• Title/Summary/Keyword: decortication

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The Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma Combined with Bovine Bone on the Treatment of Grade II Furcation Defects in Beagle Dogs (성견 2급 치근이개부 병변 치료시 이종골 이식 및 혈소판 농축 혈장의 골재생에 관한 효과)

  • Lim, Sung-Bin;Lee, Kwang-Soo;Park, Young-Chae;You, Hyung-Keun;Shin, Hyung-Shik
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.257-277
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    • 2000
  • New techniques for regenerating the destructed periodontal tissue have been studied for many years. Current acceptable methods of promoting periodontal regeneration are basis of removal of diseased soft tissue, root treatment, guided tissue regeneration, graft materials, and biological mediators. Platelet Rich Plasma has been reported as a biological mediator which regulates activities of wound healing progress including cell proliferation, migration, and metabolism. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of using the Platelet Rich Plasma as a regeneration promoting agent for furcation involvement defect. Five adult beagle dogs were used in this experiment. The dogs were anesthetized with Ketamin HCl(0.1 ml/kg, IV)and Xylazine hydrochloride($Rompun^{(R)}$, Bayer, 0.1 ml/kg, IM) and conventional periodontal prophylaxis were performed with ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. With intrasulcular and crestal incision, mucoperiosteal flap was elevated. Following decortication with 1/2 high speed round bur, degree II furcation defect was made on mandibular third(P3), forth(P4) and fifth(P5) premolar, and stopping was inserted. After 4 weeks, stopping was removed, and bone graft was performed. Ca-P was grafted in P3(experimental group I), Combination of Ca-P and plasma rich platelet were grafted in P4(experimental group II), and P5 was remained at control group.Systemic antibiotics(gentamicin sulfate)and anlgesics(phenyl butazone) were administrated intramuscular for 2 weeks after surgery. Irrigation with 0.1% Chlorhexidine Gluconate around operate sites was performed during the whole experimental period except one day immediate after surgery. Soft diets were fed through the whole experiment period. After 4, 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed by perfusion technique. Tissue block was excised including the tooth and prepared for light microscope with Gomori's trichrome staining. At 4 weeks after surgery, there were rapid osteogenesis phenomenon on the defected area of the Platelet Rich Plasma plus Ca-P BBP group and early trabeculation pattern was made with new osteoid tissue produced by activated osteoblast. Bone formation was almost completed to the fornix of furcation by 8 weeks after surgery. In conclusion, Platelet Rich Plasma can promote rapid osteogenesis during healing of periodontalregeneration.

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Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Fibrinopurulent Empyema (섬유농성 농흉의 비디오 흉강경을 이용한 치료)

  • 손정환;모은경;지현근;김응중;신호승;신윤철
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.404-410
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    • 2003
  • Different treatment options are available according to the stage and duration of the empyema. Stage I empyema (exudate stage) is treated concurrently by the administration of appropriate antibiotics and chest tube drainage. Stage III empyema (organized stage) is considered for decortication through an open thoracotomy. However, the treatment of fibrinopurulent, stage II empyema remains controversial. Recently, debridement with the use of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) has been proposed for the treatment of stage II empyema. We analyzed and report our initial experience of 5 cases of stage II empyema, treated with the use of VATS. Material and Method: Between June 2001 and February 2002, 5 patients with fibrinopurulent empyema that did not respond to antibiotics, chest tube drainage or Percutaneous Catheter drainage (PCD), and instillation of fibrinolytic agent were treated by debridement and irrigation with the use of VATS. A CT scan was performed in all patients before the operation to confirm the diagnosis of loculated empyema and to detect additional lung parenchymal diseases. Result: All 5 patients underwent successful debridement and irrigation with the use of VATS and the chest tube was inserted properly. And no patients needed conversion to open thoracotomy. The ratio of sex was 4 : 1 (male : female), the mean age was 53 years old (range, 26~73 years), the mean operative time was 73.4 minutes (range, 52~95 minutes), the mean duration of postoperative chest tube placement was 12.4 days (range, 6~19 days), and the mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 20.8 days (range, 10~36 days). In all patients, clinical symptoms such as pain and fever subsided and simple chest PA view revealed satisfactory lung expansion. No major postoperative complication was observed during the hospital course and no patient suffered from the recurrence of empyema in the follow-up period. Conclusion: We think that early operation with the use of VATS is safe and efficient for stage II empyema which did not respond to medical treatment(antibiotics and chest tube drainage), therefore, it can prevent stage II empyema from advancing to stage III, organized empyema.

