• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.88-91
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• 2019

The burn center in our hospital is a national and regional (Southeast Asia) center. Of all admissions, 10% are related to blast explosions, and 8% due to chemical burns. In the acute burn management protocol of Singapore General Hospital, early surgical debridement is advocated for all acute partial-thickness burns. The aim of early surgical debridement is to remove all debris and unhealthy tissue, preventing wound infection and thereby expediting wound healing. In chemical burns, there can be stubborn eschars that are resistant to traditional debridement. We would like to present a novel technique using the diathermy scratch pad as a cheap and efficient tool for the dual purpose of surgical debridement and dermabrasion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to apply manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and high-frequency diathermy (HFD) to patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS), one of the side effects of breast cancer surgery, and to treat upper extremity pain, volume, function of the upper extremity, (joint range of motion; ROM, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; DASH) and quality of life before and after treatment. It is to determine the effect of treatment by checking the level change. Methods : This study is a case series. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with AWS after breast cancer surgery voluntarily participated in this study. The intervention program consisted of stretching, MLD and HFD. It was conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. In order to compare the effects of pain (numeric pain rating scale; NPRS), volume, upper limb function (ROM, DASH) and quality of life (the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-breast, EORTC QLQ-BR23) evaluations were compared before and after 4 weeks of intervention. All measured variables were analyzed and expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Results : The shoulder NPRS level of the subjects in all case groups decreased, the volume decreased and the shoulder flexion, abduction ROM increased. It showed improvement in DASH and quality of life, QLQ-BR23. Conclusion : After breast cancer surgery, we confirmed the possibility that MLD and HFD treatments could be effective in improving pain, decreasing volume, increasing upper extremity function, and quality of life for patients who have difficulties with AWS. The possibility has been confirmed, and additional research is needed by increasing the number of participants in the experiment in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background: The hamstring is a muscle that crosses two joints, that is the hip and knee, and its flexibility is an important indicator of physical health in its role in many activities of daily living such as sitting, walking, and running. Limited range of motion (ROM) due to hamstring tightness is strongly related to back pain and malfunction of the hip joint. High-frequency diathermy (HFD) therapy is known to be effective in relaxing the muscle and increasing ROM. Objects: To investigate the effects of HFD on active knee extension ROM and hamstring tone and stiffness in participants with hamstring tightness. Methods: Twenty-four participants with hamstring tightness were recruited, and the operational definition of hamstring tightness in this study was active knee extension ROM of below 160° at 90° hip flexion in the supine position. HFD was applied to the hamstring for 15 minutes using the WINBACK device. All participants were examined before and after the intervention, and the results were analyzed using a paired t-test. The outcome measures included knee extension ROM, the viscoelastic property of the hamstring, and peak torque for passive knee extension. Results: The active knee extension ROM significantly increased from 138.8° ± 9.9° (mean ± standard deviation) to 143.9° ± 10.4° after the intervention (p < 0.05), while viscoelastic property of the hamstring significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Also, the peak torque for knee extension significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of HFD for 15 minutes to tight hamstrings immediately improves the active ROM and reduces the tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the muscle. However, further experiments are required to examine the long-term effects of HFD on hamstring tightness including pain reduction, postural improvement around the pelvis and lower extremities, and enhanced functional movement.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to identify the effects of high frequency therapy on localized obesity. Methods : This trial was carried out in 12 volunteers. Volunteers were divided into 3 groups; upper arm group (n=4), thigh group (n=4) and abdomen group (n=4) according to local obesity type. Body weight and body fat were measured by Inbody 720 and CT (Computed Tomography) immediately before and following high frequency therapy. Diathermy was performed twice a week for 4 weeks for a total of 8 treatments. Results : In the upper arm group, body weight, body fat mass, fat area by CT scan and circumference were increased after treatment but not significantly (p>0.05). In the thigh group, body weight, body fat mass and circumference were decreased and fat area by CT scan was increased but both not significantly (p>0.05). In the abdomen group, significant differences were not found despite decreases in body weight, body fat mass, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat after diathermy (p>0.05). Conclusions : There was no significant effects of high frequency therapy on localized obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.197-203
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• 2002

