• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.184-195
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• 1999

Objectives : As traumatic brain injury(TBI) leaves chronic sequelae in mind and body, the injured patients should rectify the meaning and object that they have pursued in their lives and set up a new purpose in life that they may make the rest of their lives meaningful. This study was designed to investigate the purpose and quality of life levels and the influence of demographic and clinical variables on the levels in the patients with TBI, and to be of some help to their rehabilitation. Methods : In order to assess the purpose in life(PIL) and the quality of life(QOL) levels, Purpose-in-Life Test, Sickness Impact Profile, Quality of Life Index, Head Injury Symptom Ckecklist, and Neurobehavioral Rating Scale were administered to the subjects. The subjects were thirty-two patients with TBI and the same numbered normal controls. The TBI group was composed of 16 to 65 year-aged patients who had received mild or severe TBI at least 12 months before, and the controls were siblings or friends of the patients whose age, sex, and educational level were similar to them. Results : 1) The PIL and QOL levels of the patients with TBI remained significantly lower than that of control group after their symptoms of injury were stabilized(p<.01, p<.01). 2) The mean PIL score of TBI group was $58.8{\pm}23.2$, which was to be regarded as the level of existential vacuum. 3) The PIL level of TBI group was significantly correlated with the QOL level(p <.01). 4) The subgroup with lower PIL level in patients with TBI has significantly higher rate of female than that with higher PIL(p<.05), the PIL level of female patients was significantly lower than that of male patients(p <.05). 5) The significant differences in PIL levels were not found, in which comparison was performed between each pair of subgroups of patients with TBI divided by severity of injury(mild vs severe), marital status(married vs unmarried), and occupational status prior to injury(employed vs unemployed). Conclusion : The PIL of patients with TBI still remained the level of existential vacuum after symptoms of sequelae had been stabilized, The QOL level was also extremely low, and as the PIL level was low the QOL was also low. The demographic and clinical variables except sex did not have influence on the PIL level in brain-injured patients. It is suggested that every patient should admit their mental and physical limitations caused by brain injury and revise their purpose in life for successful rehabilitation.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.299-346
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• 2016

There were also various decisions made in medical area in 2015. In the case that an inmate in a sanatorium was injured due to the reason which can be attributable to the sanatorium and the social welfare foundation that operates the sanatorium request treatment of the patient, the court set the standard of fixation of a party in medical contract. In the case that the family of the patient who was declared brain dead required withdrawal of meaningless life sustaining treatment but the hospital rejected and continued the treatment, the court made a decision regarding chargeable fee for such treatment. When it comes to the eye brightening operation which received measure of suspension from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time in February, 2011, because of uncertainty of its safety, the court did not accept the illegality of such operation itself, however, ordered compensation of the whole damage based on the violation of liability for explanation, which is the omission of explanation about the fact that the cost-effectiveness is not sure as it is still in clinical test stage. There were numerous cases that courts actively acknowledged malpractices; in the cases of paresis syndrome after back surgery, quite a few malpractices during the surgery were acknowledged by the court and in the case of nosocomial infection, hospital's negligence to cause such nosocomial infection was acknowledged by the court. There was a decision which acknowledged malpractice by distinguishing the duty of installation of emergency equipment according to the Emergency Medical Service Act and duty of emergency measure in emergency situations, and a decision which acknowledged negligence of a hospital if the hospital did not take appropriate measures, although it was a very rare disease. In connection with the scope of compensation for damage, there were decisions which comply with substantive truth such as; a court applied different labor ability loss rate as the labor ability loss rate decreased after result of reappraisal of physical ability in appeal compared to the one in the first trial, and a court acknowledged lower labor ability loss rate than the result of appraisal of physical ability considering the condition of a patient, etc. In the event of any damage caused by malpractice, in regard to whether there is a limitation on liability in fee charge after such medical malpractice, the court rejected the hospital's claim for setoff saying that if the hospital only continued treatments to cure the patient or prevent aggravation of disease, the hospital cannot charge Medical bills to the patient. In regard to the provision of the Medical Law that prohibit medical advertisement which was not reviewed preliminarily and punish the violation of such, a decision of unconstitutionality was made as it is a precensorship by an administrative agency as the deliberative bodies such as Korean Medical Association, etc. cannot be denied to be considered as administrative bodies. When it comes to the issue whether PRP treatment, which is commonly performed clinically, should be considered as legally determined uninsured treatment, the court made it clear that legally determined uninsured treatment should not be decided by theoretical possibility or actual implementation but should be acknowledged its medical safety and effectiveness and included in medical care or legally determined uninsured treatment. Moreover, court acknowledged the illegality of investigation method or process in the administrative litigation regarding evaluation of suitability of sanatorium, however, denied the compensation liability or restitution of unjust enrichment of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and the National Health Insurance Corporation as the evaluation agents did not cause such violation intentionally or negligently. We hope there will be more decisions which are closer to substantive truth through clear legal principles in respect of variously arisen issues in the future.

