or m <)re component of coracoacromial arch superiorly. The purpose of this study is to critically, evaluate the result of twenty-five consecutive subacromial decompression with impingement syndrome and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging by using oblique coronal and oblique sagittal plan. These patients were treated by arthroscopic subacromial decompression after their pains failed to improve with conservative therapy over three month. The average follow up was 25 month(range, 12 to 50). The mean age was 43 year old. The results were rated based on subjective response and the UCLA shoulder rating scale of the result. Ten patients(40%) were rated as excellent, 11patients(44%) were good. while four patients(16%) were fair. Radiologic evaluation suggested that the oblique sagittal plan of MRI can be helpful in evaluation of bony and soft-tissue structure of the coracoacromial arch and determining depth of bony resection. There were no infection or neurovascular injury. In reviewing our result, it appears that the arthroscopic subacromial decompression can be successful sugery for shoulder impingement syndrome and diagnostic accuracy of supplimentary oblique sagittal view of MRI was relatively higher than oblique coronal view alone for apprqpriate surgical plan.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2014

Objective : At present, gold-standard technique of cervical cord decompression is surgical decompression and fusion. But, many complications related cervical fusion have been reported. We adopted an extended anterior cervical foraminotomy (EACF) technique to decompress the anterolateral portion of cervical cord and report clinical results and effectiveness of this procedure. Methods : Fifty-three patients were operated consecutively using EACF from 2008 to 2013. All of them were operated by a single surgeon via the unilateral approach. Twenty-two patients who exhibited radicular and/or myelopathic symptoms were enrolled in this study. All of them showed cervical cord compression in their preoperative magnetic resonance scan images. Results : In surgical outcomes, 14 patients (64%) were classified as excellent and six (27%), as good. The mean difference of cervical cord anterior-posterior diameter after surgery was 0.92 mm (p<0.01) and transverse area was $9.77mm^2$ (p<0.01). The dynamic radiological study showed that the average post-operative translation (retrolisthesis) was 0.36 mm and the disc height loss at the operated level was 0.81 mm. The change in the Cobb angle decreased to 3.46, and showed slight kyphosis. The average vertebral body resection rate was 11.47%. No procedure-related complications occurred. Only one patient who had two-level decompression needed anterior fusion at one level as a secondary surgery due to postoperative instability. Conclusions : Cervical cord decompression was successfully performed using EACF technique. This procedure will be an alternative surgical option for treating cord compressing lesions. Long-term follow-up and a further study in larger series will be needed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2011

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening disorder caused by rapidly increasing intra-abdominal pressure. ACS can result in multiorgan failure and carries a mortality of 60~70%. The treatment of choice in ACS is surgical decompression. There are very few reports of ACS and experience in Korea. We report 12-year-old male patient who developed an abdominal compartment syndrome due to traffic-accident-induced retroperitoneal hematomas, Which was successfully treated by performing a bedside emergency surgical decompression with open linea alba fasciotomy with intact peritoneum. When patients do not respond to medical therapy, a decompressive laparotomy is the last surgical resort. In patients with severe abdominal compartment syndrome, the use of a linea alba fasciotomy is an effective intervention to lower intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) without the morbidity of a laparotomy. Use of a linea alba fasciotomy as a first-line intervention before committing to full abdominal decompression in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome improves physiological variables without mortality. Consideration for a linea alba fasciotomy as a bridge before full abdominal decompression needs further evaluation in patients with polytrauma abdominal compartment syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.410-415
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• 2005

