• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.539-547
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• 2020

Purpose: Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a serious condition; however, data on PALF in developing countries are sparse, particularly concerning molecular diagnosis and liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to determine the causes, outcomes, and prognostic factors of PALF. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children (age <15 years) with PALF diagnosed using the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases criteria at our center from 2011 to 2016. The collected data included laboratory results, complications, outcomes, and potential factors associated with death and LT. Results: We included a total of 27 patients, with a median age of 2 years (interquartile range, 3 months to 4 years). Viral infection was the most common etiology (n=8, 30%), predominantly dengue infection (n=4). A total of 16 patients (59%) died and 11 patients survived (3 patients with LT). The prognostic factors associated with death or LT requirement were grade IV hepatic encephalopathy (p<0.01), hypotension (p=0.02), gastrointestinal bleeding (p=0.03), increased intracranial pressure (p=0.04), and higher peak serum lactate level (p=0.01). Peak serum lactate ≥6 mmoL/L had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 88% for predicting mortality or the necessity of LT. Conclusion: Viral infection was the most common cause of PALF. The mortality rate remained high, and a considerable number of patients required LT. In addition to several clinical factors, peak serum lactate could be a potential marker for predicting poor outcomes in PALF.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term results of surgical treatment for native valve endocarditis (NVE) and to investigate the risk factors associated with mortality. Methods: Data including patients' characteristics, operative findings, postoperative results, and survival indices were retrospectively obtained from Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. Results: A total of 29 patients underwent surgery for NVE (affecting the mitral valve in 20 patients and the aortic valve in 9) between 2003 and 2017. During the follow-up period (median, 46.9 months; interquartile range, 19.1-107.0 months), the 5-year survival rate was 77.2%. In logistic regression analysis, body mass index (p=0.031; odds ratio [OR], 0.574; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.346-0.951), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (p=0.026; OR, 24.0; 95% CI, 1.459-394.8), and urgent surgery (p=0.010; OR, 34.5; 95% CI, 2.353-505.7) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Based on Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, the statistically significant predictors of long-term outcomes were hypertension, ESRD, and urgent surgery. Conclusion: Surgical treatment for NVE is associated with considerable mortality. The in-hospital mortality and 5-year survival rates of this study were 13.8% and 77.2%, respectively. Underlying conditions, including hypertension and ESRD, and urgent surgery were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcomes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.374-380
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• 2012

Background: Delivery of Bacille Calmette-Gur$\acute{e}$in (BCG) Tokyo vaccine, with the multipuncture device, has been much preferred over BCG Pasteur, with the intradermal method, possibly due to the easier manner of administration, a desire to avoid any trouble with scars, as well as side effects and higher profits to providers in South Korea. Methods: To determine BCG scar status in 0~6 year old children vaccinated with two BCG vaccines (Pasteur BCG vaccine with intradermal method and BCG Tokyo vaccine with percutaneous method), the data from the national BCG scar survey in 2006 was analyzed. Results: Based on the national survey, the high proportion that were vaccinated with BCG Tokyo vaccines with the multipuncture method (64.5%) was noted in 0~6 year old Korean children. From inspection of scar formation, as an indicator of vaccination, the median number of the visible pin scars from the percutaneous method was 16 (interquartile range, 12~18) in the Korean children, and pin scars decreased as the age of the children increased (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings in this survey clearly showed a growing preference of parents for the BCG Tokyo vaccines by the multipuncture method in South Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.167-173
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• 2018

Purpose: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome with many causes, including Kawasaki disease (KD). The purpose of this study was to identify the laboratory tests needed to easily differentiate KD with HLH from incomplete KD alone. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on patients diagnosed with incomplete KD and incomplete KD with HLH (HLH-KD) between January 2012 and March 2015. We compared 8 secondary HLH patients who were first diagnosed with incomplete KD with all 247 incomplete KD diagnosed patients during the study period. The complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet count, and serum total protein, albumin, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and ferritin levels were compared. Clinical characteristics and echocardiography findings were also compared between the 2 groups. Results: The total duration of fever was longer in the HLH-KD group than in the KD group. White blood cell and platelet counts were higher in the KD group. Alanine aminotransferase, ferritin, and coronary artery diameter were increased in the HLH-KD group compared with those in the KD group. The median of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in the HLH-KD group than in the KD group at 889.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 384.5-1792.0) pg/mL vs. 233.0 (IQR, 107.0-544.0) pg/mL. Conclusion: The NT-proBNP level may be helpful in distinguishing incomplete KD from KD with HLH. The NT-proBNP level should be determined in KD patients with prolonged fever, in addition to the white blood cell count, platelet count, and ferritin level, to evaluate secondary HLH.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2020