Aideo-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in Pleural Adhesion (늑막유착을 동반한 질환에서의 비디오 흉부수술)

  • Seong, Suk-Hwan;Kim, Hyeon-Jo;Lee, Chang-Ha;Kim, Ju-Hyeon
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.29 no.8
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    • pp.916-922
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    • 1996
  • In patients with pleural adhesion, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been regarded as a contra- indication. When such adhesions were found during a thoracoscopic trial, the thoracotomy proceeded with for fear of parenchymal Injury and bleeding. We had a question whether or not thoracoscopic surgery should be done in such pleural adhesions. Of the 226 consecutive thoracoscopic surgeries from Jul. 1992 through Sep. 1995, pleural adhesions were detected intraoperatively in 50 cases (22.1%): a detailed breakdown is as follows: pneumothorax (16 cases), pleural disease (15), benign pulmonary nodule(7), mediastinal mass(5), hyperhidrosis (2), diffuse parenchymal or interstitial lung disease (2), bronchiectasis(2), and primary lung cancer(1). We classified pleural adhesions according to their extent and severity. Extent is categorized as the involved area of the lung: degree 1, II, or III; severity is given one of four grades: mild, moderate, severe, or ve y severe. In cases of very severe severity requiring decortication, the possibility of VATS was excluded. Of the 50 cases, mild adhesions were detected in 15 cases(30.0%), moderate in 29 (58.0%), and severe in 6 (12.0%). As for the extent of the adhesions, 8 cases (16.0%) were categorized as degree 1, 32 cases (64. 0%) as degree II, and 10 cases (20.0%) as degree III. For patients with pleural adhesions, the operation time, the chest tube indwelling time, and the postoperative hospital stay were all longer than for patients in the non-adhesion group. Postoperative complications, namely prolonged air-leakage and pleural drain- age, were more common (18.0% and 6.0%, respectively) than in the non-adhesion group (5.1% and 1.7%, respectively). Only two bronchiectatic patients (4%) were converted to an open thoracotomy because of in- ability to control bleeding. Although complications were encountered more frequently in the group with adhesions, patients were still able to enjoy the benefi s of thoracoscopic surgery. It is advisable to proceed with thoracoscopic surgery even in cases of unpredicted pleural adhesions.

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Clinical Study of the Treatment of Chronic Empyema with Open Window Thoracostomy: 10 Years Experience (개방식 배농술을 이용한 만성 농흉 치료의 임상적 고찰 - 10년 경험 -)

  • Kim, Young-Kyu;Kim, Yeong-Dae
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.40 no.11
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    • pp.765-769
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    • 2007
  • Background: The curative treatment of choice for empyema is decortication of the pleura. The risks of this treatment however are increased for the patient with reduced pulmonary function, complicated calcification or septic shock. In the past, open window thoracostomy was a final stage treatment for chronic empyema. Relatively safe treatment of empyema could be achieved in difficult cases with a closure of the open window after open drainage and use of a myocutaneous flap (one stage or staged). Material and Method: A retrospective study of the cause, progression and final outcome of empyema patients who received open window thoracostomy was performed. 21 patients were followed from 1995 to 2004 in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in the College of Medicine, Pusan National University. Result: The average age of the patients was $57.5{\pm}15.5$ years (range $25{\sim}78$ years), of whom 16 (76.2%) were men and five (23.8%) were women. Pulmonary function test results showed an average FEV1 of $1.58{\pm}0.49 L$. The type of empyema was tuberculous empyema in 13 cases (61.9%), aspergillosis in three cases (14.3%), parapneumonic empyema in three cases (14.3%) and post-resectional empyema in two cases (10%). Bronchopulmonary fistula was seen in 14 cases. Eight cases were complicated by severe calcification of the pleura. For the four cases of bronchopulmonary fistula, the patients' serratus anterior muscle was covered in their first operation. The average number of ribs resected was $4{\pm}1$. Closure of the open window thoracostomy was performed in 12 cases. The average time to closure after open drainage was $10.22{\pm}3.11$ months and the average defect of the empyemal cavity before the final operation was $330{\pm}110 cc$. Among the 12 cases, there were two cases of spontaneous closure. In two cases closure was only achieved by using the reserved skin fold during the first surgery. Of the remaining eight cases, in seven we used the myocutaneous flap (four cases of lattisimus dorsi muscle and three cases of pectoralis major muscle), and in one case we used soft tissue. As regards complications of the closure, tissue necrosis occurred in one case, which led to failed closure, and there was one case of abdominal hernia in the rectus abdominis muscle flap. One patient died within 30 days of the surgery and one patient died of metastatic cancer. Conclusion: A staged operation with a final closure using open window thoracostomy, which consists of open drainage, transposition of the muscle and a myocutaneous flap, can be a safe and effective option for the chronic empyema patient who is difficult to cure with traditional surgical methods.