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of unilateral hemilaminectomy for bilateral decompression in elderly patients with degenerative spinal stenosis. For this purpose, we studied the co-morbid condition and clinical outcome of patients who underwent decompressive surgery using the unilateral approach technique. Methods: Thirty-four patients over 65years of age who underwent unilateral partial laminectomy for bilateral decompression from January 2000 to October 2003 were analyzed. These patients were studied for preoperative co-morbid condition and physical status according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) classification, postoperative morphometrical change, and clinical outcomes, including visual analogue scale(VAS) score. The mean follow-up was 23months (range 6 - 48months). Results: A patient's physical status was recorded as class I, II, or III by ASA classification, which correlated to 41.2%, 44.1%, and 14.7% of patients, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the pre- and postoperative dural sac at the level of the stenosis was $52.5{\pm}19.9mm^2$ and $110.6{\pm}18.2mm^2$, respectively. The outcome was excellent in 8.8%, good in 58.8%, fair in 23.6%, and poor in 8.8% of the patients. The VAS was changed postoperatively to $3.1{\pm}1.2$. There was no operation-related transfusion yet there was no evidence of postoperative instability at the follow-up examination. Conclusion: Unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression, in spite of the limited exposure, can result in satisfactory decompression of the lumbar spinal stenosis and tolerable clinical outcome. This approach is thought to be appropriate for elderly patients who have a greater surgical burden.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.291-294
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to describe a treatment for osteoporotic burst fracture in the setting of severe fractures involving fragmentation of the posterior wall and neural compromise with symptoms of cord compression. Methods : Indication for microscopic decompression and open kyphoplasty were intractable pain at the level of a known osteoporotic burst fractures involving neural compression or posterior wall fragmentation. A total of 18 patients [mean age, 74.6 years] with osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures [3 males, 15 females] were included in this study. In all cases, microscopic decompressive laminectomy was followed by open kyphoplasty. Clinical outcome using VAS score and modified MacNab's grade was assessed on last clinical follow up [mean 6.7 months]. Radiological analysis of sagittal alignment was assessed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at final follow up. Results : One level augmentation and 1.8 level microscopic decompression were performed. Mean blood loss was less than 100 ml and there were no major complications. The mean pain score before operation and at final follow up was 7.2 and 1.9, respectively. Fourteen of 18 patients were graded as excellent and good according to the modified MacNab's criteria. Overall, 6.0 degrees of sagittal correction was obtained at final follow-up. Conclusion : The combined thoracolumbar microscopic decompression and open kyphoplasty for severe osteoporotic fractures involving fragmentation of posterior wall and neural compromise provide direct visualization of neural elements, allowing safe cement augmentation of burst fractures. Decompressive surgery is possible and risk of epidural cement leakage is controlled intraoperatively.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2013

Objective : We compared the results of two surgical techniques by retrospective study of 60 elderly patients (65 years or older) who underwent either decompression alone or fusion for the treatment of two-level or more lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods : During the period of 2003 and 2008, two-level or more decompression alone or fusion was performed for lumbar spinal stenosis by three surgeons at our institution. Patients were allocated to two groups by surgical modality, namely, to a decompression group (31 patients) or a fusion group (29 patients). Overall mean age was 71.1 years (range, 65-84) and mean follow-up was 5.5 years (range, 3-9). A retrospective review of clinical, radiological, and surgical data was conducted. Results : No significant difference between the two groups was found with respect to age, follow-up period, surgical levels, or preoperative condition. At the last follow-up, correction of lumbar lordotic angle (determined radiologically) was better in the fusion group. However, clinical outcomes including visual analogue scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and the Odom's criteria were not significantly different in the two groups. On the other hand, surgical outcomes, such as, operation time, estimated blood loss, and surgical complications were significantly better in the decompression alone group. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that decompressive laminectomy alone achieves good outcomes in patients with two-level or more lumbar spinal stenosis, associated with an advanced age, poor general condition, or osteoporosis.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-104
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• 2008

