• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1043-1052
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• 2018

Study Design: Level III retrospective cross-sectional study. Purpose: To define and characterize the presentation, symptom duration, and patient/surgical risk factors associated with 'post-decompressive neuropathy (PDN).' Overview of Literature: PDN is characterized by lower extremity radicular pain that is 'different' from pre-surgical radiculopathy or claudication pain. Although it is a common constellation of postoperative symptoms, PDN is incompletely characterized and poorly understood. We hypothesize that PDN is caused by an intraoperative neuropraxic event and may develop early (within 30 days following the procedure) or late (after 30 days following the procedure) within the postoperative period. Methods: Patients who consented to undergo lumbar laminectomy with or without an instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spine disease were followed up prospectively from July 2013 to December 2014. Relevant data were extracted from the charts of the eligible patients. Patient demographics and surgical factors were identified. Patients completed postoperative questionnaires 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Questions were designed to characterize the postoperative pain that differed from preoperative pain. A diagnosis of PDN was established if the patient exhibited the following characteristics: pain different from preoperative pain, leg pain worse than back pain, a non-dermatomal pain pattern, and nocturnal pain that often disrupted sleep. A Visual Analog Scale was used to monitor the pain, and patients documented the effectiveness of the prescribed pain management modalities. Patients for whom more than one follow-up survey was missed were excluded from analysis. Results: Of the 164 eligible patients, 118 (72.0%) completed at least one follow-up survey at each time interval. Of these eligible patients, 91 (77.1%) described symptoms consistent with PDN. Additionally, 75 patients (82.4%) described early-onset symptoms, whereas 16 reported symptoms consistent with late-onset PDN. Significantly more female patients reported PDN symptoms (87% vs. 69%, p=0.03). Patients with both early and late development of PDN described their leg pain as an intermittent, constant, burning, sharp/stabbing, or dull ache. Early PDN was categorized more commonly as a dull ache than late-onset PDN (60% vs. 31%, p=0.052); however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Opioids were significantly more effective for patients with early-onset PDN than for those with late-onset PDN (85% vs. 44%, p=0.001). Gabapentin was most commonly prescribed to patients who cited no resolution of symptoms (70% vs. 31%, p=0.003). Time to symptom resolution ranged from within 1 month to 1 year. Patients' symptoms were considered unresolved if symptoms persisted for more than 1 year postoperatively. In total, 81% of the patients with early-onset PDN reported complete symptom resolution 1 year postoperatively compared with 63% of patients with late-onset PDN (p=0.11). Conclusions: PDN is a discrete postoperative pain phenomenon that occurred in 77% of the patients who underwent lumbar laminectomy with or without instrumented fusion. Attention must be paid to the constellation and natural history of symptoms unique to PDN to effectively manage a self-limiting postoperative issue.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.360-368
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• 2024

Background: The left pulmonary artery (LPA) may be kinked and stenotic, especially in tetralogy of Fallot, because of ductal tissue and anterior deviation of the conal septum. If LPA stenosis is not effectively treated during total correction, surgical angioplasty is occasionally performed. However, whether pulmonary artery (PA) angioplasty in adolescents or adults improves perfusion in the ipsilateral lung remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective review enrolled patients who underwent PA angioplasty for LPA stenosis between 2004 and 2019. Among patients who underwent a lung perfusion scan (LPS) or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) pre- and post-pulmonary angioplasty, those aged >13 years with <40% left lung perfusion (p-left) in the pre-angioplasty study were included. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography, LPS, and cMRI data were collected. The perfusion ratio was analyzed according to the LPA's anatomical characteristics. Results: Seventeen adolescents and 16 adults (≥18 years old) were finally included (median age, 17 years). The most common primary diagnosis was tetralogy of Fallot (87.9%). In all patients, LPA angioplasty was performed concomitantly with right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. No patients died. Preoperative p-left was not significantly different between adolescents and adults; however, adolescents had significantly higher postoperative p-left than adults. P-left significantly increased in adolescents, but not in adults. Seven patients had significant stenosis (z-score <-2.0) confined only to the proximal LPA and demonstrated significantly increased p-left. Conclusion: PA angioplasty significantly increased ipsilateral lung perfusion in adolescents. If focal stenosis is confined to the proximal LPA, PA angioplasty may improve ipsilateral lung perfusion, regardless of age.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.28.1-28.4
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• 2020

