• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2009

Purpose: It is known that aspiration pneumonitis is associated with high mortality and morbidity following overdose. However, until now, few domestic studies on this subject have been conducted. The main aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonitis in intubated patients following overdose. Methods: Among 654 adult overdosed patients who visited our institution from Jan. 2006 to June 2008, we enrolled 70 intubated patients within 24 hours after their overdose, and we reviewed the medical records to collect the data. This data was processed by univariate analysis, followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. P values <0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results: In our study, a high incidence of pneumonitis was seen in the patients with an older age, a lower GCS and a high poisoning severity score or a high comorbidity score (p<0.05). Compared with the non-pneumonitis group, the pneumonitis group had a higher incidence of intubation (6% vs 61.8%, respectively, p<0.05). The main cause of intubation was a decreased mentality (68.6%). Older age, a high comorbidity score, irrigation without airway protection, relative hypoxemia and hyperkalemia were the risk factors of aspiration pneumonitis in the intubated overdosed patients (p<0.05). Among these factors, age, a high potassium level and airway protection might be significant predictors of aspiration penumonitis (p<0.05). Conclusion: Older age, a high potassium level and irrigation without proper airway protection may be the significant factors that can predict aspiration pneumonitis in patients who are intubated within 24 hours after overdose, although the further investigations on this are needed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.3 s.19
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• pp.139-145
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• 2005

Gastric cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Korea and comprises the second cause of cancer death. Surgery only can provide chance of cure, but most locally advanced cancers recur after a curative resection, even though important advances in the surgical and nonsurgical treatments of gastric cancer have taken place. Preoperative chemotherapy theoretically can provide the advantages of reducing the bulk of tumor, which might improve the R0 resection rate, and of treating micrometastases early. Also, preoperative chemotherapy is expected to render unresectable tumors resectable without increasing postoperative morbidity and mortality. There are many new chemo-therapeutic agents available for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, but still the most effective agent, the optimal time and number of cycle for administration are still not known. The addition of postoperative chemotherapy through an intraperitoneal route and/or radiotherapy might affect the outcome of surgery favorably, but that hasn't been proved yet. A multicenter prospective randomized phase III trial should be peformed to answer for those questions and to improve the curability of gastric cancer treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.191-196
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• 2007

Purpose: Gluteal perforator is easily identified in the gluteal region and gluteal perforator flap is a very versatile flap in sacral sore reconstruction. We obtained satisfying results using the gluteal perforator flap, so we report this clinical experiences with a review of the literature. Methods: Between November of 2003 and April 2006, the authors used 16 gluteal perforator flaps in 16 consecutive patients for coverage of sacral pressure sores. The mean age of the patients was 47.4 years (range, 14 to 78 years), and there were 9 male and 7 female patients. All flaps in the series were supplied by musculocutaneous arteries and its venae comitantes penetrating the gluteus maximus muscle and reaching the intrafascial and suprafascial planes, and the overlying skin forming a rich vascular plexus arising from gluteal muscles. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 11.5 months. Results: All flaps survived except one that had undergone total necrosis by patient's negligence. Wound dehiscence was observed in three patients and treated by secondary closure. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Gluteal perforator flaps allow safe and reliable options for coverage of sacral pressure sores with minimal donor site morbidity, and do not sacrifice the gluteus maximus muscle and rarely lead to post-operative complications. Freedom in flap design and easy-to perform make gluteal perforator flap an excellent choice for selected patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.494-501
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• 1998

From May 1, 1993 to May 31 1995, the authers studied retrospectively 211 patients who underwent cardiovascular operation with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). Because we were interested in new development of ARF(prevalence, mortality rate, and main risk factors), we performed a multivariate statistical analysis about data of patients with preoperative serum creatinine values of less than 1.5 mg/dL. Normal renal function before operation(serum creatinine level less than 1.5 mg/dL) was registered in 198(74%) patients. Of these, 27(14%) patients showed postoperative renal complication, including 20(10%) patients classified as renal dysfunction(serum creatinine level between 1.5 and 2.5 mg/dL) and 7(4%) patients as acute renal failure(serum creatinine level higher than 2.5 mg/dL). The mortality rate was 5.8% in normal patients, 5% in patients with renal dysfunction, and 43% when acute renal failure developed(p=0.036). Indeed, the renal impairment proved to be an independent predictor of mortality(odd ratio 2.52∼11.25), along with cardiovascular(odd ratio 4.20) and respiratory(odd ratio 2.18) complications. Multivariate analysis identified the following variables as independent risk factors for postoperative renal impairment : advanced age(odd ratio 1), need for emergency operation(odd ratio 3.78), low-output syndrome(odd ratio 3.66), respiratory complication(odd ratio 1.30), need for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(odd ratio 1.4). The 13 patients(7%) with preoperative renal failure showed a significantly higher morbidity and mortality rate than those without renal complications before operation. We concluded that the likelihood of severe renal complications is resonably low in the patients undergoing cardiac operation without preexisting renal dysfunction, but associated mortality remains high. A prominant role of hemodynamic factor in the development of postoperative acute renal failure must be recognized during preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2014

