• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2021

Free flap surgery is commonly used for extensive facial burn. However, free flap surgery requires long operation time and difficult technique. Also, it requires further procedure to prepare the recipient vessels. Hence, applying pedicle flap surgery instead of free flap surgery is effective for patients with facial burn. Among a wide range of pedicle flaps, we performed lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap to patients with third degree facial burn and got satisfactory results without complications. Lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap has a wide arc of rotation so that it can cover middle and lower part of the face. Furthermore, it is thinner than other myocutaneous pedicle flap that can be used for facial reconstruction. Due to these advantages, lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle can be an attractive option for the reconstruction of facial burn.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.568-573
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• 2018

Objective : Thoracic pedicles have special and specific properties. In particular, upper thoracic pedicles are positioned in craniocaudal plane. Therefore, manipulation of thoracic pedicle screws on the left side is difficult for right-handed surgeons. We recommend a new position to insert thoracic pedicle screw that will be much comfortable for spine surgeons. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients who underwent upper thoracic pedicle screw instrumentation. In 15 patients, a total of 110 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted to the upper thoracic spine (T1-6) with classical position (anesthesiologist and monitor were placed near to patient's head. Surgeons were standing classically near to patient's body while patients were lying in prone position). In 18 patients, a total of 88 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted to the upper thoracic spine with the new standing position-surgeons stand by the head of the patient and the anesthesia monitor laterally and under patient's belt level. All the operations performed by the same senior spine surgeons with the help of C-arm. Postoperative computed tomography scans were obtained to assess the screw placement. The screw malposition and pedicle wall violations were divided and evaluated separately. Cortical penetration were measured and graded at either : 1-2 mm penetration, 2-4 mm penetration and >4 mm penetration. Results : Total 198 screws were inserted with two different standing positions. Of 198 screws 110 were in the classical positioning group and 88 were in the new positioning group. Incorrect screw placement was found in 33 screws (16.6%). The difference between total screw malposition by both standing positions were found to be statistically significant (p=0.011). The difference between total pedicle wall violations by both standing positions were found to be statistically significant (p=0.003). Conclusion : Right-handedness is a problem during the upper thoracic pedicle screw placement on the left side. Changing the surgeon's position standing near to patient's head could provide a much comfortable position to orient the craniocaudal plane of the thoracic pedicles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.173-187
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• 1985

Renal compensatory adaptation caused by ablation of a part of renal mass has long been known in the field of the compensatory renal hypertrophy or hyperplasia. Many reports were found on the chronic mechanisms on the compensatory renal hyperfunction after exclusion of the contralateral kidney. However the mechanism(s) of the acute compensatory hyperfunction after contralateral exclusion has not yet been clarified. In the present experiment, we have tried to prove the possibility of the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system and/or prostaglandin system in the control mechanism of the acute compensatory renal hyperfunction after contralateral kidney exclusion. There were found different responses of the renal hyperfunction by contralateral renal pedicle or ureteral occlusion. Contralateral renal pedicle or ureteral occlusion caused a sustained increases of the urinary volume, sodium and potassium excretion, while the magnitude of the changes was different quantitatively by the maneuvers. Blood collection affected on the acute compensatory renal responses after ureteral as well as renal pedicle occlusion. Plasma prostaglandin $E_2$ level was not changed by the contralateral renal pedicle or ureteral occlusion. Urinary excretion of Prostaglandin $E_2$, the indices of renal prostaglandin biosynthesis, was not changed by the contralateral renal pedicle occlusion, but increased without significance by the contralateral ureteral occlusion. Acute renal compensatory responses after contralateral renal pedicle occlusion were blocked by the pretreatment of indomethacin. Plasma renin activity increased after contralateral ureteral occlusion, but the pattern of the increases was the same as in the time-control group. Plasma renin activity after contralateral renal pedicle occlusion did not change by the time sequence. SQ 20,881, an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, blunted the contralateral renal responses after the renal pedicle occlusion. Bilateral renal denervation abolished the contralateral renal responses after the renal pedicle occlusion. The above data suggest that there is no direct evidence to support the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system and/or prostaglandin system for the acute compensatory renal hyperfunction after contralateral kidney exclusion, and that the functional changes of the intact kidney may be caused by a humoral substances, or other mechanisms by afferent renal nerve activity originating from the treated kidney.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2015