A comparative study of three therapeutic modalities in loculated tuberculous pleural effusions (소방이 형성된 결핵성 흉막 질환에서 배액 방법에 따른 치료효과)

  • Lee, Sang Hwa;Lee, So Ra;Lee, Sang Youb;Park, Sang Muyn;Suh, Jung Kyung;Cho, Jae Youn;Shim, Jae Jeong;In, Kwang Ho;Yoo, Se Hwa;Kang, Kyung Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.5
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    • pp.683-692
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    • 1996
  • Background: Although most of the patients with tuberculous pleural effusions completely reabsorbed their effusions and became asymptomatic within 2 to 4 months, later surgical procedures such as decortication is needed in some patients because of dyspnea caused by pleural loculations and thickening despite anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. It is obligatory to secure adequate drainage to prevent the development of complications. But, the best methods for treating loculated tuberculous pleural effusions remain debatable. Recent several reports revealed that intrapleural instillation of fibrinolytic agents is an effective adjunct in the management of complicated empyema and may reduce the need of surgery. Purpose : The effects of catheterization with intrapleural urokinase instillation were prospectively evaluated in the patients with septated tuberculous pleural effusion, and compared with other therapeutic effects of different modalities of therapy such as repeated thoracentesis and small-bored catheterization. Methods : Forty-eight patients diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy were randomly separated into three groups; control group(n=13), catheter group(n=12), urokinase group(n=22). In urokinase group, dose of 100.000U urokinase was instilled into the pleural cavity via a percutaneous drainage catheter for complete drainage or total dose of 700,000U of urokinase. After two hours clamping, the catheter was opened and intermittently irrigated. The early and late effectiveness of therapies was assessed by radiographically and by measuring the volume of fluid drained from the catheter. Results : There was statistically significantly better result in the urokinase group in respect of frequency of catheterization, frequency of catheter obstruction and the duration of catheterization in early effectiveness(p < 0.05). There were no difference in radiologic improvement of follow-up in later phase chest X-ray between urokinase group and catheter group in later phase(p > 0.05). But there were more failure rates in control group especially honeycomb septa in pleural effusion sonographically than former two groups. And there were no complications of urokinase such as fever or hemorrhage. Conclusion : In the treatment of septated tuberculous pleurisy, there were better results in urokinase than those of catheterization alone in early effectiveness. And there was no difference in radiographic improvement between urokinase group and catheter group. Intrapleural instillation of urokinase is an effective and safe mode of treatment for septated tuberculous pleural effusions and alleviates the need for thoracotomy.

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Factors Associated with Residual Pleural Thickening After Chemotherapy in Tuberculous Pleurisy (결핵성 흉막염에서 항결핵제 치료 후의 잔여 흉막비후와 관련된 인자)

