• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.633-641
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• 2022

Introduction In chronic facial palsy, synkinetic muscle overactivity and shortening causes muscle stiffness resulting in reduced movement and functional activity. This article studies the role of multimodal therapy in improving outcomes. Methods Seventy-five facial palsy patients completed facial rehabilitation before being successfully discharged by the facial therapy team. The cohort was divided into four subgroups depending on the time of initial attendance post-onset. The requirement for facial therapy, chemodenervation, or surgery was assessed with East Grinstead Grade of Stiffness (EGGS). Outcomes were measured using the Facial Grading Scale (FGS), Facial Disability Index, House-Brackmann scores, and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation scale. Results FGS composite scores significantly improved posttherapy (mean-standard deviation, 60.13 ± 23.24 vs. 79.9 ± 13.01; confidence interval, -24.51 to -14.66, p < 0.0001). Analysis of FGS subsets showed that synkinesis also reduced significantly (p < 0.0001). Increasingly, late clinical presentations were associated with patients requiring longer durations of chemodenervation treatment (p < 0.01), more chemodenervation episodes (p < 0.01), increased doses of botulinum toxin (p < 0.001), and having higher EGGS score (p < 0.001). Conclusions This study shows that multimodal facial rehabilitation in the management of facial palsy is effective, even in patients with chronically neglected synkinesis. In terms of the latency periods between facial palsy onset and treatment initiation, patients presenting later than 2 years were still responsive to multimodal treatment albeit to a lesser extent, which we postulate is due to increasing muscle contracture within their facial muscles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2022

Background: Cardiac dysfunction patients have long been considered at high risk of reintubation. However, it is based on past studies in which only conventional oxygen therapy was applied after extubation. We investigated association between cardiac dysfunction and reintubation rate in situation where high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was widely used during post-extubation period. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of patients treated with HFNC after planned extubation in medical intensive care unit of single tertiary center. Patients were divided into normal function group (ejection fraction [EF] ≥45%) and cardiac dysfunction group (EF <45%). The primary outcome was reintubation rate within 72 hours following extubation. Results: Of 270 patients, 35 (13%) had cardiac dysfunction. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no differences in the changes in vital signs between the two groups during the first 12 hours after extubation except diastolic blood pressure. The reintubation rates were 20% and 17% for cardiac dysfunction group and normal function group, respectively (p=0.637). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, cardiac dysfunction was not associated with an increased risk of reintubation within 72 hours following extubation (hazard ratio, 1.56; p=0.292). Conclusion: Cardiac dysfunction was not associated with increased reintubation rate within 72 hours when HFNC is immediately applied after planned extubation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.22.1-22.6
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• 2020

Introduction: Facial fractures (FFs) occur after high- and low-energy trauma; differences in associated injuries and outcomes have not been well articulated. Objective: To compare the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of patients suffering FFs from high-energy and low-energy mechanisms. Methods: We conducted a 6-year retrospective local trauma registry analysis of adults aged 18-55 years old that suffered a FF treated at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Fracture patterns, concomitant injuries, procedures, and outcomes were compared between patients that suffered a high-energy mechanism (HEM: motor vehicle crash, bicycle crash, auto versus pedestrian, falls from height > 20 feet) and those that suffered a low-energy mechanism (LEM: assault, ground-level falls) of injury. Results: FFs occurred in 123 patients, 25 from an HEM and 98 from an LEM. Rates of Le Fort (HEM 12% vs. LEM 3%, P = 0.10), mandible (HEM 20% vs. LEM 38%, P = 0.11), midface (HEM 84% vs. LEM 67%, P = 0.14), and upper face (HEM 24% vs. LEM 13%, P = 0.217) fractures did not significantly differ between the HEM and LEM groups, nor did facial operative rates (HEM 28% vs. LEM 40%, P = 0.36). FFs after an HEM event were associated with increased Injury Severity Scores (HEM 16.8 vs. LEM 7.5, P <0.001), ICU admittance (HEM 60% vs. LEM 13.3%, P <0.001), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (HEM 52% vs. LEM 15%, P <0.001), cervical spine fractures (HEM 12% vs. LEM 0%, P = 0.008), truncal/lower extremity injuries (HEM 60% vs. LEM 6%, P <0.001), neurosurgical procedures for the management of ICH (HEM 54% vs. LEM 36%, P = 0.003), and decreased Glasgow Coma Score on arrival (HEM 11.7 vs. LEM 14.2, P <0.001). Conclusion: FFs after HEM events were associated with severe and multifocal injuries. FFs after LEM events were associated with ICH, concussions, and cervical spine fractures. Mechanism-based screening strategies will allow for the appropriate detection and management of injuries that occur concomitant to FFs. Type of study: Retrospective cohort study. Level of evidence: Level III.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.775-788
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Koreans is quite high; however, until recently, Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) had not analyzed the vitamin D intake among Koreans. Additionally, the Korean Dietary Reference Intake for vitamin D was established based on insufficient evidence. Therefore, we investigated vitamin D intake and its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adults using the combined data from the 2009-2011 KNHANES. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 11,949 healthy adults. Vitamin D intake was assessed using a 24-h recall method, and the BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was 64% in men and 77% in women. In women aged ≥ 50 yrs and men aged < 50 yrs, there was a significant positive correlation between vitamin D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level after sun exposure adjustment. The BMD of postmenopausal women aged ≥ 50 yrs with a vitamin D intake of 5 ㎍/day or more was significantly higher than that of women with intake less than 5 ㎍/day. After adjusting for age, energy, and calcium intake, the vitamin D intake of the osteoporotic group was significantly lower than that of the osteopenia group in women. CONCLUSIONS: Since the relationship between vitamin D intake and BMD was observed in women aged ≥ 50 yrs, further research is needed to clarify these findings using cohort or randomized controlled trials.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2022