Objective : Pedicle screw fixation for spine arthrodesis is a useful procedure for the treatment of spinal disorders. However, instrument failure often occurs, and pedicle screw loosening is the initial step of a range of complications. The authors recently used a modified transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) screw augmentation technique to overcome pedicle screw loosening. Here, they report on the laboratory testing of pedicle screws inserted using this modified technique. Methods : To evaluate pullout strengths three cadaveric spinal columns were used. Three pedicle screw insertion methods were utilized to compare pullout strength; the three methods used were; control (C), traditional transpedicular PMMA augmentation technique (T), and the modified transpedicular augmentation technique (M). After control screws had been pulled out, loosening with instrument was made. Screw augmentations were executed and screw pullout strength was rechecked. Results : Pedicle screws augmented using the modified technique for pedicle screw loosening had higher pullout strengths than the control ($1106.2{\pm}458.0N$ vs. $741.2{\pm}269.5N$; p=0.001). Traditional transpedicular augmentation achieved a mean pullout strength similar to that of the control group ($657.5{\pm}172.3N$ vs. $724.5{\pm}234.4N$; p=0.537). The modified technique had higher strength than the traditional PMMA augmentation technique ($1070.8{\pm}358.6N$ vs. $652.2{\pm}185.5N$; p=0.023). Conclusion : The modified PMMA transpedicular screw augmentation technique is a straightforward, effective surgical procedure for treating pedicle screw loosening, and exhibits greater pullout strength than traditional PMMA transpedicular augmentation. However, long-term clinical evaluation is required.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.75-78
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• 2011

We report a case of pedicle screw loosening treated by modified transpedicular screw augmentation technique using polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA), which used the anchoring effect of hardened PMMA. A 56-year-old man who had an L3/4/5 fusion operation 3 years ago complained of continuous low back pain after this operation. The computerized tomography showed a radiolucent halo around the pedicle screw at L5. We augmented the L5 pedicle screw with modified pedicle screw augmentation technique using PMMA and performed an L3/4/5 pedicle screw fixation without hook or operation field extension. This modified technique is a kind of transpedicular stiffness augmentation using PMMA for the dead space around the loosed screw. After filling the dead space with 1-2 cc of PMMA, we inserted a small screw. Once the PMMA hardened, we removed the small screw and inserted a thicker screw along the existing screw threading to improve the pedicle screws' pullout strength. At 10 months' follow-up, x-ray showed strong fusion of L3/4/5. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of his back pain was improved from 9 to 5. This modified transpedicular screw augmentation with PMMA using anchoring effect is a Simple and effective surgical technique for pedicle screw loosening. However, clinical analyses of long-term follow-up and biomechanical studies are needed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2022

Purpose: Pedicle screw fixation provides 3-column stabilization, multidimensional control, and a higher rate of interbody fusion. Although computed tomography (CT) is recommended for the postoperative assessment of pedicle screw fixation, its use is limited due to the radiation exposure dose. The purpose of this preliminary retrospective study was to assess the clinical usefulness of low-dose mobile cone-beam CT (CBCT) for the postoperative evaluation of pedicle screw fixation. Methods: The author retrospectively reviewed postoperative mobile CBCT images of 15 patients who underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation for spinal disease from November 2019 to April 2020. Pedicle screw placement was assessed for breaches of the bony structures. The breaches were graded based on the Heary classification. Results: The patients included 11 men and four women, and their mean age was 66±12 years. Of the 122 pedicle screws, 34 (27.9%) were inserted in the thoracic segment (from T7 to T12), 82 (67.2%) in the lumbar segment (from L1 to L5), and six (4.9%) in the first sacral segment. Although there were metal-related artifacts, the image of the screw position (according to Heary classification) after surgery could be assessed using mobile CBCT at all levels (T7-S1). Conclusions: Mobile CBCT was accurate in determining the location and integrity of the pedicle screw and identifying the surrounding bony structures. In the postoperative setting, mobile CBCT can be used as a primary modality for assessing the accuracy of pedicle screw fixation and detecting postoperative complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2014