  • Lee, Ki-Man;Ahn, Jong-Joon;Seo, Kwang-Won;Park, Jee-Hyun;Lee, Mi-Suk;Hwang, Jae-Cheol
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.50 no.5
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    • pp.607-614
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    • 2001
  • Background : Residual pleural thickening is frequently seen following treatment for tuberculous pleurisy, and pleural decortication is performed occasionally in patients with severe residual pleural thickening. However, predictive factors for the development of residual pleural thickening are uncertain at the initial diagnosis of the tuberculous pleurisy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the associated factors for residual pleural thickening at initial diagnosis. Methods : We separated 63 patients diagnosed as tuberculous pleurisy into two groups; group 1 consisted of patients without residual pleural thickening and group 2 comprised patients with residual pleural thickening at the end of tuberculous pleurisy treatment. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, radiological findings, pleural biopsy and characteristics of pleural fluid between group 1 and group 2. Results : The study population and clinical symptoms of the two groups were not significantly different and the duration of symptoms before treatment and the peripheral WBC were similar between the two groups. The presence of pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural fluid loculation or the amount of pleural effusion sid not differ significantly between the two groups. The incidence of positive AFB staining(group 1 : 8%, group 2 : 38%) and granuloma(group 1 : 30%, group 2: 62%)on pleural biopsy specimens was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Pleural fluid WBC and differential count, adenosine deaminase level, pH, protein level or glucose level did not differ between the two groups. However, group 2 had higher LDH levels ($1370{\pm}208mg/dL$) than group 1 ($860{\pm}71mg/dL$, p<0.05). Conclusion : In tuberculous pleurisy, patients with residual pleural thickening following treatment demonstrated a higher incidence of positive AFB staining and granuloma on the pleural biopsy specimens or higher LDH level in the pleural fluid than patients without residual pleural thickening From these results, we speculate that the amount of tuberculous bacilli and granuloma are probably correlated with residual pleural thickening in the tuberculous pleurisy.

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The causative organisms of pediatric empyema in Korea (소아 농흉 원인균에 대한 다기관 연구(1999. 9-2004. 8))

  • Yum, Hye-yung;Kim, Woo Kyung;Kim, Jin Tak;Kim, Hyun Hee;Rha, Yeong Ho;Park, Yong Min;Sohn, Myung Hyun;Ahn, Kang Mo;Lee, Soo Young;Hong, Su Jong;Lee, Hae Ran
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.50 no.1
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    • pp.33-39
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    • 2007
  • Purpose : In spite of medical advances, empyema is a serious complication of pneumonia in children. Vaccination practices and antibiotic prescribing practices promote the change of clinical manifestations of empyema and causative organisms. So we made a nationwide clinical observation of 122 cases of empyema in children from 32 hospitals during the 5 year period from September 1999 to August 2004. Methods : Demographic data, and clinical information on the course and management of empyema patients were collected retrospectively from medical records in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Korea. Results : One hundred twenty two patients were enrolled from 35 hospitals. The most frequent age group was 1-3 years, accounting for 48 percent of all cases. The male to female sex ratio was 1.2:1. The main symptoms were cough, fever, respiratory difficulty, lethargy and chest pain in order of frequency. Hematologic findings on admission revealed decreased hemoglobin levels ($10.4{\pm}1.6g/dL$) and increased leukocyte counts ($16,234.3{\pm}10,601.8/{\mu}L$). Pleural fluid obtained from patients showed high leukocyte counts ($30,365.8{\pm}64,073.0/{\mu}L$), high protein levels ($522.3{\pm}1582.3g/dL$), and low glucose levels ($88.1{\pm}523.5mg/dL$). Findings from pleural fluid cultures were positive in 80 cases(65.6 percent). The most common causative agent was Streptococcus pneumoniae. The majority of patients were treated with antibiotics and closed drainage. Some patients needed open drainage (16.4 percent) or decortication (3.3 percent). The mean duration of hospitalization was $28.6{\pm}15.3days$. Conclusion : We analyzed childhood empyema patients during a period of 5 years in Korean children. The most frequent age group was 1-3 years and the most common causative agent was Streptococcus pneumoniaeiae. The majority of patients were treated with antibiotics and close drainage.

The Effects of Urokinase Instillation Therapy via Percutaneous Transthoracic Catheter Drainage in Loculated Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: A Randomized Prospective Study (소방이 형성된 결핵성 흉막염 환자에서 경피적 도관을 이용한 유로카나제 치료의 효과 ; 전향적 무작위연구)