• Journal of forensic and investigative science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.50-66
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• 2007

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a well-trained emergency responder to provide emergency medical services to the critically ill and injured patient. In various situations, EMT may destroy potential physical evidences associated with the crime scene or determination of real cause of death. This study was aimed to evaluate the educational need of forensic medicine in Korean EMT. Questionnaires were administered to 592 EMTs during March 2007. The response rate was 60.3%(357 EMTs). In questionnaires there were 13 questions regarding the general characteristics, 16 questions about roles of EMTs related with forensic circumstances, 9 questions about the education related to forensic medicine. Questionnaires rated on a 4-point Likert scale or 5-point Likert scale. Most of 119 rescue EMTs had experienced with situations related to crime or unexpected sudden death. EMTs had arrived to the scenes earlier than police and complained of some difficulties related with deficit of forensic knowledge. EMTs wanted to receive continuous educations about forensic medicine. In order to reduce dissatisfaction with EMTs roles and to improve crime scene preservations, Emergency Medical Services policies should provide regular educational curriculum by forensic pathologists and promote legal responsibilities for 119 rescue EMTs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.180-191
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• 2002

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of oriental medical treatment in whiplash injury patients which caused by traffic accident. Methods : The clinical study was carried out 37 cases of whiplash injury patients which had been admitted in Daejon university Cheon-an oriental hospital from June, 2001 to December, 2001. Results : l. In the distribution of sex distinction was female much more than male in the ratio of 3:2 and thirties was most in age distribution. 2. In situation of traffic accident, The most case was rear-ending(70.27%). 3. Except cervical pain or it's reffered pain, there were whole body symptoms as fallow, insomnia in 11cases(29.73%), night pain in 10 cases(27.03%), general body pain in 8cases(21.62), dizziness in 6cases(16.22%). 4. According to Meridian Muscle theory, a injured parts of patient were devided as follows. There were 22cases(59.46%) which have injury in Bladder, Small Intestine Meridian Muscle, 10cases(27.03%) in Gallblader, Triple Energizer Meridian Muscle, 5cases(13.51%) in Stomach, Large Intestine Meridian Muscle. 5. There were 6cases(16.22%) of the grade of complete recovery, 10cases(27.03%) of the grade of excellent, 12cases(32.43%) of the grade of improvement, 6cases(16.22%) of the grade of disimprovement and 3cases(8.11%) of the grade of poor. So 28cases(75.68%) were efficacious. 6. Generally Herb-meds that have efficacy of Geo-Eohyeol were most used(27cases, 72.97%) in early stage. Secondly Herb-med that have efficacy of Yiqi-sunqi were used(20case, 54,05%) in middle stage and Herb-med of Bo-Qiheol were used(l0cases, 27.03%) in latter term. The most used Herb-med was Hoisu-san, Oyaksungi-san(22cases, 54.96%). 7. In l5cases which have Aqua-Acupuncture treatment, There were 3cases of Complete recovery, 5cases of Excellent, 4cases of Improvement, 2cases of Disimprovement, 1cases of Poor. 8cases(53.33%) were above Excellent grade, so it is more efficatious Than simple treatment without Aqua-Acupuncture(36.37%). 8. The improvement of Bladder, Small Intestine Meridian Muscle was 77.27%, Gallblader, Triple Energizer Meridian Muscle was 70% and Stomach, Large Intestine Meridian Muscle was 80%. Additional Aqua-Acupuncture treatment improved to be effective in Bladder, Small Intestine Meridian Muscle(77.78%), in Gallblader, Triple Energizer Meridian Muscle(75%), in Stomach, Large Intestine Meridian Muscle(100%). Conclusions : In this study, Oriental treatment especially Aqua-Acupuncture was effective in whiplash injury patients which caused by traffic accident.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 1989