Background: Predicting the prognosis of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is very important in determining further management and resource allocation. The prognostication of critically ill children can be challenging; hence, accurate methods for predicting outcomes are needed. Purpose: To evaluate the role of microalbuminuria at admission as a prognostic marker in comparison to standard Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) and Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction (PELOD) mortality scores in children admitted to the PICU. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to October 2016. Eighty-four patients aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the PICU of teaching hospitals for more than 24 hours were enrolled by convenience sampling method. Microalbuminuria was estimated by spot urinary albumin-creatinine ratio. PRISM and PELOD scores were calculated using an online calculator. Outcome measures were PICU length of stay, inotrope usage, multiorgan dysfunction, and survival. ACR was compared with mortality scores for predicting survival. Results: Microalbuminuria was present in 79.8% with a median value of 85 mg/g (interquartile range, 41.5-254 mg/g). A positive correlation was found between albumin-creatinine ratio and PICU length of stay (P=0.013, r=0.271). Albumin-creatinine ratio was significantly associated with organ dysfunction (P=0.004) and need for inotropes (P=0.006). Eight deaths were observed in the PICU. The area under the curve for mortality for albumin-creatinine ratio (0.822) was comparable to that for PRISM (0.928) and PELOD (0.877). Albumin-creatinine ratio >109 mg/g predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 63.2%. Conclusion: Microalbuminuria is a good predictor of PICU outcomes comparable with mortality scores.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.181-189
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the microbial and clinical effects of mechanical debridement (MD) alone or in combination with the application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and sustained-release micro-spherical minocycline (MSM) for treatment of peri-implant mucosal inflammation (PIMI). Materials and Methods: Subjects with at least one implant with PIMI were included and divided into control and two different test groups. In all three groups, MD was performed. In the MSM group, following MD, MSM was placed subgingivally around the implants. In the EMD group, after MD, EMD was placed in the sulcus around the implants. Sampling of peri-implant crevicular fluid for microbial analysis with real-time polymerase chain reaction and recording of probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were performed prior to as well as two weeks and three months after treatment. Median values and interquartile range were estimated for each variable during the various assessment intervals of the study. Results: In all groups, at two weeks and three months, the counts of Porphyromonas gingivalis decreased significantly compared to baseline. Levels of P. gingivalis were significantly reduced in MSM (P<0.001) and EMD (P=0.026) groups compared to the control group. Also, clinical parameters improved significantly at two weeks and three months. Reduction of PD was significant in MSM (P<0.001) and EMD (P<0.001) groups. The decrease in BOP in the MSM, EMD, and control groups was 60%, 50%, and 20%, respectively. Conclusion: The use of MSM and EMD can be an adjunctive treatment for management of PIMI and improves clinical parameters and reduces P. gingivalis burden three months after treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2014

Background: The increasing number of outpatients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has led to a new category of pneumonia, termed healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). We determined the differences in etiology and outcomes between patients with HCAP and those with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to clarify the risk factors for HCAP mortality. Methods: A retrospective study comparing patients with HCAP and CAP at Jeju National University Hospital. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Results: A total of 483 patients (208 patients HCAP, 275 patients with CAP) were evaluated. Patients with HCAP were older than those with CAP (median, 74 years; interquartile range [IQR], 65-81 vs. median, 69 years; IQR, 52-78; p<0.0001). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the major pathogen in both groups, and MDR pathogens were isolated more frequently from patients with HCAP than with CAP (18.8% vs. 4.9%, p<0.0001). Initial pneumonia severity was greater in patients with HCAP than with CAP. The total 30-day mortality rate was 9.9% and was higher in patients with HCAP based on univariate analysis (16.3% vs. 5.1%; odds ratio (OR), 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.90-6.99; p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and initial severity, the association between HCAP and 30-day mortality became non-significant (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.94-4.18; p=0.167). Conclusion: HCAP was a common cause of hospital admissions and was associated with a high mortality rate. This increased mortality was related primarily to age and initial clinical vital signs, rather than combination antibiotic therapy or type of pneumonia.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2013