  • Lee, Yong-Whan;Kwak, Seung-Min;Kwon, Mee-Young;Bae, In-Young;Park, Chan-Sup;Moon, Tae-Hun;Cho, Jae-Hwa;Ryu, Jeong-Seon;Lee, Hyong-Lyeol;Roh, Hyung-Keun;Cho, Chul-Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.5
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    • pp.601-608
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    • 1999
  • Background: Tuberculous pleural effusion responds well to the anti-tuberculosis agents in general, so no further aggressive therapeutic managements to drain the tuberculous effusion is necessary except in case of diagnostic thoracentesis. But in clinical practice, we often see some patients who later decortication need due to dyspnea caused by pleural thickening despite the completion of anti-tuberculosis therapy in the patients with tuberculous effusion. Especially, the patients with loculated tuberculous effusion might have increased chance of pleural thickening after treatment. The purpose of this study was that intrapleural urokinase instillation could reduce the pleural thickening in the treatment of loculated tuberculous pleural effusion. Methods: Thirty-seven patients initially diagnosed as having loculated tuberculous pleural effusion were randomly assigned to receive either the combined treatment of urokinase instillation and anti-tuberculosis agents(UK group) and anti-tuberculosis agents(Non-UK group) alone. The 16 patients in UK group received a single radiographically guided pig-tail catheter ranging in size from 10 to 12 French. 100,000 units of urokinase was dissolved in 150 ml of normal saline and instilled into the pleural cavity via pig-tail catheter every day, also this group was treated with anti-tuberculosis agents. While the 21 patients in Non-UK group were treated with anti-tuberculosis agents only except diagnostic thoracentesis. Then we evaluated the residual pleural thickening after treatment for their loculated tuberculous pleural effusion between the two groups. Also the duration of symptoms and the pleural fluid biochemistry like WBC counts, pH, lactic dehydrogenase(LDH), glucose, proteins, and adenosine deaminase(ADA) were compared. Results: 1) The residual pleural thickening(RPT)($5.08{\pm}6.77$ mm) of UK group was significantly lower than that($20.3222{\pm}26.37$ mm) of Non-UK group(P<0.05). 2) The duration of symptoms before anti-tuberculosis drug therapy of patients with RPT$\geq$10 mm($5.23{\pm}3.89$ wks) was significantly longer than the patients with RPT<10 mm($2.63{\pm}1.99$ wks)(P<0.05). 3) There were no significant differences in the pleural fluid findings like WBC count, glucose, LDH, proteins, pH, ADA between the patients with RPT$\geq$10 mm and the patients with RPT<10 mm. Conclusion : The treatment of loculated tuberculous pleural effusion with the urokinase instillation via percutaneous transthoraic catheter was effective to reduce the pleural thickening.

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THE EFFECTS OF THE PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR-BB ON THE PERIODONTAL TISSUE REGENERATION OF THE FURCATION INVOLVEMENT OF DOGS (혈소판유래성장인자-BB가 성견 치근이개부병변의 조직재생에 미치는 효과)

  • Cho, Moo-Hyun;Park, Kwang-Beom;Park, Joon-Bong
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.535-563
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    • 1993
  • New techniques for regenerating the destructed periodontal tissue have been studied for many years. Current acceptable methods of promoting periodontal regeneration alre basis of removal of diseased soft tissue, root treatment, guided tissue regeneration, graft materials, biological mediators. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of polypeptide growth factor. PDGF have been reported as a biological mediator which regulate activities of wound healing progress including cell proliferation, migration, and metabolism. The purposes of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using the PDGF as a regeneration promoting agent for furcation involvement defect. Eight adult mongrel dogs were used in this experiment. The dogs were anesthetized with Pentobarbital Sodium (25-30 mg/kg of body weight, Tokyo chemical Co., Japan) and conventional periodontal prophylaxis were performed with ultrasonic scaler. With intrasulcular and crestal incision, mucoperiosteal flap was elevated. Following decortication with 1/2 high speed round bur, degree III furcation defect was made on mandibular second(P2) and fourth(P4) premolar. For the basic treatment of root surface, fully saturated citric acid was applied on the exposed root surface for 3 minutes. On the right P4 20ug of human recombinant PDGF-BB dissolved in acetic acid was applied with polypropylene autopipette. On the left P2 and right P2 PDGF-BB was applied after insertion of ${\beta}-Tricalcium$ phosphate(TCP) and collagen (Collatape) respectively. Left mandibular P4 was used as control. Systemic antibiotics (Penicillin-G benzathine and penicillin-G procaine, 1 ml per 10-25 1bs body weight) were administrated intramuscular for 2 weeks after surgery. Irrigation with 0.1% Chlorhexidine Gluconate around operated sites was performed during the whole experimental period except one day immediate after surgery. Soft diets were fed through the whole experiment period. After 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed by perfusion technique. Tissue block was excised including the tooth and prepared for light microscope with H-E staining. At 2 weeks after surgery, therer were rapid osteogenesis phenomenon on the defected area of the PDGF only treated group and early trabeculation pattern was made with new osteoid tissue produced by activated osteoblast. Bone formation was almost completed to the fornix of furcation by 8 weeks after surgery. New cementum fromation was observed from 2 weeks after surgery, and the thickness was increased until 8 weeks with typical Sharpey’s fibers reembedded into new bone and cementum. In both PDGF-BB with TCP group and PDGF-BB with Collagen group, regeneration process including new bone and new cementum formation and the group especially in the early weeks. It might be thought that the migration of actively proliferating cells was prohibited by the graft materials. In conclusion, platelet-derived growth factor can promote rapid osteogenesis during early stage of periodontal tissue regeneration.