Background: To determine the predictors of clinical outcomes following surgical descending thoracic aortic (DTA) repair. Methods: We identified 103 patients (23 females; mean age, $64.1{\pm}12.3$ years) who underwent DTA replacement from 1999 to 2011 using either deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (44%) or partial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB, 56%). Results: The early mortality rate was 4.9% (n=5). Early major complications occurred in 21 patients (20.3%), which included newly required hemodialysis (9.7%), low cardiac output syndrome (6.8%), pneumonia (7.8%), stroke (6.8%), and multi-organ failure (3.9%). None experienced paraplegia. During a median follow-up of 56.3 months (inter-quartile range, 23.1 to 85.1 months), there were 17 late deaths and one aortic reoperation. Overall survival at 5 and 10 years was $80.9%{\pm}4.3%$ and $71.7%{\pm}5.9%$, respectively. Reoperation-free survival at 5 and 10 years was $77.3%{\pm}4.8%$ and $70.2%{\pm}5.8%$. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.15; p<0.001) and left ventricle (LV) function (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.96; p<0.003) were significant and independent predictors of long-term mortality. CPB strategy, however, was not significantly related to mortality (p=0.49). Conclusion: Surgical DTA repair was practicable in terms of acceptable perioperative mortality/morbidity as well as favorable long-term survival. Age and LV function were risk factors for long-term mortality, irrespective of the CPB strategy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2008

Purpose: Abrupt abstinence from alcohol in cause of chronic alcohol addiction can trigger alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The authors studied the effect of post-operative alcohol withdrawal syndrome in patients who require intensive care due to trauma. Methods: For the study group, we selected 70 patients who had undergone emergency surgery from May 2003 to March 2007 due to trauma and who had been treated with prophylactic thiamine. Data was collected retrospectively. We excluded those who extended their hospital stay for other than traumatic causes, those who died within 3 days of surgery after trauma, those who transferred to other institutions, and those who received a psychiatric diagnosis. Patient groups were determined by the existence or the non-existence of withdrawal syndrome. Age, sex, injury mechanism, mortality, complications, durations of hospital stay and intensive care, use of mechanical ventilator, and sedative use were investigated. A Chi-square test and The Mann-Whitney method were used for statistical analysis in this study. Results: Twenty-four (24) patients from the 58 who had an ISS of 16 or more showed alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and men were shown to be affected with the syndrome significantly more than women. Although ISS was higher in the group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, statistically, the difference was not significant (P<0.08). The total hospital stay in the patient group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome was on average 10 days longer. However, the difference was not significant (P<0.054). The duration of intensive care in the patient group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome was significantly longer (P<0.029). The patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome showed no significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilator use (P<0.783), or in the duration of sedative use (P<0.284). Respiratory distress, pneumonia, upper airway infection, sepsis, acute renal failure, and mortality in the alcohol withdrawal syndrome group were investigated, but no statistically significant difference were noted. Conclusion: We found that the duration of intensive care in chronic alcohol abusers was longer due to the development of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We also discovered that, when the patients overcame the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome after intensive care, no difference was found in the frequency of developing complications, the morbidity, and the mortality. Therefore, we conclude that intensive care in trauma patients who are chronic alcohol abusers decreases the incidence of complications found in patients with post-operative alcohol withdrawal syndrome and does not adversely impact the prognoses for those patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.917-924
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• 1995

I suis cocciosis in piglets seems to occur in the majority of Korean sow herds. Cocci야osis is characterized by a pasty diarrhea in piglets appearing at 5 to 11 days old. Morbidity is variable, Mortality is usually low but piglets growth is always retarded. And, the principal source of infection is the environment because of the high resistance of oocysts. Control of coccidiosis is usually frustrated since the majority of treatment have not constant results. Mundt et al(1990) developed a new strategy by administrating toltrazuril as an oral suspension. This new anticoccidial drug reduced clinical signs and mortality. Therefore, we will try to medicate piglets with Baycox(Bay Vi 9142) suspension in a sow herd, having a problem of I suis coccidiosis. The incidences of coccidiosis in suckling piglets in C and D bleeding stock farm were from 28.6 to 42.3 and 21.1~57.9 % during 3 to 21 day-old. The body weights of suckling piglets in treated groups were higher than those of control groups at 11 and 18 day-old. Also, those of C breeding stock firm were higher than those of D farm. The body weight gains of suckling piglet of treated groups were higher than those of control groups. Also, those of C breeding stock firm were higher than those of D farm. There was no dead piglet in all experimental groups. Some atrophic piglets were done away with. In C breeding stock farm, the incidences of diarrhea in treatment groups were significantly lower an those of control groups. Also, the degrees of diarrhea in treated groups were significantly lower than those in control groups. In D breeding stock farm, the incidences of diarrhea in treated groups were a little lower than those in control groups. Also the degrees of diarrhea in treated groups were a little lower than those in control groups. In the treated groups, the incidences and degrees of diarrhea were reduced at the 4th day and increased at the 13th day after treatment. The number of litters excreted oocysts in treated groups wert lower than those in control groups after treatment. Also, the OPG in treated groups were lower than those in control groups. According to above results, the effect of Baycox suspension against swine coccidiosis was very good. If we will treat with Barcox suspension swine coccidiosis in swine stock farms, we can get good effects of the improvement of body weight gains and diarrhea and e reduce of excreted costs in faeces.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.800-804
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• 2006

Necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) is the most common life-threatening surgical emergency in neonates, and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In addition to conventional laparotomy, intraperitoneal drains have been used for the treatment of perforated NEC, especially in extremely low birth weight(ELBW) infants. We report a case of perforated NEC with bacterial peritonitis in an ELBW infant managed with primary peritoneal drainage(PD) without further need for surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first documented Korean case of an ELBW infant where PD was used as primary treatment for perforated NEC. Primary PD is effective and safe in ELBW infants with perforated NEC; although it is not considered a definitive procedure, it should be considered in all cases where infants are too unstable to tolerate anesthesia and surgery.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2003

Purpose: To introduce our early experience with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods and Materials: Eight patients who underwent IMRT for no disseminated nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the Asan Medical Center between September 2001 and November 2002 were evaluate by prospective analysis. According to the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging classification, 5 had Stage III, and 3 had Stage IVB disease. The IMRT plans were designed to be delivered as a 'Simultaneous Modulated Accelerated Radiation Therapy' (SMART) using the 'step and shoot' technique with a MLC (multileaf collimator). Daily fractions of 2.2-2.5Gy and 1.9-2Gy were prescribed and delivered to the GTV and CTV and clinically negative neck node, respectively. The prescribed dose was 70A-79.0Gy to the gross tumor volume (GTV), 60Gy to the clinical target volume (CTV) and metastatic nodal station, and 46Gy to the clinically negative neck. All patients also received weekly cisplatin during radiotherapy. Acute and late normal tissue effects were graded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) radiation morbidity scoring criteria. Results: Follow-up period was ranging from 5 to 18 months. All patients showed complete response and loco-regional control rate was 100% but one patient died of malnutrition due to treatment related toxicity. There were no Grade 3 or 4 xerostomia and all patients had experienced improvement of salivary gland function. Conclusion: 'Simultaneous Modulated Accelerated Radiation Therapy' (SMART) boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique allows parotid sparing as evidenced both clinically and by dosimetry. Initial tumor response and loco-regional control was promising. It is clinically feasible. A larger population of patients and a long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.207-210
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• 2001

Objective : The prognosis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage often depends on initial neurologic condition, size and location of hemorrhage and associated intraventricular hemorrhage. However, age of patient, coagulation state and other associated vascular diseases may also play a role when present. In recent years, the geriatric population has been increasing. The age distribution of the patients with intracerebral hemorrhages also has been increased, accordingly. However, such patients, especially when associated with poor initial conditions often tend to be managed rather conservatively. The authors analyzed retrospectively on forty-five patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage over the seventies with poor initial condition to find out whether there exists a difference of outcome between surgery and non-surgery group. Material and Method : A total of 45 patients over seventies with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage with Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) 4-8 treated over last six years were included. The validity of surgical management for these patients as well as clinical variables which might have been operated on the outcome of these patients were evaluated. The Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) after three months was used for comparison of outcome. Results : In surgical group(19 cases), mean age was 74.5 years old, mean hematoma volume 67.2ml and mean GCS score 5.7 points. In nonsurgical group(26 cases), mean age was 79.3 years old, mean hematoma volume 32.1ml, and mean GCS score 6.8 points. Mortality rate in surgical group was 47.4%(9 patients), including 2 cases of post-operative rebleeding, while that in nonsurgical group was 46.2%. However, when patients with initial GCS 4-6 points and over 30ml in hematoma volume were regrouped, mortality rate in surgical group was 46.2%, whereas mortality rate in nonsurgical group was 66.7%. Conclusion : It is concluded that the mortality rate is much low in surgery group with initial GCS less than 6 points and hematoma volume over 30cc. There was no significant difference of outcome in patients with basal ganglia and thalamic hemorrhage. However, surgical treatment lowered the mortality and morbidity rate in patients with subcortical and cerebellar hemorrhage.