This is a series of continuing research on facial bone fractures of Koreans worked by Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Dental College of Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, since 1972. The study was based on a series of 630 patients with facial bone fractures treated as in-patient at Yonsei Medical Center, Yonsei University, during the period of Jan., 1982 through Dec., 1987. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The ratio of Men to Women was 4.3 : 1, and admissions for facial bone fractures have been increased year after 1984. 2. The age frequency was highest in the third decade(38.3%), and fourth, second, fifth decade in orders. 3. The traffic accident was the most frequent cause of facial bone fractures (51.3%). 4. The most common location of facial bone fractures was the Mandible(35.3%), and Zygoma complex(29.8%), Nasal bone(15.0%), Maxilla(11.0%) were next in order of frequency. 5. In 291 patients of Mandible fractures, 226(77.7%) had fractures only in Mandible and 65(22.3%) had another facial bone fractures. The most frequent fracture site of Mandible was the Symphysis(43.0%) and Angle(22.4%), and Simple fracture was the most frequent in type of fracture(66.9%). Intermaxillary fixatin & Open reduction was major method of treatment(36.9%). 6. In 394 patients of Midface fractures 323)82.0%) had fractures only in Midface and 71(18.0%) had another facial bone fractures. The most frequent site of Midface fractures was zygoma complex & zygomatic arch(42.7%), and Simple fracture was the most common type of fractures. Observation(Maxilla :44.2%, Zygoma :51.0%) and Open Reduction(Maxilla :20.0%. Zygoma :23.5%) were the major method of treatment. 7. The frequency of Nasal bone fracture was about 1/5 of Midface fractures, and Closed Reduction(45.2%) was the major method of treatment. 8. The complication was reported in only 16 patients, and Malunion was the major complication. 9. Head(44.4%), Lower extrimities(14.5%) and Eye(12.3%) were injured commonly with facial bone fractures. 10. The elapsed time from injury to hospital was within 24 hours in 73.8% of patients, however 15.5% of patients arrived the hospital 72 hours after injury.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 1988

Finger injuries are becoming more common with the increasing use of mechanical industrial and household appliances. Among the hand injuries, amputation is the serious disaster to the patient. Recently, application of microsurgical technique to the reattachment of ampuatated digits has been common clinical procedures. We performed microsurgical replantation to the 75 patients with 102 digits from march in 1986 to february in 1988. The following results were obtained. 1. The most common age distribution was third decade and male to female ratio was about 5:1. 2. The ratio of right to left hand was about 1:1 but the dominant to non-dominant hand was about 2:1. 3. The index finger was most commonly injured and the next was middle finger. 4. The most common type of the injuries was the crushing injury and the most common vector was a kind of pressor. 5. The anesthesia was performed in equal ratio between the general and regional anesthesia. 6. The survival rate of microreplantation to the injuries of the zone II was 77.8% and zone III was 80%. 7. The functional result after replantation at zone II was better than zone III. 8. Microreplantation was performed in any case of the type of the injury, the severity of crushing and the ischemic time, and the patients requirement was an important factor.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.168-173
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• 2015

Use of forearm and hip joint bone density scan and find the clinical usefulness of the results that can be inferred as a result of any other region sites injured by a correction factor which if One part up. Groups of 60 patients, 10 patients by age 20-70 were composed of patients measured with the forearm and lumbar spine bone mineral density T-score and Z-score of the survey for each of the three factors that it was Find the correction factor to obtain the relationship. Bone mineral density of the correlation coefficient R = 0.8 correction factor is Y = 1.341X + 0.146. T-score of correlation coefficient R = 0.804 and the correction factor Y = 0.565X - 0.327 is Z-score of the correlation coefficient R = 0.637 correction factor Y = 0.539X - 0.225. It is regarded that there will be a clinical availability which can analogize the result of a part by using the result of the other part. It will be able to determine an auxiliary role in the clinical diagnosis. Correction factor to the equation Y = 1.341X + 0.146 is recommended.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2000