Background: This clinical case presented a novel method of segmental mandible reconstruction using 3D-printed titanium implant with pre-mounted dental implants that was planned to rehabilitate occlusion. Case presentation: A 53-year-old male who suffered osteoradionecrosis due to the radiation after squamous cell carcinoma resection. The 3D-printed titanium implant with pre-mounted dental implant fixtures was simulated and fabricated with selective laser melting method. The implant was successfully inserted, and the discontinuous mandible defect was rehabilitated without postoperative infection or foreign body reaction during follow-ups, until a year. Conclusions: The 3D-printed titanium implant would be the one of the suitable treatment modalities for mandible reconstruction considering all the aspect of mandibular functions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.561-566
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• 2019

Objective : Functional outcomes have traditionally been evaluated and compared using subjective surveys, such as visual analog scores (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), to assess symptoms and quality of life. However, these surveys are limited by their subjective natures and inherent bias caused by differences in patient perceptions of symptoms. The Fitbit $Charge^{(R)}$ (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) provides accurate and objective measures of physical activity. The use of this device in patients after laminectomy would provide objective physical measures that define ambulatory function, activity level, and degree of recovery. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify relationships between the number of steps taken by patients per day and VAS pain scores, prognoses, and postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : We prospectively investigated 22 consecutive patients that underwent laminectomy for spinal stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc between June 2015 and April 2016 by the same surgeon. When patients were admitted for surgery and first visited after surgery, preoperative and postoperative functional scores were recorded using VAS scores, ODI scores, and SF-36. The VAS scores and physical activities were recorded daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7. The relationship between daily VAS scores and daily physical activities were investigated by simple correlation analysis and the relationship between mean number of steps taken and ODI scores after surgery was subjected to simple regression analysis. In addition, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to investigate the significance of pre-to-postoperative differences in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores. Results : Pre-to-postoperative VAS (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001), SF-36 mental composite scores (p=0.009), and SF-36 physical composite scores (p<0.001) scores were found to be significantly different. Numbers of steps taken from POD 1 to POD 7 were negatively correlated with daily VAS scores (r=-0.981, p<0.001). In addition, the mean number of steps from POD 3 to POD 7 and the decrease in ODI conducted one month after surgery were statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion : Wearable devices are not only being used increasingly by consumers as lifestyle devices, but are also progressively being used in the medical area. This is the first study to demonstrate the usefulness of a wearable device for checking patient physical activity and predicting pain and prognosis after laminectomy. Based on our experience, the wearable device used to provide measures of physical activity in the present study has the potential to provide objective information on pain severity and prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2003

