• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.356-365
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• 2020

Purpose: There have been many efforts to develop generalizable severity markers in children with acute pancreatitis (AP). Expert opinion panels have developed consensus guidelines on management but it is unclear if these are sufficient or valid. Our study aims to assess the effect of clinical and laboratory variables, in addition to treatment modality on hospital length of stay (LOS) as a proxy variable for severity in pediatric patients admitted with AP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients between ages of 0-18 years, who were admitted with AP at 2 institutions between 2013-2018, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital (Buffalo, NY, USA) and Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital (Charleston, SC, USA). We constructed three linear regression models to analyze the effect of clinical signs of organ dysfunction, laboratory markers and fluid intake on hospital LOS. Results: Ninety-two patients were included in the study. The mean age was 12 years (range, 7.6-17.4 years), 55% were females, and median LOS was 3 days. The most frequent cause of AP was idiopathic. Our study showed that elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on admission (p<0.005), tachycardia that lasted for ≥48 hours (p<0.001) and need for fluid resuscitation were associated with increase LOS. Total daily fluid intake above maintenance did not have a significant effect on the primary outcome (p=0.49). Conclusion: Elevated serum BUN on admission, persistent tachycardia and need for fluid resuscitation were associated with increase LOS in pediatric AP. Daily total fluid intake above recommended maintenance did not reduce LOS.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2005

The proper management of the pediatric facial bone fracture is critical in the facial bone development. This study characterizes the surgically treated patient population suffering from facial bone fractures by the use of current data from a large series consisting of 201 cases. The data was gathered through a retrospective chart review of patients surgically treated for facial bone fractures at the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery, Sanggye Paik hospital, Inje university medical center, collected over 10-years period from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Data regarding patient demographics(age, sex), seasonal distribution, location of fractures, and the causes of injury with admission periods, were collected. In total, there were 201cases of pediatric facial bone fractures. Male patients outnumbered female patients by a 5.48: 1 ratio and were found to engage in a wider range of behaviors that resulted in facial bone fractures. Physical violence was the leading cause of pediatric facial bone fractures(27.9%), followed by sports-related mechanisms (22.9%) and falling down(17.9%). The most prevalent age group was 11-15 years-old(71.1%) and there was a 14.3% prevalence in March. Among the location of fractures, the nasal bone was the most prevalent, accounting for 82.3% of injuries, followed by the orbit(9.95%), and the mandible fractures(7.5%). Most patients(59.7%) were treated within 6-9 days after trauma and the mean hospitalization period was 8-11 days. We should follow up the surgically treated patients, and they will be further evaluated about postoperative sequele and effect on the facial bone development. These studies demonstrate differences in the demographics and clinical presentation that, if applied to patients, will enable a more accurate diagnosis and proper management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-46
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• 2008

Background and Objectives : Clinical suspicion and appropriate diagnostic procedures are essential for the timely management of extrapulmonary type of mycobacterial disease. In the hope of suggesting a suitable guideline for the early diagnosis of laryngeal tuberculosis, the authors reviewed their clinical pathways and the characteristics of patients with laryngeal tuberculosis who were managed in the recent 10 years at a single tertiary referral hospital, Samsung Medical Center. Subjects and Method : Retrospective chart review was performed for the 25 adult patients with laryngeal tuberculosis. Among 25 cases, 12 were pathologically confirmed by laryngeal biopsy and the other 13 were clinically diagnosed by cumulative clinical information; definite laryngitis on laryngoscopy, positive AFB (acid fast bacillus) smear/culture or active pulmonary tuberculosis on chest X-ray, and substantial response to anti-tuberculosis medication. Results : Chest X-ray revealed active pulmonary tuberculosis in 72% of patients (N=18/25). Sputum AFB smear/culture was positive in 95% of all tested patients (N=21/22) and in 100% of the tested patients who have stable or no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (N=5/5). All patients except one who had coexisting laryngeal malignancy showed considerable improvement in their subjective symptoms and laryngeal findings within the first 2 months of anti-tuberculosis medications and they achieved complete response on subsequent sputum studies, chest X-ray and laryngeal findings after $7.0{\pm}2.3$ months of the medications. Conclusion : We suggest that chest X-ray and sputum AFB smear/culture to be the first step of work-up for the patients having laryngeal tuberculosis in suspicion since laryngeal tuberculosis is largely associated with active pulmonary tuberculosis and/or sputum AFB study offers high yield even in case of primary laryngeal tuberculosis. However laryngeal biopsy must be considered in case showing unsatisfactory response to the anti-tuberculosis medication for more than 2 months.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2017