Objective : Thoracolumbar junction is second most common level of injury next to cervical spine. The object of this study is to study the usefulness of surgical titanium mesh instead of bone graft, as well as to evaluate the correction of spinal deformity and safety of early ambulation in patients with injury at thoracolumbar junction. Patients and Methods : This review included 51 patients who were operated from July 1994 to December 1997. The injured spine is considered to be unstable, if it shows involvement of two or more columns, translatory displacement more than 3.5mm, decrease more than 35% in height of vertebral body and progression of malalignment in serial X-ray. The decision to operate was determined by (1) compression of spinal cord or cauda eguina, (2) unstable fracture, (3) malalignment and (4) fracture dislocation. The procedure consisted of anterior decompression through corpectomy and internal fixation with anterior instrument and surgical titanium mesh which was impacted with gathered bone chip from corpectomy. Results : Fifty-one patients were followed up for at least 12 months. The main causes of injury were fall and vehicle accident. The twelfth thoracic and the first and the second lumbar vertebrae were frequently involved. Complete neural decompression was possible under direct vision in all cases. Kyphotic angulation occurred in a patient. Radiologic evaluation showed correction of deformity and no distortion or loosening of surgical titanium mesh with satisfactory fixation postoperatively. Conclusions : We could obtain neurological improvement, relief of pain, immediate stabilization and early return to normal activities postoperatively. Based on these results, authors recommend anterior decompression and internal fixation with surgical titanium mesh in thoracolumbar unstable spine injuries.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.293-298
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• 2010

Purpose: Since an injured elbow joint can disturb the activity of daily life by limiting motion, especially if the motion is restricted over 40 degree of flexion contracture and under 105 degree of further flexion, it is imperative to select the best method and the timing of treatment of the elbow stiffness. Therefore this review will discuss open surgical techniques for stiff elbows based on the literature. Materials and Methods: It is important to take sufficient clinical examination of the patient, including history taking. And, a surgeon should select appropriate procedure after accurately understanding about the status and cause of the stiff elbow with radiographic methods. Surgical methods include arthroscopic release open release, distraction arthroplasty, total elbow replacement and there are four approachs in the open release - anterior approach, medial "over the top" approach, limited lateral approach: column procedure, posterior extensile approach-. Results and Conclusion: Although at present the arthroscopic technique is emphasized for the treatment of elbow stiffness, a surgeon should know conventional open techniques.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.159-165
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• 2012

Purpose: For trauma patients, an early-transport and an organized process which are not delayed in hospital stage are necessary. Our hospital developed a procedure, the trauma Critical Pathway (CP), through which a traumatic patient has the priority over other patients, which makes the diagnostic and the therapeutic processes faster than they are for other patients. Methods: The records of patients to whom Trauma CP were applied from January 1, 2011 through April 15. 2012. were reviewed. We checked several time intervals from ER visiting to decision of admission-department, to performing first CT, to applying angio-embolization, to starting emergency operation and to discharging from ER. In addition, outcomes such as duration of ICU stay, hospital stay and mortality were checked and analyzed. Results: The trauma CP was applied to a total of 143 patients, of whom, 48 patients were excluded due to pre-hospital death, ER death, transferring to other hospital and not severe injury. Thus 95 patients (male 64, 67.3%) were enrolled in this study. Fifty-nine patients(62.1%) were injured by the traffic accident. The mortality rate was 10.5% and the mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) of the patients was $6.4{\pm}2.0$. After visiting ER, decision making for admission was completed, on average, in 3 hours 10 seconds. The mean time intervals for the first CT, angio-embolization, surgery and discharge were 1 hour 20 minutes, 5 hours 16 minutes, 7 hours 26 minutes and 6 hours 13 minutes, respectively. Conclusion: The trauma CP did not show the improvement of time interval outcome, as well as mortality rate. However, this test did show that the trauma CP might be able to reduce delays in procedures for managing trauma patients at the university-based hospitals. To find out the benefit of CP protocol, a large scaled data is required.