Purpose: To study the relationship of the 1st to 2nd intermetatarsal angle(1-2 IMA) between the intra-operative and weight bearing postoperative anterior-posterior(AP) radiography, and evaluate the intra-operative predictability for the postoperative 1-2 IMA after proximal metatarsal osteotomy(PMO) in the hallux valgus deformity. Materials and Methods: 20 cases of moderate to severe hallux valgus patients were included in this study. After the oblique PMO(Ludloff procedure) was performed and the osteotomy site was fixed temporarily, the AP view was taken intra-operatively. About 10 weeks after surgery, postoperative weight bearing AP view was taken. The pre -. intra -, and postoperative 1-2 IMAs were compared and ana lysed statistically. Results: The 1-2 IMAs of the weight bearing preoperative, non-weight bearing intra-operative and weight bearing postoperative AP view were $15.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.8^{\circ},\;4.7^{\circ}{\pm}2.1^{\circ}$, and $6.8^{\circ}{\pm}2.5^{\circ}$ (Mean${\pm}$SD) respectively. The postoperative 1-2 IMA was greater than intra-operative measurement by $2.1^{\circ}{\pm}1.8^{\circ}$ (range; $-1^{\circ}$ to $6^{\circ}$) which was stastistically significant(p<0.05). To get less than $9^{\circ}$ postoperatively as an average normal, intra-operative 1-2 IMA should be within $3.8^{\circ}$ to $5.2^{\circ}$ (95% confidence interval), and intra-operative 1-2 IMA should be within $3.4^{\circ}{\pm}$to $5.4^{\circ}$(95% confidence interval) to get more than $6^{\circ}$ difference between preoperative and postoperative 1-2 IMA, which is regarded as more than average correction by the distal metatarsal osteotomy. Conclusion: In hallux valgus surgery, it should be considered that intra-operative 1-2 IMA was less than the postoperative. To achieve postoperative 1-2 IMA less than $9^{\circ}$ and more than correction angle of $6^{\circ}$, it is suggested that the intra-operative 1-2 IMA should be measured less than about $5^{\circ}$.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2016

Background: Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is a relatively common craniofacial anomaly and various techniques were introduced to achieve its operative goals. Authors found that by using smaller bone fragments than that used in conventional cranioplasty, sufficiently rigid bone union and effective regeneration capacity could be achieved with better postoperative outcome, only if their stable fixation was ensured. Methods: Through bicoronal incisional approach, involved synostotic cranial bone together with its surrounding areas were removed. The resected bone flap was split into as many pieces as possible. The extent of this 'multi-split osteotomy' depends on the degree of dysmorphology, expectative volume increment after surgery and probable dead space caused by bony gap between bone segments. Rigid interosseous fixation was performed with variable types of absorbable plate and screw. In all cases, the pre-operational three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) was checked and brain CT was taken immediately after the surgery. Also about 12 months after the operation, 3D CT was checked again to see postoperative morphology improvement, bone union, regeneration and intracranial volume change. Results: The bony gaps seen in the immediate postoperative brain CT were all improved as seen in the 3D CT after 12 months from the surgery. No small bone fragment resorption was observed. Brain volume increase was found to be made gradually, leaving no case of remaining epidural dead space. Conclusion: We conclude that it is meaningful in presenting a new possibility to be applied to not only nonsyndromic craniosynostosis but also other reconstructive cranial vault surgeries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.601-608
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• 1989

We sought the relationship between the pulmonary artery development and cardiac performance from the analysis of the 36 cyanotic congenital heart disease patients [mainly TOF] who were operated and indwelled the pulmonary artery and left atrial pressure monitoring catheters for the postoperative care at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery SNUH in 1988. They were pre-evaluated of the pulmonary artery index from the cineangiographic films and post-operatively, calculated the cardiac index from the arterial and mixed venous blood gas and also measured the mean left atrial pressure and total inotropic supporting amount after operation. The post-operative cardiac indices were 3.46 * 1.03 1/min/M2 [immediate postoperative], 3.31 [ 1.08 [postoperative 6 hrs], 3.29 [ 1.01 [12 hrs], 3.54 * 1.02 [24 hrs], 3.92 * 1.14 [48 hrs], respectively. We divided the patients the group A and group B from the size of the pulmonary artery index, that is, group A was below 200 mm2/M2 and group B above 200 mm2/M2 of the pulmonary artery index. The cardiac indices and left atrial pressure between the group A and B were not different in the view of the statistical significance but the total post-operative inotropic amount of group A was more than group B and it was significant statistically. We concluded that the smaller the pulmonary artery index is, the more postoperative supportive treatment [for example, inotropics] for the enhancement of cardiac performance is needed, and indirectly, which means that the pulmonary artery index was correlated with the postoperative cardiac performance in cyanotic congenital heart disease.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2020