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Efficacy of Pigtail Catheter Drainage in Patients with Thoracic Empyema or Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion (농흉 및 합병된 부폐렴성 흉막 삼출 환자에서 Pigtail 도관 배액의 유용성)

  • Park, Jeong Woo;You, Seung Min;Seol, Won Jong;Paik, Eun Ki;Lee, Kyu Hoon;Seo, Joon Beom;Jeong, Seong Hwan;An, Chang Hyeok;Lim, Youg Hee;Park, Jeong Woong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.54 no.2
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    • pp.219-229
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    • 2003
  • Background : The management of thoracic empyema and complicated parapneumonic effusion requires adequate antibiotics use and prompt drainage of infected pleural space. Tube thoracostomy for loculated empyema has low success rate and is also an invasive procedure with potential morbidity. Complications include hemothorax, perforation of intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic organs, diaphragmatic laceration, empyema, pulmonary edema, and Horner's syndrome. Given the potential morbidity of traditional chest tube insertion, use of the image-guided pigtail catheter drainage(PCD) of empyema has been employed. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion to determine the efficacy of percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage. Materials and Methods : 45 patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyema were treated at Gil medical center from January 1998 to June, 1999. All were initially given PCD procedure and the following data were collected: clinical symptoms at the time of diagnosis, alcohol and smoking history, the characteristics of pleural effusion, radiologic findings (at the time of catheter insertion, removal and 1 month after catheter removal), the amount of effusion drained for initial 24 hours, the time from catheter insertion to removal and the use of surgical approach. Results : Male gender was more frequent (42 men vs. 3 women), the mean age of the study population was 52(range: 21~74) years. Empyema was found in 23 patients, complicated parapneumonic effusion in 22 patients. Four patients(three, parapneumonic effusion and one, with empyema) with PCD only treated, were cast off. Among the available patients, 36(80%) patients were treated with PCD only or PCD with urokinase. Among the 23 patients with empyema, surgical approach was required in five patients(27.1%, one required decortication, four open thoracostomy), one patient, treated with surgical procedure, died of sepsis. There was no significant difference of the duration of catheter insertion, the duration of hospital admission after catheter insertion and the mean amount of effusion drained for initial 24 hours between the patients with only PCD treated and the patients treated with PCD and urokinase. The duration of catheter insertion($9.4{\pm}5.25days$ vs. $19.2{\pm}9.42days$, p<0.05) and the duration of hospital admission after catheter insertion($15.9{\pm}10.45days$ vs. $38.6{\pm}11.46days$, p<0.01) of the patients with only PCD treated were more longer than those of the patients treated with surgical procedure after PCD. They were same between the patients treated with urokinase after PCD and the patients treated with surgical procedure after PCD($11.1{\pm}7.35days$ vs. $19.2{\pm}9.42days$, p<0.05, $17.5{\pm}9.17days$ vs. $38.6{\pm}11.46days$, p<0.01). In 16 patients(44.4%) with only PCD treated or PCD and urokinase treated, the amount of effusion at the time of catheter removal was decreased more than 75% and in 17 patients(47.2%) effusion decreased 50~75%. .In one patient effusion decreased 25~50%, in two patients effusion decreased less than 25%. One month after catheter removal, in 35 patients(97.2%, four patients were cast off), the amount of pleural effusion was successfully decreased more than 50%. There were no complications related to pigtail catheter insertion. Conclusion : In this study, PCD seemed to be an early efficacious procedure in treating the patients with complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema without any serious procedure related complication.