Purpose: The term "intentional injuries" refers to a spectrum of injuries resulting from self-inflicted injuries, interpersonal violence, and group acts of violence. Intentional injuries are underreported in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the characteristics of intentional injuries in patients who presented to the emergency department of a primary trauma center in Medina, Saudi Arabia in 2013. Methods: A prospective cohort database analysis of the clinical patterns and treatment outcomes of 252 patients who had intentional injuries between January and December 2013 was done. Results: The proportion of trauma patients with intentional injuries was 1.3%. The mean age was 34.2±9.4 years, 141 patients (56.0%) were male, and 111 (44.1%) were female (male to female ratio, 1.27:1). The majority (n=159, 63.1%) of injuries occurred at night. Most occurred outside the home (n=180, 71.0%). Financial problems (n=62, 24.6%) and social disputes (n=61, 24.2%) were the most common reasons. Sharp objects (n=93, 36.9%) were the most common weapons used. The head and neck were the most commonly injured areas (n=63, 54.4%). Superficial cuts (n=87, 34.5%), were the most common type of injury. Suturing of wounds (n=54, 21.4%) and surgical debridement (n=47, 18.7%) were the most commonly performed modalities of management. Conclusions: We conclude that intentional injuries in Saudi Arabia are a health care hazard that is, unfortunately, underreported. The clinical pattern is similar in most aspects to international reports but differs in certain features due to the specific religious and conservative characteristics of the community. Nationwide clinical studies are strongly recommended.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.109-115
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinically relevant anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinuses and their potential association with ethmoid and maxillary sinus pathologies on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Additionally, potential associations with different sides and demographic factors, including age and sex, were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In total, 273 CBCT scans with complete ethmoid and maxillary sinuses were analyzed to determine the prevalence of Agger nasi cell, supraorbital ethmoid cell, Haller cell, Onodi cell, and ethmomaxillary sinus. In addition, the health or pathology of the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses was also recorded to assess correlations with the aforementioned variations. Results: The prevalence of Agger nasi cell was found to be the highest (95.6%) in this study, followed by Onodi cell (60.4%), Haller cell (29.3%), and supraorbital ethmoid cell (19.4%). Ethmomaxillary sinus was the least common finding (16.5%). Males and persons above 61 years of age had a significantly higher frequency of supraorbital ethmoid cell and Onodi cell, respectively. However, no significant relationships were noted between anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinus and pathologies of the ethmoid or maxillary sinus. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of ethmoid sinus variations in this Southern Chinese population. The prevalence of Agger nasi cell and Onodi cell was higher than that of other anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinuses. Anatomical variations of the ethmoid sinuses were not associated with ethmoid or maxillary sinus pathologies in this patient cohort.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.61-75
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• 2022