Purpose: Diplopia and cosmetically unacceptable enophthalmos are the major complications of blow out fracture. Prolapse of orbital tissue into the sinuses, enlarged orbital volume, atrophy of orbital fat and loss of support of orbital walls play a role in the pathogenesis of enophthalmos. To correct post-traumatic enophthalmos, freeing of incarcerated orbital contents combined with reduction of bony orbital volume and reconstruction of suspensory support of globe is necessary. But remained enophthalmos after surgical treatment is difficult to correct completely. In this case, the authors performed implant insertion for affected orbit and endoscopic orbital decompression for unaffected orbit for correction of late enophthalmos. Method: We reviewed a girl patient with right inferomedial orbital wall blow out fracture, right zygoma fracture treated at our hospital for correction of enophthalmos. An 18-year-old female had sustained posttraumatic enopthalmos. Two surgical management was performed for correction blow out fracture at the other hospital. But residual diplopia, enophthalmos, cheek drooping were found. And then she transferred to our hospital. She had severe enophthalmos(5 mm) also had diplopia and extraocular muscle limitation. We performed operation for correction of enophthalmos. After operation, she showed minimal improvement of diplopia and enophthalmos(3 mm). The authors make plan for operation for correction enophthalmos due to cosmetical improvement. Implant insertion was performed for affected orbit. For unaffected orbit, nasoendoscopic medial orbital wall decompression was proceeded. Result: Correction of enophthalmos was found after operation and was maintained for nine years follow-up. Patient expressed satisfaction for the result. Conclusion: To correct persistant enophthalmos, we could have satisfactory result with orbital wall reconstruction on affected eye and decompression on unaffected eye.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of spinal decompression with Korean medicine treatment on the herniation of an intervertebral disc (HIVD) in a patient after fusion surgery of a cervical segment. Methods : A single patient was treated with spinal decompression, acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, and herbal medication. We measured the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), European Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D), Cervical Range of Motion (cervical ROM) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score to evaluate the treatment effects. Results : The patient's post neck pain & pain in both arms improved significantly as suggested by the scores on the NRS, NDI, EQ5D, cervical ROM and BDI. Conclusions : Thus, spinal decompression, including Korean medicine treatment, could be taken into consideration for HIVD patients after fusion surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to assess the results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression in patients with chronic impingement and to evaluate the results according to the rotator cuff pathology. We evaluated the clinical results of treatment for chronic impingement syndrome in 28 patients from Feb 1996 to Feb 1997. There were twenty men and eight women in age from 24 to 72 years (mean age 51) with dominant arm involvement in sixteen patients. Follow up evaluations averaged 15(range 12-24)months. The average duration of symptoms were 15(range 6­60)months. The final diagnoses which were based on the physical examination, plain radiographs and arthroscopic findings, were stage II impingement in 16 patients and stage ill impingement in 12 patients. We excluded the patients with acromioclavicular arthritis or glenohumeral instability in this study. All patients were managed non-operatively a minimum of six months. During the operation we performed contouring and smoothing the acromial undersurface and only resecting of the anterolateral band of the coracoacromial ligament. The clinical results were quantitated using UCLA shoulder rating score. Satisfactory results were obtained in 23(80%) patients. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in 5(18%) patients with posterior cuff tear. The average UCLA pain score showed significant improvement from 2.8(constant pain) to 7.2(present during heavy activities) at final follow up. The function and active forward flexion scores also increased from their preoperative value. There was no significant differences according to the surface and severity of tear and NeeI' stage (P>0.05). These results compared favorably with those reported following open acromioplasty. While arthroscopic subacromial decompression is a demanding technique with a learning curve, it is a reliable treatment for chronic impingement syndrome. A less aggressive approach to subacromial decompression and preserving the posteromedial band of the coracoacromialligament does not appear to compromise results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2133-2141
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• 2012

The Purpose of this study was to report magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) changes of six cases of Lumbar herniated disc which was treated with spinal decompression therapy, oriental medical therapy. 'Disc heights' were measured on sagittal view of $T_2$-weighted MRI. Size of the herniated disc was measured by MRI and 'disc herniations index'. The grading system and algorithm for 'disc degeneration' were based on MRI signal intensity, disc structure, distinction between nucleus and anulus, and disc height. Data for disc height, disc herniations index and disc degeneration grade were collected before and after the treatment together with calculation from the MRI. Case studies were showed that decompression therapy for the herniated disc has an positive effect on disc herniations index, disc regeneration, not disc heights. The clinical evidence for the use of decompression in herniated disc remains inconclusive because of limited researches. Further trials, which give attention to these areas, are needed before any firm conclusions may be made.