Background: Good postoperative pain control is an important part of adequate postoperative care. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) provided better postoperative analgesia compared to other conventional analgesic methods, but several risks have been observed as well. We therefore surveyed the efficacy and safety of PCEA in this retrospective observational study. Methods: We analyzed collected data on 2,276 elective surgical patients who received PCEA with ropivacaine and fentanyl. Patients were assessed by a PCA service team in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), at 1-6 h, 6-24 h, and 24-48 h postoperatively for adequate pain control. The presence of PCEA-related adverse events was also assessed. Results: Numerical pain score (median [interquartile range]) were 3 [1-4], 5 [4-7], 4 [3-5], and 3 [3-5] in the PACU, at 1-6 h, 6-24 h, and 24-48 h postoperatively. Median pain scores in patients underwent major abdominal or thoracic surgery were higher than other surgical procedure in the PACU, at 1-6 h after surgery. Nausea and vomiting (20%) and numbness and motor weakness (15%) were revealed as major PCEA-related adverse events during the postoperative 48 h period. There were 329 patients (14%) for whom PCEA was ceased within 48 h following surgery. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of PCEA provides proper analgesia in the postoperative 48 h period after a wide variety of surgical procedures and that is associated with few serious complications. However, more careful pain management and sustainable PCEA monitoring considering the type of surgical procedure undergone is needed in patients with PCEA.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2018

Background Temporal hollowing is inevitable after decompressive craniectomy. This complication affects self-perception and quality of life, and various techniques and materials have therefore been used to restore patients' confidence. Autologous fat grafting in postoperative scar tissue has been considered challenging because of the hostile tissue environment. However, in this study, we demonstrate that autologous fat grafting can be a simple and safe treatment of choice, even for postoperative depressed temporal scar tissue. Methods Autologous fat grafting was performed in 13 patients from 2011 to 2016. Fat was harvested according to Coleman's strategy, using a tumescent technique. Patient-reported outcomes were collected preoperatively and at 1-month and 1-year follow-ups. Photographs were taken at each visit. Results The thighs were the donor site in all cases for the first procedure. The median final volume of harvested fat was 29.4 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 24.0-32.8 mL). The median final volume of fat transferred into the temporal area was 4.9 mL on the right side (IQR, 2.5-7.1 mL) and 4.6 mL on the left side (IQR, 3.7-5.9 mL). There were no major complications. The patient-reported outcomes showed significantly improved self-perceptions at 1 month and at 1 year. Conclusions Despite concerns about the survival of grafted fat in scar tissue, we advise autologous fat grafting for patients with temporal hollowing resulting from a previous craniectomy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2015

Purpose: To determine clinically useful biochemical markers reflecting disease activity and/or gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement in Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura (HSP). Methods: A total of 185 children with HSP and 130 controls were included. Laboratory data indicating inflammation, standard coagulation, and activated coagulation were analyzed for the HSP patients, including measurements of the hemoglobin level, white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen, D-dimer, and fibrin degradation product (FDP) levels. The clinical scores of the skin, joints, abdomen, and kidneys were assessed during the acute and convalescence phases of HSP. Results: The WBC count, ANC, ESR, and CRP, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and FDP levels were significantly higher in the acute phase compared with the convalescent phase of HSP (p<0.05). The total clinical scores were more strongly correlated with the D-dimer (r=0.371, p<0.001) and FDP (r=0.369, p<0.001) levels than with inflammatory markers, such as the WBC count (r=0.241, p=0.001), ANC (r=0.261, p<0.001), and CRP (r=0.260, p<0.001) levels. The patients with GI symptoms had significantly higher ANC (median [interquartile range], 7,138.0 [4,446.4-9,470.0] vs. 5,534.1 [3,263.0-8,153.5], p<0.05) and CRP (0.49 [0.15-1.38] vs. 0.23 [0.01-0.67], p<0.05), D-dimer (2.63 [1.20-4.09] vs. 1.75 [0.62-3.39]), and FDP (7.10 [0.01-13.65] vs. 0.10 [0.01-7.90], p<0.05) levels than those without GI symptoms. Conclusion: D-dimer and FDPs are more strongly associated with disease activity and more consistently reflect GI involvement than inflammatory markers during the acute phase of HSP.