• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-traditional materials are used for mask construction to address personal protective equipment shortages during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Reusable masks made from surgical sterilization wrap represent such an innovative approach with social media frequently referring to them as "N95 alternatives." This material was tested for particle filtration efficiency and breathability to clarify what role they might have in infection prevention and control. Methods: A heavyweight, double layer sterilization wrap was tested when new and after 2, 4, 6, and 10 autoclave sterilizing cycles and compared with an approved N95 respirator and a surgical mask via testing procedures using a sodium chloride aerosol for N95 efficiency testing similar to 42 CFR 84.181. Pressure testing to indicate breathability was also conducted. Results: The particle filtration efficiency for the sterilization wrap ranged between 58% to 66%, with similar performance when new and after sterilizing cycles. The N95 respirator and surgical mask performed at 95% and 68% respectively. Pressure drops for the sterilization wrap, N95 and surgical mask were 10.4 mmH2O, 5.9 mmH2O, and 5.1 mmH2O, respectively, well below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health limits of 35 mmH2O during initial inhalation and 25 mmH2O during initial exhalation. Conclusions: The sterilization wrap's particle filtration efficiency is much lower than a N95 respirator, but falls within the range of a surgical mask, with acceptable breathability. Performance testing of non-traditional mask materials is crucial to determine potential protection efficacy and for correcting misinterpretation propagated through popular media.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2019

The plume produced by vaporizing tissue with a laser contains a variety of contaminants called laser-generated air pollutants (LGACs). LGACs consist of a mixture of toxic gas components, biomicroparticles, dead and living cells, and viruses. Toxic odors and thick smoke from surgical incisions and the coagulation of tissues can irritate eyes and airways, as well as cause bronchial and pulmonary congestion. Because of the potential risk of the smoke, it is advisable to appropriately remove it from the surgical site. We recommend using a smoke evacuator to remove the smoke. Suction nozzles should be placed as close as possible to the surgical site in a range of 2 cm or less. In-line filters should be used between the inlet and outlet of the surgical site. All air filtration devices should be capable of removing particles below 0.1 microns in size. The filter pack should be handled according to infection control procedures in the operating room. The laser mask can be an auxiliary protective device if it is properly worn. Some smoke inhaled under the nose wrap or over the side of the mask will not be filtered. As in electrosurgical operations, a suitable mask should be worn while smoke is present.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2020

The prosthesis of the implant installed in inappropriate positions presents aesthetic and functional problems. If the implants are placed in the wrong position, re-implantation is often limited. There are surgical and non-surgical methods for resolving complications without re-implantation. The surgical costs, healing time, discomfort and unpredictability make this choice unpopular. On the other hand, a gingival mask has the advantage of solving complications quickly and simply. The patient was a 80-year-old male with palatally installed implant in maxillary anterior region and dissatisfied with his unesthetic philtrum and food impaction between the upper lip and the prosthesis. It was difficult to predict the prognosis of surgical operation, and the patient wanted treatment economically and physically burdenless because of his age and financial situation. Thus, the gingival mask was planned and the results were satisfactory.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.61-64
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• 2017

Nasotracheal intubation is generally a useful maxillofacial surgery that provides good surgical access for intraoral procedures. When nasotracheal intubation is difficult, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion can be performed, and the flexible $LMA^{TM}$ (FLMA) is also useful for anesthetic management. However, the FLMA provides limited access to the mouth, which restricts the insertion of instrumentation and confines the surgical field available. Here, we present our experience using the FLMA airway management for dental treatment cases involving difficulty with intubation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2022

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst disease outbreaks of the 21th century. Due to a lack of reliable antiviral therapeutics, wearing face masks is recommended to prevent airborne infection originating from virus-contaminated bioaerosols. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the filtration efficiencies of face masks that are commercially available in South Korea for a biological aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and murine coronavirus, a well-known surrogate for human coronaviruses. Methods: We collected six different kinds of commercial masks: two Korea Filter (KF)94 (KF94-1, KF94-2) masks, one surgical (Surgical-1) mask, one anti-droplet (KF-AD-1) mask, and two dust (Dust-1, Dust-2) face masks. S. aureus (ATCC 6538), a well-performing test bacteria and murine coronavirus (ATCC VR-764) were prepared under a suitable culture condition. Then, a mask biological filtration tester was used to examine the microbial filtration efficiencies of masks. Test microorganisms were quantitatively measured via cultivation methods and microbial filtration efficiencies were calculated appropriately. Results: All face masks showed over 99.6% filtration efficiency for S. aureus or murine coronavirus. There were no significant differences among the bacterial filtration efficiencies of the face masks. KF94-1 (99.97±0.08%) and Dust-1 mask (99.97±0.07%) showed the highest (over 99.9%) filtration efficiency for murine coronavirus. KF94-1 or Dust-1 masks showed a significant virus filtration efficiency compared to Surgical-1 mask (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusions: All the commercially available face masks used in this study can filter S. aureus or murine coronavirus in bioaerosols efficiently, regardless of the mask type. Therefore, our results suggest that wearing a certified face mask is a reliable means to prevent the transmission of infectious airborne diseases via biological aerosols.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2017