Purpose: Gastrostomy is commonly used procedures to provide enteral nutrition support for severely handicapped patients. This study aimed to identify and compare outcomes and complications associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and surgical gastrostomy (SG). Methods: A retrospective chart review of 51 patients who received gastrostomy in a single tertiary hospital from January 2000 to May 2016 was performed. We analyzed the patients and the complications caused by the procedures. Results: Among the 51 patients, 26 had PEG and 25 had SG. Four cases in the SG group had fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. PEG and SG groups were followed up for an average of 29 months and 44 months. Major complications occurred in 19.2% of patients in the PEG group and 20.0% in the SG group, but significant differences between the groups were not observed. Minor complications occurred in 15.4% of patients in the PEG group and 52.0% in the SG group. Minor complications were significantly lower in the PEG group than in the SG group (p=0.006). The average use of antibiotics in the PEG and SG groups was 6.2 days and 15.7 days (p=0.002). Thirteen patients died of underlying disease but not related to gastrostomy, and only one patient died due to complications associated with general anesthesia. Conclusion: The duration of antibiotics use and incidence of minor complications were significantly lower in the PEG group than those in the SG group. Early PEG could be recommended for nutritional supports.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.384-389
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• 2012

Background Numerous procedures are available for nipple reconstruction without a single gold standard. This study presents a method for reducing donor-site morbidity in nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft after transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction. Methods Thirty-five patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft technique between July of 2001 and December of 2009 were enrolled in this study. To reduce the donor site morbidity, the superior or superior-medial half dome harvesting technique was applied preserving the lateral cutaneous branch of the fourth intercostal nerves. The patients were asked to complete a previously validated survey to rate the color and projection of both nipples, along with the sensation and contractility of the donor nipple; and whether, in retrospect, they would undergo the procedure again. To compare projection, we performed a retrospective chart review of all the identifiable patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using the modified top hat flap technique by the same surgeon and during the same period. Results Thirty-five patients were identified who underwent nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft. Of those, 29 patients (82.9%) responded to the survey. Overall, we received favorable responses to the donor site morbidity. Projection at postoperative 6 months and 1 year was compared with the immediate postoperative results, as well as with the results of nipples reconstructed using the modified top hat flap. Conclusions The technique used to harvest donor tissue is important. Preserving innervation of the nipple while harvesting can reduce donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2012

Background : Among all facial fractures, nasal bone fractures are the most common, and they have been reduced by closed reduction (CR) for a long time. But several authors have reported suboptimal results when using CR, and the best method of nasal bone reduction is still being debated. We have found that indirect open reduction (IOR) through an endonasal incisional approach is a useful method for more accurate reduction of the nasal bone. Methods : A retrospective chart review was performed of 356 patients who underwent reduction of a nasal bone fracture in our department from January, 2006, to July, 2011. We treated 263 patients with IOR. We assessed patients' and doctors' satisfaction with surgical outcomes after IOR or CR. We evaluated the frequency of nasal bleeding owing to mucosal injury, and followed the surgical outcomes of patients who had simultaneous dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty. Results : According to the analysis of the satisfaction scores, both patients and doctors were significantly more satisfied in the IOR group than the CR group (P<0.05). Mucosal injury with nasal bleeding occurred much less in the IOR group (5.3%) than the CR group (12.9%). Dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty with IOR was performed simultaneously in 34 cases. Most of them (31/34) showed satisfaction with the outcomes. Conclusions : IOR enables surgeons to manipulate the bony fragment directly through the endonasal incisional approach. However, we propose that CR is the proper technique for patients under 16 and for those with comminuted nasal bone fractures because submucosal dissection in IOR can damage the growth or circulation of nasal bone.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.261-265
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the transfer pattern of multiple trauma patients after acute phase management and to determine whether the time between the surgeon's decision and the actual transfer correlates with the patient's insurance type. Methods: Three hundred ninety-two(392) multiple trauma patients visited the emergency room from January 2011 to April 2013. Among the 143 patients who were admitted by a trauma surgeon, 47 were transferred to another hospital after acute phase management. The age, gender, trauma mechanism, Revised trauma score (RTS), Injury severity score (ISS), insurance type, length of ICU stay and hospital stay were analyzed through a retrospective chart review. Results: The mean age was 47.7 years, and traffic accident was the most common mechanism(26, 55.3%). The mean RTS and ISS were 6.93 and 22.7, respectively. Twenty-five patients(53%) were covered by National health insurance, and 20 patients(42.6%) were covered by automobile insurance. Patients were transferred to primary (4.3%), secondary(80.9%), tertiary(4.3%) and care(10.6%) hospitals. The mean time from transfer decision to actual transfer was significantly longer for patients who were covered by automobile insurance than it was for patients who were covered by national health insurance (p=0.038). Conclusion: An appropriate transfer system at the end of acute phase care is essential for managing trauma centers with limited staffing and facilities. In addition, the mean time from transfer decision to actual transfer seemed to be definitely related to the type of insurance covering the patient.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 1999

