• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.776-785
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to report and demonstrate the effect of Korean medical treatment on a wedge resection of a lung patient with mucinous adenocarcinoma. The patient was an 84-year-old female who was diagnosed with mucinous adenocarcinoma and underwent wedge resection. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine (Banhahubak-tang and Gamiondam-tang). The EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Lung Cancer 13 (EORTC QLQ-LC13), numeric rating scale (NRS), and the Global Assessment (G/A) were used to assess the changes in symptoms, including operation site pain and dyspnea. After treatment, the patient showed improvement in operation site pain and dyspnea, based on the NRS and G/A. However, dyspnea and pain were aggravated based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13. Therefore, Korean medicine may have a substantial benefit for patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma after wedge resection of the lung.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2016

Objectives : To report the clinical application and safety of Traditional Korean Medical treatment for patients with low back pain during pregnancy. Methods : Three patients who suffered from low back pain during pregnancy were treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine for 12 to 21 days. Numeric rating scale (NRS) of low back pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were checked to measure the outcome. A liver function and renal function test was carried out to identify any drug-induced liver or renal injury, and any adverse events were monitored thoroughly until delivery. Results : Low back pain reduced on NRS in all cases, and no serious adverse effects were found in the patients or infants. Conclusion : This study suggests that Traditional Korean Medical treatment is a candidate therapy for relieving low back pain during pregnancy, and also is safe for both patients and infants.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2015

Background: Infusion methods during regional analgesia using perineural catheters may influence the quality of postoperative analgesia. This study was conducted to compare the effects of combined or bolus-only infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine on the postoperative analgesia in interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) with perineural catheterization. Methods: Patients scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were divided into two groups, one that would receive a combined infusion (group C, n = 32), and one that would receive intermittent infusion (group I, n = 32). A perineural catheter was inserted into the interscalene brachial plexus (ISBP) using ultrasound (US) and nerve stimulation, and 10 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine was administered. After the operation, group C received a continuous infusion of 4 ml/h, and a 4 ml bolus with a lockout interval of 60 min. Group I received only a 4 ml bolus, and the lockout interval was 30 min. Postoperative pain by the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the forearm muscle tone by the manual muscle test (MMT) were checked and evaluated at the following timepoints: preoperative, and postoperative 1, 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Supplemental opioid requirements, total consumed dose of local anesthetic, and adverse effects were compared between the two groups. Results: Sixty-four patients completed the study and the postoperative values such as operation time, time to discharge, and operation site were comparable. There were no differences in NRS scores and supplemental opioid requirements between the two groups. The MMT scores of group I at 4 and 12 h after surgery were significantly higher than those of group C (P < 0.05). The total consumed dose of local anesthetic was significantly lower in group I than in group C (P < 0.05). The adverse effects were not different between the groups. Conclusions: The bolus-only administration of 0.2% ropivacaine provided a similar analgesic effect with a lower total volume of local anesthetic and decreased motor weakness compared to combined infusion. Therefore, bolus-only administration is an effective postoperative analgesic method in ISBPB with perineural catheterization after rotator cuff repair.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2013

This study was introduced the short-term effectiveness of Oriental medicine treatment for lumbar disc herniation inpatients. We selected 208 inpatients with a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-confirmed lumbar disc herniation since June 2012 until August 2012. Their demographics characterisitics, numeric rating scale(NRS) and Oswestry back-related disability index(ODI) for low or leg pain, lumbar flexion and extension angle were assessed at baseline and when discharged from the hospital. When it measured the straight leg raisingscale(SLR), the low side of the angle was examined. Treatment every patient has received as follow; herbal medicine, bee venom, acupuncture and physical examination, spinal manipulation. NRS of low back pain and leg pain and ODI is $5.6{\pm}2.3$, $4.9{\pm}2.8$ and $45.5{\pm}20.0$, respectively at baseline and $2.8{\pm}1.8$, $2.7{\pm}1.9$ and $27.2{\pm}14.1$, respectively when discharged from the hospital. range of motion(ROM) of lumbar flexion and extension angle and SLR is $70.0{\pm}27.1$, $15.4{\pm}7.2$ and $61.3{\pm}23.0$ respectively at baseline and $80.5{\pm}16.9$, $18.25{\pm}4.1$ and $73.2{\pm}14.0$, respectively when discharged from the hospital. It shows that statistically significant improved(P<0.001). Furthermore, regarding patient satisfaction with the treatment, excellent(33.7%), good(55.4%), normal(10.4%), poor(0.5%), it suggests that most patients(89%) satisfied with the treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.267-272
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• 2011