Objective : Two-dimensional fluoroscopy-based computerized navigation for the placement of pedicle screws offers the advantage of using stored patient-specific imaging data in providing real-time guidance during screw placement. The study aimed to describe the accuracy and reliability of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system for pedicle screw insertion. Methods : A total of 477 pedicle screws were inserted in the lower back of 96 consecutive patients between October 2007 and June 2012 using fluoroscopy-based computer-assisted surgery. The accuracy of screw placement was evaluated using a sophisticated computed tomography protocol. Results : Of the 477 pedicle screws, 461 (96.7%) were judged to be inserted correctly. Frank screw misplacement [16 screws (3.3%)] was observed in 15 patients. Of these, 8 were classified as minimally misplaced (${\leq}2mm$); 3, as moderately misplaced (2.1-4 mm); and 5, as severely misplaced (>4 mm). No complications, including nerve root injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or internal organ injury, were observed in any of the patients. Conclusion : The accuracy of pedicle screw placement using a fluoroscopy-based computer navigation system was observed to be superior to that obtained with conventional techniques.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.70-72
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• 2010

Bilateral pedicle stress fracture is a rare entity and few cases have been reported in the literature. Furthermore, the majority of these reports concern previous spine surgery or stress-related activities. Here, the authors report ankylosing spondylitis as a new cause of bilateral pedicle stress fractures accompanying spondylolysis. The reported case adds to the literature on bilateral pedicle stress fracture and spondylolysis by documenting that ankylosing spondylitis is another cause of this condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.777-783
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• 2020

Objective : To compare the accuracy and breach rates of freehand (FH) versus navigated (NV) pedicle screws in the thoracic and lumbar spine in patients with metastatic spinal tumors. Methods : A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation in the thoracic or lumbar spine for metastatic spinal tumors between 2012 and 2018 was conducted. Breaches were assessed based on the Gertzbein and Robbins classification and only screws placed >4 mm outside of the pedicle wall (lateral or medial) were considered breached. Results : A total of 62 patients received 547 pedicle screws (average 8 per patient) - 34 patients received 298 pedicle screws in the FH group and 28 patients received 249 screws in the NV group. There were 40/547 breaches, corresponding to a breach and accuracy rate of 7.3% and 92.7%, respectively. The breach rate was 9.7% in the FH group and 4.4% in the NV group (chi-squared test, p=0.017); this corresponded to an accuracy rate of 90.3% and 95.6%, respectively. Only one patient from the overall cohort (in the FH group) required revision surgery due to a medial breach abutting the spinal cord (1.6% of all patients; 2.9% of FH patients); no patient suffered organ, vessel, or neurological injury from screw breaches. Conclusion : Navigated pedicle screw placement in patients with metastatic spinal tumors has a significantly higher radiographic accuracy compared to the FH technique. However, the revision surgery was low and no patient suffered from clinically-relevant breach. Navigation also offers the advantage of real-time localization of spinal tumors and aids in targeting and resection of these lesions.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1998

Among many kinds of introduced free flaps, scapular freeflap is one of the most popularly using modalities in fasciocutaneous defect coverage with minimal donor defect and easier procedure and constant vascular patterns of the donor. Many surgeons who had experience of this flap pointed out deficit of the reliable sensation of the transplanted flap is the main shortcoming of the scapular free flap. If we can subjugate that point, scapular free flap is the most excellent procedure in such a cases as heel pad reconstruction and hand reconstruction which are relatively important to have skin with protective sensation. Author performed anatomical literature review, 10 cadaveric dissections and 12 clinical dissections. In surgical anatomical aspect, the upper six dorsal rami of the thoracic nerves have medial branches which pierce Longissimus thoracis and Multifidus muscle with small cutaneous twigs which pierce Latissimus dorsi and Trapezius muscle. Among that cutaneous twigs, several twigs distribute to the skin of the back from midline to lateral aspect which territory is identical to scapular free flap. We analysed clinical experiences of that sensory bearing scapular free flap surgical anatomy and one year follow-up studies with several results. 1) Two to three cutaneous twigs which pierced from the Trapezius muscle over the scapular free flap region. 2) Each twigs has two to four nerve fascicles with small artery. 3) The nerve distributed to the ordinary scapular free flap and large enough size and pedicle length to neurorrhapy with various recipient site nerves. 4) The inconvenience of this procedure is the vascular pedicle and nerve pedicle have opposite directions, vascular pedicle of that comes from lateral direction from subscapular vessels, but nerve pedicle comes from medial direction from trapezius muscle. Author can found constant cutaneous nerve branches which come from piercing the Trapezius. This nerves are helpful for protective sensation in transplanted scapular free flap. We can't had enough follow-up and evaluation of the nerve function of this procedure, we need continuous research works to application of this procedure. The in conveniences come from directional differences of pedicle can solve with longer harvest neural pedicle and change direction of the neural pedicle.