Heating of injured tissue has been used for centuries for pain relief and reduction of muscle spasm. In physical therapy locally applied heating gents are used not only to promote relaxation and provide pain relief, but they are also used to increase blood flow, to facilitate tissue healing, and to prepare stiff joints and tight muscles for exercise. Superficial heating agents primarily cause in increases in skin and superficial cutaneous tissue temperature. Superficial heating agents such as hot packs, paraffin wax, Deep heating agents, including shortwave diathermy and continuous-wave ultrasound, can increase tissue temperature at depths ranging from 3to 5cm without overheating the skim and subcutaneous tissue.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.491-493
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• 2014

Tracheostomy is a relatively common surgical procedure that is performed easily in an operating room or intensive care unit. Open tracheostomy is needed in patients requiring prolonged ventilation when percutaneous tracheostomy is inappropriate. Sometimes, it is difficult to achieve bleeding control in the peritracheal soft tissue, and in such cases, we usually use diathermy. However, the possibility of an electrocautery-ignited surgical field fire can be overlooked during the procedure. This case report serves as a reminder that the risk of a surgical field fire during tracheostomy is real, particularly in patients requiring high-oxygen therapy.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2008

Cleft palate and congenital alveolar synechia is a rare syndrome. Only eight cases have been previously reported. It consists of a spectrum of facial anomalies always including cleft palate and congenital alveolar synechiae without other abnormalities. This report described an unusual case of congenital alveolar synechial band spanning posterior alveolar of the two jaws with cleft palate. Previously reported cases showed bilaterally or anteriorly located fibrous band. In our department, a new born revealed unilateral posterior synechia. Under brief intravenous sedation, synechium was divided using bipolar diathermy in the nursery at 3 days of age because of poor feeding. This division allowed full jaw opening after brief passive exercise. The patient is growing and maturing as expected with no complications. This patient is supposed to be the first reported case of isolated unilateral alveolar synechium combined with cleft palate in the worldwide.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-64
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• 2014

This study provides a systematic review of the literature on nipple-sparing mastectomy and necrotic complications in order to estimate the prevalence of necrotic complications and to investigate their significant predictors. A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE and Ovid databases. A pooled analysis was performed for calculation of the prevalence of nipple-areolar complex (NAC) necrosis, mastectomy flap necrosis, and overall necrotic complications and to evaluate the relationships between necrotic complications and potential risk factors. A total of 44 papers were analyzed. The prevalence of overall necrotic complications was 13.7%, including 7.5% for NAC necrosis and 7.8% for mastectomy flap necrosis. Types of incisions showed significant association with the rates of NAC necrosis and mastectomy flap necrosis. Incisions involving the NAC showed a significantly higher rate of NAC necrosis than those not involving it. The prevalence of NAC necrosis was higher in the autologous tissue reconstruction group than in the prosthesis group. Active smoking and diathermy dissection were significant predictors of both NAC necrosis and mastectomy flap necrosis. The findings of this review suggest that there are several predictors of necrotic complications in nipple-sparing mastectomy. Appropriate patient selection, careful operative planning, and surgical technique refinements may reduce the risk of necrotic complications.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.497-507
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• 2000

This study was performed to understanding on guidelines for using therapeutic modalities according to injury phases of soft tissue. Clinical decisions on how and when therapeutic modalities may be used should be based on recognition of signs and symptoms. as well as some awareness of the time frames associated with the various phases of the Healing process. The physical therapist must have a sound understanding of that process in terms of the sequence of the various process of healing stage. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Once an acute injury has occured, the healing process consists of the imflammatory response phase, the fibroblastic-repair phase, and the maturation-remodeling phase and can impede by various pathologic factors. 2. Modality use in the initial acute injury phase and the inflammatory response phase should be directed toward limiting the amount of swelling and reducing pain. 3. Modality use in the Fibroblastic repair phase may be change from cold to heat. The purpose of heat is to increase circulation to the injured area to promote healing. 4. During the Maturation-Remodeling phase, some type of heating modalities, ultrasound, or short wave and microwave diathermy should be used to increase circulation to the deeper tissue. In this phases, physical therapists must control training and conditioning habits to allow the injury to heal sufficiently.