Objective : Although iliac crest autograft is the gold standard for lumbar fusion, the morbidity of donor site leads us to find an alternatives to replace autologous bone graft. Ceramic-based synthetic bone grafts such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and b-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) provide scaffolds similar to those of autologous bone, are plentiful and inexpensive, and are not associated with donor morbidity. The present report describes the use of Polybone$^{(R)}$ (Kyungwon Medical, Korea), a beta-tricalcium phosphate, for lumbar posterolateral fusion and assesses clinical and radiological efficacy as a graft material. Methods : This study retrospectively analyzed data from 32 patients (11 men, 21 women) who underwent posterolateral fusion (PLF) using PolyBone$^{(R)}$ from January to August, 2008. Back and leg pain were assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and clinical outcome was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Serial radiological X-ray follow up were done at 1, 3, 6 12 month. A computed tomography (CT) scan was done in 12 month. Radiological fusion was assessed using simple anterior-posterior (AP) X-rays and computed tomography (CT). The changes of radiodensity of fusion mass showed on the X-ray image were analyzed into 4 stages to assess PLF status. Results : The mean NRS scores for leg pain and back pain decreased over 12 months postoperatively, from 8.0 to 1.0 and from 6.7 to 1.7, respectively. The mean ODI score also decreased from 60.5 to 17.7. X-rays and CT showed that 25 cases had stage IV fusion bridges at 12 months postoperatively (83.3% success). The radiodensity of fusion mass on X-ray AP image significantly changed at 1 and 6 months. Conclusion: The present results indicate that the use of a mixture of local autologous bone and PolyBone$^{(R)}$ results in fusion rates comparable to those using autologous bone and has the advantage of reduced morbidity. In addition, the graft radiodensity ratio significantly changed at postoperative 1 and 6 months, possibly reflecting the inflammatory response and stabilization.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Dong-qi acupuncture on piriformis for herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of lumbar spine patients with piriformis muscles tenderness. Methods : This research was carried out on the 60 inpatients who received treatment for their HIVD of lumbar spine from January 1 to May 31, 2014 in DaeJeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. We divided them into two groups ; group A(n=30) : common treatment on HIVD of L-spine without Dong-qi acupuncture on piriformis(acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herb medication, Chuna and physiotherapy), and group B(n=30) : common treatment on HIVD of L-spine with Dong-qi acupuncture on piriformis. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group on tenderness(checked by Algometer pressure), and with a numeric rating scale(NRS), and oswestry disability index(ODI). The evaluations of tenderness were performed 8 times : admission day, and on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th and 21st day after admission. The evaluations of NRS and ODI were performed 3 times : admission day, and on the 12th and 21st day after admission. The statistical significance was evaluated by SPSS 18.0 for Windows. Results : In group B, tenderness was significantly decreased compared with group A. The difference of tenderness from admission day to the 12th day showed significant reduction compared with group A. Conclusions : Dong-qi acupuncture is more effective in reducing piriformis muscle tenderness in the early stages of treatment. We expect that patients who receive Dong-qi acupuncture will be satisfied with Korean medical treatment and trust their doctor.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.321-329
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• 2021

This case study reports the effects of complex Korean medicine treatment, including Nangan-jeon, on Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) accompanied by chronic constipation and abdominal pain as the main symptoms. A 39-year-old woman diagnosed with LEMS with major symptoms, including chronic constipation and acute abdominal pain, received Western treatment. The treatment efficacy was weak and symptoms recurred, so the patient received outpatient treatment and 13 days of hospitalization for active Korean medicine treatment, including Nangan-jeon. During outpatient treatment and hospitalization, defecation frequency and the numeric rating scale (NRS) for abdominal pain and abdominal cold feeling were measured. The NRS for abdominal pain and cold decreased from 8 at admission to 3 and 0, respectively, at discharge. Defecation frequency increased significantly from once or twice a month to once every 2-3 days during hospitalization. This study results that complex Korean medicine treatment, including Nangan-jeon may be useful for treating patients who mainly complain of autonomic neurological symptoms, among patients diagnosed with LEMS. In addition, it is believed that it could be basic data applicable to more LEMS patient treatment cases.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-162
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• 2018

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most intractable complications after surgery. Patients suffer from physical impairment, as well as psychological depression. Moreover, a recent study revealed that cellulitis significantly increased the risk of BCRL, and cellulitis has been suggested as a risk factor of BCRL development. We describe a patient treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) without steroid for relief of symptoms and reduction of the arm circumference of breast cancer-related infectious lymphedema in a month. We measured the arm circumference at four locations; 10 cm and 5 cm above and below the elbow crease, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, lymphedema and breast cancer questionnaire (LBCQ) score on every visit to the pain clinic. A serial decrease of the arm circumference and pain score were observed after second injection. In the middle of the process, cellulitis recurred, we performed successive SGBs to treat infectious lymphedema. The patient was satisfied with the relieved pain and swelling, especially with improved shoulder range of motion as it contributes to better quality of life. This case describes the effects of SGB for infectious BCRL patients. SGB could be an alternative or ancillary treatment for infectious BCRL patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.709-722
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in alleviating the side effects of lung cancer patient undergoing immunotherapy. Method: A 43-year-old man, who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, received pembrolizumab treatments. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine (Geoeoyangpye-tang) to control various uncomfortable symptoms. The degree of pain was measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC LC-13 questionnaire) were used to assess the change in the quality of life. Results: After the TKM treatment, the flank pain and arthralgia based on the NRS were significantly improved. Various uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, and loss of appetite were also significantly improved, based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13. The size of the primary tumor was decreased during treatment. The disease status was stable radiologically after two months from discharge.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1255-1264
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of Korean medicine on a patient with non-small cell lung cancer with pleural metastasis who had been treated with afatinib. Method: A 61-year old female patient with non-small cell lung cancer with pleural metastasis was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicines, including Yijung-tang, Haengso-tang, Samchulkunbi-tang, Paeamju-bang (Feiai zhu fang), to control various symptoms caused by afatinib. The degree of pain was assessed by a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the quality of life was determined with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC LC-13). Results: After receiving acupuncture and herbal medicines, the patient showed improvement in her back and chest pain, according to the NRS score. Similarly, the Korean medicinal treatments significantly relieved her nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemoptysis, and alopecia. However, the EORTC QLQ-C30 assessment suggested that Korean medicinal treatments did not significantly improve the global health status of this patient. Conclusion: Korean medicine could be useful in relieving some of the symptoms occurring after conventional afatinib treatments.