Background : In order to improve the quality of life of dying patients, they need to receive not only the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care, but also systematic and continuous care to die with dignity. However, no adequate medical services are available for these terminal cancer patients. We studied their behavior patterns of health care utilization to understand more of their medical and social needs. Methods : We investigated 108 bereaved families through the telephone interview with structured questionnaires. They were randomly selected through the retrospective chart review of the terminal patients who passed away due to cancer. Results : Most of the terminal cancer patients received their care from proper medical services including admission to hospital (45.4%), outpatient clinic (22.2%), emergency room (16.7%), and oriental medicine (12.0%). But during the terminal phase of their illness, 32.4% of patients never received medical care including oriental medicine, and 28.7% received alterative natural care. 26 bereaved families (24.1%) pointed out the indifference of medical staff as a problem receiving proper hospital care, and 22 (20.4%) emphasized emotional strain of their helplessness with the patients' suffering as a problem of caring at home. Over 90% suggested availability of continuous care, hospice care, home care, and 24 hour telephone service to be improved. Conclusions : Due to various reasons, adequate medical care is not delivered to the terminal cancer patients in our present medical system. These problems can be approached with the establishment of proper education and medical delivery system. The role of comprehensive medical specialty cannot be overly emphasized to accomplish this most effectively.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.29-36
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• 2016

Purpose: Skin grafting is used for the transfer of cutaneous tissue from one site of the body to another. To improve graft survival, close contact between the graft and the wound bed is essential for vessels to grow across the gap. Here, we introduce an easy and efficient dressing method to improve graft survival. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent split thickness skin graft and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or conventional treatment between January 2007 and April 2015. Overall, 25 consecutive patients were included in the NPWT group and 49 were included in the conventional dressing group to compare the outcome of the procedure. The data were obtained from medical records, including age, sex, cause of the skin defect, size of graft, time for healing, wound preparation time, and complications. Results: Of the NPWT group, the average wound size was $147.04{\pm}146.74cm^2$ (range, $9{\sim}900cm^2$). With the exception of one patient, all wounds healed without the need for further procedure. The average duration of time required for the NPWT group, which was defined as removal of stitches (or staples) and no need for additional active dressing, was $6.4{\pm}1.97days$ (range, 5~15 days). The average time for the conventional dressing group was $10.78{\pm}2.38days$ (range, 5~15 days). Conclusion: NPWT can be used to cover regions in which wound healing does not occur fully or when neither tie-over nor compressive dressings are applicable. This treatment also reduced wound healing time and allowed earlier patient mobilization and hospital discharge.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: Thunderbeat (TB) and Harmonic scalpel (HS) have been applied to variable head and neck surgery, which are useful for both coagulation and cutting of tissues. However, there have been no comparative studies covering the usefulness of these energy devices in surgery for major salivary gland. In this study, we analyzed the surgical outcomes of two devices in surgery for parotidectomy and submandibular gland (SMG) resection. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 90 patients including two groups (HS group, n=45 versus TB group, n=45) of patients matched for their patient factors was conducted. Clinicopathologic factors of the patients and surgical outcomes such as the operation time, intraoperative bleeding, amount and duration of drain, hospital stay and complications were compared between two groups. Results: There were no significant difference between two groups regarding the clinicopathologic factors and short-term surgical outcomes. Conclusion: Thunderbeat and HS are both effective and safe for parotidectomy and SMG resection in variable benign disease of major salivary gland.