The first purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of pork traceability data, which is monthly time-series data, and to draw implications with regard to its usefulness. The second purpose is to construct a dynamic ecological equation model (DEEM) that reflects the biological characteristics at each growth stage, such as pregnancy, birth and growth, and the slaughter of pigs, using traceability data. With the monthly pig model devised in this study, it is expected that the number of slaughtered animals (supply) that can be shipped in the future is predictable and that policy simulations are possible. However, this study was limited to traceability data and focused only on building a supply-side model. As a result of verifying the traceability data, it was found that approximately 6% of farms produce by mixing great grand parent (GGP), grand parent (GP), parent stock (PS), and artificial insemination (AI), meaning that it is necessary to separate them by business type. However, the analysis also showed that the coefficient values estimated by constructing an equation for each growth stage were consistent with the pig growth outcomes. Also, the model predictive power test was excellent. For this reason, it is judged that the model design and traceability data constructed with the cohort and the dynamic ecological equation model system considering biological growth and shipment times are excellent. Finally, the model constructed in this study is expected to be used as basic data to inform producers in their decision-making activities and to help with governmental policy directions with regard to supply and demand. Research on the demand side is left for future researchers.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2023

Background: Malnutrition and impaired immune responses significantly affect the clinical outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic stenosis. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score has recently been utilized to evaluate perioperative immunonutritional status. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between immunonutritional status, indexed by CONUT score, and postoperative complications in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 188 patients who underwent elective CEA between January 2010 and December 2019. The preoperative CONUT score was calculated as the sum of the serum albumin concentration, total cholesterol level, and total lymphocyte count. The primary outcome was postoperative complications within 30 days after CEA, including major adverse cardiovascular events, pulmonary complications, stroke, renal failure, sepsis, wounds, and gastrointestinal complications. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the factors associated with postoperative complications during the 30-day follow-up period. Results: Twenty-five patients (13.3%) had at least one major complication. The incidence of postoperative complications was identified more frequently in the high CONUT group (12 of 27, 44.4% vs. 13 of 161, 8.1%; p<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that a high preoperative CONUT score was independently associated with 30-day postoperative complications (hazard ratio, 5.98; 95% confidence interval, 2.56-13.97; p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results showed that the CONUT score, a simple and readily available parameter using only objective laboratory values, is independently associated with early postoperative complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.254-263
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• 2023

Background The three-dimensional (3D) evaluation of skeletal stability after orthognathic surgery is a time-consuming and complex procedure. The complexity increases further when evaluating the surgery-first orthognathic approach (SFOA). Herein, we propose and validate a simple time-saving method of 3D analysis using a single software, demonstrating high accuracy and repeatability. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 12 patients with skeletal class 3 malocclusion who underwent bimaxillary surgery without any presurgical orthodontics. Computed tomography (CT)/cone-beam CT images of each patient were obtained at three different time points (preoperation [T0], immediately postoperation [T1], and 1 year after surgery [T2]) and reconstructed into 3D images. After automatic surface-based alignment of the three models based on the anterior cranial base, five easily located anatomical landmarks were defined to each model. A set of angular and linear measurements were automatically calculated and used to define the amount of movement (T1-T0) and the amount of relapse (T2-T1). To evaluate the reproducibility, two independent observers processed all the cases, One of them repeated the steps after 2 weeks to assess intraobserver variability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated at a 95% confidence interval. Time required for evaluating each case was recorded. Results Both the intra- and interobserver variability showed high ICC values (more than 0.95) with low measurement variations (mean linear variations: 0.18 mm; mean angular variations: 0.25 degree). Time needed for the evaluation process ranged from 3 to 5 minutes. Conclusion This approach is time-saving, semiautomatic, and easy to learn and can be used to effectively evaluate stability after SFOA.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.361-369
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• 2023

The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a reliable option for breast reconstruction. This is particularly true in patients with contraindications to abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. A systematic review of patient satisfaction and health related quality of life following LD breast reconstruction using the BREAST-Q survey was conducted. The scope of the review was to determine the degree of patient satisfaction following the procedure and to examine how patient satisfaction from the pedicled LD flap compares to other breast reconstructive procedures. A literature search on BREAST-Q in LD flap reconstruction was performed. Only articles written in English and in published peer-reviewed journals were included. Studies with less than 20 patients in their sample and those with a follow-up period of less than 1 year were excluded. Five articles representing 331 patients were reviewed, including one case-control study and four retrospective cohort studies. Level of evidence was either III (4) or IV (1). The average age was 53 with average body mass index of 25. Most reconstructions were delayed (67%) and unilateral (88%), and most patients required radiation (79%). The average length of follow-up was 36 months, and the response rate was 75%. Overall, patients who underwent LD flap reconstruction reported favorable outcomes in satisfaction domains and quality of life domains with few complications. A meta-analysis also demonstrated higher satisfaction in LD flap without implants compared with LD flap with implants. Patient-reported outcomes following LD breast reconstruction compare favorably with other techniques of breast reconstruction.