Background: Rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures. Most Asians desire elevation of their relatively flat nasal dorsum and tip to make them appear more prominent. This study introduces a simple method of nasal tip plasty using three-dimensional (3D)-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) (Smart Ball^®), which provides the required length and volume for this purpose and enables the creation of a nasal tip of the desired shape in a safe and simple manner. Methods: Between September 2014 and May 2017, 22 patients participated in a survey to assess postoperative satisfaction levels. Additionally, three plastic surgeons compared patients' pre- and 1-year postoperative photographs to evaluate the results. All patients underwent 2- to 4-year postoperative follow-up. Results: Levels of subjective satisfaction among patients were 3.59, 3.50, 3.82, 3.73, 3.55, and 3.82 for each of the 6 categories evaluated, with a mean of 3.67/4 points, indicating high satisfaction levels. The mean plastic surgeon-reported score for the 22 patients was 4.47/5 points, which also indicates highly successful outcomes. Postoperative nasal tip rotation and tip projection were ideal in most patients. Conclusion: Our novel method using 3D-printed PCL (Smart Ball^®) provides the optimal length and volume required for nasal tip plasty and enables the creation of a nasal tip of the desired shape, in a safe and simple manner. An advantage of our method is that it retains the original nasal structure in contrast to structural changes observed with the use of conventional methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2003

Background and Objectives : Patients with pathologic voice often concern about recovery of voice after surgery. In our investigation, we give controlled values of three parameters of voice synthesis program of Dr. Speech Science. such as jitter, shimmer, and NNE(normalized noise energy) which characterize someone's voice from others and deviced a method to synthesize the predicted voice after performing operation. Subjects and Method : Values of vocal jitter, vocal shimmer, and glottal noise were measured with voices of 10 vocal cord Paralysis and 10 vocal Polyp Patients 1 week Prior to and 1 month after the surgery. With Dr. Speech science voice synthesis program we synthesized 'ae' vowel which is closely identical to preoperative and post-operative voice of the patients by controlling the values of jitter, shimmer, and glottal noise. then we analyzed the synthesized voices and compared with pre and post-operative voice. Results : 1) After inputting the preoperative and corrected values of jitter, shimmer, and glottal noise into the voice synthesis Program, voices identical to vocal Polyp Patients' Pre- and Postoperative voices withiin statistical significance were synthesized 2) After elimination of synergistic effects between three paramenter, we were able to synthesize voice identical to vocal paralysis patients' preoperative voices. 3) After inputting only slightly increased jitter, shimmer into the synthesis program, we were able to synthesize voice identical to vocal cord paralysis patients' postoperative voices. Conclusion : Voices synthesized with Dr. Speech science program were identical to patients' actual pre and postoperative voice, and clinicians will be able to give the patients more information and thus increased patients cooperability can be expected.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.221-228
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• 2018

Rumen cannulation is used for nutritional and microbiological research, clinical diagnosis, and rumen component transfaunation. However, the cannulation procedure can affect parameters such as complete blood count findings, serum chemistry, and rumen fluid pH. The objective of this study was to evaluate the health risks related to the rumen cannulation procedure over a 1-month period. We did not identify significant differences in red blood cell numbers or morphologies between pre- and postoperative timepoints. Moreover, no inflammation or infection was detected. Despite the absence of apparent clinical signs after surgery, serum chemistry results revealed changes in blood urea nitrogen levels and the activities of liver enzymes, including aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine kinase, from postoperative days 1 to 14. Rumen fluid pH, as measured from samples collected via an orogastric tube, was slightly increased after a preoperative fasting period and on postoperative day 1 but decreased thereafter from postoperative day 4, indicating a minor influence of cannulation surgery on ruminal fluid pH. This is the first study to evaluate hematological parameters and rumen pH before and after rumen cannulation surgery in Hanwoo cattle. Further research is required to better elucidate the potential effects of rumen cannulation surgery on animal health.