The beauty of the laryngeal mask is that it forms an air tight seal enclosing the larynx rather than plugging the pharynx, and avoid airway obstruction in the oropharynx. The goal of its development was to create an intermediate form of airway management face mask and endotracheal tube. Indication for its use includes any procedure that would normally involve the use of a face mask. The laryngeal mask airway was designed as a new concept in airway management and has been gaining a firm position in anesthetic practice. Despite wide spread use the definitive role of the laryngeal mask airway is yet to be established. In some situations, such as after failed tracheal intubation or in oral surgery its use is controversial. There are several unresolved issues, for example the effect of the laryngeal mask on regurgitation and whether or not cricoids pressure prevents placement of mask. We review the techniques of insertion, details of misplacement, and complications associated with use of the laryngeal mask. We then attempt to clarify the role of laryngeal mask in air way management during anesthesia, discussing the advantages and disadvantages as well as indications and contraindications of its use in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Respiratory face masks are protective facepieces that are designed to filter inhaled air. They are easy-to-use devices that can protect the wearer against various hazardous particles in the air. Respiratory face masks also prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria-containing droplets that are released from the coughing or sneezing of the infected people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, various types of face masks have circulated on the market. Their ability to filter sub-micron particles, which are the sizes of harmful particulate matter and airborne viruses, needs to be investigated. Their breathability, the easiness of breath through the mask, also needs to be considered. In this study, wwe evaluated the performance of filters used for different types of face masks certified by different standards including Korean (KF94, KF80, KF-AD), USA (N95), and Chinese (KN95) standards. We also tested the filters of nanofiber masks and surgical masks for which there are no standards for filtration test. The N95 mask filters showed the highest quality factor for capturing virus-sized particles. The other types of mask filters have acceptable performance except for nanofiber mask filters whose performance is very low.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.113-120
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was the accuracy of cardiac compression, fatigue, and physiological changes of the rescuer for different mask type in cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR). Data collection was from 9 to 12 May 2022, the participants were a total of 24 paramedic students with a BLS provider at D University. The students participated in an experiment in which 12 students each wore a surgical mask (Dental mask) and a fine particle 94% blocking mask (KF94 mask) and performed CPR for 2 minutes over a total of 7 times. As a result of the study, in the analysis of the quality of the rescuer's chest compression according to the type of mask, there was a significant difference in the compression speed (F=24.91, p<.001) and bad compression hand position (F=14.54, p=.024) in the group wearing the KF94, Fatigue showed significant differences in both the Dental mask group (F=51.16, p<.001) and the KF94 mask group (F=63.49, p<.001). Among the physiological changes, heart rate showed a significant difference between the Dental mask group (F=34.79, p<.001) and the KF94 mask group (F=35.55, p<.001), and the respiratory rate showed a significant difference between the Dental mask group (F=25.02, p=.001) and the KF94 mask group(F=23.02, p=.002). Therefore, in order to improve the quality of efficient chest compression and reduce the fatigue and physiological changes of rescuers, it will be necessary for rescuers to wear suitable personal protective equipment.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.235-241
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• 2012

Although sevoflurane sedation have the advantage of the reduction of anxiety and pain relief, difficult airway is attributed to increased agitation, tachycardia, desaturation, ventilation difficulty, sedation failure. In the sedation for dental treatment, we should pay more attention to the airway management because dental procedures take place in the mouth of airway unlike any other area. The layngeal mask airway (LMA) has become commonly used device for airway management during anesthesia for relatively short procedures, such as minor oral surgery and dental procedures. It can be inserted without use of a larygoscope and muscle relexants, and insertion is easy to achieve and generally takes less time than endotracheal intubation. The LMA is an excellent barrier against aspiration of saliva, blood within the surgical field but should not be used in patients at risk of aspiration In this study, we reported that after a failure of airway management in inhalation sedation, we performed the short-emergency dental treatment successfully, using a laryngeal mask.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.54-57
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• 2008

Non-visualization of larynx is one of the reasons for failure of vocal fold surgery. Many otorhinolaryngologists may have a trouble in choice of alternative treatment if they experience this situation. The laryngeal mask airway could be alternative approach for this situation. We report a glottal papillomatous patient who was treated by pulsed dye laser via laryngeal mask airway after failure of vocal fold surgery via endotracheal intubation. The patient was a 73-year-old man. Laryngoscopy revealed a severe diffuse papillomatous lesion on right true vocal cord, anterior commissure, and partial left true vocal cord. The patient was refered for difficult laryngeal exposure during laryngomicrosurgey under general endotracheal anesthesia.